That Version Of Me

[Samantha McManus]

"I mean you clearly don't trust yourself. Both in the metaphorical sense, and in the sense that we've got half of you locked up in the basement."

[Will Stanton]

"At least the actual sense is easy enough to deal with, as long as all the safety protocols remain engaged."

[Samantha McManus]

"I want you to be able to trust yourself again. All of yourself. Considering I'm the one that let loose all that mess in your head."

[Will Stanton]

"I'll be honest with you, Sam; I don't know what that looks like, much less how to draw a path from here to there."

[Samantha McManus]

"I don't think you're going to be able to do it alone."

[Will Stanton]

"Well, that's why I have people like you, right?"

[Gemmalara]

"And you don't have to plan the journey right now. Just pick a direction and start walking it together."

[Will Stanton]

"I suppose that's all I'm asking for, at the end of the day."

[Samantha McManus]

"And I'm not expecting you to fake it. You feel the way you feel, and you can be frank with me."

[Will Stanton]

"I'll try. That's all I can promise.

What do you want me to do?"

[Samantha McManus]

"...maybe we'll start with something you like."

"Fashion advice perhaps?"

[Will Stanton]

"You're wondering how to look the part? Or, just, like, in general looking for a Hitch?"

[Gemmalara]

I think my work here is done.

Gemma gives Sam a slight bow and turns to go.

[Samantha McManus]

"At the least I'm going to need something to perform in, aye?"

She casts a glance to Gemma.

"Thank you."

[Will Stanton]

"That's going to depend on your audience and your message, really.

Different if you're talking to me versus Tereza versus, uh, some more skeptical audiences, yes?"

[Samantha McManus]

"I mean for the band, Will." She smirks.

[Will Stanton]

"Look, if you didn't pick up music to woo hot chicks, I don't know what to tell you," Will smirked back. "I'm pretty sure that was the idea when the first caveman hit a rock with a stick."

"Anyway. You're going to want to go sleeveless, because damn girl, those guns. As a shifter, you might also want to consider a tat or something; depends a little bit on the vive you guys are going for, but a werewolf, a fae and a death goddess in the same band? You've got to play that up. Makeup might come into play there, too, though that's something you want to coordinate."

Will continued to muse. "Probably something a little torn and battle-damaged; whether it's 'normal' clothes or something more fanciful, you don't want it to look like it just came out of the shops. You want it to look like it's seen it's fair share of use, even if it's just a faded logo or something.

Also. Practicality. You're a drummer, you're sitting down, you're going to want padding in the tuckus. And something absorbent and breathable, as well."

[Samantha McManus]

"I'm glad you're this enthusiastic about it. I'd been thinking you didn't like our sort of music."

[Will Stanton]

"It's...I mean, it's not quite my speed," Will admitted. "If you had asked me to join, I would probably have had to decline.

I'm in a freaking barbershop quartet back home. That's not...uh, not exactly what you guys are doing up there.

But I'm really supportive! I gave you those cymbals; I gave Tereza that guitar. I want you guys to do well."

[Samantha McManus]

"Aye, though it did not go unnoticed that you used your... personal brand," she smirks.

[Will Stanton]

"Is that a problem?" she asked, looking up. "I just wanted to make sure that you got high quality stuff with good tones, without spending an arm or a leg."

[Samantha McManus]

"It's not a problem per se but... did you spend your arms and legs?"

[Will Stanton]

"Nothing I couldn't replace. See?" she said, wiggling her arms and legs. "I'm all here. Well, mostly."

[Samantha McManus]

"I just didn't know you could do that. They're not sentient or anything? I'm not going to be hitting you on the noggin?"

[Will Stanton]

"No, of course not!

..I mean, I don't think they are. I'll be honest, until I saw the other me down in the holding cell, I didn't think it was possible for bits of me to be sentient like that. But I've made things a lot, and this has never been a problem before."

[Samantha McManus]

"...well knowing you they probably like getting hit with drumsticks."

[Will Stanton]

Will was quiet for a moment.

"I mean, is that a problem?"

[Samantha McManus]

"Not exactly? It was mostly a bad joke," she chuckles.

[Will Stanton]

"I mean, the last thing I want to do is make you or your girlfriends uncomfortable," she unnecessarily clarified. "I should have been more upfront with what the gifts were, but, you know. Life got in the way..."

[Samantha McManus]

"I'm pretty sure Tereza guessed right when she smelled it."

[Will Stanton]

"I do have a specific and unique musk, I suppose," Will mused.

[Tereza Rozanov]

Sam can readily pick up the sense of the aforementioned Tereza coming down the hallway. Sam could probably swear she hears howling in the background, though that could just all be in her head.

[Samantha McManus]

"...well you'll be able to ask her in a moment," Sam says distractedly.

[Will Stanton]

Will swallowed, nervously, shrinking a couple inches as Tereza approacheth.

[Tereza Rozanov]

Tereza comes even with the door and turns to go into the room, only to realize Sam's standing there and Will's sitting on the bed. She raises an eyebrow. "Am I interrupting?"

[Samantha McManus]

"Just a talk. Concerns you a bit too, so it's fine."

"He's talking again, at least."

[Will Stanton]

"Hey, Tereza," Will said, quietly. "I owe you an apology, as well."

[Tereza Rozanov]

“What do you owe me an apology for now?”

[Will Stanton]

"For...

Well, for being an ass, mostly. As well as all the stealing your girlfriend stuff."

[Tereza Rozanov]

“Are you wanting me to slam you into the wall? Cause I’m sort of in the mood for that now.” Her tone was completely straight.