3. [video]

[pompous_today]

Who: Simon Tam and you
Broadcast: Fleetwide
Action: Bloodsport
When: March 17th

[When the broadcast turns on, several colorful economy-sized bottles are sitting on the floor, and Simon turns the camera on himself, looking puzzled.]

Ah- is there a reason sponsors would have sent me- [he squints at one of the bottles] - deluxe beard shampoo when I have no facial hair?

Comments

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[diomedea]

Yet.

[River looks down at the bottles and sits down, grabbing and pulling one into her lap.]

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[pompous_today]

[Simon raised an eyebrow at River in return.]

Have you ever known me to have one?

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[diomedea]

No, it is an oversight of yours.

[She holds the bottle close, looking up at him.]

You shave daily. That's roughly 2.43 minutes per day, and a half a liter of water. 886.95 minutes per year, Simon. 14.7825 hours.

If you were to consolidate the time, shave every other week, your time would likely increase by five times. That brings you to only .8678571 minutes per day, 316.767851 per year. That is only 5.279464 hours per year.

It's more efficient to have a beard.

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[pompous_today]

[Simon opened his mouth briefly, then closed it, wondering if he could really argue with that logic. Doctors tended to go clean-shaven- it was one less thing to keep clean and sanitary in a hospital environment, but of course, he wasn't in a hospital.]

... You have it all figured out, don't you? [This was said with affection as he put his arm around her.] She seems to be feeling well today.

[realhumanbeing]

Maybe they want you to try one out?

[pompous_today]

Hmm, I didn't think of it that way- I usually try to avoid thinking about pandering to the audience.

[realhumanbeing]

Yeah, that's makes sense. But it might not hurt to try! Maybe even a mustache.

[pompous_today]

I suppose not- doctors tend to stay clean-shaven as much as possible, though. Plus, if I do, they may send me more.

[realhumanbeing]

Maybe they'll send you more because you don't.

[pompous_today]

Which is true- so it is a catch-22. Maybe I can grow a beard once every month or so. Keep the ones who like it and the ones who do not satisfied at the same time.

[realhumanbeing]

Or a mustache! That's one and the other all at once!

[pompous_today]

[Simon had to laugh.]

Or I can do many different styles of facial hair- mix all of it up and keep everyone all the more entertained.

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[viran]

That's what it is, then? [Just casually eavesdropping on his crewmate. It's not every day that several large bottles of something gets deposited in a cramped ship.]

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[pompous_today]

[Simon looked up at the voice and nodded.]

Indeed- someone out there must like me. I am not sure what I am going to do with this, though.

permaction

[viran]

I suppose you could save it for an emergency. [Mahna shrugs.] Emergency beard grooming.

[pompous_today]

[Simon laughed.]

Or in case the rest of the Fleet suddenly finds themselves lacking shampoo. Goodness knows I received enough of it.

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[puro]

[Just wandering past, he stops and gives a soft chuckle at the sight. ]

Maybe they're trying to leave you a big hint, amigo.

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[pompous_today]

[Simon grinned in reply before opening one of the bottles and giving it a tentative sniff, wrinkling his nose.]

At least if I do take the hint, I will smell... powerful.

[puro]

So they're going for a manly beard, as well.

[pompous_today]

Someone out there wants to turn me into a ruggedly-handsome charmer, it seems. It may be to my benefit if I play up to it...

[puro]

Might get you some decent ratings, at least? And it's pretty harmless, as incentives go.

[pompous_today]

[Simon nodded.] ... you know, when I first arrived here, I was dead-set against playing to the audience. Didn't want to play into our abductors' hands, and all. But now I'm thinking about actually doing it- I could hardly enjoy myself on this waystation stop due to lack of money.

[puro]

From my experience, when it comes to otherworldy captors, it's better to play their game and find a way to turn it against them than fight them every step of the way.

[pompous_today]

[Simon sighed and crossed his arms, though he nodded agreement again.] I also have my sister to think of- I want to be able to provide for her as much as I can. I can't do that if I turn away any chance I might get to help her.

[puro]

You think she might get some help here?

[He's genuinely curious.]

[pompous_today]

There are others here- people who have abilities like she has. Psychic powers. My hope is that they can help her gain some level of control. ... It's not something I can really help her with, as I do not have any powers like that myself.

[puro]

That's true, and she's a good person. She deserves that help, to maybe find some peace.

[pompous_today]

It is all I want... for her to be happy. I wish I could do more to help her with that, but I can't do everything for her. I have to remind myself of that sometimes.

[puro]

But doing what you can means the world. The fact you've tried is more important than anything.

[pompous_today]

And I know she appreciates it, too. I just... like being able to fix things. I suppose it is part and parcel of being a surgeon- I take pride in being able to mend and repair.

[puro]

Even when there are some things you can't completely fix?

[pompous_today]

Especially then. I mean, it was impressed upon us in med school that we would have to cope with the stress of there being patients we could not save, and I came to terms with that. My sister is different, though- she's my sister, not just any patient.

[puro]

Of course she isn't. Family...it makes all the difference. She's someone connected to you in a way no normal patient could ever be.

[pompous_today]

Precisely. And she and I have been through a lot already... we've been close ever since she was a baby, though I'm around 10 years older than she is. She has always looked to me for friendship and companionship, and now as her caretaker.

[puro]

It is good of you, to take care of her. I'm an only child, but I have a friend I see as a brother. I'd be lost without him, but even he and I are not as close and you and River. It's a wonderful thing to see.

[pompous_today]

[Simon looked down, feeling himself going red.]

Thank you for saying so. I am lucky to have her here... I don't know what I would do with myself, honestly, aside from lose myself in my work.

[puro]

[Manolo knows that feeling. Without María, without the ability to get TO her, he's been feeling like a ghost. Ironically more dead than when he was actually dead. ]

It's important, to have those people who drive us.

[pompous_today]

It is. My life would certainly have been different without her... but I would not trade it for the world. She has kept me grounded and humble.

[puro]

Then I am glad you have one another, amigo.

[pompous_today]

I am, too. [Simon smiled before offering Manolo a bottle.] Want to take some of this off my hands?

[puro]

I don't think it would do me much good, amigo. But I'll save it, in case a friend ends up being brought in. He's got an impressive moustache.

[pompous_today]

I'd appreciate it. [He sniffed the bottle he was holding.] Lavender... and this one says it smells like roses. I have a whole bouquet, from the looks of things. Got a preference?

[puro]

You know, I never thought to ask him what he wants his moustache to smell like. I'd better pik one at random.

[pompous_today]

I'm not sure anybody gives it much thought, frankly. [Simon hands over a bottle.] Honeysuckle it is. I hope your friend enjoys if he shows up.

[puro]

I'm sure he will. Gracias, amigo.

[pompous_today]

Any time.