080

[truth_is_cold]

[Warden Filter | Audio]

My inmate has made notable progress recently, but still has difficulty understanding certain basics of interacting with his culture. This I'm not sure that I can help him with because while I've gained some knowledge from ports and breaches, it's not a lifetime of familiarity and certainly not enough to help him with the basics of interaction. I grew up in an entirely different environment [a surprisingly healthy one] with different standards of interaction, more confrontational. There's a cultural divide that I can't help him with.

So I need help from someone from the early 21st century to assist him. His has minor differences to the ones that we've encountered, like a class divide with technological capabilities, stronger military authority, and different popular figures, but otherwise on basic interaction it would be the same.

[Private to the Admiral | Audio]

I would like Ben's room changed to a hotel room appropriate to his universe, era, and geographical location if he should return.

Also, a sleeping bag should he decide he would like to entertain company again. [He knows Ben would probably sleep on the floor before sharing a bed with someone, otherwise he would have asked for a queen sized bed.]

[Private to Dylan | Audio]

[A flicker of silence, then he just turns it off because that is the most awkward conversation either of them could possibly have.]

[Private to Perry Van Shrike | Audio]

How is Dr. Kozak?

Comments

Warden Filter

[ichoosefight]

What exactly do you need?

Warden Filter

[truth_is_cold]

Right now he's just overcome troubles introducing himself. His mindset has improved drastically, but conversing with people in general is an issue. He was taught his whole life to only talk when spoken to and he's just coming out of that.

Warden Filter

[ichoosefight]

Oh, I can totally help with that. I actually have experience. [ See: Cassandra Cain. ]

Warden Filter

[truth_is_cold]

Good, because in this case he could use all the help he can get, and he doesn't need to learn to become a Nietzschean. [Cultural divide, you are problematic sometimes. Even if Rhade would be happy to have him among their ranks.]

[ Warden Filter ]

[surfaceshine]

Dude, I'd help, but it wouldn't be much fun for either of us.

Also, I ain't all that great with culture to begin with.

[ Warden Filter ]

[truth_is_cold]

I can imagine that would be awkward, as he could pass for a relative. [At least that's how Nietzscheans read people that look alike.]

I don't suppose it's culture as it's being able to hold a conversation. He wants to talk, he sometimes has difficulty finding the openings for interest.

[ Warden Filter ]

[surfaceshine]

I... would not call him a relative. [Dean wrinkles his nose; he's had his face stolen before and used to kill multiple people messily. He's not going to be talking to Ben any time soon.

However.] Well that's just people. You don't need someone from a specific place and time to practice not being a weirdo.

[ Warden Filter ]

[truth_is_cold]

Unfortunately, to dodge certain cultural taboos that I'm not acquainted with I would prefer it. I can tell from how I feel in ports usually and some of the discussions I've had here that I'm not appropriate for the job.

[Private]

[itstopped]

Well, you were right about one thing, and... I actually have no frakking idea if you were right or wrong about the other.

[Private]

[truth_is_cold]

Of course I'm right. I'm right about both things.

You're not particularly good at concealing attraction, by the way, but I think Winchester is prone to easy distraction. [Rhade is a teasy jerk.]

[Private]

[itstopped]

Shut up. [But as mad as he is about everything right now, it's mostly teasing in return. Not enough that he doesn't look embarrassed as hell, though.] Anyway, he turned me down during the flood, but then... he approached me afterwards.

[Private]

[truth_is_cold]

How did that go?

[Private]

[hunt4commonwealth]

[Dylan hears that not-talking. And he answers it with not talking about Magog babies.]

Want to shoot some hoops later?

[And ignore that weirdness that took place those last few days.]

[Private]

[truth_is_cold]

Possibly.

[Don't ask if Dylan is alright.

Don't ask if Dylan is alright.

Don't ask if Dylan is alright.]

Are you- [Don't do it.] -feeling well enough for it.

[That is basically asking the same thing, but he will ignore this.]

[Private]

[hunt4commonwealth]

I'm fine. It's not like I've been injured recently. [Just horrifically Magog larvae pregnant. But we're not talking about that.]

[Private]

[truth_is_cold]

I don't suppose you have.

[A pause and a ruffle, because he's rubbing the back of his head.]

What time?

[The difficulties in dodging around talking about how awkward something was, and the very real idea of how horrific Magog are. If only he could laugh it off as the second most bizarre alternate he's encountered.]

[Private]

[vanshrike]

Well, neither of us was affected by the flood. [From what he can tell it seems like most of the people who were are none too happy about the aftermath, so best to get that out of the way first.] He's been keeping to himself since his stay in Lakeside.

[There's been a subtle change in the way Kozak behaves around him, too; their routine isn't any different, but the undercurrent of tension their tenuous understanding of one another had been built upon has all but disappeared. Kozak's almost companionable, in his own way. It hasn't gotten him to talk about whatever it is he's either dwelling over or trying not to think about, but Perry's confident he'll get around to it in his own time.]

He's alright. Just needs some time to process, I think.

[Private]

[truth_is_cold]

Has he talked about what happened to him? [Rhade has yet to hear about the story from Lakeside, and he almost is ashamed it has taken hum until now to ask.]

[Private]

[vanshrike]

He was more forthcoming at the time, but I've got a good idea of what it was like. He didn't have any memory of the Barge or his life before it; some older couple took him in.

[It takes a few seconds to organize his thoughts and decide what to say from there. The part of Kozak that had been afraid to go back, or find out what kind of person he'd been, isn't one he supposes his inmate would be thrilled about him sharing.] It wasn't like falling overboard usually is. He was himself, but without any of his own life experiences to draw from.

He seemed... [Happier.] to be doing well for himself.

[Private]

[truth_is_cold]

I have been like that, after floods.

It's an unpleasant realization. I don't envy what he's going through. Do you think he'll be alright? [He keeps his tone carefully neutral, but it is something he's come to know all too well.]

Private

[bargemods]

Granted.

[ Private : Voice ] Dated after Admiral Request

[warisart]

Gaheris?

[Ben sounds... confused. And anxious.]

Something has happened to my cabin. I don't... think it's mine anymore.

[ Private : Voice ]

[truth_is_cold]

It is. [Rhade is pleased with himself.] Your old cabin was insufficient for a person that might expect to have company and informal conversations.

[ Private : Voice ]

[warisart]

{. . .

. .

.

Ben is silent for several moments, processing this, and he sounds doubtful when he does speak again.]

I don't understand.

[ Private : Voice ]

[truth_is_cold]

You had a girl in your room, and I know that you have been making friends. Now when they come in, they will see the home of a young man and not just a soldier.

[Plus he needed to get out of that mindset.]

Speaking of which, how much have you spoken with Aya since her return?