IC Contact - Duplicity

[understood]

username: Cst.B.Fraser

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[understood]

I hardly think "suicidal pirate adventure" is a just description, when it is an exploratory voyage with no plans of preying on other ships. And of course there are reasonable and compelling arguments against it. So there are with any large and risky venture. That doesn't mean it shouldn't be attempted.

[scarrystories]

I'm not against it being attempted, I'm against you joining it.

Because Best case scenario, they find a way out, and then I never see you again. And worst case scenario, you die, and then I never see you again.

[understood]

But Andy, I hadn't even suggested that I would go.

[scarrystories]

Right, yeah. But I saw your comment and had anxiety so I thought I'd tackle it before it spiraled.

[understood]

As much as it pains me to distress you, you must know I will not decide my course of action out of fear—not my own fear, and not yours, either.

[scarrystories]

That's why I opened by saying I had a reasonable, compelling argument.

[understood]

Very well, let's hear it.

[scarrystories]

[ Andy spends a lot of time typing/not typing. ]

Even if we ignore the dangers and how poorly all previous escape attempts have gone, there's no way to know if there will be a way back once the ship leaves city borders.

So, there's a high chance this is a one way trip. So that'd leave the people still here stranded I guess, and we'd never know what happened to you.

And then if it's not a one-way trip, but it takes a while, the city might mark you as having left the city, which would mean me and Andy would need to find some other place to live or move-in a new Dominant. Which would suck for us.

And there's a lot of other stuff, but I keep rereading and deleting it because it comes across as emotionally manipulative, and I don't wanna be that guy. So while I understand and admire the drive to do this, and would have probably cheerfully joined it only a few months ago, I think it's a bad idea. (I also would've thought it was a bad idea months ago, I just would've joined anyway.)

[understood]

You would not need to move out or bring in a new Dominant if I left a will, giving the Canadian Consulate over to Faith, with the understanding that she would take up your contracts. I can't imagine that you really believe I'd leave without at least making provision for you not to be left homeless and unprotected.

There are a number of other points we disagree on, but that's not important. They're largely matters of opinion, and in any case I don't intend to try to sway you. Your position has been noted.

[scarrystories]

Are you going?

[understood]

Well, I'm certainly not going to make a decision about it right this second, Andy. I'm surprised you would ask.

[scarrystories]

[ There's a lot of 'typing' 'not typing' again. ]

All right. Let me know.

[understood]

Of course. You'll be the first to know.

[scarrystories]

See you when you get home.

[understood]

See you then.

[ He arrives home at his usual time and pauses just inside the door to take off his work boots like on every ordinary day. ]

I'm home.

[scarrystories]

Hey.

[ Andy is in the kitchen, stress baking. Healthy Coping Mechanisms. Ben might notice he's very tense. ]

[understood]

Hi.

[ Ben comes over and kisses him on the cheek. ]

What's wrong...? Is young Andy worse?

[scarrystories]

No news there. It's fine, just— fears that will not decide your course of action.


[ He's aiming for a light tone, but he misses the mark a bit. ]

[understood]

[ Fraser frowns a little, uncertain. ]

You're still anxious?

[scarrystories]

I'm terrified!

[ His voice goes high and shaky. And he makes himself breath in and out, leaning against the counter. ]

It's fine. It's fine, it's six weeks away, I'm okay.

[ It's very possible he's been saying that to himself over and over for several hours. ]

[understood]

Oh. Oh, I see.

[ He's startled as well as dismayed, and he immediately goes over to put his arms around Andy. ]

[scarrystories]

[ This isn't at all reassuring, but he does let himself sink against Ben. ]

I'm sorry.

[ It's like he's trying to switch off whatever feelings he's feeling one by one and it's only half working. ]

[understood]

I don't see what in the world you have to be sorry for.

[ Ben holds him close, nuzzling under his ear a bit like a worried puppy. ]

[scarrystories]

This isn't fair to you.

[ He seems to be effectively shutting down whatever feelings he was having. ]

We can talk it out once you know.

[ He's also very carefully avoiding looking at Ben as he speaks. ]

[understood]

I thought we had talked it out.