035 - Cinnamon and Brown Sugar

[deadly_ned]

[On video, the Piemaker is wearing one of Dean's protective amulets, holding it in his hand and looking it over. He's also sitting on the man's couch, and looks like he has been for at least a week.

Aside from that, he's...thinner. Paler, and less altogether himself, even as his free hand continuously pets Digby the golden retriever beside him. Digby, for safety, also wears an amulet clipped to his collar]

I'm not much of a necklace person.

I wasn't expecting this to work. It works. I don't feel anything.

I didn't feel anything before I put it on either, so to the person who has my doll, thank you for not hurting it.


This flood is...

[The Piemaker falls silent. His eyes unfocus, and his head seems to drop. Something is clearly twisted up inside him.

This lasts for an uncomfortably long time, minutes worth of dead air filling up the network. Finally, the Piemaker seems to wake back up, wincing and rubbing at his eyes. He glances around, confused, before spotting the camera's light. He reaches over and shuts it off without explanation]

Comments

[neverfeltbetter]

Yeah, it is. But let me ask you: where you feeling this bad last week?

[deadly_ned]

Not...especially? Not that I can remember.

[neverfeltbetter]

So, it's not really a reliable way to tell how close we are to the inevitable. That's what I wondered.

[deadly_ned]

Not especially. No.

I'm sorry I'm not a better trauma barometer.

[neverfeltbetter]

It was worth asking.

Are you really going to be okay?

[deadly_ned]

I honestly don't have any idea.

I figured the Barge would just...do what it wants to me, and then maybe it will let me go.

[neverfeltbetter]

So what? You're supposed to just sit there and take it?

[deadly_ned]

That tends to be how I handle most conflicts. Until the conflict dies down and I'm still here because I did not compromise my values or integrity.

So. Yes. I will continue to sit here and...take it.

[neverfeltbetter]

I tend to take a more hands-on approach. I don't appreciate seeing my friend hurting, and if there's any way to stop it, I'll do it.

[deadly_ned]

I don't think there's a way to stop this.

[neverfeltbetter]

Figured you were gonna say that.

Maybe we can't make it stop, but can I try to do something to make you feel better?

[deadly_ned]

I'm open to suggestions.

[neverfeltbetter]

What do you like to do beside make pies? Because you don't really look like you're up for that right now.

I mean, we could always get you drunk to get your mind of it but... [That's probably not the best idea.]

[deadly_ned]

I like to do things for other people.

[neverfeltbetter]

That's really good of you, but isn't there something you like doing for yourself too? You got a secret love of romance novels, or a stamp collection or something?

[deadly_ned]

I.



Really like gourmet foods?

And driving?

And hugging my dog and my girlfriend. And Star Wars.

[neverfeltbetter]

[He nods to each item on the list. Food, not surprised. Driving, yeah he likes that too. Hugging his girlfriend? He'll just bet Ned likes that...and then.]

Hey! Star wars huh? I wouldn't have guessed. Okay, which one's your favorite?

[deadly_ned]

Empire Strikes Back.

What's your favorite?

[neverfeltbetter]

Gotta say Return of the Jedi, if only for that bikini.

[deadly_ned]

That's understandable.

The Ewoks scared me too much.

[neverfeltbetter]

Wait...what? You're scared of the Ewoks?

[Guy raises the dead for a living and he's afraid of short guys dressed in teddy bear suits?]

[deadly_ned]

Why? Is that weird?

They always looked. Dead. With their glassy, unblinking eyes.

[neverfeltbetter]

Oh, guess you got a point there.

I always thought they looked pretty damn fake. But, the production value is part of the charm, isn't it?

[deadly_ned]

When you're five you don't tend to notice those sorts of things. Now I know. But when I first watched, maybe not.

[neverfeltbetter]

Sorry Ned, I wasn't meaning to make fun of you. God, you know, I wouldn't mind getting to see those movies again. I guess know one would have them here...?