the last voyages // 2. video. no filter.

[tobecaprican]

[ Somewhat less ruffled than the first time he transmitted a video, but only just, Gaius Baltar sits in view of the camera, nursing a cigarette, and looking faintly disturbed. He is also dressed like a pirate, from the elegant open-throated shirt through to gold-buttoned waistcoat. The bandanna has been left to hang around his neck, and there are a couple of rings on his fingers that are somewhat chunky and antiquated.

They glint a little as he takes another drag from his cigarette. It's a self-medicating technique so he doesn't freak out at people over phones again. He's just spent a few days believing he was a pirate, never you mind. When he poses his question, it's quite measured; ]

Does this happen very often?




OOC: I may still pirate!Baltar backtag a bit, but. \ oAo/

Comments

[tobecaprican]

Foolish though it may be to ask of 'reason' in a place that defies all scientific logic, but-- is there any?

[subtlescience]

I'm sure the admiral finds our discomfort entertaining. Is that an acceptable reason?

I could always attempt to formulate another for you, but the above is most likely, in spite of leave us all with a rather bad taste in our mouths.

[tobecaprican]

No, 'the Admiral's a tosser' seems to be a decent, working theory. Very blanketing and multipurpose.

[subtlescience]

You might include the addendum 'also a drunkard'.

If we're using working theories to define why floods and ports are inflicted upon us, it's as sound as any.

[tobecaprican]

[ Thinks about that, glances down at self. Small trip down memory lane over the past few days, before tipping his head in concession. Taptap ash off cigarette. ]

I'm guessing he doesn't give a frak, either, what we've to say about him. No one seems to have nice words.

[subtlescience]

Oh, on occasion we do receive responses to our complaints.

Usually in biscuit form.

[tobecaprican]

That would be his infamous sense of humour at work, then.

[subtlescience]

If you do happen to receive a biscuit, be grateful it wasn't a bucket of squid. He did that once, as well.

Who are you?

[tobecaprican]

I wouldn't mind a biscuit.

I'm Doctor Gaius Baltar. If inmates can be doctors. And you?

[subtlescience]

What sort of doctor are you?

[tobecaprican]

Computer science, with specialties in algorithm analysis and artificial intelligence theory. [ Because it's illegal, practically. ]

Sorry, what was your name?

[subtlescience]

That sounds remarkably similar to Toshiko Sato's line of work. Then again, I have as much experience with technology as you have with the admiral.

[tobecaprican]

[ Oh, fine, no name's for Gaius. Small eye roll goes here and the determination not to ask again, as he takes another drag from his dwindling cigarette. ]

I'm quite famous for it, back in my world.

[subtlescience]

Well done you.

Have you been recognized here?

[tobecaprican]

Not at all. But I've been through this. No one's from where I'm from, so I shouldn't expect to be signing autographs, now should I?

And thank you. I've awards and everything.

[subtlescience]

It isn't strictly necessary for those aboard to be from your world in order for them to recognize you, Doctor.

[tobecaprican]

Oh? You mean like...

[ He has to think about that one, ever wide eyed gaze glancing off leftwards, then back at the device. ]

No, I don't know what you mean.

[subtlescience]

Have you ever read Alice's Adventures in Wonderland?

[tobecaprican]

Um. No, I'm afraid not. [ Not a 'never got around to it' tone, but a 'I have no idea what that even is' tone. ]

[subtlescience]

This could take a while, I see.

Does written fiction exist in your world?

[tobecaprican]

I'd say it's been known to occur, on occasion, along with art, music, the like. You're going somewhere with this, I hope.

[subtlescience]

I have a point:

It is not unlikely that you will happen upon someone you know to be fictional here.

And others may well recognize you from their own fiction.

Do you understand?

[tobecaprican]

[ Mouth starts to go into a sneer, but it dulls, remembering conversations about Earth, how people are from it, despite it being pure superstition, and he is forced to give this stranger's words more consideration. ]

...no. But I might. Everyone keeps talking about--

You're from Earth too, aren't you.

[subtlescience]

I am.

Is that a foreign concept to you?

[tobecaprican]

I'm from a planet called Caprica.

It's one of twelve colonies of the human race. Earth is supposed to be a thirteenth planet, home of a lost tribe, but it's just--

It isn't real, or anything. Religious idiots are the only ones who'd say otherwise, but there's no evidence, just bedtime stories and not enough to do.

Is that what you mean by fictional?