infomodder | ic contact 2 mask or menace

[An all encompassing bear hug Will doesn't hesitate to return, with the same fierce intimacy he'd give to his wife. He stands in a kitchen being held by a man quite taller than him and doesn't shy away, doesn't instinctively recoil like Jeff's two seconds from an attempted disemboweling. Will's hands move to Jeff's shoulders, grounding and very much real, and if there's any suspicion he's doing this simply to hide, that never comes across. Sometimes people just need a hug. Sometimes they just need a place to hide, too, and far be it from Will to deny Jeff that much.]

No, you didn't. [There isn't a waver in Will's voice.] It was taken from you. In small, gradual increments. Then completely, all at once.

[If he sounds like the voice of experience with this, good. Perhaps there is some projection going on, but it's all very personal to Will.]

That's what'll eat you alive, if you try to unravel where and when everything happened. Kill you more than a bullet to the head.

[Kill you on the inside.]

[ She bounces on her heels like an excited pup at his compliment, knowing that her effort has paid off. There's nothing more satisfying than hearing the food you've spent time preparing is not only edible, but delicious. (Well, eating it is probably more satisfying than that.) ]

Um, thank you! That makes me very happy.

[ She stills for a moment, pondering something in the seconds of silence that befall them before she leans forward to wrap her arms around Will. ]

Uhh... Merry Christmas, Will.

[Oh God. Is this part two of the gift, or did she somehow find out today is also Will's birthday?

There's a moment of pause because he has stuff (and things) in his hands; the animals of this house will get a comical view of Will with bowl and fork held aloft, staring down at the top of Sasha's head in confusion first, then shock, all washed away to be replaced with absolute fondness. Love in its truest form, the smile on his face bringing all those aged crinkles to light around his eyes as he quickly puts fork in bowl and sets that on the counter. From there, nowhere else to go but around Sasha, getting rid of any odd distance, of anything that could give off the vibe he thinks this isn't as delicious as her cooking. Not today, Satan, this is a very happy, warm family Christmas.]

Merry Christmas to you, too, Sasha. [He mumbles, chin currently perched atop her head, aware of the wobbly sensation that comes from his jaw, his throat.] And you're welcome. I'm glad to hear it makes you happy...since you make me happy.

[Feelings.]

[ Her face grows warm and practically glows following his comment, the warmth spreading down to her neck and settling in her chest. She's slightly stunned when he returns the hug, though she winds up leaning into him a bit more as a result. The feeling is almost indescribable; she feels safe in Will's arms, in his and April's cozy home and that she has a place here. There's always been a sense of being misplaced since she first arrived in this world, but that feeling has only grown ever since Armin's departure. It frightens her more than she will admit to be the only one from her world, but when she's in this house or with some of her other close friends, she doesn't feel so alone or small. ]

... thank you. You... um, you also make me happy. And April, Laurie... everyone here I have met.

[He has to swallow a laugh. Perhaps not the best compliment, on the surface, that Will makes her happy but so do these other people. Perhaps it could be seen as putting down how happy he truly makes her, to share it with others. Except Will loves April with every fiber of his being and knows Sasha and Laurie have a strong relationship, so rather than find this common ground somewhat rude, he finds it the opposite. Being on a panel with beloved, respected people is what he hears in her words, however faltering they might be. He gives her a squeeze, holds her tightly for a few seconds, then slowly pulls back, resting his hands on her shoulders.]

That's also good. If anybody here gives you problems, you feel free to let me know, okay? If it's something you don't want to deal with on your own, April and I will be more than happy to lend a hand. I'm sure Laurie would, too, but I don't know her well enough to speak for her.

[April will have reasonable advice. Will might just get all grumpy dad on whoever it is, situation depending. Either way, Sasha's problems are family problems and although decency has declined in the past few centuries, family is still meant to look out for each other. It's why he felt the cold last breath of murder recently and why he'd go through that again in a heartbeat if such was necessary.

April knew what mess she married when they said their vows, they'll be fine.]

[ For a second, she wonders what he could be referring to before it dawns on her he's speaking generally; the last time they had spoken she was getting into a tiff with Reggie on the network. Which reminds her, maybe she should spare the awkwardness and tell Will what's going on there, but...

... how does one even bring that up on a love Christmas morning?

Clearly, the answer right now is to not. At least not ruin this special moment. ]

Um, yes, of course. Really Will, I am glad we got to meet and that you've always been there to help. [ She bites down on her lower lip. ] And that it wasn't a lie... like how Dr. Crane pretended to be someone I could trust.

[ Will hasn't shattered her faith in people. Of all the thing she has seen and experienced in this world, Will's extended kindness is a reminder that she doesn't need to carry her burdens alone. ]

[There is no pang of guilt, no dull ache at her words. While he hasn't lied, while he has committed sins of omission, he's done nothing and is nothing like Crane. Such a comparison, or whatever it may be called, brings him no upset. He sighs not out of some existential angst, but out of the sheer frustration the not-so-good doctor brings them all. A walking headache, that man. Will would have to go above and beyond to change this view of Sasha's, and he has no desire to, so he feels, yes, safe.]

Unfortunately, you'll find people like Doctor Crane wherever you go. [A gentle pat to her shoulder, a fond smile, and Will turns back to the counter. Sasha hasn't shown any interest in her own dish, so he feels comfortable covering it back up and carefully sliding it into the fridge for later.] He might not want you to believe it, and I don't say that to be bleak or depressing... [He's currently moving aside a container of pizza to make room, nothing here is depressing.] ...just how it goes. There's good people. Great people. And then there's nasty, crazy sons of bitches keeping things balanced.

[Or whatever horseshit they tell themselves. Keeping things balanced, becoming a great red dragon. Fucking nutsos.]

[ Apparently so, especially when she has to consider the fact Crane tried to compare what he had done with what Sasha had had to do back home. They weren't comparable, and honestly, if Will hadn't ever helped placate some of her feelings on the matter she might have believed Crane.

She watches Will, looking back at her food on the table. She winds up drifting back to it when her stomach growls (quite loudly, too) and twirls her fork until she's scooped up a good amount of noodles to shove into her mouth. ]

As long as there are people like you, too, it will be fine.

[ Sasha smiles at him, a noodle hanging out of the corner of her mouth before she slurps it up. Table manners? Who needs them? ]

Did April get you anything for Christmas? What about Grey and the others?

[ And why not a subject change while she's at it. It's Christmas; it should be smiles and good feelings! ]

Edited 2016-01-02 00:32 (UTC)

[People like him, huh? People who care or people who straddle the line between great and awful, hopping about as needs arise? Haha, no, Will isn't asking that.

April gives him access to glorious sex which is Christmas and birthday present combined, but that's not an appropriate response. He shuts the fridge and grabs up his drink again, waving with it before coming back around to the bowl of homemade goodness.]

We've all got each other something or other, yeah. Haven't opened everything just yet. Saving some mystery for this evening.

[Or he just got lazy and when Sasha texted him stopped fiddling with gifts to get his ass in gear.]

You got other deliveries to make today?

[ That must be an exciting feeling to wake up on Christmas morning, in a house full of people you love, and see everyone has gotten each other something for the holiday. It may be just herself and Laurie, but it was a similar feeling when Sasha had finally rolled out of bed earlier. ]

You're all going to open together? I hope they like mine, then!

[ And that those sweaters fit the raccoons... ]

A couple. Just Dick and... [ She trails off awkwardly for a moment. ] Er...

[ Though they just had a conversation about being able to talk to Will about anything, her stomach does flutter with nervousness at the idea of telling him about Reggie. ]

[If the sweaters don't fit the raccoons, Will can just put them on a special diet. Those lardbutts eat treats and snacks all day long, it's not like that would be something truly hellish for them. Probably healthier that way...

He watches her over the rim of his red solo cup, taking a longer swig as if he's waiting. But that's really not fair, so he speaks as soon as it leaves his lips.]

Just a couple shouldn't take too much time. [Easy breezey, like the awkwardness never happened, turning back to stab some more seafood. Sasha doesn't owe him names, if she has some secret mystery friend it's not his place to press. Like he told ChiltEn, it will be his business when she makes it so.] Dick's a nice kid. He and I went fishing once. Got attacked by a swarm of bees, but that wasn't his fault.

[And then he shoves that forkful in his mouth.]

[ Diets are cruel. Sasha would openly weep for them if that were the case.

She swallows another forkful of noodles, reaching for a glass now to take a sip of her drink. Maybe it's best she brings it up at another time. It's already been weird enough between her and Reggie. Plus he's gotten strange about Will before... ]

Bees?!

[ Dick (or Will?) being attacked by a swarm of bees is a little more important now anyway. ]

Were you both okay? You're not allergic, are you?

Will, ah -- we ought to talk. I got your gifts. Thank you, and Raina thanks you, too. [A beat.] I think it's better if I pass along that message.

I'd rather give you yours in person. And we can talk.

[ a tiny bit late, but Kaneki delivers. Honestly, he doesn't celebrate Christmas, but New Year is something he is much more fond of and he will be giving a present to all the people he has a relatively positive relationship with. So he will be dropping by to leave some Mochi Rice Cake. Enjoy! ]

[It's only fair; Will has gotten strange about Reggie before, too.]

Yeah, we managed to get in the car before anything happened. I'm not allergic to bees. Don't think Dick is, either, but you'd have to ask him. [Just normal conversation, the bee attack, in the same way Will would discuss...literally any mundane experience. It's over and done with, they were both fine, no need to make it all dramatic.] Wrote off that fishing spot for a while, though.

That's good, but aww... if you had found their hive you would have had free honey.

[ That's right; steal from those suckers. That will teach them to attempt stinging people who weren't doing anything wrong. (Maybe.) ]

Are you and Dick close, then?

[Well, with Will's luck, they'd find a hive that was manmade. Meaning it's a dude's corpse with part of his brain removed to make room for the bees and you know what, Will just does not want to risk that all over again. The bees can keep their hideous human hive and he won't be any the wiser and Dick won't be horrified and a serial killer lives on another day, everyone wins here.]

Nah. [He answers with a wave of his fork.] Talked a couple of times, went fishing...wouldn't mind getting closer, but it's been a busy past couple of months. Haven't done much.

[Since he went home for two weeks and got deaded and all.]

[ One of these days Sasha will know the full extent of the mess that is NBC Hannibal.

Today is not that day. ]

You can take a vacation, can't you? The bait shop is your own business.

[ Plus it is the holidays... don't married couples go off to Florida for relaxation? Alright, in this case, other places in Florida? ]

[He listens to the voicemail a couple of times from his new favorite spot, doesn't want to get up (spoilers: he has been in that mood for a while despite how he'll state outright he's grateful they got time together instead of upset she's gone, which is something he'll grumble out even if confronted about the matter while he's holed up in her room), but eventually hauls himself up to change into a fresh pair of clothes and call back. No proper greetings come out; they've passed the need for courtesies commonly granted other people.]

I'm assuming now's a good time. Where would you like to meet?

[His tone is tired but indulgent. No bark, no bite, just agreement.]

Will, yes, hello. My apologies for the early hour of the call. But I'm glad to have caught you. [Is that relief in his voice? It is in fact ample relief. He wasn't sure if Will would return the call.] I'm in De Chima at the moment.

I would prefer if we did not humor Heropa. I -- the Clairvoyant, you know, said something about bad omens or some such. I think you and I could use a little reprieve regardless.

[But why Heropa specifically? Because Raina had insight.]

[To be fair, April had said no Baltimore for the rest of the year. And that had, technically speaking, been last year. So there's no real guilt to be had. He's operating within the confines given.]

I can come to you. [Quick to cut to the chase, though he mumbles, words slow.] Didn't have plans for today anyway. Be nice to get back to Virginia. [Mostly nice just to get out of the house in general, but he's not getting into that particular bout of Baltimore "drama" over the phone.] Where in De Chima did you have in mind?

[There is never a day to know the full extent of it because what even was season 3, we just don't know.]

April and I have talked about going somewhere, actually. [But then Walter White happened and soon Abigail will poof and Will will just want to curl up into a ball that April is welcome to join. But that means no real traveling for a while because haha why do anything, life is harsh and cruel, give him a few days to get back together and then things go to shit so vacation's on hold again!!] Just a matter of the best timing at this point.

[Seafood delight get in his mouth.]

You ever thought of taking one? Where would you go?

If you ever did and you needed someone to watch and feed the animals, I would do it.

[ Will could use a vacation, she thinks. After her last conversation with Dorian, there is a pang of guilt that maybe Will has been too busy with everyone else to make time for himself (and April). ]

Um, Armin and I once talked about visiting California. Laurie talked about it, too, but... [ She nods. ] Timing.

[ And money. ]

I'll keep that in mind.

[The raccoons can keep everyone and everything else in check; even Jeff would be scolded if he did something the furry bunch considered out of line. But having someone stop by regularly to provide them with a bit of company isn't a bad idea. And that would give Sasha some feeling of usefulness—who loses?]

California would be a fun trip. You could go for spring break. [Wait.] If they still do that at the schools here...it's a thing. Back home.

Well, um... we'll save up, hopefully!

[ Because the idea of planes weirdly frighten her. Springing across rooftops using nothing but grappling hooks? Feels a lot more safer than being in a giant metal tube that shakes every now and then. ]

Someone told me it takes a while to drive there alone.

ic contact 2 mask or menace

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01.02.2016 -- voicemail.

Delivery

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call back - 20 minutes later

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