Text

[deservesadaisy]

Now that it seems the halls are no longer full of sleepwalkers engaging in bloodsport... it seems like many of the people who have joined departments had occupations or skills from home that made one a natural fit over the others. Did anyone pick up something entirely from scratch?

Comments

[deservesadaisy]

Earth at the end of the 20th century or beginning of the 21st seems overrepresented, based on the little I've seen.

[blackmagus]

I suppose that's true. Is that where you're from? I myself am from 1944.

[deservesadaisy]

2010. 1944 was rather the thick of it in most parts of the world, wasn't it.

[The phrasing could be less oddly nostalgic.]

[blackmagus]

The war ended a month or so ago for me. Couldn't end fast enough for me.

[Then again, most people back home would say that.]

[deservesadaisy]

Understandably. Where were you, when it ended?

[blackmagus]

When it was officially over? I was in a bar, getting quite plastered.
When it was over in earnest, I was in Germania, making sure of that fact.

[deservesadaisy]

Nothing like blackout inebriation for celebrating victory. I suppose you'd earned it.

[blackmagus]

It's a classic.

[There had been other factors to her being so drunk at the time. Much more personal factors. But a large portion of the planet had probably ended their night that way, too.]

Usually I try to avoid the blackouts, truth be told. Awfully bothersome.

[deservesadaisy]

You dislike the loss of control?

[blackmagus]

That, and when I have fun I prefer to remember it afterward.
Waking up to a bunch of surprises can be a bit of a mixed bag.

[deservesadaisy]

Fair enough. Though they do say variety adds spice to life.

[blackmagus]

Variety's all right, but I do prefer to plan things out.
I'm old fashioned in that way, perhaps.

[deservesadaisy]

You prefer to retain the illusion of control?

[blackmagus]

Better than nothing at all.
Control can be a bit overrated.

[deservesadaisy]

Easy to say, but so few people excel at letting it go.

[blackmagus]

And what about you? Do you like being in control, or do you like leaving it up to others?

[deservesadaisy]

An interesting question. I try to accurately recognize when it's available, which I suppose is a pragmatist's version of the former.

[blackmagus]

We get so little of it here. I suppose I have more affection for it than I used to.

[In her early years, she had felt a thrill when she'd given it up. But after the past five or so years, having control over her life has sounded better and better.]