1st race

[bleak_midwinter]

[Spam]

[Tommy walks the halls as if they belong ti him- it's not too strange, since they often did, back home. He walks as if's surrounded by hard men with razors stitched into their hats, with guns in their hands. It's easy to take offense to, but he'll be quick to reassure if anyone does.

He visits the Deck first, to smoke and to let it sink in where he is. After that, he makes the rounds, exploring: the dining hall for a good meal, the bar for some whiskey (Irish; always), the engine room. He spends a considerable amount of time in the common rooms, too, trying to figure out the TV's.

At night he's back on the deck, as high as he can go, as different as scene from his dreams as the Barge can provide.]

[Video]

[He's been on the ship for a full day before he announces himself. You might have seen him, or you might not have; for all he moves as if he owns the halls, his suit is drab enough that he can blend in when he wants.

He's in his kitchen now; there are patterned tiles, an old-fashioned wood stove, a china cabinet. It's cozy, if outdated for most of the Barge's inhabitants. Without his hat on, Tommy's eyes are a clear, penetrating blue. His voice is low, with a strong Birmingham accent. He's smoking, and it's obscuring his face in the already low lighting from the oil lamp on the table.]

From what I can tell, this place is all about 'forgiveness'. Not forgetting, but forgiving-- inmates and wardens alike. How long should forgiveness take? Are there things you could never forgive? People you'll always forgive?

Has your opinion changed, since you've been here?

Comments

[bleak_midwinter]

[He doesn't turn off his own video- he doesn't have experience communicating via telephone, feels more comfortable showing his face. But he'll respect that others won't.]

Things such as?

[recinerate]

[beyond, on the other hand, feels too exposed after his conversations with cassel; he retreats to faceless anonymity.]

Great betrayals.

[bleak_midwinter]

That's a different category of things for everyone, though. Where do you draw the line?

[recinerate]

[oh, where indeed.]

For example, should Julius Caesar have forgiven Brutus for betraying and murdering him? I think not.

[bleak_midwinter]

Perhaps, if he'd known how it ended. The man didn't exactly accomplish what he set out to do.

[recinerate]

Regardless of eventual outcome, the act of betrayal was quite strong. It is reasonable to infer that such a thing could not ever be forgiven.

[bleak_midwinter]

So- murder? Patricide? Betrayal? Plotting? Which of these things do you find unforgivable?

[recinerate]

Betrayal. There are circumstances under which murder - even patricide - may be forgiven.

[bleak_midwinter]

[He clenches his jaw minutely- something hits home.]

Any kind of betrayal?

[recinerate]

[noted, but he won't comment on it.]

Interpersonal betrayal, primarily.

[bleak_midwinter]

So it was Brutus' betrayal of his friend, not his leader, that offends you.

[recinerate]

In this particular example? Yes, that would be a correct assessment.

[this hypothetical example doesn't offend him personally; it's when similar circumstances do apply to him specifically that he finds himself incapable of forgiving the transgression.]

And you? Are there things you cannot ever forgive?

[bleak_midwinter]

I'm not sure, yet. They say forgiveness takes time, don't they?

[It's barely been a day, really, and he's still reeling.]

[recinerate]

Indeed, that is commonly said. [he goes silent for a moment, thinking.] And it does seem that we have nothing but time, here.

[bleak_midwinter]

Then I suppose we'll have to come back to the matter later.

[recinerate]

Very well. I'll be happy to revisit this discussion at a later time.

[bleak_midwinter]

Thank you for your input.

Thomas Shelby.

[recinerate]

You're welcome, Mr. Shelby. My name is Beyond.

[bleak_midwinter]

It's a pleasure to meet you, Beyond.

[recinerate]

You as well.