first ♢ voice

[versusnurture]

[Abigail's voice quavers, as though she's uncertain of the connection, like someone making their first long-distance call. She starts out firm and then peters out into uncertainty, the tail end of her first sentence almost a question.]

My name is Abigail . . . Hobbs.

I'm not sure how I got here, but I'm here now. [A pause; who to ask for?] I'm looking for Dr. Alana Bloom. She's tall with dark hair. She was supposed to check in with me this morning, but instead I'm here.

Are there - [And here she inserts a little more tremor than necessary into her voice, because she doesn't know what else to do right now - ] Are there letters home? That kind of thing? How does this work? Because I need to talk to my dad.

Comments

audio

[versusnurture]

Oh yeah? Then what am I?

audio

[payshisdebts]

In need.

audio

[versusnurture]

[This pulls her up short, leaves her conflicted. On the one hand it's true; on the other hand, she doesn't want it to be. She doesn't want to be anyone's patient anymore.]

[It's an advantageous position for someone to think her in, though. So out loud, she just sighs.]

I guess that's not that far off.

audio

[payshisdebts]

Everyone on the barge is, Lady Hobbs. Has it been explained to you? Wardens and deals, inmates and graduation?

audio

[versusnurture]

Not in detail. I've been . . . picking things up along the way.

audio

[payshisdebts]

An inmate dies; they come here to win back their lives. A warden guides, protects, educates and when they must, punish.

When a warden assists their inmate enough that they can leave the Barge under their own power, they are given a Deal. I have heard of wardens buying back lives, their own or others, to restoring whole worlds.

audio

[versusnurture]

So everybody has something to gain.

audio

[payshisdebts]

And symbiosis is achieved.

audio

[versusnurture]

As long as both sides are respectful of the other.

audio

[payshisdebts]

Ideally. But ideal world are-- rare.

audio

[versusnurture]

I know that.

audio

[payshisdebts]

I would not be surprised if you do.

audio

[versusnurture]

Doesn't everyone?

audio

[payshisdebts]

No, my lady, most do not.

audio

[versusnurture]

Then most people are stupid.

audio

[payshisdebts]

This is often true. But even fools have their place and their destinies.

audio

[versusnurture]

What's yours?

audio

[payshisdebts]

Still being written, like most men's.

audio

[versusnurture]

I hope it's a long story, in that case.

audio

[payshisdebts]

Kind of you, to wish that on a stranger.

[ But it sounds like the songs Sansa sang. Sweet, but hollow. ]

audio

[versusnurture]

[It's very hollow. Less so than it might have been, had he been less kind to her. But hollow nonetheless.]

We're not strangers anymore.

audio

[payshisdebts]

Still, I know not your face-- nor you mine. I am in the library at present. It is on the fifth level. Have you explored the barge much?

audio

[versusnurture]

No. I was told it was dangerous right now, so I haven't gone out much.

Re: audio

[payshisdebts]

It has been dangerous of late. The last few inmates to appear have been violent upon arrival. You are a pleasant change.

I can come to you. Are you in your room?

audio

[versusnurture]

Yeah, I am. It's -

[And she switches to private.]

It's 8-19. Can you find it?