[ Even if it's a sensitive topic for him, he appreciates her commitment to the cause. He wants to ask if that's why Aidan got a free pass, if she knows anything about his history, but - dangerous territory, and not his business to go into. The police comment makes him grimace slightly, but that's mostly because his experience with the police back home tends to involve them having fangs. ]
Yeah. No, that's completely reasonable. And brave. [ Because it is. If he weren't in the middle of this crap, he wouldn't want anything to do with it. ] So say, theoretically, there was an - alien - with a condition that caused it to hurt others. [ Totally subtle. Luckily his previous theoretical questions lead into it well enough to not be blatantly obvious. ] And they were trying to manage it, keep others safe, but they made - mistakes. [ Understatement. ] What side of the line would that fall on? [ He suspects he knows, based on her lenience with Aidan, but it's probably a good idea to be sure about these things. ]
Try to help them. [ The answer is immediate. ] I think I've given you a really bleak view of what things are like back home. We have lots of contact with aliens who aren't harming anything, and it's not as though we're trying to keep the Earth pure and human-only, or something ridiculous like that. I kept dating Mary after I found out she was an alien, after all. Didn't know about the heart-eating thing until it was almost too late, but that's on me.
[ The mention of 'mistakes' makes her fidget uneasily, realizing she's been sounding pretty self-righteous about things. ] Everyone makes mistakes. If there were no second chances, I'd be a prison cell right now. Sometimes you just do the wrong thing for what you think is the right reason, or you just flat out do something you regret. That's probably one of things that connects us all too.
[ And now you're back from scary territory and into compassionate but smart territory, good job Tosh. His response, however, isn't remotely immediate. He's quiet for a while as he processes that, weighs the fact that she already knows about Aidan - and the fact that nobody really knows about Josh except... other monsters. While that's probably the safest situation for him, he's not so sure about the rest of the ship.
He's calm and steady when he finally speaks up, though there might be a tiny grimace in his voice. Not something he'll ever be keen to say out loud, really. ]
... what do you know about werewolves?
[ And, just for the record - totally going to come back to that prison cell thing later. ]
[ Tosh would be perfectly happy to just let that prison cell thing go, Josh, really. Just sweep it right under the rug and pretend she never mentioned it. ]
Just things from films, really. I'm not much of a horror movie fanatic, it's sort of hard to be when it's pretty much your life, but with aliens instead of ghosts and monsters. I guess the part about silver is true, but only because Aidan said so. I mean I wouldn't necessarily believe in them at all except I figure if a vampire mentions werewolves out of hand like it's no surprise, then they're probably real.
[ Yeah, that's not much of an answer. She tries again. ] Um...with the acknowledgment that this is all speculation, I suppose I know that they're people who turn into wolves or wolf-human hybrids, depending on the mythos. That it happens during a full moon, if they bite you then it's contagious, and they can only be killed by silver or something. And I think there are supposed to be several on the ship, or at least Aidan thinks so.
[ Nope, too late. Prison is totally going to be a conversation. Casually, over tea. There's a moment where that tension creeps back in as she mentions the silver - mostly because why on earth was Aidan talking to her about how to kill werewolves - but it's subtle, and it's only notable because he's otherwise much steadier and solemn than his usual buzz of energy.
And now that he's decided to tell her, he's actually not sure how. He's only come out and said it a few times, and it's always been complicated. ]
Scratches can cause an infection too. [ Then a pause, because- ] Where I'm from. Apparently different worlds have different rules.
I didn't know that. I wonder why. I mean biting makes sense, there's the whole saliva thing, fluid transfer...but scratching? That's interesting, sort of changes the picture a bit, doesn't it?
[ She may not be a medical doctor or a biologist, but you pick up a few things assisting with alien autopsies. ]
Guess that makes sense, about it being different for other worlds. I suppose vampires are like that too, which is why what's food enough for some isn't for others. Sounds like you know a lot about this particular topic?
[ Yeah, no, it doesn't really make sense. Which should've been his first clue that any kind of medical cure would be futile, but denial is a pretty strong drug.
There's an anxious pause while he looks for any kind of answer, a way to say it without really having to say it. He opens his mouth, stops, and one hand goes to his right shoulder in a restless motion before he realizes that out won't work - didn't leave a scar. ]
That's how I was - [ And now he looks like he'd be happy to be anywhere but here, but it's a bit late for that, so instead he just stops to clear his throat before continuing. ] I was - scratched.
[ Really, Tosh supposes she should have figured that one out a lot sooner, but despite what experience should dictate, she never has developed a very good instinct for distinguishing 'secretive and a bit awkward' from 'potentially not actually human'.
She makes an 'o' expression and looks at Josh with wide eyes for a moment, then bites her at her lower lip. ]
I don't know whether I'm supposed to say I'm sorry that it happened, or I'm sorry for making you feel so uncomfortable about telling me. I mean I am sorry for that second bit either way, but- is this one of those situations where I try to be supportive and sympathetic and then realize I've stepped in it when you tell me about how I'm being intolerant of the werewolf experience?
[ She's rambling, but at least she's rolling with it. The last question earns a smile and a laugh, and it's genuine despite the edge of anxiety that still hasn't quite worn off. ]
Trust me, I'm the last person to defend a politically correct approach to the werewolf experience. It's crappy, and it's dangerous, and there's no such thing as take-backs when it comes to potentially eating people.
[ Actually, no, maybe he shouldn't joke about that - but he's not really joking, despite the mocking tone. There's a pause, and then, somewhat awkwardly: ] So I guess what I'm saying is - don't be too tolerant? Which probably sounds insane coming from me, but I mean that for everything. All of the monsters on this ship, not everyone takes them as seriously as they should.
[ Rambling is what Tosh does when she's unsure of herself -- it's something people get used to, after they've known her long enough. Ask about physics or computers and she'll sound like a textbook, but talk about people and unfamiliar situations and things she isn't sure she understands, and it's all fits and starts and sudden bursts of words. ]
Well, then I really am sorry. But at least you haven't any alien bugs nesting in you? [ That really is meant to be comforting. ]
I guess I've been afraid that my experiences with aliens might color how I treat people here. Maybe I've been erring too much on the side of accepting things at face value. Where I come from it's just a little easier to know who's on your side and who's not. Usually because the ones who aren't are trying to kill you. I always go armed, if that, um. Makes you feel any better?
At the risk of coming back to the "sounds insane coming from me" thing - yes? I mean, if I look like me, I'd appreciate you not shooting me, but if I ever - don't. Don't hold back on my account, alright?
[ This isn't the first time he's had the 'nuclear option' speech, and he means what he's saying. He'd rather that than wake up and find out he's hurt someone or worse. ]
... and I'm just going to tactfully not ask about the nesting aliens.
I won't promise to shoot you just for looking odd, but don't worry. I've a good sense of self-preservation.
[ No, that's a lie. But at least as far as it applies to taking down a threat, she means it when she says she won't balk. ]
Good idea, it's pretty disgusting. Which isn't meant to give you the impression that all aliens are terrible, but the ones I tend to deal with are mostly not very friendly. Huh. I wonder if aliens can be turned into werewolves...
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Yeah. No, that's completely reasonable. And brave. [ Because it is. If he weren't in the middle of this crap, he wouldn't want anything to do with it. ] So say, theoretically, there was an - alien - with a condition that caused it to hurt others. [ Totally subtle. Luckily his previous theoretical questions lead into it well enough to not be blatantly obvious. ] And they were trying to manage it, keep others safe, but they made - mistakes. [ Understatement. ] What side of the line would that fall on? [ He suspects he knows, based on her lenience with Aidan, but it's probably a good idea to be sure about these things. ]
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[ The mention of 'mistakes' makes her fidget uneasily, realizing she's been sounding pretty self-righteous about things. ] Everyone makes mistakes. If there were no second chances, I'd be a prison cell right now. Sometimes you just do the wrong thing for what you think is the right reason, or you just flat out do something you regret. That's probably one of things that connects us all too.
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He's calm and steady when he finally speaks up, though there might be a tiny grimace in his voice. Not something he'll ever be keen to say out loud, really. ]
... what do you know about werewolves?
[ And, just for the record - totally going to come back to that prison cell thing later. ]
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Just things from films, really. I'm not much of a horror movie fanatic, it's sort of hard to be when it's pretty much your life, but with aliens instead of ghosts and monsters. I guess the part about silver is true, but only because Aidan said so. I mean I wouldn't necessarily believe in them at all except I figure if a vampire mentions werewolves out of hand like it's no surprise, then they're probably real.
[ Yeah, that's not much of an answer. She tries again. ] Um...with the acknowledgment that this is all speculation, I suppose I know that they're people who turn into wolves or wolf-human hybrids, depending on the mythos. That it happens during a full moon, if they bite you then it's contagious, and they can only be killed by silver or something. And I think there are supposed to be several on the ship, or at least Aidan thinks so.
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And now that he's decided to tell her, he's actually not sure how. He's only come out and said it a few times, and it's always been complicated. ]
Scratches can cause an infection too. [ Then a pause, because- ] Where I'm from. Apparently different worlds have different rules.
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[ She may not be a medical doctor or a biologist, but you pick up a few things assisting with alien autopsies. ]
Guess that makes sense, about it being different for other worlds. I suppose vampires are like that too, which is why what's food enough for some isn't for others. Sounds like you know a lot about this particular topic?
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There's an anxious pause while he looks for any kind of answer, a way to say it without really having to say it. He opens his mouth, stops, and one hand goes to his right shoulder in a restless motion before he realizes that out won't work - didn't leave a scar. ]
That's how I was - [ And now he looks like he'd be happy to be anywhere but here, but it's a bit late for that, so instead he just stops to clear his throat before continuing. ] I was - scratched.
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She makes an 'o' expression and looks at Josh with wide eyes for a moment, then bites her at her lower lip. ]
I don't know whether I'm supposed to say I'm sorry that it happened, or I'm sorry for making you feel so uncomfortable about telling me. I mean I am sorry for that second bit either way, but- is this one of those situations where I try to be supportive and sympathetic and then realize I've stepped in it when you tell me about how I'm being intolerant of the werewolf experience?
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Trust me, I'm the last person to defend a politically correct approach to the werewolf experience. It's crappy, and it's dangerous, and there's no such thing as take-backs when it comes to potentially eating people.
[ Actually, no, maybe he shouldn't joke about that - but he's not really joking, despite the mocking tone. There's a pause, and then, somewhat awkwardly: ] So I guess what I'm saying is - don't be too tolerant? Which probably sounds insane coming from me, but I mean that for everything. All of the monsters on this ship, not everyone takes them as seriously as they should.
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Well, then I really am sorry. But at least you haven't any alien bugs nesting in you? [ That really is meant to be comforting. ]
I guess I've been afraid that my experiences with aliens might color how I treat people here. Maybe I've been erring too much on the side of accepting things at face value. Where I come from it's just a little easier to know who's on your side and who's not. Usually because the ones who aren't are trying to kill you. I always go armed, if that, um. Makes you feel any better?
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[ This isn't the first time he's had the 'nuclear option' speech, and he means what he's saying. He'd rather that than wake up and find out he's hurt someone or worse. ]
... and I'm just going to tactfully not ask about the nesting aliens.
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[ No, that's a lie. But at least as far as it applies to taking down a threat, she means it when she says she won't balk. ]
Good idea, it's pretty disgusting. Which isn't meant to give you the impression that all aliens are terrible, but the ones I tend to deal with are mostly not very friendly. Huh. I wonder if aliens can be turned into werewolves...