driftfleet | text.

No turning back from it, is there? Still, sorry about that.

Wouldn't that be nice? I don't exactly want to be exposing myself like that, but if it's the case it can't really be helped.

They're typically kept in larger pots and I received it in one, so it's not a big deal. If you have some larger ones, I still keep my word on an exchange of sorts, if any of the prior mentioned ones may interest you.

I agree! I do not mind being watched, per se, but I would prefer it to not be by nameless, faceless strangers!

As to that, I am sure we could build something, at need! Favours are all anyone has to truly trade here, in any case. In truth, the garden I look after because one of those who began it was a very dear friend, rather than any skill of my own. My own endeavours are the forge on the Iskaulit's lower decks - I noticed you mentioned weaponry! I would enjoy a good spar, although I do not know what weapons you are used to.

I'd prefer not to be watched in general, especially not without an invitation. Figure you get my drift on that one.

It's still technically yours and with the efforts put in by you and someone you knew. I don't think it's acceptable to just take what you want; I wouldn't feel right about it, anyway.

But I guess you're also the one to go to if I wanted a knife, huh. As for specific weapons, if it shoots (or even is a fire-and-forget), I can use it. Not exactly the best for sparring obviously, but I typically use a survival knife with about a three-inch blade. I'm not bad with combat knives or larger knives, machetes, kukri, and short swords, but anything less viable in combat like actual swords aren't exactly my specialty. I've dabbled with a hand axe since my old partner used to use one, but they're not really for me. My size, stature, and focus tends to be on hand-to-hand. I've used bow and arrows but, again, not terribly viable in combat for me and I don't think trading grenade tosses would end well for either of us!

(I'm an anti-bioterrorism Special Operations Agent and formerly with the United States Army, so if I seem a bit over-zealous, it's because it's my job.)

I am always open to expanding my repertoire and trying entirely new things. Unfortunately my own weapons were seized upon arrival so I can't teach unless it's provided, but I'm always down for it.

I feel you on that sentiment!

Aye, that is true - although tis mostly my brother and my cousin doing most of the actual work. I know the basics, but I will never enjoy it! But feel free to comission us, as you please - we ask only that you supply the necessary materials, or at least cover the cost thereof.

I fear I do not understand most of those words - you will have to elaborate, I think! But you are a soldier, that much I can understand. I fear guns are not something I know - the blade it has always been for me, although if you wish to learn the bow, ask for my cousin Fingon! He is far better an archer than a swordsman, although he is very good at that too. Swordskills both my brother and I can teach if you wished to experiment, although if we are to play with knives it will be me, and not him. Guns we learnt only here, and I am sure my brother Maedhros would enjoy learning some tips - I will ask him to get in touch, if you like.

That's really quite impressive. Do you mind if anyone watches you work? I'll see what I can do about materials in the near future since it's honestly a priority for me.

Oh, I'm sorry! I guess the best way to describe what I do is I work for a militarized non-profit. What we do is prevent biohazard outbreaks and contain them to the best of our ability.

There seems to be two types of standard guns available here, but I've heard the ships dock occasionally and I wouldn't doubt if there's others available. Obviously it isn't easy to train with them against others but another part of my job is assessing rookies and helping them decide what works best for them. I would definitely be interested on taking you guys up on a little learning, though.

However, knives are just fine. It's definitely my preferred bladed weapon.

It really isn't anything so fascinating as that! No, of course not - provided you stay out of the way, none of us will mind, except possibly Maedhros, and he won't notice, once he concentrates. If you like, I could see if we have enough spare things to make you something now, and you could repay us later?

What do you mean by biohazard, exactly? I get the impression you do not quite refer to plagues...

But my brother Maedhros would doubtless be interested in learning more of weapons, if you mind not the teaching! I find myself a little leery, still.

Well, I'd be sure not to be a bother or overstay my welcome. If that's acceptable, I would be entirely grateful but please don't worry about it. I'm not sure there's anything I'll need to fight here nor would I want special treatment.

Something like that. I apologize for assuming how obvious it is. Still getting used to being here and different places and all that, you know? It's short for "biological hazard" and where I come from, I fight against biological terrorism (bioterrorism). Although in the past, the word has been used for any infectious disease, we use it in regard specifically to what we call Bio-Organic Weapons (BOWs, in case I start using it without realizing it). Typically it's spread by gas, bite/saliva, or injection, although it can be created in a laboratory such as injecting a chicken egg or experimenting on unwilling human subjects.

Most affect any biological organism, so humans or wolves, reptiles, bugs... it transforms them into something else. Typically mindless, but their strength, speed, and abilities multiply greatly. Sometimes it's used to make a point or against an enemy, other times it's an experiment or something worse. Sometimes they're able to be controlled within reason and will listen to orders, but it's much cheaper to manufacture a virus or a BOW that won't. The organization I helped to create is doing its best to contain this and to eradicate it to the best of our ability.

[ There's a lot to it. Taking down facilities, attempting to create vaccines... but once someone is infected and undergoes a physical change, it's rare that it's possible. There's a good pause after this, she's a little frustrated to be taken away from her work. It gives her a purpose, after all. ]

Sorry. I'm not used to explaining it from the bottom-up. I hope it covered the important parts? It's not incredibly common where I'm from, but it's not what I'd call rare either.

Hey, I think it's important with any weapon to be comfortable with it. You have some experience and you have preference for what you do for a reason, right? It carries on to other types, in my opinion. I would be happy to help.

It is perfectly fine, of course! As I said, provided you sit out of the way, it should be no problem at all.

I see! It sounds very complicated, indeed. Your world is fortunate to have those skilled and willing to be able to combat it, although I am grieved that Men should turn their skills to creating such things at all, for it was always the work of the Enemy, in my world, when the plagues swept down through the passes. It must be hard to be away from your purpose, and I hope we will not need those skills here!

That much is true - guns were not invented, in my world, although the pricinples, so far as we can tell, are fairly sound, and I can see how they could be logically implemented.

Roger! I'll be on my best behavior. ;)

I think that's sort of the natural progression of things? Maybe not what happened in my world specifically, but when skill and curiosity are combined, sometimes things just happen. People get obsessed and lose sight of goals or realize the profits they can make; other times it's to create for the sake of it, to test limits and it gets in the wrong hands. We've seen many scientists take a job thinking they're going to do good or create vaccines and they're held against their will or lied to, only realizing what's going on when it's too late.

I'm sorry to hear that plagues have occurred in your world, though. I hope that it wasn't too devastating.

I'm not sure if we're better or worse off without them. I guess so long as people exist there will be fighting.

Not to my folk - we Elves do not sicken as Men do. But the line of Kings in Arnor was almost wiped out, along with most of their people, at one point. Against us, he used the creeping despair of the Black Breath, but that only worked so long as we did not realise what he was doing.

I am sorry that your world knows such griefs too!

[ It's something she can relate to. Though not an elf, she's always had a phenomenal time with not getting sick, only intensified the last few years. It's become very different now. ]

Oh! I'm sorry. Guess that's on me for assuming you were human. We don't really have other... human-like species where I'm from. It's a new experience for me.

I'm sorry to hear that, though. And it's terrible that you were targeted, as well. If you don't mind me asking, what the reason was behind that? Power, I assume?

Likewise. I don't think it's right in any sense.

No, no, do not apologise! You had no way of knowing.

Power...I suppose a little of that. But our Enemy was mostly interested in control. Sauron...he wanted order. But his order, and no other. His Master wanted control, to rule all, but Sauron I think, wanted order, for everything to be in its place. At least, in its place according to him.

Edited 2017-07-23 10:23 (UTC)

I can still be sorry that it happened, you know? It's an odd expression, but saying something rather than nothing doesn't feel right.

It's funny how "order" never seems to involve allowing people to go about their lives and seek out being content on their own terms, isn't it? It's their definition alone.

Well, you're forgiven! Let's put it behind us - I assure you I don't mind.

And that is so, isn't it? It might start with good intentions, but it never ends that way.

Figured that much. I'm alright with carrying on, though.

Sometimes. I guess there's something to be said for at least having altruistic intent at the beginning before it corrupts. Some people don't even have that.

[ Some people will crush anyone in their way from the start. Sometimes everyone and everything is a pawn. ]

I don't know that even in the beginning he was entirely altrusitic, but...well. Either way, the ends very definitely did not justify the means.

Never does. I guess they must think it does if they carry on the way they do, but I certainly don't.

Agreed! I suppose it is a failing of pride, but not even my father thought that he could - or should! - control everyone, and he had pride enough for several people!

[ ...control himself, on the other hand, and control his family... ]

That just means your father was sensible about it. Power and pride don't necessarily corrupt, but it can and very clearly does.

[ She cannot see it but Maglor just laughed ]

You know, I think that is the first time I ever heard father described as sensible - there are, in fact, a rather large percentage of people who would argue vehemently that he was anything but! But thank you.

HEY! Sensible based on the knowledge presented to me and comparatively. Not the full scope of things.

True, true! And when compared to the Enemy, most people suddenly sound down right reasonable, even my firey father, I suppose. But I will tell you our story some time and you can see how sensible you think him after!

This the kind of story I should be buying you a drink or two for and settle on in to listen to? I get the feeling I walked right into something much greater than I'd thought it would be.

Quite possibly - the full length of it is... well, quite long! And I don't know about greater - war never really is, I think, although the deeds that are done within it might be.

Alright. Give me a little while to rack up some cash and if the story's on you, the drinks'll be on me.

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