I never said I couldn't to anyone. [There was no accent in his English. His arms crossed, but his eyebrows lowered slightly in confusion. It wasn't a joke he'd told. He'd spent hours, speaking Spanish with the government-types, but it took maybe less than a minute for him to reveal this large-ish percentage of truth to Mr. Quill. Perhaps prematurely, but too late to take it back.
Why did he do this? Prior to even knowing this man's name, el Durante had been told that one of the criminals signed with their Dirty not-Dozen would be seeing him. This weird one didn't seem like a typical outlaw; this Quill seemed earnest and oddly considerate, if not awkward. It was very disarming. He'd been expecting someone to come in and threaten him or offer to bribe him.
Not attempt to appeal to him like a human being.
Either this was an imbecile that they'd sent in, which would have been very counterproductive to their aims of recruiting him for their little game, or this was a con-man who was so excellent in effortlessly fabricating an eccentric, disarming false-attitude (to mask a deadlier one) that such a lie had become second nature to him.
Yes. 'Peter Quill'. Surely, that was a pseudonym. A very weird one. More befitting a talking porcupine in a kid's book than a master of deception.] Now, tell me why I should join your operation.
Why did he do this? Prior to even knowing this man's name, el Durante had been told that one of the criminals signed with their Dirty not-Dozen would be seeing him. This weird one didn't seem like a typical outlaw; this Quill seemed earnest and oddly considerate, if not awkward. It was very disarming. He'd been expecting someone to come in and threaten him or offer to bribe him.
Not attempt to appeal to him like a human being.
Either this was an imbecile that they'd sent in, which would have been very counterproductive to their aims of recruiting him for their little game, or this was a con-man who was so excellent in effortlessly fabricating an eccentric, disarming false-attitude (to mask a deadlier one) that such a lie had become second nature to him.
Yes. 'Peter Quill'. Surely, that was a pseudonym. A very weird one. More befitting a talking porcupine in a kid's book than a master of deception.] Now, tell me why I should join your operation.
[Well, it was terribly hard to induce a lot of violence when handcuffed to table. But, if Peter asked nicely, el Durante would be more than willing to oblige. The question he'd posed, admittedly, was fairly limited in scope. He only asked it to study Peter's spin on this scenario, to glean more insight about his odd character.
Small-talk? This wasn't a Tarantino movie. (Before anyone asked, he only saw like one.)
El Durante preferred when things were direct and straight-forward, but, for a chance to study this manipulator, perhaps confirm biases?
With a shrug:] I know next to nothing about you, let alone what you're good at. To be honest.
If you can't tell me something about this mission, why don't you tell me more about yourself? [It had been a while since he'd done this. This small talk thing. Excuse him if it showed.]
Small-talk? This wasn't a Tarantino movie. (Before anyone asked, he only saw like one.)
El Durante preferred when things were direct and straight-forward, but, for a chance to study this manipulator, perhaps confirm biases?
With a shrug:] I know next to nothing about you, let alone what you're good at. To be honest.
If you can't tell me something about this mission, why don't you tell me more about yourself? [It had been a while since he'd done this. This small talk thing. Excuse him if it showed.]
Public Intoxication. [A scoff.
Plenty of laws were dumb, but, even to guy that usually didn't drink, charging somebody for being drunk in public sounded especially so. (The other charges sounded fine with him. The fraud was especially helpful for confirming a bias.) But. Still. Public intoxication. What was the worst thing anyone had done, while drunk in public? Punched a few people, maybe? Only seemed worth enforcing if children or little old people were hurt. (Ooh. Wait. Did this Quill do such a thing?
No. Hitters of the elderly and youth had a certain...air about them. Well, not exactly an air. More like a vibe. A certain kind of spirit. This Quill's soul did not give off such an impression.)] You had heard about me. The only crime they've got me for was attacking the Accuser's associates without the government's permission. [There's a hint of bitterness in that tone.A tone that pretty much insists you don't ask about the other crimes he didn't get charged for.
Well. Only felt fair to share that, since this Peter did. Time to see if he could change the subject!] Your charge of fraud. It was for taxes, or something more interesting?
Plenty of laws were dumb, but, even to guy that usually didn't drink, charging somebody for being drunk in public sounded especially so. (The other charges sounded fine with him. The fraud was especially helpful for confirming a bias.) But. Still. Public intoxication. What was the worst thing anyone had done, while drunk in public? Punched a few people, maybe? Only seemed worth enforcing if children or little old people were hurt. (Ooh. Wait. Did this Quill do such a thing?
No. Hitters of the elderly and youth had a certain...air about them. Well, not exactly an air. More like a vibe. A certain kind of spirit. This Quill's soul did not give off such an impression.)] You had heard about me. The only crime they've got me for was attacking the Accuser's associates without the government's permission. [There's a hint of bitterness in that tone.
Well. Only felt fair to share that, since this Peter did. Time to see if he could change the subject!] Your charge of fraud. It was for taxes, or something more interesting?
[Letting a guy think I was someone I wasn't...letting him hand over a whole lot of cash? Yes. This did sound like a very efficient con-man. One-hundred percent not an imbecile. This 'Peter Quill', whoever he truly was, would be useful, as an ally, against the Accuser. El Durante resettled himself and, without looking away, he explained himself as frankly as he was able.
Which, you know, was really, really frank. Dunno how you measure a thing like that accurately, but it'd be off the charts. In a manner of speaking. Not a literal one, of course. Unless they developed some sort of Geiger counter of abstract conce--oh, never mind.] It is a matter of principle. The only figure of authority that I've ever respected was my father. To continue doing what I was, before I was arrested, under the orders of people that I distrust is against my personal standards.
You must be getting something out of this. [Not a question. A very figuratively plain-faced assumption.] Something that would make it amendable to serve these bureaucratic, pencil-pushing fools. [A brief nod, to the two-way glass pane. You know. As if Quill needed clarification.] It is blackmail. Or information, perhaps.
Which, you know, was really, really frank. Dunno how you measure a thing like that accurately, but it'd be off the charts. In a manner of speaking. Not a literal one, of course. Unless they developed some sort of Geiger counter of abstract conce--oh, never mind.] It is a matter of principle. The only figure of authority that I've ever respected was my father. To continue doing what I was, before I was arrested, under the orders of people that I distrust is against my personal standards.
You must be getting something out of this. [Not a question. A very figuratively plain-faced assumption.] Something that would make it amendable to serve these bureaucratic, pencil-pushing fools. [A brief nod, to the two-way glass pane. You know. As if Quill needed clarification.] It is blackmail. Or information, perhaps.
[...pity, that his involvement was for something so petty. But, it was understandable. It would be conducive for a con-man to have a clean record, to have a new, ripe opportunity to act as he would.
The arms were lowered and his hands were folded in front of him, on the table.] I may change my name, sometimes, but I know who I am and I know what I've experienced and committed; I don't need a legal entity to forgive what I've done. [Utterly no hint of remorse, in that tone.It's not that he's forgiven himself. No. Not at all.] Peter Quill. Do you believe that there is good and evil?
[Yes. This was exactly what normal people small-talked about. Rap-sheets and morality. Aw yeah.]
The arms were lowered and his hands were folded in front of him, on the table.] I may change my name, sometimes, but I know who I am and I know what I've experienced and committed; I don't need a legal entity to forgive what I've done. [Utterly no hint of remorse, in that tone.
[Yes. This was exactly what normal people small-talked about. Rap-sheets and morality. Aw yeah.]
[El Durante dabbled in whatever he needed to, to get what he wantedunless it got innocent people hurt and/or killed. Consider this question something of a means, to further his character-study. He listened without blinking, and then shared his piece.] I'd agree only partly. There is evil in this world. Undoubtedly, good must also exist, to balance the first. I think good often takes the form of belief, of people wishing to find heroes and worthwhile endeavors.
[His hands were separated and palms opened, as if to say, I have no hidden agendas here.] As you've opined, I also think that morality is relative. Two people can look at the same thing, and one can insist it's good while the other would disagree.
But I have a feeling we'd agree that the Accuser is undoubtedly evil, and, if we took him down, it would not make us anything definitely good. Only technically good. [A very cold statement of fact. Correct him if he was wrong.] This is not atonement; this is assassination that we're signing up for.
[His hands were separated and palms opened, as if to say, I have no hidden agendas here.] As you've opined, I also think that morality is relative. Two people can look at the same thing, and one can insist it's good while the other would disagree.
But I have a feeling we'd agree that the Accuser is undoubtedly evil, and, if we took him down, it would not make us anything definitely good. Only technically good. [A very cold statement of fact. Correct him if he was wrong.] This is not atonement; this is assassination that we're signing up for.
Edited (Wrong word. Haha. Kind of literally.) 2016-01-21 23:29 (UTC)
[ Penny Polendina is a robot. She was built in secret and kept in relative isolation for most of her life. She is capable of immense feats of strength and her combat skills are impressive. She is the next generation of synthetic soldier.
She’s also a teenage girl. She’s naïve and perhaps a little too trusting. Her enthusiasm comes off as a little strange sometimes, but her cheerful attitude is infectious. She is friendly, but has only ever had one real friend.
And lastly, she is the first synthetic being able to generate an Aura- the manifestation of one’s soul- so she is much, much more than just a machine. She’s alive.
There’s been some problems, however, including Penny’s destruction during a fighting tournament held by the nations of Remnant- through no fault of her opponent, but that was another story. Penny’s true nature was kept a secret from everyone, even her own teammates, and as she lay in pieces on the arena floor, people began to ask themselves what use would the military have for a robotic soldier that looked and behaved like a normal girl. It wasn’t long after that that chaos erupted, and the city was overwhelmed by monsters. However, just before Penny shut down, her father, her inventor, was able to transfer her data, her very being, into an auxiliary body.
Professor Polendina made arrangements to have Penny taken to another facility off-world, but the situation on Remnant was too delicate and the military under too much scrutiny to take her themselves. He had to call in outside help, and he was more than willing to pay a heavy sum to ensure secrecy and that his daughter would be kept safe.
Penny protested, of course. There were people out there who needed her help, not least of which was her friend, Ruby. Her father, strict as ever, told her that she would not be going back to the city of Vale, or Beacon Academy, or maybe even Remnant, ever again. Penny isn’t stupid enough that she doesn’t realize that if she’d just listened to her father in the first place, that maybe none of this would have happened.
So with a suitcase full of her meager belongings and the bravest expression she can muster, she waits for her transport to come pick her up. ]
She’s also a teenage girl. She’s naïve and perhaps a little too trusting. Her enthusiasm comes off as a little strange sometimes, but her cheerful attitude is infectious. She is friendly, but has only ever had one real friend.
And lastly, she is the first synthetic being able to generate an Aura- the manifestation of one’s soul- so she is much, much more than just a machine. She’s alive.
There’s been some problems, however, including Penny’s destruction during a fighting tournament held by the nations of Remnant- through no fault of her opponent, but that was another story. Penny’s true nature was kept a secret from everyone, even her own teammates, and as she lay in pieces on the arena floor, people began to ask themselves what use would the military have for a robotic soldier that looked and behaved like a normal girl. It wasn’t long after that that chaos erupted, and the city was overwhelmed by monsters. However, just before Penny shut down, her father, her inventor, was able to transfer her data, her very being, into an auxiliary body.
Professor Polendina made arrangements to have Penny taken to another facility off-world, but the situation on Remnant was too delicate and the military under too much scrutiny to take her themselves. He had to call in outside help, and he was more than willing to pay a heavy sum to ensure secrecy and that his daughter would be kept safe.
Penny protested, of course. There were people out there who needed her help, not least of which was her friend, Ruby. Her father, strict as ever, told her that she would not be going back to the city of Vale, or Beacon Academy, or maybe even Remnant, ever again. Penny isn’t stupid enough that she doesn’t realize that if she’d just listened to her father in the first place, that maybe none of this would have happened.
So with a suitcase full of her meager belongings and the bravest expression she can muster, she waits for her transport to come pick her up. ]
Yes. [ It comes out quiet, borderline timid at first, but then she visibly steels herself and puts on all the enthusiasm she can muster: ] Yes! Yes, I am. It's a pleasure to meet you.
No, thank you. This is all I have.
[ One small suitcase and a little backpack.
She approaches the open bay doors and Peter, looking at the ship with undisguised wonder. ] Sensational!
[ One small suitcase and a little backpack.
She approaches the open bay doors and Peter, looking at the ship with undisguised wonder. ] Sensational!
It's a pleasure to meet you, Peter Quill!
[ You said that already Penny... ] Thank you for picking me up. I'll do my very best to stay out of your way.
[ You said that already Penny... ] Thank you for picking me up. I'll do my very best to stay out of your way.
[ She takes that offered hand, stepping up into the ship. ]
Right!
I’ve never been on a real, actual spaceship before.
Right!
I’ve never been on a real, actual spaceship before.
[ When the bay doors close behind them, Penny visibly hesitates, expression falling. This was it, wasn’t it? She was never going to see Ruby or anyone else ever again. God, she didn’t even know if they were okay. Or if they were even alive. ]
Right. Okay. Lead the way.
Right. Okay. Lead the way.
[ Penny hesitates again, eyes fixed on the bay doors. Unlike Peter, she has no sense about what is okay and what is not to ask people about, or what constitutes as “prying”, which is why she blurts out: ]
Have you ever had to leave someone behind?
Have you ever had to leave someone behind?
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