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[weaponwithoutpurpose]

voice . text . video . action

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[pharadyne]

As the mouthy one, I think you might want to consider the possibility of not punching people when they're not a physical threat. You don't have to respond to everything that angers you with a heavy fist.

[weaponwithoutpurpose]

[Jacob links his fingers together, letting his hands dangle between his knees.]

Great talk, warden. I'll be a good boy next time.

We done here?

[pharadyne]

No, we're not. For one thing, I know you absolutely will not be a good boy next time.

This sort of thing is why John's scared of you. The bursts of uncontrolled violence. I don't expect you to turn into a pacifist or anything like that, and I don't expect a solution overnight, but we are going to address it.

[weaponwithoutpurpose]

[There's the briefest tension in his fingers at the mention of John, but he's exhausted, so it doesn't extend beyond that.]

Didn't think it would - get out of control. Sometimes it doesn't. Most of the time it doesn't.

[pharadyne]

So, tell me what happened. The details. What was it about what he said that caused the response it did.

[weaponwithoutpurpose]

[At least that's an easy answer.]

I don't like to be told what to do by little pissants who don't know their ass from a hole in the ground.

[pharadyne]

Blimey, and you managed not to punch a single officer in the armed forces? Ever?

[weaponwithoutpurpose]

They were my superiors. There's a difference.

Remember what I fucking said about hierarchy here, Norton? That's what I fucking meant.

[pharadyne]

Why does hierarchy matter? And I mean this as a serious question and not in a 'let's all become Red anarchists' sense. More...what does it mean to you?

[weaponwithoutpurpose]

Means - someone stronger than me in some way. Smarter, bigger, worthy of respect.

[pharadyne]

Even if the strength is purely institutional, by having a higher rank in the hierarchy, even if they aren't smarter or bigger or particularly deserving of that rank?

[weaponwithoutpurpose]

[That gets a headshake.]

Nah. They gotta deserve it. Or earn it.

[pharadyne]

And all your officers had earned their rank? In my day, sons of wealthier families become officers or pilots, and sons of tradesmen, labourers, and farmers don't. That's just the way it is, nothing much earned about it.

[weaponwithoutpurpose]

The ones I followed did. Cuz they had the power to kick me out to the streets.

[He shakes his head.]

I didn't have a problem with any of them. I liked it there.

[pharadyne]

The best ones, what did you like about them?

[weaponwithoutpurpose]

They - had reasons for the shit they did. Even if I didn't get to know them. I scrubbed toilets, but at least I knew why.

[pharadyne]

So you don't like arbitrary cruelty or abuse of authority. What other qualities did the good officers have? I mean, "not being capricious sadists" is a pretty low bar. There must be other things.

[weaponwithoutpurpose]

[He sighs.]

You are really fucking annoying about this.

[pharadyne]

I'm annoying about all sorts of things, cowboy.

[weaponwithoutpurpose]

[He flips him off.]

You get one more question today.

[pharadyne]

What happens if I ask more than one question?

Wait, that's not my question.

If I ask really nicely, will you stop physically assaulting people for being mouthy?

[weaponwithoutpurpose]

[He leans forward, grinning a little.]

I'll consider it. What do I get in return?

[pharadyne]

Another blowjob? Bottle of my best booze?

[weaponwithoutpurpose]

[He considers that for a moment, how this whole deal makes him feel like shit, even if he was the one to propose it. But as long as he's backed himself into a corner, he's not going to relent.]

That first one. I'll take that.

[Momentary oblivion for keeping his hands to himself. Seems a fair deal.]

[pharadyne]

Right-o. [It's a good bargain, Norton thinks. Maybe cut down on the violence and costs him nothing he's not perfectly willing to give. He gets down on his knees in front of Jacob.]