first puzzle | voice

[recinerate]

[beyond was dead, and now he's not.

it's a perplexing position for anyone to find themselves in, of course, but even more so when there's something fundamental about that person that's gone missing - something that should be there, but isn't. beyond has found he is missing such a thing, and has decided to take advantage of the technology of this new place in order to work out his thoughts regarding this dilemma.]

"In the social jungle of human existence, there is no feeling of being alive without a sense of identity."

[his voice is quiet, raspy, almost unnaturally even in tone. he pauses, then picks up with one of many questions currently on his mind, addressing anyone within earshot.]

What shapes your sense of identity?

Comments

[recinerate]

[and that's a curious conclusion to draw - beyond may have had a keen sense of competition bred into him from years of training at the house, L's house, but he thinks of none of his fellow passengers as rivals. this inquiry has everything to do with him; all the others he reaches with his query are merely tools at his disposal in untangling his thoughts.]

Are your weaknesses so easily uncovered with a simple question, Jimmy?

[thelastbullet]

[Jimmy had not arrived here with a sense of competition, but he knows too many inmates who did-- knows too many fellas back home, too, who would have. Everyone is out to get something from you, and information is the most precious ware.

The explicit use of his name puts him on edge, even though he's not the same man that he was when he first got here. He licks his lips, thinks before he answers.]

If the person asking the question's smart enough, they can draw dangerous conclusions.

[recinerate]

[a smart answer, indeed.]

Mm, I suppose you're right. However, that's not my intention. I'm merely attempting to initiate conversation. Would you prefer a different question?

[thelastbullet]

That depends on the question, doesn't it?

[recinerate]

How about if I let you choose? And, if you'd like, you may ask me a question as well. [no promises he'll answer honestly, though.] That would be a fair exchange, yes?

[thelastbullet]

[That goes both ways, but he's interested enough that he'll listen.]

Sure it would be. Shoot.

[recinerate]

Very well. Which of the following is worse: to fail at something, or to never attempt it in the first place?

[thelastbullet]

That depends on the stakes, don't you think?

[recinerate]

If a thing is worth doing, the stakes should be high enough to drive action. There will always be variables to consider, of course, but I'm speaking in a general sense.

[thelastbullet]

I'd say failing at something, then. [Because the things he has failed at, he wishes he'd never attempted them in the first place.]

Inmate or warden?

[recinerate]

I'm afraid I don't understand your question. Please elaborate.

[thelastbullet]

Did you come here on your own accord, or did you do something bad enough that you need redemption?

[tucky]

No, for real. Is that what you're doing?

I thought you was just a pissed-off warden.

[recinerate]

What reason would I have to compile a catalogue of passenger weaknesses?

[tucky]

I don't know, that sounds like something that'd be pretty useful to have if you wanted to fuck with people.

So you ain't a warden? Or are you? You was talking like one.

[recinerate]

What does a warden talk like, Tiffany?

[tucky]

All lecturing and disapproving and shit. I don't know. Most of the wardens here don't talk like that, but you sounded like you thought you should be in charge.

[recinerate]

You seem to have drawn a reasonable conclusion. Well done, Tiffany.

[tucky]

So you are a warden.

[recinerate]

A warden should also be decisive, Tiffany. Do you doubt your instincts?

[tucky]

You don't know about what a warden should be like, okay. You been one for like a day.

[recinerate]

Perhaps you should teach me, then. Since you're an expert.

[chillestrogue]

He's not a warden. Don't trust him.

Don't trust anyone who doesn't show you his face.

[tucky]

How do you know he's not a warden?

[chillestrogue]

I can make a pretty solid guess.

Even so, you don't have anything to lose treating a warden like an inmate. You've got everything to lose treating an inmate like a warden.