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

Comments

[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 words.

[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.

[oblique_wisdom]

I am not sure our definitions of "great" are the same, Kage, but I think I'm beginning to understand what you mean every time you say it.

["Great" not in terms of her form. "Great" in terms of a different kind.

She draws in a deep breath between her lips and she lifts a hand to take his.]

Isn't that nice? We're beginning to understand each other...

[shenghuanzhe]

It's real nice. This is the craziest fuckin' voyage I ever been on, you know that? I ain't ever met passengers like some'a you...

[Kage takes her hand, turns his face into it and kisses her palm.]

[oblique_wisdom]

I can honestly say--

[His gesture causes her to halt, and she coerces herself to continue. Should she be touched by that behavior...?]

--I've never met anyone like you either. There are many people here that I haven't met the way I... Well... Everyone's so different. It fascinates me, even now.

[shenghuanzhe]

Yeah, we get 'em from all over.

[Kage holds her hand in his, watching her.

He seems relaxed and his fingers play with her delicate, slim fingers.]

[oblique_wisdom]

[She edges off the table and toward him, mimicking his actions nonchalantly.]

It's nice to see that variation. It makes me feel like there's hope for the future. Do you have any hope left, Kage? Or have you lost it all? Do you ever feel anything at all...?

[shenghuanzhe]

I feel things sometimes. Not a lot.

[He's starkly honest because he feels like she, of all people might not be disgusted or upset with his honesty.]

Most'a the time I just shut it out. I feel things when I get angry. Or when I'm with someone in bed.

[He draws her hand to his mouth, kisses her soft knuckles.]

Usually I'm just full of duty. Work. But sometimes I feel things. I dunno how to explain what I feel.

[oblique_wisdom]

[Zelda expects him to be honest with her. It shows in her softened expression, and she nods slowly.]

Somehow sympathy doesn't seem to be something I should shower you with. Maybe everyone feels that way sometimes, though. I'm not saying it's the same, but... perhaps that it's not entirely a foreign concept.

[She squeezes his hand reassuringly.]

It's fine... You don't need to explain yourself to me...

[shenghuanzhe]

It's not sympathy. That kinda shit got burnt outta me a long time ago. Most things got burnt outta me a long time ago.

[He gives her a humourless, broken kind of smile.]

[oblique_wisdom]

[For a moment she says nothing. She doesn't quite know what to say to that. Her eyebrows furrow and her features alter briefly. Then she glances past him. She lifts her other hand to take his between both palms of hers.]

I have more than enough sympathy for the both of us.

[shenghuanzhe]

Noble to the fuckin' end. If things were different, you'd make good crew.

[Kage squeezes her hand back.]