keeps_a_cool_head

[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

Pretty sure you got over that on day one. [You know, when you tortured him. Very unapproved.]

It would be easier for me to promise to stay out of it if Aeryn wasn't involved.

[As with most things John says, Scorpius chooses to ignore this]

Aeryn is essential. There is, surprisingly, a streak of intelligence and forthright determination that I've come to appreciate in her.

[Crichton has come to expect that anyway, so he never bothers holding his tongue.]

I know, it's one of my favorite things about her. Now, can you explain to me what you'll be doing with her exactly?

There's no need to be overly concerned. Aeryn has taken precautions, and has requested that my warden supervise everything I do concerning this side project.

That's my girl.

So, I'm assuming you won't be doing any more work on this with her until said warden wakes up?

That was our arrangement. Yes.

[Then he has some time to go find Aeryn and talk to her.]

Good. Guess you'll have to find something else to do in the mean time.

[He's sure the flood might have some ideas about that.]

I suppose so.

Incidentally, we never formally discussed my neural clone still hovering around inside your brain, John.

No. We didn't. What about it?

How is it?

Without the neural chip in place, I hesitate to think of the havoc it's currently wreaking on your...fragile psychosis.

[aka, maybe your crazy is a bit more understandable, haha. Whoops]

[No REALLY?! Crichton closes his eyes and presses his lips together to hold back these words just begging to be screamed in Scorpius' face. A few slow breaths later and he thinks he can trust himself not to fly off the handle completely.]

You...

[There is still a dangerous thrum of anger in his tone, no mistaking it.]

You hesitate...to think?

[He makes a sound that's a marriage of a scoff, a laugh and a sob.]

How is it? You wanna know? Well it hasn't exactly been sunshine and rainbows over here. Your little mini-me bastard isn't all that happy with this situation. Neither am I, but I guess you could already guess that.

[He's surprised by the sudden emotion coming off of John in waves, angry and miserable. Scorpius remains still, examining the other's face with undisguised curiosity tinged with only the slightest bit of concern. These were not effects he had originally planned for: theoretically, the clone should have stayed hidden, not impeding John's life except in places where it shouldn't be caught]

By all accounts, it should not have survived the removal of the neural implant.

I suppose even I at times underestimate my capacity for survival.

[only a tiny bit proudly]

[Scorpius, seriously? How can you be surprised by this? You basically ruined his sanity. Like he's not supposed to be mad about that?! 'I didn't mean to' is no excuse.

And he hears that tiny note of pride in your voice you asshole.]

Uh huh, it's a Christmas miracle. Meanwhile I'll spend the rest of my time on this barge listening to the twisted cartoon version of you whispering sweet nothings in my ear. Let me tell you something, the book is not better than the movie this time!

[Objectively speaking, you're the one at fault here, John. You took the cookies out of the oven before they were properly baked. Scorpius does not approve your tampering of the things he chooses to put inside your brain]

Don't you mean the rest of your life?

[Considering those cookies never should have been baking in the first place and the dough is stolen property, he doesn't see this as his fault, no. Or at least not his fault alone.]

You haven't put two and two together yet?

Your deal is to rid yourself of the neural clone.

[It's not a question. He watches Crichton's head signature anyway, curious: this isn't something he would have immediately guessed as John's first deal]

You're surprised.

[This isn't a question either. That Scorpius had to ask at all tells him this much.]

You thought my deal was for being returned home to Earth?

I thought it one of a small number of possibilities.

Guess you don't know me as well as you thought.

Missing pertinent information is not the same as not understanding your motivation, John.

[But this new information is oddly liberating. He may have more allies in his fight to keep Crichton on the Barge than he'd initially realized]

Well ,I'm just so glad we cleared that up.

I'm still expecting you to keep this to yourself. People around here think I'm crazy enough already. I don't need you goin' and blabbing this on a public filter.

I will not speak publicly of it.

Does Aeryn know?

Thank you.

She knows. She has for a while.

I admire your honesty.

Best of luck with the flood, John.

No point lying to you.

[Still not your friend.]

Sure. Whatever.

[He hangs up.]

Log 0012

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]