grand_lotus | Twenty-seven

[Audio; backdated......a while. Not long after Fourth Wall Day.]

Some time ago, when I was travelling on a more....mundane ship than this, the crew arranged a weekly music night - a time for those who wished to perform, and for those who wished to listen, dance, or simply reflect on the week gone by. On a long voyage that we spent in pursuit of an elusive goal, I believe it helped us to feel that we were not so alone. That our lives still went on beyond the tasks we had been charged with.

And so to the Barge! As best I can tell, we have a number of talented musicians on board, and the library provides no shortage of sheet music. I was hoping to learn if anyone could be persuaded to share their gifts with others here, or to come and listen. Or dance! I am sure the Barge is concealing many excellent dancers. Not a performance, just something social.

One night a week - the deck may be best. I think which night will have to change often, subject as it would be to the whims of the Barge, but I believe it would be manageable.

I will brace myself in readiness for your opinions.

[Private to Valmont]

Training with a martial arts master, you say? [YES HE SAW THAT.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[FFFFFF BUSTED]

Well, there was no way that I was going to say I'd been serving breakfast and playing scrabble. I was just... being selective with the truth.

[and maybe bragging about how great you are just a touch.]

And I am very flattered by what you selected.

Ah - is your throat alright? [He's not sure if being possessed by Shendu makes breathing fire any less dangerous :c]

Yes, well. I was merely being descriptive.

[Pause. It's kinda nice and unexpected of you to ask, Iroh.]

Let's just say it fared better than my upholstery did.

I see. Is the damage salvageable? I don't mind petitioning the Admiral for some more flame-resistant furniture, should this be likely to happen again.

No, it's not too bad, just... scorch marks. Significant scorch marks. I'm becoming accustomed to them.

[Nngggh]

You don't think that is likely to happen again, do you?

[Because... Yeah, it's becoming more and more apparent that Valmont just hates his life back home and doesn't want it back :c]

It has certainly happened before. But that was almost a year ago, I think, so it may be some time before another such event.

[No Zuko this time. Sob.]

I understand that it must be difficult to see a window opened onto your former life.

It's just irritating to have to interact with those people without being able to injure them.

...

I am afraid in this instance I have little sympathy to offer. And you did not really have to speak with any of them.

How could I have not responded? That was probably the last time I'll ever speak to any of them, and... for better or worse, I have known and disliked them all for too long for the final contact between us to be me running away from an argument.

Do you truly think that it will be the last time you speak to them?

[Pause. He hadn't really thought about it, actually.]

Well... yes. I am dead, after all, and if this place really does convert me to the side of good and righteousness, it's not as if I'm going to go looking for old enforcers and enemies to start more trouble for myself with afterward, is it?

No. But if you are as 'converted' as you say, you might dislike some of them slightly less. There may even come a time that the people you left behind could be something other than a source of enmity or irritation.

No, I don't think so. Even if I were changed, they would not be. I see no reason why I should choose to inflict myself on them further, were I rehabilitated.

Twenty-seven

Private

Private

Private

Re: Private

Private

Private

Private

Re: Private

Private

Re: Private

Private

Private

Private