driftfleet | (no subject)

Entry tags:

(no subject)

Who: Leto Atreides the II
Broadcast: Video
Action: Hospitality Deck, Marsiva
When: Feb 4th

[ The video activates itself to reveal a young man staring into space. His eyes are probably the most startling thing about him. Bright, eerily blue eyes that seem to pierce the fabric of reality. You may also see brown flecks of creatures embedded into his skin, near the neck and face.

And suddenly his gaze snaps back to the camera and he is all smiles and good intentions, as if a switch had been turned on. He sits on one of the many beds on the Marsiva Deck and kicks his legs, caught between the impression of a boy and a man.

( or something much older and far more dangerous ) ]

I do not need the spiel and I'm sure you are all quite thankful for that, but I am curious to know what qualifies as entertainment for our most benevolent hosts?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ He shrugs lightly - a strange habit on someone who acts far older than he looks. ]

I am the heir to an old dynasty. The House Atreides. What I do is politics. Politics to keep my head above water, to make sure my house runs . . . smoothly.

[ Well, it was true. Except his reach is not just his House. ]

...So, you're like a prince? Of the future. Where laserguns and forcefields are a thing. Did the future decide they didn't like democracy? [Yeah. Sure. Why not.]

There was democracy, for a while. After we left Earth and other planets were established as bases, a family monocracy was formed. One Emperor, five noble houses and other minor ones.

[ He pauses, the memories flitting through his mind. He shook his head. ]

History has a way of repeating itself, no matter how far you go. And to keep a long reach, democracy was less viable.

Why'd you leave Earth? [Yeah, there are a lot of things he could approach there, but honestly, politics is a cold spot for him. It has to be. He's seen too much shit in other countries. So he follows orders and leaves it at that.]

Why does one go anywhere? When the universe is at your fingertips, when opportunity knocks, you must walk out your door.

The Earth was such a door.

[ And it was so long ago. Leto vaguely recalls its culture now, mostly reminded by it by the people he meets from that time. Dean's songcalls, Bucky's idioms, Ben's moments of humour. ]

Right. That doesn't sound power-hungry at all. [And he shrugs.] So, it's still standing though?

[ He frowns, though not out of irritation and anger. ]

I . . . believe so. It's been so long. For most of us, Earth is not a home, but a distant part of our memory.

How distant? What year are you from? [In the end it probably doesn't matter, since there seem to be alternate Earths, with different histories and more than likely different futures. But there's always a chance it could be his.]

10219 AG. A useless string of numbers and letters, but you asked. As for how many years, I would say it numbers among the millions.

For a more accurate timeline, I would need far more time than one conversation.

[Yeah he's just... gonna rub the bridge of his nose at those numbers.]

What do you mean, more than one conversation? How does that help? Wouldn't it just be easier to ask what year I'm from if that's what you're trying to figure out?

You're a little past the year 2000 on Earth, correct?

[ It's not hard, considering his speech and manner. ] But there's far too much time between us, not to mention the calendar changes. I could do it, but it requires a great deal of effort on my part.

[ Not to mention he would have to dive into his own consciousness, to ask his ancestors. And he hates doing that unless it's absolutely necessary. ]

...Yeah. 2012. [That's, an impressive guess for someone who's possibly millions of years away. He'd be lucky to pinpoint anything before the '20s.]

What do-what do you mean it would require effort?

[ He sighs and taps his temple lightly. ]

In here, in my mind, resides my family. Every branch, every ancestor lingers in here as a ghost of themselves. I can access their memories, their skills, their thoughts.

[ His lip curls in distaste. It will sound very impressive to others. Always carrying his family, never fully parted. How little do people know. ]

As it stands, I guessed your year easily because I knew many who came from that particular time in history.

...[That's-] So, every blood relative that's ever come before you, you can see every one of their memories?

[Here comes the serious question.] Even the sexual ones? [Because, man, he thinks it's gross just watching his Nana and grandpa kiss, he can't even imagine being able to see that.

That's not a gift, man, that' s a damn curse.]

[ Okay, his lips twitch in amusement. It's been some time since someone has made that kind of connection. ]

All of them.

Oh man. That's. [And he chuckles lightly.] That's like Twilight level of cruelty. All the porn you can access, but it's all family members getting it on.

Can you control which memories you see? How have you not gone nuts with that many other people bouncing around in your head? I mean, you seem sane.

[ His calm expression flickers just a bit - but enough to suggest that sanity is not always the case when it comes to people like him - the Abominations. ]

I had very good support from other people. Though I would probably not claim to be sane.

[Oh, hit a nerve did he?]

Well. That makes sense. So, what crazy things do you do? [Yep. He's just going to flat out ask.]

That depends on your definition of crazy.

[ His expression has long since smoothed over into teasing congeniality. ]

Like, for instance, an army man going on to become a cruise captain.

Reserve. That's like, the half-assed way of being an army man. It's one weekend a month. And you're deflecting.

[And he waggles a reprimanding finger.]

And I don't know. Lets start at like Hannibal Lecter crazy and work our way from there.

Hannibal . . . Lecter . . .

[ He repeats the name quizzically, until the knowledge swims to the forefront of his mind. Ah. Perhaps not a good time to discuss the Fremen custom of using the water of the dead. ]

I have not eaten anyone if that is what you mean.

[ What constitutes as crazy in the past? Leto isn't sure anymore. It's been some time since he's dealt with this situation. Dean would know, would have reminded him.

Finally he shrugs helplessly. ]

I do not know where to start.

So cannibalism can be eighty-sixed. Alright. Down the list then.

Genocide.
Patricide or matricide.
Homicide.
Pretty much any kind of icide?

[ He cocks an eyebrow at that. In a way, these interactions remind him a lot of Dean Winchester. Blandly, he speaks. ]

None of the above. My mother died at childbirth and my father died in my arms three years ago. My aunt killed herself. My grandfather was summarily murdered by my great grandfather.

I'm not sure which icide this falls under, but I defer to your expertise on the matter.

That. [And he shifts slightly in his seat, head tilted to the side.] That's a hell of a family history. You, uh- okay? [And he's totally not taking a moment to act like a caring human being just because he knows what it's like to lose parents. That's not it at all.]

[ His demeanor warms over. Humans. So often frustrating and young and so naive and yet. It's little moments like these that constantly remind Leto that he made the right choice. And that he'd do it all over again. ]

I'm fine. It was all some time ago and I no longer regret what came to pass.