driftfleet | (no subject)

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(no subject)

Who: Everyone!!!
Broadcast: No
Action: The Iskaulit
When: For the rest of the month

[Now that we've all had time to settle back into our ships, let's see what's going on over on the Iskaulit! For the new folks, there are already a few establishments and projects going on, but there's plenty of room for everyone, either to join in or to build their own thing. So mingle away!]

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[His abilities may not be that unusual to her but that... she does blanch a little at that particular admission. Not at the idea that such an ability exists, but at the thought that Giskard did this without Gladia knowing.]

And have you... done that here before?

Not here, no. It has not been necessary.

[Oh. This is. Awkward.]

Such tampering is not to be done lightly, in any case.

[She relaxes somewhat at that. Whatever her reservations might be regarding this, she knows he wouldn’t lie to her about it. Still, there is a pause before she speaks, though her tone remains even.]

I understand that it was different for Giskard. He had to protect himself, and I know that his intentions were only to help. But here, especially when there are so many others in the fleet with their own mental abilities… it would not be advisable to ever use that without the person’s consent. It’s… uncomfortable at best, violating at worst to have someone tampering with your mind like that without permission.

[She frowns, recalling all too clearly what Ronin did to her. But Daneel is not Ronin, is he?]

That said, I do trust you and I do think it might be of some help to me. Will you tell me how it works?

I am not in danger as I was at home. It is not necessary to tamper so that someone does not take notice of me. I understand.

[It really doesn't seem like a big deal to him, but he's... well, he's still learning anyway.]

It's difficult to explain it in words, as there is no language for it. The best I can describe is that around a mind, I perceive a tangle of threads that are constantly in flux. A certain texture may represent an emotional state. One thread may be taken and adjusted, and affect the overall emotion, and through that, even influence a choice that someone may make. Anger can be calmed, fear can be reduced. Someone's attention can be diverted. The more major a change, the riskier it is, of course. It must be done very lightly. Only very small changes can be made this way. There is a natural resistance humans have to such things. I cannot force anyone to do anything they truly would not wish to do.

In this particular case, I would merely pull the thread of your own exhaustion to the front so that it overshadows all else, and you would sleep soundly. It is very simple. There is no risk.

[She nods slowly. He's right, the process is not something that's easily explained, yet she believes she understands well enough. And understanding the mechanics helps her to separate herself intellectually from her knee jerk reaction. Whether or not he realizes it, the simple act of letting him use this ability on her is a testament to her faith in him.]

How long does it last?

How long does a mood last? In this case, it would last long enough for you to rest, and no longer. You would wake refreshed, as you would from a normal sleep. I would add nothing, Dr. Crusher. I am merely strengthening what is already there.

[And sedatives have side effects, and this doesn't.]

It is a natural sleep.

Okay then... then you have my permission to continue. What do you need me to do?

Nothing at all.

[He uses a light touch, pulling forward that exhaustion just enough that she should be able to sleep, when she tries. She may be more aware of her exhaustion, maybe not. It doesn't take much, and it hardly takes a second -- just a brief pull on the thread is all it takes.]

I would suggest finishing your tea, if you wish to, and then retiring to bed.

[As she was already pretty aware of her exhaustion, it's less that it's more noticeable and more that everything else is less so. Trying to focus on anything but how comfortable this bed is, how warm the tea, how nice it is to close one's eyes, is nearly impossible. It's... weird still, knowing that Daneel did this, but... it's nice.

She manages a few more sips of tea before she has to hand the cup off to Daneel. That done, she slides in under the blankets and lays her head on her pillow. Turning on her side, she looks up at him.]

Thank you. I'm glad you found me today.

Edited 2016-01-07 21:20 (UTC)

As am I.

[He takes the tea and stands, preparing to leave.]

Sleep well, Dr. Crusher.

[She yawns, then gently corrects him as she closes her eyes.]

Beverly. You don't have to call me Doctor.

[Especially not at a moment like this. She appears to go quiet after that, but right before Daneel can exit the room, she opens her eyes again.]

You'll come back?

Beverly, then, if you prefer. And I will be nearby.

[There's a difference in texture between a waking mind and a sleeping mind, after all.]

I will come see you when you're awake.

[Her eyes close once more and she mumbles something quite unintelligible, though the sentiment behind her words is clear enough: she feels comfortable and reassured. Tonight at least, she can sleep without worry.]

Edited 2016-01-09 14:56 (UTC)

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