[The request comes as a great relief. He doesn't need Hanna's laptop so it isn't his place to comment, but it has been a struggle to see it and try to let go of the obvious problems. He looks enthusiastic - well, especially enthusiastic compared to his usual affect as he reaches to take it.]
You sir, are a shining example of teenage excellence.
[Because there is no way this kid isn't a teenager, and despite Hanna's mismatched age to looks, he's positive on that. Handing over the beat up old laptop, he moves to his spot on the floor again, picking up a new piece of paper.]
You got a favorite animal? Can't just ask for Geek Squad services for free, that'd be rude.
[His attention is focused on the laptop, but it doesn't need the sort of focus that cuts out the outside world. He just has to do a little tune up. Just a few small things. If he's going to get rid of viruses it's best to make sure that the computer can't get any more once they're gone. And once he's started, really he can do an overhaul without having to go out of his way...]
Oh... Well thats okay! I think I've got a better idea.
[To which Hanna quietly starts folding thin, long creases in his paper and gets to ripping them, trying to be quiet enough that he's not going to bother Nico. If they get to a port that has a stationary store, he's totally going to get the right kind of paper for this, but he can make it work.
Getting to work, he spreads out a bunch of different colored long strips and just gets to work folding and pinching tiny little stars.]
[Nico turns his focus fully on the computer. It's relaxing, like working on technology usually is for him. He can understand it completely. He's not a computer, but the comparisons weren't made without merit. He has a hard time envisioning a better future, but he can see exactly what he can do to the laptop.
Setting it to rights internally is particularly soothing, but he does also enjoy the physical aspect. It deserves its new screen properly in place, every key now in working order.]
[Probably the quietest he's been on the barge in the presence of another person, Hanna works diligently at his strips while Nico works on his computer.
It's been a minute since he's made these kind of stars, he'd learned a long time ago to impress some girl in freshman year, but hadn't really had the courage to give them to her.
Before the hour is up, he's got a nice colorful little pile of paper stars, ready to be strung together or placed in a jar.]
[Nico says, after he finishes wiping down the screen. He doesn't look relaxed, but he's slightly less tense than he usually is. It was nice to have such a simple task.
[Despite how beat up the Laptop looked, he actually did try to take care of it. It was old and definitely past it's prime. Lighting up when he's handed it back, it doesn't even stutter when he pulls up the media player again, probably having lost an entire pound in weight from the shit Nico had removed from it.]
Dude...This is great! I bet I can even play Age of Mythology now without it being all shitty and slow!
[He clicks a few more things, rather impressed with what he's been able to do in the short amount of time he'd had it, but then remembers the stars in their little pile.]
Oh! Yeah, I was going to string them up, make you a little garland or something. Looks like you need a little flair in here anyways. I could pop over, get my needle and thread and we could figure out where to put these?
It should play OK. I'm happy to look at it if something goes wrong.
[He offers his help whenever he can generally, yes. But he does genuinely enjoy computer repair, so it's different from the compulsion to try to be useful.
He blinks, surprised as always at someone offering him something.]
[He sets his laptop down carefully as if being a little more rough with it might re-bork the thing and presses play on another album, softly playing Ludo's rock opera, Broken bride as he pushes himself up.]
Brb, I- uh...wait, I think I've got some white, pink and orange thread, you got a preference?
[To which he's just going to jog right out of the room to his own, finding his little needle and thread kit on his still organized room in it's place on his new bookshelf. He's back in record time, setting his materials back down when 'Save Our City' starts, pulling out that orange thread to poke his tongue out as he attempts to thread his needle.
When he gets it through he pauses a moment, frowning as he realizes that he totally forgot the chair he was going to give him.] Don't let me forget that chair next time I head out, or I'll never remember.
[He only manages to poke himself with the needle a few times, leaving an inch of space between each little star to make a decent length garland of colorful little stars. Biting off the thread with enough string to tie off each end, he pushes himself up off the floor and trots over, standing on his tiptoes to tie off the first side before holding the other side up, adjusting it a little.]
Tell me when it's even? Hard to see from this angle.
[Finishing tying it off where he'd asked, Hanna takes a few steps back and smiles at his handiwork, feeling like it already brightened up the room a little, even if it really was just a little.
He stares at it, just a little longer before turning to look at Nico, shrugging.]
No problem. I had fun, and I'm really grateful you could unfuck my laptop, like. It's been like that since a week after I got it.
You let me know if you want me to make you more, it's a nice way to pass the time, especially if it's going to someone who actually appreciates it.
[Shoving his hands in his pockets, Hanna looks at them too, quiet a moment before he decides that maybe just creating something that makes the both of them feel better isn't quite enough.]
You know...I bitched at the Admiral earlier today, about the temp assignments. Wasn't really in the best mood afterward, probably the first time since I got here that I was legit pissed off. Doesn't happen often, but still does from time to time.
[Nico's... not entirely sure what he's supposed to say to that. He's frequently not sure what to say in response to non-goal oriented questions, and this is serves as an example of why.]
There are usually reasons to complain about the Admiral.
[He settles on. It is a point in Hanna's favor that he'd directed that complaint to the Admiral.]
Oh my god, right? Like I've got a list right next to my bed. Gutted Kitchen and bathroom was right there from the get go. Do I look like a guy who's just going to hole up in my room and never leave? Maybe if I was fucking body snatched or something, but geez.
[He sighs heavily, tilting his head back to stare up at the ceiling, not finding anything all that interesting up there, but maybe if he thinks real hard about it, he can still bitch to the Admiral while he's talking to Nico.]
A-anyways, I bring it up to say I'm sorry, because it really bothers me, that you're the third kid in a row assigned to yours truly, and there are so many different reasons why that's fucked, but that isn't your fault.
It's the Admiral's. Again, for so many fucking reasons.
You could get body snatched here. I guess wardens are more in danger of that slipping by.
[He takes a moment to think of his response. When Nico isn't in a manic fit, he does his best to think carefully about what he says. He doesn't think he has any natural talent at it - or if he did it died a long time ago - so it's important to try to get it right.]
I'm eighteen. [It's a neutral statement, free of any defensiveness. He doesn't have any feeling attached to his age, but if he lived in a different world it would likely mean something.] I know that it's - young, but I think in your world it's still considered old enough to do a lot of stuff.
In my world... even if I get everyone back, I'm sure they'll work as hard as they can to stop it from meaning anything. They've already done their best to blame us for what's gone wrong, and I doubt they'll be eager to give us any 'rights'. [He's on the extremely cynical side.]
I don't think you're wrong to feel uncomfortable with it. After... everything, I'm not sure I'll feel comfortable calling myself an adult even when I am. But I don't think the Admiral is taking more advantage of me than he is of any of the other wardens who are here because their deal means a lot to them. [He does think it's different for kids who are fifteen or sixteen.]
Besides, even if you weren't right to be bothered... you haven't done anything to me. I don't think there's any reason to apologize for being upset, especially if you don't hurt other people because of it. [It is probably the most he's said, not just in general but in terms of his usual average.]
[Eighteen is barely an adult, and Hanna knows because he remembers being eighteen and it felt no different than sixteen, because he'd been struggling and had barely had any time to catch up with what life had thrown at him. He's not sure that makes it any better, he's still a teenager.]
See, that right there is my entire fucking point. You come from somewhere you don't even have rights, you've gone through shit, practically drowning in it and some asshole is offering you a hand up now that you're desperate and gasping for air?
Screw that dude, you need something? You suffered enough, you earned it before you even got here. Eighteen is drops in the bucket. What kind of cosmic jerk off in his 'eternal fucking wisdom' looks at a child and says yes, you're worthy since you're life has sucked ass, come to my ship and earn your way by babysitting a bunch of fucked up adults, maybe a kid here and there?
So I will apologize, on behalf of captain douche nozzle, that he thinks you need to do more to earn what ever it is you're working for. Give me a fucking break.
[To which Hanna has riled himself up all over again, but it feels a little better this time. Sucking in a deep breath pulls his hands from his pockets, pushing his glasses up to rub at his eyes before sighing heavily.]
[Nico doesn't see how that's really any different than most other wardens. He's pretty sure that most of them have gone through a lot of shit - and the Admiral has taken advantage of that to make sure the wardens are desperate. Why he wants that... well, Nico has a lot of theories.
He does his best not to get into them. His success rate is variable.
Still, it's a nice sentiment. He doesn't put much weight on nice sentiments, but it's better than the reverse. And it seems like Hanna did need to get that out.]
...Have you met a lot of questionable immortal... whatevers?
[There are a lot of different worlds out there. He knows Hanna's has magic, but that can mean a lot of different things.]
[Straightening the chunky frames back over his eyes, he shrugs, making the decision to just flop down on the floor again and stare up at the ceiling. Felt normal seeing as he did that in his own space all the time. Floor time was great for your mental health, obviously.]
I've read about a lot of them, usually they're dicks. A lot of the vampires I've met, the older they are, the more entitled they feel to what ever they want and how they get it, so that tracks. And most things that think they know better than you enough to not want to explain themselves, regardless of immortality or no, are a little douche-y in my opinion. Like, if you're not going to explain yourself then why do I have to follow through? Seems to me like they just don't have the right reasons in mind, or can't defend them when anyone tries to pick them apart.
Not just true for vampires. [Said quietly, though not under his breath. He doesn't think it's really fair for him to say it - he knows plenty of people who feel fully entitled to whatever they want, no matter how young they are. They don't care about how they get what they believe they deserve, either. Yet he does think it tends to be worse with adults.]
Yeah. There are some situations where there isn't time, but you should be able to explain yourself. [He can always explain his own actions (and often other people's), because there are reasons. Sometimes it feels like they often aren't good ones, but that doesn't change that they're there.]
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2024-08-16 11:18 pm (UTC)[The request comes as a great relief. He doesn't need Hanna's laptop so it isn't his place to comment, but it has been a struggle to see it and try to let go of the obvious problems. He looks enthusiastic - well, especially enthusiastic compared to his usual affect as he reaches to take it.]
I'd be happy to.
no subject
Date: 2024-08-16 11:26 pm (UTC)[Because there is no way this kid isn't a teenager, and despite Hanna's mismatched age to looks, he's positive on that. Handing over the beat up old laptop, he moves to his spot on the floor again, picking up a new piece of paper.]
You got a favorite animal? Can't just ask for Geek Squad services for free, that'd be rude.
no subject
Date: 2024-08-16 11:35 pm (UTC)[His attention is focused on the laptop, but it doesn't need the sort of focus that cuts out the outside world. He just has to do a little tune up. Just a few small things. If he's going to get rid of viruses it's best to make sure that the computer can't get any more once they're gone. And once he's started, really he can do an overhaul without having to go out of his way...]
I don't have much experience with animals.
no subject
Date: 2024-08-16 11:59 pm (UTC)[To which Hanna quietly starts folding thin, long creases in his paper and gets to ripping them, trying to be quiet enough that he's not going to bother Nico. If they get to a port that has a stationary store, he's totally going to get the right kind of paper for this, but he can make it work.
Getting to work, he spreads out a bunch of different colored long strips and just gets to work folding and pinching tiny little stars.]
no subject
Date: 2024-08-17 12:11 am (UTC)[Nico turns his focus fully on the computer. It's relaxing, like working on technology usually is for him. He can understand it completely. He's not a computer, but the comparisons weren't made without merit. He has a hard time envisioning a better future, but he can see exactly what he can do to the laptop.
Setting it to rights internally is particularly soothing, but he does also enjoy the physical aspect. It deserves its new screen properly in place, every key now in working order.]
no subject
Date: 2024-08-17 12:23 am (UTC)It's been a minute since he's made these kind of stars, he'd learned a long time ago to impress some girl in freshman year, but hadn't really had the courage to give them to her.
Before the hour is up, he's got a nice colorful little pile of paper stars, ready to be strung together or placed in a jar.]
no subject
Date: 2024-08-17 12:27 am (UTC)[Nico says, after he finishes wiping down the screen. He doesn't look relaxed, but he's slightly less tense than he usually is. It was nice to have such a simple task.
He looks over at the paper stars.]
Those look nice.
no subject
Date: 2024-08-17 01:57 am (UTC)Dude...This is great! I bet I can even play Age of Mythology now without it being all shitty and slow!
[He clicks a few more things, rather impressed with what he's been able to do in the short amount of time he'd had it, but then remembers the stars in their little pile.]
Oh! Yeah, I was going to string them up, make you a little garland or something. Looks like you need a little flair in here anyways. I could pop over, get my needle and thread and we could figure out where to put these?
no subject
Date: 2024-08-17 02:02 am (UTC)[He offers his help whenever he can generally, yes. But he does genuinely enjoy computer repair, so it's different from the compulsion to try to be useful.
He blinks, surprised as always at someone offering him something.]
Uh. Thanks. That would be nice.
no subject
Date: 2024-08-17 02:20 am (UTC)[He sets his laptop down carefully as if being a little more rough with it might re-bork the thing and presses play on another album, softly playing Ludo's rock opera, Broken bride as he pushes himself up.]
Brb, I- uh...wait, I think I've got some white, pink and orange thread, you got a preference?
no subject
Date: 2024-08-17 02:23 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-08-17 02:28 am (UTC)[To which he's just going to jog right out of the room to his own, finding his little needle and thread kit on his still organized room in it's place on his new bookshelf. He's back in record time, setting his materials back down when 'Save Our City' starts, pulling out that orange thread to poke his tongue out as he attempts to thread his needle.
When he gets it through he pauses a moment, frowning as he realizes that he totally forgot the chair he was going to give him.] Don't let me forget that chair next time I head out, or I'll never remember.
no subject
Date: 2024-08-17 02:38 am (UTC)Uh. Could you hang it from the top of this bunk?
no subject
Date: 2024-08-17 02:52 am (UTC)[He only manages to poke himself with the needle a few times, leaving an inch of space between each little star to make a decent length garland of colorful little stars. Biting off the thread with enough string to tie off each end, he pushes himself up off the floor and trots over, standing on his tiptoes to tie off the first side before holding the other side up, adjusting it a little.]
Tell me when it's even? Hard to see from this angle.
no subject
Date: 2024-08-17 02:57 am (UTC)[He watches Hanna adjust it carefully, but not to the half-inch.]
That's good. Thank you. For this, I mean.
no subject
Date: 2024-08-17 03:02 am (UTC)He stares at it, just a little longer before turning to look at Nico, shrugging.]
No problem. I had fun, and I'm really grateful you could unfuck my laptop, like. It's been like that since a week after I got it.
You let me know if you want me to make you more, it's a nice way to pass the time, especially if it's going to someone who actually appreciates it.
no subject
Date: 2024-08-17 03:06 am (UTC)[He looks up at the stars.]
They... make it better.
no subject
Date: 2024-08-17 03:16 am (UTC)You know...I bitched at the Admiral earlier today, about the temp assignments. Wasn't really in the best mood afterward, probably the first time since I got here that I was legit pissed off. Doesn't happen often, but still does from time to time.
no subject
Date: 2024-08-17 03:23 am (UTC)There are usually reasons to complain about the Admiral.
[He settles on. It is a point in Hanna's favor that he'd directed that complaint to the Admiral.]
no subject
Date: 2024-08-17 03:31 am (UTC)[He sighs heavily, tilting his head back to stare up at the ceiling, not finding anything all that interesting up there, but maybe if he thinks real hard about it, he can still bitch to the Admiral while he's talking to Nico.]
A-anyways, I bring it up to say I'm sorry, because it really bothers me, that you're the third kid in a row assigned to yours truly, and there are so many different reasons why that's fucked, but that isn't your fault.
It's the Admiral's. Again, for so many fucking reasons.
no subject
Date: 2024-08-17 03:45 am (UTC)[He takes a moment to think of his response. When Nico isn't in a manic fit, he does his best to think carefully about what he says. He doesn't think he has any natural talent at it - or if he did it died a long time ago - so it's important to try to get it right.]
I'm eighteen. [It's a neutral statement, free of any defensiveness. He doesn't have any feeling attached to his age, but if he lived in a different world it would likely mean something.] I know that it's - young, but I think in your world it's still considered old enough to do a lot of stuff.
In my world... even if I get everyone back, I'm sure they'll work as hard as they can to stop it from meaning anything. They've already done their best to blame us for what's gone wrong, and I doubt they'll be eager to give us any 'rights'. [He's on the extremely cynical side.]
I don't think you're wrong to feel uncomfortable with it. After... everything, I'm not sure I'll feel comfortable calling myself an adult even when I am. But I don't think the Admiral is taking more advantage of me than he is of any of the other wardens who are here because their deal means a lot to them. [He does think it's different for kids who are fifteen or sixteen.]
Besides, even if you weren't right to be bothered... you haven't done anything to me. I don't think there's any reason to apologize for being upset, especially if you don't hurt other people because of it. [It is probably the most he's said, not just in general but in terms of his usual average.]
no subject
Date: 2024-08-17 04:30 am (UTC)See, that right there is my entire fucking point. You come from somewhere you don't even have rights, you've gone through shit, practically drowning in it and some asshole is offering you a hand up now that you're desperate and gasping for air?
Screw that dude, you need something? You suffered enough, you earned it before you even got here. Eighteen is drops in the bucket. What kind of cosmic jerk off in his 'eternal fucking wisdom' looks at a child and says yes, you're worthy since you're life has sucked ass, come to my ship and earn your way by babysitting a bunch of fucked up adults, maybe a kid here and there?
So I will apologize, on behalf of captain douche nozzle, that he thinks you need to do more to earn what ever it is you're working for. Give me a fucking break.
[To which Hanna has riled himself up all over again, but it feels a little better this time. Sucking in a deep breath pulls his hands from his pockets, pushing his glasses up to rub at his eyes before sighing heavily.]
Questionably immortal whatevers are the worst.
no subject
Date: 2024-08-17 04:40 am (UTC)He does his best not to get into them. His success rate is variable.
Still, it's a nice sentiment. He doesn't put much weight on nice sentiments, but it's better than the reverse. And it seems like Hanna did need to get that out.]
...Have you met a lot of questionable immortal... whatevers?
[There are a lot of different worlds out there. He knows Hanna's has magic, but that can mean a lot of different things.]
no subject
Date: 2024-08-18 03:42 pm (UTC)I've read about a lot of them, usually they're dicks. A lot of the vampires I've met, the older they are, the more entitled they feel to what ever they want and how they get it, so that tracks. And most things that think they know better than you enough to not want to explain themselves, regardless of immortality or no, are a little douche-y in my opinion. Like, if you're not going to explain yourself then why do I have to follow through? Seems to me like they just don't have the right reasons in mind, or can't defend them when anyone tries to pick them apart.
no subject
Date: 2024-08-22 07:06 pm (UTC)Yeah. There are some situations where there isn't time, but you should be able to explain yourself. [He can always explain his own actions (and often other people's), because there are reasons. Sometimes it feels like they often aren't good ones, but that doesn't change that they're there.]
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