[video] unresolved issues

[blue_ice]

[ From the gaming car, it's Kaiba. He's taken to tying his orange hoodie around his waist and popping the collar of his orange polo, in an effort to maintain the dramatic silhouette he loves so much. ]

Does it bother anyone else that the only glue holding this tiny slice of society together is the fact that we're trapped in a claustrophobia-inducing tin can rattling through the interdimensional void?

Think about it. We're from all walks of life. All different social structures. Predators and prey, haves and have-nots, all together and brought down to size. Homogenous societies themselves don't have a great track record of avoiding division and war, so the only thing keeping our tiny tube afloat and relatively at peace is the fact that there's no escape should we cause a big enough disruption.

Can alliances forged under these conditions truly be called genuine? Is it really what you call friendship, if such a thing exists? Or family? Would you accept someone who would be your enemy in any other circumstance? Who's committed unforgivable acts, and is still capable of doing so? Somehow I doubt it.

Comments

[blue_ice]

Hm. I've arranged the rocks once. I can do it again.

[ But that sparks his curiousity. It's...a familiar predicament. ]

You could exercise your mind in more...enjoyable ways. Some of our games in the gaming car are excellent tests of strategy.

[radishlobbyist]

I find studying enjoyable. I'm updating my knowledge in my chosen profession, it is exhausting but I don't find it a hardship at all. Medical research is what I would be doing at home, too.

[ That said, she does pause and think, looking a little curious. ]

But... What games are you speaking of? I haven't paid much attention to the game car yet.

[blue_ice]

And it's important work. We'll all be grateful to have someone who knows what they're doing in the medical car.

You should come see for yourself. I learned on chess---it's a board game where each piece has unique movement rules, and the goal is to corner your opponent's pieces and capture them. Another popular game is poker, played with cards---it's a math game, you do best if you know your odds and can easily read a lie on someone's face.

I can teach any of them.

[radishlobbyist]

We have strategical board games at home, too... but I have never had much patience to learn any properly. [ Which she may be regretting now, at least a little bit. There isn't too much to do stuck on the train once you're done studying for the day. She smiles a little, eyes gleaming. ] But I think what I would be most interested in is your poker game. I like mathematics, and I'm good at reading people.

[blue_ice]

Then meet me in the gaming car when you're ready. We have a basic playing card deck...and I'll figure something out for wagers.

[radishlobbyist]

Thank you. I don't know when exactly I will have the time for it but I will take you up on this offer. It will be an interesting skill to learn.