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 Posted: Wed Dec 25, 2013 12:10 am
"I honestly don't know how you cope with it," Jerry laughed quietly, but moved to get their refills so they could be on their way and Jordan could elaborate. He almost didn't want to know, judging by what little he had managed to glean from his back reading a bit of the communal phone-chat.
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Posted: Wed Dec 25, 2013 1:15 am
"Sometimes I don't either," Jordan replied dryly.
Outside, Jordan mulled over the best summary of what had happened. "The short version," he said after a moment, "is that Rep pulled a charge on a trainee at the end of a spar. The kid had to be podded to recover, and Rep got podded as punishment. H also broke his chest open." His lips thinned into a tight line. "Both of them survived, obviously, but it's been ... messy."
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Posted: Wed Dec 25, 2013 1:17 am
Jerry nearly choked on his coffee as they walked, stopping in his tracks to gape, "He... he WHAT? How many times does he need to be punished- why on Earth would he...?"
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Posted: Wed Dec 25, 2013 1:23 am
"We'd all like to know that." Jordan sighed. "This is the last chance. For the time being, Marie's been attached to Tracey and is taking all his charges, so for as long as she's there, they can't use charges." He looked away towards the training field, his brows pulled down into a troubled scowl and his eyes distant.
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Posted: Wed Dec 25, 2013 1:28 am
"Jeeze. I mean... I mean, don't get me wrong, I like Rep, I consider him unfortunately one of my best friends here- but the guy is out of control. I mean... you stepped in when I was having my... my er... disconnection moments back in the day. Isn't there something you can do for him? Like heck he'd ever listen to me. Probably just call me a p***y."
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Posted: Wed Dec 25, 2013 2:52 am
"I'm trying," Jordan said, an edge sneaking into his voice. "I've done what I can do. I am going to have to hope it's enough." He hunched his shoulders, his jaw setting firmly. "I've heard some variant of you should fix him or leave him from just about everyone who cared to talk to me in the past few weeks."
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Posted: Wed Dec 25, 2013 8:46 am
"You shouldn't have to fix him. He should want to try to fix himself. We only say as much cause I mean...He should be your husband, not someone you babysit. Tons of woman have left me for less over the years... and that DIDN'T involve nearly killing people left and right and being proud of that."
He dug around in his coat pocket for his room keys, looking guilty at what he had said.
Rep was still his friend... but he'd be the undoing of Jordan if he wasn't careful.
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Posted: Wed Dec 25, 2013 8:52 am
"Yeah, I." Jordan stopped and rubbed his thumb over the bridge of his nose. "Sorry, dude. Didn't mean to snap at you. Just getting kind of sick of hearing that one, like I don't know, like I'm not already trying. Guess I ought to take it as a vote of confidence if people think I'm capable of helping."
He stuck his hand in his pocket, waiting for Jerry to get the door open. "I guess what that comes down to is that if he wants to change he will, and if he doesn't, well, I'm not going to make a whole lot of difference there."
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Posted: Wed Dec 25, 2013 10:25 am
"He shouldn't be your responsibility," The door popped open, and Jerry frowned behind his beard, expression looking concerned as he glanced back at his friend. It was a shame. He liked Rep- Rep had a lot of potential, he just... refused to change at all costs. Outright refused, and he was dangerous and took pride in that wildcard factor. It would get him killed one day. He was lucky it hadn't gotten him killed yet.
And then what would happen to Jordan and Harrison who loved him? The b*****d was lucky- he didn't just have one person relying on him, loving him, puting themselves on the line for him- he had two, and he just didn't seem to care, and took that love for granted. What Jerry would give for just ONE person to put up with his own eccentricities half as much as what Jordan put up with...
The place looked marginally tidier than usual- at least the dirty laundry had been condensed and done away with, leaving just the mess of papers and sheet music on his makeshift coffee table, instruments still leaning against the wall nearby.
"Make yourself comfortable, I can set up the kit in the kitchenette, just give me a moment."
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Posted: Wed Dec 25, 2013 10:58 am
Jordan offered only a somewhat rueful smile to the comment. Whether or not Rep should be Jordan's responsibility was a moot point; they were together, and it seemed that he'd taken the position, or been appointed, and he wasn't willing to give it up.
He glanced around the room as he followed Jerry inside. It was cleaner than he was used to seeing lately, more like the way Jerry had kept house early on. Jordan approved. Two months in the labs was rather alarming, as were memory gaps, but for better or for worse, Jerry seemed to care more about himself and his environment, enough to clean up a little. It might be temporary, but Jordan hoped not. "Where should I put the cup?" he asked.
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Posted: Wed Dec 25, 2013 11:25 am
"Er... next to the sink if it's empty, otherwise um- oh, shoot, one second-" He hurriedly dodged to pile the papers up so they wouldn't get any (more) coffee stains on them, setting them aside to go get his shaving kit from the bathroom.
"Alright um. I have no idea how to like. Teach it.... but my trick is to make sure it's sharp and have faith that our fear shields will heal most accidental nicks and don't slice your own throat, ahahaha..." He laid out the tools after clearing a bit of the kitchenette counter, testing the water. "Oh, wow, we have hot water again??"
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Posted: Wed Dec 25, 2013 11:46 am
Jordan finished the last mouthful of his coffee and set the cup in the sink, finding a clear spot for it. "It seems like it'd be something best learned by observation. I mean, I'm sure there's some mathematical element to it, the right angle and resistance and all that, but that'd vary by individual," he said thoughtfully. "I guess we're much safer with the trial and error part than normal humans."
"Yeah, it just came back. I was relieved, believe me. I ******** hate cold showers." He leaned on the counter, watching Jerry with curious interest.
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Posted: Wed Dec 25, 2013 12:03 pm
"Most of my er... uncleanliness has been from avoiding a cold hose down," Jerry looked relieved as well as he pulled up a metal folding chair, setting up the portable mirror that came with his kit, the soap and sharpening stone to give the blade a few good swipes.
He leaned forward to study his beard in the mirror, looking proud up until he turned his head to his more scar-riddled side and expression fell a bit. A bit of lather, some hot water, he was ready to go.
"So... um. Has Rep even er... seemed like he learned anything from this last encounter?"
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Posted: Wed Dec 25, 2013 12:08 pm
Jordan nodded, quirking a smile. "I'll take cold showers if there's no alternative, but I'm sure not going to take long, you know?" He paid attention to the process, sharp and attentive.
The corner of his mouth drew back a little, and a tautness gathered under his eyes, his look not quite definable as any particular emotion. "We had -- a conversation," he said. "About it. He's had some things to think about. I think he'll be able to stop himself." There was a faint, odd coldness to his tone.
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Posted: Wed Dec 25, 2013 12:29 pm
Jerry's lips pursed, and he took a moment to navigate his easier cheek but caught a glimpse of Jordan's expression in his mirror when he moved to rinse the blade. "If he really does love you, he'll listen." Even if he was sure Jordan had had these talks with the ginger before. He hoped he'd listen. Rep was brash and dangerous and feral, but if he could just learn to control his temper, he'd probably be the most valuable Sun they had.
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