Devil's Nest, Monday, 9/03

[bitten_notshy]

Jack was still rubbing a raw spot on one wrist -- chains hurt -- as he made it to the bar, and was trying very hard to be grateful for Derek's intervention over the weekend.

As a man, he was. The wolf was less approving of the whole concept of confinement.

Either way, it was over. For four weeks, anyhow, give or take.

He took Kaidan's pastry out of his pocket and ate it as a late breakfast, then started answering some of Eric's correspondence. He was rarely as grateful to have a job to go to -- and the corresponding reminder he was still fundamentally human -- as he was on the days right after the full moon.

Comments

Mod the Bar [9/03, Daytime]

[bitten_notshy]

Tiny's around. Somewhere.

Talk to Jack [9/03]

[bitten_notshy]

He is trying to make a letter appropriately formal, polite, and blistering.

Re: Talk to Jack [9/03]

[not_a_whiner]

Kaidan had gone back and forth on actually checking in on Jack - didn't want to disturb him or hover over him like a kid, but he was worried. And okay, maybe part of that had been out of some urge to make up for unloading on him, but mostly it just felt like the right thing to do.

That last argument always won out with him.

So he stopped by some time into the afternoon, throwing the interior of the bar a critical look as he came in. "Well, it's... definitely an ambiance," he said. "No zombies. That's something."

Re: Talk to Jack [9/03]

[bitten_notshy]

"Eau de vampire, but that's not quite as noxious," Jack said, flashing a quick smile. Company other than Derek was another thing that made him feel more human. "Hi. Thanks for the breakfast, by the way."

Re: Talk to Jack [9/03]

[not_a_whiner]

"Figured you could use it more than I did," Kaidan said lightly. "So-- it's over for the month, right? How're you holding up?"

[bitten_notshy]

"Over until the 29th," Jack confirmed, with no small amount of relief. "I've... been better, but I got through it again."

He fumbled, trying to decide how much more to share. "I tried something new this time. Confinement. Safer for everyone, really, but the wolf did not like it."

[not_a_whiner]

"Is that going to cause some trouble?" Kaidan asked. He was still trying to wrap his head around it - had just put the whole 'eau de vampire' thing on the back burner for that very reason, in fact. He could only work on so many things at once.

It was a blessing in disguise, keeping himself preoccupied.

"Or does the wolf just... go away until the next cycle?"

[bitten_notshy]

Jack shrugged lightly. "Suppose I'll find out," he said. "Usually the less... pleasant aspects don't stay with me much. But I'm still sorting things out."

Not terribly reassuring, he knew.

[not_a_whiner]

"You think you're going to stick with it?" Kaidan asked. "Confinement, I mean."

[bitten_notshy]

"I think I'd need a good reason to give it up if I want to still look the person helping me in the face," Jack decided. "And that's winning the day right now."

He liked Derek, but he suspected Derek made a very bad enemy. Better to give his chains and mantras an honest try

Re: Talk to Jack [9/03]

[justlurkinghere]

Derek's aversion to saying hello to people continued today as he took a seat at the bar. He watched Jack for a moment, focus shifting down to his wrists.

This whole not healing as quickly thing was throwing him off.

Re: Talk to Jack [9/03]

[not_a_whiner]

... and look, Kaidan giving him the side-eye as he was just on his way out. "Is there a problem?"

Re: Talk to Jack [9/03]

[justlurkinghere]

Derek eyed him right on back. Because that was how you roll when you lurked around bars in the middle of the day. "You're Jack's roommate."

Re: Talk to Jack [9/03]

[not_a_whiner]

"Housemate," Kaidan said evenly. "We're not in high school here."

Re: Talk to Jack [9/03]

[justlurkinghere]

Really? How nice a distinction! Derek's eyebrows went up as though totally impressed by it.

"Housemate."

Re: Talk to Jack [9/03]

[not_a_whiner]

Kaidan wasn't going to get into some kind of... ridiculous bitchfight argument here. "Is there a problem?" he repeated.

Because he'd had to deal with enough shifty guys in his life that he couldn't afford not to be a little concerned by someone eyeballing a friend like that.

Re: Talk to Jack [9/03]

[justlurkinghere]

Don't think you won't get into a ridiculous bitchfight, Kaidan. Because you totally were.

"Not as far as I can tell."

Re: Talk to Jack [9/03]

[not_a_whiner]

Thanks, but no thanks. Kaidan's last bitchfight - about ten or so years ago - didn't end so well.

"Fine," he said, stealing a look towards Jack before heading onwards towards the door.

He was probably just going to hang around outside a little bit longer in case something went wrong. He didn't like this guy.

Re: Talk to Jack [9/03]

[bitten_notshy]

At least it was only a sore patch? On a human it would have been blood and scabs, after three nights in chains.

Jack touched the spot self-consciously anyhow. "It doesn't hurt much," he promised. "Hello."

He'd ask what the little ... interlude with Kaidan had been about later.

Re: Talk to Jack [9/03]

[justlurkinghere]

"We'll come up with a different method," Derek said, finally looking away.

Re: Talk to Jack [9/03]

[bitten_notshy]

Jack smiled tightly, in a way that didn't reach his eyes. "I'll try anything you come up with except a cage," he said. "I don't like bars."

Re: Talk to Jack [9/03]

[justlurkinghere]

Derek nodded the once, stiff and uncertain. He didn't do well with the whole... normal emotional responses to things. Which was shocking for everyone, of course.

He seemed so much the poster boy for mental health.

"We can work on your anchor in the meantime."

Re: Talk to Jack [9/03]

[bitten_notshy]

"Maybe something other than Sebastien," Jack said, chewing on his lip. "Something -- normal and solid. A thing, not a person."

He glanced over. "What do you use?"

Re: Talk to Jack [9/03]

[justlurkinghere]

"Anger." Wow, that sure sounded healthy.

OOC [9/03]

[bitten_notshy]

DONE.