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

[deadly_ned]

A start towards better understanding her likes and dislikes?

[neverfeltbetter]

Yeah. I'm hoping I can just get her to talk to me without it having to feel like I'm pumping her for information. I know she's got no reason to trust me, but I'm trying to show her she can.

Did you have much luck with that with your inmates? Am I just chasing a dream here?

[deadly_ned]

Thomas was very easy to get along with. Alpha in the beginning..not so much.

I had to wait until an opportunity presented itself. Until I had the opportunity to prove myself.

[neverfeltbetter]

Well, if there's one thing I can say for this barge, it keeps things interesting. Maybe I'll get my shot too.

How did you end up proving yourself?

[deadly_ned]

Alpha started to reset people's brains, trying to manipulate their personalities using some kind of technology from his world. He'd hurt four, maybe five people before he was caught.

When he was, he expected me to put him in the Attic. It was this..thing from his world, I don't know how to describe it. Sort of a mind prison. He had handlers there, and I think he equated handlers with wardens.

But I didn't hurt him. I was kind even when he did terrible things.

That's how.

[neverfeltbetter]

See, that's what I'm afraid of. What if Catra goes and tries something like that? I'd be so pissed-off I'd be sending her to Zero in a heartbeat.

[deadly_ned]

I put Alpha in Zero too.

I think it has a lot to do with defying their expectations. What does she expect you to do to her?

[neverfeltbetter]

Remember that part about man's best friend...?

[deadly_ned]

Oh.


Oh.


Oh that's just not right.

[neverfeltbetter]

Don't worry it's not going to happen. Believe it or not I have a crew member on Moya who operates like that too. I've had some practice handling this.

[Though, all that experience hasn't made him less awkward about it yet.]

I told her I wasn't interested once and she looked at me like I'd sprouted another head. So, I guess already I've defied her expectations.

[deadly_ned]

She may not have ever been rejected before. You threw her for a loop.

[neverfeltbetter]

I'm sure her world is all shook up over it.

[He really should be taking this more seriously but...nope.]

It'll be good for her to get used to the disappointment.

[deadly_ned]

Just be careful of her self esteem. People who put that much into their looks and don't get noticed might not realize they have other things to fall back on.

[neverfeltbetter]

So I gotta work on digging out what those other things are.

[Hey, it's some kind of direction to go in anyway. Somehow, it sounds about right for her.]

[deadly_ned]

Right. Find..something she's proud of that she wouldn't use to get you into bed.

[neverfeltbetter]

You make it sound so simple...

Don't get me wrong. It's more than I had to go on before. So, thanks, for talking me through it.

[deadly_ned]

Happy to help.

It just.

It takes time to get to know someone. I wouldn't get discouraged just yet. You're doing a great job so far.

[neverfeltbetter]

[He nods and settles into a seat across from Ned.]

Yeah. You're right. Thanks.

[deadly_ned]

You're welcome.

....And at least she isn't hurting other people.

[neverfeltbetter]

There's definitely that to be grateful for. Heh, she's more a lover than a fighter. [Crichton no.]

[deadly_ned]

Somehow I find that a little more terrifying than usual.

[neverfeltbetter]

Yeah. I'm a little sorry I said it out loud...

[deadly_ned]

Don't be. You're being honest. That's always a good start.

[neverfeltbetter]

I've never liked being dishonest. Hasn't stopped me, but it never sits right. I'm trying to be as straight with Catra as I can be too.

[deadly_ned]

She might appreciate it. She who lives a duplicitous lifestyle.

Or she might just think you're too soft. Either or.