entrancelogs | [OPEN/EVENT] Anything can be a weapon if you're holding it right;

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[OPEN/EVENT] Anything can be a weapon if you're holding it right;

Who: Jo Harvelle & you!
Where: Throughout Abel Township.
When: August 9th & August 10th
Rating: PG
Summary: As an honorary Abel Runner, Jo is doing her part to help keep things going smoothly around town-- plus snooping.
The Story:

[The first couple days of the event, Jo doesn't stray far from Simon, helping out wherever he seems to need her, taking inventory of supplies and assisting in making sure things are being rationed properly down in the mess hall. By the morning of August 9th, she feels comfortable enough with the lay of the land to go her own way.

She starts out at the med tent, looking for any spare first aid supplies that they might be able to keep up at the farmhouse-- just in case. Once she's through there, she goes to take inventory in one of the supply caches, complete with a clipboard and a pen, same as she's prone to do concerning the resistance hideout's stash when Wonderland is just a little bit closer to normal. She'll stop in the mess hall to eat about mid-day, although the plate of beans and canned meet she ends up with looks seriously suspect on top of being meager, and she'll offer the second half of it to anyone who's hungry enough to risk it if they happen to be around. She'll spent the better part of the afternoon on top of the walls and playing lookout. She'd managed to find a shotgun locked away in the farmhouse on the first day and broken it out, although she's saving the ammunition in case of emergency-- can't have any Runners getting grabbed by zombies when they're just about through the gate. When she's not on watch, she'll be mimicking Simon and carrying a baseball bat instead.

On the morning of August 10th, she lets herself into the farmhouse again, without Simon this time. She's heard so much about its proper owner from both Sam and Maxine that it's impossible not to be curious, and while she'd resisted doing any prying and restricted previous use of the house to common areas and borrowing necessities, it's personal things she's looking for now. Simon has never talked about Janine if he could help it, but she knew enough from Sam and Maxine that even without having met her, Jo likes her-- she feels like they would have gotten on well, been great friends despite the occasional clash of wills, and that in itself makes her feel just a little guilty sometimes.

While she's downstairs and nosing around, she's careful to check over her shoulder and make sure she's still alone, slowly walking through and examining various items in what looks like it had once been a comfortable living area. Once she's upstairs, she's a little less careful-- especially when she finds her way to what must be the master bedroom. Once she starts looking through things there, she'll be too engrossed in her private investigation to hear if someone happens to come up the stairs behind her, particularly once she gets her hands on any photos.]

(OOC: If none of the above scenarios work for you, feel free to provide your own! Prose or action are both fine, I'll match you.)

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[She smiles, just a little bit.]

He told you, huh?

[That's-- it's good. It means they're another step closer to being real friends again, maybe.]

I know things were a mess back home, and I know-- what he did, or what he's going to do, I know that changes things in a big way. But-- even if he doesn't believe that she forgave him, I do. Simon doesn't think it's possible, because he'll never forgive himself. But if she forgave him even a little-- if anyone did, that's... it's good.

He was overthinking things. I told him to get his act together because he's obviously crazy for you and overthinking has, historically, not been good for him.

[And he has the chance to be happy here. Happier than he ever was at home.]

Besides, you're good for him.

He saved the world, Jo. He stopped Five from... from dying, and did it himself. And Janine... it was a good death. That's what she said. It was a good death. And for Janine that- it's a lot coming from her.

Guess I should thank you for giving him a nudge.

[Her smile brightens just a little, difficult as the current situation makes it.]

He's good for me, too, believe it or not. [She's not sure if anyone ever will, but he's helped her just as much as she's helped him.] But-- I'm glad you think so.

[It means a lot to her, knowing she's played a part in Simon turning himself around.]

A good death. ... that's one hell of a compliment.

[She means that sincerely. She knows all about good deaths.]

I try my best. I'm happy for you. Both of you. Really I am.

[And he really is. Simon is... he's better here. Better than the mad thing he'd been when Sam had last seen him before Wonderland.]

And... I can believe it. He was good for- for Janine too. No matter what happened.

[Janine had opened up thanks to Simon. And she'd never quite been able to close herself off again.]

Yeah, it is.

He doesn't think he's good for anyone.

[Which is exactly the kind of thinking that lead him down certain paths he'd rather not walk, now.]

I guess a good death is-- something we have in common.

[She's never had anyone expressly tell her that hers was good, but she knows it had been for the right reasons. She's never laid it out for Sam so explicitly before, but they're finally to a place where she's alright letting it slip. Puts some things in perspective, maybe.]

I want you to know, I'm not-- trying to replace to Janine, or anything. I would never do that. I know some people want the people they care about to forget anyone who came before, but... that's not me.

Yeah. Even himself.

[Five had been reticent to tell him everything, but they'd said enough for Sam to get the idea. Being told about Simon's shack in the woods had just cemented what he thought.

He tilts his head when she says that, gives her an apologetic look. He can work out what she means easily enough.]

He saved everyone. Bet you did too.

Well, to be fair, if you were trying to replace Janine you'd have to have to disapprove of me a lot more often.

I know you're not. I know. And I'm glad you're both happy. I really am.

I don't know if I'd say I saved everyone, but-- a couple people, at least. People who were important to me.

[It didn't get the job done, in the long run, but it meant that both boys had gone on to put Lucifer where he belonged, even if it hadn't worked out the way they all thought it might.]

I don't think I could ever disapprove of you. Much, anyway.

[She gives him a cautious half smile.]

Thanks, though. It-- means a lot.

Sometimes that's everyone who matters.

[Just because you hadn't saved the world, didn't mean you hadn't saved your world. ]

Oh, you've never had to deal with me getting marmite on the radio equipment. That always gets her back up.

You're my friend. So's he. I just want the best. And we've got second chances here.

[Her smile grows just a little bit wider at that.]

Sometimes I need to be reminded of that, honestly.

[He's right. Sometimes that's everyone who matters. Nobody can save everyone. She hadn't, her father hadn't, but they'd both been good at their jobs. Did what they needed to in order to protect the people who did matter to them.

She bites at her lower lip, stifling a laugh.]

I might disapprove of marmite on principle, actually. [Despite her seeking out marmite chocolate for him around Christmas.] But you're right. This place-- it's full of second chances for people who need them. I really want to make the most of mine, same for Simon and his.

Me too honestly? I can't save everyone. I know that. But I know that it feels like I should.

[But he can't. And it will never be good, it will never be right. But it is how it is.]

You are missing out.

If someone's willing to take it, I'm inclined to think they should get the chance. Except Van Ark. And Moonchild. Because they're just terrifying.

Believe me, I know how that feels.

[All too well, unfortunately, but at the end of the day, you can only do so much for so many people. You do what you can, and you have to let the people you do help be the ones that matter instead of the ones you failed to-- otherwise you get buried beneath your own regrets, beating yourself up day in and day out for not doing the job you'd set out to do.

They're all only human.

She grows a little somber as she considers that, but still manages a weak-yet-genuine smile at the rest of what he has to say.]

More marmite for you, let's say-- but I'm inclined to agree. I have my own short list of exceptions, but if someone wants to really work for a second chance, take it in earnest, then I can't deny them that.

I think... people deserve them. I mean, Nadia tried to get Runner Five killed and I get on pretty well with her these days. New Canton tried to raid us and now we're all part of the Fraternal Alliance. Which is a stupid name really.

But yeah, those are my exceptions. Because they're just bad people.

Hunters see a lot of people in both categories. People who deserve second chances-- and some who are just so hollowed out and wrong on the inside that an endless string of second and third and fourth chances wouldn't do them any good.

[She looks a little disappointed for half a moment-- she'd looked up to someone who'd turned out to be like that.]

But by and large-- yeah. If a person is capable of change, then they should get the chance to prove it. I think Simon's doing a pretty damn good job, so far.

I think he is too. I'm- I'm glad he is. What I saw of him at home he... he's healthier here. Saner.

[She shakes her head slowly-- she remembers what he'd told her about Simon's mental state. It still worries her, some-- not that he'll fall that far, not here, but those inclinations are still buried beneath all the charm and humor. She knows that self-loathing is still rooted deeply in him, and God, she wishes she could change that for good.]

It's still hard to imagine, everything you told me, but... I don't want that future for him. Not ever. And you know I'll do everything in my power to make sure he stays happy and healthy.

[It was hard to believe when he saw Simon here. Happy, smiling Simon. But he knows that that is still there, lurking beneath the veneer of happiness.]

I know you will. He's happy here. Doesn't have that weight on him. You're really good for him.

[She smiles, grateful.]

You know, I never get tired of hearing that. [A pause.] I-- you think you can forgive me for snooping?

[Sam looks down at his boots for a moment and then nods.]

Yeah, yeah I can. I'd probably do the same in your position.

[She exhales slowly, relieved.]

Thanks. I really appreciate it, Sam.

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[OPEN/EVENT] Anything can be a weapon if you're holding it right;

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