impure_tale

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130

Short and unpleasant. I suppose that when the Admiral gives us ports that turn out to be completely unsalvageable, that's the best he can offer us.

Not pointless -- you might have noted I did not use that word. If anything, my brief sojourn into the mad wilderness yielded some experiences that were most illuminating. Even on top of knowing what it feels like to be shot in the face -- an advent about which I'm certain Monsieur Swing will be delighted to hear.

Note also that I didn't say "eaten alive". I'll let the lot of you ponder on that. I might have to write about that one someday, but for now? Rest, I think.

[Private to Iago]

Are you safe?

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Not necessarily a mockery, but I concede your point and answer: If we are not strong enough to assert ourselves? Certainly.

No one can assert themselves so long as they are part of a chain that they themselves can't see. People aren't just murderers, they're cogs, and it takes a larger perspective to be able to see the machine. It's not inhuman or unnatural...it's just intelligence and intelligence is what will allow humanity to assert itself and survive.

Everything when viewed from such a distant perspective, is part of a chain unseen to its individual pieces. Even those that assert themselves. However, no single person does themselves any good by assuming such a perspective to begin with. It does not make them not part of that chain.

People who can see can react accordingly, Marquis. That's part of individual freedom and rational choice, isn't it?

Everyone reacts, whether they mean to or not. [He smirks.] Do you really think that takes you outside of it, though? That you will be doing something that nature has not seen before in some shape or form?

I'm talking about reacting intelligently. Not just reacting.

[A smile in return.]

No, but I told you, I'm only arguing for the sake of entertainment.

Of course. I, cherub, have at some point in my life stood from nearly every vantage point that I could come across, and while I see the reason in them, I have never been any happier by lingering on most. I will do what is right as I see it, and in the meantime will surround myself with what pleases me.

Surely no one would think to deny you that. Are you happy, then? On the barge, in general.

Barring recent circumstances? I feel I am -- fulfilled, here. You must remember, half of my life was spent in chains. In solitude, feared or reviled for my ideas -- some of them if not caused then exacerbated by the very bondage that was imposed upon me. Even in freedom, I cannot say that I was completely satisfied. My wild exploits might have provided me gratification, but it was always temporary. I can still enjoy those things, now, but their absence does not suggest an emptiness in my life any longer. I feel -- balanced.

[A smirk]

And of course while recent events and others of the like have caused me some displeasure, there are things to make up for it.

Then you've benefited. That's reassuring. Most people make being here sound like a kind of hell.

Things that make up for it aside from wine and my presumably unobjectionable company? Do elaborate.

Did I say that I needed other things? I've been quite looking forward to having a drink with you since our arrival.

[Griiin. He's quite happy to know that he can charm the Marquis.]

We'll have to go to the pub and have a drink together properly once you are recovered. [Thoughtful, but planned, pause.] It's just occurred to me that I haven't told you very much about myself, which isn't really fair.

My full name is Adrian Veidt. I'm a well known public figure in my world, which is why I hesitate to give my last name here. I'm also an inmate, if you hadn't already assumed or if that colors your opinion of me at all. Does it?

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