deadly_ned | 018 - Red Velvet

[Locked from Alpha]

I'm messing up with my inmate and I don't know how to fix it.

[Locked to Alpha]

You, um.

Are you...busy?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

deadly_ned

[Cracking open his door, the Piemaker seems to brighten a little at seeing Riddick. Despite their recent disagreements over the manner of Riddick's earlier death toll, he's still a friend. Still someone whose advice is valuable and needed in times of crisis]

...Hi.

From:

with_my_teacup

[Riddick holds out the cup, handle carefully toward Ned so he doesn't have to worry about their fingers brushing.]

Hey. You wanna talk about it?

From:

deadly_ned

[The Piemaker's eyes flick once towards the cup. Then, careful so as not to touch Riddick, he takes the mug by the handle and backs away from the door]

I don't know what there is to say that hasn't been said already. My inmate hates me.

No, he doesn't hate me. He doesn't care enough to register any sort of strong emotion with me such as hate.

From:

with_my_teacup

Alpha seems like a guy who chooses what image he presents real carefully. I'm sure he needs you to think he doesn't register any emotions.

Are you sure he's not just fronting you?

[Riddick chooses a patch of wall to lounge proprietorially against like cats choose important flat surfaces, making himself at home.]

From:

deadly_ned

He could be. He could be...fronting me.

[He drops into the lone couch, staring back at Riddick and his cat-like ways]

But if he's not, I could really hurt him.

From:

with_my_teacup

What're you doing you think is gonna hurt him?

From:

deadly_ned

Hurt his...feelings, hurt the way he conducts relationships. Mainly hurt his chances for graduation.

From:

with_my_teacup

His feelings are prolly gonna get hurt, Ned. Necessarily. You're questioning his assumptions, this place is shaking them. That doesn't feel good.

Actually doing damage? ...have you been forcing him to change? Manipulating him?

From:

deadly_ned

I'm trying to do it a little bit at a time. Like slowly ripping off a bandaid.

...No. No, I don't....think so?

From:

with_my_teacup

If you're not doing that, the worst thing you're doing is sitting still. Which is a problem, but you ain't... damaging him.

Some assumptions are so big the bandage has to come off fast, or it just keeps re-adhering. ...Not sure where that analogy went just now. I don't know he's got any of those, but I did. I needed to know early on I couldn't just escape, like I'd escaped every other prison.

If he has something like that, it's gotta be fast and hard and it's gonna suck for him. If he doesn't... just keep nudging him.

No guarantee, but let me tell you, I spent a lot of time acting like I was ignoring my wardens. I listened. Small things stuck with me.

From:

deadly_ned

Did you ever think your warden was out to get you?

From:

with_my_teacup

My first one, for a couple weeks. The feeling passed.

From:

deadly_ned

How do I reach him? How do I let him know I'm on his side and everything's going to be all right?

From:

with_my_teacup

If he's like me, there's nothing you can say. You just-- keep looking out for him. Be consistent. Be honest. Manipulative assholes like us can tell pretty well when someone's being themselves.

You may need to demonstrate some kind of authority, though. Don't let him run you over. Because then you'll be weak and honest. It was strong and honest I didn't know what to do with.

From:

deadly_ned

Strong and honest.

I'm not honest with him. I don't. He doesn't know what I can do.

From:

with_my_teacup

I said honest, not stupid. You don't give him every secret in your life. But you present yourself as who you are. Which you do, Ned. You're neurotic and moral and determined and a little tired, and that's what you show the world.

From:

deadly_ned

But I have to be stronger if I want him to listen to me.

I can be strong in certain specific situations. I'm not a coward. I just. I don't like being...loud and boisterous and in-your-face.