Well this flower is my soul (open)

[ring_for_giles]

CHARACTERS: Ossie and Giles, and you!
DATE: Early January
LOCATION: Various
SITUATION: Pet an emotional support cat, listen to some music, stop by for tea
WARNINGS: Blanket for changeling nonsense

I should give you every rose that ever grew

There’s not really a private setting aboard the Serena Eternia- it’s a cruise ship, aside from the cabins, the entire thing is engineered to prevent people from getting up to mischief. Ask Ossie how he knows. But the Library has enough cozy nooks that it’s a comfortable setting for Ossie to set up shop. Having taken up the entitlement of the Blackbird Bishops, a Changeling society of caretakers for the lost and despairing, it is now his solemn duty to listen to the troubles of those aboard the ship, and he has a sign at the front of the library advertising his services. He has tea and some cute little biscuits and, crucially, a familiar tuxedo cat on offer to sit on your lap while you talk. Ossie insists on you introducing yourself to ‘Mr Ainsel’ before you talk to him. It’s only polite.

But take this one here for a start

While a significantly riskier affair than usual due to the piano’s newly-acquired taste for flesh, Ossie’s been feeling distinctly sentimental since the trial, and with a newfound appreciation for the Captain’s situation… well, as he says, love is his religion, and there’s nobody he loves more than Giles. So find him practicing and rehearsing a particular song by himself. Or…

With Giles watching from the nearest table, perhaps working on some darning just for something to occupy his hands. It's clear most of his attention is on the serenade, the hearts in his eyes are only one shade off becoming literal, even with the tight control he generally keeps on his expressions. But he'll acknowledge anyone who approaches, and invite them to join him to listen for a spell. Ossie's playing is too good to be kept all to himself, after all.

And you can keep it in your heart

The cottage, as ever, remains open for tea. Perhaps you've been invited round by Ossie at some point, or even by Giles on a rare occasion, either way a knock at either of their cabin doors will have you warmly greeted and invited into their private little sanctuary. Depending on the day, they may both be at home, or only one may be available.

( please include if you want Ossie, Giles, or both of them in the subject line! )

I have everything I need because of you

Wildcard

Comments

[serialskiller]

“Oh.“

Something there seems to either shatter slightly or click into place, it’s hard to tell which.

[ossie_oswald]

Ossie's just going to sip his tea like he didn't drop a bombshell. That question of 'pick it back up or set it down' is fundamental to all Changelings, something they all must grapple with sometime.

[serialskiller]

And here the fucking murderbot is, just realizing for the first time that it can still provide security, as if it hasn’t been doing so the whole time, and it is big and profound and overwhelming and all of this reads as clear as day on its face.

It pets the cat quietly as if that’s a purpose too, in the meantime.

[ossie_oswald]

"May I also note, you don't need to have all of this worked out right this very moment. You can take all the time you need to chew on it. So to speak, wot."

[serialskiller]

"I know I have time. I have nothing but time here, I don't sleep as much as the humans and there's a lot of quiet to think about things. I just." It's not that it wants answers prescribed to it; it just wants to already have the answers. Which is a shitty place to be.

Huff. Pet-pet-pet.

"Setting aside what I want to be, I've also begun to have. Stronger feelings about some people. They matter more to me. They're...special."

[ossie_oswald]

Wow does this cyborg ever have a lot of problems. Ossie might need some more tea for this.

"SecUnit, this is perhaps something I ought to have asked when you sat down- and something I'll need to remember to ask others- but what is it you're looking for here? Kvetching? Advice? Permission to feel however it is you're feeling?"

[serialskiller]

"I don't know."

It glances up at Ossie. "What did you think you were offering?"

[ossie_oswald]

"Whatever it is you need."

[serialskiller]

"Well, that's hardly helpful. You think I have any kind of idea of what I need?" But there's humor under those words, self-mocking as they may be. "I guess advice would help, if you have any on hand. I don't know what I'm doing. I hardly ever do. And I want to make sure that these people who I care about are safe with me. That I don't hurt them or upset them."

[ossie_oswald]

"People are usually experts on their own condition," Ossie answers, mildly.

"Which is precisely the advice I'd give in any case. Regardless of your relationship to these people, the key is curiousity, attentiveness, and care. Listen to them, believe them when they tell you what they need, and- well, I'd offer the advice to write down certain specifics that they like or dislike, but that oughtn't be an issue for you, would it?"

[serialskiller]

"No, not an issue at all. Digital memory, unless it's purged again."

The last word is quieter than the rest.

[ossie_oswald]

Ossie's grip tightens on his teacup almost imperceptibly.

"I see."

If you don't have anything nice to say, after all...

[serialskiller]

It lets Ossie's noncommittal words hang in the air for several moments longer than necessary, looking down at the top of the cat's head.

Unless it looks up, in which case Murderbot glances away. Even eye contact with an animal feels like much right now.

[ring_for_giles]

The cat doesn't look up, but it does nudge gently at SecUnit's chest, trying to provide a silent reassurance, purring all the while.

[ossie_oswald]

"Aside from what I've already said, it would be worthwhile, I think, to keep in mind that nobody expects perfection. You are not required to have no flaws or faults in your care for others. You must only endeavour to do your best."