Voice 047

[shenghuanzhe]

Right, this is First Mate Kage speaking. Since we got all these new folk here, I'm gonna remind you all of the rules we got for usin' the comms. Don't yell into them.

[Kage squints, looking at the far wall of the library.]

That's about it. Awright, kids, be good.

[And Kage turns back to the book he's slowly leafing through. Kage is not a

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[oblique_wisdom]

I have not once ever--

[Wait. Has she? Well, no. No, she hasn't.]

I have never actually deliberately yelled into mine. I can only assume this has to do with events as of recent. Surely if you were in his position, Kage, you would have done the same thing.

Perhaps.

[shenghuanzhe]

Maybe.

How you been, girl?

[oblique_wisdom]

I happen to be good, any concerns aside. Thank you.

You sound like you need help. Want someone to translate your reading material for you? I've read lots of books.

[shenghuanzhe]

... really. I'm in the library, girl, come on down.

[oblique_wisdom]

[There's no answer. Zelda's only too quick to find herself down a couple of floors. And in the library.

She peeks around and dusts herself off.]

[shenghuanzhe]

[Kage is leaning back in a chair, lit cigarette dangling from his hand and the book on his lap and open.

He squints at the archaic, dusty text and looks up as she approaches. Kage breaks into a smile.]

Ain't you a fuckin' sight. Y'look beautiful, girl, c'mere.

[oblique_wisdom]

[She casts him a glance, smiles brightly, and she approaches. He looks well, and even a little studious. That's nice to see.]

Flatterer.

[Inching around him, Zelda attempts to peer at his book.]

What are you reading?

[shenghuanzhe]

Tellin' the truth. Mehkresh's own truth.

[HeHe shifts, putting the book on the table and scooching back so she can read it.]

I dunno. Some old book I found. See this phrase? About the ladder? It mean anythin' to you?

[oblique_wisdom]

Mehkresh.

[Not that she knows what that means, of course. Zelda leans over, placing a hand against the table to support herself as she reads it.]

"And he dreamed that there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven; and behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it."

[She looks over to Kage and turns to sit upon the table.]

I have a couple of theories. I think it could directly correlate to the ship, Captain Redd, and members of the crew like you. Otherwise, I think it could be metaphorical in meaning--especially for those who do not have a religious sort of faith.

[shenghuanzhe]

Really? How you mean?

[Kage seems sharply interested, more professional than flirtatious as he sucks on his cigarette, watching her intently.]

[oblique_wisdom]

A ladder can be thought of in different perspectives. Literally, it's an item used to get from one location to another. You could define each groove you place your foot into as a series of steps that test the ladder's ability to support your weight. This could be considered weight of reality or of a situation.

Ladders are a symbol of ascension. Gods are always viewed as beings that reign higher above their creations.

Since my arrival here, I have constantly defined Captain Redd as a man who thinks himself a god. For as powerful a being as he appears to be, however, he needs something to keep himself in contact with his own creations, which I will momentarily define as the passengers aboard.

Members of the crew serve as that connection, as that ladder, as that support he may rely upon. People like you ensure that connection he holds to people like me remains in existence.

[She tips her head to the side with a small smile.Please remember it is only theory and speculation. You may not find the logic, or you may find fallacies in my

[shenghuanzhe]

[Kage is absolutely silent as she speaks, and then he nods. After a moment of thought, he sits back, impressed.]

Huh.

[Then what does it mean, the passage? If Redd is the god, then that makes Kage--

His eyes swerve to one side, his breath catching in his throat. His heart lurches, his mouth going dry and he abruptly looks at Zelda with a flash of horror in his eyes. That makes her--

Oh, Zeshat.

Kage instantly softens his gaze and smiles.]

Shit, you're so fuckin' smart it's a wonder you ain't on level with Redd himself.

[oblique_wisdom]

[She watches him wordlessly, wondering what he's thinking in that head of his. Kage claims often that he isn't smart. Sometimes he is. Sometimes he isn't. He tends to go back and forth.

There's a pause with his expression. Has... she somehow crossed the line? Perhaps she said something she should have kept to herself. Then she inclines her head, wiggles her ears once and she turns a few shades of pink.]

On level? I'm unsure of what you mean by that, Kage, but I thank you all the same. One day I hope to speak with him. Perhaps Captain Redd will see it in me as well. Whatever 'it' may be.

[shenghuanzhe]

[The ear wiggle.

Kage is eternally fascinated by her ears and how she can move them. He reaches out to touch one, smiling at the corner of his mouth.]

You'll speak with him. Shit, you're one'a the only passengers who might get how brilliant he is.

[oblique_wisdom]

[Zelda darkens and she tilts her head in the direction of his hand. It feels nice, after all.]

...I don't find him idiotic. I've said it so many times. There's method to his madness. He has a reason for everything. I... just feel it. I know it. I can't doubt that.

...You... understand what I mean?

[shenghuanzhe]

[So Kage obligingly strokes his hand along the soft, warm skin of her ear. The fact that she can wiggle them, and that they move in accordance with her emotions, means that Kage is fascinated. He flicks his thumb along the edge, runs the pad of his index finger down the sensitive centre.]

Hn... yeah. Most just call him a madman, but there's always somethin' in what he says. I understand what you mean, girl, he's a great man.