keeps_a_cool_head | Log 0015

It is with considerable disappointment that I report the departure of Hiziki Gard.

A word to the Admiral: make certain the next warden you assign me is sustainable. Inconsistencies and lapses are a sign of disorganization within your operations.

[Private to Catra]

I trust you've recovered from your ordeal.

[Private to the Boy, Mira]

The Chair is ready for its initial testing.

[Spam for Crichton]

[Now unpaired, Scorpius feels at liberty to test a few less-than-savory parts of his growing arsenal in the battle for John's mind. He waits patiently in the hallway towards Crichton's room, working diligently on Francis' crossword puzzle. Most of the human references escape him, but he's been doing research. Slowly but surely he'll understand this perplexing species that overwhelms the Barge in sheer number]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

keeps_a_cool_head

And now I am a cast-off: presumably the Admiral felt his pairing was not properly conceived. It may be some time before I am paired again.

She did. Aeryn made her escape faster than I had anticipated.

From:

walkingmeltdown

Good news, or bad, in your estimation?

So then her 'story' continues as planned, presumably. But what about Gard? What happens to him, getting off a few stops early?

From:

keeps_a_cool_head

Neutral: a warden is not tantamount to my graduation. I will conduct my business as usual, with or without one.

I haven't an answer for him. Perhaps we'll meet again, some day.

From:

walkingmeltdown

So you don't think that they're actually a necessary part of the process. [Intriguing. And...not entirely against what he himself thinks.]

Perhaps. Still, seeing as his exit from the scene wasn't entirely...planned. I can't help but wonder what that might mean for him, back in his own universe. Whether or not it mya have any adverse consequences.

From:

keeps_a_cool_head

Not so long as an inmate is self-aware enough to determine their faults and solutions for themselves.

Most likely it will. But there is little to be done for him now.

From:

walkingmeltdown

[There's something to be said to that; namely, that if an inmate really were that self-aware, why would they even need the barge and the service it supposedly offers? But he lets it pass without comment.]

No. I suppose not.

From:

keeps_a_cool_head

[Shh, Derek. Scorpius has been the determinating, get-myelf-out-of-anything-by-myself person for all his days. He will never be convinced he needs help here]

Perhaps one day, he'll find an inmate more suited to him.

From:

walkingmeltdown

[Takes one to know one, buddy.]

What, you mean somebody who isn't canny enough to catch on when he starts building a spy ring around them? Personally, I always thought you two made for an interesting match.

From:

keeps_a_cool_head

Had he bothered asking, he would have discovered that there was no need for his spies. I have always been honest with my former warden.

Did he ask you to spy on me, Derek?

From:

walkingmeltdown

Considering he was a somewhat duplicitous type himself, it's not really a surprise he couldn't trust you. Of course, I think he may have mastered that skill of being technically honest without giving everything away.

[Speaking of honesty.]

He did ask me. You really all that shocked?

From:

keeps_a_cool_head

It's a learned skill that requires a great deal of practice. I'm disappointed not to be able to match him on that playing field any longer.

Not at all. I only hope he offered you something worthwhile. And that you were able to collect before his departure.

From:

walkingmeltdown

Not something you're used to finding very much out there, is it?

Sadly, no, on both counts. Maybe if I had taken him more seriously I would have held out for a better offer. [Trying to practice that 'learned skill' of obfuscation right now, are we?]

From:

keeps_a_cool_head

Not among the circles I frequent, no. So far, John is the closest example I have left.

Your loss, I'm afraid. Perhaps next time, with the next warden.

From:

walkingmeltdown

I don't know that I...think so highly of Crichton, as do you. But then, you've known him far longer than I. Might be something important that I'm missing.

As if you would ever be careless enough to say anything to me that I could repeat to another that would carry any value, anyway.

From:

keeps_a_cool_head

It's a mistake others often make when dealing with him, and part of his surprising arsenal. Rest assured, he's decidedly more than he appears at first glance.

I should hope not.

From:

walkingmeltdown

Is it a mistake you've made in the past? Before you got to know him better, I mean.

Well I do hope I haven't gone and made you paranoid about me, now.

From:

keeps_a_cool_head

Occasionally. I am not perfect. And my misinterpretation of his motives led to my premature death.

I don't blame him, of course. My shortsightedness is what ultimately brought it about. But he is a...dangerous instrument.

Not at all. My paranoia of you remains at precisely the same degree.

From:

walkingmeltdown

Well, good on you for taking it so pragmatically and not holding a grudge. But we both know those are areas where I'm still a little rusty, I suppose.

Same here. Always enjoyable to know you're on exactly the same page with someone in matters like these.

From:

keeps_a_cool_head

Yet you're becoming more adept in your meditation. It will take time, but I have...confidence you will succeed.

From:

walkingmeltdown

I normally succeed at most things I set my will and determination towards. But I've had a few setbacks of late. Normally I would say my self-confidence is unshakable, but...

[One thing he has genuinely come to realize in his short time here: evidently it isn't. It's a disheartening realization.]

From:

keeps_a_cool_head

Setbacks are how we learn. We arise stronger from out mistakes.

From:

walkingmeltdown

This is all very true. I prefer, of course, not to make mistakes or failures in the first place...but still true nonetheless.

After all. Nobody's perfect.