Either way, we're not alone

[gildedlife]

Who: James Fitzjames, OTA
What: Exploring, and also finding some friends (early Sept catchall)
When: First few days after arriving
Where: Around Milton!

Content Warnings: The Terror-typical themes of death, illness, and general Bad Times, but anything specific will be added as it comes up!


For the first two days or so, James doesn't really leave the house he's taken up (temporary?) shelter in. Instead, he spends most of the time sleeping, occasionally waking up to make some rosehip tea and wage the mental battle necessary to drink it, then falling back asleep and repeating the cycle.

But although any sort of true recovery will take far longer than a few days, by the third day of being in this new place he feels much better than he had when he'd arrived, and even if that was an incredibly low bar to clear it's still more than enough to be encouraging. This isn't some sort of strange dream or dying hallucination. He's really here, somehow, and--for once in so many months now--he's getting better, not worse.

He might actually live. But this time, unlike his many other close brushes with death, he finds he isn't entirely sure what to do with the knowledge of that possibility.

He also has zero desire to contemplate that fact or any of its implications, but unfortunately, the downside of feeling better is that he's now capable of overthinking things again. And the only way to avoid doing that is through distraction, so it's only reasonable that he decides to go exploring.

Comments

[lieutenantsteward]

"I have," he assures him and turns to point at one of the larger homes, out by the edge of the lake. "Just there. It is a home I share with - someone else. A woman, though there is no impropriety here," he's quick to add, looking down as his cheeks flush slightly. It's odd to be worried about such things again when he and Wynonna have been so close for so long.

"It is not much, but it is comfortable and warm and my door is always open to you."

[gildedlife]

It's the blush more than what is actually said that prompts a faintly teasing grin to come to James' face, though he does take pity on Jopson enough to refrain from actually making any comment. He really doesn't actually care if there is impropriety, though he trusts Jopson's assurance that there isn't.

And although he certainly hadn't had any specific fear that Jopson wouldn't want him around, James also somehow isn't quite expecting how readily the offer is extended. For just a moment his eyes flicker, smile fading and a number of different emotions fighting for recognition before he's able to regain control of them.

"Thank you, lieutenant." He says it softly, and very much means it. "I would extend the same welcome, but I've yet to decide if I'll be remaining long-term in my current location." The choice of cabin had been more out of necessity than anything else, and he really doesn't know if he wants to stay there once he's recovered enough to have other options. But whenever he does choose a permanent place--and what a strange thought that idea is--it will always be open to Jopson as well.

But the talk of homes suddenly reminds him--

"And I realize I have kept you long enough, should you have somewhere you meant to be." Even if he hadn't been planning to go home, Jopson surely had been headed somewhere, and although James hopes that Jopson knows he can simply extricate himself from a conversation without needing to wait to be dismissed, he wants to give him the out just in case.

[lieutenantsteward]

He smiles faintly, nodding once. "I understand, sir. I - simply wished to ensure that you were alright and that you knew what you needed. But if you have need to find your bearings here, I will take my leave."

He runs his fingers through his hair, tucking it behind his ear, and looks behind him.

"Do not stray far, sir. There is always safety in numbers here."