Library, Monday 6/19

[tyler-gone.livejournal.com]

Tyler unlocked the library and took his place behind the counter, flipping through a back issue of Popular Mechanics.

He expected a quiet day, but the library was open for business.

[OOC: Still summer. No OCD. Thread with Bel and Veronica is locked to them but very broadcastable.]

Comments

[marsheadtilt.livejournal.com]

"True," Veronica said. "But you're the only one that's using an assumed name and caught my attention. Getting out of control sparring and blowing things up aren't very effective ways of laying low."

[tyler-gone.livejournal.com]

Veronica had a point, but Tyler never let that stop him.

"Who asked you for your opinion?" he said. "Bel could have wasted me if he wanted to, come on."

[demonbelthazor]

"True enough," Bel said. "But not everyone is me."

[marsheadtilt.livejournal.com]

"You managed to get shots on in at least two of my friends that left bruises for a number of days," Veronica said. "And from what I hear, beating on people is kind of a... hobby of yours. You looking to start another fight club here?"

[tyler-gone.livejournal.com]

Ladies and gentlemen, we have now lost cabin pressure.

Tyler stood still even as his heart started to race. "How did. you know. about. that?," he asked, his dry mouth making each word a challenge. "Police buried that."

[marsheadtilt.livejournal.com]

"I'm just that good," Veronica said. "Or were you planning to blow up the school like those credit card companies back in Delaware?"

[tyler-gone.livejournal.com]

"Parrafin. It -- they didn't work," Tyler said, then licked his lips. "No. No, I wasn't going to blow up the school."

Sure of that, psycho-boy? a voice in the back of his mind asked. Because you seemed to be heading that way.

[marsheadtilt.livejournal.com]

"They didn't work, but you still got locked up for it," Veronica said. "How exactly did you get out of Bates? Your dad doesn't know where you are, so you obviously weren't released into his custody as your records indicate."

[tyler-gone.livejournal.com]

Tyler buried his head in his hands.

Well, she knew this much, anyhow...

"Faked it," he said. "Fight Club members will do pretty much anything for Tyler Durden. Making a few phone calls and doctoring some paperwork was nothing. Gary wouldn't have noticed before my birthday."

[marsheadtilt.livejournal.com]

"So are you Tyler Durden? Or are you Jack Moore? Or are you someone who's name I didn't manage to uncover?" Veronica asked.

[tyler-gone.livejournal.com]

That was a hard question.

"My birth certificate says Jack," Tyler answered slowly. "You know that. A lot of people will tell you I'm Tyler. And then --" He cut himself off, not wanting to get into everything he used to write on nametags. "I used to use a lot of names."

He looked directly into Veronica's eyes. "I'm not sure who I am, okay."

[marsheadtilt.livejournal.com]

"Then how do we know you won't hurt someone? Or blow something else up?" Veronica asked, her tone slightly softer.

[tyler-gone.livejournal.com]

Tyler took a long moment to answer.

"What happens if I say I don't know?" he asked, tone more curious than anything else.

[demonbelthazor]

"Then you get someone like me watching your every move," Bel said. "If you can't control yourself, I'm not about to let you hurt anyone."

[tyler-gone.livejournal.com]

Tyler looked at Bel, then snorted. "Just like being back in Bates, only with fewer people in white coats?" he asked.

Then something died in his eyes, and he looked down at the counter again. "I can control myself," he muttered. "Try, anyhow. It's not -- it's not all my choice."

[demonbelthazor]

"I know what it's like to have people watching everything you do," Bel said sympathetically. He shrugged a little. "I'm not trusted around here, either. But I like to think I keep my demon under control. How do we control yours?"

[tyler-gone.livejournal.com]

Punch him out then blow this popsicle stand, the voice said. Tyler swatted it away.

"Exercise helps," he said instead. "I have pills, I see Dr. Pevensie -- ask the clinic if you want. I don't want to hurt anyone, ever again. I really do not."

[marsheadtilt.livejournal.com]

"Good, because we won't let you. I'm not going to tell everyone your secret," Veronica said. "But I will be sharing certain information with a handful of people and they, along with Bel and myself, will be watching for any screwups."

She looked Tyler directly in the eye. "Here's the thing you need to understand about Fandom High. People here are incredibly accepting and forgiving of your past, if you're willing to change." Her gaze flitted briefly to Bel and then focused back on Tyler. "But if you threaten or hurt anyone here? Be prepared to have everyone on your case. We may not always get along with each other, but we take care of our own."

[tyler-gone.livejournal.com]

The sick feeling that had been swirling in Tyler's stomach mostly settled as he realized that, somehow, this might be okay. Not easy, but okay.

"Understood," he said. "Tell who you want."

[marsheadtilt.livejournal.com]

"If you need help, ask someone," Veronica said, very aware that she was being slightly hypocritical, but hey, she had asked Bel to come with her for this, so she was getting better.

"We'll let you get back to work now."

[tyler-gone.livejournal.com]

"Right. Work." Tyler shook his head, as if to clear it. "I'll see you."

He turned to some books that needed reshelving, unsure what else to say.

[marsheadtilt.livejournal.com]

Satisfied that the situation was under control for now, Veronica nodded to Bel and they left the library.



[Bel modded w/permission as her internet at work is down.]