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]

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?

[subtlescience]

Not exactly - but I suppose from your point of view, it fits rather well.

Most of the people aboard this ship are from Earth, Doctor.

[tobecaprican]

Yes. That does seem like a common denominator.

[ For whatever reason, he looks suddenly, if vaguely upset at this notion, but not intending to get it on the other Barge resident as he studies his nails rather than his communicator, and then the gold rings on his hands. How is he still in a pirate costume.

The jewelry is tugged off and set aside for safekeeping. ]

So those that might recognise me might know about Caprica too through...

...written fiction.

[ Baby steps, but deliberately so -- he isn't sure he wants to understand this fully. ]

[subtlescience]

I imagine so.

How long have you been aboard? How much has been explained to you?

[tobecaprican]

...a few days, if that, before the-- the port. Or whatever it is you people call it.

I've had those explained to me, now. The general idea of the place, and this-- ridiculous rehabilitation system. And that there are those from different worlds.

Also, the Admiral is a tosser, and a drunkard.

[subtlescience]

If the ports and floods weren't explained, I suppose it hardly matters. You've been given firsthand experiences, after all.

[tobecaprican]

I think it was loosely mentioned, but not in any detail, and I didn't know to ask.

My warden was new too.

So that was a bit unkind. But as you say, it hardly matters.

[subtlescience]

For reference, the floods are like the ports, save that they occur aboard the ship.

Death is not permanent, and I would advise you to stay well away from anyone whose smile has become a little too wide.

[tobecaprican]

[ ...on the ship? Frakking brilliant. ]

Death toll. Yes, that's the--

That's the other quite important thing that was mentioned. It's a lot to take in. I've spent long years coming to grasp with the basic fundamentals of life, you know, academically, and it's all just--

[ Vague hand wave meant to communicate the utter disintegration of simple physics, chemistry, biology. And then ashes out finished cigarette with a final exhale of smoke. ]

[subtlescience]

Try to view it as a situation wherein we exist outside the boundaries of logic, reason, and common sense.

That might help.

[tobecaprican]

[ BUT YOU CAN'T YOU'RE NOT MEANT TO DO THAT is clearly what Gaius would like to say, frustration pulling at his mouth and eyes a-roll, but he's prepared to let it go -- it's a bit like shouting protests at a storm. ]

How long'd it take you, then? To get used to it.