05 | Audio + Encrypted Audio

[implying]

It… seems to me that the lot of us have returned to ourselves, yes? No more five year olds wandering about, thank gods.

[ He clears his throat a little awkwardly. ]

I used to be somewhat… ah, forthright, I suppose, which is the age I've lately been entertaining. My apologies to anyone I've been untoward to.

[ To Equius: ] I'd like to see you, my dear, if you don't mind. As soon as you have the time.

[ To Collette: ] Are you available? I, ah, believe I'd left something with you.

[ To Aileen: ] You've… survived the trip back to your proper age, I hope? [ There's a weak smile in this. ] How are you doing?

[ To "Hadrian": ] I hope you know I meant none of it, yes? That was only — well, I didn't know you at the time, you see. [ A beat. ] I'm sorry.

[ To Stephanie: ] This is somewhat awkward, but— well, I do apologize for the excessive attention. Somewhat out of line, I feel.

[ To Bucky: ] You are, of course, welcome to take your belongings back. …Sorry about that.

[ To Calhoun: ] I believe I owe you an apology, yes? And a dinner too, I think.

[ To Nananea: ] My dear, are you free tonight? I wouldn't at all object to some company.

[ To Sharpe: ] [ Just a pause, then a sigh. ] I'll teach you about condoms now, if you like.

Comments

private/voice

[implying]

[ verbal shrug! ]

It seemed nice to offer.

private; video; permanent for both

[sharpe]

[ Stares. Sighs. ]

Right. G'on, then. [ Makes a hand-flappy gesture. ] You might as well start explaining what plastic is as well.

[implying]

Ah, yes— plastic is in anything. A moldable, yet rather sturdy solid. It can even be made thin enough to prevent proper contact between a man and a women, or two men, or even two women, if altered somewhat from the original condom design. Really quite useful.

[sharpe]

How'd- you'd- [ incredulously: ] two women?!

[implying]

Well, yes. You didn't think men alone were the only ones to take occasional interest in each other, did you?

[sharpe]

There ain't ever word of women doing such things wi' each other!

[implying]

[ pfft. ] And why would they be telling you about any of it? Or any other man, for that matter.

[sharpe]

It's less of tellin' than being found out, ain't it?

[implying]

Perhaps women are simply better with discretion than us poor slobs, hmm?

[sharpe]

[ Snorts. ]

Aye, that's certainly true 'nough. [ Pause. ] I've got an odd question, if you will.

[implying]

Certainly, go ahead.

[sharpe]

World I come from, if a man's ta sleep wi' a man, it's a hanging offense. They call it 'sodomy'. [ He rubs a bit at his mouth. ] 'Cording to some chaplains who talked 'bout it ta soldier, such a thing caused two cities ta fall. Sodom, and Gomorrah. That's where the thing got its name, you see.

[ He pauses, rubbing the back of his neck. ]

Worlds' probably different 'bout this, but still, you got me curious. It ain't natural, what yer talking 'bout, so why'd you still do it?

[implying]

[ there's a bit of a pause here but... hmm, how to be delicate about this. ancient sensibilities, man. ]

Well, first off, are you aware that a man can fall in love with another man?

[sharpe]

[ Less of ancient sensibilities than ancient sociolisation. Sharpe actually believes in very little of the things that he knows. (Contradiction in terms but fuck it.) ]

... What? No! [ Short pause. ] Why would they?

[implying]

Perhaps their man of choice is particularly handsome and charming, perhaps some part in their brain works slightly differently from the way yours does, or perhaps they simply don't care for breasts. Whatever it is, I assure you, it's perfectly natural. How can love be otherwise?

[sharpe]

Is it? [ Pause. ] Natural, I mean.

[implying]

[ firmly: ] Yes. I can think of no better state of mind, truly— no matter the people involved.

[sharpe]

[ There's a long quiet pause, and Sharpe sighs. ]

I'd like ta believe in you, but it's hard fer me ta,

[implying]

And why is that?

[sharpe]

It's wrong, that's what it is, ta fall fer a Man. I'm a plain soldier, sir, and I ain't have much belief in God and even less fer the law. Yer words are pretty 'nough, but...

[ He shrugs. ]

I reckon there must be something odd in a man, if he falls fer another one when there's plenty of women 'round him.

[implying]

I see! Now, "wrong" is a terribly vague term, so I'm afraid I haven't much in defense of that. But as to falling for a man with women about... tell me, do you find it odd when you fall for one women in particular? Why, why not take all of them around you, so long as they're there?

[sharpe]

... That don't make sense.

not here but

[gevurah]

[ heh ]

[also not here]

[boughtabookstore]

[ h e h ]

[Not Here]

[speakveryclearly]

[Ahahahaha]