[ it is signed with grape juice (no) it's blood if that's how she would have signed it, yeah
they've propped their chin in their hand while she's reading - the veil moves slightly as they glance back at her occasionally from where they're flagging down the shadowy bartender, who slides across a drink with a straw in it. as they're taking it, aquila tips their head a bit, regarding harrow again. ]
[she puts her chin in her hand, a little focused on the text.]
...Perhaps it would be fruitful to discuss whether there are methods of entertainment that are appealing to the host besides murder? As far as I see it, the best we can do to spare lives is to ensure the conditions are met with as little bloodshed as possible.
Certainly. I am not naive; I do not think we are going to resolve this by determining he would be equally satisfied by poetry as he would by murder, and we shall get by with weekly recitations of our original works.
[drumming her fingers on the table.]
In addition to the murder that will surely continue to be necessary, what are the things he might find appealing, is what I mean.
[ this gets them to laugh, actually - they shake their head with it, sipping from their drink. ]
You much of a poet, Harrowhark?
[ teasing.
but, they do consider it seriously.] Well, he's the only person that could answer that for sure, and I'm pretty sure there's not another answer. He's pretty straight to the point about what he wants.
[ they glance up briefly and then shake their head, sipping their drink. ] So. You could think on it, yeah, but it's a huge risk. One wrong move, et cetera.
I abhor poetry. But I do know the Noniad by heart, unfortunately. It's simply dreadful. And I know one additional poem that God taught me once. It's...fine.
If it becomes relevant.
[she is also joking, but important for her views on poetry to be known.]
Understood. But if it is as you say, I do not think I have the luxury to wait and hope to survive until the end, or hope for a resurrection that may never come. [she chews on her lip, thoughtful for a moment.]
May these terms, and the availability of our contracts in general, be discussed freely?
C'mon, do you know any good poetry? It's not all bad. Maybe. Kinda wanna hear the God poem, though. That'd be a great tip.
[ they laugh, at that, now looking away from the contract and returning properly to their drink. ]
These sort of things never really have the luxury of time, yeah? [ aquila tips their glass briefly in her direction. ] And yeah, you can talk about em, long as it's not about your addendum. Still might wanna keep it - don't go yelling it off the rooftops, but I don't think I gotta tell you that.
Anybody can come ask to look at it, though. People've just gotta ask.
[she kicks idly against the seat which she's sitting on like a baby.]
They do not. No one ever really tried to kill me in earnest on the station, but I was perpetually surprised by this. I did attempt to give off an impression that may have frightened some off, but...frankly, I would be an easy target and I have to consider the possibility.
[ they seem pleased, though they take a long drink from their straw, and slurp a little so it makes an obnoxious noise. ] Sounds like...maybe you endeared yourself to the people there....?
[ harrow might get the sense that they're smiling when they say that, like it's teasing. ]
So, taking the defensive route, then. Not usually my first tack, but, definitely not a bad strategy.
Wow, you just insulted me three times in two sentences!
[ they also don't sound offended by this at all. ]
Anyway, you seem like the kind of person who is wary of basically everyone. [ is that a compliment ] Maybe with an exception or two, but you're probably wary of us, and I think you're endearing.
[ this is said in that exact same smug tone. hehe ]
And I prefer offensive in general. Not gonna create a bunker, that's all I'm saying!
Certainly. Many. I feel a little sorry for the ones who are here somewhat on their own, I admit. But I find many of them are individuals I can quite get along with.
...Todd is not so bad. I was also responsible for the escalation. I miscalculated - a large man with a weapon might be presumed to be somewhat fearless in a place like this, whereas I have a need to assert my strength when challenged.
But I didn't consider the shift in dynamic caused by the fact that I have five people from the space station who will defend me and he is rather solitary. It is quite obvious he could no more afford to back down from a challenge than I could.
Mhm. So, here, it's gonna be the same, but half those groups already exist. Iunno what that means for you guys in the long run - can't predict the future. But it means that kinda behavior's probably gonna repeat itself. Can you mix those groups up, or do they just get more and more specialized? What kinda group do you guys want to see? If any.
Only time's gonna tell, I guess. I'm interested to see it.
[ after that thoughtful moment, they glance over at harrow, as they're looking at their drink. ]
C'mon, have a drink. What do you want. Hot water? [ was that a joke? it's lighter, either way. ]
...Yes. I feel for the ones who are here alone. [...] I am not the sort who is going to go around trying to make friends, but I also do not care for those who are opportunists, who wield power gracelessly.
[whatever that means. she glances at them when they ask.]
If I must drink, I would take a cup of lemon water.
Preying upon the vulnerable, pressing advantage against those one thinks to be weak because one can. Cruelty.
[she'll wait for her lemon water.]
I am not above criticism. I have behaved abhorrently towards those in my service, and there have been terrible deeds done on my behalf which have caused the suffering of those in my care. But it is my intention to do what I can to prevent this form of ill-deed.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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they've propped their chin in their hand while she's reading - the veil moves slightly as they glance back at her occasionally from where they're flagging down the shadowy bartender, who slides across a drink with a straw in it. as they're taking it, aquila tips their head a bit, regarding harrow again. ]
That's the gist of it.
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...Perhaps it would be fruitful to discuss whether there are methods of entertainment that are appealing to the host besides murder? As far as I see it, the best we can do to spare lives is to ensure the conditions are met with as little bloodshed as possible.
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Mmm. There's nothing stopping you from having that conversation, really, but that's pretty risky.
If you're trying to limit what he finds entertaining, that'd be a breach of contract, and we know exactly how that ends.
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[drumming her fingers on the table.]
In addition to the murder that will surely continue to be necessary, what are the things he might find appealing, is what I mean.
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You much of a poet, Harrowhark?
[ teasing.
but, they do consider it seriously.] Well, he's the only person that could answer that for sure, and I'm pretty sure there's not another answer. He's pretty straight to the point about what he wants.
[ they glance up briefly and then shake their head, sipping their drink. ] So. You could think on it, yeah, but it's a huge risk. One wrong move, et cetera.
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If it becomes relevant.
[she is also joking, but important for her views on poetry to be known.]
Understood. But if it is as you say, I do not think I have the luxury to wait and hope to survive until the end, or hope for a resurrection that may never come. [she chews on her lip, thoughtful for a moment.]
May these terms, and the availability of our contracts in general, be discussed freely?
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C'mon, do you know any good poetry? It's not all bad. Maybe. Kinda wanna hear the God poem, though. That'd be a great tip.
[ they laugh, at that, now looking away from the contract and returning properly to their drink. ]
These sort of things never really have the luxury of time, yeah? [ aquila tips their glass briefly in her direction. ] And yeah, you can talk about em, long as it's not about your addendum. Still might wanna keep it - don't go yelling it off the rooftops, but I don't think I gotta tell you that.
Anybody can come ask to look at it, though. People've just gotta ask.
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[she kicks idly against the seat which she's sitting on like a baby.]
They do not. No one ever really tried to kill me in earnest on the station, but I was perpetually surprised by this. I did attempt to give off an impression that may have frightened some off, but...frankly, I would be an easy target and I have to consider the possibility.
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[ harrow might get the sense that they're smiling when they say that, like it's teasing. ]
So, taking the defensive route, then. Not usually my first tack, but, definitely not a bad strategy.
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[she doesn't seem offended though, just argumentative.]
You prefer offensive? I kill someone this week, before I know how the mechanics play out? No. Stupid.
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[ they also don't sound offended by this at all. ]
Anyway, you seem like the kind of person who is wary of basically everyone. [ is that a compliment ] Maybe with an exception or two, but you're probably wary of us, and I think you're endearing.
[ this is said in that exact same smug tone. hehe ]
And I prefer offensive in general. Not gonna create a bunker, that's all I'm saying!
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Condescending. If you find it endearing to be insulted, that has more to do with you than with me.
[she says this very authoritatively for someone whose ears are turning red.]
I'm less wary than I ought to be, truthfully. And a bunker has its benefits, too.
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[ bully
anyway: ]
Maybe, but it sounds kind of boring. ...Still, you got to come with a lot of people who you trust, right? That's pretty lucky, here.
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…Yes. It is lucky. I do have a good relationship with those who came from the station. Most of them are ones I had grown quite close with.
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they make a thoughtful noise. ]
That is lucky. There's a couple little groups like that, too, but you guys seem pretty tight knit. Always a good thing, to have good allies.
Anybody from outside of your group catch your interest, Harrowhark?
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[ they sip their drink, finishing out the last of it and rattling the ice. ] Maybe you should take some of the loners under your wing.
Except Todd, probably.
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But I didn't consider the shift in dynamic caused by the fact that I have five people from the space station who will defend me and he is rather solitary. It is quite obvious he could no more afford to back down from a challenge than I could.
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[ that's good, actually; they wave down the bartender to have their drink topped off. ]
But I think that's a good point. At the Station, did people fall off into like - groups? Once you guys'd been there for a while.
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Only time's gonna tell, I guess. I'm interested to see it.
[ after that thoughtful moment, they glance over at harrow, as they're looking at their drink. ]
C'mon, have a drink. What do you want. Hot water? [ was that a joke? it's lighter, either way. ]
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[whatever that means. she glances at them when they ask.]
If I must drink, I would take a cup of lemon water.
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Wielding power gracelessly, huh? What's that look like to you?
[ and then, with a little amusement, they gesture to the bartender, who begins to make harrow a glass of lemon water. flavor blasted. ]
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[she'll wait for her lemon water.]
I am not above criticism. I have behaved abhorrently towards those in my service, and there have been terrible deeds done on my behalf which have caused the suffering of those in my care. But it is my intention to do what I can to prevent this form of ill-deed.
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they're quiet for a second as she finishes, though. and then: ]
...It sounds like you've grown a lot, Harrowhark.
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