[Confusion flickers across her face at first, because yes, clearly she knows what rocks and paper and scissors are, but it takes her a moment to process his meaning. Some sort of game. It's about making use of people's strengths, and realising that someone who might not be best suited to one situation might be just what's needed in another. Ari understands that. Anyone who has had a team to manage understands that, she thinks.
Ari doesn't move until she's invited, but when she is, she's very quick to join him, sit straight on the floor beside him, even in her best uniform. And she listens - and it's still difficult, but she must have gotten all her tears out that day in her cabin, because there's no display of emotion, no sudden panic at anything he says.]
No. No, there's no problem. [For once this isn't Ari backing down with reflexive deference, because she's much too far into this debate for that.] If you can achieve your goals that way, I'll be glad of it. I've told you what I want; I don't care how it comes about so long as it does. I'll try my way, but if someone else succeeds, it benefits all of us.
I want everyone to be free too, including the ghosts. Freedom for me is getting home. I'll hold you to that. Being trapped on this ship, even if you make it peaceful and prosperous, is not freedom for me. I will take whatever risks I have to - and yes, I'll take risks for myself that I wouldn't if I had a crew of two hundred depending on me to keep them safe.
Something else you need to know. I'll never attack you. Not if we argue, not if you tried to hurt me by calling me a worthless, contractless copy of Arilanna Tayrey instead of being a real person, or - well, no matter what happens. I'm not Darcy. I wouldn't do it, not ever. If you want more people to talk to about this, you should try Cassandra, who was on the expedition with us, or Palamedes Sextus. Maybe they can explain things better than I can. I have been talking to others, just like you suggested.
no subject
Ari doesn't move until she's invited, but when she is, she's very quick to join him, sit straight on the floor beside him, even in her best uniform. And she listens - and it's still difficult, but she must have gotten all her tears out that day in her cabin, because there's no display of emotion, no sudden panic at anything he says.]
No. No, there's no problem. [For once this isn't Ari backing down with reflexive deference, because she's much too far into this debate for that.] If you can achieve your goals that way, I'll be glad of it. I've told you what I want; I don't care how it comes about so long as it does. I'll try my way, but if someone else succeeds, it benefits all of us.
I want everyone to be free too, including the ghosts. Freedom for me is getting home. I'll hold you to that. Being trapped on this ship, even if you make it peaceful and prosperous, is not freedom for me. I will take whatever risks I have to - and yes, I'll take risks for myself that I wouldn't if I had a crew of two hundred depending on me to keep them safe.
Something else you need to know. I'll never attack you. Not if we argue, not if you tried to hurt me by calling me a worthless, contractless copy of Arilanna Tayrey instead of being a real person, or - well, no matter what happens. I'm not Darcy. I wouldn't do it, not ever. If you want more people to talk to about this, you should try Cassandra, who was on the expedition with us, or Palamedes Sextus. Maybe they can explain things better than I can. I have been talking to others, just like you suggested.