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]

We can ask Dean.

I wonder if I'd ever get Catra to watch these with me...?

[deadly_ned]

You can make it a requirement of her graduation.

[neverfeltbetter]

Hah, it should be required watching, but I have a feeling by the end of the first one she'll be trying to use me as a scratching post for making her watch them. Have you seen those claws?

[deadly_ned]

I neglected to see the claws. I'm much more of a dog person than a cat person.

[neverfeltbetter]

We had both growing up, but none of them had legs like hers.

[deadly_ned]

You're not going to try a "man's best friend" joke, are you?

[neverfeltbetter]

With her? Hell no!

[deadly_ned]

Oh.

Because it did sound like you were leading up to one.

A bit.

[neverfeltbetter]

She may think she's hot stuff, but there's no way that joke is ever gonna reach its punch line. Not a chance.

[deadly_ned]

Probably best for everyone. Stick with dogs. They're friendlier.

[neverfeltbetter]

Amen brother.

Anyways, when are you expectin' Dean back? I can keep you company 'till then if you want?

[deadly_ned]

I don't know. I don't ask him when he's coming back. He's. He might not know himself.


If you didn't mind.

[neverfeltbetter]

Sure. I'll wait with you. We can just keep chatting, take your mind off the rest. I don't mind at all.

[deadly_ned]

Thank you.


Anything you wanted to talk about? Get...off your mind?

[neverfeltbetter]

I guess I wouldn't mind asking your advice on something, since you've graduated a couple inmates now.

See, it feels strange to want to give Catra a direct order. It's what she's used to. I want her to know I'm trying to help her, and if I start barking orders she's going to think I'm just trying to control her like everyone else. But I can't lose my authority over her either, so I'm just... at a loss. How do you handle it?

[deadly_ned]

Listening tends to work for me. I tend to...let them do what they want, and the order only comes into play when they do something that's out of control. Harmful.

What does Catra keep doing that makes you want to put your authority over her?

[neverfeltbetter]

It's more like who she keeps doing. Normally this should be none of my business, but why did it have to be my worst enemy? It's like a sick cosmic joke.

[deadly_ned]

Oh.

She could be purposely doing...'it' because she knows it upset you.

Or she could honestly have feelings.

Either way, I don't think it's something you can order away. She could be looking for a reaction on purpose.

[neverfeltbetter]

I'm sure she knows it does, but she does what she wants and doesn't give a rat's ass.

[He doubts she has true feelings for Scorpius, beyond the superficial, but that thought is still disturbing.]

Yeah, you're probably right. I need to let it alone.

[It's just unspeakably awkward to know those two are in it together. Somehow he will have to deal with it. Maybe he can at least have a chat with her about good taste?]

[deadly_ned]

Personally I would try to veer away from dictating anything in your inmate's uhm. "Romantic" life.

Unless it's causing harm. To her or someone else.

[neverfeltbetter]

Knowing him? It could...eventually.

[deadly_ned]

If it's really worrying you, then you might need to have the other warden involved. Just for help.

But it might lead to a, uh.

Do they have Shakespeare in your universe?

[neverfeltbetter]

Tell me you are not about to make a Romeo and Juliet reference.

[deadly_ned]

Oh, so you know it.

[neverfeltbetter]

Trust me, these two are star crossed but not for each other. I have no doubt that either of them would instantly stab the other in the back if it got them something better. Heh, maybe they are meant for each other after all.

[Gag.]