driftfleet | video;

Who: Nocta Oren
Broadcast: Fleet-wide
Action: For Starstruck & Visitors
When: 4/14

[This time, Oren is lounging in his pilot's chair for all to see. Feet kicked up on the side of the control panel, one arm stretched loosely over the back of his chair as the other sits in his lap.]

From what I can tell, this can be used for general questions and conversation just as well as more serious instruction. Am I right in that? [He looks contemplative even through the questioning, leaning his weight back a little further.]

Well, do correct me if I'm wrong, but I have an opinion question for all those willing to answer. Say you have two people from the same world from completely different time points. Oh, yes, that can happen! I was surprised myself. [For the more observant, you might notice Mattias in the background turning to deadeye the camera.]

If one terrible event has occurred for one person and not for the other, tell me, would you inform the unknowing of his wrongs in that event? Would you hold it above him, blame him equally, or beat him for it? Or is it not better to hold off on all of those things?

The answer seems quite clear to me, but please, tell me if I'm wrong to think it's cruel to inform someone of something so horrible they haven't done, let alone hold them responsible for it.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Even if he wasn't keen on discussing it pleasantly ... she's had too much experience with this type of thing in the past to not argue her point, here ]

Just because the deed hasn't been done yet doesn't mean the pain felt by someone who experienced it isn't real, though. It's not passing it off -- I think if someone chose to tell them what they had done, it would be a measure to prevent it from occurring again, to help them understand why it's wrong before they get it in their head to do it. Not necessarily a way to make that person feel bad or guilty about it.

Hell, even if I decided not to tell someone about what they did, I think I would be doing some extensive work to make sure they didn't repeat their mistake.

I do see your point. Preventative measures do make sense, regardless of their innocence...

[He looks almost overly thoughtful as he pauses here.]

But would it be fair to act violently to that person?

[ She can think of an instance where someone acting violently in that scenario ... well, she certainly wouldn't stop them, that's for sure.

But she'll reply a little more diplomatically. ]

I don't think it would be necessary in most circumstances.

[Good enough for him to count as a win!! Off screen, he counts it off as a victory to Mattias, so by the time he's responding again, he's in the background looking even more exasperated.]

Then we're in agreement! I'm glad to hear it. I had been afraid that violence was more of a standard here.

[ She lifts an eyebrow ]

So then, the millon dollar question ... are you the one who's in trouble? Or the one who knows what happened?

[That earns another laugh, and a free hand raises to scrub at the back of his neck.]

It's that obvious, is it? Well, it's quite a long story, but if we get down to it, I'm the one who's apparently done wrong.

[ She looks pretty unimpressed. ]

Doesn't all of this seem a little irresponsible to you?

To question vengeance?

[He looks thoughtful with that.] No, I don't think so.

No, I'm talking about making this issue public, like you're trying to shame the other person into thinking they don't have a right to be upset with you. If you actually cared about the person you hurt, then maybe you could try resolving it with them privately and talking to them about what upset them.

Ah, well, actually, that's the first thing I did.

[Despite Ino's judgement, he's looking a little sheepish if nothing else, smoothing over his forearm with a free hand.]

I never meant to say too much on this part of it, but if you must know, he punched me until I could no longer move. Dr. Crusher was a big help in dealing with the damage.

[ She frowns. That does suck, but on the other hand, she has no idea what this guy DID ... ]

Dr. Crusher, huh.

And you don't think the other person had a right to be that angry with you?

[For the first time, he lets a frown slip into place.]

From what he'd explained, no, I don't blame him for any anger. [He's standing and moving from his spot so Mattias isn't in the background anymore.]

It may be unfair of me to say considering my position in things, but I prefer to avoid violence, even in anger.

[ Fair enough, she thinks, but then she really has to wonder what exactly this guy supposedly did if he's such a peaceful kind of guy ...

Yeah, she can't say she trusts what he's saying at all ]

I guess that's fair. Still, it sounds like that's over and done with for the time being.

Thankfully so.

[He leans against a wall somewhere with a short sigh.]

I thank you for your input! Truly, it was a sight into the mind of my friend that was much needed. Still... All of this talking, and I've yet to introduce myself. My name is Oren. The pleasure is mine.

[ She's not sure how sarcastic this guy is being, but ... she'll be polite enough ]

Oren, huh? I'm Ino. Nice to meet you.

[He's only being like 50% sarcastic, really. (It's entirely the sentence about needing her input.)]

Have you been here for very long, Ino?

[ SHE HAD A SUSPICION. ]

It's a little past six months now.

That's a fair amount of time. Out of curiosity, have you met anyone that you know from home here?

[ A bit of an eyebrow raise. Is he trying to decide if she has the experience to say anything about this scenario ... ]

Not in the Fleet, no.

[AMAZINGLY... no. He's just curious about statistics.]

Then, and I do apologize for all of my questions, but based on what you've seen-- how rare is it for someone from the same world to arrive?

Not that rare. Some people end up having more friends from their world than others, but it's not uncommon.

[Not uncommon, but not consistent between people. He definitely makes a note of that.]

I see! Well, that's answered my questions plenty. Thank you.