068 [voice]

[batmanschmatman]

That wasn't that bad. I mean, I know not being able to swear and cause too much havoc might have been annoying for some of us, but we complain enough about ports where monsters are trying to eat us and floods that leave everyone psychologically damaged and/or death tolling. If I've got to choose between not being able to swear, or psychological trauma? I'm pretty much always going to go with the former.

[And added later, after the private messages, in a considerably more 'fuck everything' tone of voice:]

Costigan's gone. Again.

[And deleted a few seconds after he posts it:] Why are we losing so many people?

[Private to Buffy]

This is um. Incredibly awkward, but I just wanted to apologize for how blind he, I, whatever was. He did think of her as a good friend, he was just... really in love with Summer.

[Private to Jon]

I found Summer.

[Private to Tim]

So Timker Bell, how does it feel being regular people sized again?

[Private to Martha]

I heard about Coyo. If you want to talk or do something distracting or something... let me know.

[Private to Costigan]

Did you head into port? I didn't see you, but that might have been more to do with looking for the girl I was desperately in love with.

[Private to the Admiral, after he's noticed Costigan's gone]

Why bother bringing him back at all if you were just going to toss him overboard again?

What the hell's the point of all this, if we can spend that long trying to help someone out only for them to just get ripped away like that? And then literally ripped away when they're just... gone?

... I want to change my deal. Or add an extra one or something. When I'm done with my original deal, for the people who were killed in the nuclear strike on Bludhaven, the next inmate I graduate afterwards? Is for him. You guarantee me Costigan gets a happy ending. Do we have an agreement?

Comments

[truth_is_cold]

I doubt the Admiral would give more than a speculative answer at best.

[batmanschmatman]

I don't understand what he has against giving people a straight answer. If he doesn't know, he doesn't know.

[truth_is_cold]

He has been saying he doesn't know. Frequently. I'm grateful for the ship I had, in that she was as least passionate about her crew.

[justareverie.livejournal.com]

How is psychological trauma any good for what we're supposed to do?

[batmanschmatman]

Beats me.

Private.

[toldastory]

Thanks love, nothing like a Barge crisis to get us through, yeah?

I'm sorry about Costigan.

Private.

[batmanschmatman]

I'd say only on the Barge, but I guess it's not all that different from back home.

Me too. We're losing a lot of people.

Private.

[toldastory]

True. Nothing like crisis.

It's the end of the month, nearly. More people will be coming in, maybe we'll see some people come back.

[yeahscience.livejournal.com]

What do you mean, gone?

[batmanschmatman]

His room's gone. I checked.

[yeahscience.livejournal.com]

What's that... what's that mean? Like, he graduated?

[subtlescience]

What did you become in this port? Some of us had to endure far worse than lack of profanity, you know.

[batmanschmatman]

I'd still take being a small animal or a troll over being almost mauled to death by a velociraptor.

[subtlescience]

I wasn't nearly mauled to death by anything -


But I see your point.

[frickinbaretta.livejournal.com]

So there goes the hope that was somethin' typical. 'Cause I mean...fuckin' weird, but...definitely better than some of the days I've had, you know?

[A halfhearted giggle because...yeah, it wasn't really funny in context. Especially not with what he says next.]

Seems to be a lot of that disappearing shit goin' around. I know you don't know me or nothin', but...shit. I'm sorry, man. He your inmate or a friend or...what?

[batmanschmatman]

That's the spirit. [Because srsly, that was not a bad port.]

He used to be my inmate, but... I'd call him a friend too.

[frickinbaretta.livejournal.com]

[Heh. Ohhh can he relate.]

Tough break. Any chance he just pulled a runner, or is he definitely...gone?

[Private]

[peektuttut]

I think I preferred Lucy-as-a-Dude.

You okay?

[Private]

[batmanschmatman]

You're just collecting nicknames lately.

Not really.

[Private, after getting the news from Claire]

[sixthanimorph.livejournal.com]

Is it true?

[Private]

[batmanschmatman]

Is what true?

Private

[snownotstark.livejournal.com]

I'm glad to hear that.

Private

[batmanschmatman]

I know it doesn't really matter because we aren't those people? But thanks for putting up with me anyway.

[Private] So sorry for delay! D:

[slayage]

[...Oh. Oh. He's really mentioning it. He's actually..

Buffy goes into denial mode. Which is useless. But she does it anyway. Just for the off chance he believes it. This is so awkward. So, so awkward.]

Oh. No, that wasn't- [Short, nervous laugh.] I mean, it was. Uh. She wasn't me, so. [Excuse for everything that happens when she isn't herself. EVERYTHING.] Yeah, nahhh. [Overly-dismissive-hand-wave.] No biggie. [Shifty-eyes of: 'Oh god that was way awkward and I suck at this.']

[Private] No worries! :D

[batmanschmatman]

I know it doesn't really matter because we weren't them but. Just wanted to let you know.

How are you?