(no subject)

[x-shinobi.livejournal.com]

To: Sefton, Amanda; Espinosa, Angelo; Starsmore, Jono
From: Shaw, Shinobi
Subject: Thank you.

Cheers.

Apologies if this is a bit disjointed, but I haven't slept yet. Rather than stir the flames up on the public system again, I wanted to offer this here, where the people who need to see it can, and everyone else can go on about the task of calming back down.

Thank you. I doubt I need to say what for. I've been backreading a bit, and I owe you three, even if you never made it out the door.

-Shinobi




To: Lee, Jubilation; Rasputina, Illyana
From: Shaw, Shinobi
Subject: For what it's worth..

Been doing a bit of backreading since I got back, and, well, the last day's postigs are kind of hard to ignore. Bloody fine mess, it is.

But, for whatever it's worth, I agree with the both of you. Illyana's points, especially. All valid, all true.

Just thought I should say it. Here, privately, where it wouldn't be adding fuel to the flames - don't think anyone wants that, and I know I definitely don't.

If either of you want some company that won't glare or start a fight with you, I'm parked near the medlab. Just look for the scruffy bloke trying not to get in anybody's way.

-Shinobi

Comments

[x-skin.livejournal.com]

To: Shaw, Shinobi

Subject: No problem.

Just wish I could've helped more. If I'd known before now she was planning to leave you behind, I'd've... well, the only thing to do would be tell you or someone here. Which is probably why she didn't tell anyone 'til the last minute.

Let me know when she wakes up?

Angelo

[x-shinobi.livejournal.com]

To: Espinosa, Angelo

Subject: You bet.

I'll let you know. I don't know if she'll be up for company, but I'll definitely tell you when she's awake.

-Shinobi

Subject: Probably best we didn't make it out the door.

[xp_daytripper]

To: [big brother]
From: [trouble]

You're welcome, even though it was a bloody stupid first instinct and it's just as well for us we didn't get anywhere. But I'm only sorry for what I wanted to do, not for wanting to do it. I'll be concentrating on things I _can_ do to help - Strange has extended the no-healing spell ban for another week (long story), but there's other things I can do. Like keep you company.

A.

Subject: Probably right on that one.

[x-shinobi.livejournal.com]

To: [little sister]
From: [big brother]

First instincts usually are stupid - they're rash, they're immediate, they don't have much thought put into them. Kind of like how instinct tells us to run away from an angry bear, when the best thing one can do is to lay down and play dead. Given enough training, "play dead" can become the first instinctual response you have, but until then, "run like hell" is the one that crops up until we stop and think about it with a level head.

Now, company sounds brilliant. Well past time to stretch my legs a bit, besides.

-S.

Subject: Exactly what I've been trying to say.

[xp_daytripper]

I just wish certain other people would see it that way. Tho' me picking fights yesterday probably didn't help - you'd think I was better at this waiting thing by now...

She'll be all right. The docs will see to it. And she's tough - before long we'll be hearing her complaining about being in medlab, mark my words.

A.

Subject: Yeah, I know.

[x-shinobi.livejournal.com]

The reason people are still tetchy over it is probably because you're both right. You and Angelo are right in that your first instinct was to help, but you thought it through and stayed home - Illyana and the X-Folks are right in that rushing off on your own would have been completely irrational and probably suicidal, and all would have been better served if the first instinct had been "Call a teacher" instead of "friend in trouble, must go help".

It's finding that middle ground, where both sides realize the other side is saying the same thing but in different words, that's the tricky part. Give it a few days, let the matter lay - it'll either come 'round eventually, or people will forget about it and it won't matter anymore.

As for Sarah.. I know she'll be alright. Hell, she died and has come back to tell us about it, hasn't she? I'm not worried about her physically. Just want to be here when she wakes up. One of those situations where a hug is called for, you know?

-S.

Subject: Thanks

[x-snowflake.livejournal.com]

It's strangely relieving to know that sanity is not a lost cause around here.

I'll come see you as soon as I'm done wanting to proselytize. I'm told it's not exactly comforting in stressful situations, and anyway I'm beginning to bore myself, which really won't do.

Subject: Quite welcome.

[x-shinobi.livejournal.com]

I like to try to be level-headed, if not entirely sane, at the absolute least. It takes practice.

If it helps at all, I really do think Amanda and Angelo agree with what you're saying. From where I'm reading things, the main thrust of both your messages seem to be saying more or lessthe same thing, but in different words. The first instinct was stupid - they agree with that. The thing to do was to stay put, and let someone equipped handle it - they agree with that. They're just on the defensive, after the blow-up that happened with all of this, and they're both the sorts to go looking for a fight when they feel threatened - need to lash out to relieve the tension. But, I do know that Amanda, at least, does agree - I think with her, it's mostly a cocktail of fatigue, worry, feeling cornered, and inexperience communicating with the written word that's to blame for her trouble in communicating it.

Good grief, I'm long-winded tonight. And operating on only a couple stolen hours of sleep, to boot. Sorry about that.

If it's a topic you want to discuss with someone who won't bite your head off, I'm available anytime. And if it's a topic you want to forget about, but you still want company.. well, I'm available anytime.

-Shinobi

Marshmellows

[x-jubilee.livejournal.com]

To: Shaw, Shinobi
From: Lee, Jubilation

Subject: Hey there.

Good to see you back by the by. You want me to bring anything with me when I come see ya? I've been making hot chocolate and have acquired little marshmellows even.

To be honest, looking back I could have said a lot of stuff better. Maybe I need to ask Emma if I can be in her Speech class next term. Cause, seriously screwed up on the diplomacy there.

Just, I could see it, them all turning up dead because they rushed out without even having one bit of a plan and there's a part of me that still wonders if they really would have stopped and not gone after that first instinct if someone hadn't pulled them up on it.

J.

[x-shinobi.livejournal.com]

To: Lee, Jubilation
From: Shaw, Shinobi

Subject: I forgot what broken sleep was like.

Glad to be back, even if the circumstances leave quite a bit to be desired. And, that all depends on when you're coming down - once I get a few more hours of sleep, I'll probably be trekking upstairs to shower, shave, and get some food in me.. although, turning down hot chocolate with little marshmallows in it would be silly. Nevermind all that, I'll take a mug, if you have one handy.

Diplomacy's never easy, or there'd be no need for diplomats. Especially not in such an emotionally-charged situation, while everything is still this fresh. Speech class would help, but so would (as snarky as this sounds, I don't mean it that way at all) thinking before you speak. Stop, take a step back, think about it, and then start offering a reply. To risk something of a low blow, don't go with your first instinct. Think it through to its logical conclusion first. Then act accordingly.

The thing is, luv, they could see it too. I can't speak for Jono or Angelo, since I haven't spoken to them nearly as much on the topic, but Amanda wouldn't have gone. Given why she wouldn't have gone, she'd have tried to stop them before they could go rushing headlong into it, too.

What they said about rushing off that got everyone into a tizzy - that was the gut instinct, first reaction, "my friend is in trouble" response. I don't think there are more than two, three people here who can honestly say the first thought to come to mind when that occurs is not "I need to help them". Not "I need to get someone who can help them", but "I need to help them". Once they got over the knee-jerk response and thought it over - on their own, one might add - they stayed put. They would have, even if the faculty hadn't mote it be, even if you and Illyana hadn't spoken to them. At least, I'd like to think so.

This is probably coming out terribly disjointed. Think I'll try stealing a couple more hours of sleep now - just give that mess up there some thought, luv. None of it's meant to be accusatory, just some observations from the scruffy guy running on two hours sleep. Take it as you will.

Looking forward to the cocoa.

-S.

Thoughts

[x-jubilee.livejournal.com]

To: Shaw, Shinobi
From: Lee, Jubilation

Subject: Re: Marshmellows.

The hot chocolate will still be there when you're showered and generally feeling more human.

Come see me in the kitchen when you're feelin' up to it. *smiles* Would be nice to catch up for a bit.

We'll talk about the other stuff when I see ya? That way I can at least throw marshmellows at you if what you're sayin' hits too close to the mark, hey?

J.

[x-shinobi.livejournal.com]

To: Lee, Jubilation
From: Shaw, Shinobi

Subject: Re: Marshmellows.

That sounds perfectly fair to me. At least marshmellows won't leave any incriminating evidence if you hit me with them.

I'll be on my way up shortly. Catching up would be nice.

-S.