Sure. Come on in. You're already here, might as well have a seat.
[It doesn't have to be awkward, right? Friends do this kind of thing. She's pretty sure, anyway. She beckons for him to follow her as she opens the door, spotting a heap of clothes including some unmentionables on the floor and hurrying forward to kick them under the bed before he can get a good look. Okay, mildly embarrassing. She'll take care of those later.
She gestures towards the armchair near the window, opting to sit cross-legged on the edge of her bed in order to face him.]
I think just about everyone here is overdue to relax. Barbecue sounds perfect. You need a hand with anything?
[She might be a bartender by trade, but she's pretty good with food, too.]
You know, I don't think I've ever seen you this proactive before.
[And he's a good boy and does what he's told. And plus he likes hanging out with her. Tom follows her in and takes the offered seat, happy to make himself comfortable. There's something about her that just puts him at ease.]
Sure. Could use whatever hand is willin' to help. I was gonna drag one out of the closet and set up outside. And then get all the food worked out while the coals are heating. Plus it'd be nice to have someone to eat with.
It's fine and all, and we don't have much of a choice, but I'm not used to being alone. And I like cooking for people.
[Are these actually words coming out of his mouth? He'll be so embarrassed later. Tom can normally stand to talk to people for about five hours a day and most of that is spent on Jo and Claire. The idea that he had willingly flung himself into a social gathering (two, actually) is almost beyond belief. Especially considering he instigated them.]
Having friends here helps more than you know. [Is it obvious how lonesome he's been?] Sarah's great.
We practically grew up together. Harmony is a tiny town and our families are friends. We got together in high school and we got married two years after. [Tom shifts and pulls his wallet, opening it and offering it to Jo. It's a typical man's wallet, with three plastic sleeves in the back for pictures containing shots of Sarah, his son Noah, and them all as a family. They're cheesy, the kind you get at the Sears photo studio, but he doesn't care. His family is his world.]
That's Noah, he's eight.
[There's a swell in his voice. He's a proud papa but god damn does he miss them.]
I don't know what I'd do without them. [Truth is he'd never been away from them, so he has no idea.]
[She smiles as she leans forward to take the wallet from him, turning it to get a better look at the picture. They look like a happy family, at least -- nice. Normal. She remembers having pictures like this taken with her own parents. Not quite so posed, and maybe not professional, but the three of them together, smiling and touching and just being a family the best way they knew how.
She hands the wallet back, leaning back to rest her weight on her hands against the mattress.]
She's beautiful. Your son is cute, too. He looks like you.
[She thinks so, anyway. Her smile is genuine, with only the barest traces of disappointment.]
I would say something about how it would be impossible for them not to miss you, but...
[Her smile turns a little wry. She may be remembering things different at the moment, but she still recalls the mechanics of Wonderland just fine.]
When people go home, I hear it's like no time has passed at all. So while I'm sure your family would miss you if they knew you were gone, it's more like -- they're frozen. Nothing will happen as long as you're here.
[It's actually pretty much the best thing he could hope for. Things would be in chaos otherwise. They might think he'd gotten stuck down in one of the mines, or hurt himself hunting in the woods. There would be search parties everywhere.. it would be awful. He'd lost his mother young. He couldn't imagine inflicting that sort of pain on his own family.]
That's what I hear, anyway. Seems to be the general consensus.
[It's better that way, isn't it? Preserves the timelines where people come from, keeps their loved ones from worrying about them. On the other hand... people who leave, even temporarily, don't seem to remember this place. Any friends you made here, any relationships you developed... eventually, people were bound to find a way back or get yanked home, and it would mean nothing.
Depressing.]
You're worried about them, huh? ... that's good. You should worry about your family.
[Spoken like a girl with a largely absent father. One she hero-worshipped, but he was often absent all the same.]
They'll always be there for you, you know? No matter what happens. You're always safe with your family. They'll always welcome you.
[Totally depressing. Let's try not to think about that...
He can feel there's another dimension to this somewhere. It largely has to do with Jo's past, and although he can't quite place it, the subject of family seems to strike her extra hard. Or rather, it seems to command a stronger reaction.
So he just nods, fondly toying with the gold band on his left ring finger.]
They're my whole world. The reason I get up in the morning.
That sounds nice. You're all really lucky to have each other.
[And disappointed or otherwise, she means that. She looks down as she presses her lips together, considering something. Some details of it are hazy, but she remembers most of what happened the day he'd arrived here, from meeting in the caves to the panic attack he'd nearly had in the clinic.]
I guess that explains a few things, though. When you got here, you called me Sarah. It was still dark down there, I don't think you could see very well, but -- I never did get around to asking who Sarah was.
[He considers it for a moment, a frown pulling gently at his lips.]
That whole day feels like a bad dream.
[And it was true, even to a Tom not affected by happier memories. So many things had happened that day... none of them had made sense and the more he thought about it the less he could piece it all together. It was like his brain was actively trying to confuse him over what actually happened. He could swear he remembered several people.. and he'd been so scared. But of what?]
There are a lot of things about this place that feel like that, I think.
[And just like that, something begins to nag at her at the back of her mind, like she's forgetting something important, but she can't put her finger on it. She shakes her head a little as if to clear it, and it seems to do the trick, at least for now.]
We just have to hang in there for now. Until we can go home.
[She sounds almost hopeful -- something that's decidedly new concerning her feelings about going back.]
[She pushes herself off the bed with both hands, landing squarely on her feet and heading over to the closet. Aside from the heap of clothing on the floor when they entered, there haven't been anymore more ticklish items to cover up, for which she's grateful. If this were a normal closet, she'd have some reservations about letting someone else see the inside, but considering they all used them for supplies? No chance of anything personal or embarrassing getting glimpsed.]
This is going to be a pain in the ass to get down those stairs, but between the two of us, I'm sure we can do it. I'll be sure to think of something with handles.
[She reaches into the closet and does just that. Voila.]
[Impressive. He likes that she knows her way around a good setup. It's not a mega grill or anything, those weigh an absolute ton and literally have to be assembled on the spot they will live on forever, but it's sturdy, easy enough to carry, and will definitely do the job.]
I don't mind taking it down if you have something you're meant to be doing.
[Because he just realized he totally assumed Jo has nothing better to do than come and play with him outside.]
[She cracks a smile as she raises an eyebrow at him, shaking her head. No, it's nice of him to think she might have plans, but exactly the opposite. Besides, who's she to complain about getting to spend a little more time with him? Even if it is horribly one-sided and completely platonic.]
Nah. I'm done at the bar for the day. Free as a bird. I'd like to help, really. I'm pretty good with food. The sandwiches after the game kicked ass, right?
[They did. They kicked ass, Tom. She knows she's being smart-mouthed, but come on. You know you want her help.]
[Hey, he can't argue with a good thing. Especially when a grill is involved. Food, beer, meat, more meat, it's practically the American dream on a plate. A beautiful little picnic plate with a side of potato salad and coleslaw.]
[She has to laugh even as she rolls her eyes, lugging the setup out of the closet and rolling it towards the door, grabbing her side and leaving him to take his own.]
Alright, alright. Let's kick this thing right in the ass.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
timeasmymeasure
[Action]
Date: 2013-08-19 05:36 pm (UTC)[It doesn't have to be awkward, right? Friends do this kind of thing. She's pretty sure, anyway. She beckons for him to follow her as she opens the door, spotting a heap of clothes including some unmentionables on the floor and hurrying forward to kick them under the bed before he can get a good look. Okay, mildly embarrassing. She'll take care of those later.
She gestures towards the armchair near the window, opting to sit cross-legged on the edge of her bed in order to face him.]
I think just about everyone here is overdue to relax. Barbecue sounds perfect. You need a hand with anything?
[She might be a bartender by trade, but she's pretty good with food, too.]
You know, I don't think I've ever seen you this proactive before.
[Action]
Date: 2013-08-19 07:03 pm (UTC)[And he's a good boy and does what he's told. And plus he likes hanging out with her. Tom follows her in and takes the offered seat, happy to make himself comfortable. There's something about her that just puts him at ease.]
Sure. Could use whatever hand is willin' to help. I was gonna drag one out of the closet and set up outside. And then get all the food worked out while the coals are heating. Plus it'd be nice to have someone to eat with.
It's fine and all, and we don't have much of a choice, but I'm not used to being alone. And I like cooking for people.
[Action]
Date: 2013-08-19 07:07 pm (UTC)[She smiles. She's always liked cooking for people, too. There's something really satisfying about it.]
At least you have friends here. I know it's not the same as what you'd have at home, but it helps, right?
[She pauses, briefly, before going on to ask:]
What's Sarah like?
[Honest curiosity, rather than fishing for information. It still strikes her as odd that he never mentioned her.]
[Action]
Date: 2013-08-19 11:47 pm (UTC)[Are these actually words coming out of his mouth? He'll be so embarrassed later. Tom can normally stand to talk to people for about five hours a day and most of that is spent on Jo and Claire. The idea that he had willingly flung himself into a social gathering (two, actually) is almost beyond belief. Especially considering he instigated them.]
Having friends here helps more than you know. [Is it obvious how lonesome he's been?] Sarah's great.
We practically grew up together. Harmony is a tiny town and our families are friends. We got together in high school and we got married two years after. [Tom shifts and pulls his wallet, opening it and offering it to Jo. It's a typical man's wallet, with three plastic sleeves in the back for pictures containing shots of Sarah, his son Noah, and them all as a family. They're cheesy, the kind you get at the Sears photo studio, but he doesn't care. His family is his world.]
That's Noah, he's eight.
[There's a swell in his voice. He's a proud papa but god damn does he miss them.]
I don't know what I'd do without them. [Truth is he'd never been away from them, so he has no idea.]
[Action]
Date: 2013-08-20 02:12 am (UTC)[She smiles as she leans forward to take the wallet from him, turning it to get a better look at the picture. They look like a happy family, at least -- nice. Normal. She remembers having pictures like this taken with her own parents. Not quite so posed, and maybe not professional, but the three of them together, smiling and touching and just being a family the best way they knew how.
She hands the wallet back, leaning back to rest her weight on her hands against the mattress.]
She's beautiful. Your son is cute, too. He looks like you.
[She thinks so, anyway. Her smile is genuine, with only the barest traces of disappointment.]
They're lucky. I hope you can get back to them.
[Action]
Date: 2013-08-20 08:24 pm (UTC)[He takes the wallet back, fondly studying the picture of them all together for a moment before returning it to their place in his pocket.]
I hope so too. [A pause as he lightly chews his bottom lip.]
I just hope they're okay. I wonder if anyone even knows I'm gone?
[Action]
Date: 2013-08-20 08:35 pm (UTC)[Her smile turns a little wry. She may be remembering things different at the moment, but she still recalls the mechanics of Wonderland just fine.]
When people go home, I hear it's like no time has passed at all. So while I'm sure your family would miss you if they knew you were gone, it's more like -- they're frozen. Nothing will happen as long as you're here.
[Action]
Date: 2013-08-20 08:40 pm (UTC)[It's actually pretty much the best thing he could hope for. Things would be in chaos otherwise. They might think he'd gotten stuck down in one of the mines, or hurt himself hunting in the woods. There would be search parties everywhere.. it would be awful. He'd lost his mother young. He couldn't imagine inflicting that sort of pain on his own family.]
I hope you're right.
[Action]
Date: 2013-08-20 08:45 pm (UTC)[It's better that way, isn't it? Preserves the timelines where people come from, keeps their loved ones from worrying about them. On the other hand... people who leave, even temporarily, don't seem to remember this place. Any friends you made here, any relationships you developed... eventually, people were bound to find a way back or get yanked home, and it would mean nothing.
Depressing.]
You're worried about them, huh? ... that's good. You should worry about your family.
[Spoken like a girl with a largely absent father. One she hero-worshipped, but he was often absent all the same.]
They'll always be there for you, you know? No matter what happens. You're always safe with your family. They'll always welcome you.
[Action]
Date: 2013-08-20 10:49 pm (UTC)He can feel there's another dimension to this somewhere. It largely has to do with Jo's past, and although he can't quite place it, the subject of family seems to strike her extra hard. Or rather, it seems to command a stronger reaction.
So he just nods, fondly toying with the gold band on his left ring finger.]
They're my whole world. The reason I get up in the morning.
[Action]
Date: 2013-08-20 10:55 pm (UTC)[And disappointed or otherwise, she means that. She looks down as she presses her lips together, considering something. Some details of it are hazy, but she remembers most of what happened the day he'd arrived here, from meeting in the caves to the panic attack he'd nearly had in the clinic.]
I guess that explains a few things, though. When you got here, you called me Sarah. It was still dark down there, I don't think you could see very well, but -- I never did get around to asking who Sarah was.
[Action]
Date: 2013-08-20 11:01 pm (UTC)[He considers it for a moment, a frown pulling gently at his lips.]
That whole day feels like a bad dream.
[And it was true, even to a Tom not affected by happier memories. So many things had happened that day... none of them had made sense and the more he thought about it the less he could piece it all together. It was like his brain was actively trying to confuse him over what actually happened. He could swear he remembered several people.. and he'd been so scared. But of what?]
[Action]
Date: 2013-08-20 11:09 pm (UTC)[And just like that, something begins to nag at her at the back of her mind, like she's forgetting something important, but she can't put her finger on it. She shakes her head a little as if to clear it, and it seems to do the trick, at least for now.]
We just have to hang in there for now. Until we can go home.
[She sounds almost hopeful -- something that's decidedly new concerning her feelings about going back.]
[Action]
Date: 2013-08-20 11:14 pm (UTC)Yep. Just gotta power through, right?
[Aaaand okay because this is depressing..]
What do you say we pull a barbecue out of your closet and get dinner started?
[Action]
Date: 2013-08-20 11:19 pm (UTC)[She pushes herself off the bed with both hands, landing squarely on her feet and heading over to the closet. Aside from the heap of clothing on the floor when they entered, there haven't been anymore more ticklish items to cover up, for which she's grateful. If this were a normal closet, she'd have some reservations about letting someone else see the inside, but considering they all used them for supplies? No chance of anything personal or embarrassing getting glimpsed.]
This is going to be a pain in the ass to get down those stairs, but between the two of us, I'm sure we can do it. I'll be sure to think of something with handles.
[She reaches into the closet and does just that. Voila.]
[Action]
Date: 2013-08-20 11:38 pm (UTC)I don't mind taking it down if you have something you're meant to be doing.
[Because he just realized he totally assumed Jo has nothing better to do than come and play with him outside.]
[Action]
Date: 2013-08-20 11:42 pm (UTC)[She cracks a smile as she raises an eyebrow at him, shaking her head. No, it's nice of him to think she might have plans, but exactly the opposite. Besides, who's she to complain about getting to spend a little more time with him? Even if it is horribly one-sided and completely platonic.]
Nah. I'm done at the bar for the day. Free as a bird. I'd like to help, really. I'm pretty good with food. The sandwiches after the game kicked ass, right?
[They did. They kicked ass, Tom. She knows she's being smart-mouthed, but come on. You know you want her help.]
[Action]
Date: 2013-08-20 11:50 pm (UTC)[Hey, he can't argue with a good thing. Especially when a grill is involved. Food, beer, meat, more meat, it's practically the American dream on a plate. A beautiful little picnic plate with a side of potato salad and coleslaw.]
Well alright then, let's get'r done.
[Yeah. He went there. Deal with it.]
[Action]
Date: 2013-08-20 11:56 pm (UTC)Alright, alright. Let's kick this thing right in the ass.