[thirty seven] [Private to Master Lord Thom]

[goodgrasshopper]

You've been quiet, but I'm assuming you weren't pitched overboard at the last port.  ...Actually, I'm hoping you weren't subjected to it at all.  You'd probably have hated it, too.

I'm not sure if you remember me.  I'm Molly Carpenter, and I'm your new warden.  We should talk.

Comments

[giftedtwin]

Power is objective.

[goodgrasshopper]

All right, I'll buy that. Magical power exists independent of morality. But the acts themselves--what about those?

[Totally trying to get a baseline on you, Thom.]

[giftedtwin]

The acts are an expression of power.

[Thom just kind of thinks power is the be all and end all of everything.]

[goodgrasshopper]

[Yeah, she's starting to get that.]

So... Let's take an example. Say I used my power to wipe someone's mind--completely obliterate who they'd been as a person, never to return. An indifferent act? No morality attached? Just an expression of power?

[giftedtwin]

Perhaps. Motivation comes into it.

[goodgrasshopper]

We'll say it was on a whim. To prove that I could.

[giftedtwin]

To prove you were the best.

[goodgrasshopper]

[She inclines her head slightly.]

Sure, if you like. Good, bad, or indifferent?

[giftedtwin]

Indifferent.

[goodgrasshopper]

Interesting.

Even if I did it to someone you cared about?

[giftedtwin]

I'm sure my sister could protect herself.

[Why yes, he does have only one person he actually cares about, thank you. Also, he knows what you're trying to do here, so time to clam up a little.]

[goodgrasshopper]

[She snorts a little. Yep, subject change is go!]

Yeah, I'm pretty cure she can. She seemed... intimidating.

[giftedtwin]

[He thinks you're talking about his file.]

She's very driven. Always has been.

[goodgrasshopper]

Something the two of you have in common?

[giftedtwin]

Mm, yes, I suppose so.

[goodgrasshopper]

Well, while I have you, we do have a little business we need to take care of. Generally, inmates take on jobs around the Barge. Kitchen, library, infirmary, et cetera. What kind of job would you be interested in?

[giftedtwin]

A job? Aren't there servants? [Class bias, Thom has it. But then he pauses and thinks about how the people he's seen working in the infirmary are the same people that post on the network.] ...what do these jobs entail?

[goodgrasshopper]

Sorry--no servants. Everyone works, in some capacity or another. [Your class bias is adorable.]

It depends on the job. Inmates who work in the kitchen help prepare and clean up after meals. Maintenance repairs things that break down. I'm sure that, as a former student, you have some idea of what working in a Library entails. The Infirmary staff are doctors and healers. Anything sound appealing yet?

[giftedtwin]

... The libary, if I must. I've spent a little time there already and, as you say, I do have some experience.

[goodgrasshopper]

I think I can arrange that. I should have things set up by tomorrow, if that's amenable.

[giftedtwin]

That's acceptable.

[goodgrasshopper]

Good.

How do you feel about board games?

[giftedtwin]

I... enjoy chess, I suppose. [HE NEVER HAD THAT MANY PEOPLE WILLING TO PLAY WITH HIM.]

[goodgrasshopper]

I'm not very good at chess--I never really learned beyond the basics. But I'll play chess with you, if you'll play Candyland with me.

[giftedtwin]

Candyland?