Team Bonding, AMA

[the_civilian]

[ Tadashi is reclining in a bed in medical, wearing the beatific smile of the enlightened and the well and truly stoned. ]

I love biology. Well, no, I'm enthusiastic about biology, I don't love it. I love programming and engineering and my family and helping people. Not in that order. Maybe in that order in regards to science. Except programming and engineering are the tools I use to help people, but I do love them too.

[ He stares off into space for a moment, then shakes himself and focuses back on the camera again. ]

But, you know, the thing about biology that's so cool is that we don't understand it all the way. Sometimes biological interactions happen unexpectedly. Like, these painkillers. I don't have an example of them to show you; they're already in my system and the medical staff won't give me more of them because they make me really loopy. Which is cool, because it's not an allergic reaction or a result of a miscalculated dose, it's just a reaction that happens sometimes to some people. Which is cool! Even almost a thousand years in the future of an alternate universe -- which has seriously weird rules, oh my god you guys I wish I loved biology and philosophy and physics more so I could study how weird this place is, I could write so many papers -- people still don't really know how our bodies work and why they react to certain things the way they do. Reality is amazing and I am so happy it exists!

[ He beams at the camera, but his smile eventually fades into confusion. Then he gasps in apparent surprise. ]

Oh yeah! Anyway, I'm super bored right now and I can't concentrate enough to read anything longer than a few sentences. And I've kind of been focused on dealing with my own stuff and not lighting things on fire when I shouldn't to get to know people, so I was thinking I should get off my ass and do that. Metaphorically, not literally, because the medical staff has confined to this bed until I metabolize the painkillers.

I was thinking we could do a...thingy. That thing people sometimes-- AMA! Ask Me Anything, that thing! We could do that, but just for Legionnaires. Not that I don't love the staffers here, I do, but I was thinking it could be a team bonding thing and some people here are more private than others. But I'd need one of the scary computer ladies to lock it down for me, because I can't figure out how to do that right now.

[ His eyes widen suddenly. ]

I'm sorry, I didn't mean that like "scary computers who are women", that would be rude, I meant it like "scary women who are good with computers". Computer programming has a long history of ignoring the contributions of the women who are it's backbone, and we have a lot of women here who area really good at what they do and they deserve to be afforded all the respect due to them as people and as badasses. The patriarchy sucks like the vacuum abhorred by nature.

...I think this got away from me. What was I talking about?

Comments

[truefaceofthelaw]

[Wow. That sure was something. His inquisitive smile gradually disappears into an almost-horrified frown, and his steepled fingers rise to cover his mouth. He eyes her behind the visor dubiously. If he knew that was what the politics of the upper echelon were like, he thinks his power fantasy would've been a little bit different. Grud knows how bad the Chief Judge had it.]

But then again, that's probably why Rico would do away with all that as soon as he could anyway. Unilateral decisions are best when you're at the top, after all. Even the vindictive humor at the expense of his brother is little compensation for the news. But he still laughs out loud delightedly when she's finished. He loves the impression. He's done that more than a few times himself.]

I'm not surprised to hear he never took that lawrod out of his ass. But I am surprised that they'd even bother to put up with that much from him.

[But he supposes being bloodline gives you at least some importance, provided you clawed your way up to senior street Judge.]

Anyway, thrilling stuff. I didn't quite think it would be so... tedious at the top.

[Whether he hides his disappointment successfully is a question for another day. But other than crushing his dreams, this is actually a ton of information. He knew that little Joe was still alive and kicking, but now he knows what he's doing. Barging into meetings and throwing his weight around, apparently. That he files away for later.]

Sounds like progress is still too slow for your liking. They don't get your vision, but you're doing good work. [Said sincerely, or maybe not. Hard to tell.] Maybe what it really needs is a major overhaul. [Yes, that's his way of jokingly encouraging Beeny to start a coup. But hey, she's the one who brought up murdering them all and then herself as a joke first. That would get them so arrested by the SJS if they weren't in another universe right now. Then he shoots her the most charming grin he can muster.] If you ever decide that you do want to make a couple new openings in the council and in the council members over budgetary disputes after all, put in a good word for me first?

[thedreamisdead]

[It's like kicking a puppy. A vicious robo-puppy that bit you on the ankle and leaked lubricant on your carpet.]

When someone with that many years on the streets speaks up, it's usually a good idea to listen.

Usually.

[He'd never appreciate the finer details. Budget. Paperwork. Dealing with civilians.

She grunts at Rico's continued commentary. He's not wrong, the Justice System does need an overhaul. But she's also not going to slip up and let his flattery disguise what he really is.]

I'd probably have to fight to get you out of your current position, but I'll see if I can't pull a few strings once the time comes. [Then again, she's pretty sure you need a body left for any kind of resurrection. It's been forty years and a trip to resyk. But that's not something he needs to know.]

[truefaceofthelaw]

You're too kind. The time couldn't come any sooner. [A small smile curls at the corner of his mouth. That was surprisingly easy. It sure pays to know people high up, huh? That, coupled with her earlier jokes, definitely means she likes him better than Joe.]

But from my current position as... an Academy tutor, I'm assuming? [He asks slowly. Either that or the long walk, and fat chance of that. Strange. He'd never figured himself to really live that long, let alone go ahead and retire to teach a bunch of snot-nosed brats. He had plans, didn't he? What the hell was future Rico thinking? He cocks his head to the side, and tries not to look too doubtful.]

Not much else I'd be doing at eighty, though I can't say that I ever saw that for myself.

[thedreamisdead]

It's a wonder the Chief Judge doesn't have a Dredd Pillow to scream into whenever he barges in.

[Anyway. She holds up a hand to the camera and shakes her head.]

Don't want to tell you too much. You might get overconfident that you'll live that long and slip up somewhere. That's no way for a Dredd to go out.

[He only had to love to his forties, anyway.]

[truefaceofthelaw]

Oh come on, Beeny. [he says, with a roll of his wrist.] When am I ever overconfident? It's no way for a Dredd to go out, sure, but I'm going to live forever.

[Or however long he chooses. But the smirk he flashes at her shows some self-awareness, at least.]

Though if you are so concerned about changing the future, things will have already changed just by being acquainted with you now. So what's the harm in telling me a little more?