ichoosefight | 102,40 - Definitely Majoring in Psychology

[ Private Audio to Claire ]

[ The flood is over, the small welts have faded, and Steph has replaced the clothes that she couldn't get the paint out of. Now seems like the perfect time to mediate a broken relation and a transfer of custody. At least she can get it done before the dreaded Port That is Coming. ]

Hey. So, flood's over, is now a good time to take Izzy?

[ Her voice is gentle and respectful with Claire. Even if she says she can't stand to keep the dog, this can't be easy. ]

[ Private Audio to Jesse ]

[ With Jesse her tone is more neutral. She doesn't really have a problem with him. She gets it. Things fall apart. It's nobody's fault. But he also isn't her best friend. She just hopes he'll take good care of the dog and respect Claire's wishes. ]

Are you okay to take Izzy now? I didn't want to take her through the halls during that flood.

[ They had discussed it briefly, but she was putting off the actual transfer. This isn't going to be easy for anyone, especially not the dog, who no doubt will be terribly confused and upset. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Him. [It's not exactly cold, but like her, it's not exactly friendly, either. It's nice what she's doing, and he's grateful to get his dog back rather than have it thrown off the damn boat, but that doesn't mean he likes any of this.]

[ ...Why is a male dog named Izzy

You know what never mind. ]

Is that a yes or a no? I need to know before I pick him up.

[Because Izzy is a dude's name too?] Fine. It's fine.

Okay.

[ And now her voice turns apologetic, because she has been asked to drop a bomb out of the blue here. ]

Um. Claire wants to talk to you for a second.

What? [It's not an invitation but a sound of surprise, because seriously, what? The last time they spoke, they'd-- he's trying not to think about it, mostly, although her words keep creeping up on him anyway. He has no idea what she'd want to say to him now. Is it an apology, or another chance to rub it in, or what?

In the end, he doesn't say anything else. He waits to hear what's coming, steeling himself.]

I just want to make sure I can still see him. Since he was my uncle's first and everything. It's just...really hard having him around right now. And I was going to send him home instead but I thought I'd offer first. Since you got so attached.

[It's sort of like an apology for the bitchy things she said? In Izzy form?]

So do you want to see him or don't you? [This is a lot less neutral, more heated than it is cold. He sounds angry.]

[So, yeah, she's expecting that, and she wants to be rude back because she can't even stand to hear Jesse. Why didn't she go with text? Not that it guarantees he'd also use it...

She glares at the screen even if he can't see it.] Yes. Please. I would still like to see my dog, thank you.

So if he's your dog again, you keep him. You take care of him, don't just hand him off to somebody else.

[Can she just bang her head on the desk, please?]

I'm NOT just handing him off to someone else, I'm offering you the chance to take care of him because you care about him and he was our dog until you ruined that! I just want the opportunity to visit, God. Yes or no would have done just fine, Jesse.

[p.s. Sorry, Stephanie.]

You give him to me and he's my dog, bitch, I ain't your Goddamn babysitter! What are you even gonna do on a "visit"? [The air quotes are implied, but the skepticism in the way he says it is pretty clear.] What? Sit there petting him and telling me what a stupid fuck up asshole I am? Like fat chance! You wanted us out, we stay out. I'm not doing this back and forth shit with you.

Yo, Steph, bring him over or don't. I just thought like someone oughta step up and take some responsibility, here, but I guess I forgot who I was dealing with.

[There's nothing more from Claire at this point beyond a hurt gasp and the beginning sounds of yet another round of sobbing that's very quickly cut off as she disconnects.]

Nice, Jesse. Very nice. [ She'll bring the dog over, but first she has to go hug her friend :| ]

[Fuck it, he's hanging up anyway.]

Oh. Uh...yeah, sure. Door's open.

[Why does she feel guilty?]

Alright. I'm just going to call Jesse. Unless something's wrong I'll be right over.

Thank you.

[Long pause here.]

I hate asking this, but can I ask him something really quick, please? When you talk to him? Because I just...don't want to do it myself, if that makes sense. I can't deal with him yet.

[ Well that's... unexpected. But if she wants to, Steph can't really refuse. She's doing all this for Claire to begin with. ]

Yeah, of course. Are you sure?

It's about Izzy. Since he was Peter's dog and all, I want to make sure I can still see him.

Alright, if you're sure. I'll open up the feed.

I'm overusing this word, I know, but thank you, Stephanie.

Any time, Claire. Any time you ever need anything.

102,40 - Definitely Majoring in Psychology

no subject

no subject

no subject

Private+Claire

Private+Claire

Private+Claire

Private+Claire

Private+Claire

Private+Claire

Private+Claire

Private+Claire

Private+Claire

Private+Claire

Private+Claire

Private;

Private;

Private;

Private;

Private;

Private;

Private;

Private;