♠ | 001 | Video

[lastrat]

[Bond has been laying low, for the most part: investigating quietly, observing, looking for the Admiral and the Bridge and all the other things people initially told him he'd never see or find.

It galls him that they were right.

He's also spent his time half convinced that this is all a drug induced dream meant to obtain information from him. He still isn't sure either way, honestly, so when the video clicks on, Bond's face is inscrutable, because you're getting nothing from him, Quantum. When he talks, it's easy, smooth, because he is a very good bluffer.]

Suppose this is real. Suppose we are actually on a ship meant to cure us of our villainous ways. Tell me how it works. Tell me how often it works. And what do the wardens get out of it?

[He smiles, and it's easy but doesn't reach his eyes.]

While we're here, I've learned from my mistakes, 'Admiral.' [The inflection is small, but present: he really means Quantum.] Kindly send me back to live the quiet retired life, if you please. [There are much more important things than his immortal soul, or whatever the fuck this is supposed to be about, at stake after all.]

[Private to Ivy]

It strikes me that I may or may not owe you an apology.

[Private to Lark]

Heard anything?

Comments

[Private; Video]

[lesliemonster]

[Here James Bond. Have a Leslie Knope: she's here to help.]

The deals are different for every warden.

And I don't know that the intent is to "cure you of your villainous ways." That's too simplistic.

[Private; Video]

[lastrat]

[Hello Leslie Knope, he likes helpful people. He lets his mouth quirk in an almost-smile.]

We're sailing through an open vacuum with no real explanation. I thought simplistic might be a nice change of pace.

Do you have a deal?

[Private; Video]

[lesliemonster]

[Don't be handsome at her James Bond, she is immune at this point.

Everyone needs to stop being handsome though really.]

That it would. I do have a deal, but they don't go into affect until a warden has successfully graduated another passenger.

Private

[chlorophylliac]

[Ivy is just chilling out in her extremely plant-filled room and has bruises circling her upper arms and doesn't like you.]

Then I suppose I may or may not be inclined to forgive you.

Private

[lastrat]

[Wow look at that room. He's taking it in in one quick glance and he probably shouldn't be surprised, but at the same time. Seriously? Wearing leaves wasn't enough?

And he sees those bruises and, welp. That's a shame, but he isn't sure he's actually sorry.]

A question first, if you don't mind.

[makeitwork]

[Excellent use of the word gall btw]

Suppose it is real but it won't matter in the end. [Because you'll go insane ahaha]

[lastrat]

[You know it

Also that he finds intriguing, though he's careful about letting on too much.]

Why wouldn't it matter?

[secretasshole]

What would make you accept this as reality?

[lastrat]

Undeniable proof. Wouldn't have any, would you?

And then I don't notice comment titles because I just changed DW themes.

[most_feared]

We don't exactly get the same things.

<333

[lastrat]

Which isn't exactly an answer.

[lost_humanity]

It sounds as though you've already had more luck learning about the ship than I did when I arrived, whether you believe it or not.

[It was sort of a frantic arrival though, admittedly.] Ronald Sandoval, FBI.

[lastrat]

[They don't ususally have friends in the FBI, but that's interesting, certainly. Doesn't mean he'll offer up his company, but he's making note.]

Bond. James Bond. What happened when you arrived?

[je_suis_avec_toi]

I don't think it works that easily, sir.

[lastrat]

Of course it wouldn't. Now I can say I've tried. Maybe I'll sleep more easily tonight.

video;

[buildindreemz]

[Ariadne is already preparing her little spiel, because yep. That's what she does.]

Sometimes reality does get kind of shaky around here. But it's not a dream, no matter how many times you get turned into an animal or a child, or how many times we end up docking in Wonderland or Middle-earth.

Actually, I'd kind of like to see Middle-earth. [Huh. Right. ANYWAY.]

All wardens have deals. All of us are here for something, contingent on graduating an inmate.

And the problem with announcing you're better is that no matter how good a liar you are, the Admiral always seems to be able to tell.

video;

[lastrat]

[He can tell, and it makes a small smile pull at one corner of his mouth.]

How many people believe you, when you give that speech?

video;

[trenchcoatedly]

When wardens graduate inmates, the Admiral bends their own reality for them in a way they like, usually to make up for their past mistakes.

Kay looked at the numbers since his arrival not too long ago. I don't know how long the barge existed before that. According to his research, 15 wardens out of 141 had a deal, graduated an inmate, and successfully got their deal result. Additionally, there were 181 inmates, and 21 had graduated at the time of his posting. Many inmates and wardens disappear back to their home realities before this task is accomplished.

video;

[lastrat]

[Well disappearing is never good, but that catches his attention.] How do you know they've gone home?

[thestarspangledman]

We get a deal, as I'm sure people have told you by now. Some of us are just doing it because it's the right thing, though. [At least that's the case for him -- he's not sure of his deal, just yet. He has quit a few options, after all.]

[lastrat]

There's always something to want.

Video

[bodilesswarrior]

[Barbara's smile is wryly sympathetic.] If it were that easy there'd hardly be anyone left.

The system is far from perfect, but it's been successful in various, distinct cases. There are a few Wardens who used to be Inmates - I think their perspective would be particularly valuable.

Video

[lastrat]

What if it is that easy? What if the difference is between saving me from whatever's down the line, and saving innocent people? [Sure sounds easy to him. B|]

I suppose you're not one of them.

voice

[mattersverymuch]

Whatever their hearts desire, apparently. Aren't they lucky?

voice

[lastrat]

Or lied to. [Or lying. So many options.]