Lark has dinner shift obligations but he comes to lunch shift because he knows Edward is helping out. When they're done, his usual might chatter mellows.
Lunch hasn't been a shift he's helped out on much up until now. It's been a nice change of pace -- the task itself isn't new, but it's enough of a shake-up to his schedule that it settles something in him. He's used to having more variety in his day-to-day, and politics (social and Barge alike) aside, the monotany of a stable schedule has been rankling him more than he'd realized.
It isn't uncommon for Lark to invite him out to something, even if it's just to chat in his cabin. But something about Lark's demeanor, combined with what's been going on lately, makes Edward suspect this is going to be something more than just shooting the shit. "Not especially. What did you have in mind?"
"Sure." Said easily, like it really is just any other day. Even if Edward didn't know him at all, he'd be able to pick up on that confirmation of his hunch. Polite and professional is his trade language. "I could use the pick-me-up."
Lark walks with him in no particular hurry, talking about this or that. When they get to his cabin he politely shuts Steve's door and then makes a fresh pot of coffee.
He finds now that they're here he doesn't know how to start, so he's quiet a moment.
"Have you had a chance to follow the network lately?"
"Yeah." Edward doesn't sound surprised, doesn't bother pretending he didn't see this coming. "I've been trying to keep an eye on things the past few days."
Things seemed quiet for a while, and then... It feels like a lot is happening at once. That's a familiar feeling, at least. When it rains, it radstorms.
"I was... annoyed, at first. With Alec's stunt. On a professional level, mostly, but also a personal one. I still think it was a stupid move. But I've been reminded that there are bigger, more important issues than one person making a bad move."
That clearly isn't what Lark was braced to hear because he looks at Edward, sips his coffee, watches Edward a second longer. "Which things specifically were you reminded of?"
Edward gestures vaguely with one hand. "It wasn't by him or his situation. I asked an inmate if they'd be willing to let me look at the other filter on Alec's post, and while we were talking, they brought something to my attention."
He pauses to take a sip of coffee. "Related to the murders Quill caused, specifically. I know it was pretty chaotic, and I didn't hear about it until she'd been contained. But afterwards, I'd assumed that there were enough other people involved that I didn't need to add one more moving part. I'm regretting that, now. Because apparently the victims didn't get the attention they should have."
Lark's expression clouds. He hadn't really planned on talking about this with another warden yet, but Edward is here and the topic is on the table.
"They never do, Edward. I don't even know how many people Quill killed, besides Norton and Anita Blake. I let her recover in my cabin because I had no idea who had done it or why. And when I did find out, it was the same bullshit as ever." He thinks about draining his cup but just sets it down instead. "I'm so tired of this," he says quietly.
"The hardest thing here is convincing people to rethink what they're doing. I was probably the worst at it, and in hindsight I cringe. Seems like a just punishment for me." He sighs, cracks a smile, teasing. "Everyone here thinks they know best, when will they see that only I do?"
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
"Hey, do you have somewhere to be right now?"
no subject
It isn't uncommon for Lark to invite him out to something, even if it's just to chat in his cabin. But something about Lark's demeanor, combined with what's been going on lately, makes Edward suspect this is going to be something more than just shooting the shit. "Not especially. What did you have in mind?"
no subject
"A coffee in my cabin? I just want to get your thoughts on some things."
no subject
no subject
He finds now that they're here he doesn't know how to start, so he's quiet a moment.
"Have you had a chance to follow the network lately?"
no subject
Things seemed quiet for a while, and then... It feels like a lot is happening at once. That's a familiar feeling, at least. When it rains, it radstorms.
no subject
"What do you take away from it?"
no subject
"I was... annoyed, at first. With Alec's stunt. On a professional level, mostly, but also a personal one. I still think it was a stupid move. But I've been reminded that there are bigger, more important issues than one person making a bad move."
no subject
no subject
He pauses to take a sip of coffee. "Related to the murders Quill caused, specifically. I know it was pretty chaotic, and I didn't hear about it until she'd been contained. But afterwards, I'd assumed that there were enough other people involved that I didn't need to add one more moving part. I'm regretting that, now. Because apparently the victims didn't get the attention they should have."
no subject
"They never do, Edward. I don't even know how many people Quill killed, besides Norton and Anita Blake. I let her recover in my cabin because I had no idea who had done it or why. And when I did find out, it was the same bullshit as ever." He thinks about draining his cup but just sets it down instead. "I'm so tired of this," he says quietly.
no subject
Edward watches Lark for a moment, and decides against asking what others have done to try to change things. Instead, he asks, "Need to talk about it?"
Another offer to help. Just... one step at a time.
no subject