4. voice

[rickitikitarr]

All right, this is all good fun and games, kids, but I'm going to be the one who spoils it by asking the question.

What the hell is going on?

And, for that matter, if we're the ones apparently running the show now, is anyone steering the boat?

[Ricki does not want the barge to smash into a sun and everyone to burn up, even though he's currently in the inmate-reclaimed bar and part of him is rather enjoying the fiddling.]

Comments

[chaotica]

Several kinds. Medical. I'm a doctor of xenoanthropology. I also have expertise in the religious and mythological histories of dozens of alien races.

But, primarily, yes, it is what you fear: I'm a counselor.

private

[rickitikitarr]

Thought so. If it's all right with you, I'd like to turn this conversation to private and discuss what you're going to expect of me over the coming month.

private

[chaotica]

Privacy is your decision entirely.

...as is our interaction, though I hope you give me more than two minutes, fifteen seconds of interaction before deciding you loathe everything I stand for.

private

[rickitikitarr]

I don't.

[A measured, collected pause, before he decides on a modicum of disclosure. It clearly pains him to be this direct, but he manages;]

I asked around about you, and you reportedly aren't an idiot. So I'll tell you this. I'm not comfortable with being someone's anything, be it inmate, or charge- however you want to put it. My inclination is to mistrust the situation, and by extension, you.

private

[chaotica]

I'm a genius, actually.

[ Said factually; he is pretty far from being an idiot, on nearly all things. ]

And I don't blame you. You were kidnapped here, it's an impossible spacecraft, and public information is scarce on your fellow inmates or wardens.

private

[rickitikitarr]

Right. With as little control possible, regardless of the events of this month.

[A supremely delicate shrug.]

Makes this something of an awkward position.

private

[chaotica]

Life is full of awkward positions.

If you like, I could embarrass myself before I embarrass you.

private

[rickitikitarr]

You've decided your embarrassing me is predetermined.

[Is what he picks up on in that offer.]

private

[chaotica]

Not predetermined so much as likely, with someone as insightful as me and someone as guarded as you. If it helps, I'm not a complete bastard, and I only meant in private.

private

[rickitikitarr]

I don't actually mind insightful people.

[He says, as a knot of worry lets loose in his throat, and his shoulders come down ever so slightly from around his ears. It's true; he's worked among spies so long, he's used to his every little secret being picked up off his shirt collar, the tilt of his head, and the scuffs on his shoes.]

The secret, if you want to know it, is just to learn never to give in to pride and try to egg the deductions on.

private

[chaotica]

[ He snorts. ]

Spend a lot of time around people with large egos, do you? Idiots who think the better they can read someone else, the better they are.

Now, I have an incredibly large ego, but at least I don't think secrets are any measure of worth.

private

[rickitikitarr]

Yes, I'm sure it won't be a shock if I reveal I've dealt with an egotist or two over the years.

[But;]

Do you actually want to figure me out? Is that something you do with your temporaries?

private

[chaotica]

I want to help. And yes, I do that with my temporaries. And with everyone else I have an excuse to.

private

[rickitikitarr]

So you're an equal opportunist, but now I'm on your radar.

[He thinks is a fair characterization.]

How does it help?

private

[chaotica]

Therapy, you mean?

private

[rickitikitarr]

Oh, I-

[A dismissive wave. He'd misunderstood the context of the helping, then, hadn't made the jump from talking to his actual profession.]

Right. I know the theory.

[Though in his day and age it's much more lying on a couch staring at the ceiling. Plus, the stigma, of course.]