242

[impure_tale]

[The Marquis has never looked so reserved.]

That wasn't quite like the "comas" I have had before, though I will not lie and say I am not grateful it took me this time. I think...I rather think that my other self is dead. Moreso than usual, I mean.

Perhaps they finally tired of him. It would have to happen sooner or later, oui? 

[He shakes his head and changes the subject. It's clear this has left him a little melancholy at the very least.]

...But best not to linger on such things. I'm sure many are in recovery, and others are new and likely very confused besides. What a poor first impression that place would have made!

It would also appear that the Admiral has wasted no time in sending me back to work. [He brings his new file to bear.]

Who, here, is Dark Heart, and can you do me the kindness of explaining to me what, exactly, a Care Bear is?

[ADDED LATER]

Admiral, as per usual, please deliver a copy of my file to Dark Heart's cabin.

Comments

[a_favor_now]

I'm not afraid of being alone or for my safety.

[It's rather laughable to him that the Marquis even brought such things up.]

And don't call me that.

[impure_tale]

Yes and I'm sure you weren't the least bit troubled or confused by the breach.

[a_favor_now]

Why would I be? Nice place, shame I couldn't stay.

[impure_tale]

And what of your other self?

[a_favor_now]

What about it?

[impure_tale]

What did you think of him?

[a_favor_now]

What kind of question is that? It was me, only on a decidedly better oriented place than this.

[impure_tale]

One I'm beginning to doubt you understood, apparently.

[a_favor_now]

What's to understand? It was an inverse of this place, and you're all whining about it.

[impure_tale]

And I am asking you what you thought of the inverse of you -- from what you could learn, anyhow. You were paying attention, were you not?

[a_favor_now]

You're the one not paying attention. I already told you, it was just me. The only difference was reason I was there.

[impure_tale]

And what reason was that?

[a_favor_now]

You have my file, take a guess.

[impure_tale]

If I wished to rely on what the Admiral had to say of other people I wouldn't speak to my Inmates at all save when I had to.

[a_favor_now]

So are you saying you can't make a simple guess on your own? Come on. We can make a game of it. Take a guess, and I'll tell you if you're right.

[impure_tale]

I'll offer this one instead: I ask you a question, and if you answer it you are free to ask any you wish of me.

This way, I'll never know more about you than you do about me. Does that sound fair?

[a_favor_now]

That's a stupid game. You could make up anything you wanted.

[And so could he, but not the point.]

Besides, you're already ahead. You have a file on me.

[impure_tale]

You're absolutely right. [And then, as though the thought had only just occurred to him.] So I will have the Admiral send a copy of my file to you, updated to include my years as a Warden but also everything up until my graduation. Then you can check to see if I'm lying or not.

[a_favor_now]

Hmm, fine. But I'm not going to waste my question until after I've read up on you.

[impure_tale]

Very well. Then I am going to insist we continue this in person when you have finished. In the meantime I would like for you to give some thought to a few things:

Your present accommodations.
The limitations on your powers.
Any questions about this place, or the other, that you still have.

Answers regarding those things are all free, by the way.

[a_favor_now]

[He chuckles.]

Insist, do you? All right, why not? This won't take long.

[impure_tale]

Level three, room four. When you are ready.

[Spam]

[a_favor_now]

[It's maybe two hours later that he's satisfied enough with what he's read in the file. He goes to his new Warden's cabin, and calls through the door. Mostly because his form doesn't have hands to knock with. But he figured the larger than possibly natural cobra would strike the right note.]

Knock, knock.

[Spam]

[impure_tale]

[Renate barks at the door just in case his announcement isn't loud enough. The Marquis speaks a few soothing words to her in French and then opens the door -- and while surprised, seems more amused than alarmed.]

Aren't you full of surprises.

[He steps back and holds the door open.]

Do come in. Make yourself comfortable.

[Spam]

[a_favor_now]

More than you realize, I bet.

[More dogs. This ship was more like a kennel. He flicks his forked tongue at the dog tauntingly. Slithering in, he looks around nosily.]