Log 0012

[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.

Comments

Private/Spam

[sssiiiiirrrrr]

[Horatio's skin is still crawling with the hot frustration of his own helplessness... but it's over, for the moment. The twist of his arm, Scorpio's grip on his throat.]

I hope you'll understand if I'm not feeling entirely confident of my judgement in coming to you, at this moment.

[He touches his throat gingerly, approaching the desk with the two dolls on it.]

Though I'm grateful you stopped.

Private/Spam

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Of course I understand. You were right to arrive. If I may suggest an alternative path for the future: never give up a tool or possession unless it benefits you. Now I have the advantage.

These are things you must learn, if you are to climb the chain of command, Horatio.

[It's spoken almost kindly, without sarcasm. Scorpius sees a goodness in Horatio, but it will do nothing except lead him to the slaughter if it's not tempered by ample suspicion in others]

For the moment, yes.

[All things that could potentially change, if Horatio sought to turn the tables on him]

I admit, while I now understand the mechanics of this flood, the logic behind it remains...inconclusive. This is meant to serve as a lesson, but what is it teaching us?

Private/Spam

[sssiiiiirrrrr]

But you and I aren't enemies.

[Horatio's tone remains frustrated, as though he's explaining something basic.]

I had no reason to withhold possession of a doll that looked like you.

[But, okay, he catches the shadow of threat in Scorpio's words, and forces himself to focus on the question at hand. What is this teaching them. What do they learn?]

The dolls seem to have been distributed across the Barge. They make you utterly helpless, but... I'm not sure that the damage lasts from them. Now that you've put down the doll, my arm and throat feel... fine.

[He stares at the two dolls, and another undercurrent of disapproval washes through him.]

I... I do strongly dislike yours. I know it's irrational, but... something about it sets my teeth on edge.

[The thought settles on him, like morning dew. Cold, steady and certain.]

When I was bringing it here, I would have liked to break it. I don't know what that teaches other than self restraint.

Private/Spam

[keeps_a_cool_head]

You had every reason. Until you trust me absolutely, do not trust me at all. Do not give me a window of opportunity to take advantage of you, even if we are not enemies.

[It's survival advice he's learned from many years of pain and broken promises, and while he may be surrendering his own advantage, Horatio has nothing he wants. He can afford to boost this young lieutenant on his way. Scorpius, too, glances to the dolls]

I am experiencing similar feelings of distaste. The urge to tear yours apart...


I believe this flood serves one of two purposes. Either it is meant to help us control our tempers and most base urges to injure, or it serves as a way to drive us further apart from those we would not normally consider our enemies.

Less likely, it hopes to teach us compassion for others, but this is a particularly clumsy effort.

Private/Spam

[sssiiiiirrrrr]

It seems a clumsy effort for any of those intentions. I don't believe that the compulsion to harm that thing is my own temper, any more than I would consider you my enemy for unwittingly harming me through it.

[Emphasis on unwittingly. Horatio is still less than impressed with you.]

Perhaps the lesson is that we stand and fall by one another's mercies.

Private/Spam

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[Look how much he cares about your impressions of him, Horatio. Look how much.]

And I do not harm unless there is purpose to do so. Which here, there is not.

Possibly.


Take your doll then, Horatio. Leave mine. I wish to further experiment with it.

Private/Spam

[sssiiiiirrrrr]

[Horatio is sure he is crestfallen, really.]

Yes. Well. Thank you again for returning it.

[This said, he reaches out for the Doll, and just as he's about to touch it... it vanishes into thin air.

He hesitates, staring at the empty space where his doll once was, then glances back to Scorpio, stony faced.]

You may not wish to touch yours.

Private/Spam

[keeps_a_cool_head]

[Glancing up, Scorpius watches the doll disappear. He frowns, staring at the doll and then to Horatio]

This complicates matters. But if it is off the Barge entirely..