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[Pagan takes a pause here.]

Ah. Wait. A god? A literal god?

[ Hickey nods. And as he talks, some worrying intensity slips into his voice. ]

It took the form of a bear, but it walked on two legs. It could tear a man's soul from his body, leaving the shell breathing and whole but not alive. It bisected two of our men in half and returned them to us, one man's top half stacked on top of a different man's lower half. I saw that thing commune with it's shaman, I know it's a god.

[Pagan's...not so sure. It sounds more like a monster. But he doesn't argue the point because that sort of intensity?

Yeah, he knows it.]

I don't suppose getting its power worked well for you.

I did what I was supposed to do, [ Hickey points out, defensively. ] But instead of taking my tongue, like the thing should have done, it ripped me in half.

[ quite literally. Hickey draws in on himself a little bit, as if by rubbing the sides of his arms, he can physically hold himself together. ]

[Pagan refills Hickey's drink.

Well, he didn't expect to find that this man was totally bonkers, but hey. Small surprises.]

Ah. Tragic.

Still, you landed here. Making you at least somewhat redeemable.

I landed here because the Admiral asked 'want to not be dead' and I said 'yes,' [ he grumpily remarks, taking a large swig of his drink. ]

I'll admit, a few of my actions were a little bit misguided, [ he can't really justify murdering Irving and he knows it, ] but what's so wrong about a man wanting to better himself? Wanting to live?

Oh, nothing, I suppose. [He shrugs.]

But the Admiral doesn't bring on just anyone.

So what, [ Hickey points out, with a little laugh. ] You honestly think I'm 'redeemable?'

[ though he doesn't physically make the air quotes, they're audible in his voice. ]

Well. It doesn't matter what I think. Most people don't think I'm redeemable.

They've said as much to my face.

[ Hickey lets out a sharp little laugh before he points out, ]

I suspect the two of us are in the same boat then.

Fortunately, I don't have to worry about people from my world being around.

No one's ever decided to show up.

Lucky. I'm bleeding people who know me—but it's never the right people.

[Well, that's interesting news. Pagan nods.]

Mm. And who would you want to see?

My mates, [ Hickey says, like it's the most obvious thing in the world. He then starts up on a round of gentle teasing, ] What, did you expect I didn't have any friends back on HMS Terror?

[Pagan tries not to look surprised.]

Friends? Of course. Strange that none of them showed up here.

Says the man who doesn't have anybody he knows here? I think it's obvious that the Admiral just picks and chooses—there's no method to his madness.

[Pagan just waves that away.] The friends I had at home are not good for me here, Mr. Hickey. That's something I have learned here.

Yeah, but they're still your friends. 'Not good for you' or not, don't you want to see them?

...no.

[Said like a revelation.] No, actually. I don't want to see them at all.

What, really?

[ Hickey can't help it: he sounds a little confused at that. ]

[A drink, then a moment of contemplation.]

Ah. Well. After being here for so long, I don't believe the two would enjoy me. And I certainly wouldn't enjoy their company.

You're underselling yourself. [ Hickey simply says, with a little shrug. ]

[Pagan shakes his head.] Now you see, that's the problem. I did once. Now? I don't.

[ Hickey finishes off his drink before pushing the cup back to the center of the table. There's a moment's pause before he asks, ]

Idle question. How long have you been here? On the Barge?

A little over a year. [He raises a brow.] Why?

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