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[forensicks]

[Walter has recorded a video message from the point of view of someone who has just come through the door into his cabin and sees Walter at his desk in the chair turned around to face the viewer. He gives a little salute-wave.]

Didn't get me. But nice try.

Comments

[forensicks]

[You don't think they needed those soap opera shenanigans to happen, and yet the Admiral has made it clear that they do? Walter can barely smooth over the sneer on his face. He's got to at least try and act the part of the friend not helping him enough.]

Yes, of course; I should give this the thought it deserves.

[As much thought as Ethan actually put into this. Which is none. The reason Walter gets up to finish his milk all at once and put it onto a counter is simply to make sure the glass doesn't break in his hands.

Having a room with actual space to walk from a big sofa to somewhere else reminds Walter of... something. Not even the hotel in New York had this much space, was it... his houseboat? Hit him! Misty shrieks in his earpiece. Hit him, right now! Yes, he's walking to pick up that little rotary saw to interrogate that guy (how odd that he mentioned Jeff).

As a general rule, Walter does not do "angry". He does bitter. He does cold. He does sociopathic. But contrary to popular belief, he really doesn't do angry. The last time he's felt such rage... Probably when he processed how Malcolm snapped at him, his paired inmate, that the mere idea of abuse of power, of inmates being beneath him, was absurd?]

Ah, yes, excuse me. Well. Using satire to make my point does not mean I'm not taking this seriously. Perhaps this will be clear enough: How many wardens does it take to change a lightbulb? One, [he holds up one finger then hisses:] but the lightbulb has to really want to change.

[Ethan's feelings being hurt feels good. Why not give him a tiny taste of the betrayal inmates constantly go through? If everyone thinks Walter is a degrading asshole, he might as well do it on purpose.]

If change must be incremental, then surely it can't be forced in any way at all? I haven't been heavy-handedly helping him graduate; I've been helping him. I'll admit I accidentally got a little overzealous getting across how much I hoped the port would be good for his mental health, but we've worked it out. We still went up to the city together. I was there for him, all sorts of things we went through together, and you very clearly were not. So, yes, if you know Pyotr Stepanovich so little that you can't even identify what he so badly needs to change - trust issues, for instance - I suggest you go on your way.

[Awkwardly, though even this nebbishness could be an affectation, he doesn't even know the difference himself:] From him, that is, I know this is your domicile from which I'll soon enough see myself out.

[inthebiblicalsense]

[Given everyone on board seems to have some form of trust issues, which he doesnt blame them for at all, he isnt sure that is what he would pin point as a glaring flaw. Especially considering where he comes from.]

Unless you plan on convincing him to not return home, I think his trust issues are rather sound, actually. We dont have a secret police where I come from, but I've witnessed corruption run deep myself and would have been killed for it had I not escaped.

[He watches Walter walk, sure hes moving much like he would when hes frustrated. He doesn't know Walter, but he has to wonder if the mask of work, of seriousness isnt helping him in this interaction. Rubbing his temples he attempts to shed some of it regardless of how he might not want to.]

And I apologize if I offended you, but it isnt for lack of trying that I don't know Pyotr Stepanovich. In fact I thought I did, but he made it very clear that wasn't the case.

And I agree with you that being heavy handed and focusing on graduating rather than the health of a person is out of touch, but you just said yourself that a week at port wasn't enough. And I dont think it ever will be.

[He is sure Walter actually meant to offend him, and maybe in some little way he did, but he isnt sure how much more clear he can be that he doesnt think he's the person to help Pyotr but he can still play support.]

To be clear, before you go, I didnt ask you here to tell you your friend is suffering as if you didnt see it already. I asked you here because I want to help but I dont think he would let me. Not directly anyways.

If there is something I can do, even if its requests which is honestly the bare minimum, I want to.

[forensicks]

I like how you say convince him not to return home as if it's an outlandish thought rather one of the most common and basic ways for inmates to choose a different route.

[Walter gives a long brittle sigh. Perhaps Ethan's seriousness could serve him well - if being serious about the Barge were not all the more absurd.]

There is a warden he can directly ask for requests if he sees fit. You know, that would be a paired warden who is even more equipped than other wardens to grant requests. I know you mean well with availing us of your privileges, but in this case it simply isn't necessary.

I just... don't know what I'm supposed to tell you if it's anything Pyotr wasn't comfortable telling you himself. [He shrugs with his whole upright body, worn thin from all the adrenaline.] I do have some reform proposals I'm working on that I think might benefit all inmates, I'd certainly appreciate your support if you choose to offer it, but even then, that's not the same thing.

[inthebiblicalsense]

Yes, well if that's all he changes, that's not change, that's running away or buying time. I would know, since it's part of why I came here in the first place. Which, I would say there is nothing inherently wrong with that, time is valuable, but we all have to face consequence some day. [Which is why even if he does ever change his mind about going home and staying, he wouldn't ever leave it as is. He has a trial to attend, a crew to represent.

He watches Walter come down, folding his hands in his lap as he listens, and he supposes the point was to give Pyotr options that don't involve someone who has more authority over him that everyone else. That and his opinion of Yennifer is rather low, but he'll keep that to himself.]

I can respect that, I kind of thought the same when he said to speak to his closest about it or be labeled a spy. But if you need someone to look at documents, I certainly can, I don't think I have as much social currency as some other Warden's on board if that's what you're looking for though.