voice | rabbit 4

[redprayer]

[Sometime after breakfast on the fourth day of Rabbit, a voice message plays over the network.]

Hello. My apologies if I am interrupting anyone in the midst of something important. Some of you may already know me, but for those who do not, my name is Rezo, and I have a favor to ask of you.

In my own world I devoted much of my time to researching magic and since being recruited by the train I have heard a few things about the abilities that some of you have. While it seems magic, or some concept thereof, is quite common among the various worlds, the way it works and the extent of what a person can do varies considerably.

I confess I have found myself rather curious about all this. Thus, if any of you are willing to speak with me about your own abilities and the magic systems that you have experience with, I would appreciate it if you would contact me. I will be staying near the ICP in the standard coach for much of today, if you would prefer to speak in person.

Of course, I understand that some of you may wonder what is in this for you. Worry not. I have rewards prepared for anyone who is willing to indulge my curiosity, and I shall compensate you accordingly.

[[ooc: since lore dumping and technical talk isn't necessarily everyone's jam feel free to do some handwaving if you think your character would respond to Rezo's request but you don't feel up to going into/making up a bunch of weird details.

and if you're wondering what the reward will be, it's a sticker.]]

Comments

[redprayer]

[Oh hey you're that grumpy guy from Ciyesia!]

As I said, it's really just a matter of curiosity. Although perhaps others aboard may find it a matter of some interest as well.

[make ur insight check, wash.]

[unrecovered]

[Oh hey you're that asshole who was willing to watch him potentially die on Ciyesia!]

Sure. And what's driving the curiosity?

[Some people are capable of information for information's sake - he knows exactly one person like that, and Simmons is terminally nerdy. As to whether Rezo is like that...well. He's pressing x to doubt here. That terrible first impression and Wash's longstanding paranoia are one hell of a mix.]

[redprayer]

[eyyy lmao how u been]

Simply the pleasure of learning something new... Washington, wasn't it? But if you're concerned about the practical merits of my endeavors, I can assure you that some of the most useful information can only be obtained when one isn't directly pursuing something.

[Not that that's what he's doing here; Rezo is absolutely lying through his teeth to poor Washington and everybody else aboard (save the ex-chimera in the corner.)

He suspects that Washington is just going to keep being prickly but oh well. It's not like the man is likely to be of any use, considering how he struggled with that voidblob.]

[unrecovered]

[Alive, no thanks to your dumb ass]

[Instead of pussyfooting around his bullshit, Wash goes for sarcasm. It's a fairly solid way to make a point, and it gets attention.]

Oh really. Is that why you saw me fighting for my life against a voidblob and decided to watch instead of, I don't know, helping me out, or going to get help, or doing anything a good teammate would do? And that I had to call you on it in order for you to get off your ass while your teammate was in danger? Does that count as 'not directly pursuing something?'

Because hey, if that's the case, it's good to know you don't let little things like basic human empathy get in the way of your research. I'm sure that reassures everyone who's thinking of telling you their personal information.

[Generally speaking, burning bridges with someone you're forced to share close quarters with for a prolonged amount of time is not the best strategy. That said, generally speaking, Wash is done with what he perceives to be Rezo's bullshit. Too many shades of Felix here for him to be comfortable letting it lie.]

not actually here

[controlsthedie]

[ Blood and darkness....

Things like this are exactly why Thanatos is a point person for information and healing supplies and not a leader. His responsibility for the team only goes so far.

Nope. Not meddling in this. ]

[redprayer]

[Rezo lets Wash make his point, albeit warily, in case it turns into an outright rant. When it doesn’t, and Wash has thrown down the metaphorical gauntlet, Rezo opts to respond to the pointed sarcasm with…

Apologies delivered in a gentle and contrite tone of voice, obviously.]

I am sorry if I gave you the impression of indifference to your situation. If I had realized you needed assistance before you said so, I of course would have intervened earlier. It was never my intention to see you harmed or cause you distress, and I apologize that my failure to act on time has done so.

As for my query, I do not expect anyone to share information if they are uncomfortable with doing so. If anyone would prefer to keep their abilities a secret, I certainly will not be forcing them to do otherwise.

[Rezo does not remotely think Wash will accept these apologies, delivered carefully though they may be. The man seems too invested in his dislike of Rezo to fold that easily, considering he’s willing to make a scene over the public network. But Rezo is not going to say anything to escalate the situation if he can help it.

…Although he is maybe making a bit of a point about not escalating.]

[unrecovered]

[Oh, he recognizes this play. Rezo's not going to rise to anything Wash says; he's going to act meek and make Wash look unhinged by comparison.]

[(To be fair, there are days when Wash manages that just fine on his own without anyone's help. He's trying to make sure today isn't one of them.)]

[But the tone has shifted, and Wash shifts tactics with it. He drops the sarcasm and instead goes for steady and pointed. Nice apology; he doesn't think it's real.]

You know what? Fine. I can't read your mind.

[He gives that a beat to sink in, before:]

But I can read your body language.

[It's a necessary skill when your entire social circle wears face-covering armor nearly all of the time.]

I've been in enough combat situations to know when people are frozen, or indecisive, or panicking, or just can't get a read on the situation. You were none of those things. You watched me fight with your chin in your hands like it was a goddamn pay-per-view special. That's not someone who can't read the room; that's someone who made a choice. You didn't fail to act on time; you chose to watch me fight for my life, and you only changed your mind when I called you on it.

I don't think your apology is sincere, and I don't think you're being up front as to why you're gathering information. But hey, if people want to talk to you, they can - I'm not going to stop them. I just want to make sure they know that that if you see them in crisis, your first reaction will not be empathy.

[It's an indictment, and it's a crapshoot. Wash hasn't been here long enough to really have people in his corner, and the people he does know keep leaving (and god does he ever miss Yondu right about now). It's his word against Rezo's for something that nobody else witnessed, and if Rezo is well-liked enough, this could backfire on him pretty badly.]

[But if Rezo is up to something - and he can't lay this call for information on top of the way Rezo treated him on Ciyesia without thinking that he is - then it's his responsibility to head it off at the pass. He's been on the receiving end of too many betrayals to just ignore one potentially forming right in front of him.]

[redprayer]

[The man may be pointedly unhelpful, but he’s not a fool. Washington can apparently recognize insincerity, and Rezo, meanwhile, can recognize when somebody is dramatically pacing their words in order to make a point. (Considering he does it often enough himself...)

He does attempt to interrupt that beat:]

A-

[-But does not succeed. Washington’s callout is, well, out and there’s very little Rezo can say that wouldn’t undermine the civility that he’s settled on for his tactic.]

I see. It is a shame that you feel that way, but I suppose if you’re dissatisfied with my words there is little else I can offer you.

Is there anything else you need to say?

[Also, what the fuck is a pay-per-view special.]