Starts at Home

[Quinn Durant]

Quinn looked between Dirt Nap and J.C and just shook her head. She hadn't gotten in the middle of things between the two, especially on a personal level. Dirt nap on the other hand, had other ideas. Those other ideas blew up in his face. If he would have just came clean to start with, and trusted that they would see him through, this would have all been different. Instead he chose to do what a lot of Kindred do. Manipulate and maneuver those into the positions and expect them not to care about the means, but just the ends.


It killed a small part of her to watch him make this mistake. On the other hand it was his mistake. Not her own. Feigning ignorance of your own actions and running away from any and all accountability only works if no one will actually hold you accountable. Quinn had never set down a responsibility she had taken on, lightly. She could count on one hand in her kine and kindred life when she had to abandon all hope on a project and actually scrap it entirely. This was definitely one of those times. When the foundation is cracked, you don't try to build on it, and you can't fix stupid, so any hopes of repairing the foundation was also shot. Give up. At some point hanging in there just makes you look like an even bigger loser.

"Uh huh." She said flatly to Dirt Nap, and looked to J.C fully, her concern for him clear in her features. That was all the time and energy she was willing to devote to anything further regarding Dirt Nap.

"J.C, I will help you get your stuff quick. Nothing the two of us can't handle. If you want a place to store anything or to stay with me, my door is always open to you." Want. Not need. She was very very deliberate in her word choice there.

[JC Smith]

There was a brief rush of anger and annoyance. That Dirt Nap was accusing him. And like hell he wasn’t mind reading! That JC had wanted an open talk but Dirt Nap couldn’t even handle that without JC ‘saying it directly’ to Dirt Nap. He’d been talking to Dirt Nap!

Then just as suddenly came a feeling of calm. This wasn’t going to work. Dirt Nap couldn’t see and wasn’t willing to try. Yeah, his fellow Gangrel was probably upset by Quinn leaving the Dragons and that was why he was kicking them out. And sure, JC could push back. Demand the boon be fulfilled, location be damned. However, it seemed clear to JC that Dirt Nap didn’t really want to do the hard work needed to talk this out. Not when he was putting the onus on them to call him. Just like he’d put it on Quinn and JC at YOLO park.

But in the end JC couldn’t be responsible for Dirt Nap’s thoughts and wouldn’t be manipulated into that position of emotional labor.

“I’m sorry you feel that way,” he simply said.

He nodded to Quinn’s offer. True, he had a haven of his own, it had been somewhat compromised of late. “Thanks,” he said, he got up from his seat and headed to ‘his room’. He didn’t have a lot of clothes to begin with. He gathered them up in an armful, doing his best not to wrinkle the suit Quinn had gifted him.

Great scene, so don't take this wrong way but it feels like its ending. Good to close?

[Dirt Nap]

Dirt Nap watches and listens. Quinn Durant is still saying nothing to him and seeming to expect him to hear what she doesn't say to him. At least she acts consistent with her declaration of a few minutes ago. Dirt Nap says nothing back.

He nods to J.C. saying he's sorry that Dirt Nap "feels" like J.C. refuses to come out and say what he wants. The casual assumption that he has any idea what Dirt Nap feels while refusing to actually engage with the actual words he is saying is... consistent.

Hopefully once he's out of proximity to Dirt Nap, J.C. will take the opportunity to take responsibility for what he wants instead of apparently blaming Dirt Nap for not divining what it is, and giving it to him.

Distance will do them good, Dirt Nap theorizes.

He watches their preparations to leave, not wanting to distract from the task.

Thank you for the scene! I am good to close and get it into continuity if you are!

[Quinn Durant]

Quinn helped J.C with whatever he needed and called a car service with a larger SUV and ordered a garment bag from Amazon so he had one. One of the nice ones, and large ones that allowed you to hang it even in a vehicle. It would be enough for his entire modest wardrobe, for either home or travel use.

Perhaps she doted on the Gangrel, some might say. The truth is J.C had been there for her when no one even knew she was in pain, much less cared. He had stepped up to her side to not just help, but lead the investigation into the Jackal with her. He stood by her when her own family and clan failed her time and again. It was her turn to be there for him, and be by his side. He would not want for company, or safety, or any other creature comfort he desired, and he had her support in court.

They departed, and she instructed the driver in what exact route he would take, with three double backs, and other evasive maneuvers. Dirt Nap didn't need to know where she and J.C lived together.

Good to close and into continuity!