driftfleet | (no subject)

I doubt my crew would welcome me back after this. Not all of us were getting along so well the last time I saw them. I made some comment about transfers being possible if tensions were too overwhelming to one of them and I'm sure he now believes I did this on purpose.

If you really wish to turn the situation around, I doubt it's as unsalvagable as that. [She sips her tea.] You might have a time with some tension, but sometimes that can be resolved with time.

On the other hand if you want to stay here, that's fine; I want that much to be clear.

You don't know Kaneis.

[ She wraps her hands around her own cup of tea, but doesn't drink anything from it just yet, simply allowing the heat of the tea to soak into her skin as a means of comfort. ]

I'm not sure my request to be returned would be approved anyway, considering Atroma put me here with no consideration for what I wanted, so I'm relieved to hear that, at least. I'd be... a little upset if you tried kicking me off. I imagine Zhas won't be pleased, as it is.

I have met him, actually... he seems more like a bratty teenager than anything. I tell you, kids from home are better behaved.

[But let's not rant about the whippersnappers. Cecil brings up some good points, so.]

I've discovered Zhas does better with a bit of space, so give him that. Besides, I think we're doing better so if the problems are serious I'll do my best to lend you a hand.

Coil will probably follow Zhas' example. Have you met the kid?

[ "Bratty teenager" does seem to fit Kaneis rather well, but she knows he is more than that. She's grateful for the subject change though. ]

I don't think that will be necessary. Zhas and I have come to an understanding.

[ After she beat the tar out of him, that is. ]

Even so, that doesn't mean either of us want to spend all day, every day together.

[ Mention of this Coil though piques her interest a little. That must be the friend Zhas had mentioned to her. ]

I have not met him, no.

[Hey, he can be more on top of being a bratty teenager. Hange just has little respect for teenagers of the bratty variety. The kids at home might be bratty at times, but they're also brave, dedicated, selfless, and so many good things - she'll be happy if Kaneis shows some of those qualities, but right now she's not counting on it.]

Well, we can spend plenty of time at waystations if necessary... and there are ways to cultivate the illusion of solitude even if the ship is cramped in reality.

Coil himself is Zhas' subordinate, and a complete mute. He communicates either through sign language or miming right now. He shares the lab with me. [Resentfully.]

[ A mute? Well, that explains why Zhas asked her if she knew how to sign the first time they met face-to-face. ]

...Not very likeable?

He's sulky and resentful besides being mute. He doesn't like me much, so it'll be interesting to see how he responds to you.

[ She doesn't like the sound of that and it makes her frown and furrow her brow. ]

Any ideas as to the particular reason why?

He seems pretty attached to Zhas. Maybe he's dependent enough to not like others getting involved. It could also be machismo. I'm still figuring it out.

[ Even more bad news. Wonderful. ]

I... find it only fair for me to warn you, as captain of this ship, that I won't tolerate any unwarranted attitude from him, handicapped or not. If you wish to intervene, that's fine, but I prefer to fight my own battles first in situations such as these.

I'll talk to Zhas about it. I think he understands the importance of a courteous working relationship if nothing else.

Otherwise, if you wallop him, do it hard and don't let up. He seems like the type who'd take a half-done job as license to act out even more.

[ She shrugs a shoulder. ]

It was sufficient enough for Zhas.

[Eyebrows rising.]

What happened?

He was looking for a sparring partner and I was willing.

[Her other eyebrow rises. Then the expression returns to neutral.]

I can't say I'm surprised he'd speak that language. [Like someone else she knows...]

He's a warrior in his own right, but he's not a soldier like you and I.

He did have a strange reaction to being healed though.

Oh? What was that?

[ She titters a little bit. ]

Ah-ha-ha, well, I was perhaps a little... rougher with him than I should have been, so I took it upon myself to heal his injuries afterwards. He acted... afraid. Confused. It was as though he thought I had changed his biological makeup.

[She rubs her nose a bit. Cecil's not a lab augment that she knows of...]

How did you heal him?

Oh? Did I not tell you?

[ She seems genuinely surprised that Hange doesn't know, but then she recalls that she's been trying to keep her abilities largely a secret. ]

I... know a bit of healing and defensive magic. It's a... sort of science where I'm from.

Somehow I suspected it was something like that. [Not judgmental either way, but thoughtful.]

Maybe he's not used to magic being worked on him.

Perhaps. Usually though, the reaction I get is one of mild awe-- not fear.

He probably has his reasons. Maybe he just didn't like feeling that it was out of his control.

[ She waves a hand a bit dismissively at the idea. Somehow the idea of Zhas clinging to his physical pain makes her deeply uncomfortable. It feels like this is a part of that thing she's forgotten. ]

Anyway... let's hope this Coil doesn't prove to be too counterproductive to keeping the peace.