InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Stars fading, but I linger on."

Jean-Luc Picard (tea_earlgreyhot) wrote in marinanova,
@ 2013-02-16 19:46:00

Current mood:	uncomfortable
Entry tags:	buffy summers, data, jean-luc picard, lacus clyne, rose tyler, seven of nine

[ day 206 ] action :: open
[It’s very late at night in the prison, if anyone is still awake or out and about. Were anyone to pass through Sector 0 they might find an older gentleman in his Starfleet uniform sitting on a bench in the recreation area. He’s quiet and still, somewhat unassuming. He might even be mistaken for peaceful from far away. But were anyone to come closer, they’d find that he has somewhat of a perplexed look on his face, troubled or thoughtful perhaps. And his gaze is turned up to the top of the dome. Obviously he’s not as peaceful as it might initially seem.]

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tea_earlgreyhot
2013-02-17 03:19 am UTC (link)

[Jean-Luc is so intent on the roof of the dome that he's let his guard down. He doesn't see or hear or even sense the approaching android. So when he hears the familiarity of his title, he sits up a little straighter, squares his shoulders a bit, and looks through the darkness in the direction of the voice, already knowing he'll find Data at the other end of it.]

Ah. Data. I would ask if you were having trouble sleeping as well, but... [Instead, he opts for something else.] Out for a midnight stroll?

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thirdcriterion
2013-02-18 12:08 am UTC (link)

[ He gives a slight nod in response as he approaches to within a few feet, remaining standing to the side of the bench. ]

There are certain differences in observing the dome during the night, as opposed to the day.

[ Not that there's been anything new. The current point of his focus, and naturally his top priority, is the Captain's welfare. Difficulty sleeping is often tied to preoccupation, for humans - you don't observe behavior for as long as he has and not pick that up. ]

Sir - if I may inquire, is something troubling you?

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tea_earlgreyhot
2013-02-19 08:56 pm UTC (link)

[For all of Data's study of humanity, and for all of his knowledge of humanity, it still caught Jean-Luc just a little bit by surprise when Data happened to show such insight. And he hoped that Data would always surprise him in such a way. For as Data learned and understood, Jean-Luc felt as if he did as well.]

Yes, Data. I suppose it is troubling, the realization that there are no stars. Of course, logically I knew this. But knowing something and paying attention to the fact that it is so are two entirely different things, are they not?

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thirdcriterion
2013-02-19 10:20 pm UTC (link)

[ It always does come with a small moment of satisfaction - a satisfaction he can feel, now - when he is correct in his theories about the moods of those around him. Of course, the Captain's words are far more important than his own small accomplishment, and he considers them for a quiet moment, a brow quirked as he nods slowly. ]

Then observing the absence of stars underscores your intellectual awareness of the situation.

[ And he considers their examination of the Phoenix for him, one of the more recent instances he has attempted to understand. ]

It makes it... "more real"?

[ He glances up himself, considering it, and frowns as he studies the darkness. ]

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tea_earlgreyhot
2013-02-20 01:43 am UTC (link)

Yes, that it does.

[And with those four words comes a heavy tone of sadness. It seems to weigh on his shoulders and fall down in to the ground in the immediate vicinity. But then, just as quickly as it was there, it was gone. Jean-Luce back to his normal, dignified and mostly unreadable self.] Were we on the Enterprise I would seek out Ten Forward on the Bridge for a view of the stars.

[He looks back up to the roof of the dome.] A different world. I suppose it would behoove us all to find a different routine to combat a sleepless restlessness.

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thirdcriterion
2013-02-22 04:22 am UTC (link)

[ When he lowers his gaze again, it's just in time to see Picard reassume his usual demeanor - though since the Captain continues speaking, he remains quiet and attentive. He arches his brows, a facial shrug of sorts, at the last statement. ]

There are areas of the dome which would appear to be designed for observation, geared toward encouraging reflection and relaxation. However, I believe they would likely fall rather short.

[ Observing the absence of stars does indeed amplify a feeling that Data has begun to become aware of himself experiencing, as do thoughts of the Enterprise. Restlessness - the sort that has him tense from confinement, nagging at him to get out, and the frustration that they haven't managed that yet. A sensation he's managing, but a new and not entirely pleasant one nonetheless. He shakes his head, furrowing his brow. ]

Being here is proving to be a most disconcerting experience.

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tea_earlgreyhot
2013-02-23 09:37 pm UTC (link)

[He looks over to Data, his thoughtfulness that had just been focused on the lack of stars now focused on the Android, his officer, his comrade in arms, his friend. Data has ever been a source of a study of growth to him, and not just in the way that Data has evolved and grown over the years. But oftentimes, he finds himself forced into his own introspective contemplation because of Data, in light of the things Data says and does.

And of course, now in this place, he's constantly forced there with just the mere presence of Data. In his time, Data had sacrificed himself for Picard's life. It should have been his death, not the Android's. But he had frozen with the death of Shinzon. He hadn't been able to move as the product of his own DNA had faced death in front of him. That had left a door wide open without any room for argument or direction on his part. He had briefly lost the control he usually kept a strangle hold on. And in part, that had allowed Data to do what he did with no interference on Jean-Luc's part.

He realizes he's been quiet for too long and nods.]

Most disconcerting. And how would you hypothesize we deal with such a disconcerting circumstance? Not taking into account the larger picture of returning to our home, but rather on a smaller scale in the day to day?

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thirdcriterion
2013-02-25 07:34 pm UTC (link)

[ He has been quiet a while, and Data has been curious about it - though the reflections are, of course, nothing he would have come close to guessing at. While he's aware that he is from an earlier point in time than the Captain, he would never suspect the fate that awaits him, that he's already met from Picard's perspective. Nor would he try to - he certainly knows better than to start asking after his own future, to introduce any kind of potential instability or interference into the timeline.

So he wonders at the quiet - or does, at least, until the Captain speaks again, posing a query. Not on a topic he has a great deal of firsthand experience with, but certainly one he can draw upon his observations and study to speak to in theory. ]

I have observed that many individuals obtain comfort from minor familiarities that they are able to incorporate into an unfamiliar situation: A hobby they can continue to pursue; Revisiting works of fiction or music to which they have developed an attachment; Small rituals such as enjoying a traditional or favored food or beverage.

[ Even he's done that, with his violin - and then there are those he's met here. ]

I have also found, particularly in the time in which we have been in the facility, that it is possible to find a certain degree of comfort and solidarity in the company of others who are experiencing similar situations.

[ For his part, he's entertained the possibility of turning off his emotion chip, but is hesitant to do so until it proves a hindrance to his ability to function effectively. Humans cannot turn off their emotions when they are unpleasant - while he considers it an responsibility as an officer to utilize every advantage he is granted to perform his duties, doing so for personal reasons would be devaluing what he has worked so hard to attain. ]

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tea_earlgreyhot
2013-02-27 07:02 pm UTC (link)

Minor familiarities.

[On a familiar note, it was very much an answer Data would give. Both expected and not. He knew how even Data had sought the comfort of minor familiarities on the Enterprise, in painting and in Spot his cat, in the image of Tasha Yar and the book Picard himself had given the android so long ago. Data had his own creature comforts, so to speak, and he wondered what Data would request here were he to ask for any of them from the Warden's. Maybe there were some of those things, such as paint brush and canvas, that he could obtain without asking.

However, Data's answer had spawned an idea for him, just as he'd hoped it would. One of his own creature comforts; the Ressikan flute he enjoyed playing now after seemingly living a lifetime as Kamin on the ultimately doomed planet of Kataan. He missed the peace that flute brought him, the memories it aroused within him of the only time he had ever known what it would be like to have a family and a life outside of Starfleet. It raised emotions in him that were both comforting and painful. But he could handle the painful memories of loss because it meant that he was feeling those things that he'd thought he would never have an opportunity to feel.

One hand lifts to his mouth, his fingers glazing thoughtfully across his lips.] Would you think that the Wardens would have the means to retrieve alien objects from the Enterprise and bring them here?

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thirdcriterion
2013-03-03 10:13 pm UTC (link)

[ It's an interesting query; the implication is that the Captain has a specific item in mind, though Data cannot be certain what. For his own purposes, he's been content to obtain a violin from within the dome upon which to practice that particular hobby, not yet incorporating his other pursuits into his routine here. In time, perhaps - he has considered the possibility that they may remain here for some time, even as they continue their efforts to understand the facility and to find a way home. He may need to pursue other comforts, himself, should time wear on. He certainly recognizes the importance of maintaining their morale in order to continue working effectively, though it's more of a concern for the Captain, and for Seven, than himself. his personal preferences aside, he would not hesitate to deactivate the chip if his mood became a preoccupation.

He considers the question, eyelids and gaze lowering slightly as he frowns, a single brow arching. ]

Retrieving an item would likely be a relatively simple task for them to accomplish, in comparison with the feat of bringing individuals to the facility. They may, however, require a certain number of the "points" with which they claim to gauge rehabilitation.

[ There is a certain importance on the word "claim", as he remains entirely skeptical of the wardens' claims to be focused on rehabilitation. ]

I have only had firsthand experience in requesting one item from them: my uniform, which they had not seen fit to include in the belongings with which they provided me upon arrival. They did not require that I earn any points in exchange for granting my request, but I have been told of other individuals having difficulty obtaining other items. I suspect that such assigned values may be arbitrary to some extent, however.

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tea_earlgreyhot
2013-03-05 10:45 pm UTC (link)

Rehabilitation points... just another means of control.

[He scoffs, seeming both amused and disgusted by the idea. Amused because of Wardens who seem, from his perspective, guilty of crimes themselves could still pass down judgement on them all is absurd. Disgusted because he really deplores the idea of not being in control, much less the reality of it. He's dealing with it very poorly as a matter of fact. But, like Data, he'd had no problem in getting his uniform either.]

Yes, Data. I'm quite sure that there is nothing fair or comprehensive about these rehabilitation points. I'm almost certain that they wouldn't give us a phaser or a tricorder were we to ask.

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thirdcriterion
2013-03-07 05:32 pm UTC (link)

They did allow me, as well as Seven, to keep our tricorders - likely due to the limitations on their usefulness and their necessity in maintaining both of our systems. I do agree that it seems highly unlikely that they would allow us to have a phaser. I cannot imagine they would be eager to arm those they are attempting to imprison.

[ Not that Data really needs to be armed to handle himself in a confrontation. A direct confrontation with the wardens, however, seems like an extremely unwise idea, certainly when they still don't understand the authority structure in place beyond the wardens and are apparently at their mercy, relying on the dome for survival. ]

Though I believe, making an inquiry... could not hurt.

[ Those last three words are stated quite delicately, in the slightly separated way that he typically places colloquialisms into his speech. ]

Even if they do not agree to requests, it is possible that interaction with the wardens may still prove useful in providing further insight.

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