IC contact for wethelost

[devoutish]

Solomons & Melborn
1108 Sweet Cream Street

[Feel free to use this space for letter/package deliveries as well as visits/knocks on the front door!]

Comments

[obeir]

Being aware that you're dreaming. I've read that it's possible to gain some control over one's dreams this way. Did you have control like that in the shared dream?

[devoutish]

No more than usual, no.

[obeir]

It's hard to imagine a time when he wouldn't have wanted to be near you. [ It's said lightly. Not everything that happened in Norfinbury was bad. ] That seems to be a common trait among the people from Norfinbury. The closeness.

[ And it's partially why K's been surprised by Alfie and Royce deciding to befriend him; some other Norfinbury survivors have seemed more closed off in ways that make him cautious. ]

[devoutish]

Sure. Hardship and fear breed closeness - I saw it fighting in the war at home, as well. Has Royce told you about that, that I was in a war?

[obeir]

He hasn't mentioned it. [ There's a pause as he debates whether or not it's appropriate to ask about it. The only other veterans he's known have been other androids — forced to fight and die in place of humans. Well, and Bucky and Watson, but he knows barely anything about their experiences. ] To endure that and then Norfinbury... it must have been hard. You've really gone through the wringer.

[devoutish]

Well, I'm no wilting flower; I can handle it.

[He doesn't say it to diminish his own experiences, or the experiences of people who have gone through similar things - he just doesn't like feeling like he's being pitied.]

[obeir]

[ He can't help but be grimly amused by that. ]

You're the last person I'd consider a wilting flower. [ But point made. Alfie isn't inclined to accept help or sympathy, it appears, or at least not from him. ] And I hope you know my offers of help aren't because I think you're incapable of handling it.

[devoutish]

Mmm.

[He nods, accepting that. He doesn't disbelieve K, but--]

Men on my world, we take pride in handling things. We rely on others in all sorts of ways, right; no one is completely independent. But relying on others emotionally - we don't do that, generally, unless we're very, very close.

[obeir]

[ That definitely helps him make sense of Alfie's attitude, at least. ]

So it would be better if I stopped offering? [ He surmises.

Mostly he'd been offering physical help before — like with chores, or whatever manual labour Alfie or Royce might need — but he gets it, and still doesn't take it personally when he's turned down. Maybe his good intentions have been an irritant rather than helpful. ]

[devoutish]

You can offer all you like; it doesn't offend me. Just don't take offense if it's not needed, eh?

[obeir]

I know. And I won't. But if anything ever changes. [ He raises his eyebrows as he tilts his head. The offer's good until it's ever rescinded, in other words. Who knows, there may come a day when the help will be needed. ]

[devoutish]

[Alfie gives him a look - one that plays at being stern, but in an amused, fond sort of way.]

Imagine if you and John Watson were to team up. You'd be fucking unstoppable, mate.

[obeir]

[ Well it's good to know an actual doctor's maybe been after Alfie, then, regardless of K's own reservations when it comes to the doctors of the Meadous. ]

That sounds like a suggestion. [ Thanks for the idea, buddy. ] I know he hasn't made a secret of how he feels about you and Royce wishing for those memories. [ He pauses with a frown. ] Noticed him discussing it on the board.

[devoutish]

[Alfie snorts, shaking his head.]

That fucking board. I don't see why anyone looks to it as a place for proper discussion. He doesn't like our choice, no, but it wasn't his choice, was it.

whoops ignore that misclicked journal subscription

[obeir]

[ It isn't Watson's disapproval that rubbed K the wrong way. ]

Discussing others' private matters on a public board. [ And the fact it clearly upset Royce, judging by his replies. ] I'd thought a doctor would know better. It doesn't bother you?

[devoutish]

It does bother me. But it all ties in together, doesn't it. Thinking he's got a right to go on about his opinions on something that's got nothing to do with him, acting as if the board isn't something that anyone can stumble across--

[obeir]

[ He nods in understanding. ] It bothered Royce too. You're both technically his patients, aren't you? [ Since the entire Meadous population probably count as Dr. Watson's patients — and it doesn't seem unreasonable to assume he's likely treated the Norfinbury ones before. ] That's why I was surprised to see it.

[devoutish]

I don't consider myself to be; not at the moment. I have been in the past, though, and Royce has as well. Truthfully, the bit about him being a doctor doesn't make it bother me any more or less.