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[gotyourwallet]

[The comm clicks on. As opposed to annoyed in her last post, Vie sounds tired.]

Sanya. If you're not busy, I ah... want to speak with you.

[She sighs. The days events are catching up with her.]

Please.

[Anyone else might find her on the top deck, stretched out on her back with her feet up on the railing and watching the stars.]

The rest of you, stay out

Comments

[swordofhope]

Da, krasivaya? What is it?

[Audio]

[gotyourwallet]

I couldn't trouble you to join me on the top deck, could I?

[It's a nice night. This totally has nothing to do with wanting to speak in private and not knowing how to lock posts.]

[Audio]

[swordofhope]

[He could make a joke about needing to be lured by vodka, but...]

I can come.

[Audio]

[gotyourwallet]

[Well that's a shame. She could probably use a drink.]

Thanks.

[Pause.]

If you pass the bar along the way... Ah. Nevermind.

[Audio]

[swordofhope]

What kind of Russian would I be, without his trusty flask?

[And he's on his way!]

[Audio] --> [Action?]

[gotyourwallet]

[She actually laughs at that. Sanya always puts her in a better mood.

When he gets there she'll still be lying on the deck, hands behind her head and bare feet on the railing while she watches the sky. Appearance wise she might look pretty relaxed, but she's in one of her thinking moods.]

[Action]

[swordofhope]

[He clomps up behind her, all huge and heavy in overcoat and boots. He could move quietly if he wished. But, really, why bother? He's made no enemies, and she knows he's coming.

He stops a few paces back, looking up as well.]

Pity. There's no more star-pong up there.

[Action]

[gotyourwallet]

[Oh she heard him coming alright. Vie's got a habit of associating sounds with people she knows, so she doesn't need to look to know that it's him.

When he speaks, Vie arches a little to look back at him.]

They are beautiful regardless. Not quite like the skies of home, but still amazing.

[She sits up and crosses her legs.]

I hope I'm not disturbing you. There are... three reasons for my asking you to join me.

[Action]

[swordofhope]

[He nods at that, giving her a grin before he sobers, and takes a seat on the deck across from her. Like her, he folds his legs - it's not that comfortable, but he trained some under Shiro. He had to learn.]

You have all of my attention, krasivaya. For as long as you want it.

[Action]

[gotyourwallet]

[She feels a lot better with him there, though what she called him there to say now seems a little awkward. Vie smiles a bit at his words.]

I had all of this worked out in my mind, but now that you're here I've gone blank.

[The girl shrugs her shoulders and glances skyward before catching his eye.]

I want to say thanks, I guess. For being someone I can rely on. And for... the other day, with the Captain and his punishment.

[Action]

[swordofhope]

[Sanya chuckles a bit at that, fishing around in his pocket for his faithful flask.]

I have that effect on people. They get very speechless when I arrive. Start saying things about bear.

[But then he sobers, toying with the flask in his hands.]

You're welcome, krasivaya. But it's nothing. That man didn't need any more attention. Justice... that is not something you use for entertainment.

[Action]

[gotyourwallet]

[She laughs a little.]

Bear? I'll remember that for next time.

[Her amusement fades and Vie shakes her head.]

That is a key difference between my homeworld and this one. Where I am from, we are to watch. The majority of clansman are cruel beasts. It's expected, taught even, that a Valei must view a punishment made public. I was not ordered, but out of habit I watched. To not watch is often far worse than doing so.

[Vie really isn't comfortable, but feels the need to explain. She'd thought she had it all worked out. She didn't.]

[Action]

[swordofhope]

[He's silent for a few minutes after that, flicking his flask open and closed... and then open. His voice, his accent, thickens again.]

There is a being difference, I believe, between making an example... and making to be spectacle.

Easy thing, to tell what the man did. Then, to show how he will be punished. End it there. Captain... he made it to be show. And that is wrong.

[He shrugs, glancing at her.]

How it seems to me.

[Action]

[gotyourwallet]

[She waits, letting that silence ring out and staring at some point in the darkness past his shoulder. When he speaks, Vie looks back to him.]

A spectacle is what they wanted, really. It was entertainment for them, dishonor and humiliation for us, as well as punishment. We were to watch to learn what would come of us should we disobey.

[Her expression is one of disgust, as is evident in her tone. Vie makes a slightly annoyed sound and shifts to hug her knees.]

Whether intentional or not, you've reminded me that I'm not there anymore, and that is something I needed.

[Action]

[swordofhope]

[When he looks at her this time, his eyes are hard. You don't need a God, in his opinion, to know what's right, and what's wrong. In Sanya's opinion, this, and what she's described, falls firmly into the latter. His voice is probably more stern than she's ever heard.]

That is wrong,, Vie. Punishments are to teach, to deter. Not to be entertainment for ublyudki who keep control of others.

[He takes a pointed drink.]

Da. You are here. With the atyeist lecturing on morality.

[Action]

[gotyourwallet]

[She meets his gaze, expression a tad defiant.]

Exactly. I am in agreeance with you. It is wrong, both what has occured here and what went on, and still does go on in my homeland assuming it still exists.

[Vie pauses, breathes deep and continues.]

Imagine your entire life having been forced to follow one thing. Immoral as it is, after long enough one almost starts to believe it. I did what I must to survive, but I gave them no satisfaction.

[And she paid the price as well. Her scars have healed with the addition of Shad's bracelet, but Vie remembers them well. She shakes her head.]

I don't expect you to understand. Just know that I'm learning. This perspective is new to me.