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[intelligently]

Just, hypothetically, say that someone was new.

[ Because, as hypothetically as she may be calling this situation it's kind of obvious to deduce that it isn't, actually, hypothetical. Unless she has been good at hiding her face around (which she hasn't done) then this is one very new face ]

New in any sense, warden or inmate, what's the average time before the job is technically 'done'.

[ Although Lydia did choose to be here, she did make the deal, she hasn't 100% prepared herself to settle, not yet. She knows what she has to be done and really she just wants to get on and do it, get her deal, get everyone saved and then she can go back to it all. In theory, really. On the other hand she's doing some decent information gathering to prepare herself for what she has to do ]

But not rushed, obviously. I doubt the Admiral would consider that a proper job done. [ She might not, anyway, and she wants her deal, so she's doing it properly ]

Hypothetical aside, I'm here to stay. And if anyone was actually paying attention I have a job to do, one that I'm going to do and nothing will stop me from doing it. [ For tricky inmates be warned? She's determined, even if things go a little pear shaped ]

So. How long until I can start?

Comments

[routemistress]

Well, you've got the fixtures and fittings like that Arthas, who'd rather stop 'ere forever than owt else, apparently. And some take longer 'cause their wardens disappear on 'em or they coma a lot or they're stubborn as bricks like our Rorschach. All depends who you get, really. The Admiral's better'n you might think at matching folk up.

[intelligently]

'Coma' a lot? [ Say what now ] I thought this place was to help them, not make them medically unable. They can't leave if they're in a coma.

[routemistress]

No, exactly. It's a thing that 'appens sometimes, I wouldn't worry about it. I've got a sort of theory about it, but it can't be proved and you'd reckon I were doolally if I mentioned it.

[intelligently]

Ask me that after you've told me. A theory's a start.

[routemistress]

...All right. There's a level of reality in everyone's lives where they exist purely in terms of story. Most people aren't aware of it. But there's times in your life when you're not doin' much, when your story's not doin' anything really interesting. I think the Barge is reactin' to that on some level, and putting you out till the narrative picks up. I think maybe she's doing it 'cause this is a very specific bubble in spacetime, and there's ...I don't know, a limit on the narrative reality that can be 'appening any time.

So people coma out to save the Barge's collective narrative from being all padding.

[intelligently]

[ Lydia's quiet for a moment as she thinks on what she was told, as she tries to take it in and make sure she understands before considering it. It certainly wasn't what she expected to hear, but if she's honest from the sound of it it could be plausible - partially. Books are written about peoples lives, making it a story

When she's done thinking there's a little thoughtful hmm. It's a positive thoughtful hmm ]

It isn't crazy. [ Not entirely. She'll have to think back over it a few times to try and really grasp it - this sort of dimensional type thing isn't anything she's had to come across before ]

But if there's a limit why not limit how many people are here. [ Except- ] How many people are here?

[routemistress]

'Cause you can't predict 'ow much narrative energy any one person's going to take up at any given time. Well, not without you read the spoilers. I don't know, actually, I've never done a head count.

[She shrugs.]

It's a theory. I do know we've 'ad medics research into it, and no one's ever found a medical reason or a way to bring people out of it.

[intelligently]

Can you do that- read the spoilers? [ She's taking the wild guess that it could help the inmates out, if it did help ]

Well, would you say there's enough to populate a world? [ Because if so this is one great barge to not sink ]

Are there other theories? [ More research. And she might think about them herself. Maybe ]

[routemistress]

Sometimes, aye. Depends where they're written. No, there's not that many of us 'ere - under a hundred, at a guess? It'd 'ave to be a real small world.

We did 'ave someone do a lot of research into it, but 'e's left. Don't think 'e ever found owt useful, any road. In the end we just put it down to "it's a Barge thing", keep 'em comfy and wait for 'em to wake up. And draw on 'em with sharpies, if they've annoyed enough people.

[intelligently]

Then I guess that the lack of people here is already a control over how much narrative there is. [ In theory, obviously ]

I'm not sure that 'it's a barge thing' is a good explanation. How many people would be happy hearing that, really? [ She guesses few ]

[routemistress]

You'd think. But we're all the heroes of our own stories, and some of us are a right bunch of egomaniacs.

[She says this with a sly smile that might mean Iris puts herself in that category, and definitely means that she doesn't see the term as necessarily derogatory.]

It's not an explanation at all. But sometimes on this boat it's all you get. You ever tried to dismantle one of the comm devices?

[intelligently]

[ Oh, well, if that is Iris's view on it then plant Lydia in that category too? ]

No. I take it you know what I'd find?

[routemistress]

Oh aye.

[Iris is visibly amused by the recollection.]

That were when I decided the Admiral were a boss I could stand to work for. I like 'ow 'e thinks.

[intelligently]

Great, for you. [ And since Lydia didn't know: ] What would I found if I took it apart?

[routemistress]

Well, mine 'ad rubber bands in it. Just rubber bands. Multicoloured. Sometimes it's packing peanuts.

See? Barge thing. I like 'ow this place works.

[intelligently]

And you like that, why?

[routemistress]

'Cause it proves right away that this place only makes sense inside its own context. It's a big, beautiful sod you to the laws of physics and causality. It tells me the Admiral's someone with a sense of humour that doesn't pay any mind to rules except 'is own. 'E uses the power at 'is disposal to make people's lives better, but we've all got to work for it. I'm right on board with workin' for someone that thinks that way.

[intelligently]

[ Okay, she could see that. That works, even if she's not 100% sold on it, or him, but it works ]

As long as he lives up to his end of the bargain, then, I guess it works. [ She doesn't know if it's okay, but it works ]

[routemistress]

'Asn't gone back on one yet, my love. A lot of us 'ere are on their second or third, and I don't know anyone that 'asn't been and checked.

[intelligently]

I guess I'll have to stop questioning it, then. [ Verbally, anyway, or maybe she'll just focus on her other questions and things ]