009 // audio, maybe spam? // that boy ain't right

Yeah, absolutely, I can meet you after dinner if that works?

[ a low noise that's the auditory version of a nod ] You mind if I come over? Need somewhere quiet. [ She knows it sounds a little weird, but she doesn't want people listening to this one. ]

No, not at all. You remember where to find me?

Mm-hm.

[spam]

[ She takes a guess as to a good time "after dinner", listening for someone calling the dogs down before she knocks on Claire's door. ]

[Assuming it's Lua, Claire opens with a smile ready.]

Hey, [she says softly, stepping aside to let her in. Izzy and Chester waiting with tails wagging eagerly and tongues extended. Claire's very curious why the other woman wants to talk to her and she waits to hear the reasoning as to why.] You want a bottled water or some tea?

[ She steps in, taking care to step around the dogs as she flutters her fingers towards them vaguely. If she's nervous, she's not showing it. This isn't her business, and she should let this work itself out, but she can't this time. It doesn't feel right. Which is weird, but this place has been making her do a lot of things she wouldn't anyplace else. She hopes this one's a good one, since most of them haven't been. ] ...hi. You doing okay?

[ She shakes her head with a smile like you didn't even have to offer, but go ahead. ] It's all right.

Yeah, I'm okay, I guess. Now that I have more help with the gym. Which, again, thanks for offering.

[Claire scoots her desk chair out for Lua to sit in while she plops down on her bed and the dogs curl up near the new lady.]

[ She takes a seat and lets one foot tease Charlie, more to break any tension than out of liking dogs. ] It was nothing. But it's good you found people. Been around a little, but later than you're there, maybe.

[ She'll get where she wants to be soon enough. ]

I gave up the morning shifts so Kay could teach me some languages. [Shrugs.] I'm sure I'll catch you in there eventually.

[She sighs gently.] So, what's up?

[ Of course she knows something's up, Claire's got to be a smart kid or she wouldn't be here. ] Don't know if I should say this, but...

[ It takes her a few seconds to get it out, and it's a fight to keep up something that even pretends to be eye contact. ] ...seen a few things that make me worry. [ "About you". ]

[Claire doesn't mind the lack of eye contact, but it does make her that much more concerned about why Lua is here. They hadn't spoken much before, and had only met for the first time face to face after the shoe incident.

She leans forward and cants her head.] Worry about what? What have you seen?

[She can guess it has to do with her, or maybe Mr. Pink, might even be about Lua herself. But Claire is willing to help anyway she can.]

[ Even when it's important, she can't come out and say it. Better to see what Claire has to say first, before. ] I try to keep an eye on Richie. Someone's got to.

[ It's not any reflection on Will, the way she says it. ]

Oh.

[Claire shifts and tucks one leg under her, hands clasping on her shin.] I take it you saw what Jesse said then?

Yeah. Can't get into that. [ Her eyebrows turn down, like she wishes she could. Last time she got between two men, when it was even more important to them than this, it killed her and tore one of them apart. You can't stop it, even if you want. ]

But I've seen him around you, and know him a little better. And... [ She's tried to practice how to say this, but is losing it now that she's really here. ]

You can't? [Claire arched one eyebrow, uncertain on how to react to this.]

...and? [she presses, waiting for her to say more. Explain herself and her intentions, because she's saying things without finishing her sentences.]

He's not like... men that just don't back off, you know? [ She hopes Claire doesn't, but even at her age she knew guys like that. ] He doesn't know what he's doing. He's not right.

[ It's not an attempt to defend him. ]

[She sighs and looks off to the side.] Yeah, I kinda got the feeling he was another Brody, only I'm starting to think he's way worse.

[Claire looks back to Lua and her tone is deadly serious, her gaze fierce.] But I taught Brody a lesson so he'd never hurt another girl again.

[ Lua doesn't know what the other girl's been through, but that face is enough to pull her to a stop before she starts to protest that Richie doesn't listen, not about girls. ]

Don't try to teach him one if you can help it. Please.

[ It still sounds like she's trying to defend him, and while he can't help it that doesn't mean she's on his side. ] Don't want to see anything happen to you.

[Jesse said something similar too.]

How is it you think you know him better? Has he tried something with you?

[Because she's not his Warden, unless he opened up to her maybe?]

[ The look in her eyes is a stronger "no" than even shouting it. ] Tried to get him out of trouble one time and he... [ She takes a breath. ] He thinks I'm like his brother. Tells me a lot.

[She straightens at the look and understands.]

He says Seth is abusive. More or less.

[ She nods and makes a sad noise, pretty sure Claire's not implying anything. Richie's hinted at a few things about him and Seth on accident, but a lot of people later in the timeline than her don't get that sometimes that's how guys have to talk. Especially when they're that close. ] Sometimes he's like a kid. He isn't right.

Oh, I know he isn't right. Pretty sure I've known since I showed him around the Barge, but...I can't let him see that he scares me, because then he'll win. [Shakes head.] And I don't want Jesse getting into trouble for me. Richie...I don't want Jesse to get hurt.

[ Lua's used to talking a man into killing someone, or she'd have some better advice with Jesse; as it is she's more concerned about the bigger problem here. ] 's it. If you act like that, he'll think it's all right. Just get worse.

[Claire dropped back her head and sighed. Eyes closed and head still hanging, she asked:] What do you suggest then, Lua, since you seem to know him better?

[She returned her gaze to the woman.] You obviously came here to address this whole shit storm.

[ She looks back like she knows Claire's smart enough to be doing this already. Whether that's true or not, she doesn't know, but you have to be a smart kid on this ship. ]

Only thing is don't give him a chance. Can't stop him from looking, but don't let him alone with you. He doesn't talk to you around other people, right? [ She knows Richie knows other people think it's wrong, Seth and her and Will and probably everyone that isn't a girl. ]

Well, we were in a public setting when he was waiting for me at the gym, but that was during the flood.

[She thinks back on their journal conversations.] Not all of our conversations are private over the comm. [Just most.

[ She said a few things just as unfortunate except she was the girl getting murdered, so is willing to excuse his stalking the one time, at least to herself. ] No one could help it then.

But... always something you have to do, right? You work, you've got an inmate, you have friends to see... [ You get what she's saying, right, Claire? ]

[She cants her head and almost squints at her. Claire isn't sure if Lua means it's always Claire getting Richie to talk and then it goes to private filter, or if she means how Claire always manages to escape by pretending to be busy.]

I've been able to get away with my excuses for now, but I think he's suspicious or catching on. If that's what you meant.

[ Even if Claire's face doesn't look like she understands, her words sound like she does. ] Not if you sound sorry enough.

So, you're telling me to sound really sorry for leaving him, but to try and avoid him altogether, right?

[ When Claire says it back to her, it sounds... almost like bad advice, even if Lua doesn't show it. It's never been anything she had to explain before, it was just something you knew. She nods, lips pressed together like she's not entirely sure herself. ]

Has he...said anything to you? About me or...I don't know, anything else you should be telling me here?

[Since she claims to him so much better, that he apparently tells her 'things'.]

[ She feels disloyal enough even coming here behind his back, and bows her head as she tries to think of if there's anything even to say. But he told her about the one girl in public, and Claire might have missed it, so it's all right, right? ] Jesse's right about him.

[Claire is silent for a while. So long that Lua might suspect she didn't even hear her, but she did. She has. And finally, she offers,] I know. But I can take care of myself. [Or so she stupidly, stupidly thinks, because things with Richie will not end well. They will not go the way she plans or hopes and it may take the worse possible thing for the blonde to learn her lesson.

She stands up and moves towards her door, not yet opening it but hovering to suggest as much.] Was there anything else, Lua?

[ She stands up almost too quickly and takes a few steps forward, knowing that she's really not wanted around here. Don't trust yourself too much, Claire; you have to know guys like that to handle them and you seem too bright and happy to know them well enough. ] Don't think so.

[Claire notes this and sighs, feeling like she should add:] Look, I appreciate the warning, okay? Really. I'm just stressed out from everything this past month.

It's all right. [ Really, it is. No one ever wants someone to tell them what they don't want to hear. ] Thank you.

[Claire nods and opens her door.] You be careful too, though...he doesn't seem the type to be particular on who he attacks. And if you hear anything else, you'll tell me, right?

[ Her head shakes up and down, with a noise like "yes, I promise". ]

Good. Thanks, again.

009 // audio, maybe spam? // that boy ain't right

Thanks, love.

yw c:

Spam, yes?

yyy!

SPAM.

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"yeah I drove our car into a tree :D"

lol xD Good ol' Claire.

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spam - Sorry for delay, tried on wedding gowns today. ^_^

*A* also sleep time is now

ME TOO, night bb.

her advice is the worst advice :c

spam - lol no worries.

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A also sleep time is now