Twentieth fool's errand

[shakenandlimp]

[Filtered away from anyone he knows as a worker. Is that you? You decide!]

[Bill Bush is either in good looking middle age or just before it. He's in business casual-- because apparently he was taken right from work. So; button down shirt, slacks, thin gloves. He has that careful, bland home counties accent you pick up later in life when you go for your MBA, though when he's stressed-- like he is now, say-- the scouse comes out.]

I'm sorry. I know it's rude to question anyone's choice in clothes and you're all from different world. However. You know you've got workers on board, don't you? And a memory worker who's been busy. Where are your fuckin' gloves?

[It's almost plaintive, that question, bewildered.]


[Replies from billbush. Bill's from the Curse Workers universe, but not a worker himself! More info here

Comments

[patheticvillain]

I don't know. Maybe you fuckin' stole 'em.

[billbush]

[He holds up his gloved hands] No, I actually have some.

There are workers here. Do you -- even know what that means? Because it's not a very good thing.

[patheticvillain]

Nnnnnnnno. Nope, not really.

[billbush]

Well, some of them can take your memory. Some of them can play with your emotions. Most of them change your luck. Somewhere out there there's a myth of one that can change your shape.

And they do it by touching your bare skin-?

[raft]

What is it with you people and gloves?

[billbush]

They're hygenic, if you don't want someone rummaging about in your head.

[raft]

I don't think I've ever had that problem before.

[billbush]

At least three new passengers say you're about to.

[fridgetothefire]

You are referring to the type of magic requiring skin contact for a variety of alterations.

[Also not wearing gloves.]

[billbush]

Yes. I am. Are you familiar-?

[fridgetothefire]

Yes.

Many extranormal abilities from other worlds do not require skin contact. Defending against every permutation is impossible.

We rely upon the Admiral to limit the abilities of inmates to a manageable degree and upon an 'honor system' with our fellow wardens.

[It's clear that this is a phrase she heard someone else say, not one she would have chosen on her own.]

[billbush]

And if someone's borrowing the privilege of a warden but are entirely likely to wrap you emotionally around the finger they touch you with?

[hearrrtofgold]

[Okay, the different appearance, the new voice, and the flood background he can understand. People change. But it surprises him that Bush would change his method of speech quite that much.]

Did you just say the word "fucking"?

[billbush]

Yes, I did. [Bill lifts a brow and puts on a posher accent.] Do I offend, good sir?

[hearrrtofgold]

No. [Duke is weirded out, not offended.] ...Swear again, I dare you.

[billbush]

Fuck, fuck and bugger: bugger, bugger, buggerty buggerty buggerty, fuck, fuck, arse.

[What, he's seen the King's Speech.]

[notsoneedy]

Memory worker?

[Needy's hair is a bit frizzy and she's wearing glasses; keeping her head ducked like even over video, she's nervous and apprehensive.

She's only been on the Barge for a few weeks, and at first she was too scared, mostly keeping to herself. She hasn't had a chance to talk to people from other kinds of world about their magic yet.]

What...what is that? Is that like having a Trouble?

[billbush]

It's certainly trouble, but I'm not sure if it's A trouble. A memory worker can change or take memories when they touch your bare skin with theirs.

[notsoneedy]

So, it's a power. That they're born with, probably?

Where I come from that's called a Trouble. It's not a good thing. Like the name didn't make that part obvious. It's like a hereditary curse.

[billbush]

They call it curse working, too--and it's a curse as much on the user as the target. Not so different, then. It's usually hereditary, but it can skip generations. I'm as normal as they come, my dad's a luck worker.

[fuckton]

It's really not polite to swear like that.

[Please remind Deb of that later.]

[billbush]

Where I'm come from, it's also shocking bad manners to go around without gloves, so we can both complain at each other.

[fuckton]

Why is that? Is your homeland so dirty?

[billbush]

Different kind of hygiene. You really don't know what a Worker is? You've had at least two aboard for a while, it seems.

[andyougoleft]

Surely with some of the attire common hereabouts, it isn't only gloves you're concerned about?

[Well, not Slevin anyway, in his layered threadbare clothing, his stained neckerchief, and his hat and fingerless gloves, but. Some people.]