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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

That's a good idea, lovey, thank you. I worry about 'im, and I'm really spread too thin to spend more time on 'im than I do already.

You look like you can 'andle 'im, too.

...I do? [It's a real question. He finds himself looking in the mirror a lot these days, and he's never quite sure what he sees looking back. To his own eyes, he still looks so... average. Especially with the haircut.]

You're engaging and challenging 'im without swallowing 'is bullshit or letting 'im get you angry or telling 'im you think 'e's scum - in words or otherwise. That's nine-tenths of the job right there.

Aye. I reckon you'll do well 'ere.

[There's that feeling again, like a gong being rung in his chest, echoes of a voice he only partly remembers. Hinata -- both Hinatas -- is still so used to the idea that talent and ability are what make the man, that Iris can only say he can take on Scorpius if she knows what skills he's capable of... but Nanami had said something like that, hadn't she? She'd said something that had convinced him once that he could be more than a collection of talents. That he could be a person.

He smiles again.]

Is that what it takes? I didn't know.

That and love. Every warden that's any good cares about who they're paired with - you know, for their own variation of caring. I tend to express it 'ands-on, meself - more'n most, I dare say.

It's a very particular challenge; caring for someone that's done terrible things, that's more often than not still plotting to do them to you.

[And then her eyes crinkle up and she giggles out loud.]

It doesn't 'alf keep it exciting.

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