002 - Looks like a discoball and tastes like strawberries and dreams

[wolfuncaged]

Who: Fenris and you!
Broadcast: Video: Fleetwide
Action: Tourist.
When: Today. SPONSOR DROP for all characters who have started a romance aboard the Fleet



[Fenris had a very unsettled night, sleep wasn't the cards after his run in with Cole. Eventually, he does leave his armory to find breakfast. He goes by way of the cargo hold (just to check the horrible little wretch isn't lurking there) but instead finds a gift basket with his name on. Fenris can't read the rest of what's on it, but the gift basket is full of condoms, lubes and other sundries that only naked people will really have use for. Emblazoned on everything is Madame Gertrude's Pleasure Barn. Not only has Fenris been given one, but any character who have decided to indulge in a little romance, up to and including flirting has been sent one. The Fleet has got itself a sponsor. For today, at least.

Fenris is well aware what these things are (thanks, Exisilium) so it's with a largely bemused expression that he turns on his communicator, pointing at the...gift. ]

Please tell me that I'm not the only one who has been given one of these today. I suppose Atroma expects us to be grateful? Though it is roughly as subtle as a brick to the face.

Comments

[realhumanbeing]

They have slaves?

[It's more a rhetorical question than not, but still Steven's eyes widen and then fill with tears. He's not-- going to cry, maybe, but it's definitely on his mind.]

[wolfuncaged]

[Fenris doesn't seem to notice. A+ childcare there, Fenris. ]

Yes. Many, they can do so legally there, and so they do it without restraint. I was one myself, before I escaped.

[realhumanbeing]

You--

[Now he's really tearing up. But escape! That's good!]

How did you escape?

[wolfuncaged]

[Oh, the kid looks like he's about to cry. Fenris pulls a face, before exhaling.]

My master made me into a living weapon, to kill whomever he so chose. One day, he ordered me to kill a group of... people who had helped me. After I did it, I realised I could not live that life any more and fled.

[It's a very short version of events, but Fenris is keeping most of it to himself to save a lot of explaining on his part, rather than for Steven's feelings. ]

[realhumanbeing]

[Yeah okay he's definitely crying now, but at least it's silent crying.]

I-- I guess that's good.

[wolfuncaged]

[He doesn't know how to stop the crying. This is not something he's learned yet. Childcare. ]

Sometimes, you have to face the worst of yourself to understand how to live a better life.

[That's what he tells himself, anyway. He sighs.]

Do you need a handkerchief or something?

[realhumanbeing]

Yeah . . .

[Though he shoves at his eyes with his wrist, trying to wipe the tears away. It's not your fault, Fenris. Steven cries at just about everything.]

What does that mean, about facing the worst of yourself?

[wolfuncaged]

There may be one...around?

[He doesn't know, gosh. ]

You see what you are truly capable of, the darkest things you can do, and you realise you do not wish to be that any more. To live a life where you consider that acceptable.

[realhumanbeing]

[No come over and give him one. Steven wipes his eyes and nose on his arm, sniffing as he does.]

And you succeeded?

[wolfuncaged]

[Ugh no, that's a lot of effort. ]

...I have been trying, and at least now the choices I make are my own, not another's.

[realhumanbeing]

Maybe you should have a coach. Like, somebody to bounce decisions off of.

[He wipes his eyes again, but his voice is bright, at least.]

A morality coach!

[wolfuncaged]

...I already have one of those. His name is Hawke.

[Actually, Hawke makes terrible life choices, he's the worst life coach. ]

[realhumanbeing]

Oh, good! You can always have more, though. I mean, Avaline sounds pretty good.

[wolfuncaged]

[That gets a soft huff of amusement.]

Yes. She's also someone I turn to for advice.

[realhumanbeing]

Who else?

[wolfuncaged]

Varric, but he is no longer here.

Jove, I find, is a great source of support. She is from my world, but I have not met her there.

[realhumanbeing]

Sounds like you've got a whole network!

[He grins, because he barely knows this guy, but he's terribly glad for him.]

That's the best kind, when there's a ton. You get way better advice that way.

[wolfuncaged]

[There is the slightest hint of a smile. ] Hm. Perhaps I do.

They certainly do have varying opinions, at times.

[realhumanbeing]

What, about morality?

[wolfuncaged]

Yes. They all come from very different walks of life.

[realhumanbeing]

Yeah, but-- I mean, even if violence is the answer for some, there's gotta be a general, you know, don't kill people.

--right?

[wolfuncaged]

Some people deserve to die.

[Just...absolutely blunt about that. There's no venom to his tone, he states it as matter-of-fact. The sky is up, water is wet. ]

[realhumanbeing]

What? No they don't!

[He glares right back into the screen.]

Even if they're horrible, they don't deserve to die! How's anyone gonna learn that way? How's anything gonna get solved that way?

[wolfuncaged]

You seem under the impression that everyone is willing or even capable of learning. This is not the case.

My former master, he burned lyrium into my flesh, so he could have a living weapon on a leash at his disposal. I have killed countless for him, so he could gain power and respect.

Once, I watched him slit the throat of a boy your age, all so he could use his blood to power the magic required for a party trick, so he could impress his guests. He laughed and joked and drank more wine poured by me and his other slaves while the boy died on the floor.

He was a monster, and I do not regret for a second tearing his blighted throat out.

[realhumanbeing]

[Surprisingly, he doesn't cry this time-- just listens. It's horrifying, to be certain, and perhaps because of all his adventures he can picture it perfectly. But--]

He sounds horrible.

[And so, so tentatively:]

But . . . if he's dead, then you can't punish him. There's people-- Gems-- who want to kill all my people. All the humans-- my dad and my friends and even me and the other Crystal Gems. They tried. They almost killed Garnet. And they're gonna try again, when I get home, and it's up to me and the others to stop them. But I don't want to kill them. Cuz just cuz they're wrong, or evil, or whatever, doesn't mean they deserve to die.

I think you have to be better then them.