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[A very tony black envelope with tan piping arrives. Inside is a gift card for one of the most swank clotheries in the Up, enough for a very nice shirt at least. About an hour later, 5 red roses and 1 black arrive in a dramatic bouquet with nothing but, "Thank you," penned in the card in an exquisite hand.]
| ❝ | DUPLICITY CITATION No. 18469 Violation: You Know What You Did Fine: 2 weeks Realignment Payments must be received within 30 calendar days, or debts will be handed over to the Remittance Facility. | ❞ |
Met Grayson when I first arrived.
He told me that he was curious about what it might be like to die.
Since he's spent so long trying to avoid it.
And here you come back if you do.
He wanted it to be really worth it.
Wanted it to be dramatic and unexpected!
Who was I to refuse him?
He told me that he was curious about what it might be like to die.
Since he's spent so long trying to avoid it.
And here you come back if you do.
He wanted it to be really worth it.
Wanted it to be dramatic and unexpected!
Who was I to refuse him?
Excuse you, Kathy.
I'm just looking for something remotely interesting in this place.
[He's been getting more than a little antsy stuck here and it's making him stir crazy. Hence rash decisions.]
His words.
Worth is in that he was just saying he'd want a death that was memorable.
Pretty sure I gave him that.
And yes, before you ask I've gotten my powers stripped for two weeks.
I'm just looking for something remotely interesting in this place.
[He's been getting more than a little antsy stuck here and it's making him stir crazy. Hence rash decisions.]
His words.
Worth is in that he was just saying he'd want a death that was memorable.
Pretty sure I gave him that.
And yes, before you ask I've gotten my powers stripped for two weeks.
Undetermined.
I think I may be about to eat my weight in ice cream sundaes.
I'll let you know once I've done that.
I think I may be about to eat my weight in ice cream sundaes.
I'll let you know once I've done that.
Very funny.
Grayson is going to owe me when he gets back!
Grayson is going to owe me when he gets back!
I'll think of something.
Maybe a good grovel?
Those are always fun...
Maybe a good grovel?
Those are always fun...
[Well this is annoying isn't it?]
At [Bzzt--] Li-[CHHHH] -ning Room.
[Ugh. Well, this isn't going to work. He tries to send over an image instead of the Listening Room in the Insincerity City Limits. But only half of it shows up. But at least it's the half that includes the sign. Maybe he should save Grayson the trouble and find him instead rather than texting? But why should he do all the work?]
At [Bzzt--] Li-[CHHHH] -ning Room.
[Ugh. Well, this isn't going to work. He tries to send over an image instead of the Listening Room in the Insincerity City Limits. But only half of it shows up. But at least it's the half that includes the sign. Maybe he should save Grayson the trouble and find him instead rather than texting? But why should he do all the work?]
[He doesn't try to respond. For all he knows, the blasted thing will send Q a picture of a kitten. He has seen enough to know where he is.
He shows up around ten minutes later, dressed in a black suit and emerald tie and kerchief. It takes him another couple of minutes before spotting Q. Whatever hesitation he feels, he ruthlessly buries, approaching calmly.
He hasn't known what he'd say until he's in front of him.]
You remembered.
[There's an odd light in his eyes, a faint smile tugging the corners of his lips.]
I don't think it could have been more unexpected or dramatic.
He shows up around ten minutes later, dressed in a black suit and emerald tie and kerchief. It takes him another couple of minutes before spotting Q. Whatever hesitation he feels, he ruthlessly buries, approaching calmly.
He hasn't known what he'd say until he's in front of him.]
You remembered.
[There's an odd light in his eyes, a faint smile tugging the corners of his lips.]
I don't think it could have been more unexpected or dramatic.
[Grayson will find Q perusing the stacks of music. Records, cassette tapes, CDs, although he doesn't seem to settle on any of them for long. He doesn't look up until Grayson speaks, peaking up from the stacks to meet his eyes. His eyebrow quirks at him, taking in the whole picture of the man.]
Of course, I did!
[A grin grows on his face, pleased.]
It was pretty good, wasn't it? At no small cost to myself, I might add. The city was not pleased with me.
Of course, I did!
[A grin grows on his face, pleased.]
It was pretty good, wasn't it? At no small cost to myself, I might add. The city was not pleased with me.
[The adage, "Be careful what you wish for," drifts through his mind. In his presence, he discovers he has no anger nor resentment. His smile widens a touch.]
It was unbelievably agonizing. Beyond any experience I've ever had, far beyond the first time I died. And it was...transcendent. I'm sorry it cost you. It shouldn't have, given I asked for it.
What did they do to you?
It was unbelievably agonizing. Beyond any experience I've ever had, far beyond the first time I died. And it was...transcendent. I'm sorry it cost you. It shouldn't have, given I asked for it.
What did they do to you?
I'm thinking the city's ire had more to due with interrupting your punishment rather than the act itself.
[The city didn't seem to care much about murder in general. Although the fact that Grayson is a Dominant and Q is a Submissive didn't help matters either.]
They stripped me of all my powers for two weeks. [He sighs, lifting up a pant leg to show the power nullification device strapped to his ankle.] I still don't entirely understand how just a device can contain me, but nothing about my being here makes any sense. So why should this? I have... one more day of being basically human.
I've had to eat. And sleep! [He pulls a face at that, shuddering.]
[The city didn't seem to care much about murder in general. Although the fact that Grayson is a Dominant and Q is a Submissive didn't help matters either.]
They stripped me of all my powers for two weeks. [He sighs, lifting up a pant leg to show the power nullification device strapped to his ankle.] I still don't entirely understand how just a device can contain me, but nothing about my being here makes any sense. So why should this? I have... one more day of being basically human.
I've had to eat. And sleep! [He pulls a face at that, shuddering.]
It was really perfect timing, giving them a black eye that way.
[He's a bit surprised they hadn't tried to track him down and insist he finish his confession, not that he has any intention of reminding them.]
That's harsh for something done without malice and to someone who'd come back.
[Harsher than his sentence for murdering someone destined to stay dead.]
I hope the food has at least been decent. Is there anything I can do to ease the burden? Johnny come lately that I am. It took almost a week for me to remember myself.
[He has always had a strong sense of reciprocity, being what he is. Debts are best not to carry for long.]
[He's a bit surprised they hadn't tried to track him down and insist he finish his confession, not that he has any intention of reminding them.]
That's harsh for something done without malice and to someone who'd come back.
[Harsher than his sentence for murdering someone destined to stay dead.]
I hope the food has at least been decent. Is there anything I can do to ease the burden? Johnny come lately that I am. It took almost a week for me to remember myself.
[He has always had a strong sense of reciprocity, being what he is. Debts are best not to carry for long.]
Well, as much as I insisted you'd asked for it. The authorities didn't really believe me nor care. Nor did some of your 'friends'. [That's certainly not the right word for some of them, but playthings might be a little too on the nose.] There was one. This French girl. Eponine? She tried to stab me!
[He almost laughs but instead it's more of an exasperated scoff.]
I did tell her that I would be sure to tell you what a fervent defender she was of you. [It was almost impressive, if not for how foolish she seemed to be.]
Yes, the food has been good. I've probably eaten far too many donuts. And the sex! There's something far more visceral about it while nearly mortal and human. Most of the time, I really could take it or leave it. More of an amusement than something I crave.
[He tilts his head, leaning against a table holding a few boxes of vinyl records.] As far as what you can do to ease the burden. I'm not entirely sure. Don't suppose you were able to get one of those hotel rooms? Sleeping is bad enough. Sleeping in a tent? On a bag? [Q grimaces.] Terrible.
[He almost laughs but instead it's more of an exasperated scoff.]
I did tell her that I would be sure to tell you what a fervent defender she was of you. [It was almost impressive, if not for how foolish she seemed to be.]
Yes, the food has been good. I've probably eaten far too many donuts. And the sex! There's something far more visceral about it while nearly mortal and human. Most of the time, I really could take it or leave it. More of an amusement than something I crave.
[He tilts his head, leaning against a table holding a few boxes of vinyl records.] As far as what you can do to ease the burden. I'm not entirely sure. Don't suppose you were able to get one of those hotel rooms? Sleeping is bad enough. Sleeping in a tent? On a bag? [Q grimaces.] Terrible.
[His little bird. He can't help the grin, nor it's sharpness.]
That one's a feral cat. A force of chaos. I foresee great things if she can learn a bit of self-control.
[If by great things, one thinks of a wilder Estella under a far more vicious Miss Havisham.]
I'd say I can imagine. Mostly I can't. It's nothing to me without the aid of drugs or unusual blood. Or certain powers.
[He smirks briefly before shaking his head and frowning about the amenities.]
No. I've been melding into the earth at dawn and coming out once it's dark again. And the smells around the crowded campground. People aren't washing enough. I can tell you that.
That one's a feral cat. A force of chaos. I foresee great things if she can learn a bit of self-control.
[If by great things, one thinks of a wilder Estella under a far more vicious Miss Havisham.]
I'd say I can imagine. Mostly I can't. It's nothing to me without the aid of drugs or unusual blood. Or certain powers.
[He smirks briefly before shaking his head and frowning about the amenities.]
No. I've been melding into the earth at dawn and coming out once it's dark again. And the smells around the crowded campground. People aren't washing enough. I can tell you that.
The self-control seems to be a ways off from what I saw. So I wish her and you luck.
[Q's could care less what his plans were with her. Or anyone else here, unless they happened to be Janeway. Or if another certain Star Fleet Captain ever made an appearance here.]
Into the earth? That sounds... dirty. Are you naked when you do that? Sound like a good way to destroy a perfectly good suit.
[Q's could care less what his plans were with her. Or anyone else here, unless they happened to be Janeway. Or if another certain Star Fleet Captain ever made an appearance here.]
Into the earth? That sounds... dirty. Are you naked when you do that? Sound like a good way to destroy a perfectly good suit.
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