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Jedao feels well ruined, but he's alive and awake enough to feel at all, and his mental voice is tentative as he reaches out. He hasn't done this at a distance with Edwin before, but he knows it should work.
Edwin? How are you holding up?
Edwin? How are you holding up?
'At a distance' only lasts as long as it takes for Edwin to register Jedao's gentle psychic presence. And then quite suddenly he is right in front of his dad and clinging tight if he's able to, shape in a flux somewhere between fox and octopus.
A-are you-- You're-- You're okay?
A-are you-- You're-- You're okay?
He's still mostly skinless, his body smooth black, like the living void he technically is, and he's also sore everywhere; he can't quite hide how much the sudden pressure adds to the deep aching, not for the first second of surprise. Edwin's own inhuman shape feels reassuringly safe to touch, though, and Jedao curls an arm around him anyway, deeply relieved to see him, to feel him close.
I'm okay. He will be, anyway, which is the important thing.
I'm okay. He will be, anyway, which is the important thing.
He immediately loosens his grip at the sense that it hurts Jedao, desperately wanting to hug him and just as much not wanting to make him hurt.
You are? You promise?
You are? You promise?
Here - cling around the flesh arm, he suggests. It's still a little sore, but it wasn't actually crushed, and it'll hold up better, he suspects.
A whole pack of the most lethal scientists in my world concluded that maybe I'd die if I got tossed into the heart of a star. Anything short of that, I just rebuild myself. I'm sorry I scared you.
A whole pack of the most lethal scientists in my world concluded that maybe I'd die if I got tossed into the heart of a star. Anything short of that, I just rebuild myself. I'm sorry I scared you.
Mr. Cho Buck, I believe you're referred as, I was hoping to speak to you about the current situation with the chapel. I've, frankly, done my best to behave in regards to the treatment given to me by Mr. Folgate in my position as an inmate worker in the chapel but his recent post bothered me far more than any of his tyranical pettiness.
I would guess that he has not consulted with you at any point, and he certainly hasn't consulted with me. The idea that he would open up the chapel to any random suggestion, and make light of it's destruction does not sit right with me. I will readily admit that my frustrations with him stem from his complete dismissal of my request for accommodations for my faith and more so, to make the chapel more inviting for use to the people here but I have dutifully put in my hours, both during my time here and since the destruction. That my voice would once again not be heard leads me to coming to you.
I would just like to see the chapel that I work at, a place made to accommodate faith, be less unwelcoming to any actual worship! Is that too much to ask?
I would guess that he has not consulted with you at any point, and he certainly hasn't consulted with me. The idea that he would open up the chapel to any random suggestion, and make light of it's destruction does not sit right with me. I will readily admit that my frustrations with him stem from his complete dismissal of my request for accommodations for my faith and more so, to make the chapel more inviting for use to the people here but I have dutifully put in my hours, both during my time here and since the destruction. That my voice would once again not be heard leads me to coming to you.
I would just like to see the chapel that I work at, a place made to accommodate faith, be less unwelcoming to any actual worship! Is that too much to ask?
[It wouldn't be a lie to say this takes him by surprise. He's mostly left decision-making to Norton, call it residual nerves or respect for seniority or both. But he did like the changes Vincent made, and... and he doesn't disagree. He had been more upset than he himself expected when he saw Norton's flippancy, and he was still trying to figure out what to do with it.
He's also, suddenly, a little ashamed of himself for not being more helpful. Not being proactive, or checking in with Vincent himself. John would have, he would have remembered to do it regularly, even.]
I don't think so. I don't think it is. And... and with it... being burned--
[The unexpected bright side feels like a slap in a way he can't quantify. Not a bad slap, but it feels... it feels rude or trivializing to think of what the chapel being flattened gives them opportunity to do.]
I think... I think it could be a good chance to change it. To make it somewhere people want to be. Even just to enjoy it.
He's also, suddenly, a little ashamed of himself for not being more helpful. Not being proactive, or checking in with Vincent himself. John would have, he would have remembered to do it regularly, even.]
I don't think so. I don't think it is. And... and with it... being burned--
[The unexpected bright side feels like a slap in a way he can't quantify. Not a bad slap, but it feels... it feels rude or trivializing to think of what the chapel being flattened gives them opportunity to do.]
I think... I think it could be a good chance to change it. To make it somewhere people want to be. Even just to enjoy it.
[ Traction! He and Edwin have had a perfectly decent working relationship, albeit a basic one. He's pointed out the spots he couldn't clean and Edwin had assisted as such. He'd hardly wanted to lean on the other warden without a good opportunity. Now, however-]
My thoughts were something like, oh, say a basic meditation room for the central area, smaller but built to accommodate the desire for peace the previous structure served, with rooms available to- well, perhaps not to rent but to fill while one is on board to serve one's faith as needed. After all, it's rare for more than three or four people to share traditions here, no? Why have a great big space no one will ever fill?
This way a room may accommodate prayer rugs, or an altar, or candles as one's faith allows. A way to celebrate one's faith instead of shuttering it away shamefully: that's all I seek. What do you think?
My thoughts were something like, oh, say a basic meditation room for the central area, smaller but built to accommodate the desire for peace the previous structure served, with rooms available to- well, perhaps not to rent but to fill while one is on board to serve one's faith as needed. After all, it's rare for more than three or four people to share traditions here, no? Why have a great big space no one will ever fill?
This way a room may accommodate prayer rugs, or an altar, or candles as one's faith allows. A way to celebrate one's faith instead of shuttering it away shamefully: that's all I seek. What do you think?
Edited 2024-11-04 02:46 (UTC)
That sounds... [There's a strange wistfulness in him, a feeling that's like nostalgia and very much isn't.
But he likes the idea. He really does.] That sounds nice. Maybe--plants in the central space, some decorative, but more... useful, meaningful ones, ones people need to use sometimes. Like sage or tulsi or sandalwood.
But he likes the idea. He really does.] That sounds nice. Maybe--plants in the central space, some decorative, but more... useful, meaningful ones, ones people need to use sometimes. Like sage or tulsi or sandalwood.
I think that would be a lovely idea. Perhaps we could even ask those who would be interested in such a space for their ideas. Design the space around the people, as it were.
It's about a week after they've all got home. Some places on the barge are still damaged, of course, but the worst of the ash and debris has been cleared away. More to the point, Fives' death toll should be over. And Jedao has an introduction he needs to make.
He calls Edwin a little before dinnertime.
"Hi, darling. Can I come see you?"
He calls Edwin a little before dinnertime.
"Hi, darling. Can I come see you?"
"Of course. Are you okay? Is everything okay?"
Yes, they are home. Yes, the worst of the ash and debris has been cleared away. Is Edwin's new anxiety at all quelled by that?
No, no it is not.
Yes, they are home. Yes, the worst of the ash and debris has been cleared away. Is Edwin's new anxiety at all quelled by that?
No, no it is not.
"Yes, everything's okay. I'm a little nervous, but for a good thing, I think. I'll see you soon, Edwin."
And he's at Edwin's door in another half a minute.
And he's at Edwin's door in another half a minute.
He opens the door as soon as he senses Jedao on the other side, giving him a metaphysical once-over just to make sure his dad is okay. Then he relaxes. A little.
"Do I need to bring anything or do anything or..."
"Do I need to bring anything or do anything or..."
Jedao is, indeed, fine, although he does bite his lip, considering.
"Could you...um...be in your blobby form, maybe? I'd like to carry you."
"Could you...um...be in your blobby form, maybe? I'd like to carry you."
Hi Edwin. I... wanted to ask you something. But. I hear John isn't doing well. He didn't answer my message. If you're busy helping him, that's understandable. But if you have time, I want to ask you something.
[He's doing a little better himself, with the port--a chance to see somewhere beautiful, the animals and the plants, though the ruins stir up the same strange aching in him that he had when they all got back to the Barge after the Narrenschiff.]
I- I don't think anyone's doing... great. But I have time.
I- I don't think anyone's doing... great. But I have time.
Will and I are getting married soon. I need a favour. [He pauses.] ...Two favours.
We need someone we can trust to look after our animals during the wedding. We know you're good with them and they know you. We want all five to be there. Do you think you can handle them all outside of the cabin?
On the back of the clearly hand-drawn card, he has printed For my best man and animal wrangler, the date (Dec 28) and time, as well as the location - the Enclosure.
[ Will is somewhat out of breath when he calls, but he doesn't seem upset. ]
Edwin? Hi.
I know this is kind of out of the blue, but could you help with healing? Malcolm got shot, and he's asked for you.
Edwin? Hi.
I know this is kind of out of the blue, but could you help with healing? Malcolm got shot, and he's asked for you.
I'm coming.
[And then, well. He does.After Will does the call in the thread, and stuff.]
[And then, well. He does.
Hey, Sunshine. Do you have a few minutes to chat with your old man?
...Yes.
[The answer is in fact 'always' but he is wary for reasons he hasn't figured out yet.]
[The answer is in fact 'always' but he is wary for reasons he hasn't figured out yet.]
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