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[longitudinal]

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quentin toma NOTES: sailor, navigator, loverboy, war-bringer. THREAT LEVEL LIKABILITY LEVEL SCANDAL LEVEL FASHION LEVEL WEALTH LEVEL

Comments

[holyposition]

That's nice of you to say.

How so?

[longitudinal]

it was my first day here in this place.

my home is quite different. you were sweet and warm.

[holyposition]

I'm happy I could give you a warm welcome, then. I'm working through some things right now, but I am glad. I really do like you. I'd have shut down the flirting messages if I didn't.

Different how? Other than the sailing.

[longitudinal]

oh best of luck to you shutting down my overt affection - I've been told I'm insufferable.

we don't have these devices for one. we have electricity, but not so many devices. it's run by the sea, and lights our homes and such. people here mention countries that don't exist in my land. the laws are different, the rules are different, the customs.

[holyposition]

You're on the borderline. But I like it.

We didn't have these either. Mine is kind of close to this one, but in the past. A lot's changed in fifty years, but not everything.

How are you adjusting? I've been doing alright at it, if you need a hand.

[longitudinal]

i do enjoy a borderline and seeing how far i can move it.

but at least your home is similar. the foods here are different, the culture. the comfort. i've enjoyed it, but there are things i'm sure are similar here and home - none of this can be free.

everything has a cost. i've been figuring things out, with a little help. i've recently been made aware that you can take pictures with these devices.

[holyposition]

I don't know how how I'd cope if I was from somewhere completely different. You're braver than me.

You can. It's handy. Where I'm from, we have cameras, but they're bulky, and it takes time. This is instant.

[longitudinal]

i don't know about brave, but i'm certainly not afraid to throw myself into new places. i'd be a terrible sailor if that were the case.

change is all part of my landscape. but i like the pictures - i wish i could have pictures of my home to show you. the boat, the water. do you miss anything about where you're from?

[holyposition]

You could be. You never specified.

My family, obviously. My church, too. Not a lot else, really. I was running away from a lot when I ended up here.

[longitudinal]

oh, well then i suppose you’re right. please consider me the most inept sailor you’ve ever met.

running from things? that i can understand. do you like this place better then?

[holyposition]

Guess it's lucky you're so handsome.

Those things all followed me here. I don't know. There's a lot to like and a lot to hate. It's overwhelming.

[longitudinal]

well, i'm honored a handsome man thinks i'm handsome.

but it is overwhelming here. it's better for me here, than it is to go home. but i know we don't have a choice either way.

[holyposition]

:)

Is it really? I thought it would be weird for you being stuck on dry land now.

[longitudinal]

it is, in many ways.

admittedly, i haven't been on the sea in over a year back home. i miss the sea.

[holyposition]

Really? Why not?

[ Surprising, given that Quentin self-identifies as a sailor. Not 'I used to sail' or 'I like to sail', but a label implying that it's part of him. ]

[longitudinal]

there's a war. all the lands are involved.

[ he just doesn't mention why that war keeps him landlocked. ]

[holyposition]

Were you fighting in it?

[longitudinal]

fighting to stop it, in a way.

[ in as much as he can, seeing as he was instrumental in the main offender's success. ]

[holyposition]

But you'd rather be here? Than stop the war?

[ It does occur to him, in fact, that he's prying too much, that Quentin doesn't owe him any answers about things he doesn't understand in the first place. But he's drawn to Quentin, for better or for worse, and with that comes curiosity. ]

[longitudinal]

i don't know that i can stop it. i'm also the reason he's made it as far as he has.

it's complicated.

[holyposition]

It sounds like it.

I won't press you if it's too personal. But I do want to know about you. I'm here to talk if you want to. I've never been part of a war, but I think I'm a good listener.

[longitudinal]

the leader of my country wants control of the continent and he will do anything in his power to bring the other armies to their knees. someone told him i had skills that could be helpful to his cause.

he made it clear i had no option but to help.

[holyposition]

You were coerced by a dictator? What was he making you do?

[longitudinal]

[ how does he answer that question? how does he lay down the list of the many things he's asked to do, the many faces he has to wear, the many walls he hides his heart behind? ]

in a way, yes. i was acting as an advisor, of sorts. my hands were tied, i could do nothing to change my circumstances.

sorry, this is quite a dreary tale when it's so beautiful outside.

[holyposition]

You said he was exploiting some skills?

We can talk outside if you want to. It doesn't have to be about this.