TRAVEL ADVISORY

[navarch]

[At precisely 7 A.M. on the Peregrine's standard time, both CommLink screens and wardens' cabin control panels flicker to life with a live video stream.

The Navarch herself stands in the observatory. Outer space ahead is just stars with a thin yellow streak of light across the middle.]

Good morning, passengers.

Tomorrow we will be passing through an asteroid belt. Our shields are quite formidable and built for navigating these occasional obstacles, but you may notice slight vibrations, tremors, and adjustments through the Peregrine's systems to accommodate the additional power needed for full operation. It is my hope that these fluctuations will be almost entirely unnoticeable, but as this is the ship's first astroid field since its recommissioning, it may be more turbulent than usual.

[A beatific smile.]

When I passed through my first asteroid field, I found it difficult to sleep. If it eludes you as it did me, reflect upon that some cultures consider one's first passage through these circumstances a rite everyone must take at least once in their life. What it means varies from culture to culture, but perhaps you will discover what it means to you.

And if you still cannot sleep, see the infirmary; I trust we have a warden capable of dispensing sleep aids.

[They will, however, give users incredibly exuberant technicolor dreams about cartoon unicorns. An inconvenient side effect, but sleep is sleep.]

Comments

[nineteenfortyfive]

More like you just want to tease.

[counterstep]

It can be both!

[nineteenfortyfive]

Don't be surprised if you get a new name, too.

[counterstep]

That would be the point, y'know. To encourage camaraderie.

[nineteenfortyfive]

I'll remember you said that.

> private

[counterstep]

i already have one actually
a nickname
just not one i use professionally since it's nothing like my given name

but people are free to call me by whatever they want
i'll always have been called worse at this point

> private 5ever

[nineteenfortyfive]

A name for friends and family.

James is a good name. [Like she said, it's her husband's, too. She's biased.] I'll call you by whatever you're most comfortable hearing from me.

Just give Silco the same courtesy should he really dislike being called Silky. It's silly and harmless, but I don't think we need to push any buttons.

[counterstep]

something like that, i guess
not really deadlocked to anything
i like james just fine and the other name has baggage at this point so it's probably easier just being james

don't worry, i wholly intend to if he ever says the damn words. part of this is down to how he talks around things. i'm trying to see if how far he's willing to play the game without being direct. he doesn't really care about being in control of the situation, but how he manages it is rather fascinating, all things considered.

[nineteenfortyfive]

I was just relieved you don't like to be called Jamie. I only have room for one of those.

Good to hear. William's already passed his judgement upon you, it seems.

[counterstep]

yeah i'm a james not a jamie

it's fine. i'm used to people casting aspersions without knowing the truth. people prefer to see what they want to see. nothing i can say will ever change that.

[nineteenfortyfive]

Agreed.

I've met friendlier inmates.

[counterstep]

we don't choose the lives we're given
we can only make the best of what's there

i'm sure in his own way he's just doing the same but was dealt a much different hand than one we find bearable

but yes he's being an ass needlessly

[nineteenfortyfive]

[Don't you be all understanding and shit, Bucky. It makes Claire feel like an asshole, so here's her attempt to be nicer:]

I'm sure some inmate will be a good match for a warden with his personality.

[counterstep]

( and here he was directly calling william an ass! )

you know i do wonder if they let wardens who aren't ready into the position if they simply find them amenable enough
i wouldn't doubt if it's some means to test the circumstances either, especially if he is a former inmate
it's entirely possible his graduation was a turning point but that his assignment as a warden thereafter is a test of it rather than an affirmation

i know someone else who's also had a conversion from inmate to warden but they're taking to it much better so it makes me think

[nineteenfortyfive]

That's a lot of words to say he might not be the best example of a warden. I do want to give him the benefit of the doubt. Those that have been through it have valuable experience.

Do you mean Loki?

[counterstep]

it's more than just that though
yes, they want inmates to succeed, but can't it also be a test to see if they really have?
and anyway, the whole inmate program is about growing as a person
if he's new he's still growing
you can't expect a scab to form and heal overnight

( unless you're bucky and have a special serum, but details. )

yeah
you've talked to him?

[nineteenfortyfive]

I think everyone is always growing as a person. You're over a hundred and I'm sure you've experienced notable growth within the past five, ten years. Right? No one is ever stagnant.

I have. I picked his brain a bit about what he thought made a good warden.

[counterstep]

well yeah
not saying no one else is
but i just mean william's probably got some growing pains still going on so
idk i'd need a few more months to get a better idea first

he's a fascinating guy with a lot of potential
i'd want to pick his brain on a lot of things tbh

[nineteenfortyfive]

Maybe he'll warm up to us.

I like talking to him. We'll have to take turns getting him to talk.

[counterstep]

yeah we'll see
sorry for worrying you
baby is also the dumbest endearment I really don't get why he asked me that

yeah he's nice to talk to
i might have an easier chance doing that though since i know him
sort of

[nineteenfortyfive]

There are worse he could have chosen.

You "sort of" know Loki?

[counterstep]

dare i ask?

never met him directly but we're from the same universe
i'm very familiar with his past as it pertains to earth

[nineteenfortyfive]

Oh, just about all the ones any husband might take issue with hearing. That's all I need say.

I'm assuming that past might be why he was an inmate?

[counterstep]

fair
look, it's not that i don't understand where william is coming from but the fact of the matter is he has no idea who i am, what i've been through, or where i'm coming from
i doubt he can imagine the half of it if his main concern is dignity but you were there during the war too so i'm sure you already have an idea
except the war wasn't even the worst for me

certainly part of it but personally i don't think he should have been judged by some of it

[nineteenfortyfive]

It breaks my heart to hear that, James. [Because even so many years removed from the war, she still has nightmares. Moments. The other wars, too--but that was her first.] I'm sorry.

Will it change my opinion of him if I ask you what happened?