Death on a First Date

...useful what?

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Work. It shouldn't be an odd concept, should it?

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You know Prefect?

...I have a few extra candles if you need them.

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...no, I don't think it should.

[his brow furrows] You a warden?

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I know... several Prefects.

That would be really helpful, thank you.

[paaaaaaaause. Slight peer.]

Are you Previous?

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I'd be worried if it was.

I am. Are you?

[He's staring at you, by the way, Hoffman. He can't help it.]

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so if that's work then what's a pointless task?

[he'll be glossing over that question. He's starting to get a little creeped out by the staring. He shifts in his chair, leaning back and trying to appear nonchalant]

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What's a Prefect, other than a slightly odd but otherwise sweet other warden on this ship? [He isn't actually wearing any red so I don't think anything would stand out hugely.]

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Oh. Must not be the same. I can bring them by later. [Then...her own pause.]

Previous what?

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[still staring a little,]

You... don't have Prefects? The Council? People who enforce the Rules and issue merits and demerits?

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[Eddie tries to break the staring. He's struggling.]

A task with no value to the collective at large, but one which is designed to teach you... [He grimaces] humility.

A chair census is one of the better ones.

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Some wish that we did, but no, we don't. This is a rather chaotic little ship of anarchy.

Welcome aboard. [Armand doesn't mind the staring. Lots of people think he's odd, especially the clothes.]

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[speak English. Hoffman squints at him] a reminder of where you stand in the grander scheme of things.

[he shifts a little more]

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Anarchy? That's always what they told us the previous wo...

[Oh, right, yes.]

Thank you. What's your name?

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Who is the Prefect here? What colour are they? I... should probably talk to them.

[oh, this is awkward.]

You... look like the Previous. Tell me, this is important, what colours can you see?

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Exactly that, yes. But they're quite up front about it. It's... pointless.

[He swallows nervously,]

What colours can you see?

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What color? I...[But then...a new question. And she could answer that one.]

All of them, of course.

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My name is Armand St. Just. I'm one of the other wardens here. And you're Monsieur Russett? Did I remember that correctly?

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Of course. [completely disbelieving.]

The Previous can see... everything.

I...

What's it like?

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Monsieur? Mister is alright, but yes. It's nice to meet you, Mr. [slight pause of confusion] St Just.

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What's it like to breathe? I don't know how to describe it.

Can you not? [She has noticed the eyes but...well, there are strange people all around. It doesn't yet occur to her that all these things are related.]

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Yes, that's right.

Monsieur is the same as 'mister.' I'm from France.

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It's not like breathing, I didn't think anyone could.

No. I can see a lot of red...

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I see. That's... where's that?

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