Text to Darcy

[xp_cypher]

To: [darcy]
From: [doug]

Okay, so I went to therapy today to talk about hand dysphoria shit. So I'm talking about it, like you were saying when we sparred.

Comments

[xp_darcy]

Good. Did it help? I feel like I should've realized it was legit bothering you before that.

[xp_cypher]

It helped. Dr. Grim is very good at what he does. And, I mean, you were dealing with some of your own shit, so.

[xp_darcy]

Yep, and I definitely did not do anything like "go to therapy" so congrats on being at least two steps ahead of me there. But I still should have realized, I'm usually more on top of what's going on with my friends.

[xp_cypher]

I mean, I could see if he has any openings?

[xp_darcy]

I'd probably flash him so I could escape in the distraction. Talk about my feelings. It's like you've never met me.

That shit gets shoved into the drawer marked "Future Night Terrors" and I keep moving.

[xp_cypher]

Obviously I can't make you. Just...if I hadn't, I honestly don't know if I'd still be around. I was super duper fucked up when I started seeing him.

[xp_darcy]

I mean. I am mostly well-adjusted right now, I think? I haven't had a nightmare about choking to death since before my X-Force interview.

If something really shitty happens, you have permission to hogtie me and drag me in until I start talking. Or to authorize someone else to drag me in. We can probably get that notarized for medical compliance.

[xp_cypher]

I mean, if Angie thinks it's a problem, she'll make an appointment and expect you to be there.

And probably give me the rope to hogtie you, so.

[xp_darcy]

I really do think it's fine for now. I mostly work it out in my own mind.

I've... got my own rope? Unless she also keeps silk rope on hand, which. On one hand, extremely hot.

[xp_cypher]

Angie always seems to have the right tool on hand - comes with precog and all.

Knowing her, she'll want to sketch you if it comes down to getting me to tie you up.

[xp_darcy]

If she wants to sketch me when I'm tied up, she can come watch next time I help with a knotwork class? Unless she'd specifically want you tying me up. How's your shibari?

[xp_cypher]

I mean, I'm the White Knight of the Hellfire Club, soooooooo. Plus shibari's all math and patterns and precision, so of course I like it.

[xp_darcy]

Huh, so the Hellfire Club is as wild as the rumors say it is? I usually go for the more decorative over the work that keeps me from moving at all, but being the living model is fun.

[xp_cypher]

Oh definitely. Maybe even wilder, considering the whole 'glitterati orgy club' is only part of it.

[xp_darcy]

This sounds interesting, tell me more.

[xp_cypher]

Some of it's not mine to say, so you'd have to talk to Emma. But the orgy club is what most people know. Inside of that, the Courts...well, let's say there's always some kind of intrigue/power play going on there.

[xp_darcy]

I should probably get settled in before I do more than consider adding more to my plate.

[xp_cypher]

Probably wise. How's sparring and practicing going?

[xp_darcy]

Just you so far, for other humans. Practice is fine, I'm starting to remember some of what I learned in kickboxing.

[xp_cypher]

Awesome. Let's find some time to review and see how it's going soonish?

[xp_darcy]

Yeah, absolutely. Or teach me other stuff, since apparently X-Force is blanket permission to Learn All The Things.

[xp_cypher]

I mean, what else did you have in mind? (besides Hack All The Things, I know that's a given for me to teach people)

[xp_darcy]

An itemized list of everything I've ever wanted to learn that might be useful over text?
Doug.
Just assume I'm at peak Granger and want to learn everything that everyone is willing to teach me that I have an aptitude for.
It's nice being encouraged to use more than my babysitting and data wrangling skills.
I like being useful.

[xp_cypher]

"It's nice being encouraged to use more than my babysitting and data wrangling skills.
I like being useful."

That is the most enormous fuckin Mood, I definitely feel you on that.

[xp_darcy]

I mean I know my way around some white and grey hat stuff but teach me your ways, senpai.
But yeah I was just. Tired of idling. And now I get to do something useful, and be encouraged to learn more? Absolutely grabbing that with both hands.
I probably should've done it sooner, but law school. And trying to figure out what to do with my life after running out of poorly adapted scientists to wrangle.
That sounds a bit like being a pet owner.
I wonder how many people have thought my scientists were just like, really dumb pets?

[xp_cypher]

I mean, let's be real, they definitely read that way sometimes. And I'm certainly in your corner for learning and doing shit.

[xp_darcy]

Phrasing is just like, a thing I've made you discard entirely, isn't it?

[xp_cypher]

...well, now that I read it all, I've just been throwing unintentional innuendo all over the place. I am apparently extremely off my game right now.

[xp_darcy]

It's my chaos element, which I don't think is actually part of my powers set but probably should always be factored in.

[xp_cypher]

I also lose comprehension when I've been all up in my own emotional stuff. Either way, yeah.

[xp_darcy]

Okay, but I'm trying to give you a dub with "When in doubt, blame the Darcy Chaos Component" and you're just ignoring that.

My kneejerk reaction was "cute to assume you have game" so please, take the win I am handing you.

You think we can see if my chaos element is something that actually shows up? Would that be science? Magic?

[xp_cypher]

I definitely have game. Just not in these very specific right now circumstances.

IDK. Wanda's probably the one to talk to about that, because she's got the chaos going on. Hers is...well, if not magic, then magic-adjacent.

[xp_darcy]

Evidence still unclear, try again once you're willing to touch skin with both hands. This is not a timed test. 😘

We'll... get to it eventually, I'm sure.

[xp_cypher]

Look, I have had enough partners over the years that I've got to have at least some game.

You clearly just throw me off it. :P

[xp_darcy]

My innate chaos is good for that. You'll have to build up immunity.