[TLV][IC Inbox]

[modestpurpose]

You've reached Hythlodaeus! Leave a message as you like.

Comments

[embodimentofperfection]

[He knows the basics of how the system works this time and wants to get ahead of it. Last warden was a bust. Time to see about this one.

The video is a little odd, shot too close to make it easy to immediately figure out why (Mahito is currently hanging upside down from his bed is why).]

Hello, I think you're my new warden?

[modestpurpose]

[He had been wondering how to best approach this. How delightful to have the awkward first step neatly hopped over.]

It would appear that I am! Mahito, is it? Is that what you prefer to be called?

[embodimentofperfection]

Only name I have! So. This is taking forever. Let's get me out of here.

[Wardens get their pacts with the admiral fulfilled then, right? So it's a fair offer.]

[modestpurpose]

I would be more than happy to help you. [Even if they aren't permanently paired up, it isn't as if Hythlodaeus is in a huge rush to leave.]

But do you know what you need?

[embodimentofperfection]

Sure.

[Sorcerers are always shouting why he's terrible at him. Mostly just the one, but his friends join in sometimes. Hopefully the admiral's standards for graduation agree with screechy human pests. If so, he knows all the right answers.]

Individual lives matter, humans don't deserve to be hurt just because they're weak, honesty is important, um...

[Recited as though he's reading off his hand. Is that everything? He would like to get a good grade in graduation so he can go home and kill everyone who wronged him now please.]

Oh, humans are good, that covers a lot of it, right?

[modestpurpose]

If your graduation were a matter of checking off a list.

[He'll give a few marks for effort, but if graduation were as simple as just saying those things he has a feeling that there would be far fewer inmates on board.]

Would you tell me about yourself?

[He is starting to build a picture.]

15th, text + image

[perfectly_average]

[He will be receiving a picture of Ekko covered in cats while in the Cat Lounge. He appears to be sleeping.]

Found him like this, not too long ago.
It seems he's in a coma.

[modestpurpose]

Ah, dear.

And we hadn't yet had the opportunity to speak about his preferences if this happened.

I'll come and fetch him.

[perfectly_average]

Ah.
Always the worst sort of timing.

I'll sit with him, until you arrive.
And if you want any help getting him settled somewhere comfortable, I'll be happy to assist.

[modestpurpose]

Thank you, Jamil. I'll be along momentarily.

[Quite literally, since he can teleport.]

[droppedstitch]

Istra fell asleep in his arms and decided to stay, which is always the best decision for her. It's a different bed, but she sleeps soundly regardless, lulled by the feeling of him breathing.

She keeps an arm around him, pulling the blankets closer as she dreams of somewhere cold.

[modestpurpose]

He doesn't object at all to her staying the night, dozing off not long after she does with an arm curled around her.

His nights are more often restful than not, but occasionally memories of much darker times surface in his unconscious mind. He dreams of fire raining from a pitch dark sky, blood and destruction and fear, and his arm tightens around Istradez as his breathing shudders in his sleep and his features pinch.

[droppedstitch]

She is a light sleeper in the best of times, and she wakes almost immediately when she feels his arms tighten around her. For a moment, she's lost, but the feeling of his touch reminds her.

She nearly goes back to sleep, thinking it is a simple dream, but the sight of his face in the dark worries her.

"Hythlodaeus," she murmurs, sliding her hand along his arm.

[modestpurpose]

He makes a little noise in response to his name - tense, held in the back of his throat, and his frown deepens slightly, a faint sheen of sweat springing up along his hairline.

It's only a few moments later that he wakes suddenly with a small jolt and a sharply indrawn breath. He props himself up on one elbow, his other hand closed around Istradez's arm, then he exhales slowly and closes his eyes. A second later and he's pushing forth an apologetic smile.

"Did I wake you?"

[droppedstitch]

Oh, it's a nightmare. She very nearly draws him in, but he wakes and comes to himself so quickly that she doesn't get the chance to before he speaks.

"No," she lies easily, kissing his forehead. "You were having a nightmare."

after Vox's post

[greatoldjohn]

...so this is going to be a fucking headache. I'm not the only one thinking so, right?

[modestpurpose]

[The message is met with an immediate laugh.]

Oh, undoubtedly so. Don't worry, I have my eye on this one.

[greatoldjohn]

Technically, they all have wardens.

...I still think they're going to be fucking stupid.

[modestpurpose]

Their having wardens in no way means I cannot make my own observations, as I'm sure you'll agree.

I believe I already have a good read on Vox.

[greatoldjohn]

I could say the same about Velvette. I like her.

audio

[de_nile]

Hello, Hythlodaeus!

Er, I was wondering - is the list of unpaired inmates private? If I wanted to get one to try to make sure they were all able to evacuate in the case of the ship blowing up, is that something you could send me?

[modestpurpose]

Hello, Steven.

[No guesses as to why he's asking this.]

I assume you mean entirely unpaired, without temporary assignments? 'T is not a public list but it is also frequently changing. A list of names I could give you now may not be accurate a tenday hence.

[de_nile]

Shit. Alright. Alright.

Is the only way to do it to count the cabins, then? To try to figure out how many we've got? I think the Lyfeboats would hold everybody, but I don't know, I don't -

[Steven's having a bad day.]

[modestpurpose]

Or you may consider that John and I will handle it, and ensure that all of them have found their way to safety.

[Please sir stop spiralling.]

Do you need to talk about this?

[de_nile]

Yeah, maybe!

[A little hysterical!]

There's eighteen lyfeboats, and I've got no idea how many people are on the ship! Are we sure they'll even hold anyone? Do we even know if they work?