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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]

That's the spirit, lovey! It's a bit of a piece of string question though, 'ow long. I'd count on six months to a year at least, though. Depending.

[intelligently]

Well that's manageable. [ She's so glad you didn't say ten years or something equally ridiculous otherwise she might have to reconsider everything she'd said! ] Do I ask about the not average?

[patheticvillain]

Depends on if you get a total psychopath or not.

[Cassel "Comforting Friend" Sharpe.]

[deshabille]

I think if you count on a particular amount of time before your commitment's up, you're highly likely to be disappointed. Things happen. Better to roll with it.

[tolaywaste]

[Alex is frowning a little, troubled by this wording - but then, some people are just laser-focused on their deal, and that's how it goes.]

Iris is pretty much on point. My first inmate, it was just a few months.

As far as when you can start - it kind of depends on how the Admiral's feeling about you.

[intelligently]

Point. At least it wouldn't be my first experience. [ Sadly, although very different circumstances ]

[intelligently]

I wasn't. [ Maybe she was, but she wasn't ] I was asking about past experience.

[deshabille]

Mm, well, most people who've graduated an inmate will have left. [She won't. Probably. Maybe.]

I imagine I'll be here quite a while, but I can't predict the future. [It's just that Pietro's a butt.]

[patheticvillain]

Ooh, do tell.

[intelligently]

Then why are you still here? [ She hasn't though really about the after, other than going home. What could prompt someone to stay? ]

He should feel positively.

[tolaywaste]

A lot of reasons. [Mostly because he feels like he should be, but he's aware that isn't a very good answer. Or one that makes sense.]

[He does grin a little at that, though.] Yeah?

[intelligently]

With the option of currently talking to one? [ She's not saying he is, but it's a possibility ] I'll pass.

[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]

You'd hope, but there might have been records, or something in a library? [ They have those things, right? ]

On which side of it?

[patheticvillain]

I don't think "psychopath" is an accurate diagnosis for whatever the hell my problems are, but then again, that's probably what a psychopath would say.

[deshabille]

You're so optimistic about the organizational system here. [Protip: there really isn't one.]

I'm a warden.

[intelligently]

For example? [ Well you can't just say that and not elaborate ]

I want to get started, don't I?

[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.

[intelligently]

Probably. [ It also wasn't... so helpful sounding ] Am I supposed to ask what your problems are? [ So her first inmate meeting then? Right ]

[intelligently]

With what's supposed to happen shouldn't I be? [ Oh, Lydia ]

That's good to know.

[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.