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

[It's hard to listen to maybe because he already knows this. Did know this. Once. Perhaps he let himself forget over time.

That's the problem with pushing your way to the top. He told himself he never let his guard down when, clearly, he had. He did.

It's a hard pill to swallow, such a comical failing in retrospect. He let himself lose track of one of his own first lessons he would stress to others as crucial: Never stop striving, never stop fighting, never stop. He frets and fusses about being made softer here when in his own way he had already gotten soft.]

No. I believe you. I...understand. I know.

Edited 2014-09-02 00:40 (UTC)

I'm glad you understand.

And for all your concerns about becoming kinder, softer, weaker..

I have known others to accomplish with kindness what I could not do with a thousand threats and armed force.

Now, of course that's not how we were built. But it is something to consider, before you think the Barge is changing you into a manipulated pet.

[He laughs a bit, softly, under his breath. But he supposes he can't even say that Scorpius is entirely off base here.

Some of the most formidable people on this ship are also the ones that go the most out of their way to be kind.

He still can't truly call it a strength. But he does have enough problems, doesn't he, without having to be constantly at war within himself.]

You always do find the...oddest things to say. [Worst, most helpful, most prodding, least expected. All of that and maybe more.]

I should hope they've helped you, at least partially. But not having graduated, I'm not fully in a position of expertise.

I don't count the wardens as being automatically the voice of expertise. After all, we've both seen some of the people they let be in charge around here.

[See, if they've moved on to jokes, even snide ones, this is a good sign, right?]

I have.

But there are some that have worthy things to share. I'd take caution in painting them all with the same brush.

Oh, I know that also. Some of my best friends, apparently, are wardens.

[The irony on "apparently" is more of a "so I have friends now", not so much on anything else.]

That's an advantageous position to be in, Derek.

Well. It could be.

[A thoughtful pause.]

Supergirl - Kara Zor-El - owes me a favor. After the Mirror Barge. [Where their crazy counterparts fought and hers ended up tearing his to pieces.] She felt bad, offered to do something for me. I couldn't think of anything at time, so.

I've been holding onto it. Just in case.

A wise decision. She's quite a powerful person, warden or otherwise.

Ordinarily I would suggest waiting until you need it, but there is always the additional danger of her sudden disappearance.

There is, at that. I've considered it. In the long game however I feel I'd actually rather run the risk of a favor completely wasted, rather than ask for something less than the potential worth of the open possibilities.

You like securing options.

That's fair to say, yes. Not that I never take risks. They're always...calculated.

What would you consider worth turning in your favor for, Derek?

What compels you at this stage of your rehabilitation?

Yet another question that when compelled to answer honestly, I can only say "I don't know."

[He sighs, faintly.]

Maybe that's why I haven't cashed it in yet. Right now despite my best intentions I feel rather adrift. Perhaps later that will change.

Perhaps later I will actually want something she can do for me. And then I'll regret no longer having the upper hand.

You can always gain additional favors. This is not some one-time-only situation.

Even if you must manufacture the situation from which favors can be produced.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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