keeps_a_cool_head | Log 0020

...Good.

[It's the best answer he could have hoped for. He likes getting into the heads of his friends, his enemies...everyone.]

How are you spending your time in port, Derek?

Not enjoyably. Yourself?

[Flippant is usually a good way to go, for diversions.]

In the company of the natives. As I said, they're hospitable.

You've recovered from your death toll?

Yes. Close enough to it, anyway, that my warden saw fit to drag me out.

...Have a new injury, though. A broken set of fingers.

Do you. And how did you acquire that?

[And now this is getting locked. He belatedly wonders why it didn't occur to him to do that while they were on the subject of Paxton.]

First day out of the infirmary, a new warden got in my face. Then just as we were starting to go at it, another inmate stepped in. Between the two of them, I wound up with the broken knuckles.

It's on my dominant side, too. What a pain.

Were you threatened?

Much as it's tempting to paint myself the victim, "threatened" would be a stretch. More that I was having a bad mood spell and clearly wanted to be left alone -- said new warden instead thought it was a good time to have a go at me. He was looking for a fight. And he got it.

Fortunate you weren't caught and punished. There is a distinct streak of favoritism that's difficult to combat, looking as you do.

I don't know entirely know about 'fortunate'. But, there was a witness. And I know my warden knows about it now, at least. My best guess is making me come out on this little expedition is my punishment.

Is this port really such a trial for you, Derek?

A trial? No. But it is an annoyance. A nuisance.

I take no pleasure from this type of environment, and, not to overstate a point. But I haven't exactly been feeling very social lately.

Are you being forced into social situations? I hear the woods are quite isolated.

They are, and yet.

Let's just say you would be surprised.

Surprise me.

Well I've already run into about four different people, out here. And not a one of them was looking for me on purpose.

You do tend to stand out in a crowd.

[Says the alien bondage master that radiates heat.]

[That gets a short, wry laugh from him.] Why thank you. But as a matter of fact, I've gotten my skin back, again. So at least the warden's vaguely good for something.

My congratulations to you. Do you still generate heat beneath your skin?

Oh yes. It's not a cure for the disease, merely a somewhat thorough and mostly effective mask for the symptoms.

Why do you insist on calling it a disease, Derek?

Well, if we're being technical, that was a metaphor.

But admittedly one that it is all too apt as to how I view my physical state. It's an ailment, a disability. Something that needs to be fixed or at the very least worked around.

You're needlessly victimizing yourself. What you think of as a weakness can also be your greatest strength.

[That gets a sharp pause out of him, because 'victimizing'? Really, Scorpius?]

Some strengths require sacrifices in order to maintain. And this is one that comes with too hefty a pricetag.

And what price would that be?

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