keeps_a_cool_head | Log 0020

Log 0020 - [Voice]

It is with confidence I report that the native species here are generally of a friendlier nature. Their food is tolerable and they are easily persuaded to provide it to strangers.

They seem armed with rudimentary weapons. Theoretically any one of us could launch a successful attack and come away with minimal casualties.

If the need should arise, of course.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I would take any recommendations you care to make, Derek. We do have a library aboard this ship.

Do you want what I actually know of as significant and educational in regards to literary merit, or what I read for pleasure? Because there is...a difference.

I would prefer you to give me what I need to understand humans better as a species.

Literary merit, then. That's good, because I'd rather not have to explain to you why I enjoyed The Worlds of Chrestomanci...er, never mind.

I take it by now you must have at least heard of William Shakespeare?

[Scorpius nods, but totally makes a note to go look up whatever weird novels Powers is into at a later time]

No, I've not.

[Whatever, Scorpius won't have the social context to realize his ally is a Secret Epic Fantasy Nerd. Probably.]

That's almost depressing. Well then. He wrote plays, not books, but they're easily available in book form. Macbeth and Hamlet are the big two...Romeo & Juliet is the other one, but. Really, you're better off not wasting your time. It's nothing more than another idealized love story.

[Do not underestimate him, Powers]

Not a fan of love stories, Derek?

No. You really that surprised?

I sensed that given the presence of a son, you found some creature's company tolerable enough.

That's not romance, that's marriage.

[Dry quip. Very dry.]

Honestly? And you're only getting this because it's you: love stories are far more interesting when you're living them.

Is the experience worth it? I feel as though it would be too easy to place you in a compromising position. Exposing weakness, as it were, for no real benefit in return.

Oh, no. You'd be absolutely right.

[His voice turns cold again, but not harsh. He's not closing up, just withdrawing somewhat.]

I suppose I've only really been in what you'd call love once; all the others were lust and fun and youthful infatuations. It was a wonderful feeling, being with her. But it hurt like anything when she left.

So no. Not worth it, in the end.

Disappointing to hear, although I'll be careful not to attribute your experience to all others.

I for one have never seen it.

I know not everyone would agree with me - some people live for the thrill. The idealization. So by all means, feel free to get another's point of view on it. I'm just giving you mine.

I prefer to base my findings in reality, thank you.

Are you jaded beyond repair?

[He has to laugh a bit, at that wording.] Am I? Such a very good question! You know, these days I haven't the slightest.

I would have hoped so, that I had the sense to be well beyond such things by now. But, this ship does insist on continually throwing me curveballs.

So you feel hopeful.

[Interesting]

Yes. Still capable of feeling hopes and desires, seeing as I am still alive. Well - relatively speaking. [Seeing as they're all dead here, in a sense, if they're inmates.] Why should that be all that surprising, compared to anything else?

It isn't. I'm only pleased this ship has yet to break you.

When you say a thing like that, I worry it means we have separate definitions of 'break'.

How do you define it, Derek?

This ship has already started to wring concessions out of me, that I wouldn't grant otherwise. Up until this point in my life any relationship I've had that could be termed "friendship" is really more of an alliance - like with you. If there's feeling there, it's carefully calculated for it's worth.

Regrettably I'm starting to find that on this ship, that may no longer be the case.

[He has friends now, Scorpius. Real friends that he cares about the well-being of for nothing but it's own sake. The horror!]

[A cold nod; he both envies and doesn't envy the friendships Blight seems to attract. Yet another on track to graduate]

You feel compromised.

Compromised. [He echoes, carefully tasting the pronunciation on his tongue. Considering.] Yes. 'Compromised'. That really is the perfect word for it. What I'm feeling.

[And while concessions and compromise aren't the same thing, he's been in control of everything around him for so long that to some extent he's forgotten to see it that way.]

What are you protecting by refusing to give to what the Barge wants?

And what do you have to gain?

[voice ; private]

[voice ; private]

[voice ; private]

[voice ; private]

[voice ; private]

[voice ; private]

[voice ; private]

[voice ; private]

[voice ; private]

[voice ; private]

[voice ; private]

[voice ; private]

[voice ; private]

[voice ; private]

[voice ; private]

[voice ; private]

[voice ; private]

[voice ; private]

[voice ; private]

[voice ; private]

[voice ; private]

[voice ; private]

[voice ; private]

[voice ; private]

[voice ; private]