mightthinkthat | Video 4 ♔ Demotion

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Video 4 ♔ Demotion

[Private to Self]

Nothing inflames my impatience than a promotion denied. To be knocked back. I'm really starting to understand why people have elected to find patterns in this. Always terribly comforting: patterns. Meanings and points.

You and I know that there's very little of any of that. But that doesn't mean, in typical human fashion, we can't make patterns. I have new relationships to capitalise on and new paths to take. We must move forward.

[Public]

I'm afraid I've seemed to have lost my bet. Still, despite its... difficulties, it was an interesting flood. Steph did well enough out of it. [He smiles genuinely.] Anyone else experience good news.

[Private to Scorpius]

My future warden self is no doubt deeply disappointed, Scorpius.

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[From down below in Zero, Scorpius answers the call]

It is not your future warden self I am primarily concerned about offending, Francis.

I prefer to prepare for the future, myself.

I hope that you won't be attempting to emulate any sort of warden-like control over me, if you're indeed preparing for that inevitable occurrence. I'd hate to tarnish our relationship.

That's not what I mean. But it's good advice, regardless.

Then what do you mean by mentioning it?

Making enemies is, perhaps, a sure way of getting an interesting future but not a more productive one.

Everything I do is a necessary step towards my goals, Francis. I have not asked for your assistance or your support or even your blessing. You are free to stay well out of range of what I do.

A 'magic' being with a penchant for giving people whatever they want and your poking at Crichton is utterly necessary. I hardly think so.

Don't mistake my advice for investment, Scorpius, but I'd thought I'd at least share why I find your predicament... pointless. [It's not entertaining enough to be funny, alas.]

A penchant for giving wardens whatever they want. Crichton and I have a history that predates the Barge by some time. If I am to make the transition from inmate to warden, my goals will undoubtedly change.

Your advice is appreciated [not especially] but I have made my decision. It's far too early to say who now has the upper hand, but don't discount my chances.

It's hardly I discounting your chances, just now. Perhaps you should question why you're so certain your goals would change and not survive the infusion of morality that's supposed to happen, rather than dismiss the idea that they won't.

There's little use in having the upper hand when you're both down in the gutter.

They will not survive the infusion of morality because my goal is not moral to begin with. You cannot graduate and still entertain the concept of genocide. The two ideas are completely incompatible.

I suppose you're right.

[But it's so, so enjoyable to watch Crichton squirm]

Even when Crichton breaks, there is still the matter of my escape.

Then why are you determined it's the thing to do now?

Naturally.

I would prefer to act before Aeryn Sun graduates or before John graduates an inmate of his own. Aeryn is his leverage; his deal could potentially decide my own fate.

Of course.

Is this your attempt at being condescending, Francis? If you're entirely sincere, I offer my apologies for misunderstanding.

My point remains: graduate first and you'll have to worry about neither of them or escape if that's what you want.

Or perhaps more precisely, you're relying on other people to dictate your future. The only reason you have a chance at all is that they seem as intent on you as you are on them.

But I wouldn't want to spoil your fun.

I appreciate your concern. But there are larger things at stake than my graduation and Crichton is the key.

I stand by what I've said: your graduation will answer even that question of genocide, if you allow it. Crichton may have been important in your life. He's nothing now.

My graduation will answer it, but not in the way I'd prefer. Crichton is important so long as I assume that there is a method of my getting out of here with my plan intact.

A wise man knows better than to rely on assumptions.

A wise man does not rely on assumptions but plans accordingly for every eventuality even as he gently slides pieces to meet his most preferred outcome.

And you think you're planning for every eventuality?

On the Barge? Certainly not.

Good luck on your preferred outcome.

And you with yours, Francis.

Thank you.

You're going to graduate. I think that's good news.

I didn't mean for me. [Though it's said with a lot more humour now.]

Well it made me feel good, and that's all that matters, isn't it? At least the future isn't grim for everyone.

But grim for some. When you have all eternity to play with, perhaps grim isn't as permanent as it might be.

That's important to keep in mind, I think. When things fall apart it seems like it could never get better, but sometimes it does.

There are no absolutes. Making that an advantage is always the challenge.

Yeah. I'm going to have to practice that, I think.

Good luck.

Thanks. And the same to you.

Thank you.

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Video 4 ♔ Demotion

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