ｊｅｆｆｅｒｓｏｎ．．．is a giant troll (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
royalpassport) wrote2016-09-26 09:04 am
royalpassport) wrote2016-09-26 09:04 am
Entry tags:
IC: CONTACT (EUDIO)
[ And now, thanks to Emma: ]
❝ Send me a message, and I'll respond when I get around to it. ❞
[ And now, thanks to Emma: ]
❝ Send me a message, and I'll respond when I get around to it. ❞
It's a message system. Technically, you're always here.
[ omg Emma STOP INTERRUPTING HIS BROODING WITH YOUR TECHNICALITIES. ]
Did you message me just to tell me that, or was there another reason?
Did you message me just to tell me that, or was there another reason?
I had another reason. Doesn't change the fact that I'm right.
I never had a smartphone before I got here. I thought the inbox was like an answering machine.
[ Which. He's never used, because nobody ever called him during the curse. BUT THANKS TO REGINA, HE HAS KNOWLEDGE OF THEM, AT LEAST. Anyway, he's said too much. ]
What do you want?
[ Which. He's never used, because nobody ever called him during the curse. BUT THANKS TO REGINA, HE HAS KNOWLEDGE OF THEM, AT LEAST. Anyway, he's said too much. ]
What do you want?
Kind of, but it's not tied to one location.
[ An answering machine implies he's not home. This implies he's not available. She's only getting into specifics to annoy him.]
Hot chocolate, but I'm guessing you prefer tea.
[ An answering machine implies he's not home. This implies he's not available. She's only getting into specifics to annoy him.]
Hot chocolate, but I'm guessing you prefer tea.
Why?
[ It's not that he's suspicious of Emma wanting cocoa, it's just that. Well. Why would she contact him when she's got her family and husband and so on? ]
[ It's not that he's suspicious of Emma wanting cocoa, it's just that. Well. Why would she contact him when she's got her family and husband and so on? ]
Because it's too early for alcohol and neither of us prefers coffee.
[ It's true; Emma has her husband, both of her parents, her friends. But when she first arrived in Eudio, all she had was an incentive based on getting Henry back and the hope that it'd work.]
You're here for your kid, I know what that's like.
[ It's true; Emma has her husband, both of her parents, her friends. But when she first arrived in Eudio, all she had was an incentive based on getting Henry back and the hope that it'd work.]
You're here for your kid, I know what that's like.
[ The temptation to turn down the offer is pretty strong, if only because a part of him would rather be left to keep sinking into the miserable hole he's jumped into since more people arrived from their land, unburdened by the curse, reuniting with loved ones, making references to a future just out of his reach.
But then he remembers that if he keeps on at it, he'll never get his incentive, anyway. And Emma's one of the few who understands what he's going through, at least. He doesn't have to tell her his story, because she knows it. ]
Where?
But then he remembers that if he keeps on at it, he'll never get his incentive, anyway. And Emma's one of the few who understands what he's going through, at least. He doesn't have to tell her his story, because she knows it. ]
Where?
Common Ground seems appropriate.
[ On name alone, but also the fact that it's neutral territory. Meeting a recluse at Red's probably pushes him past his comfort zone. The hot chocolate's above average, they have a variety of teas. It's not the same as getting Ruby's, but she'll deal.]
[ On name alone, but also the fact that it's neutral territory. Meeting a recluse at Red's probably pushes him past his comfort zone. The hot chocolate's above average, they have a variety of teas. It's not the same as getting Ruby's, but she'll deal.]
All right.
Name the time, and I'll be there.
Name the time, and I'll be there.
8:00?
[Before work, which gives both of them a chance to head out early if this is a terrible mistake.]
[Before work, which gives both of them a chance to head out early if this is a terrible mistake.]
See you then.
[ He definitely approves of an exit strategy, just in case. ]
[ He definitely approves of an exit strategy, just in case. ]
[ Well there's not a telescope in sight, if that's what he's worried about.
Emma gets there first out of sheer determination to pick the table, opting for one that's smaller and out of the way. It what it lacks in armchair seating, it makes up for in the window just next to it. She sees him coming through the door as she settles in, a cup of hot chocolate in hand and a cranberry-orange muffin on the table.
She's dressed reasonably well for the weather, nodding over to him between sips of hot chocolate. Yes, she's doing this. Don't ask her why.]
Emma gets there first out of sheer determination to pick the table, opting for one that's smaller and out of the way. It what it lacks in armchair seating, it makes up for in the window just next to it. She sees him coming through the door as she settles in, a cup of hot chocolate in hand and a cranberry-orange muffin on the table.
She's dressed reasonably well for the weather, nodding over to him between sips of hot chocolate. Yes, she's doing this. Don't ask her why.]
[ PHEW. The last thing he wants is to get clocked upside the head again.
Once Jefferson makes it to Common Ground-- a little late, but only about ten minutes so-- he lingers near the entrance for a moment, as if deciding if he wants to go inside. But then, well. He's already out in public (an improvement over the past... how many days has it been this time? Five, six?), so the hardest part is over.
Besides, Emma's spotted him already. So he heads inside, dressed about how one might expect him to be. Emma might even recognize his coat as the one he was wearing when they first met. After putting in his order at the counter, he moves to the table, draping the coat over the back of his chair before he sits down. ]
Good morning, Emma.
[ If he seems a little stiff, it's only because he's expecting this meeting to come with some kind of a catch. Oh, and also because of the persistent low mood he's been nursing for a couple weeks now. ]
Once Jefferson makes it to Common Ground-- a little late, but only about ten minutes so-- he lingers near the entrance for a moment, as if deciding if he wants to go inside. But then, well. He's already out in public (an improvement over the past... how many days has it been this time? Five, six?), so the hardest part is over.
Besides, Emma's spotted him already. So he heads inside, dressed about how one might expect him to be. Emma might even recognize his coat as the one he was wearing when they first met. After putting in his order at the counter, he moves to the table, draping the coat over the back of his chair before he sits down. ]
Good morning, Emma.
[ If he seems a little stiff, it's only because he's expecting this meeting to come with some kind of a catch. Oh, and also because of the persistent low mood he's been nursing for a couple weeks now. ]
[He wasn't at the welcome party thing, and now she's recalling that she hasn't seen hide nor hair of him in quite some time. So, she does want any curious woman does: she looks up his contact information and sends him a message.]
Are you still here, darling?
Are you still here, darling?
[ He doesn't respond right away, but eventually he'll shoot a voice message back. ]
I'm here. Why?
[ WHAT'S IT TO YOU, WONDERLAND MONARCH? ]
I'm here. Why?
[ WHAT'S IT TO YOU, WONDERLAND MONARCH? ]
Well, darling, I was merely looking to make certain that you weren't dead, I suppose.
You are the only person here who actually knows me from before I arrived here, you know.
[IT'S A VERY WEIRD SENSATION, JEFFERSON.]
I suppose I wanted to make certain you're still around.
You are the only person here who actually knows me from before I arrived here, you know.
[IT'S A VERY WEIRD SENSATION, JEFFERSON.]
I suppose I wanted to make certain you're still around.
[ Stiff is understandable. It's not as if they've ever met intentionally before (at least not in a way both sides agreed to). It sticks out, though, that their last conversation didn't end in disaster. They have people they miss, pretty much all the time. In that sense, he's not so difficult to be around.]
Hey.
[ She closes a book of crossword puzzles that sitting on the table when she came in, leaving a pen to mark the page with a few more sections filled out. It's rare that she fills in one of these on her own these days. Graham is unreasonably good at them; a skill he says comes with twenty-eight years of experience.]
I wasn't sure you'd come.
Hey.
[ She closes a book of crossword puzzles that sitting on the table when she came in, leaving a pen to mark the page with a few more sections filled out. It's rare that she fills in one of these on her own these days. Graham is unreasonably good at them; a skill he says comes with twenty-eight years of experience.]
I wasn't sure you'd come.
And you're the only person from a time and place I'd rather forget.
[ He pauses, regretting those words as he soon as he says them. After a few moments, he says: ]
I'm sorry.
Thanks for checking up on me.
[ He pauses, regretting those words as he soon as he says them. After a few moments, he says: ]
I'm sorry.
Thanks for checking up on me.
[ Jefferson glances down at the book with some interest just as Emma closes it, as if he can catch a glimpse of which clues she's already figured out and which she hasn't. He doesn't get a chance, really, and so he pulls his gaze back up to her, meeting Emma's eyes with his. ]
I wasn't sure I'd come, either.
[ Jefferson isn't quite sure what else to say, but he knows he doesn't want to let the admission linger awkwardly between them, so he clears his throat and adds: ]
I take it things went well with... [ Graham. Storybrooke. All of that. ]
I wasn't sure I'd come, either.
[ Jefferson isn't quite sure what else to say, but he knows he doesn't want to let the admission linger awkwardly between them, so he clears his throat and adds: ]
I take it things went well with... [ Graham. Storybrooke. All of that. ]
[She nods, quickly - as if she's surprised that he'd remember, which doesn't really fit the profile of a guy like him. Maybe it's more that she didn't think he'd care enough to mention it.] Graham's back. Hopefully, for good.
[This place has followed through on every promise it's made to her. You might think she'd be able to speak with some certainty about what the future holds for them now. It's just who she is. She doesn't believe in huge organizations, no matter how much magic they have to play around with.
And sometimes, because of it.] He's one of the few people from Storybrooke who remembers less than you do.
[ Belle seems to have gotten the best or worst of it, depending on how she looks at the situation.] It's not easy for him, feeling like he's caught in the past while everyone else keeps moving forward. [In some ways, it's isolating. People come here from Storybrooke after his death and have no memory of him.] He knows he has a future in my world, but I don't think he's even imagined what that looks like yet.
... Have you?
[This place has followed through on every promise it's made to her. You might think she'd be able to speak with some certainty about what the future holds for them now. It's just who she is. She doesn't believe in huge organizations, no matter how much magic they have to play around with.
And sometimes, because of it.] He's one of the few people from Storybrooke who remembers less than you do.
[ Belle seems to have gotten the best or worst of it, depending on how she looks at the situation.] It's not easy for him, feeling like he's caught in the past while everyone else keeps moving forward. [In some ways, it's isolating. People come here from Storybrooke after his death and have no memory of him.] He knows he has a future in my world, but I don't think he's even imagined what that looks like yet.
... Have you?
[ His tea's brought to the table soon enough, which is good. Gives him something to do with his hands as he listens to Emma, turning the cup one way, then the other (and so on) on the saucer. It's an interesting point she raises, about Graham. Jefferson pulls his gaze down to the teacup as he considers what Emma's saying. It must be frustrating to see just how life goes on after your own death.
And here Jefferson had just assumed that the former sheriff wouldn't have been as bothered by being 'behind' the others as he, himself, was. After all: Graham now has his happily ever after, doesn't he? And shouldn't that be enough?
Jefferson looks up at Emma when she directs the question at him, blinking as if startled. ]
I don't have to imagine it. People tell me. [ Not really answering the question at all with that response. And now his expression darkens. ] They can't help but remind me of a future that's still out of my reach.
And here Jefferson had just assumed that the former sheriff wouldn't have been as bothered by being 'behind' the others as he, himself, was. After all: Graham now has his happily ever after, doesn't he? And shouldn't that be enough?
Jefferson looks up at Emma when she directs the question at him, blinking as if startled. ]
I don't have to imagine it. People tell me. [ Not really answering the question at all with that response. And now his expression darkens. ] They can't help but remind me of a future that's still out of my reach.
[ Is it happily ever after? It's a life together, one they're both looking forward to - but it's life in a version of Storybrooke he's never experienced. They'll be happy because they'll be together, because they'll be a family, but that doesn't make it free of any and all complications. There's a lot they still haven't faced, things they won't get to deal with until they go home.
She believes in them (this time, she has that much down), but she knows they have a long road ahead of them. And maybe Jefferson, with his spoilers regarding the future and his knowledge that he has to go back to the unknown, might know what that feels like.] They want you to know that it's going to happen. That all of this is going to end well for you. [It's meant to be reassuring. Knowing he'll get his daughter back is supposed to be a comfort. It comes from good intentions.
It's all a matter of perspective, which is a thought she doesn't bother voicing as she picks apart her muffin. She glances up, after a moment, well aware that he never answered the question the first time. ] And being here, even though it might feel like it's putting in distance between you and your daughter, might be a chance to prepare yourself for that.
She believes in them (this time, she has that much down), but she knows they have a long road ahead of them. And maybe Jefferson, with his spoilers regarding the future and his knowledge that he has to go back to the unknown, might know what that feels like.] They want you to know that it's going to happen. That all of this is going to end well for you. [It's meant to be reassuring. Knowing he'll get his daughter back is supposed to be a comfort. It comes from good intentions.
It's all a matter of perspective, which is a thought she doesn't bother voicing as she picks apart her muffin. She glances up, after a moment, well aware that he never answered the question the first time. ] And being here, even though it might feel like it's putting in distance between you and your daughter, might be a chance to prepare yourself for that.
[ On some level, he knows Emma's likely right. At least when Snow told him about his future, it was some comfort. But he'd asked her for that update, and besides, who but Regina would assume bad intentions from Snow White?
It's the subsequent comments thrown his way that have been needling at him. The questions, the casual assumptions that he's already been reunited with her. As if he'd ever leave her again if he already got her back. Not only does it leave him feeling her absence all the more painfully, but it also makes him feel like a fool for coming here at all. Like he's keeping himself from a bright and happy future, prolonging his misery by being here.
So he has to scoff at her talk of their Storybrooke neighbors trying to offer him some assurance. And he's about to dismiss everything she says until the last words that Emma says. Preparing himself.
It strikes a nerve. He'd mentioned something to Harley the other day, during her house-call.
(Yeah, he has a madwoman for a therapist. Of course he would.)
Jefferson stops fiddling with the cup, dropping his hands flat on the table, and the dark expression softens, resentment giving way to something more vulnerable. ]
I worry sometimes. [ He doesn't know why he's confiding in Emma about this, considering their past. Maybe because even then, when he was ranting and waving a gun around, he was unloading his grief onto her. ] That when I see Grace again-- my Grace-- [ Not Paige. ] That I can't be any sort of father to her at all. That's the future I imagine sometimes.
[ That he can't take care of her, or he'll scare her. That she'll want to go back to the neighbors he'd left her with back when Regina wanted to go to Wonderland. They were, after all, her parents during the curse. Stable, kind, good people. Not like him. ]
It's the subsequent comments thrown his way that have been needling at him. The questions, the casual assumptions that he's already been reunited with her. As if he'd ever leave her again if he already got her back. Not only does it leave him feeling her absence all the more painfully, but it also makes him feel like a fool for coming here at all. Like he's keeping himself from a bright and happy future, prolonging his misery by being here.
So he has to scoff at her talk of their Storybrooke neighbors trying to offer him some assurance. And he's about to dismiss everything she says until the last words that Emma says. Preparing himself.
It strikes a nerve. He'd mentioned something to Harley the other day, during her house-call.
(Yeah, he has a madwoman for a therapist. Of course he would.)
Jefferson stops fiddling with the cup, dropping his hands flat on the table, and the dark expression softens, resentment giving way to something more vulnerable. ]
I worry sometimes. [ He doesn't know why he's confiding in Emma about this, considering their past. Maybe because even then, when he was ranting and waving a gun around, he was unloading his grief onto her. ] That when I see Grace again-- my Grace-- [ Not Paige. ] That I can't be any sort of father to her at all. That's the future I imagine sometimes.
[ That he can't take care of her, or he'll scare her. That she'll want to go back to the neighbors he'd left her with back when Regina wanted to go to Wonderland. They were, after all, her parents during the curse. Stable, kind, good people. Not like him. ]
[For a second, it takes Ana time to respond, because she's thinking about it. And she's thinking about her own life in the Enchanted Forest, and how she'd be if it were Alice who were here.
Or even Will, hating her. Anastasia understands hate.]
It's alright, darling. You're going to be alright you know. You're going to get whatever your incentive is and then fix whatever your little heart desires. Maybe I won't even know you then.
Or even Will, hating her. Anastasia understands hate.]
It's alright, darling. You're going to be alright you know. You're going to get whatever your incentive is and then fix whatever your little heart desires. Maybe I won't even know you then.
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