[He does think it's a mildly offensive question, even if he doesn't take any particular offense. He has no problem with Johann being hurt, but he and Florian had made a deal.]
I was only seeking confirmation, in case something had changed. However, there is the problem of Herr Hilbert's admission that he was acting in retaliation for harm done to you.
I did not mention our arrangement to him, as per said arrangement, but I thought it best to consult with you on... next steps.
Doctor Hilbert's actions are his own. There is no formal bond between us, and if there was it's that he's my teacher. He's not my servant.
[He wouldn't have attacked Florian for Johann's actions. As Johann's master, Florian just has the right to offer restitution. Nathaniel doesn't, just as he doesn't have any control over Hilbert's actions, but he can still try.]
Still, for he sake of our professional relationship, I would be willing to offer restitution. To you. Johann killed me twice, without being punished. I will not act against him or try to get anyone else to act. I have never mention any feelings on the topic to Doctor Hilbert or anyone else. But while I respect you a great deal, there's only so far I'll go for a person who not only killed me but also didn't care.
Of course, Herr Mandrake. But I seek clarity so as not to act hastily and destructively to our own arrangements. I value our relationship. I was even hoping to deepen it to your potential enrichment as I have seen you to be thorough in your work and intelligent in your observations.
But that is for later.
I never thought you would offer anything to Johann; as you mention, he does not care and he has harmed you twice; you owe him nothing. But Herr Hilbert both attempted to steal from me and in his incompetence, caused harm to that which is mine. Given his mention of a tie between you, I thought it only fair to offer you the same chance that you gave to me to offer that restitution.
If you did not feel that was appropriate, and I would have understood had you not as Herr Hilbert is his own man and one's responsibilities towards another's actions are their own decision, I wanted to ensure that my efforts to gain satisfaction from Herr Hilbert himself would not harm our relationship nor our mutual respect.
At current, Herr Hilbert is under the mistaken idea that he stands even with me. He even went so far as to claim that I was 'not involved'.
I truly appreciate that you have offered that chance. Doctor Hilbert and I don't have a relationship where I can claim to speak for him, so being given notice is very generous of you.
[Truly, he's been proved right about Florian's status as a man to be respected.]
Unfortunately, I can't speak for any choices he might make going forward or make any promises in that respect.
[Which he does feel is somewhat unfair to Florian in the deal. On the other hand, he thinks that Johann's continuing existence is unfair.]
However, if you'd be willing to take restitution in the present without my being able to offer any claims about behavior going forward - I am almost certain that Doctor Hilbert will not act in the same way, but that isn't something I can control - I'd be happy to discuss what might be fair payment for your losses.
As you have accepted my limited ability to guarantee Johann's behavior, I could hardly ask more of you, Herr Mandrake.
I am, especially given the unfortunate nature of Johann's behavior in the past and your own willingness to accept restitution, more than willing to accept such payment from you. The only request I would make in such an exchange would be the acceptance that should Herr Hilbert make a second attempt, I am at liberty to seek restitution from him without damage to our own relationship.
I think it's extremely unlikely Doctor Hilbert will make any second attempt. Whatever other motivations might have played a part in picking Johann, the main reason he acted was to gather information on Johann's ability to heal. He didn't prove to be a useful subject.
[He can't offer a guarantee, but he does have to defend Hilbert's medical ethics.]
But, yes, if Doctor Hilbert did act again for some reason, your business would be with each other.
Have you any thoughts on appropriate restitution? If there's some action you need taken under another name, I hope you can believe me capable.
I have shared my opinion in the ledger and the opinion stands. I've made an accord with him of late, due to a greater understanding of his method, but I still find him to be flippant in times when more care should be taken and far too willing to toss around insulting words with little care for the impact they might have.
I do not think him malignant, but I do find his temper to be uneven and his behavior often... unconsidered.
[He'd seen Kikimora's comment in the ledger, too.]
Those are the reasons I've never felt a need to speak to him. [Which would probably make any action against him suspicious, and he assumes Florian wants his name kept out of it. Meanwhile Kikimora is much easier. More appealing, too.] Well, people often find it hard to predict what will happen on this ship. I appreciate your reaching out on this matter.[As Hilbert's student, he could've never reached out to Florian, so he can say that honestly. He respects him enough not to pretend that he feels any regret over what happened to Johann, but that he'll take action against Kikimora is agreed.]
Speaking of: there was that other matter I mentioned earlier. Specifically the fact that I've been working on a number of magical items of my own design and given your thoroughness, I thought you might be interested in assisting me with testing.
Excellent. Would you prefer this work to be kept quiet or would you object to your warden being aware of the testing, so as to ensure he doesn't react poorly?
I can't say I've considered the matter before. Is there any limitation on size or similarity (another mammal, for example) that you would like to test?
Some form of cat might be acceptable. I'm willing to try a reptile if you want to test a greater distance, but it doesn't matter to me what is picked.
[He doesn't know many animals, but the only one he'd truly object to is any form of dog or wolf. He is not a member of the police, thank you very much.]
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timeasmymeasure
A couple of days after Johann
Date: 2023-10-05 01:38 pm (UTC)[ Because he likes Nathaniel. And he didn't think him the sort to allow for this.]
Re: A couple of days after Johann
Date: 2023-10-05 04:27 pm (UTC)[He does think it's a mildly offensive question, even if he doesn't take any particular offense. He has no problem with Johann being hurt, but he and Florian had made a deal.]
Re: A couple of days after Johann
Date: 2023-10-05 04:49 pm (UTC)I did not mention our arrangement to him, as per said arrangement, but I thought it best to consult with you on... next steps.
Re: A couple of days after Johann
Date: 2023-10-05 05:20 pm (UTC)[He wouldn't have attacked Florian for Johann's actions. As Johann's master, Florian just has the right to offer restitution. Nathaniel doesn't, just as he doesn't have any control over Hilbert's actions, but he can still try.]
Still, for he sake of our professional relationship, I would be willing to offer restitution. To you. Johann killed me twice, without being punished. I will not act against him or try to get anyone else to act. I have never mention any feelings on the topic to Doctor Hilbert or anyone else. But while I respect you a great deal, there's only so far I'll go for a person who not only killed me but also didn't care.
Re: A couple of days after Johann
Date: 2023-10-05 05:37 pm (UTC)But that is for later.
I never thought you would offer anything to Johann; as you mention, he does not care and he has harmed you twice; you owe him nothing. But Herr Hilbert both attempted to steal from me and in his incompetence, caused harm to that which is mine. Given his mention of a tie between you, I thought it only fair to offer you the same chance that you gave to me to offer that restitution.
If you did not feel that was appropriate, and I would have understood had you not as Herr Hilbert is his own man and one's responsibilities towards another's actions are their own decision, I wanted to ensure that my efforts to gain satisfaction from Herr Hilbert himself would not harm our relationship nor our mutual respect.
At current, Herr Hilbert is under the mistaken idea that he stands even with me. He even went so far as to claim that I was 'not involved'.
Re: A couple of days after Johann
Date: 2023-10-05 05:51 pm (UTC)[Truly, he's been proved right about Florian's status as a man to be respected.]
Unfortunately, I can't speak for any choices he might make going forward or make any promises in that respect.
[Which he does feel is somewhat unfair to Florian in the deal. On the other hand, he thinks that Johann's continuing existence is unfair.]
However, if you'd be willing to take restitution in the present without my being able to offer any claims about behavior going forward - I am almost certain that Doctor Hilbert will not act in the same way, but that isn't something I can control - I'd be happy to discuss what might be fair payment for your losses.
Re: A couple of days after Johann
Date: 2023-10-05 06:56 pm (UTC)I am, especially given the unfortunate nature of Johann's behavior in the past and your own willingness to accept restitution, more than willing to accept such payment from you. The only request I would make in such an exchange would be the acceptance that should Herr Hilbert make a second attempt, I am at liberty to seek restitution from him without damage to our own relationship.
Is that agreeable to you?
Re: A couple of days after Johann
Date: 2023-10-05 07:15 pm (UTC)[He can't offer a guarantee, but he does have to defend Hilbert's medical ethics.]
But, yes, if Doctor Hilbert did act again for some reason, your business would be with each other.
Have you any thoughts on appropriate restitution? If there's some action you need taken under another name, I hope you can believe me capable.
Re: A couple of days after Johann
Date: 2023-10-05 07:17 pm (UTC)...what are your feelings on Kikimora?
Re: A couple of days after Johann
Date: 2023-10-05 07:22 pm (UTC)I will just say there's no love lost between us.
Re: A couple of days after Johann
Date: 2023-10-05 07:24 pm (UTC)She also chose to attack Johann, albeit much more ineptly.
[ No one can claim he TOLD Nathaniel to do anything if he doesn't spell it out, right? ]
Re: A couple of days after Johann
Date: 2023-10-05 07:30 pm (UTC)[For Kikimora. He can easily believe it, but that just makes it more embarrassing.
Anyway, if they're just casually sharing opinions of people on the Barge:]
What do you think of Mr. Bright?
Re: A couple of days after Johann
Date: 2023-10-05 07:34 pm (UTC)I do not think him malignant, but I do find his temper to be uneven and his behavior often... unconsidered.
Re: A couple of days after Johann
Date: 2023-10-05 08:22 pm (UTC)[He'd seen Kikimora's comment in the ledger, too.]
Those are the reasons I've never felt a need to speak to him. [Which would probably make any action against him suspicious, and he assumes Florian wants his name kept out of it. Meanwhile Kikimora is much easier. More appealing, too.]
Well, people often find it hard to predict what will happen on this ship. I appreciate your reaching out on this matter.[As Hilbert's student, he could've never reached out to Florian, so he can say that honestly. He respects him enough not to pretend that he feels any regret over what happened to Johann, but that he'll take action against Kikimora is agreed.]
Re: A couple of days after Johann
Date: 2023-10-06 12:34 pm (UTC)Speaking of: there was that other matter I mentioned earlier. Specifically the fact that I've been working on a number of magical items of my own design and given your thoroughness, I thought you might be interested in assisting me with testing.
Would you be interested?
Re: A couple of days after Johann
Date: 2023-10-06 05:59 pm (UTC)I have some experience in making magical items myself. It would be rewarding to look over your work.
Re: A couple of days after Johann
Date: 2023-10-12 10:09 pm (UTC)Re: A couple of days after Johann
Date: 2023-10-12 11:08 pm (UTC)Re: A couple of days after Johann
Date: 2023-10-12 11:09 pm (UTC)Re: A couple of days after Johann
Date: 2023-10-12 11:13 pm (UTC)Re: A couple of days after Johann
Date: 2023-10-12 11:19 pm (UTC)I assure you: you will keep your faculties.
Re: A couple of days after Johann
Date: 2023-10-12 11:20 pm (UTC)Re: A couple of days after Johann
Date: 2023-10-12 11:21 pm (UTC)Re: A couple of days after Johann
Date: 2023-10-13 04:14 am (UTC)[He doesn't know many animals, but the only one he'd truly object to is any form of dog or wolf. He is not a member of the police, thank you very much.]
Re: A couple of days after Johann
Date: 2023-10-13 04:18 am (UTC)Re: A couple of days after Johann
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