013 - Mile-High Apple

[deadly_ned]

I'm, um.

I'm leaving.

Thomas - my inmate - he's...graduated, he's left the Barge, so I think that's...probably my cue to leave too.

I'm...terrible at goodbyes, and let's be completely honest, I'm quiet enough that most of the Barge doesn't know I'm actually here, so I doubt I need to stay very long.

That sounds terrible.

I'm sorry. Something's come up. I have to go.

[The Piemaker - nervous, clearly hiding something, and agitated - leans over to shut off his communicator. Unbeknownst to him, he'll be back in a matter of days for reasons not clearly stated in this post]

[Private to the Marquis de Carabas]

And now it doesn't matter what you know.

Good luck graduating, you....bad, bad person.

Comments

Re: [private]

[deadly_ned]

It has. I'm, um.

I'm going to go home and kiss my girlfriend like I've never kissed her before.

[private]

[routemistress]

[And she laughs, joyously, because kissing is probably the best human invention Iris has ever encountered. She doesn't know the full story, but there's something in Ned's voice, his face, that hints at more than ordinary significance.

Which could, of course, only be attributable to absence, hearts and fonder. Either way, Ned's plan meets with Iris' unqualified approval.]

Can't think of anything better, Ned love. Give us a ring when you've got to the point you can stand a third person around, and I'll come visit.

[private]

[deadly_ned]

I will. I can't promise it will be a quick time after I get home, but eventually I will.

[private]

[routemistress]

Things work out, I might wait till I can bring someone with me. I didn't know you two 'ad made friends - and some'ow I'm not at all surprised.

[private]

[deadly_ned]

Which someone?

[private]

[routemistress]

David Cain. Right there in the comments before me. Keep up, Ned lovey. Some of us move quicker'n apples, you know.

[private]

[deadly_ned]

Apples don't move.

But yes. I like...David Cain. And his, um. His warden.

Re: [private]

[routemistress]

Dean's a good mate and all. Not one I want to take away with me, though.

My point exactly, poppet.

[private]

[deadly_ned]

No? What's wrong with him?

I wish he'd treated his daughter better, but this late in the game it can't be helped.

[private]

[routemistress]

[She grins.]

Nothing at all, love. Nothing at all.

...aye, you see why altering the past's been on me mind lately. Be easier if it were straight-up impossible.

[private]

[deadly_ned]

You want to go in and fix all the terrible things that happen to people but the reality is that the terrible things that happened made the people who you love. And maybe a tiny selfish part of you knows that even if you went back and fixed it and they were still the people you love, you know in your heart of hearts that maybe they wouldn't love you or even know who you are and that stops you from doing what would be the altruistic thing to do.

[private]

[routemistress]

Nutshell. That could be what I love most about you, Ned.

[private]

[deadly_ned]

That I'm a nut hidden inside a shell?

Re: [private]

[routemistress]

[An absolutely delighted smirk.]

Oh, that too, sweetheart.

[private]

[deadly_ned]

You're very kind, Iris. I'll miss you.

[private]

[routemistress]

Not always. But I do me best.

I don't mean to give you much chance to miss me, petal.

[private]

[deadly_ned]

Right. The, um. Cross-universe communicator. Very handy.