theclipper_tlv | (no subject)

[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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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?

[He grins.]

I don't have to sleep. For the rest of you, of course, sleepovers are held out in the common room. Wouldn't want anyone to miss out.

In the common room. Very public. Of course.

[He holds back a sigh. Small as his cabin is, a Nurse-sanctioned sleepover with a single like-minded person could provide opportunities that are right out if they're in the common room.]

There's a reason we get such basic rooms. Wouldn't do to go about hiding yourself away, or displaying favoritism by just choosing one person to join you.

I can't claim any personal experience with any part of this simile, but I've heard it described as like being required to invite everyone over for your birthday in elementary school.

Despite at least three of those things being foreign to me, I think I picked up the gist.

I never heard of any such requirement. Sounds blinky odd to me. I mean, I'm a sociable omi but I still like a bit of privacy with other people now and again.

[He shrugs.]

I didn't go to school and... so was sadly unable to form the bonds with other children I'm sure I would've if I'd had such a wonderful opportunity. [He's sure they could still probably find rocks to throw at him.] The door does allow for a little privacy, but on the whole, I think the feeling is that you can have, say, a private conversation with someone without needing to duck into a private space.

I did go to school and had lots of friends, but there was never any requirement to invite the entire school to my birthday, or even my entire year. I think if I'd tried, my mother would have vetoed the idea immediately. Can you imagine the chaos of that many young children running wild?

Although I will say one downside to this ship is the number of children running wild.

My parents would've had a great deal of complaints if we'd brought anyone home. If you want to run around with other children, that's why the city has streets.

What, you don't feel extra enlivened by being surrounded by childhood innocence? [Not even making an attempt not to sound sarcastic for that one.]