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[synchronous]

[ For now Dirk is staying holed up in his cabin trying to get his bearings, reading through old entries on his communication device. Most of what he skims is completely meaningless to him, but he gets the basic idea.

Prison ship. Rehabilitation. Ha ha ha, yeah, no. ]

[ text ]

I'll spare you the "You're a bunch of big meanie kidnappers, I want to go home, woe is me", as I'm sure you've heard it a million times before, but know that the sentiment is there all the same.

I do have a few questions, though.

- Where, exactly, is this ship?
- What constitutes "rehabilitation"?
- Is there some kind of new prisoner FAQ available? Guide to prison life? Anything like that?

That's about it.

[ spam ]

[ Maybe an hour or so after his post, he finally gets his shit together enough to leave his room and look around. Might as well learn everything he can about this place.

He can be found everywhere. Yes, everywhere. Well, everywhere inmates are allowed into. Okay, not other people's cabins. Most places, then. He's just walking around, snooping really, giving off a vibe of aloofness and devil-may-care-ness. ]

Comments

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[patheticvillain]

[First and foremost, Cassel watches Dirk on the network. Iris is talking to him - and while Cassel still isn't exactly talking to Iris, she does tend to get a quick read on people. He trusts her. Sort of. Mostly.]

[After that, he observes the snooping. He can first be spotted in the gym, where he works; then, later, in the dining hall, where he can be caught glancing away from Dirk once or twice; finally, he's smoking on deck, where he finally stops pretending the observation isn't going both ways. Tipping his chin up in acknowledgment, he grins, like - what are you gonna do?]

Hiya. Welcome.

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[synchronous]

[ There sure are a lot of people here. At least in comparison to back in the Medium, anyway. He's not really sure what constitutes "a lot of people" from other, possibly more objective points of view.

But despite the sheer number of other living beings on this ship, Dirk can't help but notice that one guy has shown up in multiple times in his observations.

Finally he steps up onto the deck and takes a peek out past the railing. That... sure is unlike any view he's ever seen before!

That guy he saw earlier is here too. He squints behind his sunglasses and shrugs at the greeting. ]

...thanks. I guess.

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[patheticvillain]

Don't thank me until you've had your first traumatic Barge experience.

[He blows smoke at the sky. Not-really-sky. Whatever it is.]

Did you sample the populace and gain their wisdom?

[synchronous]

[ Gee, that sounds fun.

He stares down at the abyss beneath them. ]

I wouldn't put it that way. I'm just developing my sea legs or whatever.

[patheticvillain]

Space legs.

[A mild and utterly useless correction.]

Dirk, right? I'm Cassel.

[He transfers his cigarette to his left hand and reaches out his right to shake. They're both gloved in heavy, well-treated leather.]

[synchronous]

You're also observant.

[ Ah, handshakes. Though he's not used to them, Dirk's not about to show hesitance. He takes Cassel's hand in his own, partially covered by a black motorcycle glove, and shakes briefly. Maybe too briefly. He doesn't really have niceties down. ]

[patheticvillain]

[Truth: Cassel is not particularly wired to notice the difference. At least not on a personal level. Dirk is overall about a 2 on the Barge Weird Scale, which could either mean he's just not that weird or that he's got deep dark hidden secrets. Personally, Cassel's leaning towards the second option.]

[At least he's wearing gloves, even if they're weird halfway ones. It's something.]

[He lets go and leans back against the rail, shooting Dirk another friendly grin.]

It's my job to be observant. I don't feel like being gruesomely destroyed this month, so I have to know what's what, you know? Who's PMSing, who just hates everyone all the time, and what the deal is with new people.

Although I guess I haven't died in, like, months, so maybe it's my turn. Which is not an invitation.

[synchronous]

Heh. Wasn't planning on anything.

[ Dirk shoves his hands in his pockets and peers out at that weird interdimensional space or whatever it is. ]

Though on a barge full of criminals, I'm not even a little surprised to hear that you're keepin' an eye on that kind of thing. Guess I've got to stay alert around here, too.

[patheticvillain]

Thanks, I always appreciate it when first-time acquaintances don't immediately try to stab me.

[Deadpan. This has definitely not actually happened to him, nope. Second-time acquaintances, though, yes.]

I hope you're good at keeping people from killing you. Some people just don't come here prepared.

[synchronous]

I can hold my own in a fight. [ He raises an eyebrow. ] Might need to requisition a kitchen knife, though.

[patheticvillain]

The kitchen's got pretty tight security. 'Cause, you know. Prison ship. Et cetera.

You could scrape a shiv out of a table leg by rubbing it against the hull.

[synchronous]

Guess it's not really prison till you make your first shiv.

[patheticvillain]

I dunno. I never made one, but I did get stabbed to death with a pair of scissors, so you probably want to be on the other end of that.

[synchronous]

I'm quick on my feet. I'm not about to get killed.

[patheticvillain]

What, are you implying I'm not quick on my feet? We just met. You don't know me.

[He puts a hand to his chest, the very picture of offense.]

[synchronous]

Hey, I don't know your personal issues, bro.

[patheticvillain]

Eh. Probably better for you overall not to. [He waves his hand.] It's all very fucking sordid.