.057 | Video.

[paradoxlol]

[Warden Filter]
[The video starts as a shot of Arthur's modern, stylish bedroom, then turns, catching a shot of his hand, where he's holding something, fingers wrapped around it, hiding it from view. It's just a brief adjustment, settling the camera on Arthur's face. He looks tired, hunched over slightly as he sits on his bed. He is not a happy camper.]

My item's not connected to Perry anymore. Who's he assigned to, and how long was I out? [Because this is obviously the result of a Barge Coma.]

[Added later; OPEN TO ALL]
[Arthur's looking like his usual slick self now that he's had some time to recover from the news that he was absent from the Barge for nearly six months and lost his inmate.]

My name's Arthur. I don't know how many of you were around when I was, so I thought I'd make the introduction.

[His expression's somewhat grim, but he quirks the corner of his mouth slightly. It's ALMOST A FRIENDLY SMILE.]

I promise, I'm nothing like Tommy St. James.

[OOC: I'm gonna apologize in advance for being SLOOOOW. My schedule's kind of a mess right now, but I figured Arthur would jump on this ASAP. This post will be edited to include a general greeting to inmates, too, once Arthur's informed that he wasn't in a coma, so, uh, STAY TUNED? DONE.

Also, I'll get to breach tags in a bit.]

Comments

[spam]

[buildindreemz]

[As soon as the effects of the breach wear off, it takes Ariadne about two minutes to realize Arthur is back.

And it takes her another two minutes to be at his door, knocking.]

[spam]

[paradoxlol]

[Arthur pockets his totem quickly when he hears the knock. Moving into the living room, he checks the peephole in his door before opening it, shoulders sagging a little in relief.]

Ariadne.

[He moves aside to let her in.]

Hey. Come in.

[spam]

[buildindreemz]

[Hope you don't mind, Arthur, but as soon as she gets inside she's wrapping you in a big hug.]

Didn't expect to see you again on the Barge.

[spam]

[paradoxlol]

[Arthur's a little surprised by the hug, if only because there hadn't been many-- any?-- exchanged between them. Still, he accepts it, even reciprocates.]

I didn't even know-- I don't remember leaving. Didn't go home. I don't know what the hell happened.

[spam]

[buildindreemz]

[That makes Ariadne's brow furrow slightly in confusion. And then she realizes she's still hugging him tightly, so she backs away a little, smoothing the front of his shirt almost as an apology.] You were gone for almost six months, and you don't remember anything? You didn't get sent home?

[spam]

[paradoxlol]

[He glances down, brow slightly arched when she smooths down his shirt. There's a hint of amusement there, but this matter takes precedence over any teasing remarks, so he keeps them to himself.]

No. It was like waking up in a dream. One minute, there's mistletoe; the next: it's a breach, and I'm in the middle of some Hollywood trailer.

[spam]

[buildindreemz]

[Ugh, that breach. She looks pained at the thought, but makes herself at home in his cabin - might as well pick up where they left off.]

Not the best way to make your triumphant return to the Barge. I can't see what the point was of making us all self-absorbed jackasses for three days.

[spam]

[paradoxlol]

You didn't seem so bad. [He plops himself down on the couch.] At least you didn't put up with my alter ego's crap.

[spam]

[buildindreemz]

Are you kidding? I felt so superior to everyone else. I was a total bitch. [She leans her head back and offers him a small smile.] If that was supposed to be some kind of vision of what we might've been like in another life, I think I'll stick with being a nice criminal.

[batmanschmatman]

He was assigned to Kay, but he disappeared a while ago. Sorry. You've been gone for a while.

Welcome back. [He wasn't sure if that was a weird breach thing or if you really were back. :|a]

[paradoxlol]

Damn it. [There's a long pause after that utterance as he takes it all in.]

Thanks.

So when you say "gone," I take it you don't mean I was in a coma. About how long was I off ship?

[batmanschmatman]

Your last network post was on December 3rd, so almost five and a half months.

[paradoxlol]

I guess I should thank the Admiral for the vacation.

If I ask you what I missed, will I get an answer besides "A lot?"

[batmanschmatman]

Do you want a report, or a more informal highlight reel?

[paradoxlol]

[Normally, he'd be all about ALL THE INFORMATION. But he's still reeling from the news that Perry's gone. Not graduated, just gone.]

Let's go for the highlights. The Barge's biggest hits.

[Private]

[batmanschmatman]

David, Riddick and Alex Mercer kidnapped me and tried to get information about the Bridge about a month after you left. Valmont's demon buddy Shendu took over the Barge for a couple days, we stopped in Vegas, had a breach where we basically ended up on the real life set of Pirates of the Caribbean, a port where some people turned into repo men coming after people's organs, Valetine's Day was awkward, a flood where we swapped genders and a flood where a bunch of us traded places with our siblings.

You know. Nothing too out of the ordinary, really.

[Private]

[paradoxlol]

So, business as usual. Glad nothing changed in my absence.

[most_feared]

He was with me... but he's gone now.

[private]

[paradoxlol]

...

[Well, that's disappointing. Arthur was actually rooting for Perry, for reasons beyond "I want my deal."]

How was he?

[private]

[most_feared]

He had a lot of potential. I was pretty sure I could help him, but... I'm also pretty sure the Admiral will bring him back someday. Even if it's a year down the road. He seems to have that luck.

[private]

[paradoxlol]

I think you could've, too. You're a good warden. He deserved that much.

[There's a little snort.] Yeah. If by "that kind of luck," you mean "shitty." [He kids.]

[private]

[most_feared]

That's probably the kind of luck it was.

But I think he got that his behavior was problematic when I got him. You did good there. I was going to try and prove to him that just because something works doesn't mean that it's a good idea, but didn't have much of a chance to figure out any better ways.

I got Crane now.

[private]

[paradoxlol]

Crane? My condolences.

[private]

[most_feared]

It's alright. He actually listens to me for the most part and doesn't actively try to get under my skin or anything.

Actually puts up less of a fight than Cooper did.

[private]

[paradoxlol]

He must be making progress. I'm impressed.