Just try and sit back, get my palette wet, getting mentally prepared for the consequences [W4, Fri]

[hydrokinetics]

[It's some time after the investigation that Percy finds himself making rounds and checking on those he hasn't yet. He knows Yuna's in good hands, as is Xion, and that takes some weight off of him. He finds that he's restless though, frustrated that somehow something like this happened again under their noses.

It's why he finds Barnham in the hall holding a towel, and he tilts his head carefully. There's a box in his arms and Mrs. O'Leary's at his feet, barking cheerfully at the man who helped save her.

Percy, on the other hand, seems a little bummed to see Barnham's demeanor.]

Mr. Barnham? [Just a tentative address, just to see how Barnham's really holding up.]

Comments

[moraled]

[It's probably fine, Percy!!!

Probably.

He was using the towel to dry off his hair--the remainder of his bath after his untimely dip in the corpse water--and nods briefly to Percy.]

Good day, Young Percy.

[HE'S TOTALLY FINE.]

[hydrokinetics]

[What a fine upstanding citizen! Who...took a corpse bath. Barnham as someone who has bathed in some pretty fucked up places, please consider maybe allowing yourself to not be that fine.]

I didn't think I'd see you out still. It's been a pretty eventful day already. [Please let this poor man rest.]

[moraled]

[It's fine!! Corpse baths are just a rite of passage here.]

... Yes, well. There are occasions when...remaining in those assigned rooms is not particularly appealing.

[Like when your roommate shows up in pieces.]

[hydrokinetics]

[Oh.]

...I suppose that's fair. [A frown.] But you're going to wear a hole in the floor if you keep wandering around. At least come sit down in the lounge or the kitchen or something for a little bit.

[moraled]

Ah... yes, of course. Naturally.

[He says and...does not move.

Being around people doesn't really appeal right now.]

[hydrokinetics]

[He fights the urge to roll his eyes.]

The lounge is clear, Mr. Barnham. I already checked. [What do you want from him.] ...just for five minutes. Okay?

[moraled]

[Don't you sass him!!]

... Yes, of course. You do not have to concern yourself so thoroughly with me.

[He's!! Fine!!

But at least he's starting to walk, back straight and chin up as ever.]

[hydrokinetics]

[Sorry Barnham, there's a reason fandom calls him Persasseus Jackson.]

Don't I? I could have said the same for you last week, you know. [He's following with his box and Mrs. O'Leary, woofing and keeping up with Barnham mostly like she's herding him along...]

Besides, it's always worse when they're people you knew better than other people here.

[moraled]

[...]

That should not be the case.

[He knows it is, but--]

Their relation to me should have no impact whatsoever on my focus for this trial.

[JUSTICE IS JUSTICE.....

But.

Admittedly he's not used to having to deal with people he knows and cares about being the victims in these trials.]

[hydrokinetics]

Just because something shouldn't be doesn't mean it won't be. Annabeth being dead shouldn't be the case either. [And yet here they are.]

I think it might serve to help make your focus a little stronger, actually. But that's still tomorrow. Even if we're not close to everyone here, it's always a little rough when people you like more than others are victims of circumstance.

[moraled]

[...]

Indeed. But whether I know them or not... whether I dislike or like them, each victim deserves the respect of a full and complete effort to discover the truth of their fate.

[hydrokinetics]

Tomorrow, Mr. Barnham. [It's a repeat of what a lot of people said to him last week.] We've looked over everything we could for right now, haven't we? So...tomorrow. [And he's lightly jabbing Barnham in the back with his box to keep him moving toward the lounge.]

[moraled]

... Yes, yes, I understand.

[Despite himself, it makes him smile slightly, even as he shakes his head.]

We shall handle it tomorrow.

[Tonight, they won't discuss it anymore.]

[hydrokinetics]

Exactly. Take a day to process everything and realign your thoughts to be the best you can be in tomorrow's trial. [It's only when they get to the lounge that Percy puts his box down, opening it and poking around before pulling out an actual bottle of blue Gatorade. He's also handing it to Barnham without any room for argument.]

Drink that. It'll help, I promise.

[moraled]

[... really percy]

... Are you attempting to take care of me, Young Percy?

[hydrokinetics]

Not in the slightest. [But there's a smirk that says "yes."] Think of it more as helping out a friend. [He pokes Barnham's arm with the bottle.] Is there really something so wrong with that, sir?

[moraled]

You are far too cheeky for your own good.

[Just!! Saying!! The sass!!]

I do not require looking after.

[hydrokinetics]

Just consider it part of my charm. [This is probably the most like his old self that he's been all week. It's easier to set aside his own broken feelings when he's focusing on something else.]

I don't know about that though, Mr. Barnham. I think all of us are supposed to be looking out for each other, aren't we? Otherwise things are just going to get even worse. [He makes a contemplative face though.] It's either that, or I send you to Sara.

[moraled]

I do not consider sass to be charming, Young Percy. [IT'S SAID STERNLY... but in truth he doesn't mind this at all.]

... Lady Instructor Valestein has more than enough to handle at the moment.

[Stop!! This!!]

[hydrokinetics]

Guess it's a good thing I've given up trying to impress people then. [But he finds the tone funny and instead he grins. He's also sitting on the couch, pointedly staring at the space next to him. Sit your ass down, Barnham.]

I think Sara and I are similar where we can juggle multiple things at multiple times. I tried to tell her the same thing and she still conned me into taking a nap. [Sara has a certain effect, even he knows that.]

[moraled]

[... Percy...

He takes a seat with a sigh, at least.]

Allow me to be more clear, then. Do not, under any circumstances, imply to the Lady Instructor that I require any sort of assistance.

[She'd...probably never let him live it down...]

[hydrokinetics]

[Thank you, Barnham. Take your Gatorade and just chill for like five minutes. However, he looks a little genuinely confused?]

...why not? [Please explain this to him, Barnham.]

[moraled]

[His eyebrows arch slowly, but hey, he's taking his gatorade!!]

The Lady Instructor is rather fierce. I fear what ideas she would get in her head if she was told I needed assistance in any way.

Particularly as it is not true.

[Sara is too much for him like 90% of the time.]

[hydrokinetics]

[That's a start but. But! ........]

Are you afraid of her? [He's! Trying not to smile too much but Barnham, come on. Also shut up, as far as Percy knows everybody in this stupid town needs help.]

[moraled]

Excuse me?

[???!???!]

I am not afraid of her in the least! Do not be ridiculous!