trans_9 | not sulking, honest [open as can be]

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not sulking, honest [open as can be]

Ba'al could not say he was particularly surprised about having lost the election. He had not been playing his role well enough, not nearly. He had mingled somewhat, yes, and he had put up the face of a pleasant human as thoroughly as possible. But it needed more than that. He should have branched out more, made more connections. The cause of his loss was clear.

That did not make him any less angry about it, however.

He had missed his chance, surrounded by these imbeciles. Perhaps if he had had surer footing here-- perhaps then they would have been able to see who was deserving of the power they were granting to idiots. He doubted most of them would make more than sentimental fools (the only benefit to which was that perhaps he could still manipulate them, to an extent).

Now, he would have to exercise power more indirectly. Subtlety. Subterfuge.

With that, Ba'al was wandering - seemingly aimlessly - throughout the ship. He was not looking for anyone, but the more people he ran into the better.

((ooc: open to anyone, anywhere! Let me know if you want a thread in a particular place or anything?))

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And Alessa was in the media library, researching the clothing that Beastboy and Evangeline had told her about. She had started with this (http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.japanguidebook.com/files/u2/black-lolita-photo-harajuku-tokyo.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.japanguidebook.com/articles/weird-japanese-fashion-81.html&usg=__FZzHz2NwEwrmui2uvK0xunxKFcM=&h=500&w=330&sz=29&hl=en&start=0&sig2=qjUh1nw3Fzr0KdGrrLPPmQ&tbnid=odQ-kVMgsjZ_UM:&tbnh=173&tbnw=112&ei=bZNRTOSRHYGClAes55iIBg&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dgoth%2Bloli%2Bdresses%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D612%26gbv%3D2%26tbs%3Disch:1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=837&vpy=196&dur=1581&hovh=276&hovw=182&tx=77&ty=92&page=1&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:5,s:0) particular dress, topping it with a hat. It was all very strange to her, but she was fairly sure that she had taken their advice. She would have preferred someone else's opinion though.

She looked up, sensing that someone was there. It was a strange presence, one she had not felt before.

"Hello," she said, staring hard at the man. "Who are you?"

Ah, the media library. It was a place that Ba'al had actually somewhat enjoyed since arriving on the ship, and it was not surprising that he found himself there once more. To be able to access some kind of information, there on the ship, regardless of type...

The girl was something he had not seen before, however, and the question nearly caught him off guard. Perfect. "I am Ba'al," he said, putting his pleasant face back on for her, "And yourself?"

She did not feel embarrassed, as she was sure some other girls might if some strange man had caught them just finishing up getting dressed. On the contrary, there was something that was fairly eerie about the man, something that did not meet the eye. She didn't know what that was yet, but the long they stayed here she was sure they would find out.

"I am Alessa," she said, adjusting the hat and the delicate gloves, looking more like an aristocrat and less like a sullen adolescent. "What brings you here?"

Ba'al himself could not really care less what she was doing. She could do as she pleased - the clothing, however, did catch his eye to an extent, with it's aristocratic flair. He could appreciate good clothing, anyway. He gave her a once over, but nothing more than that. Children were more a nuisance than anything else.

On the other hand, he did have to give her some credit for getting to the point, her questions somewhat less inane than he might have expected. "Wandering, I suppose you could say," he replied, before making a vague gesture at the room. "And research is always nice, after all." He let the returned question go unsaid.

Alessa watched the man carefully If he were to actually take note of her, he'd see pretty clearly that there was nothing child-like about her stare. It was a rather piercing look and it didn't seem to miss anything. She didn't know why, but this man reminded her of Cristobella somehow: not with the religious fervor of course, she didn't know him that well, but there was something similar there, a feeling.

"That would depend on what you are researching, really. I can;t recall meeting you on this ship, but I do believe I remember you throwing your hat in the ring, so to speak, during the scramble to be Captain of the ship. I trust you have your opinion over who was elected."

Ba'al did notice something strange about Alessa, but there was a certain degree of arrogance that prevented him from paying too much attention to it. His observation skills, however, were something that interested him in her somewhat more. His opinion of children was not generally that they would pay attention to politics, or other important matters.

"Something like that," he laughed meekly, before adding - and keeping his own opinions withdrawn for the moment - "I imagine you do as well, then, having been evidently perceptive of details."

Alessa regarded him carefully. "It pays to know who's who in this ship. The new captain is a meat head, who these idiots voted for because they imagine he will somehow magically fix all of the dissension and mistrust on the ship. As far as I'm concerned, he's been part of the problem, not the solution. How the council members are able to deal with ship matters remains to be seen. In my opinion, I'll be happy when the next attack occurs: it will give me something to do, and be the perfect opportunity to distance myself from the so-called hierarchy of the ship."

Ba'al couldn't help it-- he laughed. This child knew her way around things quite well, it seemed. Much more so than the average human youth, at least. And she had quite the mouth and attitude on her, too. He smiled. "I see you're far from pleased, then. I cannot say I have utter confidence... but we will see how things pan out from here." A glint in his eye, before he added, "I imagine someone will take things into their own hands, should the situation make a turn for the worst. Until then, should we not make the most of this... stability?"

"I'm never pleased on a ship of fools," Alessa said bluntly. "I can count on my hand the people here worth saving, and that is only because they haven't subscribed to reckless heroics or feel good parties and the like. Preparation should be made for the battle that is to come, not wasted on pointless hierarchies and useless titles. They so easily forget the lesson of the Nightmare King: DEATH is coming for us."

Here, she shrugged. "Stability is only to give the weak an illusion of a security. You, however, seem to indicate you have a different plan in mind."

Ba'al had to hand it to Alessa; she was smart, and she was honest. He could almost respect her, despite circumstances. He nodded, though he only knew partly of what she referred. He had heard enough about it to understand, he felt. "We can only hope that the crew will prepare, and soon, then. We were not so prepared the last time it was needed, after all."

He could only rely on himself, regardless. He had always found himself to be the best company, even back home. "Perhaps," he said, attempting to not give much away of his thought process. "Though mostly I plan to... take care of myself, if it comes to that. As they say: if you want something done, do it yourself."

"I don't pin the fate of the ship on hope," Alessa answered. "I'm a demon, and we tend to be very practical about things like that. If something is about to threaten us all, the logical course of action is to prepare for it, or at least have an ace up your sleeve."

Which reminded her: she was going to have to find Negi soon.

"If one is strong enough, that is an excellent philosophy," Alessa answered. "Are you that skilled?"

Ba'al raised an eyebrow at her comment. A demon, she claimed? He knew that was ludicrous, but he could not completely shake it. It was certainly possible that she was something other than human, of course, but he knew that terms such as 'demon' meant something else entirely. Another race, perhaps, but nothing supernatural. He let the gesture, however, speak for itself. "That is logical, of course," he said instead, though he eyed her still. "It would be foolish not to."

Her question, however, he refused to answer completely. "I know my own needs, and can meet them. That alone is enough for myself."

"You keep mentioning yourself as being able to take care of your own desires. I don't have any evidence to doubt that you won't be able to do it, but there's a certain tone in what you say. If I were some human, likely it wouldn't even pique my attention, but I am not. Is it me, or are you not what you appear to be?"

Which was, of course, human. He LOOKED human, but that meant nothing since she did too, and he didn't talk about taking care of himself the way other humans might. There was an air of certainty here that he shouldn't have had, being on a ship like this.

Outwardly, Ba'al only rose an eyebrow. But he had to suppress his anger. For an insolent child - 'demon' or not - to assume she understood him... but also angry at himself for being obvious enough that she could pick up on something like that. True that most humans probably wouldn't have... but still.

"There is no need for concern," he said, watching her carefully. "I assure you, I am not attempting to deceive."

"A demon cannot afford to believe that what is said is accurate: people lie. So for my part, I have to analyze and look at everything and everyone on the ship, including their body language and tone. When people are constantly saying they'll kill you for being what you are, you tend to pay attention to everything."

Even now she wasn't sure if she could take him at face value. There was something very off about him. She couldn't quite put her finger on it.

"That is understandable," Ba'al conceded with a nod of his head, while making a mental note to be extra cautious around this girl. "I can certainly not say it is right in the least of them to do that-- but it is only natural that you respond with mistrust."

He flashed his best smile then. "Perhaps, however, you may learn to trust me. My word my not mean much to you, but I have no reason to do you any harm."

"Mistrust keeps me alive on the ship," Alessa said, "and makes it so that I am not won over by smiles and supposed good feelings. When you expect that everyone on the ship may have the potential to try and kill you or even betray the ship, it puts things in better perspective."

Alessa nodded her head. "I may. I would have to see you like anyone else. In any case, we can be allies for now. What is your intention, now that these elections are over?"

A wise girl indeed. He agreed with her wholeheartedly-- he was a strong believer in getting the job done yourself, and trusting only yourself... but most humans were a bit more open than that. "Better safe than sorry, I suppose," he replied, frowning slightly. "Although it must surely be lonely when feeling you cannot trust anyone?"

His intentions, however... "I will bide my time for now, I suppose. Find ways to keep myself busy - and useful."

"The people I trust are the non-humans on the ship," Alessa answered, "which is why I trust then at all. If I had trust of any of the human, its with a grain of salt. And as for loneliness, that is not a concern for a demon. To be that in the first place is a lonely profession. If there is anything that is a constant, it is that very thing."

Here, Alessa's interest was raised. "Is that so?"

"I can understand why," he agreed with Alessa, nodding his head. "Many humans do have a great difficulty accepting what is unknown or strange to them, don't they? I suppose that is why we deal even with issues such as racism." He shook his head, playing still the part of the sympathetic human. "I cannot imagine the loneliness... but of course, our situations are very different."

Ba'al shook his head, "Iam still working on that, I'm afraid." He smiled, and added, "Perhaps I will keep you appraised, once I am more sure of the best way to do so?"

The Guv was in the corner of a corridor, a good place to see people coming from either direction, sat in a lump beside his wheelchair, making that the foot board was sharp. He'd noticed Ba'al coming, flicking his eyes up to glance at the man, but made no outward indication that he was watching the guy. Another unsurprised loser of the election, the Guv attributed it a lot to the fact that it had been an election. His odds had been long all along, the con philosophy and wheelchair both probably conflicting with what people were looking for in leaders around these parts.

A cripple, Ba'al noted, with a certain amount of scorn himself. He had little respect in this first place... but it was admittedly damaged further by such appearances. Still, he did not allow this to show on his face as he walked closer, half watching the man. If nothing else, at least the man was keeping himself busy and out of the way. Ba'al slowed his step as the distance closed, hesitated a moment, and spoke: "Keeping yourself busy?" he asked, in an imitation of idle - and pleasant - conversation.

The Guv took one last sharpening swipe with the whetstone before turning more obvious attention to the approaching man.

"Not much else for me to do," he responded cheerfully. The con had already passed his first judgement on the man; overconfident. That was fine, just fine, and if the man underestimated him, well, that was fine too for now. Wait to see better what he was made of before changing anything, that would be the Guv's strategy here. He grabbed a rag from the bag under his seat and wiped his hands off, smiling.

Ba'al nodded, and attempted to show a similar amount of cheerfulness as this other man was showing. Though most people on the ship tended to be... positive, as a whole, so it was not terribly surprising. "I suppose that would be true," he replied, giving the man another once over. "Most of us do not have a great deal to do at this time, perhaps." He hesitated, looking for the best approach to this conversation, before he decided on the simplest 'next step': "I am Ba'al, by the way."

"Heard weirder. I'm the Guv." He didn't offer his hand to shake, though, instead opting for reaching up and levering himself into his wheelchair. Hopefully it made his change in manner less abrupt. "Seems to me only people don't have anything to do are those that don't know what to do."

It makes sense in his own head, but sometimes that's the only place the things the Guv says are comprehensible.

"A pleasure," Ba'al smiled, nodding his head respectfully in place of the handshake that was not offered. He preferred the lack of contact, honestly. And, thankfully, Ba'al understood what this 'Guv' was saying, and could concede to it.

"I can agree with that," he said openly, but watched the man warily. "But the options are still limited, here. It is easy to simply feel... out of place."

"Never had that problem," the Guv commented, tugging his legs carefully into place. It wouldn't do to slice himself open on his own blades. Especially since he just sharpened them. "Trying to find something to do?"

"I suppose it depends on the person, then," he said, smiling as he watched him adjust himself. Then, he simply shrugged, "Perhaps, for the moment. I intended to... get to know the crew better. And to see if there wasn't anything new I could learn, somewhere."

"Probably is," the Guv agreed, quickly approaching the limits of what he generally considered a conversation. When it came to talking, he was the love 'em and leave 'em type. Making sure that everything was stowed properly, he unlocked the brake on his wheels. "Crew's interesting. One of the strangest I've run across."

Ba'al nodded his agreement with the Guv's assessment. "I can understand that sentiment," he said, idly shifting his weight. "I have dealt with a large assortment of people in the past... but this group easily transcends what I have met with in the past. But they are... interesting, to say the least."

"Guess you wouldn't call my past acquaintances very varied," the Guv mused, amused. Personally, he would, but a lot of the people here... nah. "Watch it with them big words, huh?"

Ba'al rose an eyebrow at the Guv, but merely nodded his head. He decided it best to exercise caution, and to be as cautious as possible. "My apologies," he said, "If I have bothered you."

((ooc: sorry if this reply is lame? @_@ ))

"We're just not all educated the same place, are we?" he pointed out pleasantly enough. Unlike some people he knew, the Guv wasn't eager to throw around the fact he'd been in the slam.

((ooc: No worries, is not lame!))

"That is true," Ba'al conceded with a smile to the Guv. The man seemed foolish, but at least he was not as grating as most humans were. Of course, Ba'al never expected a lot from them. "We come from all runs of life, aboard the ship, after all. My apologies, again."

Luke had been passing through the observation deck on the way to the crew quarters, needing a quiet place and a bit of time to himself to think about how he would help the ship proceed as part of the Council--as well as about Vader and Steve's training and when he almost ran into someone.

"Sorry," he said automatically, stretching out with the Force to make sure the other person was all right. Luke hesitated when the sense he got back wasn't one he was expecting. It was almost like there were two beings in one body, though one was certainly not human, and more malicious than the other. Still, he'd encountered a good many species both here on Stacy and at home and befriended many of them. First appearances weren't any reason to jump to conclusions, though Luke resolved to be wary of that malice.

"I wasn't looking where I was going--I've got a lot on my mind. You okay?" he asked, looking sheepish.

[[ooc: let me know if Luke's reading of Ba'al in the Force is not kosher and I'll edit it!]]

For a split second, intense anger flashed in Ba'al's eyes, and he barely held back from an enraged snap at the man who had come so close to knocking him down. For someone to dare...

But he quickly suppressed it, and instead managed a small smile and a nod. "I understand," he said sympathetically, though he was not sure of who this person was. "I am fine. I should have paid more attention myself."

Luke caught that flash of anger, white-hot in its intensity, but didn't flinch away or react to it. Something else was going on here, most likely. Instead, he smiled kindly.

"I guess I'm not the only one with a lot on my mind right now. Would you care to talk about it?"

Silently, Ba'al cursed himself at his carelessness in this situation. But outwardly, he laughed pleasantly for the other, "I am perhaps somewhat disappointed, but it is nothing to worry about, really." He shook his head, still smiling, before asking, "And what is it that troubles you?"

"Both my sister and I just got elected to serve on the Council," Luke replied. "Not that I've never led anything before, it's just a big responsibility."

He studied the other carefully a moment, not with the Force. A lot could be said by another person's body, and Luke had learned long ago that relying too much on the Force stunted other senses that could be very useful--something he'd learned from his wife.

"I'm going to hazard a guess and say you were running for a position too, and you didn't get it?"

Ah, so this was one of the winners, then. Someone who had succeeded over him. He swallowed his distaste, and instead nodded his approval, with another smile. "Congratulations then," he said, "To both of you, on the position. I'm sure you'll do fine, but I can understand why you'd be stressed."

Now that he was stopped for conversation, Ba'al folded his arms over his chest, with a casual confidence. The guess, however, made him laugh-- more genuinely. "Perceptive, aren't you? That is precisely it." He shifted, before nodding and speaking again, "But it is clear the positions went to capable individuals."

"It's a Jedi's job to be perceptive." Luke smiled and bowed from the waist politely. "I'm Jedi Master Luke Skywalker, by the way. Thanks for your confidence."

He sensed there was something insincere about this person's words, but, not wanting to jump to conclusions about someone he barely knew, chalked it up to being one of the people who hadn't made it into a position but was probably just as qualified as Luke was himself.

"I hope I can continue to hold it. If you ever have anything you need to talk to me about, ah...?"

"A Jedi?" Ba'al echoed, without much thought, gleaning for information where he could. His smile was genuine enough while Luke introduced himself, and politely hinted for his own name. "I am Ba'al," he replied, nodding his head respectfully, "It is a pleasure, Luke."

"And thank you for your kind offer," he added, "I will... certainly keep that in mind."

"Thank you, Ba'al." Luke smiled. "And maybe next time we see each other I can tell you something about Jedi. If you don't mind sitting down for a while--even the condensed version is a little involved."

"Of course," Ba'al laughed, "I expect nothing less-- I would surely enjoy hearing about anything you had to tell me. If we must be in the company of those from other worlds... is it not best for us to open our minds and learn what we can of each other?"

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