042 - Rhubarb

[deadly_ned]

[Sitting in his self-made pillow fort is the Piemaker, with a hand on his dog, Digby, and a rucksack over one shoulder. His room behind him is made up and neat]

I ought to have done this...maybe four or five months ago but change was never something I was particularly attuned to. Change and me were on different wavelengths.

I graduated two inmates and I'm...heading home. To Chuck.

And I just wanted to, to, um...


Thank you. Everyone, all of you. For..making the changing easier and for letting me stay as long as I have and for making this place harder and harder to leave.

It's hard to leave. It's one of the hardest things I've ever done even though I know it's time. Past time. That...probably says more about my time spent here than anything else I could say.

...Yeah. I know I'm stalling now, so I'll just...

Thank you. For the memories.

[Private to Bleu]

I'm sorry I wasn't so much here for you as I should have been. Is there anything I can do for you? Before I go.

[Private to Hannibal]

I'll be checking in, periodically. When I can. Your graduation was the one I wanted to see most.

[Private to Abigail]

I left the rest of the records in a box by your door. I'm hoping that wasn't too forward.

[Private to Esther]

You're better than you give yourself credit for. I really...really do hope you find your way.

[Private to Dean]

Dean, I...

I know you don't really know who I am. You don't owe me anything. At all.

But if I could just...see you. To say goodbye. It would mean everything.

Comments

spammm

[darknessb4me]

I knew I'd get you to laugh at something eventually.

[Arthas smiles, lopsided and apparently sincere.]

I'll meet you up there.

spammm

[deadly_ned]

Okay.

[Still smiling, the Piemaker closes off his communicator, trekking his way upstairs to see Arthas]

spam

[darknessb4me]

[Arthas is pacing, sword in hand and surrounded by half a dozen undead not-Ewoks. They spot Ned before Arthas does, but don't make a sound, or, indeed, move.]

spam

[deadly_ned]

[The Piemaker gives the Ewoks a wide berth, blinking uncertainly at them. But he reaches Arthas soon enough, and his uncertainty breaks into a warm smile]

Hi.

Spam

[darknessb4me]

Hey, Ned.

[Arthas' smile is smaller, but he's not prone to displays of affection much. He steps back from the door, and the Ewoks form a neat military rank behind him.]

You've got the key.

Spam

[deadly_ned]

[The Piemaker, too, is not much for cuddly PDA. He turns to the door to unlock it]

They seem trained up.

Do you give them their orders psychically, or do they just sort of know?

Spam

[darknessb4me]

[Arthas peers over his shoulder at the Ewoks.]

A little of both. It's like moving your limbs is for... a normal person, I suppose.

Spam

[deadly_ned]

[The Piemaker gives a nod, heading into the CES]

I'd argue with you over the phrasing, but we've got to face facts sooner or later that no one on the Barge is normal.

Spam

[darknessb4me]

Whatever. I didn't know what else to call it.

[He follows after Ned, and his thralls trail after him.]

Recognize any of this?

Spam

[deadly_ned]

[Entering the CES, the Piemaker falls silent, looking around. He tends to keep a wide distance between himself and the Ewoks, so as to avoid accidental touching]