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“Relax, I didn’t haze her or anything,” she replies. “We got on fine anyway. I just didn’t want her to think she could walk in and give orders.”
"Gee, thanks."
He tips his head back against the wall and closes his eyes. "I told her that too, you know. Don't drag people in by the hair. Don't give orders."
“Yeah, well, it’s different coming from a warden, and now I know for myself,” she replies, feeling perfectly set in her choice. “You like her otherwise?”
"She's alright. A little young, a little, you know- "
Royalty.
"But alright. Probably got a good head on her shoulders."
So young. Near Ellie‘s age, if Tess had to guess.
“We’ll see. She seems like she’ll want to make changes.”
“We’ll see. She seems like she’ll want to make changes.”
"You know what? I wouldn't mind. Things is fine as they are, but a little change couldn't hurt."
“Could be for the better,” she says, choosing to be optimistic. Could also be worse, though. “Young people pull crazy shit sometimes, though. Hopefully she knows what she’s doing.”
"What kinda crazy shit could she pull that would strike fear into our hearts? Drip paint all over the hardwood floors?"
“Or stick her nose in the wrong inmate’s business. The first inmate she asked me about was Callisto.”
"What'd you tell her? She'll murder you, have fun?"
“Pretty much,” she replies. “Then she wanted a list of inmates that might attack unprovoked.”
"She wanted lists for custodial, too. Don't get me wrong, we could do with a little organization."
But this sounds like a lot.
“That’s fine.” Tess does like lists. “But I’m going to wait to see if she follows through on anything before I decide this is alright.”
When you're available, there's something I'd like to speak with you about. In person, if possible.
Sure, I can take some time out of my busy, busy griping schedule for a chat. Ten minutes from now, some common room?
[ Archer sighs. ]
That's fine. Does Level 5 work for you?
That's fine. Does Level 5 work for you?
That works.
[And she'll be there shortly, curious but wary.]
[And she'll be there shortly, curious but wary.]
[ Archer is already there sitting in a chair. He seems to be deep in thought but does look up when Tess approaches. ]
Tess.
[ He greets her evenly, his expression neutral. ]
Tess.
[ He greets her evenly, his expression neutral. ]
Edited 2021-04-06 17:36 (UTC)
[These things always feel like standoffs, and the distance she decides to leave between them doesn't help. Pleasantly enough:]
Archer. What did you want to talk about?
Archer. What did you want to talk about?
Edited 2021-04-06 17:44 (UTC)
[ It does feel a bit like a stand-off -- which he doesn't like, but he can hardly blame her for the distance. ]
I came here to apologize to you. If the conversation goes beyond that -- or doesn't -- I am prepared to accept that.
I came here to apologize to you. If the conversation goes beyond that -- or doesn't -- I am prepared to accept that.
Alright. What are you apologizing for?
[She'd like to think she knows, but it never hurts to be clear. She's been burned too many times by letting small things go.]
[She'd like to think she knows, but it never hurts to be clear. She's been burned too many times by letting small things go.]
[ Archer is silent for a moment -- mostly to organize the thoughts he already had and make sure he doesn't misstate what he actually means. ]
You came to me with valid concerns, and I misinterpreted what you were saying as simply criticism and shut down the conversation rather than listening to your points.
It was unacceptable behavior on my part, and I offer no excuses for it.
It is the job of a Warden to listen to Inmates, even those we are not paired with, and I failed in that respect with you. I acknowledge it, and I apologize for it.
You came to me with valid concerns, and I misinterpreted what you were saying as simply criticism and shut down the conversation rather than listening to your points.
It was unacceptable behavior on my part, and I offer no excuses for it.
It is the job of a Warden to listen to Inmates, even those we are not paired with, and I failed in that respect with you. I acknowledge it, and I apologize for it.
[She nods, and relaxes a little. Not often you hear things like that, here or at home. It does mean something.]
Apology accepted, thank you. I'm sorry for being a snippy bitch about it.
[And one last concern:]
Was this your call, to come talk to me, or did Misty push you in my direction?
Apology accepted, thank you. I'm sorry for being a snippy bitch about it.
[And one last concern:]
Was this your call, to come talk to me, or did Misty push you in my direction?
[ ...well, that is not what he expected at all, so he looks a bit surprised for a second before he manages to school his expression into something more neutral again. ]
It's all right.
[ He's more than happy to let bygones be bygones. As for her question, Archer shakes his head. ]
She did not. We've discussed planning for food project, but she never mentioned being aware of our disagreement.
It's all right.
[ He's more than happy to let bygones be bygones. As for her question, Archer shakes his head. ]
She did not. We've discussed planning for food project, but she never mentioned being aware of our disagreement.
Edited 2021-04-06 18:45 (UTC)
[Colour her pleasantly surprised. Still stings that Misty was taken seriously where she wasn't, but at least Misty didn't have to cow Archer into it. Silver linings.]
Alright. Well, I was serious when I said you don't want me in the kitchen, so I'm not going to be helping out on your end, but I'm glad you're willing to do something about the situation.
Alright. Well, I was serious when I said you don't want me in the kitchen, so I'm not going to be helping out on your end, but I'm glad you're willing to do something about the situation.
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