can you help?
characters: autumn and kyle setting: the workshop
Autumn still wasn't sure she had all her ducks in a row yet or anything. Mazie had put effort into the song list she'd sent her. It had been amazing, and she'd loved it. But she still didn't quite know what she was going to do, if anything. These days she was feeling more and more helpless when it came to her surroundings, and it was distressing at best.
But right now, she had other things to deal with, like Adam, and his friends. Kyle, specifically. So, she went to the workshop, and knocked on the door lightly, knowing that the guy was working on something in secret.
Kyle had everything just the way he wanted it. He had lugged the door over to the other block and into the workshop. He had spent some time just looking at the door, deciding what he was going to do with it. When the knock came, he had just finished the first cut with the circular saw, cutting across the top of what was going to be the shield. The rest was penciled in. The artist was proud of himself - he had managed to incorporate the sigils that Wren had scrawled onto the door into the centre of the shield. He was intending to rout them in properly later on, but they would remain an integral part of the design. A shield in all sense of the word.
He stopped as he heard the knock. putting the saw to one side and pushing the safety glasses he’d found up onto his head. “Yeah?” he called out.
"Kyle?" Autumn called. "Hi, it's Autumn," she clarified for whoever was in there. She hoped it was Kyle. Otherwise she was going to have to track him down and she wasn't sure she was up for hide-and-seek today.
“Autumn! Hi,” Kyle called, heading over to the door and standing in the way of the entrance. He narrowed his eyes and looked at her. It was strange, in a way, thinking that this woman was a prostitute. But, then again, he had been raised in society - he knew how to treat people regardless. And - he kind of just wanted to make her pinky swear. Mock-seriously, he held out his right hand, little finger cocked, and just looked at her.
Autumn smiled, then noted the pinky thrust out at her. The smile turned to a smirk, and she hooked hers with his. "I swear to keep your secrets." she told him, tone serious. He clearly was going through with this pinky swear thing, so, she was happy to oblige. Plus, it was a little spark of silly, something she could use in her day today.
He grinned then and pulled her in through the door before letting her finger go. He stepped back. “So - I hear you’re helping Adam. Exactly what’s that gonna entail?” he asked her, arching an eyebrow and crossing his arms across his chest. He was vaguely aware that maybe he was being just a little protective right now, but Adam was his best friend. He was going to look out for the guy - especially knowing what he did know about what he had been through.
She made sure the door was shut behind them, noting Kyle's body language as she did so. She smiled at him. "Probably a lot of different things, though at current, it involves getting people on the same page." she told him. "He needs people around he can trust. People who are going to support him and probably put up with a little crazy now and then. People with patience. He's named you as one of the people he trusts."
Kyle was vastly unsurprised to hear that Adam had said he trusted him. “I’m still unclear what getting people on the same page means,” Kyle prompted. He wasn’t being openly hostile, but he still wasn’t quite comfortable with taking this woman at face value. Not with Adam on the line.
Autumn caught the hesitance. "Kyle, I'm trying to make sure Adam's around people who are going to be able to help him through this. Before I jump into anything, I want to know who's got his back, who's going to be his support system. If I can be happy that he's got people, then things can move ahead. But you never start therapy without a support system somewhere. Since I'm walking him through things, it can't be me. He needs friends. People who are happy to be there with the ups and downs because they will definitely be there." she said. "You seem just a little...well."
The arch of the eyebrow increased. “...Well?” he asked, clearly questioning that. He had Adam’s back - he just hated the idea that someone, anyone, was questioning that.
"You're talking to me like I'm the enemy. Or just shy of." Autumn pointed out, though it wasn't harshly at all. "You're already treating me like I'm...I'm not even quite sure. So, I'm going to throw that out there, and we can talk about that, then maybe get back on track?" she suggested.
Kyle inhaled deeply. He took a few steps back, until he was leaning against the remains of the door, resting his hands on it. He looked over at Autumn. “Maybe I’m not sure what your intent is with Adam. Or how you can help him. Because I do have his back.”
"And that's fine." Autumn told him. "But can you possibly give me a chance before you get defensive?" she suggested. "If you have questions, ask. My intent is to help him through something that he's clearly been ignoring for a long time. He's got some issues, that he very much wants to get through, and he absolutely can get through. But no one does it on their own. I've walked people through this kind of thing before. A few times, a few different situations, and I'm good with people and I know intimacy--and it's issues. I'm an outside party, so he doesn't have to worry about social conflicts with me at all, so it isn't like talking to a friend then later worrying about what that friend is going to think. And, something coming from me would come off differently than if, say, you said the exact same thing. It's why shrinks don't treat family or friends." She leaned back against the wall, hands clasped behind her. "For right now, it's just about talking. Eventually, I plan on trying to see how he's doing with physicality with people--if he's still flinching when anyone gets close, or if anyone accidentally touches him."
Kyle didn’t really want to be a bitch about this, but he realised that he couldn’t actually help it as he said, “And you’re... qualified to do this?” he asked, almost sounding as though he didn’t already know what her background was.
"Adam thinks so." Autumn answered. "I understand you're protective. I'm glad you are. But Adam wants to do this. And the second he decides otherwise? Then it stops, I back off, and he does what he wishes. I don't have a psychiatry license, but I very much know people. And I've dealt with this sort of thing a lot. It was what I specialized in often times. Just...working through issues with people."
“...He’s been through a lot,” Kyle offered up, after a moment or two. He looked clearly conflicted. Protective versus not wanting to alienate someone who was actually looking to help.
"I know he has." Autumn said, voice gentle, soft. She gave Kyle a light smile. "And he's a sweet person, with a good heart, and I want nothing more than to help him be comfortable in his own skin again. To be comfortable around people he cares about. I just want to help. I think he's worth the time."
Kyle quirked a small smile. “...He is,” he agreed, relaxing his arms slightly, hugging himself instead. It was slightly less closed off.
"And clearly he's already drawing in people who are protective and want to help him out, so, that says a lot about him and the people on his list." Autumn said, relaxing slightly as well. "For now, like I said, it's just talking. He's got some issues with how people will view him. That's one of my biggest concerns at the moment."
“Then I’ll tell you what I told him. I view him no different now than I did before he specifically told me what he’s been through,” Kyle told her. He wondered what Adam had actually told her. But then again, Kyle had guessed what Adam’s experiences had been before he came out and confessed to them. Sometimes, the gaps were just pretty easy to fill.
"Good. That's what he needs to hear." Autumn said with a nod, unsurprised that Kyle had taken that route--it was after all, pretty much expected. Pretty much no one would be looking at Adam like he feared they would. Especially not a friend.
“I know - and it just has the added benefit of being completely true,” Kyle pointed out. “Adam’s past friends suck. And if I ever meet any of them, they’re gonna really wish I hadn’t,” he added, his face darkened. Though, for Kyle, looking at the guy, one would assume he was all bark and no bite. He was hardly a threatening figure.
"Then I'm glad he has non-sucky friends here." she said. "And hopefully, we won't ever have to deal with that situation, and by the time Adam gets out of here, he'll be out in a new life without those old friends either way." she added. "Do you have any other questions for me beyond my qualifications?"
He had lots, in fact, but none of them that he was actually going to come out and ask. Being defensive of a friend was one thing - that allowed a certain amount of leeway. But he was too well bred to actually come out and ask questions about her lifestyle that he would view as impertinent. Instead, he said, “I got the feeling that maybe you’d be the one with the questions? Are you vetting me as Adam’s friend? Or getting to know his support system? I can give you the rundown of my resume, if you’d like...”
"You'd probably be one of the first without questions!" she said with a little laugh. "I'm just getting to know his support system." Autumn told him. "If you wanted to just tell me about yourself, that would be nice, but it's up to you. I'm not trying to pry, or be invasive or anything. My priority is Adam here, but I'd like it if you and I could get to know each other better too. So, anything you want to share, feel free, or if you want to just chat, I'm up for that too...whatever you'd like."
“Don’t worry about me - I’m an open book,” Kyle told her. “Let’s see... My name is Kyle Van Allen, I’m a 20 year old art student from NYC. I’m here because I dealt too many drugs and killed someone. Pleaded guilty, got fifteen years. Served one, which was one of the least pleasant experiences of my life. Got transferred here, which has been a vast improvement, even taking everything into account.”
Autumn nodded, listening to it all and she was very good at taking in the information and not giving any flinch reactions. "An art student...I always loved art." she said, a genuine moment of gushing on that, accompanied with a longing sigh. "Ahh museums, galleries..." she trailed off. "What are you making? Since I've already been sworn to secrecy..."
Kyle chuckled. “I bet you’re a classical type, right? Maybe with a sideline of some types of modern that you can stare at...” He left his comment at that, his face and tone as mask, not giving away his opinion on whether that would be a good or a bad thing. Instead, he stepped back. “It’s... Something for Adam. An in joke, if you like. Did you see the posts going around about him being a dragon slayer?”
Laughing, she shook her head. "Oh god, I actually pretty much love everything." Autumn said. "I have a tendency to be able to find something I like in just about any piece I see? Art is so subjective, I know, but to me it's gorgeous, and so is knowing the work put in, the passion..." she trailed off. "I've seen incredibly weird stuff, dark things, beautiful things, hideous ones...it's all art in some vein." She paused. "So, have I been judged?" she asked, since he'd gone stoic on his tone about his 'bet' on her 'type'. "I did see that! I thought it was absolutely adorable."
Kyle quirked a smile. “You might have been judged, yeah,” he allowed, running a hand along the cut down door. “Wren and I got talking after that. And one thing led to another, and... Well... We’re kind of fixing it for Adam to actually be that dragon slayer.” He walked around to the other side of the laid out door and looked across it at Autumn. “Wren’s going to be a princess, and Adam’s going to rescue her. Of course, he doesn’t know this yet, but I have confidence that we can get him to play along.”
"So, am I falling into the categories you expect me to be?" she asked. "And is that a good thing, or a bad thing?" He was kind of a prickly person, she was finding. Defensive to start with, now being judgy about art preferences, even if she didn't know what it was he thought. But clearly had made some decisions about her, even if he didn't know much of anything about her. When he explained what was happening with his project, she had to smile. It was warm, amused, and genuine. "I love it." she said. "And Adam rescuing someone? Probably good for him." she noted.
“The jury’s still out on that one, since I had absolutely no idea what to expect with you,” Kyle admitted. Still, he had to smile at her enthusiasm for their project. “I think it’ll be good for him. I think he’ll try and not do it, at first. But he’ll give in and I think he’ll enjoy himself despite that,” he prophesied. “It’ll be public. The ‘dragon’ is going to have Wren trapped in a tower - which will be the roof of the tool shed in Block A. She’s creating a treasure horde for there. And being a proper princess she’ll have the gown and a crown. And it’ll be the job of Sir Adam to rescue her. After, of course, getting kitted out in proper knight’s attire.” He ran his hands along the door. “That’s what I’m working on. Give it some time and this is going to be his shield,” he explained, his entire demeanour becoming less edgy and more childlike and enthusiastic as he talked about the project.
His not giving her even a hint of whether or not he hated and disapproved of her or thought she was even okay was disheartening. For people attempting to be on the same page, Kyle was very definitely being distant and apparently judgmental. Without any gauge on how she was doing, she was hoping Kyle was better with Adam than he was being with her.
His talking about the project at least took some of that edge off, which was helpful, and she smiled as she listened to him talk, looking at the door in question. "Do you need anything from me? I would be more than happy to help!" she offered brightly. "Even if it's just organizing something, or getting people into position on the day...whatever, really. This sounds fun."
Kyle pursed his lips, contemplating that. “You could be on hand, in case I fail to convince him that walking out into the middle of the courtyard dressed in armour made from aluminum foil and holding a shield made from a door and a sword made from... Whatever I can find to make a sword out of... Isn’t something he wants to do. Wren’s confident in my powers of persuasion, but I think maybe I’m gonna have my work cut out.” Plus, if he had a fall back, then maybe he could avoid having to actually fall back on overtly flirting to get his way. Which, he knew, would get him what he wanted, but it would also mean opening a can of worms which was better avoided. If, of course, Wren hadn’t already opened it.
Autumn smiled. "I can do that." she said. "I'll sign on, for the 'encourage Adam' squad." She considered the sword, trying to consider what that could be made out of. And what might not be considered a threat, because she didn't want anyone thinking that about Adam. "And if there's anything I can contribute, just say, I'll be happy to help. Hell, maybe this'll lead to people wanting to do a play or something. We've got a lot of time to fill. And if I get in on this entertainment thing, I'll need ideas." she said, laughing.
“Wren could probably do with some help on the dragon’s horde?” he suggested. “So, if you can think of anything shiny, or know anyone who would lend anything like that for a while.” He shrugged. “I’m a sucker for realism - if you’re gonna do something, right?”
"Oh that I can definitely do." Autumn said firmly, nodding as she grinned. "Consider me on it. I'll work on something for a dragon's horde, and be prepared to help convince Adam that this is something to do." she told him. "Sound good? And in the meantime, if you need anything let me know. And, if anything else comes up, feel free to message me or come by my room, I'm happy to talk to you anytime about anything. Or just get out of the room and do something."
“Thank you,” Kyle said with a small smile. He held that for a moment, then it faded. “Do you really think you can help him?” he asked, tilting his head to one side a little and really looking at her, as though he could find the answer on her face, and hoping it would be a positive one.
Autumn gave him her full attention, and smiled. It was a soft expression. "Yes." she said, confidence in her tone. "Honestly, I think he should have gotten help for this stuff before, and the reason he's in the boat he is now is because no one's specifically addressed it yet. He's got his troubles, everyone does, but I don't see him being even close to a hopeless case. Hell, the fact that he wants to try this is a huge step in the right direction to start with. He is helpable. I can help him. We call can help him. He'll be alright, in the long run. I think he's already on the right track, and while I won't say it'll be easy, it is doable."
Kyle looked like he appreciated that, and believed it. “Well, anything I can do... At all. Anything,” he said, simply. He still wasn’t sure what Autumn had in mind to help - and he wasn’t entirely sure he wanted to know either, but if she thought she could help, then Kyle was going to be there.
"I will definitely let you know." Autumn said. "I appreciate it. I'm sure Adam will as well. I know he gave me a list of people he trusts, what's your assessment? Who do you feel will have Adam's best interests at heart? Beyond yourself, of course."
“Wren,” Kyle said, immediately. “Maize - though I haven’t really met her, but Adam speaks very well of her. He’s still friends with Becka, or at least, they’re trying to be. But things may be difficult there. Especially with Adam’s specific issues. I’m not sure about anyone else. I know he doesn’t get on with Charlie, so definitely not that guy.”
Autumn nodded, noting that it's basically the same people that Adam had said, minus Becka, and it was the first she'd heard about his not getting along with someone. But she hadn't met a Charlie yet either, so she possibly needed to. Either way, she took it on board. "Good to know. Thank you." she said. She gave him another warm smile. "And thank you for being a good friend for him. Everyone needs those. Especially in a place like this. He's lucky to have a list of people to trust."
Kyle laughed. “Don’t thank me - he’s an easy guy to get on with,” he averred. “I’m just as lucky to have him.” Kyle figured that Adam had had to be there for him more times than he had had to be there for Adam. “He brings me down to earth when I need it.”
"Well, I'm glad you've got each other then." Autumn said. "I'll let you get back to work, just let me know if you want to talk to me about anything, or I'm needed for anything." she added.
“I will do,” Kyle promised. He looked down at the door, his attention already shifting as he thought about his design, what her was going to do next, how he could bring the most out of it. Since he had started on this he had felt the familiar stirring inside, something that only came with creation, and this was so much more than just paint on canvas. This was so much closer to where he had been.