Log 0007

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[In Zero, Scorpius does what he does best: he plans. Giving him space and time to think through what he wants and how to get it is one of the unintended gifts of his cell space, and he appreciates every moment of it.

After several days, he addresses the Barge]

A question to my fellow shipmates;

When an inmate commits a grievous crime, who is to blame for it? Obviously the inmate must share some, but what percentage is attributed to them and what percentage is attributed to their warden, who may be unfit to command them? A warden may fail just as easily by not admitting to something that could be most assuredly out of their control.

And what of inmates who aren't paired and no one has taken the time to explain to them the rules?

My apologies to Alex Summers. While it was certainly my intent to hurt him, he had done nothing to harm me and was simply in the correct place at the correct time.



[Private to Crichton]

Of course, John, we all know that you are the one fully to blame.

More like Alex will follow. You cannot hope to save them all.

In a few days' time they will be forced to release me. What has changed between the time of my entering this cell and the time of my leaving it? As a deterrent towards behavior, Zero leaves much to be desired.

I am willing to entertain ideas of a deal between us.

Comments

[no_talent_hack]

Command them?

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Wardens command their inmates, do they not? They assert control over them just as any superior officer would.

[routemistress]

Disingenuous as a pigrat stuck in a food cupboard, Scorpius my love.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

It surprises me how much I've come to enjoy your rather bizarre metaphors.

Hello, Iris.

[gard]

What is the virtue of assigning blame?

[keeps_a_cool_head]

The virtue being that if the warden is found to also be at fault, should they not share a cell with their inmate? Who punishes the wardens?

[Private]

[force_captain]

I take it your plans are going well, dearie?

[Private]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Exceptionally, thank you. I hope to check in on John today - if he will consent to show himself over video - and see how his mental deterioration is progressing.

spam!

[wedonot]

[Charles could just respond on the network. Could have reached out to contact him days ago, really, but he hadn't wanted to for a number of reasons, and this just seems better done in person, really.

So he wanders down to Zero with an air of genuine nonchalance about himself, hands in his pants pockets like he's just casually taking a stroll and happened to end up here, outside of Scorpius' cell. His voice is downright mild and conversational when he addresses him, regarding him rather incuriously.]

You seem to be enjoying yourself.

spam!

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[In his cell in Zero - a place that is growing familiar to him - Scorpius sits on his cot, looking over his communicator in his hands. When Charles approaches, he looks up and shuts the comm off, setting it to the side]

Not to an obscene degree, I hope.

Video;

[ichoosefight]

You know, you're really not worth the trouble, but you could at least take responsibility for your own bad decisions. You're a grown-ass man.

Video;

[keeps_a_cool_head]

The regularity in which you initiate contact would suggest I am worth the trouble, Stephanie.

[Private]

[neverfeltbetter]

[Crichton has been staring at this message for some time, debating with himself if he should even answer it. He knows it will only be worse for him (and others) if he doesn't. Scorpius wants his attention, he will find a way to punish him for not giving it. He'd never get ahead in this sick game. All he can do is pick his battles.]

[When his face appears on the screen Scorpius will surely notice his skin is ashen and his eyes are ringed with dark circles. He looks angry, but more so, he simply looks tired. Even his voice is devoid of its usual fire.]

This the same deal you alway offer?

[Private]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[Scorpius notices, but doesn't mention it aloud. He knows enough of humans and Sebaceans to know just what's happening to John.

Slowly but surely, he's wearing him down.]

In a sense.

What is your deal, John?

[velocette]

It depends on if you believe in personal agency, or if you believe we are driven entirely by our experiences and personalities.

I doubt the Wardens know all the rules either, since it's all flexible. I gave my inmate rules that no one else is following. [And he gives Harvey a very long leash, longer than he should according to some.]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

What do you believe? And what rules do you use to guide your inmate?

[sssiiiiirrrrr]

Surely it would depend upon the crime and upon the inmate, but I do not know that there is any value to such mathematics, Sir.

If you would exonerate an inmate for ignorance of the rules, then by the same logic, should you not excuse a warden for lack of ability? Or due to ignorance of the consequences of inadequacy?

[There's a brief pause though, as he keeps thinking about it.]

To my thinking Sir, it is a wrong for a warden to be negligent in his duties, but that it is a separate wrong to the crimes that an inmate may commit because of it.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

A well-reasoned argument. I'm impressed.

Video

[fireincarnate]

[It killed her, a bit, to keep away, but she was too late to do anything, and she refused to lose herself in rage again. That's not what Alex would want from her.

But she responds now, quiet and cold.]

Good question.

You won't touch him again.

Video

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Obviously not. Alex seems well-protected, and as I have been told numerous times before, I was lucky that my attack went on interrupted.

[bodilesswarrior]

It's not clear-cut. It depends on the situation, the Inmate, the Warden.

As for rules, I think "not attacking an innocent bystander to make a point" can go unsaid most places. Or did you think you were being fair and reasonable?

[keeps_a_cool_head]

So you have no definitive blanketing opinion.

Not at all. I was being cruel and vindictive and I think that was rather the point.

[his_drededfate]

[It's really hard not to be a bit mad at you, sir.]

You ask these questions as an excuse.

What of the virtues you spoke of does this action of yours follow?

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[pls, sir]

Simply because I list virtues does not ensure that I follow them to the letter, especially in the pursuit of what I want.

[soliterraneous]

[ It takes Aeryn a long time to formulate a response to this...ghost of a question, it is so pointless.

And yet. ]

The wardens have less an effect on the inmates than their own pasts affect each.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Well said, Aeryn.

[do u like what i did to ur warden

this is what happens when u bust out the frying pans]