.086 [Video] and [Spam] Nothing like work to distract from the horrors of port

[timesbureaucrat]

[Private to Vanessa]

...

I propose we pretend that port never happened.

[Private to Arthas]

I'd like a word with you.

[Spam for Braxiatel]

[Narvin walks to Braxiatel's cabin and raps sharply on the door. Braxiatel wouldn't usually be his first choice of confidant. Or second, or third, or...well, let's not belabour the point. But he's the

Comments

Private audio

[darknessb4me]

What.

Private audio

[timesbureaucrat]

[Switches to audio so he's not at a disadvantage--seen without being able to see.]

This ship is hell, I understand that.

You can't leave yet, the Admiral won't let you. But Mr. Stone might be able to. I want you to help.

Private audio

[darknessb4me]

[Neutral:] I'm back. What.

Private audio

[timesbureaucrat]

Mr. Stone needs to...[grow a backbone?]...practice expressing opinions of his own that run contrary to orders. I'd like you to solicit his help in killing someone, preferably someone he likes and already has empathy for, and then let him talk you out of it.

Private audio

[darknessb4me]

He won't. I don't think he likes anyone enough.

Private audio

[timesbureaucrat]

He said he spends time with Dracula. I'd hope he'd put up at least a small objection if you planned to kill me, for that matter.

Private audio

[darknessb4me]

He helped me try to kill West without any hesitation whatsoever.

[Drumming fingers are audible.]

I assume I'm allowed to speak to Dracula about this beforehand, if I agree. There must be a less roundabout way of doing this.

[Arthas is not actually... good at acting.]

Private audio

[timesbureaucrat]

That was a long time ago.

Of course you can speak to Dracula to coordinate things. [Narvin pinches his nose because, oh cosmos, amateurs. Why couldn't Drake have attached himself to an expert liar?]

There isn't a less roundabout way. If he's never pressured, he'll never try and if he never tries he'll never succeed in asserting himself.

I'll need to be hidden nearby to supervise, just in case this all goes horribly wrong.

Private audio

[darknessb4me]

Not long enough.

I don't think he's ready.

Private audio

[timesbureaucrat]

He doesn't need to try to fight you down, just express a bit of hesitation or doubt. Then you can encourage him to say what he really thinks and let yourself be persuaded by him.

He needs to learn that conflict is sometimes necessary. This might boost his confidence.

Private audio

[darknessb4me]

Alright.

I want this to be controlled. No misunderstandings with the wardens, no accidental casualties or my room getting stripped again. Understand?

Private audio

[timesbureaucrat]

Of course. I'll supervise the whole thing and if, by chance, something goes wrong I'll take full responsibility.

Private audio

[darknessb4me]

Outworlder. I trust you with this because no one would stay here without a deal; graduating Drake is directly beneficial to your interests. Why on earth do you trust me?

Private audio

[timesbureaucrat]

I don't trust you. But I do think you're genuinely concerned for Mr. Stone's well-being. [He doesn't add the rest, "Because you were a leader once, who would to anything to save his people" because he's not sure how Arthas would react to a reminder of the past. Narvin doesn't want to risk Arthas' temper, or arouse some contrary desire to prove that no trace of that person remains.]

Private audio

[darknessb4me]

Fair enough. Tell me when things have been prepared.