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[unilaterallydisarming]

 

 "You've reached Father Oscar. Please leave a message, and I'll get back to you in a moment."

 

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Re: after the greenhouse

[unilaterallydisarming]

Him, yes. I know the good folk don't like being named, especially by a Christian.

[Leaves a bad taste and all that. He gets it.]

I appreciate that. I'll modify my cabin to have a proper kitchen one day.

It still feels...strange, John, I admit. How things...work here.

Re: after the greenhouse

[greatoldjohn]

Which part?

[ There's a lot to being here that could throw someone off. ]

Re: after the greenhouse

[unilaterallydisarming]

Right now, the exchange of goods and services.

...though there is an inmate that particularly disturbs me, but that's a different conversation.

Re: after the greenhouse

[greatoldjohn]

[ That gets a pause as he tosses the first of the potatoes into the boiling pot. ]

Who?

Re: after the greenhouse

[unilaterallydisarming]

Mahito, the curse.

[He considered and:]

I even considered doing one of those...warden posts. Have you spoken to him?

Re: after the greenhouse

[greatoldjohn]

Ah.

[ Zero percent surprised.]

I talked to him pretty early. What's your concern?

[ John has an idea of what's going to happen eventually. But it hasn't happened yet. And he knows that beings like that have enough trouble; assuming they're going to go fucking buckwild when they're frustrated is one thing but announcing it to other people is another and can make things worse. After all, if no one believes you can be better, why would you even try? ]

Re: after the greenhouse

[unilaterallydisarming]

It's...perhaps the best way to think of it is his regard to humans.

Yes, they're a fuel source which is- much like the vampires on board. And there are degrees. I'm quite fond of Sam, for example.

But people aren't...people to him. In a way of how small children don't see people being anything but living extensions of themselves, at best.

Re: after the greenhouse

[greatoldjohn]

[ He nods. ]

At best.

[ He knows that perspective. He's lived that perspective. ]

Re: after the greenhouse

[unilaterallydisarming]

At best. From what I understand...the fear of people created him and...feeds him.

[John would understand that more than anyone.]

So...that is why I am...concerned.

Re: after the greenhouse

[greatoldjohn]

[ Hmm. ]

Is that really a reason for concern? Or is it something more specific?

[ He glances over at Oscar. ]

A viewpoint isn't, itself, much of a reason. But... that viewpoint plus something else, some reason to cause trouble...

Do you think he has a reason?

Re: after the greenhouse

[unilaterallydisarming]

I know I'm being...close minded. And I know you'd understand better than I would.

[He sighs, rubbing a hand over his hair.]

I don't think he has a reason, but I'm not certain. He mostly...gives me the chills.

Re: after the greenhouse

[greatoldjohn]

[ He snorts and shakes his head. ]

You're not being close-minded. That wasn't what I was saying.

I'm giving you things to look out with. Like... is he bored? Is he... interested in any one or any thing in particular? [ A small huff. ] Is he still acting blithely 'fine' with things here?

Re: after the greenhouse

[unilaterallydisarming]

Oh, blithely fine. To the point it's almost...creepy.

When I first met him, he was setting up the game mousetrap by himself. And then when I mentioned the Lovecraft section, he asked for me to show him.

But he knew exactly where it was. And I think he may have known the book I picked out for him.

Because one of his companion's name is Dagon. Like the story.

Re: after the greenhouse

[greatoldjohn]

It's not a story.

[ A pause before- ]

Or not just a story.

[ He's read those books. He'd found them and he'd started going through them and he'd made a point to try and match up what he was reading with what he could remember, use the books to take the pieces and make sense of it all. Give names to things that didn't have names or that were just shapes in the hollow spaces of his mind and memory. ]

But... it's not creepy. Or rather, it's not just creepy.

He's playing with you. Not that I thought you'd missed that.

But it's also a sign that he hasn't started taking this place seriously yet. That's my guess.

Re: after the greenhouse

[unilaterallydisarming]

...of course it's not just a story.

[He wished he was wrong. He sighs, but he isn't surprised.]

Hopefully, I could use that for research in case-in case of things going sideways back home.

But- I agree. He is playing with me. I had a little of the same feeling with Sebastian Michaelis, but he's better than Mahito at it, currently.

I'm going to keep watching him. Play along. He might go after one of the girls- Ellie, or the new girl, Jinx, as a plaything once he realizes he's trapped.

If he hasn't already. Possibly Nancy too.

Re: after the greenhouse

[greatoldjohn]

I've got an eye on Jinx.

[ He'd sensed a lot of her pain when they'd been talking. He cares about her already, even if he's trying not to overstep. You can't adopt all of the humans, John, even if you want to. ]

But if something happens, or if they need help, they're welcome to call me. They don't need a communicator to do it either, as long as they're in public or in a cabin where I'm on the filter.

[ And he's saying that to Oscar as well; when shit like this goes south, it usually goes south quickly. John knows that better than most. ]

Re: after the greenhouse

[unilaterallydisarming]

Good. I've got an eye on Nancy- though not too close.

[He's fond of the girl, sassy as she can be. It shows a fire in her. But...well. He reaches out to give John a touch on the arm.]

I'm glad someone is looking out for Jinx.

[It's like how not everyone can adopt all the kittens. Doesn't mean you won't want to!]

And I can keep an eye on Yazoo and Steven at least. And...thank you John. For being a lookout.

Re: after the greenhouse

[greatoldjohn]

Of course.

[ He considers how to word this. ]

I don't think Mahito is hopeless or anything. But I don't think other people should get hurt while they're figuring their shit out if it can be helped.

Re: after the greenhouse

[unilaterallydisarming]

I agree. I'm just not certain how to move forward with him.

Not yet. We may just want to keep an eye on him, for now. If we treat him harshly, or with suspicion?

He may just be pushed to move faster with whatever plan he has. Or comes up with.

Re: after the greenhouse

[greatoldjohn]

More importantly, we won't be treating him like someone who can be different. And beings like that have farther to go than many.

Re: after the greenhouse

[unilaterallydisarming]

Agreed. I'll keep my thoughts to just you and I for now.

I admit- I am at a loss for how he'd graduate. But I'll still show him kindness and care.

Re: after the greenhouse

[greatoldjohn]

Beings like him... and... like me.

We are what we are. But it doesn't require cruelty.

I suspect that's what he's here to learn.

Re: after the greenhouse

[unilaterallydisarming]

Yes. Beings like you.

[He never forgot. But he didn't forget that John chose kindness either.]

We'll do what we can- for him, and for the others on board.

[His gaze turned soft. Fond.]

Thank you John. You've put my mind at ease.

Re: after the greenhouse

[greatoldjohn]

I'm glad I can do that for you.

[ Genuinely. ]

Re: after the greenhouse

[unilaterallydisarming]

And I hope I can do that for you too.

[He smiled up at him, before leaning up, moving to wrap his fingers around his tank top.]

...come here John.

[Someone is getting a kiss.]