ic contact

[14thcommander]

It's Hange, Hange, Hange! Were you looking for me? I'll get back to you posthaste. Or when it's convenient.

[ communicator & actionspam it's all good ]

Comments

woah this tag did NOT show up in my inbox

[14thcommander]

Yeah! He had a bad conversation with someone. It sounds pretty unlike her, actually. Betelgeuse can misinterpret things easily. I'm going to check it out.

And he tailspins like this, and it's not only your job to restabilize him every time he does it, okay?

[It's tiring work for Hange too, and it was her primary job at one point.]

By which I mean, there's a good chance this will happen again.

it ok buddy

[shiftedshape]

Hm. He kept talking about not "belonging". He must hold her opinion rather high. [Because there are plenty of reasons for him to come to that conclusion, so he isn't sure why this particular conversation was the tipping point.]

I...may have persuaded him to stay by convincing him I need him to be my warden?

[He was already not sure if that was a great idea.]

<3

[14thcommander]

And do you feel that way, Loki? Or was there another reason for your working to make him stay?

[shiftedshape]

Yes.

[Why he thinks he needs Betelgeuse to be his warden hardly changes the fact that he does, in fact, need him around. Not even a lie, really.]

Do you think that was unwise?

[14thcommander]

I think it would be unwise to lead him on with false protestations of affection and preference. If what you said to him was sincere... it doesn't guarantee no problems in the future, but at least you were aboveboard with each other.

[shiftedshape]

Do you think he's likely to have this exact crisis again?

[Say, if Loki disappointed or hurt him very badly and Betelgeuse had put all his eggs into the Loki basket.]

[14thcommander]

I'd estimate the odds are better than even.

[Blunt. She has had the same conversation with Betelgeuse again and again, on some topics, and she cares about her ex-inmate but it's also so exhausting.]

[shiftedshape]

Then you are probably right that my efforts alone won't suffice. Can wardens lock other wardens up in zero? Temporarily, I mean.

[It'd be nice to know it's an option, anyway.]

[14thcommander]

I've never tried! There's no rule against it so far as I know, so we probably can.

Alternately, hog-tie him and keep him in his room.

[shiftedshape]

Well, he'd probably enjoy that, at least.

But I suppose this is a bridge to be crossed at a later date regardless. He's calm for now.

[Loki lets out a weary sigh.]

I commend your efforts with him. That was exhausting.

[14thcommander]

[Just a huge sigh in reply. Betelgeuse is exhausting.]

Well, I'm glad you reached out to me. [She's not going to say any more about how draining Betelgeuse can be. It's really not... fair, she thinks, that Loki has to take care of his warden like this. Hange stands with Bill Cipher on that one.] You'll find it's like this. Any upset can be magnified into a crisis. Betelgeuse's emotions don't stay small - they balloon and consume him completely. My advice is if he starts to spin out with you, never magnify it. Be sensible and firm about the actual magnitude of what's happening.

[shiftedshape]

[Loki lets out a weak laugh.]

I believe there are many who would argue that I tend to overreact myself. Or have in the past, anyway. Yet another reason why we might have been paired, though it does seem just as likely that it could backfire in a truly destructive way. And here I thought the danger would be in neither of us having a proper moral compass.

But I suppose all we can do is try. [He says this in a slightly cynical way, but it's mostly out of habit.]

[14thcommander]

If the instigating events are different for both of you it might be alright.

[Make up for each others' weaknesses, and whatnot.]

I'm glad you came to me.

[shiftedshape]

It was kind of you to respond, though it is no more your responsibility than mine to manage Betelgeuse at this point, yes?

[Unless graduating really doesn't mean anything at all.]

[14thcommander]

It is not... but wardens should be primarily the ones who assist other wardens in this way if it must be done, and I do care about him. The work I do trying to help maintain him is a manifestation of that care.

[shiftedshape]

Still. It is kind of you. I doubt anyone would blame you for growing frustrated with him, especially given he's supposedly already improved.

[14thcommander]

[Spoilers: she is frustrated with Betelgeuse, but she's not gonna share that tidbit.]

Well, look at it like this: he spent literal centuries getting fucked up. It's a lot to expect that a year and some would unfuck him. The barge community isn't much to speak of, but ideally communities should support their members.