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howheendures

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From:

howheendures

No.

Even if it was my problem, it is not yours.

From:

weirdnecro

No?

You sound annoyed.

From:

howheendures

[He tilts his head. It's not as if he sounds any more annoyed than his baseline. On the other hand, his baseline can be not particularly friendly.]

Why engage in an endeavor that's both pointless and without profit?

[One or another is understandable, but both?]

From:

weirdnecro

[What is his baseline? In hell, more or less.]

Are you certain that it is either one? Or do you not want to consider it because it means you would have to do something you don't like?

[She tilts her head, considering him.]

From:

howheendures

I meant for you.

Though there could be some benefit or profit I'm not aware of.

[He is willing to admit that there's plenty he doesn't know.]

From:

weirdnecro

If it means it'll get you to stop and think for a few seconds?

Oh yeah. There's plenty that I get from that.

[She grins, and presses a hand to her chest.]

I get to prove myself wrong. That you are not someone to dismiss or patronize.

I can properly apologize to you, and feel we can be proper allies. Because...

What are we to each other, outside of this stupid warden and inmate thing?

From:

howheendures

[Armand considers her for a long moment. His eyes aren't any harder or easier to read for being his natural orange, but it always provides a touch of contrast to what could otherwise be a simple image of a young man at rest. He's not particularly image-conscious in the way it's usually defined, because it's not really a conscious matter. A lot of what he does isn't conscious, even when it is.

Does he like being dismissed or patronized? He wouldn't put it in those words. You're always going to be something to people, and there are some roles that are... better to inhabit than the opposite. And the world does tend to boil down to extremes. Why should you prove someone wrong? They'll do what they want regardless.

So, it really comes down to this: what's the best choice in the moment. ...It almost always comes down to that, in his experience.]

Isn't 'allies' a rather extreme proposition?

I've already said you are someone whose company I can enjoy. [Which is a sensitive topic, thank you. He adds, dryly:] More at some times than at others.

From:

weirdnecro

[His eyes are his eyes, and he has deep waters that he needs to mull through. And she knows she is hitting him with a lot, real fast. But, well...that's so after he can hopefully give it a thought. She'll give him a break.

If something can go through that head of his.]

Allies has no like, or dislike, but merely an agreement that they will work with each other so long as it does not interfere with their own safety, if not interest.

[She raises her eyebrows.]

I know I'm being a pain in the ass right now. I'm not doing it out of any personal satisfaction. Or petty revenge.

How is an alliance extreme?

From:

howheendures

That's why it's more extreme.

[He shrugs.]

If you like or dislike someone that is simply how things are. You might end up hurt, but that's the risk of having any sort of relationship.

[And he likes relationships. He might not be the most social person on the ship, let alone the world, but there are times he could've shut himself away from everyone but he didn't.]

An alliance is a potential risk for your safety, but without reward.

From:

weirdnecro

[She really was like this. She really was. Wow. She needs to apologize to everyone for being so stupid.

She doesn't say so, but there might have been a flicker in those odd green eyes of hers.]

So the goal of an alliance between us has no benefit or profit for you?

[He likes her. Sometimes. And she could say the same back.]

From:

howheendures

[It's not stupid if they're really out to get you!]

Why would it?

[After all, as she said, it has nothing to do with whether or not you like the other person.]

From:

weirdnecro

[And whose fault is that??? ]

Well...I have things I can bring to the table. There could be an exchange. Or at least...

Movie nights.

And ensuring that various experimental films, as well as a private viewing theater would be in your grasp.

From:

howheendures

[He scoffs, but it's amused rather than annoyed.]

Dismissive is one thing, but insulting is another.

You can't believe that any of that is outside my grasp.

[It's not actually what he has Gojyo for, though he does provide access. But even if he didn't there are plenty of other wardens.]

That's what makes these 'assignments' so pointless. There's little the warden can offer that's not available from other means, and what do I have to offer you?

From:

weirdnecro

Not right now, no. But I could make your unlife harder.

I'd rather not be spiteful to you without reason, Armand.

But that's the question. What could you offer me or anyone on board, that someone else could not already provide?

From:

howheendures

Yes, but that would be a threat rather than an alliance.

[He does... well not 'better' with threats, but they are pretty normal. Few people are spiteful without reason, but he's found people can find reasons easily when they want to.]

There is nothing I could provide that would be unique.

From:

weirdnecro

It would. So a strong arm agreement, I suppose.

[She doesn't want to give him what he wants- which is negative attention.]

And what could I give you on board that would be unique, that you would want?

From:

howheendures

It would be far from unique, but you could stop pretending the Admiral's words mean anything.

From:

weirdnecro

Baby boy, maybe you should actually take the Admiral's words seriously so you can get off this boat and leave.

From:

howheendures

I don't see why that should be your concern.

[He just doesn't know what she wants, and he's never done well when he doesn't know what someone wants from him. There are too many potential answers, and he can't do anything if he doesn't know. It's not a recipe that makes him more... tractable.]

From:

weirdnecro

You're currently my responsibility. And frankly, I'm just...

It's a damn shame, Amadeo.

[Not Armand. His old name. She's using it purposefully.]

From:

howheendures

[He scoffs again.]

I don't believe you'd do something with no benefit for yourself.

[It's a compliment to her that he says it so directly. He doesn't think anyone acts without some benefit to themself, even if what that looks like depends on the person.]

You can practice playing warden with whoever you want.

[There are lots of far better candidates then him! It's all just extremely suspicious.]

From:

weirdnecro

I am. With you.

Because currently, you're my test drive. Also, if you fuck up in a certain way, I can get demoted, yeah?

I don't want that.

[She thought her self interest was obvious!]

From:

howheendures

If I found it within my interest to hurt people, I would appreciate your faith that I could manage to do so in such a comprehensive manner that my temporary warden has to be demoted.

When was the last time someone was blamed so completely?