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[closeyourfist]

"The likes of you stand to benefit from the likes of me."

Comments

[closeyourfist]

This will be my third, I think. It generally strikes me as a necessary check and balance until permanent assignments. There is not a good deal that you can do for me beyond see to any arising needs that I am unable to see to myself, within restriction. And there is conversely not much that I can do for you aside from stay out of trouble.

[malicieux]

I was far less considerate for my temporary assignments.

{ In that he was trouble for each of them, and beyond. }

I also only had three, I believe, and I was fortunate enough that my final temporary match became permanent. Not that I believe history will repeat itself, but I understand the way of things at least from your position.

[closeyourfist]

I have no reason to be a nuisance, so you have that going for you, at least. But you were formerly an Inmate?

[malicieux]

I was. My warden should be awarded sainthood for all he put up with, but it seems to have worked, since here I am on the other side of things. Proof of the process.

[closeyourfist]

Then I imagine you stayed because you wished to buy something more.

[malicieux]

In truth, I left upon my graduation. I didn't quite believe myself patient enough for the role of warden, but the allure of repairing one's regrets is hard to resist. How hard can this all be at the end of the day?

[closeyourfist]

I have found myself asking the same question, but I imagine the reward is worth the hard work.

[ Yes, he might be seriously considering going that route eventually himself, but right now it is absolutely not for moral reasons. ]

[malicieux]

One would hope, anyway. I found graduation entirely through pettiness. It may not be the recommended route, but it was effective.

{ And he supposes he learned some things, but that's neither here nor there. Admitting as much ruins the mystique. }

[closeyourfist]

Well. Then, if nothing else: for as long as we are assigned, we have similar goals. I see little reason to hinder your progress.

[malicieux]

I appreciate it. There's plenty here already threatening to slip me back into my old ways. And perhaps my experience as a former inmate will be of some benefit to you over the coming weeks.

[closeyourfist]

I'm curious how you intend to apply that. Most of my minders have been fairly hands-off, save for where intervention has been needed. Death, disaster. You know. The outliers.

[malicieux]

Perhaps some question will come to your mind, or a simple need to commiserate. My wardens were rather involved, but, as I said, I made myself a handful. And one of them had more of a nature to check in rather frequently. Do you prefer I leave you to your business unless an outlier shows itself?

[closeyourfist]

I appreciate your goals and wish you luck in them. However, I am not going to graduate with a temporary warden no matter how much or how little I happen to agree with them. This process does not really begin for me until it actually begins, and I see no benefit in doing anything but maintaining my routine and place here in the meantime.

[malicieux]

Of course. The temporary assignment is simply in place to keep some idea of order. I would be quite impressed should someone find any real use out of them.

[closeyourfist]

We understand each other, then. Splendid.

[malicieux]

I'm not as unreasonable nor as deluded as some people might have you believe.

[closeyourfist]

Oh, so you have a reputation.

[malicieux]

To put it mildly. What's the point of living quietly?

[closeyourfist]

Unobstructed observation and the element of surprise.

[malicieux]

I've never struggled with the two myself.

{ It probably helps that, you know, he's a supernatural being, but that is also neither here nor there. }

And I'd never survive if all eyes weren't constantly on me.

[closeyourfist]

It takes all sorts for things to run smoothly, I've found.

[ He likes attention but he is also very aware of how much having eyes on him constantly can stifle him. It's a fine line to balance. ]

[malicieux]

If things ran smoothly, neither of us would have found ourselves dead and on this ship as inmates.

[closeyourfist]

I would argue that is more a sign in favor than against for me.

[ The alternative to coming here would not have been preferable. ]

[malicieux]

If only we could all be so fortunate, then.

[closeyourfist]

Did you wish to meet in person? There are a limited number of places that I can go, and the ship is -- well, as it is for now.