Oh, well. Tea isn’t required in that case. I just happen to like tea.
[ok let’s get back on track, Pal. We can find out about Friday’s physiological capabilities later]
Would it be possible to speak to you in confidence? There’s a piece of unusual jewelry that has come into my possession, and I’m hoping you can help me understand where it came from.
[when they arrive at the morgue, Friday waits until he's inside before carefully closing the door, keeping her hands pressed against it as she rapidly intones in a language not affected by the translator. but actually this nerd might have some grasp of Arabic so let me know.
when she seems to finish, she turns away from the door to face him.]
... Well, that should do it! I'll try to answer whatever questions you have the best I can!
[Palamedes knows a weird amount of Latin for someone from 10,000 years in the future, but otherwise knows no other languages! His world has some weird priorities.
In any case, he watches her carefully as she speaks into the door, and then swings off his knapsack and places it on metal dissection table in the middle of the morgue.]
Before we begin, can you promise me that absolutely no one aside from you, Miss Friday, and myself, can hear what we discuss in this room? For example, if I told you that the captain is a bumbling idiot who will never achieve godhead because he is completely lacking in both charm and creativity, would he know?
[Creepy though it may be, the reaction does let Pal know that he's on the right track]
Literally everything. [casually, he takes off his glasses and looks at her intently with his piercing grey eyes] They're warded, aren't they? I want to know how they work, and how we can use them to protect ourselves.
You made them, didn’t you? Based on a technique someone taught you. Pirate Jenny? [He returns his glasses to his face and presses his hands together. If Friday says that the leis work better the less they know, then he believes her. But how, then, can they really be of use?]
If you can’t tell me precisely what they do…can you tell me what you would suggest I do with mine? The best way to care for it, let’s say. A bit of friendly advice from our cruise director could hardly break the spell, right?
[shakes head] No, she's never been very... One of her brothers; he was a bit more... magically inclined! It never helped him much, but...
Just... try to keep it secret? If it does work, you want it when it will really count... The good thing is, even if he does see it, there's a really good chance he won't even be able to figure out what it is! Magic can be pretty funny like that, huh! [pause] It's just... There's also an equally good chance he throws a fit and destroys you all because he can't figure it out... Getting mad at me like he didn't do it to himself...
... Gosh, I really do talk about him like I don't even like him sometimes!
There's a good chance he throws a fit and destroys us all because he woke up on the wrong side of the bed. But I take your point, and I will certainly not be telling him anything. [He'll come back to the why of the captain's ignorance later, but for now there are more pressing matters]
[considering for a moment] As for the other passengers, I will endeavor to give them only as much information as they need to use the leis properly when the opportunity occurs. Does that suffice?
[okay, not very helpful, but at least he has confirmed that there is something about the leis that might protect them in dire circumstances. And that wearing them is a good idea. That's slightly more than he knew earlier.]
One more question, if you don't mind. Why doesn't the captain know about them?
[Pal waits for a long moment or two, perhaps longer than most people would. He's patient like that. But finally he can't just stand here any longer, waiting for something to happen.]
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[ok let’s get back on track, Pal. We can find out about Friday’s physiological capabilities later]
Would it be possible to speak to you in confidence? There’s a piece of unusual jewelry that has come into my possession, and I’m hoping you can help me understand where it came from.
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[ah. she understands. well. maybe...]
You know, you wouldn't think it, but I, personally, find the morgue to be the most peaceful and quiet place on the whole ship!
[hint hint]
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Ah, of course. 'Dead men tell no tales,' and all that. In that case, I would very much like a tour, if you have a few minutes to spare.
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[not even bothering to explain that, she immediately flits off towards the stairs, assuming he'll follow her.]
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but actually this nerd might have some grasp of Arabic so let me know.when she seems to finish, she turns away from the door to face him.]
... Well, that should do it! I'll try to answer whatever questions you have the best I can!
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In any case, he watches her carefully as she speaks into the door, and then swings off his knapsack and places it on metal dissection table in the middle of the morgue.]
Before we begin, can you promise me that absolutely no one aside from you, Miss Friday, and myself, can hear what we discuss in this room? For example, if I told you that the captain is a bumbling idiot who will never achieve godhead because he is completely lacking in both charm and creativity, would he know?
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[Calm as he can manage, considering how long he has been anticipating this moment, Palamedes takes the lei out of his bag and places it on the table.]
What can you tell me about this?
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Um, well... What would you like to know?
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Literally everything. [casually, he takes off his glasses and looks at her intently with his piercing grey eyes] They're warded, aren't they? I want to know how they work, and how we can use them to protect ourselves.
Please.
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[her hands wring together.]
It's, well, it's just a bit of a test, based off some, um... I do love learning about interesting things from my passengers! And--
[freezes. snaps her fingers. got it.]
Does the word gris-gris mean anything to you?
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That may already be too much... Oh, it's not supposed to work as good if they know about it, and I already don't know if it works at all...
... It's meant for protection, at least. That's its intent. [a humorless little laugh] I just don't ever really know how much mine is worth!
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If you can’t tell me precisely what they do…can you tell me what you would suggest I do with mine? The best way to care for it, let’s say. A bit of friendly advice from our cruise director could hardly break the spell, right?
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Just... try to keep it secret? If it does work, you want it when it will really count... The good thing is, even if he does see it, there's a really good chance he won't even be able to figure out what it is! Magic can be pretty funny like that, huh! [pause] It's just... There's also an equally good chance he throws a fit and destroys you all because he can't figure it out... Getting mad at me like he didn't do it to himself...
... Gosh, I really do talk about him like I don't even like him sometimes!
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[considering for a moment] As for the other passengers, I will endeavor to give them only as much information as they need to use the leis properly when the opportunity occurs. Does that suffice?
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... But, I'm sure I'll do even better with the next group, then!
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Let's hope it doesn't come to that.
Now, as I was saying: Miss Friday, what must we do with the leis? Wear them? Keep them on our person? Or should they stay hidden in our cabins?
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Um, if it ever seems like the world is ending, wearing them is a good idea! [NAILED IT]
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[okay, not very helpful, but at least he has confirmed that there is something about the leis that might protect them in dire circumstances. And that wearing them is a good idea. That's slightly more than he knew earlier.]
One more question, if you don't mind. Why doesn't the captain know about them?
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[Pal waits for a long moment or two, perhaps longer than most people would. He's patient like that. But finally he can't just stand here any longer, waiting for something to happen.]
Er, Miss Friday?
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Brr! That's, um, gosh... There's a whole lot of wards in place to keep certain topics "quiet," see, so it's a little...
[beat]
Thank you for not hitting me! It actually just distracts me more...
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