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[impure_tale]

Monsieur Riddick, is it? I believe we have delayed long enough, and I crave a proper introduction.

Comments

[with_my_teacup]

Kitchen's good. I like food. Not sure I like the pub manager.

[Arkady puts his hair on end. What hair there is. He's curious about that project, too.]

I like Renate, though. She's a bright dog.

My turn to ask questions yet?

[impure_tale]

As I recall, she likes you too.

[He raises an eyebrow]

Feel free.

[with_my_teacup]

What exactly are you after? What magic button do you want to push that'll turn me civilized?

You've got my file, you know as prisons I've been in go this place is a luxury cruise. I ain't in that much of a hurry to move. Not much waiting back there for me.

[Except Jack. Kyra. Always her, dead-eyed and waiting on the Necromonger ship. Always her; he never forgets.]

I can play nice. But making me nice? Good luck. What do you expect out of me?

[impure_tale]

I don't find you to be particularly uncivilized, just different. That does not mean that there are not morals that can be grasped within the scope of your own existence. You would not be here if you could not have done better. You and I will discover together what "better" might entail.

[with_my_teacup]

'Better.' That what my file says?

I'm surprised you ain't going for more security, frankly. You know I tend to leave a trail when I'm stuck in a prison.

[impure_tale]

A pattern which you have not followed here, because this is not a prison.

Further, your file does not determine the course you take here.

[with_my_teacup]

I just haven't found the exit yet.

What do you want called?

[impure_tale]

Most prefer to call me 'Marquis', and you are welcome to do the same.

The only exit is graduation.

[with_my_teacup]

[He's afraid of that. But he's not going to let this fucking place crack him.]

You work on that. I'll work on getting out my way.

[He leans back, his brief spate of questioning obviously done.]

[impure_tale]

Then I'll just have to keep you busy, won't I?

[with_my_teacup]

Good luck keeping up.

[impure_tale]

I won't have to.

Another of my rules -- I expect, if nothing else, that we should sit and talk at least once a week. The subjects may vary but there's rarely a quiet moment in this place. I'm certain we'll manage.

[with_my_teacup]

Fine by me. Feed me, I might even talk back.

[impure_tale]

[A chuckle] Very well. What do you prefer?

[with_my_teacup]

Well gosh, I really miss those protein waffles from Ursa Luna, but I guess I'll settle for whatever.

[impure_tale]

Don't be cute; I might not know what to do with you, then.

You must have developed a taste for something since coming here at least.

[with_my_teacup]

Honestly, I try not to get attached.

[impure_tale]

Get attached, then if you go home you'll have something to bring with you to make it better.

[with_my_teacup]

I'm not the world-bettering kind. I wouldn't know where to start.

[It's a very calm refusal.]

[impure_tale]

Now, I didn't say anything about bettering any world. If it is something you enjoy, why not continue to enjoy it wherever you go?

[with_my_teacup]

Because you don't get to keep shit where I'm from. It'll get ripped away from you. You'll be back living on nothing in ten minutes.

I like keep sharp. Not get dependent on little luxuries.

[impure_tale]

Perhaps that's something we can work on.

Appreciating something does not imply that it is a luxury.

[with_my_teacup]

On the contrary. Anything I don't need to keep breathing is a luxury. Don't believe me, you hit up a cute little single-max like Tangiers. You'll learn real fast what you can live without.

[impure_tale]

If you only wish to have the bare necessities, I can oblige you, but I think that would be counterproductive.

[with_my_teacup]

I won't die if you spoil me. I won't die if you don't.

What happens here, it doesn't matter. Getting back there to my own little shithole, that matters.

I hope the admiral didn't tell you I was going to be easy.