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[He looks unusally grave as he addresses the network.]

Remus Lupin here. I think most of you know me. Er-- if not, well, there's your introduction. I've been on the ship for a number of months, and I've been noticing a few things.

Well, it's just-- we have fantastic organization when it comes to security and the medical bay, but we don't actually have any laws. And while we've been fortunate enough to have a peaceful crew and not need any yet-- any against stealing or, thank god, killing-- well, who knows what the next Jump will bring?

[Right. He takes a deep breath and scratches his nose, thinking for a few seconds before continuing.]

It's not just that I like rules and order-- although, frankly, that's part of the reason. But listen: without any sort of law in place, we have no real authority if and when a crime is committed. If someone kills someone else, what are we going to do? We can't rely on mob rule and what people think should be done-- god, that's how things disintegrate.

[He grimaces.]

What happened to the remaining pirates-- that cannot be allowed. What sort of society are we? We can't simply murder people because they attacked us! Keep them in the brig, yes, and we can discuss what should happen next, if they ought to be brought into the crew eventually under supervision, or kept there for life-- but we can't just slaughter them because we felt vaguely threatened. And if someone does-- as just happened-- then we need to punish them.

So with that in mind-- well, here, look at what I've written up. It's attached, I think I did it right-- and tell me what you think.

[A text document is attached. There's basic laws written out: against killing, stealing, embezzling, and so on and so forth. The punishments consist of being locked in the brig for a number of weeks, with some options for a sort of community service rehabilitation for lesser crimes.]

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[Right - the punching. Edgeworth frowns but settles himself - ]

I have earned it. If you want to, I'll not move away.

[He considers Edgeworth a moment--and then nods, and shifts to stand, stretching his arms over his head.]

On your feet, then.

[Oh. That's - he'd sort of hoped that Sirius would abstain, but - He has earned it, truly, and Lupin isn't the sort for punching so this is simply correct by proxy.

So he takes in a breath, nods once. He stands and makes certain he's as relaxed as possible in preparation for the hit.]

[Sirius swaggers over to close the distance between them--not that there's very much distance!--and stands looking Edgeworth over for a moment, sizing him up. Then he gives a decisive nod--right--and winds up for a punch--

--which starts as a fist, bunched up, ready to be fierce, and culminates in a tap on his shoulder, with his knuckles.]

Pow!

[Edgeworth, to his credit, doesn't flinch back when he sees that fist coming for him - and so he sees the moment when the attack slows and turns into an affectionate little bump instead. He looks down at it, and then looks up at Sirius and gives him a smile.

Then he bunches up his fists and taps Sirius on the shoulder in return - ]

I owed you one, too.

[But a moment later, that fist turns into a hand which grips Sirius' shoulder and pulls him into a rough, affectionate hug.]

You owed me one? Since when, for--

[He laughs, when Edgeworth hits him back--and then he laughs again, both pleased and startled, when Edgeworth tugs him into an embrace. It's sudden and quick, but not precisely unwelcome--and after a second, he remembers himself and does the quick bro hug back pat thing.]

You're a prat, Edgeworth.

And you're a bastard, Black.

[A quick friendly swat on the back, and then - miracle of miracles - Edgeworth steps back, for once in his life not making the hug awkwardly long. He's in a good mood from it, and so he makes a grand show of rubbing his shoulder - ]

With a mean punch like yours, you should join Security.

[He rolls his eyes, hugely, moving back to flop onto the couch once more.]

Yeah, I'll get right on that, shall I. Is that the only requirement? Mean punches?

Mean punches.

[He goes to settle back down on the couch, but his eyes don't leave Sirius' face. He might have framed it initially as a joke, but it's anything but.]

A desire to help. A bit of courage.

Edited 2013-05-14 14:19 (UTC)

Well, there you are. Mean punches, yes. Courage, got gobs and gobs of courage. A desire to help....

[He wavers his hand in the air.]

Eh. Sorry! Looks like you wear the badge alone, Edgeworth.

[Edgeworth shakes his head and drops all pretense of subtlety.]

Black, I think you should consider joining. [He shakes his head - ] Or, I should say - I'd be very glad if you considered joining.

[He snorts, just as dismissive this time around as he was to the subtle approach.]

So you're asking me as a favour?

[He crosses his arms.]

I'm asking you because I think you'd be good at it. [And, confessing - ] And, yes, I'd like it to have a friend there, but - More to the point, because I think you'd be good.

Yeah.

[Sceptically, he raises his eyebrows.]

Only-- you do know my reputation, right. I'm not exactly good with authority.

[A quiet scoff.]

You know security's reputation, correct? There's not much authority to be found there.

[He snorts.]

Well, and isn't that a bitter and cynical thing to say. Now I really want to join the department that's made you so cheerful, it sounds like an absolute party.

[Though really it sort of does at that, because-- not much authority? Sure! But hang on--]

Only it's Tyke's department, innit?

Edited (wizards + HTML = DISASTER!!!) 2013-05-14 18:37 (UTC)

Hence the comment about little authority. Keeping discipline is not much of a priority for her.

[But he says that without much rancor - half out of the fact that she's driving him less insane nowadays and half from acknowledgment of Sirius' strange loyalty to her.]

[GOOD that's as it should be. It's still a dangerous line that Edgeworth is walking, but he's just dry enough that Sirius can sort the comment into the 'not offended' pile and move on.]

Yeah, well, that's 'cos she's got sense. How would you discipline the load of weirdoes you've got on security in a way that would do any good?

Well, I'd have very different people on Security; that would have to be my answer.

[He lifts his eyebrows slightly.]

Fewer people enthusiastic to fight. More people who are guided by a sense of right and wrong - even if they hide that underneath quips, sarcasm, and a devil-may-care attitude.

[He stares at Edgeworth with purposefully put-on dullness.]

Got anyone in mind there, do you? [A SIGH though; he rubs at his nose.] Ah, I dunno. Seriously, it's not really my thing.

[Edgeworth nods at once.]

If that's what you really and truly believe, then I'll accept that answer. I'll not harp on you joining, pressure you, anything of the sort. Especially since I am, in no small part, being selfish in asking: I'm asking because my life would be better with you there. [A small, quick smile: sorry.] But if you truly are not comfortable with the notion, then I'll accept that without question.

[A beat of surprised quiet--and then Sirius laughs, as he looks over at Edgeworth with new eyes.]

Oh, you prat-- you prat! You can't just say things like that and then pretend as if they're nothing-- ooh, I'm selfish, I want you along-- that's cheating practically, that's appealing to my-- you bastard!

[All right, whatever he was expecting it wasn't...that. He looks up, frowning in confusion, completely taken aback by this abrupt change in tune - ]

Appealing to your...what?

My sense of decency? My sense of friendship, and camaraderie? Phrasing it that way, making it seems as if you're going to be left in some sort of desert if I don't come along and keep you company--it's really not fair.

[He shakes his head with mock solemnity.]

Oh, I - [He clears his throat, unnerved by this.] Then I - Should I retract the statement? I want - I do not want to be manipulative.

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[action] SUBTLE, EDGEWORTH

[action] Well Edgeworth is a subtle guy; you can tell from his clothing

[action] I thought his clothes meant he's a pirate

[action] Oh dagnabbit you're right

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[action] They also have HTML, but for them it's Hypertext MAGIC Language

[action] I wish I had that, I bet it magically corrects itself

[action] Possibly...or maybe it rearranges itself and messes you up.

[action] that sounds significantly less fun

[action] Magic: never as cool as it sounds.

[action] it's true..... :c

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