This became about Bill, but I was calling about you. Last time you spoke publicly you sounded unwell - it sounds like things are chaotic now, but perhaps improved?
I, ah, had to sort out a few things. That project meant a lot to me! I was hoping I could use it to prove I could help out around here without causing colossal amounts of damage.
It's not really your fault that other people reacted the way they did. Library on fire or not, Betelgeuse has his own emotional issues to get hold of. Getting him some better ways of dealing with being upset is on my to-do list.
What you did was good, Ford. People got upset because they thought we might be doing something awful, because they care about the people we leave behind and the worlds we go through. I also think that we should continue to inspect and study the path we leave, not just blindly trust the Admiral either.
Bill's suggested leaving beacons of some kind behind in ports. Something to take readings and broadcast them back to us. I think it's worth a shot. Even if we don't get anything and are cut off from ports we leave completely, that's still information we didn't have.
And -- is it just me, or is Betelgeuse very easy to upset?
And he is. There's a lot about Betelgeuse that's... soft, actually, and just as much that rubs people the wrong way... he's not so good at. You know. Maintaining good relationships for himself.
You can say that again. I can never tell if saying he's deeply unpleasant will be taken as a compliment or make him cry! Or if telling him he's been a good friend will mean something or "ruin his reputation"!
Yes... I think he's not sure what he really wants yet, or how he wants his 'redeemed' self to look. He's actually very old, you know? Ancient. He's had a long time to get set in his ways. Even if he doesn't admit it I imagine it's perturbing for so much to change so quickly... it can really leave a person at a loss.
Oh, I can understand that. When someone's been around that long, any change at all is remarkable. And it can leave them feeling...like they aren't themselves anymore. Like they're losing part of who they are. Small, when they didn't used to be.
Yes. I think at one moment, he probably enjoys feeling accepted and taking in the warmth of camaraderie. And then at the next, he probably feels like he's standing in quicksand. Viciousness is useful in its own way, you know? Under certain circumstances it helps protect you, helps you survive. Letting go, even just of some of it... you become more vulnerable.
And now he's in a place where in order to survive, he has to open himself up to that vulnerability -- a place that happens to be full of liars, torturers, and murderers. It takes a lot of strength to open up like that -- to trust people when you're used surviving by doing the opposite. It's hard having to adjust to that. You make mistakes along the way.
When he's inconstant, I think it's not anything to do with you, or what you've said or done. It's him, being in tumult. I think the best thing to give him in turn is your steadiness... I don't always succeed at it but don't let him rile you. Remind him that he wants friends, because he does. If he storms off, give him a little space. Not that I'm asking you to take his abuse either, and if he ruins his relationship with you it's on him to fix it, but if he's remorseful I guess... be firm for yourself but kind to him?
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momijizukamori
no subject
Date: 2020-04-13 12:06 am (UTC)Hange lets out a sigh.]
This became about Bill, but I was calling about you. Last time you spoke publicly you sounded unwell - it sounds like things are chaotic now, but perhaps improved?
no subject
Date: 2020-04-13 11:54 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-04-14 12:03 am (UTC)What you did was good, Ford. People got upset because they thought we might be doing something awful, because they care about the people we leave behind and the worlds we go through. I also think that we should continue to inspect and study the path we leave, not just blindly trust the Admiral either.
no subject
Date: 2020-04-14 01:45 am (UTC)Bill's suggested leaving beacons of some kind behind in ports. Something to take readings and broadcast them back to us. I think it's worth a shot. Even if we don't get anything and are cut off from ports we leave completely, that's still information we didn't have.
And -- is it just me, or is Betelgeuse very easy to upset?
no subject
Date: 2020-04-14 01:51 am (UTC)And he is. There's a lot about Betelgeuse that's... soft, actually, and just as much that rubs people the wrong way... he's not so good at. You know. Maintaining good relationships for himself.
no subject
Date: 2020-04-16 04:59 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-04-17 02:09 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-04-17 11:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-04-17 11:59 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-04-19 08:59 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-04-19 09:45 pm (UTC)When he's inconstant, I think it's not anything to do with you, or what you've said or done. It's him, being in tumult. I think the best thing to give him in turn is your steadiness... I don't always succeed at it but don't let him rile you. Remind him that he wants friends, because he does. If he storms off, give him a little space. Not that I'm asking you to take his abuse either, and if he ruins his relationship with you it's on him to fix it, but if he's remorseful I guess... be firm for yourself but kind to him?