_phobophobia (_phobophobia) wrote in destructionisle, @ 2017-12-20 21:57:00 |
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Entry tags: | daryn o'conner |
Who: Daryn & Phobia
What: Meeting
When: Wednesday, December 20, 2017, early evening
Where: Outside the Coffee shop, then walking
Daryn had schedule a little meeting with Phobia under the guise of wanting to see how he felt things went the night of the party. While she was interested in his perspective on things, she trusted Remy and was confident that everything went well. She had other reasons for wanting to meet with the young man, and knowing that he could be somewhat difficult at times, she figured a little lure would help. If nothing else, he’d get a free coffee out of the deal.
Daryn was already standing outside the shop when he arrived, and handed over his coffee when he approached. It was how he liked it, with entirely too much sugar. Let’s take a little walk, shall we? She ‘spoke’ to him telepathically, as she did to most people, trying not to be too invasive in the process.
Christmas was only days away. Phobia wasn’t sure if this put him in a worst mood than normal or not. It felt like it when he woke up. Another day and nothing changes. The damn island and everyone was trying to be in the holiday spirit. Or posting how they weren’t and it was annoying as hell. Christmas could really just go away now. And any other holiday after that. Trapped on the island of misfit humans, did they really need holidays?
Phobia tried to drown these thoughts out. He went out, after all, he had a meeting, making sure his iphone was loading with music and turning it up loudly. One thing about meeting with Daryn was that he didn’t need to turn off his music. Thoughts were thoughts with or without noise. He did make sure he was on time, not wanting to disrespect his leader. There were limits to his moods, after all. He walked up to her, a smirk crossing his lips as she handed him coffee. If nothing else, he just scored a free coffee.
Phobia nodded to her offer, stepping aside to walk next to her and have her lead the way. Was this where he made small talk? He wasn’t good with small talk. So he remained silent.
Daryn didn’t mind the music, but it was slightly distracting. However, compared to the barrage of thoughts she was used to hearing, it was a somewhat welcome change. Turning, she walked with him at a leisurely pace, sipping from her own cup. Did you enjoy the party? She expected nothing more than a snarky response, but it was a way to start things off.
Phobia took a sip of his coffee and tried not to laugh. He never knew how to respond with Daryn. Out loud? In thought? He knew both were an option but one made him look like he was having a conversation with himself and the other opened his mind up to her rifling through like a kid in a candy store. Not that he had any secrets that she didn’t know about but his thoughts were his own.
“I wished they let me wear a ball gown. Damn gender roles,” Phobia replied, with a smirk, “You?”
Technically, Daryn could go flipping through his mind without him having to think at her. But she didn’t do it, it was a matter of respect. Once people were determined safe to be in the Faction, she looked no further than that. Privacy was sacred. Smirking at his response, Daryn just nodded once. It was a headache. That was a bit of a joke as well, but she wasn’t sure if he would get it. And things afterward, with Remy and Fitz?
Phobia was sure the party was a headache, in every sense of the word. A tiny part of him felt bad for her. It had to be hard to be in a room with so many people, with so many thoughts and feelings and everything. He stomped that feeling down. There was no place for pity in this world. These were the cards they were handed. These were the cards they played.
“Fine,” Phobia replied, taking another sip of coffee. It was perfect. It was liquid sugar, “Job done. Almost seen. Pretty sure one of the guards pissed themselves and we were gone.” No, no guard almost pissed themselves, sadly. One of them were afraid of darkness and darkness was what they needed to get Remy and the cat out. Phobia got out last and no guards thought twice of anything being off balance.
Good. Daryn was glad to hear the confidence in his voice when he spoke about it. This was what she wanted to hear, this was why she called this meeting. How’d it feel?
Phobia glanced to her and replied honestly, “It would feel better if I knew what we did would yield fruit.” Sure, they found some minor things but no solid information. They needed leads. They needed information. Phobia hated finding out the next day that some of his neighbour’s places were trashed. It made him want to do something. He knew they couldn’t be reckless but patience wasn’t his virtue either.
Daryn nodded again, looking ahead as they walked. How would you feel about taking a higher position? I’ll talk to Remy about it, if it’s something you’re interested in doing. I can’t say it would make you feel any more satisfied with our progress thus far. But believe it or not, we have come far from where we could have been right now. The Faction could have been defunct, all of its members dead or missing, had they not been more careful in the last few months. Their numbers had grown, and they had more information on the government workings now than they ever did before.
Phobia looked to Daryn, surprised. That was the last thing he was expecting to hear from her. He would be stupid if he thought he could hide the excitement from Daryn, even though he tried to keep an even tone of his emotions.
“I would be interested,” Phobia said. At least he could keep his tone even. He glanced to her and said, “I believe it. I just want more.”
Daryn nodded once, taking another drink from her cup without looking to him. I’ll discuss with the others and get back to you. I know you want more, but you’ll need to be patient, and keep a level head. She wouldn’t have made the offer if she didn’t think he could do those things. But having the ability to stay calm and actually doing it were two different things. I know my time as leader is limited, if history is any indication. I don’t want to leave things upended. I’d like to have a plan in place for the next ones in line. I don’t want the next person to have to start fresh. Of course, she was referring to Remy, but she also wouldn’t assume that he would take her place without discussing it with him directly.
Phobia wondered if he could keep a level head. He did not have that particular emotion in check but it wasn’t like he jumped up and down and hugged her. He did like to think he had a level head, if not incredibly snarky. He knew he would never make it up to one of the leaders. He didn’t have the personality for it. It was fine. He rather do stuff anyway.
Don’t plan to depart too quickly, Phobia thought back to her, not wanting to say that out loud. Their conversation probably sounded weird enough as it was, without him saying something like that.
Daryn finally looked to Phobia with an arched brow. It was a quick look, before she stared ahead again. I have no plans. But neither did the others. It may be worse now. They think they’ve taken us down, when they find out they haven’t, there isn’t likely to be any sort of negotiation.
Phobia ignored the look. He also ignored the feeling that he did not want anything to happen to Daryn. He wasn’t going to press on that thought. He took a long drink of his coffee and said, “I don’t think there was ever negotiation. People believe what they believe.” And they believed that they belong on this island and everything was rainbows and sunshine. People blind to what was going on annoyed him. It only made him want to lash out.
Daryn was silent for several paces, thinking about his words and how they were connected to what had been on her mind. Sighing heavily, she finished off the rest of her coffee and tossed the empty cup into the trash as they passed it on their walk. We need to work to give people hope. That things can and will be better, and that we can make that change happen.
Phobia tried not to laugh into his coffee cup. Hope? He had hope when he was younger. He had big dreams when he was younger. Now he was older and he wasn’t so naive. There were no rainbows and sunshine. It was foolish to think anything else.
“Sure,” he replied. If she wanted to bring hope to people? Go for it but he knew better.
Daryn’s jaw tensed but she shrugged a shoulder in response. You don’t have hope for yourself and your future? You should. And hope for your friends. Okay, so maybe she was generous by assuming Phobia had more than one friend. But he did have the one, and that was who she was thinking of.
“Sure,” Phobia replied again. No, he probably should say more than that. Did he have hope? For himself? No. He had given up on that long time ago. On his future? What future did one have on this island? He had hope for the Faction that they would be able to make a change, that they would be able to do something for someone. Did he have hope for Ashe? Yeah, he did. Ashe deserved more than what he had. But for himself? Not in the least, “I have enough.” He didn’t say the last word - hope. He had enough hope.
Daryn watched Phobia for a moment before just nodding once more. She wasn’t going to try to change his mind. If he didn’t have hope for himself, that was his choice. Slowing their walk to a stop, she turned to face him. If I send you a case of beer, will you be slightly less grumpy for Christmas? Just for the day, then feel free to resume your usual business.
Phobia stopped. His cup was now empty. He wished he didn’t drink it so fast. He glanced at her then laughed when he heard her.
“How do you know I’m not a grumpy drunk?” Phobia asked, smirking again. Actually, drinking on Christmas seemed brillant to him. Hell, he may not end up ruining the day for Ashe, which wasn’t really something Phobia wanted to do. Beer for Christmas could be a Christmas miracle.
Daryn smiled slowly when Phobia laughed, shrugging again in response. I don’t know. But I figured it’s worth a shot. That was the goal, after all, to make Christmas slightly better for Ashe, and for Phobia in the process. I’ll send some over, and you can tell me how it goes.
“You may get pictures. Be forewarned,” Phobia replied, trying not to laugh again and failing. He highly doubted that he would be sending selfies to Daryn but it was amusing to think about. He wondered what she was doing for Christmas and then wondered if it was too personal to ask. He fell silent, debating if he should ask or not.
While Daryn heard his curious thoughts about her plans for the holiday, she didn’t acknowledge them. She arched a brow at him instead, amused at the idea that he would take pictures at all, let alone send them to her. I’ll let you get back to your day. Thank you for taking the time to meet with me.
“Any time,” Phobia replied. He paused, his finger tapping against the empty cup, “Let me know about the other thing. And, um, merry Christmas, Daryn.” He said the last bit quickly. That seemed like an abundance of Christmas cheer to wish someone merry Christmas and he didn’t show that often. Ever, if he could help it.
Daryn was surprised by the pleasant wish, or as pleasant as he could manage. Still, she took it for what it was, a nice gesture. She turned to walk in the opposite direction from which they’d come, figuring he would be heading back that way. Thank you. Merry Christmas to you too.