001. it's the way you name your ship | video

[onecertainly]

[ The video feed begins and a young man stares curiously into the camera. He has the distinct look of someone who's just climbed out of their deathbed and hastily tried to make themselves look presentable -- if there is a distinct look for such a thing -- and that would be because that's exactly what he's done.

Still, despite his obvious weariness, his expression is almost cheerful. ]

L-- [ No, not Lieutenant. Not anymore. ] Archie Kennedy. Warden Kennedy, I suppose. [ He raises his hand and it sort of lingers in the air because it strikes him that he has no idea if he should be saluting or not. Do wardens salute? Do convicted mutineers?

Likely not, so he lets it drop back down to his side. ]

This Admiral, he's -- [ There's a pause as he considers his next words carefully. He can't be too forward about his opinions of this mysterious figure, not so soon after the Renown. There's no telling who could be listening. Also, first impressions and all that.] -- well. He must be an interesting fellow to command such a vessel.

Does the entire crew dress as they please? If I must report to someone to receive uniform, I'd be obliged to learn at the very least his name. The one I'm wearing hardly seems appropriate. [ It's difficult to tell by the angle of the camera but he's wearing an old-fashioned naval uniform. It doesn't strike him as the correct attire for a warden. ] Thank you.

Comments

[deshabille]

[Oh gods it's like watching someone walk into a wall over and over. She loves it.]

You know the good Captain Bush. Of course you're surprised. He stuffed his foot all the way down his throat when he first got here, too.

Congratulations. Now you've heard of it, and you're suitably enriched.

[onecertainly]

Suitably enriched indeed, Corporal Maladict.

And if it offers any comfort, however small, I was exceedingly more shocked by the video function on these communication devices.

[ That's completely tongue-in-cheek, of course.

He's still reeling from basically everything he's learned so far but he's trying to refrain from acting like a complete bumbling idiot. It's not easy. ]

[deshabille]

They seem a bit stupid, don't they? Much easier to just meet in person.

Speaking of which, someone should probably intoxicate you. It's traditional.

[onecertainly]

It would be rude of me to deny tradition, wouldn't it?

[ As a guy who just died and then came back to life because some Admiral gave him a chance to be a warden for a probably-from-the-future inmate on a magical boat, Archie has no business declining any such offers. ]

[deshabille]

It would be unspeakably rude, and I'd have to cut off all contact with you, which I am sure would crush you for life.

Come find the bar, if you can.

[onecertainly]

Then I suppose I have no choice. I'll be there shortly.

[ And then it turns out that he's not as great at communicators as his initial message might imply because SHUTTING OFF CALLS IS HARD!!!! it turns out, but he finally succeeds. Then it takes him about twenty minutes to find the bar after extensive wandering and finally pausing to ask for directions.

But he's still really proud when he walks through the door and when he finds Mal he gives her a nod of greeting. ]

Corporal.

[deshabille]

[She nods right back, her grin wide and her teeth sharp enough to cut.]

Warden Kennedy.

Sit, please. Have an alcoholic beverage. We have something here called tequila, it's very exciting.

[onecertainly]

It sounds Spanish.

[He sits, feeling a bit awkward. If someone had told him that when he died he'd end up sitting in a pub with a female soldier on a flying boat he would've assumed they were mad. Or drunk. Or anything other than absolutely correct.]

All right. I'll have some tequila.