232

[impure_tale]

Though it is always a breach, that one in particular always gives me some pause. It's always the same person that I become, always later in his existence on the Barge. It's given me reason to think of him at times, even worry.

I know myself to be a stubborn man no matter what my form. It shouldn't surprise me he lasts as long as he does, but it's always so frightening to find himself so...out of control of myself.

This time, he was better, and I'm overjoyed to look back and realize that. Without a Warden on his back, he had friends. He was not lonely. He was...approaching something more normal again. It reminded me much of the weeks in Charenton before the doctor came.

What still troubled me -- his door was unlocked, and he couldn't step outside. He didn't believe he could open it.

I remember being that way, in my first weeks here. Romana took such time and care coaxing me out of my room, showing me there were no bars on it. No chains.

And I look at myself now and realize that while I know there's been no lock on my door, I've still been reclusive.

I didn't come this far just to make myself a prisoner again.

Comments

Private

[with_my_teacup]

Mirror-Riddick got his ass demoted. If there's anything left there... He'd take care of your crazy twin.

Private

[impure_tale]

He's a more gallant fellow than he chooses to believe.

Re: Private

[with_my_teacup]

Bite yer tongue. [A grin, because he's not serious about this argument by a long shot.]

Private

[impure_tale]

Must I do all the work?

Private

[with_my_teacup]

I could squeeze some time in to help you out with that. [He's been working himself almost around the clock; he could use a break.]

Private

[impure_tale]

That would be most appreciated, devil.

Re: Private

[with_my_teacup]

...you know it ain't your shoulder I'ma be sitting on, don't you, angel?

Private

[impure_tale]

I'd be offended if it were.

[tentacruelest]

This one in particular? What is this breach, then?

[impure_tale]

That most recent passing is one that's occurred before. A flood takes on water. A breach damages the ship, sometimes destroys it, and it takes however long it does for a lady such as the Barge to pull herself together. In the meantime the world around us changes, not just the people.

Some hold the belief that rather than simply a temporary change, what we are glimpsing and living is another existence -- that those versions of us exist somewhere.

[tentacruelest]

No such version of that man from last week existed. And if he ever did, he's been long dead near to a century.

And the Barge is no lady.

[impure_tale]

If you'll allow me to explain further. If such a hypothesis were to be accurate, this means that in another life, those of us who wound up here as Inmates died a different death, perhaps having realized something we ourselves did not, perhaps doing something noble. Not only does it mean that, but it means there is a ship of the dead whose only desire is to take the souls of good men and make choose evil, if only for relief.

[tentacruelest]

There was such a ship. It seems to have been hitting some rough shoals when we finally broke apart.

And it would figure into the grand idea of it that I am both a prisoner here as well as there.

[impure_tale]

Your ideas are your own, Captain, and I won't deny you them, though I don't agree.

[tentacruelest]

I don't wish to dwell on it.

[impure_tale]

Of course not. Should you ever wish to talk, however, I've an ear to listen. Two, in fact.

[tentacruelest]

Talk of something else. Anything else. But not of the past.

[impure_tale]

Difficult task, that. I'm dead; 'tis almost all I have, but I can try. Are you at all fond of books, Captain? Stories?

[tentacruelest]

Books don't last long on th' Dutchman. And I was never a very..literal-minded sort of creature.

[impure_tale]

But surely sailors tell just as many tales by word of mouth, oui?

[tentacruelest]

I've a fair number of piratical tales I was part and party to, in my day. Legends I saw sprout, grow old, and die....or just sprout and die, as th' case may be for some.

[impure_tale]

Does no one simply make them up as they go along?

[tentacruelest]

Exaggerate? Oh, aye. They're fond of that.

[darknessb4me]

It was unlocked.

[he sounds more creeped out by this than he has about anything in awhile.]

[impure_tale]

Yes.