InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Vive la revolution!"

Jinksy (humanpolygraph) wrote in makebelievelog,
@ 2012-12-19 07:26:00

Entry tags:

claudia donovan, steve jinks

Who: Jinks and Claudia
What: Jinks is trying to get Claudia to open up about the things bothering her
Where: Their room
When: Backdated to Tuesday evening
Status: In Progress
Rating: Potential for WH13 feels so probably on the high side, also WH13 spoilers, read at your own risk.

Steve spent most of his day at the precinct worrying over the talk he was going to be having that evening with Claudia. He wanted to help her deal with the things bothering her but more than that, he felt that if she admitted them aloud, it would be a step into them not having so much of an affect over her. He wasn't the only one that had noticed her withdrawn here and there. He knew part of it was due to the Christmas holiday and them not being home. There was no Joshua here for her to pester.

At least she got him back he thought as he sat on the trolley, heading back for the castle. If he could, Steve would give just about anything for another minute with his sister. But there were no artifacts that could reverse death nor would he use them if he could. God only knew what kind of downside those artifacts had. But at least Steve had memories with her. Better than nothing.

Getting off at the stop for the castle, he made his way down the path to the stone structure, trying to think of how to word things so that Claudia would want to open up. The young woman was stubborn and full of spirit. But he was hoping that the fact she agreed to meet with him meant she wanted to discuss what was on her mind.

Moving through the familiar halls and up the steps, he soon reached their room and let a slow breath out. Here went everything. Pushing the door open, he walked in.

"Claudia?"

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clauds
2012-12-20 05:07 pm UTC (link)

"Ooh, connections. Hopefully the shoplifter wasn't anyone I knew." Claudia joked back, shaking her head and trying to figuratively shake off the feelings and expressions she was making as a result of them.

"I'm going to get you a stick-on mustache out of a vending machine. I know I've seen them." Claudia knew that Steve would be able to tell if she was lying, too, regardless of where she was looking or what sort of a deflection she tried to give. She used the sarcasm to buy her another minute to avoid answering. "You're not crazy enough to be Doctor Who, so Doctor Phil is probably as close as we'll come."

"I - yeah, partially, I guess. And I know, I've been told 'just don't watch.'" Claudia finally admitted with a small shrug, moving to go from her spot on the floor to sit on the edge of the couch. "But, I mean... I can't not. I need to know how things are going. It was the only lifeline I had to home to ages and... now..." Now the fate of her world was up for debate and she had a right to know what happened. "Plus, I know some - stuff."

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humanpolygraph
2012-12-22 01:15 pm UTC (link)

Steve shook his head. "A techie he was not. Just some kid looking for a thrill. So the honour in the title 'Techie' still remains intact and untainted," he returned, giving her a soft smile. Hearing about her getting him a stick on mustache he laughed some. "And I have a feeling if you couldn't find one you'd make me one."

At the comment of Who and Phil, he nodded some. "I don't think anyone is Doctor Who crazy. Though you would make a great companion for him."

When she started to speak about the show, he listened and carefully processed her words. He stayed silent for several minutes, mulling over what she had said. "Being told that doesn't mean you still might not find out," he finally said, his voice gentle. "I've only seen bits and pieces of Star Trek for example but I know most of what goes on throughout several of the series." He shifted so he was turned to face her.

"I understand the lifeline bit. I mean, like you said you were here on your own for a while before we came, right? I'd watch it too if only to ensure you were still safe." When she spoke of the most current episode they had seen and that she knew stuff, he shifted a little closer and placed a hand on hers. "Sharing it with someone, the stuff you found out, might help you deal better," he said. It wasn't a command to share it. But there was a plea in his voice for her to share it with him. "It'll just be between us Claud. I won't tell Myka or HG about any of this. I promise."

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clauds
2012-12-25 12:15 am UTC (link)

"'Hacker' I can deal with having taint, since most people view it that way anyhow. 'Techie' - well, good. It should stay untainted." Claudia answered with a small snort and a shrug, smiling at the mention of her being a Doctor Who companion. "How kick-ass would it be if he showed up? Any number, really. You should promise me now that you'll try to stop me from asking for an autograph."

"We need to make you sit and watch Trek. And not just because you were Spock for a night." Claudia wanted to cling onto any topic but the relevant one, but she finally relented and nodded. "There's a - photo, from 'next season' or the second half of this season or... whatever it is. And - an interview. Or two. And one of them is about Leena and - what happens to her."

[OOC: Can you change the thread warning to include WH 13 spoilers, please and thank you?]

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humanpolygraph
2012-12-27 07:51 pm UTC (link)

Steve smiled some. "I shall endevour then to do my best to protect the noble title of techie from taint and harm," he returned. When she spoke of him trying to stop her from asking for an autograph, he gave a small chuckle. "Something tells me I might have better luck stopping a hurricane with a fan but I will make every attempt to try to stop you from asking for an autograph. WE'll just have to see how successful I am."

"Trek's a classic and it is on my must watch list." He was about to turn the topic back to them and the show but then Claudia did it and he listened. The smile slid off of his face and he grew worried though he tried to keep it from showing. "A photo of what? And what's the interview about?" Claudia needed to share this with him. If only so she wouldn't be the only one burdened by this.

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clauds
2012-12-27 09:17 pm UTC (link)

"Are you calling me a hurricane? Last I checked, I kept my room rather neat." Claudia knew he wasn't but, as always, deflection was necessary. Deflection was what she really wanted right then.

"Well, let's answer the questions one at a time, Jinksie." She stood and went over to retrieve her laptop, bringing it back and sitting down in a dramatic flop next to Steve on the couch. "The photo is -"

It took her a few moments as it was hidden, but with a few commands typed in a folder full of Warehouse 13 pictures popped up. Part was Claudia's personal collection, a few were ones she had gleaned off the internet when it was just her and Pete there. The photo in question was part of the group and Claudia clicked on that to make it large enough for Steve to see details. "It's from episodes yet to come. Artie is sitting there with his hands on top of each other and wearing what looks like shiny new jewelry of the 'handcuff' type. Pete is arguing, Myka is looking pensive, and we're shoved in the back row like two bad little schoolkids... and we're all in formal outfits. Given the circular table and the fact the Regent's table is all circular and doom-like, I'm guessing Artie is facing down judgement for having become a customer of the enchanted kingdom of crazy whammy'd people and for having released a deadly plague on mankind. On the plus, everyone but H.G. and Joshua is confirmed alive by this... kind of. Assuming it happens after we somehow stop the plague. If before - it means there's time being wasted. Either way, not happy-causing."

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humanpolygraph
2012-12-27 09:31 pm UTC (link)

"A hurricane in other areas," he returned. He knew she knew he wasn't calling her a hurricane and he was humoring her want of deflection. But only slightly as this did need talking about.

He waited patiently as she retrieved her laptop and watched as the pictures were soon brought up. He studied the one that appeared to be in some sort of court room and let his eyes take in every detail. After several minutes he sat back and he turned and looked at her. "I'm going to guess after," he said. "I did a bit of my own digging on the sweating sickness and, providing it's not all artifact changed, when a person has the sickness it hits hard and fast." He gestured towards the picture. "According to this, we all look fine and healthy. I'm taking that as a sign we found a way to stop the sickness."

He sighed though. "But like you said, not happy-causing either way." He ran a hand through his short hair. "There has to be a way we can help Artie though. He's as much a part of the Warehouse like Mrs. F. God knows how many times we'd be lost without him there to give information or get Pete and Myka to focus."

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clauds
2012-12-27 10:33 pm UTC (link)

"The question would be how fast the Regents could drag us in there but, given Artie's lack of bandaging in the stab-wound area, I think you're right." Claudia's voice was far more somber than it should have been for someone trying to keep the topic deflection-centered or sarcasm latent. She couldn't find a way to make that scene, to make the fact she had stabbed Artie - or would, seem okay. She had saved him from the Astrolabe but she needed to know that he would be completely saved before she could even begin to feel the slightest bit okay about it.

"There has to be a way and, yet, I've been here and gone back and - remembered nothing. I couldn't help-" Her voice caught in her throat and she had to shut her eyes. It was an attempt to avoid crying as much as anything. "I couldn't help keep you alive and I couldn't stop the Warehouse from being blown up. I couldn't stop the things that set this all in motion. We are spectators to our lives back home and it sucks." She finally declared, sniffling a little and opening her eyes to open up the main interview of relevance. "And interview with the man we have to thank for that, Warehouse 13 executive producer Jack Kenny."

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humanpolygraph
2012-12-27 11:29 pm UTC (link)

Steve gave a nod at the words about the lack of bandaging on Artie. "It seems like the most logical conclusion is we were allowed to do what we do and find a way to stop the sickness." When she started speaking of trying to remember when she had gone back and then the catch in her voice, he moved and wrapped an arm around her shoulder.

"Where there's a will there's a way, right?" he asked, his voice soft. "Even if we don't remember exact details in going back, maybe we get a feeling like Pete does that helps us on what we can do to fix it." He squeezed her shoulder much like a brother would. "And while it sucks to high hell, at least we aren't alone here. There's you, me, Myka, and HG and her mini-me here. We all are worried about how things will get fixed back home. I know I am."

Steve leaned forward and read the interview. By the end he set his jaw and narrowed his eyes. "Would it be wrong of me to say I'd like to punch that man in the face?"

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clauds
2012-12-28 03:29 am UTC (link)

"It's - like a bad dream. Every memory of this place immediately goes out of your head and the more you try to grasp at those details, those important details, the more it slips away. I had forgotten all of it before I could even grasp onto the idea of what it was I was trying to remember." Claudia tried to explain, leaning against Steve a little during the brief shoulder embrace. It was like trying to explain to Artie that she wasn't insane and Joshua was still alive. She felt crazy saying it, only there was no ghostly apparition that would appear and prove what she was saying. But the mention of others made her start to worry. She had wondered about other people's families, though Joshua was at the top of her mind. "God, I hope - Jane and Tracy and everyone else is okay too. They have to be, right? Okay, they don't, but - ugh."

The mention of punching the executive producer made Claudia laugh, however briefly. "According to him, you were originally going to be Asian, too. I won't get into the weirdness that is - how much does he control and how much is him somehow getting a glimpse into our universe. I will say that if he ever shows up, I get first swing."

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humanpolygraph
2012-12-29 03:28 pm UTC (link)

Steve listened to her describe what it was like trying to remember this place when sent back and he nodded some. Hopefully that's something we'll never have to experience again," he whispered. He had no desire of losing his best friend or Myka and HG.

When he heard her mention Jane and Tracy, he nodded. "I'm sure they're fine Claud." They had to be like she said. "Just...like I'm sure my mother's okay." He had seen that they would make amends but he hadn't lived it yet. The anger was still there in him though the episode had helped it abate some.

Hearing the brief laugh, Steve smiled a little. This had to be helping her. "Asian Jinks... That would definitely be weird to see." He smirked some at her dibbs. "Alright. You get first swing then HG, Myka and I will work out an order so we all get a few good shots. Though maybe HG should be last..."

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clauds
2012-12-29 11:43 pm UTC (link)

Realistically, Claudia knew they would have to. That or it'd be a complete blank when they went back; however, there was no question they would go back. Claudia knew that was inevitable. She stayed quiet on it. That was one bubble she refused to burst.

"Your mother. Yes, I can see where you got your adorableness from." Claudia remarked, giving him a little glance to see if that got a bad reaction. She didn't want to push into bad territory, especially in a conversation about shitty things, but she had been curious about Steve's mysterious mother. It was a balance between not wanting to pry after getting the same answer to questions (like how he was adjusting, if he had made friends, etc) and natural curiosity. As it was, the first was winning out since she figured asking outright would mean an opening for him to ask her more things too.

"We don't want to have him hospitalized or worse. Past it getting you fired for assault, and Myka and H.G. too probably, there would be an inevitable question of the show's future fate if we punched or TESLA'd him one too many times." Claudia was okay talking about the supposed grand manipulator of their world; it meant avoiding the topic of the interview. It meant avoiding Leena's death and the fact it wasn't going to be reversed. "So, yeah, that's the basic majority of the spoiler-tastic stuff I know outside of speculation and not terribly relevant stuff. Does this earn you your Doctor Phil mustache?"

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humanpolygraph
2013-01-03 06:44 pm UTC (link)

Like Claudia, Steve knew they couldn't stay in Make Believe forever. That would make things too easy and nice. And their lives were anything but. Still, he could hope that they could stay for a long time and have as normal as a life as they could here.

Hearing her mention his mother, his face closed off a little. He still wasn't at the forgiving point future him was at. But it wasn't as bad a reaction as it would have been had Steve not seen that episode of their show. "I more tried to model my adorableness off of my sister," he said, putting a smile on his face and trying to be lighthearted.

"Well...I suppose that's a good point. We could always send him rotten food though. Ding dong ditch him. Find ways to annoy him to no end." He grinned some. And like Claudia, he didn't want to think about Leena never coming back after her death. She was a part of their family and the fact that they wouldn't see her again in the land of the living... It stung and made his heart break.

"I think at the very least this has me on my way to earning my Doctor Phil mustache." He rubbed at his face though. "Are you sure I have the face for facial hair though? I don't want to look like a creeper after all."

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clauds
2013-01-06 01:50 am UTC (link)

Claudia took the hint and dropped the topic of Steve's mom. Instead, she went with the joking route and tried to continue the conversation on a path where it would be away from heavy emotional stuff and would, instead, allow her a path to retreat. "Well, it sounds like you have a pretty good reason to make sure your adoptive sister - me - stays around then. Otherwise, you might shrivel up and get all creepy-sad instead of continuing being adorable without an adorable model."

"You can install a doorbell so we can ding dong ditch." She teased, then shrugged and moved to get up and retrieve her laptop.

"I intend on getting your facial hair out of a vending machine at the grocery store, so - if it's creepy, at most I'll be out seventy-five cents to a few bucks." Claudia pointed out, shrugging, moving to take her laptop into her bedroom and then coming back to grab the parts sitting on the table. She figured the conversation to be over, really.

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humanpolygraph
2013-01-06 02:00 am UTC (link)

Steve was grateful Claudia dropped the subject. And he decided that, for now, they had talked enough about the dark things from home. He had a better idea know of the burden she was carrying and she now knew, he hoped, that she could stop hiding things about their world from him.

"And we mustn't let me get all creepy-sad. It's not a good look for me." He looked at her and chuckled some at the ding dong ditch comment and nodded. "And send him twenty of the most expensive pizzas we can find."

Steve shifted as Claudia retreated with her laptop and carefully helped her gather up the parts so she didn't have to make as many trips. "...anytime you want to talk about our world Claud, I'm a door away," he said, looking at her. "You don't have to carry the knowledge alone."

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clauds
2013-01-06 03:52 am UTC (link)

"You're going to have to fudge police files if he tries to make a complaint against us, you know." Claudia remarked with a small snort and blatant disbelief at the idea of Steve ever being able to be a dirty or crooked cop. He could lie. Going undercover as he had with Sykes had proven that. Overall, though, she doubted the idea of Steve being dirty. He was too good of a soul and she knew it, just as she knew he wasn't lying when he told her about how he had gone undercover while standing in the midst of the woods.

"Uh," Claudia didn't quite know what to answer with, so she shrugged and simply said, "Thanks."

Even with the recent discouragement from sharing, and Steve presently trying to overcome that mentality, it wasn't a new characteristic for Claudia to hide what was bothering her. The techie had always been more prone toward quiet about the serious and troubling topics amidst loud sarcastic outbursts of silliness. It was a way to try to get people to pay attention to her and care. Being as worn down as she was in that moment meant that keeping that up was getting too hard so she was starting the process of pulling away. It made sense to her to do that, in some subconscious part of her mind. Even with a surrogate family that she loved dearly, Claudia had never been great with emotions. Even after the conversation, she had no idea how to bring things up or what it had made her feel. She just knew she wanted to go get dinner, then come back and continue tinkering with her security system designs.

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