![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
[ Maybe she should have thought this through more, maybe she should've like. Not. Gotten her something so big when she barely knows her. She hadn't meant to, she didn't even think it'd work when she left the offering for the deer, but now she realized it could definitely look weird to get someone something this personal after knowing them less than a month.
Shit.
She was standing outside her door for probably way too long. She should go. She should turn around and definitely just leave. She's gonna just leave them on her doorstep and let her think they showed up on their own. Yeah. That's it. She'll just leave them here and --
She lifted her hand and quickly rang the doorbell.
Fuck you, body, catch up to her brain. ]
Shit.
She was standing outside her door for probably way too long. She should go. She should turn around and definitely just leave. She's gonna just leave them on her doorstep and let her think they showed up on their own. Yeah. That's it. She'll just leave them here and --
She lifted her hand and quickly rang the doorbell.
Fuck you, body, catch up to her brain. ]
[ She'd had an uncomfortable amount of free time recently and so had been lounging around on the sofa trying to debate what to even do. Boredom never was a good thing for Ashe, because she got antsy with too much spare time and too much loneliness.
The distraction was welcome when the doorbell rang, but she wasn't about to look eager. She stood up and stretched before making her way towards the front door of the house. She really shouldn't have been surprised it was Chloe, and she didn't mind her company. She offered a small smile and leaned in the door way with crossed arms. ]
To what do I owe the honor?
The distraction was welcome when the doorbell rang, but she wasn't about to look eager. She stood up and stretched before making her way towards the front door of the house. She really shouldn't have been surprised it was Chloe, and she didn't mind her company. She offered a small smile and leaned in the door way with crossed arms. ]
To what do I owe the honor?
[ Moira didn't take long to get to Ashe's. The houses may have been highly spaced apart, but the walk wasn't overly far in the long run (especially when she could still fade), and so it's only a few minutes after their conversation that she's knocking on her door, even though she'd said it was unlocked.
It was just a means to announce herself and she went to let herself in afterwards, wiping her feet before she went any farther into the house. ]
Ashe? It's Moira.
It was just a means to announce herself and she went to let herself in afterwards, wiping her feet before she went any farther into the house. ]
Ashe? It's Moira.
[ It wasn't Ashe that came to the door, but instead B.O.B., who gave her a nod of greeting and held the door open for her. He was a somber omnic in that moment, it showed in his eyes. It would have been hard to say if it was about Jesse, after all the two of them had no animosity, or Ashe. Maybe it was some combination of both.
Closing the door behind her, he led her towards the kitchen. There wasn't a lot of light on, just a corner lamp and the light over the stove. It left Ashe shadowed a bit at the corner kitchen table. Her hands were holding a bottle of whiskey, the same brand Jesse always drank. There was an ashtray next to her and a partially smoked cigarette was still burning on the edge.
For several moments Ashe didn't even register the presence. She just continues lost in her thoughts, knowing B.O.B. would take care of whatever it was. She only comes out of it as the butler puts a hand on her shoulder. Coming around she turns to look at Moira, slowly registering her. ]
Oh. Right. You were comin' over.
Closing the door behind her, he led her towards the kitchen. There wasn't a lot of light on, just a corner lamp and the light over the stove. It left Ashe shadowed a bit at the corner kitchen table. Her hands were holding a bottle of whiskey, the same brand Jesse always drank. There was an ashtray next to her and a partially smoked cigarette was still burning on the edge.
For several moments Ashe didn't even register the presence. She just continues lost in her thoughts, knowing B.O.B. would take care of whatever it was. She only comes out of it as the butler puts a hand on her shoulder. Coming around she turns to look at Moira, slowly registering her. ]
Oh. Right. You were comin' over.
[ Jesse isn’t looking forward to this conversation. He really isn’t. How do you even start? Hey, so I know you watched me die. Just making sure you’re okay, and also, thanks?
Awkwardness aside, he’s not been able to get that memory out of his head. The one with her holding him. Crying. Reassuring him at the time he’d needed her most. It’s a weird, hard pivot from where their relationship had been before: hardly talking, mostly arguing, with barely-concealed animosity always lurking. Jesse sighs and lets his head hit the back of his couch. He still feels like hell, could probably get away with staying holed up at home for the remainder of the week without facing this head-on… but that just doesn’t feel right, after what she did for him.
With a quiet curse, Jesse dials Ashe up and waits. ]
Awkwardness aside, he’s not been able to get that memory out of his head. The one with her holding him. Crying. Reassuring him at the time he’d needed her most. It’s a weird, hard pivot from where their relationship had been before: hardly talking, mostly arguing, with barely-concealed animosity always lurking. Jesse sighs and lets his head hit the back of his couch. He still feels like hell, could probably get away with staying holed up at home for the remainder of the week without facing this head-on… but that just doesn’t feel right, after what she did for him.
With a quiet curse, Jesse dials Ashe up and waits. ]
[ When Chloe had mentioned McCree, she had quickly realized that she had absolutely no idea how to approach this situation. She had been wondering which one of them would contact the other first, but she was a stubborn woman and it had been a very rough couple of months.
She would deny the adrenaline that kicked up inside of her when she looks and sees who is calling in. For a long moment she considers not answering, but the part of her that wants to face him does win out. It's the same part of her that gives the slightest hint of a smile whenever she sees him. Damn it's annoying.
Her voice doesn't betray the wide range of confused emotions she's been having this month.]
Well, well, well... Look what the deer dragged in. Been wonderin' when you'd finally show.
She would deny the adrenaline that kicked up inside of her when she looks and sees who is calling in. For a long moment she considers not answering, but the part of her that wants to face him does win out. It's the same part of her that gives the slightest hint of a smile whenever she sees him. Damn it's annoying.
Her voice doesn't betray the wide range of confused emotions she's been having this month.]
Well, well, well... Look what the deer dragged in. Been wonderin' when you'd finally show.
Edited 2019-07-25 00:24 (UTC)
Chloe doesn't mean to be so pissed off - she doesn't have a right to be, she realizes, in some part of her logical brain, but she is. Watching Lance and Max hang all over one another, hearing Max call her pet names, talking about really kissing him, it all made her want to put her fist through a wall.
So she'd decided to go to the one person she knew could usually handle her at her most petty and furious. She didn't bother knocking on Ashe's door, simply letting herself in, giving B.O.B. a small salute when she sees him standing near the basement door, pointing down to ask if that's where she was. He nods, and she doesn't notice him going to try and tell her to wait as she starts to head down the stairs, because why should she?
This is totally gonna turn out fine.
So she'd decided to go to the one person she knew could usually handle her at her most petty and furious. She didn't bother knocking on Ashe's door, simply letting herself in, giving B.O.B. a small salute when she sees him standing near the basement door, pointing down to ask if that's where she was. He nods, and she doesn't notice him going to try and tell her to wait as she starts to head down the stairs, because why should she?
This is totally gonna turn out fine.
If there was one thing that Ashe was, it was cautious about her business. Oh, she could appear to throw caution to the wind, but time and experience had turned her into a careful master of crime. She hadn't climbed to the top by being careless. So as worked with her product in the basement, she was quickly aware of a presence on the steps. She had no idea who it was and the footsteps were not Shades or B.O.B. and she was not expecting anyone else. Killing wouldn't be her first choice, but she was not above it to protect her investments.
Viper was pulled and Ashe aimed quickly to hold up whoever was invading her personal space. Anger was quickly replaced with shock and the cocked weapon lowered as she saw who it was. She let out a frustrated sigh and hissed at her. "You lookin' to get yourself shot? Because that is how you get yourself shot." Oh wait, the girl had been shot a lot already. She rolled her eyes and set Viper back down. "Nevermind...it's startin' to make sense in my head."
She looked past her up towards the stairs. "SOMEONE AIN'T DOIN' THEIR JOB UP THERE!" A whir of noise came echoing back down the stairs. "DON'T YOU SWEAR AT ME!" She hollered back before turning back to Chloe.
Viper was pulled and Ashe aimed quickly to hold up whoever was invading her personal space. Anger was quickly replaced with shock and the cocked weapon lowered as she saw who it was. She let out a frustrated sigh and hissed at her. "You lookin' to get yourself shot? Because that is how you get yourself shot." Oh wait, the girl had been shot a lot already. She rolled her eyes and set Viper back down. "Nevermind...it's startin' to make sense in my head."
She looked past her up towards the stairs. "SOMEONE AIN'T DOIN' THEIR JOB UP THERE!" A whir of noise came echoing back down the stairs. "DON'T YOU SWEAR AT ME!" She hollered back before turning back to Chloe.
After hearing about Lance's death, Chloe had locked herself in her studio for a couple of days without letting anyone in. It had been the only way to keep herself together, because seeing people meant wanting to talk, expecting her to open up and express her feelings, when she didn't know what her feelings were. She didn't know who had killed him, but she'd known it had to be painful from the looks of his ghost, and no matter the complicated feelings that came with his having murdered Max, it was still Lance. Seeing him die had been destined for a breakdown.
It's later in the night when she'd finally unlocked her door. She doesn't know if Max is asleep or even home, she doesn't go to check, she just needs... air. She needs to get out of the basement, out of the house, away from the town, and there's only two places that are far enough away for her to feel like she's really escaped, and she's already been coming and going from Ashe's house so regularly, it feels like a pretty normal place to end up.
She hadn't been home, but Chloe let herself in anyway, grabbing one of the blankets that Shades' hasn't dragged down into the basement at this point and going for the couch. She wrapped herself up practically like a burrito as she curled up on the cushions. The blanket smelled like Ashe's cigarettes and perfume and something about it was... comforting. Really comforting. It almost made her feel like she could maybe fall asleep, but she does her best not to because she doesn't want to put up with the nightmares.
It's later in the night when she'd finally unlocked her door. She doesn't know if Max is asleep or even home, she doesn't go to check, she just needs... air. She needs to get out of the basement, out of the house, away from the town, and there's only two places that are far enough away for her to feel like she's really escaped, and she's already been coming and going from Ashe's house so regularly, it feels like a pretty normal place to end up.
She hadn't been home, but Chloe let herself in anyway, grabbing one of the blankets that Shades' hasn't dragged down into the basement at this point and going for the couch. She wrapped herself up practically like a burrito as she curled up on the cushions. The blanket smelled like Ashe's cigarettes and perfume and something about it was... comforting. Really comforting. It almost made her feel like she could maybe fall asleep, but she does her best not to because she doesn't want to put up with the nightmares.
For her part, Ashe was getting by as usual. She filled the space with work and kept her head low. She was watching and waiting, but not causing a whole lot of trouble. After all, she didn't want to draw attention to anything while she was setting up the pieces. Life wasn't exactly sane, but she didn't show that much sign of emotional wear and tear at the particular moment. Recently, her home had been occupied with individuals coming and going. Though she wouldn't say it out loud, she liked it that way. Loneliness was far from a friend of hers. Between Shades setting up a blanket fort in her basement, Chloe's continual presence, Eddie's attempts to steal alcohol, and Jesse's visits she was busy enough outside of work.
The games were still going on and a lot of people had died at this point, but she was used to violence and death. She'd been keeping herself alive and ultimately that was what mattered. She'd been troubled when Shades had been killed, but even that she'd managed to keep focus on, getting a lot of work done during his absence so that he wouldn't have too much to pick up when he returned. Due to the extra work, she had wrapped up a couple of hours early and decided to just head home, rather than stay and drink or gamble.
When she opened the door, it wasn't even quite midnight, but she was glad to be home. She thought to get some supper and then irritate Jesse for the evening over text, but that idea leaves when she finds a body on her sofa. A certain girl with blue hair was now making herself home in her blankets. Letting out a small sigh, she looked at B.O.B. "Heat up some dinner? Maybe a little extra even? Thanks." Then she headed towards the couch and leaned down. For a moment she wonders if Chloe is asleep. She takes a seat on the coffee table and reaches over to brush a strand of hair from her face. "You awake?" Despite herself, Ashe was growing fond of her and even if it was risky, she was struggling to keep the girl from her heart.
The games were still going on and a lot of people had died at this point, but she was used to violence and death. She'd been keeping herself alive and ultimately that was what mattered. She'd been troubled when Shades had been killed, but even that she'd managed to keep focus on, getting a lot of work done during his absence so that he wouldn't have too much to pick up when he returned. Due to the extra work, she had wrapped up a couple of hours early and decided to just head home, rather than stay and drink or gamble.
When she opened the door, it wasn't even quite midnight, but she was glad to be home. She thought to get some supper and then irritate Jesse for the evening over text, but that idea leaves when she finds a body on her sofa. A certain girl with blue hair was now making herself home in her blankets. Letting out a small sigh, she looked at B.O.B. "Heat up some dinner? Maybe a little extra even? Thanks." Then she headed towards the couch and leaned down. For a moment she wonders if Chloe is asleep. She takes a seat on the coffee table and reaches over to brush a strand of hair from her face. "You awake?" Despite herself, Ashe was growing fond of her and even if it was risky, she was struggling to keep the girl from her heart.
Usually when Jesse is at the bar, he’s open to socializing. It’s there in his posture and the way he smiles at the other customers, or in how he chats up the bartender. Tonight, however, is markedly different. He’s at the bar, but tucked away at the end by the wall, hunched over around a glass of amber liquor. It’s far from his first--he's well into being drunk already--and nothing about the way he looks is inviting anyone to stop and talk.
It’s been a spell since he did this: sat down at a bar with the sole intention of getting shitfaced. His heavier drinking has been mostly limited to home since getting to Deerington. But given recent events, it’s more cost-effective to drink the bar’s liquor instead of wiping out his own stash. And with the sound of the other patrons around him like white noise, it’s not quite so isolating as sitting alone at his farmhouse. It makes things a little more bearable.
But the last thing he wants is for someone to try and come chat him up. If he’s lucky, he’ll get through the night without having a single conversation.
It’s been a spell since he did this: sat down at a bar with the sole intention of getting shitfaced. His heavier drinking has been mostly limited to home since getting to Deerington. But given recent events, it’s more cost-effective to drink the bar’s liquor instead of wiping out his own stash. And with the sound of the other patrons around him like white noise, it’s not quite so isolating as sitting alone at his farmhouse. It makes things a little more bearable.
But the last thing he wants is for someone to try and come chat him up. If he’s lucky, he’ll get through the night without having a single conversation.
As of late Ashe had spent most of her nights around the bar, in and out between the two sides as she filtered through work. In order to keep up on what was going on it wasn't unusual for her to join someone for a drink after she'd wrapped up her business. What was unexpected though was that tonight her eyes fell onto Jesse tucked into the corner, and not with his usual charm. No matter how many years passed, she seemed to still be able to read him. He was clearly not himself and it hit her deep. Deerington was making it difficult to ignore that he had once been her best friend and her partner in crime, in so many uses of the phrase.
She swore under her breath, before turning to tell B.O.B. to go home without her and not wait up or worry. After a moment of consideration the omnic agreed and let her to deal with the situation. At which point, she pulled herself together and walked over to the bar, climbing into a stool and tapping on the counter. "What he's havin'." Whatever it was would be good, so it really didn't matter. Once she'd ordered, she turned towards him just slightly. "Howdy. So cowboy, what are we drinkin' tonight?"
At least perhaps she could have taken comfort in knowing she was breaking his luck, because it's clear, she's there for conversation. On the plus side there was no cruelty to her tone. In fact, she approached him in much the same may have approached him in their day of past. Not gonna leave him be, but not gonna leave him alone.
She swore under her breath, before turning to tell B.O.B. to go home without her and not wait up or worry. After a moment of consideration the omnic agreed and let her to deal with the situation. At which point, she pulled herself together and walked over to the bar, climbing into a stool and tapping on the counter. "What he's havin'." Whatever it was would be good, so it really didn't matter. Once she'd ordered, she turned towards him just slightly. "Howdy. So cowboy, what are we drinkin' tonight?"
At least perhaps she could have taken comfort in knowing she was breaking his luck, because it's clear, she's there for conversation. On the plus side there was no cruelty to her tone. In fact, she approached him in much the same may have approached him in their day of past. Not gonna leave him be, but not gonna leave him alone.
After everything that had happened, Chloe had felt it was only right to go and see Ashe. She knew that it had been a lot for her to have to see her die, for her to see her attack her, and while the memories were vague at best of the whole ordeal, she felt like she really had to tell her it all wasn't her fault. With her mind so screwy on her own past, it felt extra important, considering the role that she'd cast the woman in the brand new life that she thinks she's led before this town.
Already having a key to the house, she let herself in to the large farm manor, looking around the entryway as she closed the door behind her for signs of any life.
"Yo — anyone home? Delivery for Miss Elizabeth Ashe. One zombie teenager here to make peace."
Already having a key to the house, she let herself in to the large farm manor, looking around the entryway as she closed the door behind her for signs of any life.
"Yo — anyone home? Delivery for Miss Elizabeth Ashe. One zombie teenager here to make peace."
Ashe had spent a lot of time broken up over the whole thing. Jesse had been able to rescue her and pull her out of her own head before things had gotten too bad. She'd still spent the week recovering both emotionally and physically. There had been plenty of tears even after she'd been saved. They'd been more private though and thankfully not causing blood loss. Luckily she'd gotten a chance to mostly recover.
She was laid out out on the sofa with a book when she hears that familiar voice. The way her heart leaps with joy surprises her and she sits up quickly and looks over to the entryway. "...Chloe..."
Act calm. Don't make a big deal out of it. She swallows the lump in her throat and goes to stand up. Though not much for hugs, she walked over to pull her into one. "Well about damn time." There was relief in knowing she remembered her as well. She had been afraid she'd be forgotten upon her arrival, and Ashe never did do well with being forgotten. When she pulled back she glared at her. "Don't you fuckin' scare me like that again. I have half a mind to beat your butt!" The threat was empty because there was a smile playing at her lips and all she could do was pull her into a hug again. "Damn teenagers..."
She was laid out out on the sofa with a book when she hears that familiar voice. The way her heart leaps with joy surprises her and she sits up quickly and looks over to the entryway. "...Chloe..."
Act calm. Don't make a big deal out of it. She swallows the lump in her throat and goes to stand up. Though not much for hugs, she walked over to pull her into one. "Well about damn time." There was relief in knowing she remembered her as well. She had been afraid she'd be forgotten upon her arrival, and Ashe never did do well with being forgotten. When she pulled back she glared at her. "Don't you fuckin' scare me like that again. I have half a mind to beat your butt!" The threat was empty because there was a smile playing at her lips and all she could do was pull her into a hug again. "Damn teenagers..."
Hi Ashe!
You've talked to Chloe, right?
You've talked to Chloe, right?
[ Luckily Rose actually managed to talk her down from her panic attack lightly and maybe going and tackling McCree for a tight hug had helped too, but she's still got a lot on her mind, and who else is she gonna go to but Ashe? ]
Hey, Mom? Are you uh— Are you busy?
Hey, Mom? Are you uh— Are you busy?
Uh...[ She'd been doing miscellaneous work in her home office. She was busy and focused on some shipments that she had coming in soon. While she almost explains that, she stops. That was the very thing her mother would have done. So pulls her head out of her work. ] Just give me a sec...
[ She puts some things into folders and then locks them away. ]
Not busy anymore. What's up?
[ She puts some things into folders and then locks them away. ]
Not busy anymore. What's up?
Did you take your shot the dogs brought?
He isn't sure he's doing this right.
Holidays have never been standard for Jesse. As a kid, they’d been a depressing, empty time. Getting older and into adulthood, they’d been rowdy group affairs. Not the sort of family gathering most people would envision, but it suited him more than fine. He’d liked the chaos and the sense of camaraderie. Strangely, between Deadlock and Blackwatch, the celebrations hadn’t been all that different.
Then he’d been on his own again, and holidays became like any other time. If he drank a little too much sometimes, then… well, it was still better than in those early days.
Now he’s here, in Ashe’s house, seated on the couch and shuffling through a stack of movies. Some of the Westerns are old classics he knows by heart. Others he’s never seen before, which means they’re either from another time or another place. He thinks he should maybe be doing something else, but B.O.B. more or less has the cooking down, and Jesse is left feeling untethered. What else is normal to do on Thanksgiving? What will Chloe expect, with those false memories of them as a family? And then there’s Ashe, who he knows has her reasons for disliking the holidays. What can he do to make her feel more at ease; or, if she’s alright, won’t seeing him being antsy ruin the peace?
He finally does what he’d set out to do, which is put the films in some sort of viewing order; but he hesitates before putting them down on the coffee table. If he finishes this, he really won’t know what to do with himself. Maybe he really should have insisted on helping B.O.B. cook.
Holidays have never been standard for Jesse. As a kid, they’d been a depressing, empty time. Getting older and into adulthood, they’d been rowdy group affairs. Not the sort of family gathering most people would envision, but it suited him more than fine. He’d liked the chaos and the sense of camaraderie. Strangely, between Deadlock and Blackwatch, the celebrations hadn’t been all that different.
Then he’d been on his own again, and holidays became like any other time. If he drank a little too much sometimes, then… well, it was still better than in those early days.
Now he’s here, in Ashe’s house, seated on the couch and shuffling through a stack of movies. Some of the Westerns are old classics he knows by heart. Others he’s never seen before, which means they’re either from another time or another place. He thinks he should maybe be doing something else, but B.O.B. more or less has the cooking down, and Jesse is left feeling untethered. What else is normal to do on Thanksgiving? What will Chloe expect, with those false memories of them as a family? And then there’s Ashe, who he knows has her reasons for disliking the holidays. What can he do to make her feel more at ease; or, if she’s alright, won’t seeing him being antsy ruin the peace?
He finally does what he’d set out to do, which is put the films in some sort of viewing order; but he hesitates before putting them down on the coffee table. If he finishes this, he really won’t know what to do with himself. Maybe he really should have insisted on helping B.O.B. cook.
Likely, Chloe would have thought it the perfect Thanksgiving so long as the three of them were all together and no one was fighting too seriously with one another. The fact that they were having the big traditional meal and watching movies together like a good old American family? Well, that was enough to make her feel pretty damn happy at the end of the day. It didn’t matter what the movies were or what order they watched them in to her. It just mattered that they were both here. Even if she couldn’t remember it, it was more than she’d gotten from the holiday since before William had died.
She grins as she looks at the chosen titles, giving Jesse a thumbs up, before reaching forward and nudging the film from that top of the stack towards him.
“Pop it in before we all turn gray. Or, well, we turn gray. I guess Mom’s got us all beat there.”
Albino jokes. Classy.
She grins as she looks at the chosen titles, giving Jesse a thumbs up, before reaching forward and nudging the film from that top of the stack towards him.
“Pop it in before we all turn gray. Or, well, we turn gray. I guess Mom’s got us all beat there.”
Albino jokes. Classy.
[ There's a pristine wrapped gift with a wine holder (complete with a bottle of wine) and a loaf of barmbrack. The note has a scribbled name on it that's a little hard to make out as Moira's, but she tried, alright. ]
[ Delivered to Ashe will be a package containing:
— a note: 'Happy Holidays! I hope you stay warm and well. — Shinichi Izumi'
— a large pottery-styled mug
— a little tin with some lemon ricotta cookies. They're well-made but it might be obvious they're homemade; Migi, in fact, has taken an interest in baking and so Shinichi sent some of his work over to Ashe. ]
— a note: 'Happy Holidays! I hope you stay warm and well. — Shinichi Izumi'
— a large pottery-styled mug
— a little tin with some lemon ricotta cookies. They're well-made but it might be obvious they're homemade; Migi, in fact, has taken an interest in baking and so Shinichi sent some of his work over to Ashe. ]
(These are wrapped in black wrapping paper finished off with red bows. Inside is the Jeffree Star Blood Sugar Palette and multiple Studded Lipsticks in various colors.
A simple note is in the bag:
These seemed like your color. Rock em in Red :P
-Eddie)
A simple note is in the bag:
These seemed like your color. Rock em in Red :P
-Eddie)
[ Not a delivery, since Jesse placed the gifts beneath the tree days before Christmas actually came. But regardless, this is what Ashe will find when she unwraps everything:
- one ugly Christmas sweatshirt, 'tis the season
- a rose-shaped necklace wrought in silver, a ruby in its center
- a lighter, gold-colored and intricately engraved. One side has roses and bramble twining around a cattle skull with silver-tipped horns. They overflow onto the other side, which is entirely covered in vines and blossoms. ]
- one ugly Christmas sweatshirt, 'tis the season
- a rose-shaped necklace wrought in silver, a ruby in its center
- a lighter, gold-colored and intricately engraved. One side has roses and bramble twining around a cattle skull with silver-tipped horns. They overflow onto the other side, which is entirely covered in vines and blossoms. ]
[ There are three gifts for Ashe; a pillow, a bottle of perfume she has specially made for Ashe, and a set of bracelets; one for her and one for Chloe.
There is also a gift that’s for both Ashe and McCree; a large oil painting of the three of them — a family portrait. ]
There is also a gift that’s for both Ashe and McCree; a large oil painting of the three of them — a family portrait. ]
Hey, not an emergency but we've got a situation to talk about. Call me up when you get this and can talk somewhere private
He shows up the day after Ashe has chased off another would-be butler. The crew had been starting to get desperate, and fewer of them were willing to try their hand at appeasing the esteemed Ms. Elizabeth Caldonia Ashe. That might be why, when Jesse offered up his services, they hadn’t given him the same sort of scrutiny they would have otherwise. At this point, what harm could it do to send a third-class server in to try the job?
To Jesse, this is a lot of things. A challenge. An opportunity. A chance to spend a little time getting a better feel for this woman. Is she a threat or not? How much does she really know about him? What is she like, really?
Dressed to the nines in the standard waiter attire, he knocks smartly on the door to her cabin and waits.
To Jesse, this is a lot of things. A challenge. An opportunity. A chance to spend a little time getting a better feel for this woman. Is she a threat or not? How much does she really know about him? What is she like, really?
Dressed to the nines in the standard waiter attire, he knocks smartly on the door to her cabin and waits.
Ashe was bored. If the heaviness of floating one what would eventually be little more than an anchor wasn't enough, she'd lost much of what she cared about that month. On top of that, she was forced to sit around listening to rich ladies gossiping and giggling in high pitched noises that mentally sucked her back to a childhood she wanted to forget. And she didn't even have Jesse there with the knowledge so that she could at least laugh about like they used to.
She was working on cleaning Viper for about the hundredth time just for something to do. Her apartment was tidy enough, though she hadn't bothered being as nitpicky as B.O.B. would have been. Despite how she outwardly acted, she was quite capable of taking care of herself. She'd sent away every butler they sent her because each one was a painful reminder of what she was missing. And still they sent more. In hindsight perhaps challenging the person in charge of the staff was not her smartest move.
It's unsurprising when she hears a knock at the door, the knock of an employee, and she lets out a frustrated huff as she stands and moves over to open it ranting on her way.
"Goddamit...so much for fuckin' respectin' the first class... I said no..." Her voice died on the word 'no' as she swung the door open and saw Jesse there. Dressed as a butler. She was going to kill Larxene if this was her solution to the problem. She tilted her head back and gawked at him. "What the fuck are you doin' here, dressed like... that..." She waved her hand towards him.
She was working on cleaning Viper for about the hundredth time just for something to do. Her apartment was tidy enough, though she hadn't bothered being as nitpicky as B.O.B. would have been. Despite how she outwardly acted, she was quite capable of taking care of herself. She'd sent away every butler they sent her because each one was a painful reminder of what she was missing. And still they sent more. In hindsight perhaps challenging the person in charge of the staff was not her smartest move.
It's unsurprising when she hears a knock at the door, the knock of an employee, and she lets out a frustrated huff as she stands and moves over to open it ranting on her way.
"Goddamit...so much for fuckin' respectin' the first class... I said no..." Her voice died on the word 'no' as she swung the door open and saw Jesse there. Dressed as a butler. She was going to kill Larxene if this was her solution to the problem. She tilted her head back and gawked at him. "What the fuck are you doin' here, dressed like... that..." She waved her hand towards him.
[ After a few nights of Migi and Shinichi not showing up, Chloe's gotten the message of what's happened. It doesn't take her long to feel antsy and miserable in the tiny room, stifled by the walls and the smells that remind her of him or the scribbles on the paper left in their cabin from Migi's notes. It's all too much, overwhelming her with grief she isn't ready to process when she's still trying to wrap her mind around her own memories having been thrust back into her head earlier this month.
She grabs the suitcase she'd woken up with, shoves everyone of her belongings inside of it, and grabs her chip off the mattress . She's no intention of coming back to this room even if she ends up sleeping on the deck, but she knows where she's headed. Max had let her stay with her for a little while, of course, but the tension had been enough to drive her mad, and she isn't sure she wants the comfort of a friend right now.
Which is how she ends up at Ashe's door. She hadn't changed out of her maid outfit just to be sure that she didn't get stopped on the way up. It had been handy for a lot of things that way. It doesn't take her long to knock on the door and the moment that it opens and she sees Ashe, she feels her jaw tremble, her grip on the suitcase in her hands tightening. ]
C-...Can I stay with you, Mom?
[ It's a slip of the tongue more than her still attempting to pretend she has no memories, but it's convenient, to say the least. ]
She grabs the suitcase she'd woken up with, shoves everyone of her belongings inside of it, and grabs her chip off the mattress . She's no intention of coming back to this room even if she ends up sleeping on the deck, but she knows where she's headed. Max had let her stay with her for a little while, of course, but the tension had been enough to drive her mad, and she isn't sure she wants the comfort of a friend right now.
Which is how she ends up at Ashe's door. She hadn't changed out of her maid outfit just to be sure that she didn't get stopped on the way up. It had been handy for a lot of things that way. It doesn't take her long to knock on the door and the moment that it opens and she sees Ashe, she feels her jaw tremble, her grip on the suitcase in her hands tightening. ]
C-...Can I stay with you, Mom?
[ It's a slip of the tongue more than her still attempting to pretend she has no memories, but it's convenient, to say the least. ]
[ Ashe had seen Chloe over the last couple of weeks, though it hadn't been as much due to the nature of things. Even though they were on a cruise, she'd been keeping herself busy. Especially because it kept her mind off of Jesse and B.O.B. and the fact that she'd figured out Chloe could remember everything again. She wasn't sure quite when she'd figured out exactly, but it had just hit her the difference in her eyes and body language. It had been about that time for her to get them back anyway, and she'd been grieving the loss. And on her own too, without Jesse to understand how much sadness there would be in losing what they'd had.
She hadn't been expecting anyone, and it's rather late at night. Even Jesse or Joel as he liked to be called, had left to do whatever. But when she answers the door and its Chloe, her eyes widen and she feels a bubble of happiness fill in heart that soothes the loneliness she was feeling. It's replaced with a sadness when she remembers that Chloe knows she's not Mom anymore, and yet she's curious that she's still calling her by that name when she could say no name at all. The mixture of feelings added to the fact that Chloe is clearly hurting erase whatever conflict she feels and she nods and opens the door wide.
She reaches her arms out needing to hold her and knowing she needs to be held. ] Always.
She hadn't been expecting anyone, and it's rather late at night. Even Jesse or Joel as he liked to be called, had left to do whatever. But when she answers the door and its Chloe, her eyes widen and she feels a bubble of happiness fill in heart that soothes the loneliness she was feeling. It's replaced with a sadness when she remembers that Chloe knows she's not Mom anymore, and yet she's curious that she's still calling her by that name when she could say no name at all. The mixture of feelings added to the fact that Chloe is clearly hurting erase whatever conflict she feels and she nods and opens the door wide.
She reaches her arms out needing to hold her and knowing she needs to be held. ] Always.
Page 1 of 2