[Tiffany had thought a while, and ultimately had decided to contact Mason's warden herself. The warden she'd met at the bar had promised he'd only contact Merlin about it, and let him decide what to do from there-- but she thought it was very possible that he'd decide that Mason's warden needed to know about the alcohol-in-the-pool situation, if she didn't already. Maybe, she'd thought, it would be seen as a gesture of good faith if she went forward to explain things first.
And that is why Gwen is currently being greeted by a somber-looking young woman.]
[ it's a surprise to hear from her, to say the least, but she's quick to answer the transmission, pushing a hand through her hair and trying not to look too curious ]
Gwen. I'm Gwen. [ she grins ] Sure, what's up?
I went to her journal to check the spelling of her last name and ~*lo and behold*~
Was it the same day I asked you not to? [ she doesn't mean to sound like a jerk, but it kind of comes out in her tutor voice, her c'mon Flash you should know better voice. but she doesn't even know this woman very well, so she takes a breath, tries to tone it down ]
I did it; that's what happened. And I think my warden might try to talk to you about it, so I thought I'd do it first, because-- look, I ain't a snitch.
[Which is… not always entirely true; it would be more accurate for her to say 'I did not want to be a snitch in this particular case'."]
[ there's some part of her that's a little distracted by the idea of "so this happened, and Mason didn't tell me", but she pushes it to the back of her mind for now, because the details are important. she needs to get those first. ]
I'm glad you did tell me. Not because I like when people snitch, [ she shakes her head ] I don't expect Mason's friends to come to me every time he does something wrong or anything. And I get why it's awkward. But.
[ she takes a beat because she's not sure she wants to delve too far into this, because it's personal, isn't it? for Mason. so she has to think about it first ]
I think Mason being able to graduate will depend a lot on his ability to learn how to say no to things like- drinking, and getting high. It's why he's not allowed in the pub. So... Would you mind telling me how it happened? You couldn't have gotten booze from the bar, right? So where did it come from? [ a beat ] You two weren't drinking in the pool, were you? [ sO UNSAFE ]
Look-- please don't get mad at him, okay? 'Cause I think he regrets it now, and it was like a month ago, so it don't really matter anymore. So I was thinking, maybe you could not tell him that I told you, or even that you know.
I'm not mad. I'm a little surprised, but maybe I shouldn't be. [ she sighs, because she's not sure she can promise she won't bring it up, but- ] He doesn't have to know you told me.
[ she did make him quit cold turkey. and as far as Gwen knows, this is only his second slip-up. the first was during a port, which was- horrifying, so her brain is kind of jumping to that place, assuming he got completely trashed. but maybe not. she's pretty sure this conversation would have happened a lot sooner if they got roaring drunk. someone would have noticed ]
Good. I'm pretty sure there's just general a rule about not having alcohol by the pool, though. [ not the point, Gwen! ] How much did you drink?
Really. [ brow.... quirk! ] I'm not about to try and drive a wedge between new friends. [ which she really genuinely means! and she's also smiling a little now. it's hard not to. ]
And that's good to know. I'm actually really glad you told me, it says a lot about you. [ she huffs ] Not that I'm sitting here worrying about Mason only being friends with good people [ yes she is ] but it's good to know he's spending time with somebody that's looking out for him, too.
[ she tries to sober up a little bit too though, her "no, really though" face back on ]
But I would really like to know how much you drank. He wasn't chugging bottles vodka or anything, was he?
No. I just brought one bottle of beer and I had some, too.
[Only a little bit, but.]
But don't be too disappointed, okay? I weren't lying when I said I think he regrets it. And...
[She leans back from the camera a little, folding her hands.]
Maybe he does wrong stuff sometimes, but he does a lot right. That last flood, I had a real tough time-- I still am, I guess. And he's been real good to me, even though he ain't a warden or nothing.
[ almost an "oh!" even, because that's not bad sharing a beer? it's.. technically breaking his sobriety, but. it could be worse. she doesn't dwell on that though, not when she's continuing to try and make sure she's not too mad or too disappointed in Mason. and some of what she's saying, Gwen already knows. or she's always believed it, at least. but she didn't know Mason had helped her in whatever way. it's kind of a lot to process, in Gwen's mind anyway, where she tries to break down every little detail all at once, but she's smiling again at least ]
Mason's a really, really great friend to have. He's always been a good person, even when he first got here. [ as in it wasn't anything he had to learn, or why he's here to begin with, right ] So I'm glad he's been able to help you.
Yeah. And I know he's got issues with the addictions and stuff. I don't got a drinking problem or nothing-- but I know how it feels to want to get high, because I used to be on drugs.
So... then you probably get why I don't want him drinking at all, right? [ her voice is a little quieter now, more earnest, even ] He's doing really well, I think. I don't know how soon or how long it'll be before he graduates, but I think he's in a good place right now. So, I guess-
[ she pauses to try and figure out how to word her next question ]
I'm not going to ask you to snoop on him for me or anything like that, I wouldn't do that, but if he ever- If he ever asks you for alcohol again, and he seems.. not okay. Would you tell me first? If he's just goofing off like he was that first time, it's- up to you, if you'll say yes or no. But if he's in bad shape and he's looking to get drunk to try and help, I'd really appreciate it if you could give me a heads up. I try and keep in touch with him at least once a day, but you know.
[ she knows this could either work out fine, oooor it could backfire, but. if they're friends, if they've been helping each other here, maybe she'll get it. ]
Yeah, I get it. But I didn't tell to be a snitch. Or to…
[She's trying to think of how to phrase "I didn't tell you to be responsible and wouldn't have said a thing if I hadn't drunkenly confessed to that other warden first" in a way that sounds less… like that.]
I'm not being snitchy, that's all. I don't got that mindset.
So what if I just tell you if I think he's having problems? Not specifics, but if I think he needs his warden.
[It's not an arrangement she would have ever considered with the prison guards back home-- but the wardens here are different. They legitimately help.]
But I think you'd probably see it first, 'cause I don't actually know him that well.
Cool; thanks. He's a good warden. And... thanks for saying I can keep talking to Mason, 'cause I know you probably could have made me stop if you'd wanted.
[She smiles a little, looking at her lap. Girl's got a bit of a crush.]
Nah. Like I said, I'd never try and get in the way of a new friendship. [ and aaah maybe she's kind of noticing the- not bashfulness, but. something. so- ] You guys could be really good for each other, I think.
Yeah-- it was during the dreams, and right after. I was... I was having a real hard time-- 'cause it was my first flood and everything, and it was a bad one. He came over to see me a couple times and talked to me and held me and stuff. I thought God was punishing me, so we talked about God some.
Well! I'm not sure he has a favorite. Anything covered in sugar is great, anything with chocolate and peanutbutter. I don't think he likes gummy candy very much, but maybe it was just the gummy worms that freaked him out that day. Went on a whole rant and everything.
[ she totally switches to audio too! although it's really just a silly time to do that because she- well she doesn't sound giddy, but she sounds pleased, for sure ]
I'd say Valentine's Day chocolate is a pretty safe bet. If anything, I'd get a mixed box that has some that you like too. So even if he doesn't like a certain kind that's in there, you guys can just share the box.
Yeah? I think I like everything. But I'm getting it for him, not for me. If I want it for me I bet a warden would get me some.
I guess I have to ask a warden to ask the Admiral for this, too. Can you do that? I want it to be a nice, big box, but maybe not like... I don't know. Nothing too, like, romantic-looking, 'cause for all I know he got flowers for a bunch of girls.
[ THIS IS SO SWEET. there are times Gwen definitely acts her age instead of the mature ~young adult~ she tries to be at all times, and when it comes to romance ( even something that's not too romantic ) she's definitely a little more optimistic and silly than she normally is. so she nodnodnods, even sounds a little different now with this next bit ]
And I don't know, Mason didn't get me flowers, and I think he would have at least mentioned it if he needed to find a whole bunch of flowers for different girls. But I'll ask for a casual box of Valentine's day chocolate though, don't worry. Nothing shaped like a heart or anything. [ a beat ] Unless you want a big, heart-shaped box? [ aaaanother beat ] Although with Mason, he might find it funny - in a good way! - if it's just this giant box with like, a hundred pieces of candy, you know? And sharing is one of those things where it can be romantic, but it's also just a good excuse to hang out together. Sharing a giant box of chocolate.
... But it's up to you, I'll ask for whatever you want to go with. I promise.
-- I'm just really excited to hear he got you flowers, okay, that's really sweet.
[She appreciates your enthusiasm, Gwen; this is good information.]
Maybe like a box-shaped box, I was thinking. Square. Set up in a fancy way, you know, where each piece is in its own little hole. You know what I mean?
... But a hundred pieces would be good, too. Yeah, I think I'll ask for that instead. The huge box; the one he'd think was funny.
I just don't want to pick the wrong thing, is all.
[ she could go into her thoughts on what Mason's like and why he's like that, but maybe now's not the time. not that she's about to spill her guts about her Inmate, but it's hard not to want to be a little reassuring when it comes to something like this, just cause she knows- ]
I don't think you have anything to worry about when it comes to getting Mason the wrong thing. He's definitely one of those people that, um, that really appreciates even being thought of as someone to get a gift for.
I don't know; do you think he can like two people at the same time? 'Cause I didn't used to think he really liked me in that way, but... maybe. Maybe a little bit.
... I don't know. I am fine with how things are now, 'cause we're good friends, but also kinda... kinda like friends with benefits, I guess? A little bit.
But I also really, really like him. I do. And I mean that in the sense that I got a thing for him.
[ it's good they're just on the phone, sort of, because her nose scrunches up at "friends with benefits" because she really can't think of Mason like that. but it's good! it's all good. ]
Yeah, I kinda figured that out. [ said gently though, she's not making fun or anything. ] And hey, if you're happy with how things are, then forget anyone else. I don't think Mason's really the type to get someone flowers unless he really likes them. So.. I guess I'm just trying to say he's probably in the same boat. Which is great! If you're both happy, that's great.
Yeah. And hey, I do know you can like different people in different ways; everybody knows that. I got a lot of people here that I like, and they're mostly all for different reasons.
But. You could maybe ask him what he thinks about me. Without saying I asked you to.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
[video] sees this and ninjas in before the plurk link
And that is why Gwen is currently being greeted by a somber-looking young woman.]
Hi.
Mason's warden.
[Yeahhhhh she has no idea what her name is.]
I got to talk to you.
o.o so fast..
Gwen. I'm Gwen. [ she grins ] Sure, what's up?
I went to her journal to check the spelling of her last name and ~*lo and behold*~
[She takes a deep breath.]
I gave your inmate some alcohol a while back.
eehehe i love good timing like that
Was it the same day I asked you not to? [ she doesn't mean to sound like a jerk, but it kind of comes out in her tutor voice, her c'mon Flash you should know better voice. but she doesn't even know this woman very well, so she takes a breath, tries to tone it down ]
What happened?
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I did it; that's what happened. And I think my warden might try to talk to you about it, so I thought I'd do it first, because-- look, I ain't a snitch.
[Which is… not always entirely true; it would be more accurate for her to say 'I did not want to be a snitch in this particular case'."]
But it came out for-- for unavoidable reasons.
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I'm glad you did tell me. Not because I like when people snitch, [ she shakes her head ] I don't expect Mason's friends to come to me every time he does something wrong or anything. And I get why it's awkward. But.
[ she takes a beat because she's not sure she wants to delve too far into this, because it's personal, isn't it? for Mason. so she has to think about it first ]
I think Mason being able to graduate will depend a lot on his ability to learn how to say no to things like- drinking, and getting high. It's why he's not allowed in the pub. So... Would you mind telling me how it happened? You couldn't have gotten booze from the bar, right? So where did it come from? [ a beat ] You two weren't drinking in the pool, were you? [ sO UNSAFE ]
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[A beat.]
We were drinking next to the pool.
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[ she did make him quit cold turkey. and as far as Gwen knows, this is only his second slip-up. the first was during a port, which was- horrifying, so her brain is kind of jumping to that place, assuming he got completely trashed. but maybe not. she's pretty sure this conversation would have happened a lot sooner if they got roaring drunk. someone would have noticed ]
Good. I'm pretty sure there's just general a rule about not having alcohol by the pool, though. [ not the point, Gwen! ] How much did you drink?
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[She ignores everything else for a second to zero in on that--"he doesn't have to know you told me"-- and she bursts into a grin.]
Thank you; thank you. I mean it. And you won't regret it, 'cause I'm not gonna do it again.
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And that's good to know. I'm actually really glad you told me, it says a lot about you. [ she huffs ] Not that I'm sitting here worrying about Mason only being friends with good people [ yes she is ] but it's good to know he's spending time with somebody that's looking out for him, too.
[ she tries to sober up a little bit too though, her "no, really though" face back on ]
But I would really like to know how much you drank. He wasn't chugging bottles vodka or anything, was he?
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[Only a little bit, but.]
But don't be too disappointed, okay? I weren't lying when I said I think he regrets it. And...
[She leans back from the camera a little, folding her hands.]
Maybe he does wrong stuff sometimes, but he does a lot right. That last flood, I had a real tough time-- I still am, I guess. And he's been real good to me, even though he ain't a warden or nothing.
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[ almost an "oh!" even, because that's not bad sharing a beer? it's.. technically breaking his sobriety, but. it could be worse. she doesn't dwell on that though, not when she's continuing to try and make sure she's not too mad or too disappointed in Mason. and some of what she's saying, Gwen already knows. or she's always believed it, at least. but she didn't know Mason had helped her in whatever way. it's kind of a lot to process, in Gwen's mind anyway, where she tries to break down every little detail all at once, but she's smiling again at least ]
Mason's a really, really great friend to have. He's always been a good person, even when he first got here. [ as in it wasn't anything he had to learn, or why he's here to begin with, right ] So I'm glad he's been able to help you.
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So I get how it is.
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[ she pauses to try and figure out how to word her next question ]
I'm not going to ask you to snoop on him for me or anything like that, I wouldn't do that, but if he ever- If he ever asks you for alcohol again, and he seems.. not okay. Would you tell me first? If he's just goofing off like he was that first time, it's- up to you, if you'll say yes or no. But if he's in bad shape and he's looking to get drunk to try and help, I'd really appreciate it if you could give me a heads up. I try and keep in touch with him at least once a day, but you know.
[ she knows this could either work out fine, oooor it could backfire, but. if they're friends, if they've been helping each other here, maybe she'll get it. ]
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[She's trying to think of how to phrase "I didn't tell you to be responsible and wouldn't have said a thing if I hadn't drunkenly confessed to that other warden first" in a way that sounds less… like that.]
I'm not being snitchy, that's all. I don't got that mindset.
So what if I just tell you if I think he's having problems? Not specifics, but if I think he needs his warden.
[It's not an arrangement she would have ever considered with the prison guards back home-- but the wardens here are different. They legitimately help.]
But I think you'd probably see it first, 'cause I don't actually know him that well.
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But thank you, for being honest. Have you been paired with a Warden yet?
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[She smiles a little, looking at her lap. Girl's got a bit of a crush.]
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I think he's done lots of good for me already-- 'cause like I said, he helped me a lot in that flood.
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Yeah. Would you mind telling me about that? Only if you want to. I'm really just curious to hear how he helped.
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[text]
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[You have just made a girl very happy, Gwen.]
well what kind is his favorite
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[Then she gets tired of texting-- it's hard when your coordination is messed up-- and switches to audio.]
Okay. No gummy worms. But, like... chocolate? Nice chocolate? ... Valentine's chocolate. 'Cause he gave me Valentine's flowers.
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I'd say Valentine's Day chocolate is a pretty safe bet. If anything, I'd get a mixed box that has some that you like too. So even if he doesn't like a certain kind that's in there, you guys can just share the box.
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I guess I have to ask a warden to ask the Admiral for this, too. Can you do that? I want it to be a nice, big box, but maybe not like... I don't know. Nothing too, like, romantic-looking, 'cause for all I know he got flowers for a bunch of girls.
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[ THIS IS SO SWEET. there are times Gwen definitely acts her age instead of the mature ~young adult~ she tries to be at all times, and when it comes to romance ( even something that's not too romantic ) she's definitely a little more optimistic and silly than she normally is. so she nodnodnods, even sounds a little different now with this next bit ]
And I don't know, Mason didn't get me flowers, and I think he would have at least mentioned it if he needed to find a whole bunch of flowers for different girls. But I'll ask for a casual box of Valentine's day chocolate though, don't worry. Nothing shaped like a heart or anything. [ a beat ] Unless you want a big, heart-shaped box? [ aaaanother beat ] Although with Mason, he might find it funny - in a good way! - if it's just this giant box with like, a hundred pieces of candy, you know? And sharing is one of those things where it can be romantic, but it's also just a good excuse to hang out together. Sharing a giant box of chocolate.
... But it's up to you, I'll ask for whatever you want to go with. I promise.
-- I'm just really excited to hear he got you flowers, okay, that's really sweet.
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Maybe like a box-shaped box, I was thinking. Square. Set up in a fancy way, you know, where each piece is in its own little hole. You know what I mean?
... But a hundred pieces would be good, too. Yeah, I think I'll ask for that instead. The huge box; the one he'd think was funny.
I just don't want to pick the wrong thing, is all.
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[ she could go into her thoughts on what Mason's like and why he's like that, but maybe now's not the time. not that she's about to spill her guts about her Inmate, but it's hard not to want to be a little reassuring when it comes to something like this, just cause she knows- ]
I don't think you have anything to worry about when it comes to getting Mason the wrong thing. He's definitely one of those people that, um, that really appreciates even being thought of as someone to get a gift for.
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... I know there's a girl he likes already, though. And I saw her; she's real pretty.
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[ mason.............. ]
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Well, I didn't get the chance to meet her, but I bet she never thought to get him a Valentine's day present.
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I don't know; do you think he can like two people at the same time? 'Cause I didn't used to think he really liked me in that way, but... maybe. Maybe a little bit.
It's okay if he doesn't, though.
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I've never really asked him about this kind of thing, though. [ a beat ] Should I?
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I mean, no.
... I don't know. I am fine with how things are now, 'cause we're good friends, but also kinda... kinda like friends with benefits, I guess? A little bit.
But I also really, really like him. I do. And I mean that in the sense that I got a thing for him.
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Yeah, I kinda figured that out. [ said gently though, she's not making fun or anything. ] And hey, if you're happy with how things are, then forget anyone else. I don't think Mason's really the type to get someone flowers unless he really likes them. So.. I guess I'm just trying to say he's probably in the same boat. Which is great! If you're both happy, that's great.
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Yeah. And hey, I do know you can like different people in different ways; everybody knows that. I got a lot of people here that I like, and they're mostly all for different reasons.
But. You could maybe ask him what he thinks about me. Without saying I asked you to.
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If it comes up somehow, I'll ask. But I'll be cool about it, promise.
[ lol gwen being cool about anything sure ok ]
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Alright, so... Next time I see you, I'll have a giant box of chocolate, and hopefully some good news.
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... And thanks, for helping me out even though you don't really know me at all.