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< ❝ um, it's charlie? ❞ >
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Comments

text; un: carefree

[bluesteal]

I know this is a bit out of nowhere and a long time coming, but I wanted to check on you and see if maybe you wanted to get together some time and talk.

text; un: cupid

[outages]

Okay. I'd like that.

2/3

[outages]

should I meet

3/3

[outages]

you somewhere. sorry.

[bluesteal]

If that's what makes you comfortable, we can meet somewhere, or you can come to where I've been staying in the Up. It's safe here.

[outages]

[she's not scared of him. of all the things she should be scared of? she's not scared of him.]

Sure your dominant won't care?

[bluesteal]

I'm sure. 57-B.

[outages]

I'll be a few minutes.

[more like a half hour, but she's only been at the edge of the high rises once. she's refused every offer Bass has made to see his apartment, afraid that she'll end up asking him for a contract just to get out of the down. nevertheless, she uses his name to get into the up and then pauses before riding in the elevator to the fifty-seventh floor.

the door gets a sharp knock.]

text; un: chocobro4u

[burstmodes]

hey it's me 🐤
what's up??

[ because he's just being super friendly and all. no big deal. ]

text; un: cupid

[outages]

not much. still getting the hang of things.

how are you?

[she really has to learn how to do birds.]

[burstmodes]

[ well... he's been through a lot, but he doesn't want to talk about that because it isn't any fun. ]

ok i guess
you know the usual and stuff

you busy right now??
maybe we could hang out
i mean if you want
no worries if you've got something else going on

[outages]

[something she understands.]

is there a usual around here?

i don't have anything else going on. what do you have in mind?

[burstmodes]

probably not outside the sex stuff

[ wow, did he actually just say that??? moving on. ]

anyway uh
not really?
is there anything you haven't done that you might wanna try?

[duplicitymods]

❝

DUPLICITY CITATION Violation: Many infractions Fine: One week of community service at a business in the Down. Payments must be received within 24 hours, or debts will be handed over to the Remittance Facility.

❞

[everything4him]

Hey - I wanted to check in. How are you doing? Anyone giving you trouble about using my name?

[outages]

I'm good.

No problems yet. Maybe we should make it a thing before there are, though.

[everything4him]

A thing like a contract?

[outages]

We don't have to.

Nevermind.

[everything4him]

No, it’s fine. I was just clarifying. If you’re ok with that, so am I. I just didn’t want to assume. Or presume.

text; un: x dolls

[hugh_hefner]

FYI, Sebastion Monroe is listed on a casualty list for The Creator.

[outages]

What?

[hugh_hefner]

There is a list at work that names casualties for each side. Monroe is on the one for The Creator. Could mean that he’s hurt or worse. Thought you might want to know.

[outages]

Thx.

Delivery

[everything4him]

[Christmas morning, there are two packages delivered to Charlie's door, brightly wrapped. In one is a case of crossbow bolts, shiny and new. In the other, an artist's kit, with a plethora of paints and brushes and other sundries. Bass figures she probably has no need of either, but bolts, paints and brushes all seem like things you can't have too many of, ultimately, and he hopes all of them are things she can enjoy using.

Attached is a note, simple and sincere, though it went through countless drafts to get to that format.]

Dear Charlie,

I'm sorry, for everything. I don't know if you can forgive me, and I have no right to ask, but I want you to know I'm working on things, trying to be better. I've been seeing a shrink a few times a week, and he's got me on these meds that are supposed to help. I can't tell if it's making much difference, but I'm still trying. Knowing there's a reason doesn't excuse anything I've done, but it gives me some hope I don't have to stay stuck in the same patterns.

All I want is for you to be happy. You deserve that more than anyone I know, and I'd do anything in my power to give you that. I hope that you've found that, now. Just know, if you ever need me, I'm here.

Merry Christmas, Charlie. Enjoy your presents and the life you're making here.

All my love,
Bass

[outages]

[with the loss of neal, charlie had managed to retrieve most of the art and supplies that he'd created before cable had subsequently disappeared, too, so the sight of more makes her heart ache. that bass thought to give them to her makes tears spring to her eyes and that's before she reads his note. after that, she's a mess.

it seems tactless to send a text, and she's yet to find a gift, so she resolves to do that and deliver it in person.]