theclipper_tlv | (no subject)

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[After the Nurse explains the situation, Norton mulls it over for a little while. He'd wanted be a warden, but this wasn't exactly what he had in mind. Still, he can make this work for him, might even come out ahead. It's certainly a far better outcome than he'd been expecting when they'd first been told the Authority was closing in on them. This is the best chance he's had in the last two years to be saved from ever being sent back to his fate in the time loop of forever dying. Because if there's one thing he can do very well, it's act happy no matter what. Once, to save his life, he made himself grin his way through weeks of alien suburbia hell giving cheerful open house tours of modern kitchens and also leading whole families to mass graves. Compared to that, this is child's play. Possibly literally if the décor is anything to go by. A few months of this and he can save himself.

And so he smiles brightly as he appears on the network in the morning for the first time.]

Good morning, my ducklings, it's another bright and shiny day here on our good clipper ship. For those of you who don't know me, my name is Norton. I'm a new Assistant. Isn't that dolly! And I'm so very looking forward to meeting each and every one of you. But for now, let's start the day off with the right spirit.

[And with that he starts singing Accentuate the Positive.]

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Splendid! Shall we meet somewhere? By the massive tree, perhaps?

It's a pretty good landmark, isn't it? I'll see you there.

[Hua Cheng is sitting on the ground, leaning against it, the picture that could be stuck under 'carefree' in the dictionary.]

Then it's a date.

[Norton arrives not much later.]

[Hua Cheng waves a him, a lazy gesture to match his smile.]

Starting the tour, we have this big tree.

And what a lovely tree it is. Very big. [He pats the tree.] Very hard.

It's like they say, nature is much more reliable than man.

[He pushes himself easily to his feet.]

This is the common area where people are most - able to spend time with each other, which is so important in building a happy home away from home. Board games, books, and 'televisions'. Some people play games on them? It's a bit after my time.

I take it you've heard of the singalong and storytime? [Norton could just be into bursting into song, but he has his doubts.]

Do they say that? I've never heard it. And in my experience they're both pretty dashed unreliable.

[Norton listens to the beginning of the tour, then brightens at the mention of the singalong.]

Yes, I heard about those. The singalong sounds like the very easiest requirement. I know lots of songs, many of them very cheery, so I don't think I'll run out any time soon.

One lies more about size.

I'm sure we'll all enjoy an influx of new songs. Not that music could ever get old. In general, we also enjoy just spending most of our time here in the common room. It has something for everyone, and it means not having to be alone!

Do you know how to cook?

I can toast bread and fry an egg. That's the extent of my culinary skills. So if you're looking for kitchen help, I'm not a good candidate, I'm afraid. On my old ship, I helped look after the chapel. Are there any jobs like that here?

[Easy jobs. Where he doesn't have to do much in the way of manual labour.]

I'm not much of a cook myself. It's a shame, but there are the obvious barriers.

Oh, are you religious?

As a matter of fact, I am. My father was a vicar and my great uncle was a bishop so I practically popped out of my mother's womb singing "O splendor of God's glory bright." I was an altar boy and choir boy, you name it.

Might not be the most virtuous and reverent parishioner, but I'm no godless commie.

[Hua Cheng doesn't know what half of that means, but it's just bits that he assumes don't matter.]

I think a personal relationship with your god can be very important. Actually, before we continue the tour, I meant to drop by my room. I should show you were it is in case you have any other questions.

By all means, lead on.

[His head tilts slightly in curiosity. Often when pretty ommes invite him to their room, it's not just for questions, but he doesn't want to make too many assumptions. Especially after what Fitz said about it probably not being allowed on this ship. Norton wonders if it would be discouraged by demotion or if the Nurse has the ability to simply...make it unfeasible, the same way everyone's swear words are "corrected."]

Are you religious as well? You sound as if you are, "personal relationship" and all that.

I am. It saved my life.

[For once, there's no trace of insincerity to his words. His room isn't far, and he waves Norton in politely. It's just a bedroom, as he has no need to have a bathroom attached. There isn't any bed, just a black divan. There's also tables, most with crafting supplies on them, and an altar under a painting of a god, sword in one hand and a flower in another.]

Would you like to sit down?

Yes, thank you. [He assumes on the divan since there's nowhere else, and so heads that direction. If Hua Cheng intends for him to sit elsewhere (the floor?) then presumably he'll pipe up.]

I'm afraid I don't have any food to offer. After all, meals are such a good way to build community.

[Also he's not actually interested in making his guests 'comfortable'.

He half-leans, half-sits on a table, smile growing even sharper.]

Really, a tour of the ship is easy, as so much of it is... so nice and routine. Though there is the sick ward down below, for patients who get overwrought. What with so many of you having been brought on all at once, from what sounds like a stressful environment, I imagine it might see some use.

I usually offer tea when I host guests. Seeing as I don't cook. Although I noticed that my room doesn't have so much as an electric kettle in it. Very disappointing. I'll have to think of other things to offer instead.

[Norton reclines on the divan like a French model.]

I doubt you'll see many of the newcomers in the sick ward, though, not unless they're forced there. For the most part, these are people who would rather crawl to their rooms half-dead than go to the infirmary.

I don't need to eat, or drink, so they can also just slip my mind. Perhaps you should stock up on handmade gifts, to show any visitors that you care about them.

Oh, most don't choose to go to the sick ward. It's so sad how often people can let pride overrule sense. It's always nice to meet someone who don't fall into that category.

What, like take up knitting?

[No tea kettle in his room, no sex, no swearing...if he learns to knit he thinks he'll specialize in passive aggressive sayings in lovely cursive, surrounded by cute pink flowers.]

I have my fair share of pride, but not so much that I'd rather suffer alone in hiding than not suffer, if not suffering, or suffering less, is an option on the table.

Modelling clay, perhaps. Knitting needles might be too sharp.

[He nods.]

And you became an Assistant.

Clay figures can be smashed over peoples heads. Maybe origami.

[He'll show that he's very non-violent by imagining creative methods of violence and avoiding them.]

The Nurse clearly saw that I was a deserving candidate.

I suppose they did.

Do you think your former fellows agree?

I don't think it matters whether they agree or not. Certainly didn't seem to make a difference to the Nurse.

Not on that level, no. But you will have to live with them.

[Norton glances around his cabin.]

Not really room for them in here. Are sleepovers a periodic requirement?