keeps_a_cool_head

Log 0012

[Infirmary Spam, pre-flood]

[Some time after Gard's unconscious, coma'd body is discovered and moved, Scorpius plants himself on the edge of the man's bed, casually running through his datapad to pass the time. There's no obvious reason to outsiders why he feels the need to watch over his warden in typical creeper fashion, but he does, and presumably will make difficult the lives of anyone attempting to get near to either without a solid reason]

[Public, post-flood]

In some ways, I feel as though a comatose warden is simply not holding up their end of the bargain. The game feels less interesting when one of the players is absent.

I wonder if Hiziki Gard thought to leave anyone in charge of my supervision in the event of his...disposal.

[Private to Horatio]

I believe I have something of yours, Horatio. If you wish to collect it, come to my cabin.

[Private to Crichton]

John. Yet another flood is happening. Be on your guard - I have yet to discover the logic of this one.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Of course; my apologies.

If I may offer one last strain of advice? John is...a difficult conquest. If you feel determined to rein him in, you may find yourself needing to constantly adjust your tactics.

A considerable amount of effort to expend, when there are others far more attentive within reach.

You are the expert, I would be a fool not to take your advice. And I could certainly use some attending.

[Ah Catra, some days she's just as subtle as a sledgehammer.]

Edited 2014-04-24 02:44 (UTC)

Do not take John's disinterest personally. His limited scope, while narrow, has served him well.

My attention is much more encompassing.

[Soothing her ego, that is so sweet, Scorpius.]

And what is it encompassing at the moment, hmm?

[someone did not climb his way to the top without being something of a playa]

Something extraordinarily rare. A talent worthy of it.

I think you've admired from a distance long enough, don't you?

That distinction I leave entirely up to you.

[Oh, but he is grinning]

[Games are lovely, but only so long as they serve a purpose. And she's quite done with the cat and mouse for the moment.

She lifts a hand and beckons him with a finger.]

Come. Herrre. Now.

[And then she hangs up. Can't get much clearer than that.]

[Welp. No need to tell him twice.

Scorpius stands, closing off his communicator. In an unhurried but still prompt pace, he heads from his cabin to Catra's. Besides the whole dead-and-a-prisoner bit, Scorpius seems to enjoy how well the Barge anticipates his needs.

Within moments he's at Catra's door, knocking politely and waiting to be granted entrance]

[The door slides open to admit him. Her quarters are an eclectic mix of technological advancement and almost medieval looking decor. Such is the mish-mash of her universe. Science and sorcery are partners.

And the room looks like it's a proper boudoir. The bed is lush, there's a full vanity, and her wardrobe is rather enormous. There is also a privacy screen, from which her voice trails out from behind.]

Make yourself comfortable.

[Oh and on the bed, resting it's little head on a silky pillow, is one of the flood dolls. It probably looks suspiciously familiar.]

[Scorpius enters, checking the door to make certain it's closed behind him. He stands at the threshold, taking in his surroundings. The room is far more plush and comfortable than he's clearly used to, being from a mainly utilitarian aesthetic. Such is life in the military.

Still, even Scorpius can admit the occasional allure of pampering, which is clearly what Catra is all about. He gives a smile at the privacy screen and walks forward towards the bed.

And halts.

By this time, he's already figured out what the dolls do, as well as lost his own doll and Horatio's. He had not even entertained the idea of finding John's own, due to the number of people on the barge and the unlikelihood of having access to anyone else's cabin.

But there it is. Sitting on the bed. Mocking him.

He nears it, his claws delicately sliding up its spine]

[She comes around the screen and watches Scorpius as he lightly claws at her Crichton doll.

She strides toward him, barefoot and dressed in what looks like is nothing more than a long red silk robe, belted at the waist and artfully gaping to show long legs and hint at cleavage. Once she's beside him, she plucks up the little doll.]

Everyone keeps calling them disturbing, but I quite like mine.

[Scorpius' attention is razor sharp, and it's only broken not when Catra comes around but when she pulls the doll into her arms. He turns to her then, glancing at her entire figure once before giving a fanged smile. With care, he wraps a hand around the wrist holding the doll, looking into her eyes]

Do you understand their purpose?

[Her own lips curve, sly and knowing. She lets him keep the hold on her wrist without struggle.]

Of course, I do. I've been making John squirm since it appeared.

[Scorpius' smile only grows wider at that, but it's difficult to tell whether he's pleased or angry. He turns Catra around so that she's caught between him and the bed, his hand inching up to reach for the doll]

Details.

[This is not the first time she's been in such a position, both physically, and mentally. Hordak often smiled when he was angry, and she had to gauge whether or not she was in trouble. Caution was her friend. Caution and a quick mind. And that included tightening her grip on the doll, just in case that inching hand of his was thinking about snatching it away from her.]

Nothing terrible. Just a few irritating scratches here and there, pinching. I didn't want him going on a hunt for the thing.

You've demonstrated a surprising amount of restraint.

[Scorpius is indeed thinking of snatching the doll away. His hand remains on Catra's wrist, while he closes his eyes and moves his face closer to her neck]

Don't you worry about your own doll?

Sometimes little pains are more satisfying than larger ones.

[She has no where to go, and really no reason to anyway. But just in case this tension she's feeling isn't in her favor, she lifts her free hand to his face. A gentle caress, that has those sharp nails of hers nicely close to his eyes. Better safe than sorry.]

I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

[He's found over the cycles that he likes the dangerous ones, but only so far as he can control them. Without his strength, Catra is more likely the one with the advantage. His motions hesitate as she nears his eyes and he opens them again, watching her]

How attached are you to this toy?

And what may I give you in order to entice a detachment?

[Catra has been a functional victim for quite a long time. In her perspective, she's slightly out positioned. She doesn't know how strong he is, or is supposed to be, so she errs on the side of saving her own ass. But she'll gladly turn this from a physical situation to a verbal negotiation. That's better for everyone.]

I'm as attached to as you are eager to take it from me.

[Stealing is unappreciated...when it's stealing from her.]

But if you can offer me something of equal value, I might be willing to part with it amicably.

[Scorpius too prefers verbal negotiation, even as his hand is reaching up gently to stroke Catra's neck.]

I sincerely doubt that.

[But he won't directly rip the doll from her hands. It would sour their alliance, and he has so few people he's willing to call friends on this Barge.]

Equal value.

[This might be difficult. He hadn't given much thought to what Catra might want except escape, which he's already promised to deliver. He muses on the idea]

Another toy to keep your attention?

[Oh Scorpius, you underestimate how territorial she can be. And how opportunistic.]

That sounds reasonable. But one that I actually want to play with. Kara's or Iris's.

[He gives a nod, withdrawing his hand]

Iris has asked me to accompany her in a search for dolls. I may find precisely what you're searching for.

We have a deal then. You get John when I get one of those.

[And not before. She's not stupid.]

I will "get" John no matter what flood may say otherwise.

But I will watch for the rest of your prizes.

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