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[credere]

 [ voice | video | text | spam ]

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[garbagepilot]

The number of people that Rey gives gifts to on Christmas is very small, and initially Credence isn't one of them. She didn't know him during the port, only met him after it was all over and done with, so of course she never picked up anything for him.

But she has multiple sets of scarves and gloves now, and the oddest little voice that tells her that Credence deserves something, that she should do something for him, and she doesn't know why she cares whether or not he's upset to be here relatively alone for a holiday she doesn't care much about, but-

Well, Christmas is apparently an important time for people who live on Earth and Credence being stuck on a ship that makes him deeply uncomfortable the way it seemed to doesn't feel right. So she's there, having found his door on her own, and knocking lightly.

[credere]

Having visitors is, seemingly, something Credence will have to get used to. At home, they'd have young children visiting for the soup kitchen, and occasionally men and women who'd come to talk to Ma about the work of the NSPS. But nobody ever wanted to speak to him, and that was fine.

"....hello, Miss Rey."

He says, essentially based on his recognition of her feet. He doesn't invite her inside immediately, because despite Elizabeth's previous presence in his room, it still seems odd. The room behind him is as bare as a cell.

[yedinyy]

Are you okay?

[credere]

[His response comes about an hour after the message does; thanks to Annie, he's taken to carrying it with him but he doesn't check it regularly. There's a lot of fumbling and clicking and mumbling to himself before he responds. Voice is easier than text because he can barely type, but he still doesn't like it.]

...yes. Yes, ma'am.

Elizabeth.

I'm fine.

[garbagepilot]

After she gets out of Zero, tells Credence to go home, and does what she needs to do to get her item back, Rey spends that night and a good portion of the next morning with Tommy. It's not until nearly noon that Rey comes by Credence's room, her leather cuff securely around her wrist, her lightsaber clipped to her hip where it will never not be again, and she brings a very simple lunch of sandwiches and tea.

"Are you in, Credence?" She calls through the door, unable to knock with her hands full.

[credere]

He is - predictably enough - and he scrambles to answer the door, leaving his reading material on the bed.

"Miss Rey." He steps back to let her in, not even noticing the food, too busy looking her over for bruises or a limp or any sign that she might be death tolling. "Are you alright?"

[yedinyy]

During the flood, Elizabeth tries very hard not to run into people. She's flexible, she's quick, and she doesn't particularly need to be anywhere but the dining hall, the kitchen and the inmate showers most days.

Which means that she's still drying her hair with a damp towel when she walks back out into the hall, and straight into Credence, who's just coming out of the bathrooms himself.

At least she's fully dressed.

[credere]

As is Credence, though he's fresh out of the shower himself and a bit damp in his clothes because he doesn't like to stand around naked while he dries off.

Their elbows bump, and he's about to stammer out a sorry - but when he hauls back, he takes her with him.

"Oh - !" He stops short, afraid to use his other hand to steady himself lest he somehow make things worse. "Ma'am, I didn't see - I'm so sorry."

[perdix]

[Thanks to Harry, Jesse has discovered that texting is by far the safest approach when it comes to inmates he doesn't know. It had stayed the best approach with Harry, but he's hoping -- although it's a hope that dwindles with every month -- that this time, this one will be the inmate that doesn't immediately make him want to hit something.

Here's hoping.]

Hey, this is Jesse, new temp warden. What's up?

[credere]

[Sadly dude, this time you're getting the one who can write to an elementary school level when he's putting in effort, and can't type for shit. This arrives a few hours after the initial message:]

helo sir

I donot thnk ennything is up

[magician_king]

"Credence!"

Quentin whoops, from like, across the hall, behind a door, still audibly.

Then there's some leaping, some door slamming, a few bounding steps and knocking on his door very animatedly.

"Credence!"

[credere]

Credence materialises at the door, eyes wide, face blanched, because he has absolutely no experience of differentiating between joy and panic.

"Quentin? Wh-what is it?"

[yedinyy]

Credence?

Are you okay? [She doesn't think she ran into him at all this breach, but it was such a big universe. A Verse, she thinks, and shakes her head at the way things carry over from breaches.]

[credere]

[There is no answer to this.

Credence is huddled in the corner of his unlocked cabin, shaking and terrified, clutching at his hair like he can drag out the memory of being someone else. Of other people's thoughts, in his head. He did a good thing, he did a very good thing, and eventually that will filter through the multiple levels of terror - but those are all he has, right now. They're all he can feel.]

[garbagepilot]

Nothing about this feels right. A year ago she would have expected that getting paired with someone she likes, someone she knows, it would be a good thing, something to find comfortable, but after being paired with Alfie she knows that's not the case. Their friendship had shifted, he was never shy about letting her know it, but in time they had been able to go back to something that didn't feel the power balance quite as much.

And then there's the fact that until her, until this moment, Credence had been permanently paired. If his response to the pairing announcement was any indication, he didn't even know that had changed, that Jesse had left or disappeared. To just suddenly be unpaired like that, it must be feel terrible.

But she would have shown up at Credence's door no matter who he was paired with, after finding out he'd been paired at all. Maybe it's a small burst of luck that it's her, though. Maybe that's a bright spot in this mess. So she's there, and she knocks, and her voice is very soft when she tries calling to him through the door.

"It's Rey, Credence," she tells him, to give him that chance to prepare. "Could we talk?"

[credere]

Credence appears at the door only moments later - it's not as if anywhere in his little cabin is more than a few paces from the door.

"...hello, miss."

He's not yet at the point of being relieved that she's been elected a warden to him, because he still doesn't wholly understand what's going on.

voice - after the pairing announcement

[garbagepilot]

[There are probably better ways to do this, but-]

I don't suppose you're yourself right now, are you?

[She would really rather have this conversation with the version of Credence she knows, but it's also not exactly like she can just not reach out.]

[credere]

Who else would I be?

[So, no, not really.]

voice; private

[magician_king]

Hey, Alec wants to talk about magic. I wanted to run it by you first- I know you felt a little hairy about it before but is it okay if I tell him we're friends and some stuff about what I know about the mechanics of your world?

voice; private

[credere]

Oh -

Yes. That's fine.

Um, he wanted me to ask you if we could have a - a schedule. For magic.

Skills carkeys - video

[withdistinction]

[It takes Porthos a bit to reply, as navigating around the network involves some serious trial and error even after Madame Chandler's lesson, but when he does finally contact Credence he's smiling broadly and attempting to appear... friendly? Approachable? He thinks he's doing pretty good at it.]

'ey there, I'm meant t'be teaching you some basic fighting skills as part of this skills exchange thing.

[credere]

Oh.

[Quentin why this]

Um, my name is Credence.

[ Spam ]

[kissthatgoodbye]

[There are a lot of things Alec is willing to let stand on their own and see what happens, even if he's pretty sure - or provable certain - that he knows better. But when his trip from the Enclosure to his cabin after his morning workout freezes the garment to his skin in the brief time he's in the hallway, he stops being willing to do that.

Which is why - after a shower and a change of clothes, of course - he just turns up at Credence's door and knocks rather than giving him any warning via network that he's going to be coming 'round.]

It's Alec.

[credere]

Credence shows up at the door a few moments later, wearing gloves and two sweaters and still looking chilly.

"G-good morning."

[allgotrabies]

Annie finds him one evening after dinner, when most of the Barge is quietly going about its business and settling in for the night. She can't help grinning at him, practically from ear to ear.

"You busy?"

[credere]

"Erm - no."

He's just finished his duties in the kitchen, eaten his own meal, and he's thinking about going to the library for a little while - but that's not 'busy' by any means.

"Do you...need something, Miss Annie?"

spam;

[allgotrabies]

[She comes by around dinner time, knocks softly.]

Credence? It's Annie. Can I come in for a minute? I brought you something.

Re: spam;

[credere]

Credence hasn't really left his room since the end of the flood, and if Annie was anyone else, he doesn't think he'd answer the door. But he does for her.

He looks pale and drawn, dark bruises under his eyes.

"H-hello. Um - "

He steps back to let her in. The cabin is new - high ceiling, big windows, a wood stove - and a blank canvas, piled with the things Credence will need to make it his own. Paint and tools, tiles and fabrics.

He was planning on starting it just before the flood hit.

voice- private

[magician_king]

Hey, sorry for not calling sooner. I wasn't okay- I guess the fact that I haven't found you yet means you probably aren't either.

I'm here if you just want to feel like shit with company.

voice- private

[credere]

[A long silence, then, quietly:]

I don't know. What I want.

[therushingsky]

Hey Credence, it's Rhys, we spoke the other day?

You mind if I ask you a few questions about that magic of yours?

[credere]

[Loooong pause.]

No. You can ask.

spam, bowling alley

[wrecked_egg]

It's probably always a little difficult to pick out what to wear on a date when it's only the second one you've ever been on and your first doing a new thing, but markedly moreso when three-quarters of your wardrobe is gone, probably never to be seen again. Fortunately, Shiro had done a little shopping with Pietro back in the bargeyard, and he hadn't let her buy just one outfit. So she'd found something after only a little wavering uncertainty; a short red knit dress with leggings and flats, hair half pulled back, the pendant Credence had given her sparkling around her neck. It's not bad, she thinks. Comfortable, but still--something nicer than usual. Something good for a date.

She's a little early, it's still not quite nine, but she's already outside the doors to the bowling alley. She's just...excited. It's a good thing to be excited about, and she's been looking forward to it all week.

[credere]

Credence is wearing what he's comfortable in - a slightly newer variation on the dark suit and shirt he turned up with - but it's all clean and fresh, which is what counts. He's carrying a covered tray, and gives her a small, cautious smile as he approaches.

"Hello. You look - really nice tonight."

voice | private

[ex_covertly887]

Hi, this is Bucky Barnes. I'm your temp warden for the month. If you have questions or need anything, don't hesitate to let me know. My cabin is level 1, room 07.

Re: voice | private

[credere]

Yes, sir. Thank you.

[gonna mention the murdering you did, credence? nah why bother.]

audio

[tucky]

Hey-- Credence? I know you already know me and everything, and you probably know you can talk to me if you got anything you need, but I'm gonna say it again since we got temporary-paired, okay? You doing all right?

Re: audio

[credere]

Yes, ma'am. I'm alright, thank you.

[A pause. He likes and even respects Tucky, which is why she gets:]

Are you, um, alright too?

private video

[stormandwind]

[Tris is still tucked into bed when she sends this message. The bed has changed underneath her once or twice as she's slept, but so long as she doesn't have to get up more than necessary, she really doesn't care.]

Credence, I don't know if you saw Odd's post, but Horseriver graduated. Odd is dropping off his kitchen key with me before going home. He said he'd leave it to me to find someone to take over the shift for him, but I'd like you to make that decision.

In the meantime... Teddy is in Zero, and I have a death toll. You've gotten so efficient with your magic. Can you manage dinner shift on your own for a few days?

I can give you Odd's key to get in and out, although I can't promise you that the Admiral won't start confiscating keys if I give every key to an inmate rather than a warden. Erskine already has Shiro's key for the next few days until my death toll ends, and Lark is borrowing my key for lunch. It might be safer for us to find another warden you like sooner rather than later, so that the decision doesn't get taken out of our hands.

voice throughout

[credere]

... I can manage the kitchen for a few days. But I don't want to pick a new warden. You can do it.

[heyidiedtwice]

[She's giving a small smile]

Uh, hey, Credence? I'm your warden for the month. Anything you want me to know or... do for you?

Voice

[credere]

No thank you, ma'am.

[sorry he's just. like this.]

[magician_king]

Hey. Sorry, I know I kind of. It's been a shitty couple of weeks.

How're you doing?

[credere]

I -

What's wrong, did something happen?

audio

[tucky]

Hey, Credence? Are you doing okay?

[This question is partly born of her realizing it's been a while since they've talked, and partly of her seeing him on Stan's post, identifying the pesky creatures that have been plaguing the Barge. If they're from his world, they might very well be bringing up some not-so-good memories.]

Re: audio

[credere]

Yes, ma'am.

[No, he's not seeing why she's asking.]

Are you?

video - right after the pairints announcement

[granularity]

[ This is his first 'pairing' but he figures it wouldn't hurt to try and reach out in a hopefully non-threatening way to his (albeit temporary) inmate. That's why he turns on the camera and gives what he hopes is a warm smile.

He's in his cabin, specifically in his living room with all of the books and board games and DVDs behind him as the case happens to be. He didn't so much pose as tried to make sure he was someplace where he would be comfortable. A formal assignment like this has him very determined to start on the right foot. ]

Hello. My name's Sandy. I think I've seen you at some of the meal shifts.

[ Which one? He's really bad with which meal is which, and timing in general. His clock, an old fashioned one with the hands that Wesley'd given him back when he was younger, certainly didn't keep military time. It might have made it easier, given his sleep schedule, or lack thereof.]

I don't know if you saw the announcement, but it looks like we're paired for the month. I'll be straight with you... this is my first pairing? So you've probably got a better idea of how this is going to go than I do.

But hopefully, we can start friendly. Did you want to meet for a meal?

Re: video - right after the pairints announcement

[credere]

No, I didn't.

[That's a no on starting friendly. Sorry, Sandy.]

[magician_king]

Listen to me you stupid jerk
death isn't permanent here so im already back
so first of all fuck you for your shitty decision making and atrocious impulse control and the inevitable emotional hangover you're going to put yourself through when you come back to your real self and fucking remember that i'm your friend
I forgive you preemptively becuase i did fully pick that fight but jesus barebone you can be a stubborn jerk sometimes
still love you
not in the infirmary this time in case you continue to be a psychopath but im sure were going to run into one another soon so try not to make it awkward when we do okay?

jackass

[credere]

[It takes him a couple days to respond, because Barge Amnesia Boy has forgotten a) that he has a communicator and b) how to work it.]

dont call me that