Pow-Wow with Pandora (Bone Biter, Headstone, and Revs}

[Juramenta]

{Headstone}

Headstone finally speaks up as he cuts through the tension with his characteristic directness.
"Let’s not bolt just yet, chummer," he says casually after Pandora hints at heading downstairs before turning more serious.
"Where to even start... All your problems are for you to deal with? Nah, they're mine too. Scratch that, doesn’t sound right either. The crew’s well-being? Yeah, that's on me.
You already know I am a simple man. Simple, temperamental, low iq, closet filled with demons, direct and crude and trust me, I’m not saying that to discredit myself. It means I know exactly who I am. I’m just a simple guy, always have been. Peace with that. And no, don’t apologize, ain’t like you did anything wrong." His words are straightforward, but his tone turns a little softer afterward.

"I knew you didn’t want to sit through that meet, but I asked anyway. See, there’s a method to my madness. I might be a simple man, yeah, and you might have unfortunately gotten the brunt of the temper part on top of that. I’ll work on the second part. But there’s something else, a quality most people think is fraggin weakness." He pauses for a second before explaining "I trust easily." He lets that sink in before continuing. "Now, most would call that a flaw, right? But then there’s my second quality: knowing who’s worth putting that trust in. You, Pandora, and everyone here met the criteria."

His eyes flicker with conviction as he speaks.
"We ain’t just some thrown-together group of street-level nobodies, barely scraping by. Drek what anyone says, we’re worth more than that. I trust this crew, cause every single one of you? You’re worth it. Worth the fraggin’ time, effort, and risk. And that’s why I asked you to be there at the meeting. I don’t think you'd have opened up like this if you weren’t there, and look at us now, deal’s done, run's in motion. All worked out, didn't it?" His tone turns warmer as he continues "I want you in this for the long haul, Pandora. Same goes for the rest of the crew. You’re here, and I’m not letting anyone sink. It’s like how we used to throw the young orc grunts in a pool to force 'em to learn to swim or drown. Only thing we never got right was the care after. So here’s my ask, be straight about what you need. Blow up if you have to; we all do sometimes. Just know, whatever happens, we’re good. That goes for all three of you up here and everyone downstairs. No one's excluded."

He lets out a sigh of relief "Thanks for putting your story out there. Once this run’s over, I’ll return the favor. There’s things I’ve did not specifically keep from the crew, but should have told you all sooner and if you can step up and share, I’d be weak and not worth a damn not to do the same. We’re in this together."

[Ozgood13]

{Bone Biter}

Bone looks at everyone and says, "I just got off the call with a contact in H Town. There is a bar we can use as a safe place if needed. The contact can not help us, and her "friend," who is a walking wall, is busy, but at least we have a place to hang out if needed."

[Juramenta]

{Headstone}

Gives his thumbs up.
''You're a good man, chummer. Let's head out there after the run for a celebratory drink.

[Charybdis Richelle]

{Headstone}

Headstone finally speaks up as he cuts through the tension with his characteristic directness. "Let’s not bolt just yet, chummer," he says casually after Pandora hints at heading downstairs before turning more serious.

{GM}

Pandora freezes nearly as hard as she had before taking the first step into her cell at Silcox. Her unseeing eyes widen. Her heart rate and respiration spike. She had intended to escape after pouring out her soul. She says nothing, just holds in place, not turning back to face him.

{Headstone}

"Where to even start... All your problems are for you to deal with? Nah, they're mine too. Scratch that, doesn’t sound right either. The crew’s well-being? Yeah, that's on me."

{GM}

Pandora shakes her head. Her shoulders tense. Her fingers bend inwards, stopping just shy of balling into fists. But she holds her argument – for now.

{Headstone}

"You already know I am a simple man. Simple, temperamental, low iq, closet filled with demons, direct and crude and trust me, I’m not saying that to discredit myself. It means I know exactly who I am. I’m just a simple guy, always have been. Peace with that. And no, don’t apologize, ain’t like you did anything wrong." His words are straightforward, but his tone turns a little softer afterward.

{GM}

The decker’s breath quickens another notch and becomes ragged.

{Headstone}

"I knew you didn’t want to sit through that meet, but I asked anyway. See, there’s a method to my madness. I might be a simple man, yeah, and you might have unfortunately gotten the brunt of the temper part on top of that. I’ll work on the second part. But there’s something else, a quality most people think is fraggin weakness." He pauses for a second before explaining "I trust easily." He lets that sink in before continuing. "Now, most would call that a flaw, right? But then there’s my second quality: knowing who’s worth putting that trust in. You, Pandora, and everyone here met the criteria."

{GM}

Pandora shakes her head again, canting it downwards. A touch of rosé rises into her cheeks.

{Headstone}

His eyes flicker with conviction as he speaks.
"We ain’t just some thrown-together group of street-level nobodies, barely scraping by. Drek what anyone says, we’re worth more than that. I trust this crew, cause every single one of you? You’re worth it. Worth the fraggin’ time, effort, and risk. And that’s why I asked you to be there at the meeting. I don’t think you'd have opened up like this if you weren’t there, and look at us now, deal’s done, run's in motion. All worked out, didn't it?" His tone turns warmer as he continues "I want you in this for the long haul, Pandora. Same goes for the rest of the crew. You’re here, and I’m not letting anyone sink. It’s like how we used to throw the young orc grunts in a pool to force 'em to learn to swim or drown. Only thing we never got right was the care after. So here’s my ask, be straight about what you need. Blow up if you have to; we all do sometimes. Just know, whatever happens, we’re good. That goes for all three of you up here and everyone downstairs. No one's excluded."

He lets out a sigh of relief "Thanks for putting your story out there. Once this run’s over, I’ll return the favor. There’s things I’ve did not specifically keep from the crew, but should have told you all sooner and if you can step up and share, I’d be weak and not worth a damn not to do the same. We’re in this together."

{GM}

“You can’t take custody of my problems, Boss,” the decker says. Her words are clipped, but she doesn’t raise her voice. “You can’t claim responsibility for my actions – neither credit nor blame. I will not cede you my agency.” She snaps the word ‘not,’ and follows it with a soft sniffle. “I am not a child, even if I am for the moment technically in your custody. My failures are my own, just as my accomplishments are.”

Pandora runs the back of her hands over her cheeks and takes several deep breaths before she turns around. “And long term,” she shakes her head. “I can’t promise that, Boss. I…” She shrugs, spreading her hands wide. “I need to finish my masters. I was thinking about a thesis for my first PhD.” She lets out a chuff of air. “In just over two months, I will be free to make decisions for myself for the first time in my life.” She shrugs. “I might want to devote more time to my charity – now that I can travel to do fundraising and raise awareness… I might just want to travel in general… Obi-Wan says travel boosts decking skills exponentially. Says learning a new language, taking in a new culture gives you broader perspective. I…”

“You have me as long as I’m here,” the decker says. “With everything I can give you. But as for after I’m finally off parole… I…” She shrugs. Silence hangs heavy for a moment while Pandora debates saying anything more. Then she shakes her head.

“I’m going to go get some coffee to fortify myself before the meeting.” Without waiting for an answer, she starts down the steps.

[Ozgood13]

{Bone Biter}

Looks to Headstone a moment before asking, " You would not happen to have a linkable lead pusher? I want to try a test to see if my links only work with my rifle?" With this, Bone Biter rubs the contacts on his hands.

He continues, "Rev and Pandora, I am sorry for speaking out, but the thought just came to mind."

[Charybdis Richelle]

{GM}

Pandora, already heading down the stairs, just nods without stopping in her quest for coffee – or maybe just Hades bent on escape before Headstone tries to argue.