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abrightboy

This is Bright. Leave a message.

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From:

empathicfault

Hi, Malcolm. I've got a couple of things I wanted to ask about:

1. Do you think you would mind writing up some information about my empathy condition on my inmate ledger? Or I could write it and you could post it? At least then I might not surprise wardens with it.

2. Do you know if there's a chance that we could get an area added to the Barge, if enough people petitioned for it?

From:

abrightboy

Hey!

1. I'd be happy to. Why don't you tell me what you want it to say so I make sure people know what it is that will make the situation easier for you.

2. I think that the chances are better if a compelling argument can be made as to why it would benefit our mission, rather than a volume of people asking for it. The Admiral is trying to accomplish something by bringing us here, so I think he will entertain any reasonable ask if we can explain why it would help with that.

From:

empathicfault

1. All right. In that case, something like "Will Graham has a mental condition that causes him to notice and sometimes take on other people's feelings, after being in their vicinity for a short time. This is automatic and difficult for him to control. It's best to ask or tell him directly if his behavior seems erratic or invasive, as he often doesn't realize he's doing it." Feel free to adjust anything to fit your own observations, of course. Thanks, Malcolm.

2. So a well-reasoned argument might work better. Okay. I only ask because Shaw and I were talking about maybe trying to get a firing range put in. Every time I've poked my head in the Enclosure lately, there's someone shooting. I know we just got through that Breach, but I think there's a lot of people here that use target practice to settle their minds. You know how law enforcement types get. I was thinking we could have an axe-throwing spot on the side for those who are less into firearms. I don't know, what do you think?

From:

abrightboy

I love throwing axes!

I will update the ledger for you.

That sounds pretty reasonable. Maybe it will have the same limitations as the Enclosure, where nobody can be hurt.

From:

empathicfault

Do you? I guess I shouldn't be surprised. If we got something like that set up, maybe you could bring in your other throwable weapons, too. And I was definitely thinking it'd be a situation where no one could get hurt, yeah. I'm not sure what magic or sci-fi tech needs to happen for that, but I thought if all these restrictions can be placed on us as inmates, then surely it's a possibility. Maybe it could be an area only accessed by Wardens, too, like the Enclosure.

Anyway, thanks. I wasn't sure if this was too out of left field. I'll start working on a proper argument, see how far I can get on it.

And thanks for the ledger thing, as well. I should probably be asking my own warden to help with that, but I trust your judgement on this sort of thing.

From:

abrightboy

I'm a two time silver medal axe thrower!

And it's no trouble; I'm happy to help. I know a lot of people think they know what the Admiral will and won't allow, but there's no list of guidelines from him. He's reasonable. I think if we offer a compelling argument for whatever we ask for, we have a chance.

From:

empathicfault

Seriously? Well, you'd be great at introducing it to others. I've only tried it the once, personally.

That is what I've been hearing about the Admiral. It really doesn't sound like there's any downside to presenting our case, at least. He's not going to punish anyone for requests.

From:

abrightboy

No, exactly. That’s what I was trying to explain to Sweeney; it’s not that I think nobody has ever asked for certain things in all the years this Barge has been floating, I’m just curious how they asked and whether a more compelling case could be presented. People are always asking the Admiral for stuff. Does anyone ever explain how granting something might make HIS job easier?

From:

empathicfault

I mean, maybe they have. I can understand being frustrated about people trying to hit their heads against brick walls, spending so much energy on something that hasn't worked in the past.

But I also don't really see a downside here. Maybe we'll be the ones with the magic words to get the Admiral's help. You never know, and we seem to literally have all the time in several universes. Might as well.

From:

abrightboy

If they have, I haven't been able to get that information from anyone. Maybe they have. But quitting seems... I don't know. Unproductive, when the worst he can do is tell us 'no' again. What if we find the way to get him to say 'yes'? It feels worth it to me. And I'm not even saying that people who don't want to keep trying are doing anything wrong. He just... I rub him the wrong way. He's not the first person that's ever happened with. So he looks to attribute everything I say to the things that bother him about me. That's normal too. He's coming around, though. It's been ages since he threatened to cave my face in. It takes me time to grow on some people. [A beat.] Most people.

From:

empathicfault

You're just coming from different perspectives. Harkin comes from a very different world than you or I. It's hard for me to wrap my head around how magic and belief work there, and I'm open-minded to a fault.

Glad he's stopped threatening to punch you, though. I wouldn't like to have to deal with either of you, after that.

From:

abrightboy

I’m actually pretty easy going about it.

From:

empathicfault

The way you write that makes me think that maybe you should be a little less easy-going about it.

From:

abrightboy

When people try to kill you a lot, a little punch to the face isn't much to be concerned about. Especially if you know where it comes from and you don't do much to avoid poking that sore spot. I mean, I don't do it for fun, but sometimes health and wellness requires purging the infection, as it were. And nobody enjoys that process.

From:

empathicfault

You don't have to take on all the effects of that process onto yourself, though. Let people get your aggression out, sure. But I happen to like your face, so I'd rather not see your nose suddenly permanently crooked.