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

[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.]