1 ɂ voice

[mattersverymuch]

[ There's the tapping of fingers, the click of a tongue, and a long silence before anything's actually said. When the marquis speaks, he sounds hoarse, as well as almost cheerful. Spoilers: he's not really. ]

Naïveté is catching these days, I notice. Whose idea was this? I have places to be.

Comments

[mattersverymuch]

Are they? And yet you know about them.

[technophilic]

I have only anecdotal evidence, which is not reliable.

[mattersverymuch]

But you present your anecdotal evidence as fact until pressed further. [ Sigh. ] What should I make of that, I wonder?

[technophilic]

It is vital in any investigation to present all of the evidence available, reliable or not. It is equally vital to understand how reliable that evidence is and the manner in which it was collected.

[mattersverymuch]

Then your next step ought to be informing me exactly where this anecdotal evidence came from and what the circumstances surrounding collection were, I believe.

[technophilic]

Last April 9th I conducted an informal survey in regards to floods and other such barge-specific events. Narvin, Chromie, and Angua von Uberwald were able to provide me with their recollection of such events dating back to October of two years ago.

Last May 25th the kitchen encountered a staffing shortage and a request was made to recruit inmate volunteers. Several wardens mentioned a previous system involving entities employed by the Admiral responsible for preparing meals. The names of these individuals were not noted at the time.

[mattersverymuch]

'Entities' could mean any of a thousand things. But at least we're getting somewhere.

[technophilic]

The implication is that although the changes may be impossible to accurately track, our environment has not always been exactly as it is now.

[mattersverymuch]

Yes. Not so unusual. But this implication has secondary implications. Not to mention the inclusion of the confused quality of time and space.

[technophilic]

There is the additional complication that residents are rarely here for longer than a few years and their memories are susceptible to manipulation. Any data offered by the barge itself, be it handwritten or recorded in the library, is subject to scrutiny and suspicion.

[mattersverymuch]

Isn't everything?

[technophilic]

Data left to us by the Admiral is particularly likely to be misinformation.

[mattersverymuch]

Ah, you mean the man who only goes by 'the Admiral' and is 'somewhere on the Barge'? That one? I have to say, I'm almost impressed.

[technophilic]

Another aspect of our imprisonment that warrants further investigation.

[mattersverymuch]

'Further'?

[technophilic]

Standard inquiries are insufficient.

[mattersverymuch]

Obviously. What do you mean by 'further' specifically.

[technophilic]

Specifically I do not currently have plans for experimentation.

[mattersverymuch]

What a shame. You might offer your name as compensation.

[technophilic]

I am Satsuki Yatouji. Any suggestions for specific routes of investigation are welcome.

[mattersverymuch]

Admiral's name, nature, and standard locations would be an interesting avenue to pursue, I'd imagine. Unless it's already proven fruitless.

[technophilic]

That would require either access to the Admiral himself or a reliable historical resource, neither of which are available at this time.

[mattersverymuch]

Then preliminaries.

[technophilic]

Suggestions are welcome.

[mattersverymuch]

I assume you've already considered seconds-in-command and similar.