[ Archer is a very direct person. He also isn’t very good at niceties so he doesn’t bother with them.
He nods once, unlocks the door to the Lounge, and gestures for Cloud to go in.
Once they both have a drink (something strong whiskey for him) and somewhere to sit, Archer considers the other for a moment before speaking. ]
In the interest of full disclosure, I’ve been on this ship for close to five years. And you are not the first Cloud I’ve spoken to.
Because of that I have one question to start with - how would you say things are with Sephiroth at this moment?
[ In other words, does he need to be concerned or are things level enough to not be fussed with. He’s not going to touch that issue if he doesn’t need to. ]
[Cloud considers that directness a good thing...even if it does mean getting asked about Sephiroth before he's even tasted his drink (something as close to the Cosmo Canyon as he could get).
Still, it's a weird situation to be in. It's unsettlingly like back when Cloud had lost his memories and every time he saw someone new on the Barge he had to navigate the discomfort of them knowing him when he had no idea who they were. So his initial reaction to the question is a brief moment of annoyed startlement, but then he sighs. It's a valid question, and it's not like he's asked for details. (Yet.)]
[All of his previous wardens ended up being friends except Corvo, who left halfway through their month together. This guy doesn't seem like the 'friend' type, and Cloud's fine with that, but he wants to know what to expect.]
[ Archer takes a sip of his drink and considers that for a moment. ]
You’re the first one to ask me that, actually.
[ It’s a fair question, though, so Archer weighs his response seriously before he gives it. ]
I would say I generally strive to take an objective approach, as opposed to a more emotional one. I’m not built very well for that, and I don’t pretend that I am.
There is very little that surprises me anymore, and I have seen enough death that we are old acquaintances.
I’m not sure if that’s the sort of answer you’re looking for, but I expect the people I was once paired to could give you better insight than I can.
[Cloud supposes he's not as surprised as he could be. A lot of inmates don't care about temporary pairings, or wardens at all.
He listens quietly to the answer. An objective approach seems promising - Cloud is nothing if not practical. Sounds like Archer has a lot of life experience, which also seems promising.]
Wasn't looking for anything in particular, just your thoughts on it. Tells me plenty.
I confess I still haven’t learned how to be a temporary Warden very well, but if you need help or want something while we’re paired, you only need to ask.
I can also listen if there’s ever anything you want to talk about.
Pretty much all my temporary wardens have said the same thing. Don't really know what they're doing when it comes to temp pairings. You'd think the Admiral would at least give you basic training or something.
Don’t misunderstand. It’s not for lack of experience or basic training - though all of us could probably benefit from something at the outset. It’s more that there is a certain amount of mutual trust and understanding that goes - or should go into Warden-Inmate pairings. And that is very difficult to establish in a month, especially when you know it’s very likely that you will have an entirely different person the following month.
The Admiral does this, I’m sure, as a means of making sure Inmates are supervised - but also to see how well certain people might work together.
But a ‘temporary’ pairing still sets the expectation that whatever rapport is built in thirty days will end. That’s what makes it difficult.
[Cloud rolls his eyes a little when Archer talks about inmates needing supervision. He doesn't need that, he needs...guidance. Then again, there are inmates like Justine and Katie on board, so maybe it's not such a bad idea after all.]
Hm. Doesn't have to end just because the pairing does. I still talk to Ulla and Rawne.
[Ulla in particular has made it a goal of hers to keep up with her temp inmates even after their month together is over, which Cloud appreciates as someone who has a hard time keeping up with people in general.]
But there is a difference between continuing an acquaintance or…friendship, as the case may be…and being…responsible.
I knew the last person I was paired with fairly well even before the Admiral made things official - and I was already doing what I thought I could to help him.
But a permanent pairing involves a different sort of…obligation. It means you have been entrusted with the soul of another person, and that is no small thing. And with the stakes being as such…failure is not an option.
Other Wardens may take a different view - but that is how I think of it.
[Entrusted with the soul of another person. Cloud's never really thought about it that way before, but then, he's not a warden - he's never had to.]
Hm. Sounds right to me. But what would failure even look like? Zhao Yunlan once told me that as long as I don't disappear, I will graduate, even if it takes a long time. He said anyone can graduate. And I think...that sounds right, too.
Failure can take many forms. Not being able to meet the need of the person you've been assigned to... Seeing them disappear before they've reached the goal.
The second one hasn't happened to me personally, but I know others it has happened to.
Logically, perhaps, one should attribute something like that to the Admiral - but that doesn't lessen the impact of losing someone who was entrusted to you.
[ Both of the Inmates he was paired with ultimately graduated. So in that sense, he hasn’t failed. That doesn’t mean the idea of it didn’t haunt him. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Cloud shows up not long after Archer arrives. Oh right, this is the guy who runs the kitchens.]
Hey.
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He nods once, unlocks the door to the Lounge, and gestures for Cloud to go in.
Once they both have a drink (something strong whiskey for him) and somewhere to sit, Archer considers the other for a moment before speaking. ]
In the interest of full disclosure, I’ve been on this ship for close to five years. And you are not the first Cloud I’ve spoken to.
Because of that I have one question to start with - how would you say things are with Sephiroth at this moment?
[ In other words, does he need to be concerned or are things level enough to not be fussed with. He’s not going to touch that issue if he doesn’t need to. ]
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Still, it's a weird situation to be in. It's unsettlingly like back when Cloud had lost his memories and every time he saw someone new on the Barge he had to navigate the discomfort of them knowing him when he had no idea who they were. So his initial reaction to the question is a brief moment of annoyed startlement, but then he sighs. It's a valid question, and it's not like he's asked for details. (Yet.)]
Fine. Good, even.
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[ It’s a brisk, business-like answer. They’re only temporarily paired so Archer is fine with leaving it at that. ]
Is there anything you need assistance with presently? Or questions you have for me?
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[A pause.]
Actually, yeah - what kind of warden are you?
[All of his previous wardens ended up being friends except Corvo, who left halfway through their month together. This guy doesn't seem like the 'friend' type, and Cloud's fine with that, but he wants to know what to expect.]
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You’re the first one to ask me that, actually.
[ It’s a fair question, though, so Archer weighs his response seriously before he gives it. ]
I would say I generally strive to take an objective approach, as opposed to a more emotional one. I’m not built very well for that, and I don’t pretend that I am.
There is very little that surprises me anymore, and I have seen enough death that we are old acquaintances.
I’m not sure if that’s the sort of answer you’re looking for, but I expect the people I was once paired to could give you better insight than I can.
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He listens quietly to the answer. An objective approach seems promising - Cloud is nothing if not practical. Sounds like Archer has a lot of life experience, which also seems promising.]
Wasn't looking for anything in particular, just your thoughts on it. Tells me plenty.
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[ Archer takes another swig of his drink. ]
I confess I still haven’t learned how to be a temporary Warden very well, but if you need help or want something while we’re paired, you only need to ask.
I can also listen if there’s ever anything you want to talk about.
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[A pause.]
Pretty much all my temporary wardens have said the same thing. Don't really know what they're doing when it comes to temp pairings. You'd think the Admiral would at least give you basic training or something.
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Don’t misunderstand. It’s not for lack of experience or basic training - though all of us could probably benefit from something at the outset. It’s more that there is a certain amount of mutual trust and understanding that goes - or should go into Warden-Inmate pairings. And that is very difficult to establish in a month, especially when you know it’s very likely that you will have an entirely different person the following month.
The Admiral does this, I’m sure, as a means of making sure Inmates are supervised - but also to see how well certain people might work together.
But a ‘temporary’ pairing still sets the expectation that whatever rapport is built in thirty days will end. That’s what makes it difficult.
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Hm. Doesn't have to end just because the pairing does. I still talk to Ulla and Rawne.
[Ulla in particular has made it a goal of hers to keep up with her temp inmates even after their month together is over, which Cloud appreciates as someone who has a hard time keeping up with people in general.]
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But there is a difference between continuing an acquaintance or…friendship, as the case may be…and being…responsible.
I knew the last person I was paired with fairly well even before the Admiral made things official - and I was already doing what I thought I could to help him.
But a permanent pairing involves a different sort of…obligation. It means you have been entrusted with the soul of another person, and that is no small thing. And with the stakes being as such…failure is not an option.
Other Wardens may take a different view - but that is how I think of it.
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Hm. Sounds right to me. But what would failure even look like? Zhao Yunlan once told me that as long as I don't disappear, I will graduate, even if it takes a long time. He said anyone can graduate. And I think...that sounds right, too.
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The second one hasn't happened to me personally, but I know others it has happened to.
Logically, perhaps, one should attribute something like that to the Admiral - but that doesn't lessen the impact of losing someone who was entrusted to you.
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…it is always something I am concerned about.
Mostly because I am aware that I have…certain deficits. In terms of how I interact with people.
Both Inmates I was paired with permanently ultimately graduated - but there were certainly times where I felt…out of my depth.
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[Archer didn't really answer the question, but that's fine. Cloud's hardly going to push.]
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It is.
[ Archer drains the rest of his glass, then- ]
Was there anything else you wanted to know?
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[Cloud's still sipping at his drink, and makes no move to indicate he's leaving just yet.]
Think I'm gonna stay here for a little while. [A pause.] If...that's okay.
[Sometimes he forgets that he needs permission for existing in certain places.]