keeps_a_cool_head | Log 0020

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

From:

keeps_a_cool_head

What has your pride ever given you that sacrifice would not have given you faster?

From:

walkingmeltdown

'Pride' isn't necessarily a thing that gives you anything. It's something you've earned.

And I have a marked distaste for having things that I worked for taken from me.

From:

keeps_a_cool_head

Pride is too fragile a thing to hold onto for very long. I would separate your attachment to it, if I were you.

From:

walkingmeltdown

Once burned, twice shy? [That might sound like a non sequitar to Scorpius. But he thinks he might be getting a hint of the voice of experience, there.]

From:

keeps_a_cool_head

Not at all.

Simply experience speaking.

From:

walkingmeltdown

That's more or less what I was saying...but never mind. I won't ask.

From:

keeps_a_cool_head

Ah. The human expression threw me.

From:

walkingmeltdown

How long have you been hanging around us humans, Scorpius? Maybe we need to work a little bit harder on catching you up.

From:

keeps_a_cool_head

Not long enough, apparently. Your idioms don't translate well.

From:

walkingmeltdown

Yes, well, they're idioms. They never do.

From:

keeps_a_cool_head

A fair point. But I am learning some.

From:

walkingmeltdown

We'll have you reading poetry and classic literature next. Just to see what you make of it. With your outsider's perspective.

From:

keeps_a_cool_head

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

From:

walkingmeltdown

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.

From:

keeps_a_cool_head

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

From:

walkingmeltdown

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?

From:

keeps_a_cool_head

[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.

From:

walkingmeltdown

[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.

From:

keeps_a_cool_head

[Do not underestimate him, Powers]

Not a fan of love stories, Derek?

From:

walkingmeltdown

No. You really that surprised?

From:

keeps_a_cool_head

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

From:

walkingmeltdown

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.

From:

keeps_a_cool_head

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.

From:

walkingmeltdown

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.