audio;

[candothat]

[Chekov has been maintaining radio silence since the fifteenth. The rampant alcohol-induced misery in the City, however, prompts a network post.]

Celebrations yesterday, vomiting in the streets today. It feels like the first of January.

My father has told me many ways to cure a hangover--some of the ways are ridiculous--so I will share his better suggestions. Drink pickle brine; the potassium, magnesium, and electrolytes will help. Mineral water is good, too, as is kvass, but I don't know there to find that in the City. If these don't help, jump into a very cold body of water. The cold should be enough of a distraction to make you forget your other miseries.

[There's an uncertain pause.]

Also, I have a question.

I realize that, normally, actions taken during curses are to be forgiven. What if a cursed action is encouraged or preceded by uncursed actions? Say--and this is only an example--two friends have an argument, and that becomes a fight. Maybe the fight is somewhat violent, but not so bad until the curse takes hold and one of the participants does something extreme. When uncursed and cursed are close like that, how do you know where one turns into the other? Is there a time when a cursed action is not forgivable?

[He clears his throat. It's a troubling topic, which is why he feels a need to end on an entirely different note.]

Pickle brine for hangovers. Remember that. You heard it from a Russian, and a Russian never lies about these things.

Comments

Audio

[candothat]

Exceptions. I have never been half-friends with anyone; every friend is an exception.

I may be forced to rethink my policies.

Re: Audio

[recognize_an_opportunity]

It's possible to forgive but not to forget. It's also possible to forgive but not to trust. You might do better to not trust unconditionally.

Audio

[candothat]

How can anyone be a friend if they cannot be trusted unconditionally?

Re: Audio

[recognize_an_opportunity]

How would you define a friend?

Audio

[candothat]

A friend is either a znakomyj or a drug. [The final consonant is hard--almost a 'k' sound instead of a 'g.'] I have been talking about the latter, and a drug is more than a friend is, I think, as the word 'friend' is used usually.

Re: Audio

[recognize_an_opportunity]

Have you ever thought it might not be wise to get that close to people?

Audio

[candothat]

Yes.

Re: Audio

[recognize_an_opportunity]

I'd get started on that sooner rather than later, then.

[candothat]

[Meyer, you are suggesting that he change something that he considers fundamental to his personality. It's not that easy.]

[recognize_an_opportunity]

[He doesn't understand how it can be not easy. Clearly they have very different brains.]