IC Inbox.

[weartearrust]

"This is Angeal. You know what to do."

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[anti_altruisms]

“Only in the sense that I’m responsible for what happens here. But things can get messy when those duties conflict with the priorities of other Wardens.”

It’s happened before. And it’s his least favorite part of this job sometimes.

“And I made my decisions based on my own sense of justice. Or injustice, as the case might have been. I can’t give much in the way of specifics since that was such a long time ago, but I cared more about the result than anything I could get personally in return.”

[weartearrust]

"It counts. It's just a little extended. It should be an easy month for you, at least. I don't really see me deciding to go on a rampage or anything this month." Some inmates were ... absolutely the sort who needed to be locked in a prison. How much they'd gain from all of this he didn't know.

That's an interesting way to put what Archer was up to, and Angeal pauses, rolling it around in his mind. He remembered every major battle he'd been in, and Archer honestly didn't look THAT much older than he was. "I see. Better than going to the highest bidder, if you don't mind me saying so. How long ago was that? You can't be older than thirty, thirty five."

He has no idea how Servants work.

[anti_altruisms]

Archer hums at that. Neither of the Inmates he was paired with in the past were prone to rampages. That didn't mean things were easy. Just challenging in a different way.

"There are some things that happen on this ship - and off it - that none of us can predict. Though I do appreciate that."

To the other points, well...

"There were benefits and drawbacks. I did what I felt was right, but ultimately, that sort of lifestyle is confusing - and terrifying - even to the people you're trying to help. It's much easier to understand someone who has a price - especially when they have abilities that you don't."

The path of the superhero always leads to an unpleasant end.

"And appearances can be deceiving. I lived to be in my late 20's or early 30's - but it's quite impossible to measure the period of time that came after. Millenia, I would say, but I can only estimate."

[weartearrust]

He crosses his arms over his chest, leaning back a little against the counter. Whether or not this sort of exchange is strictly necessary, it's still interesting to find out about. Archer had not really discussed who he was or where he was from, that hadn't been needed in order for htem to do their jobs onboard the ship.

"...I can understand that one. But you did it anyway, that takes honor." People who would be afraid of something much stronger than them, and the mysteries of unknown motivations. As many people were afraid of SOLDIER as adored them, after all. One black eyebrow rises at the idea that he's possibly a thousand years old or more. "You don't look that old. Tell me your skin care routine."

He probably doesn't want to know Archer's skin care routine.

[anti_altruisms]

"Honor wasn't the driving force that pushed me to do what I did."

He doesn't sound annoyed, but it's a very firm correction. The reason he'd thrown himself into conflicts was more foolish than simple adopting a set of principles. He just couldn't stand to see people sad. It was entirely childish and largely based in trauma he'd experienced early in life. A broken man striving to fix a world that was even more shattered than he'd ever been.

He doesn't see a reason to share any of that right now, but...maybe one day.

"As for my skin care routine," he says in a very matter of fact tone," I hope you believe in ghosts and spirits. Because that's essentially what I am."

Audio, backdated to the 10/29

[chaos_drifter]

Do you know which areas of the Barge need the most work, and do you need help doing repairs anywhere?

Sorry for delay, medical happened.

[weartearrust]

I don't, I'm still taking stock of what happened. .. If nothing else there's still a lot of cleaning to be done. Yanking debris. Seeing what's salvageable.

All good! I’ve been busy

[chaos_drifter]

[When they get the library in better shape, they plan to help Tendi in the kitchen, but they had thought Angeal was more involved there.]

Are you okay after everything? [Angeal had seemed interested in looking after them. They feel like they should return the favor.]

I felt it needed a wrapup somehow. c.c

[coffinturk]

[ There's a serious, contemplative moment in which Vincent decides he may want to avoid buying pickled things in remote villages when he returns to Gaia. Instead... ]

If it manages to slip in and you can pickle it, let me know the results.

I should get back to work. I'll keep you posted.

audio

[cactusy]

I got paired with two of you this month, and the other guy's called "the Dark Urge". You're name's a lot less descriptive.

[A pause.]

Probably less descriptive. Are you an angel?

[weartearrust]

[That's definitely a laugh. He doesn't .. sound psychotic but that doesn't mean much around this ship.]

No, my mother was just a romantic. I must have missed the announcement; I'm Angeal Hewley, soldier by trade. What can I do for you?

[cactusy]

Sameen Shaw, also a soldier by trade. You might just be my favorite temporary inmate yet.

You been off the ship, or are you a homebody in ports?

[weartearrust]

It's good to meet you, Sameen. ..Or Shaw, if you prefer.

I like to see new planets if I can, though the ..last venture didn't quite go as planned, and I was dead to the world for everything after the ship flipped from the rogue wave. This one looks peaceful though, hoping to get in a bit of fishing.

[cactusy]

I've never gone fishing.

Tell you what. You come with me on a dumb magical boat trip to get healing water for the ship, and I'll go fishing with you. Deal?

[weartearrust]

Really? Not even once? Sounds like I'm obligated now. It's a lot of downtime to just sit around in silence, fair warning. When do you want to go?

[cactusy]

My dad talked about taking me fishing a couple times, 'cause his dad took him when he was a kid. Lakes weren't always easy to come by in the places we lived, though.

Meet me on the deck; I'll come up and take you down.

[She hasn't been back onboard the Barge since they docked, but she can make a brief (very brief) exception here.]

[weartearrust]

On my way.

[No reason to delay! There's worse ways to spend a port than doing a bit of sight seeing, and when Angeal turns up on deck, he's neatly dressed, clean, and ... significantly bigger than his new temporary warden. Supersoldiers.

But nothing of his bearing aside from his size and frame is particularly menacing, he seems rather placid all things considered. Maybe she'll get an easy month from at least one of her paired inmates.]

[cactusy]

[Shaw, at five-foot-two, is used to people being bigger than her - not this much bigger, necessarily, but all the same. She doesn't balk at his size, nor does she seem to have any shame in having to look up to address him as she approaches.]

Hewley?

[The man could just be a random person who happens to be coincidentally hanging out on the deck, but she's betting not.]

[weartearrust]

[Were this back home, he'd be looking for a rank to address her by. In the absence of it, there's no salute but he does draw to a stop at a respectful distance.]

As accused; you must be Shaw. Do you need anything before we head out? Weaponry, supplies?

[He's not allowed weapons! But she certainly should be, though by the way things looked over the rail of the ship, he doesn't expect it to be necessary.]

[cactusy]

[She flips up the bottom hem of her shirt, exposing the butt of a small handgun tucked into a waist holster.]

Already packing. I'm set. Once we get the lay of the land, maybe we can see about getting this Dark Urge guy to come out with us.

[weartearrust]

[The gun draws a short nod, that's plenty of fire power for ... most things, really.]

Haven't met him myself, but that's an ominous name to be going by in this kind of place. If it comes to it, which it ... shouldn't, the Admiral hasn't seen fit to rid me of my durability, if things go pear-shaped keep your distance and take advantage of that gun, I'll keep trouble distracted.

[Safety first!]

[weartearrust]

... For better or worse, I spent nearly the entire debacle with the other ship unconscious. It spared me the worst of it, everything from the ship being hit by the wave to our rescue by the Admiral's just a blank. Yourself?

[cactusy]

[As they head down the gangplank from the Barge to the beach, Shaw gives him an approving look. She likes this guy already.]

Sounds like a plan, if you're game. I can fight hand-to-hand too, and I'll go for that as a first resort, but it's good to have back-up.

So what's your deal?

[She won't come right out and say it - at least not yet - but nothing about him has struck her as particularly inmate-y so far.]

tw: suicide by SOLDIER

[weartearrust]

Sounds good. I feel like after recent events the Admiral will be trying for a more sedate kind of location, but you never know.

[Alongside the possibility of violence from his fellow inmates; if Shaw's his warden for the month, then he'd have to keep tabs on her safety. It's only fair.

But the smell of the sea is pleasant, and the air is warm, and while he's keeping an eye out for problems he's also not expecting any by the general relaxed bearing he has.]

Forced my protégé to kill me when I started losing my mind.

[That's terribly blunt. And only part why he's here, but he hasn't figured that out yet.]

Might also be here for other work-related things, I'm not entirely sure what the Admiral's after yet.

[cactusy]

[Hmmmm. Shaw considers this in silence for a minute or so, a thoughtful look on her face.]

Can't blame you for wanting to die if you were losing yourself, especially if it would have made you a danger. Why'd you pick your protégé to do the job?