[ there's no hiding the fact that josh flinches when he notices the fur. there's a brief hesitation, but he ends up taking her hand deliberately after that, grip firm. ]
Oh my god, you're not eviscerating anyone. [ that's the knee-jerk answer, and the follow-up comes a few seconds later, more focused. ] They knew what they were doing, Daphne.
[ and that's it. there's a finality to it, confident and vaguely ruthless; they're adults, it was their choice — even if it turns out to be a fatal one. the issue of her control isn't remotely forgotten, but one thing at a time seems like a solid approach, here. ]
They didn't know anything! That's the point, Josh! They didn't know shit, and don't try and defend this with the oh it was their choice because that's crap-
[Her eyes lighten, go amber, cat shiny.]
It was badly researched, poorly planned, absolutely incomprehensible.
So what, you'd rather just sit around for another year? At least they did something—
[ the flash of amber stops the argument up short, and there's the faintest trace of an echo of it in his eyes, quick enough to be written off as a reflection or trick of the light. there's no other sign of slipping; the opposite, actually, and there's a moment to deliberately compose himself. ]
This isn't making you do anything. You're stronger than this. You can handle it.
[ if he has any doubt, it doesn't sound like it. but the words are more aggressive than comforting, and he lets her hand go to take a steady hold of her shoulders. that gesture's more deliberately comforting, trying to keep her grounded. ]
And if they die, you're right. We pick up the pieces.
I don't want Jax to die because Nathan's ego needed stroking.
You are not allowed to ever do something so reckless. If you were behind
that door I would have mauled it, even if you are sometimes the worst
friend I have.
[ wow one second to look offended at that last comment, then another to realize he probably can't completely argue it. even after that, there's a slight delay while he debates offering platitudes or being honest. ]
You know I can't promise you that. If I had the chance to do something — something that might actually help, it doesn't matter how reckless it is. We can't just wait forever, Daphne.
[Her eyes shift entirely, then, the shape changing, teeth in her mouth growing, too. It lasts more than a moment, and she opens her mouth, trying to get the feel of her teeth in their mouth.]
[ which is his cue to nearly shut the door in her face, but he thinks better of it. it doesn't stop him from flinching and very nearly swinging it shut, though. ] Holy—
[ the fear's only one part of the reaction, and not even the dominant part; he's used to dealing with monsters. but there's also a flash of aggression in response, one he has to forcefully tamp down on. the result is that his words sound more angry than scared, and his expression's the same. ]
[She twists her jaw again - it's not quite a human movement - and blinks, and her eyes shift back to the right shape but not the right color. It takes her another moment and when she speaks it's with a low, strange cadence to her voice, because her mouth isn't so well designed for human speech.]
This keeps happening-
[She licks her nose, and then her mouth shifts back to normal.]
This keeps happening and I need it to stop, or I'm going to end up eating someone on accident.
I'm sure we can clear out some space in storage for you. [ awful jokes. not like that would help with spontaneous shifting, anyway. it's said with a touch of hesitancy while he watches her get control over the shift, reluctant to let his guard down. ]
It's linked to your temper, right? So just sort that out. Take up meditation.
[ this is a serious suggestion, sadly. it almost worked for him that one time. ]
[The problem is she does meditate, but this rage is coming from fear and paranoia, and it's not helped by the way the ship keeps throwing strange stimulus at her or by the way that she refuses to acknowledge that she needs to address that.]
I need something to relieve the stress. Something that isn't just thinking about nothing. I just-
[ there's a heavy pause, then he actually smiles - a slightly nervous smile, sure, but it's genuine. ]
And you chose the dysfunctional werewolf.
[ just saying, probably not the best person to ask for advice on this. but he knows what she really means, and the humor's more affectionate than deflection. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sorry about your asshole friend daphne
Oh my god, you're not eviscerating anyone. [ that's the knee-jerk answer, and the follow-up comes a few seconds later, more focused. ] They knew what they were doing, Daphne.
[ and that's it. there's a finality to it, confident and vaguely ruthless; they're adults, it was their choice — even if it turns out to be a fatal one. the issue of her control isn't remotely forgotten, but one thing at a time seems like a solid approach, here. ]
lies
They didn't know anything! That's the point, Josh! They didn't know shit, and don't try and defend this with the oh it was their choice because that's crap-
[Her eyes lighten, go amber, cat shiny.]
It was badly researched, poorly planned, absolutely incomprehensible.
no subject
[ the flash of amber stops the argument up short, and there's the faintest trace of an echo of it in his eyes, quick enough to be written off as a reflection or trick of the light. there's no other sign of slipping; the opposite, actually, and there's a moment to deliberately compose himself. ]
They aren't dead yet. They still have time.
no subject
[How bad that would be. She breathes in, and the shift seems to still.]
I'm not wrong. They were so stupid it'll kill them and leave us to pick up the pieces.
no subject
[ if he has any doubt, it doesn't sound like it. but the words are more aggressive than comforting, and he lets her hand go to take a steady hold of her shoulders. that gesture's more deliberately comforting, trying to keep her grounded. ]
And if they die, you're right. We pick up the pieces.
[ life goes on. so much for bedside manner. ]
no subject
I don't want Jax to die because Nathan's ego needed stroking.
You are not allowed to ever do something so reckless. If you were behind that door I would have mauled it, even if you are sometimes the worst friend I have.
no subject
You know I can't promise you that. If I had the chance to do something — something that might actually help, it doesn't matter how reckless it is. We can't just wait forever, Daphne.
no subject
[Her eyes shift entirely, then, the shape changing, teeth in her mouth growing, too. It lasts more than a moment, and she opens her mouth, trying to get the feel of her teeth in their mouth.]
no subject
[ the fear's only one part of the reaction, and not even the dominant part; he's used to dealing with monsters. but there's also a flash of aggression in response, one he has to forcefully tamp down on. the result is that his words sound more angry than scared, and his expression's the same. ]
You need to calm down.
no subject
This keeps happening-
[She licks her nose, and then her mouth shifts back to normal.]
This keeps happening and I need it to stop, or I'm going to end up eating someone on accident.
no subject
It's linked to your temper, right? So just sort that out. Take up meditation.
[ this is a serious suggestion, sadly. it almost worked for him that one time. ]
no subject
You sound like my first teacher.
[The problem is she does meditate, but this rage is coming from fear and paranoia, and it's not helped by the way the ship keeps throwing strange stimulus at her or by the way that she refuses to acknowledge that she needs to address that.]
I need something to relieve the stress. Something that isn't just thinking about nothing. I just-
I needed to tell someone.
[Josh this is huge for her.]
no subject
And you chose the dysfunctional werewolf.
[ just saying, probably not the best person to ask for advice on this. but he knows what she really means, and the humor's more affectionate than deflection. ]
no subject
[She says it simply, like there's nothing more than that to it.]