001 - Rhubarb

[deadly_ned]

[Young Ned was eight years, one hundred and twelve days, ten hours, and twenty-three minutes old when he took a ride on his first boat. It was, he recalled, little bigger than a ferry, and had been a part of a seaside vacation with his mother. The waves had rocked the little boat, the ride was lonely and boring, and his beloved dog, Digby, wasn't there to play with him. Young Ned hadn't liked it. He liked it even less thirty-three minutes later when he promptly vomited over the starboard bow.

It is now fifty-eight minutes and twenty seconds since the Piemaker arrived on the Barge via the mysterious and altogether rather upsetting administrations of the ship's administrator, the Admiral. He was having...difficulty adjusting to the change. And while this boat was significantly larger and more stable than the tiny boat that had rocked so violently all those years ago, he discovered to his unhappiness that the waves, too, had increased in size and threat.]


I think I'm going to vomit.


Which is not to say I'm seasick. I'm not. The boat is stable. Surprisingly. I'm sick because I'm slow to adjusting to change and this is a...big, big change and a new beginning and I do not...I'm not a fan of new beginnings.

Ah.

Hello. My name is Ned. It's um. I would say it's nice to be here but I've just had two different people...sing at me very loudly and that's. Upsetting. And not at all nice.

I will try to make things nicer while I'm here.

Comments

[je_suis_avec_toi]

I'm always overdressed. [This will likely make more sense in person.] But Lia is fine, unless you should feel the need to call me D'Eon. And trust me, the difference will be obvious.

I suppose I could sing a hymn if I needed to sing something. It doesn't seem the time, though.

[deadly_ned]

D'Eon. I don't. I'm not understanding something.

Considering the location....probably not. But if the sudden urge to hymn along should crop up, I'll try getting you to the nearest chapel for the apropos atmosphere.

[je_suis_avec_toi]

D'Eon is my brother. And I'm not trying to be cryptic. It just makes more sense if you see either him or me in person.

[She sighs, kind of loudly.]

I am tired of explaining it is all, and I know you're new. If it ends up affecting you, you'll see, and I will explain. I promise. You can hold me to my word.

As for singing hymns, there is a chapel on board. It's very bland, because there are so many different religions on board, but I spend at least an hour an evening there.

[deadly_ned]

If you're repeating this all the time, it might be time to start making brochures. Just a...suggestion.

And it helps?

[je_suis_avec_toi]

I hadn't thought of that. I wonder if Doyle will help me write one.

I am glad to meet you. Each new warden gives one more inmate some chance of leaving this place.

[deadly_ned]

If you're saying something more than three times, it might be time to write that something down. Saves time, breath, patience...three good things that no one has enough of in the world.

That's...what I'm here for. Apparently. Hopefully. I don't have powers or worldly experience but I'm...a good listener? Does that count for something?

[je_suis_avec_toi]

Listening is good. Not all wardens listen, and sometimes that means that inmates suffer. I approve of your will and ability to listen.

[deadly_ned]

What else don't Wardens do that I should work on?

[je_suis_avec_toi]

Be a true advocate for your inmate, no matter what he or she has done. I'm not saying don't try to keep them from doing harm here, or reacting when they do, but in the end, I think a warden's job is to find a way that allows am Inmate to grow into his or her redemption.

You're no one's father here, but You might need to be supportive like a parent.

I'm on the wrong side of that fence, and I want very much to do good when I get to your side. I've thought very hard about this for the last few months.

[deadly_ned]

No. I know what you mean. It's always putting my inmate's happiness and wellbeing before my own. Supporting them if they get into trouble they can't get out of. Making sure they have all the tools to construct their own future.

It's hard. It's very...hard. And mistakes happen, but if you're lucky you get. Second chances.

[je_suis_avec_toi]

A true second chance.

The Admiral puts all of us through too many strange and awful things for the wardens to be our enemies, too.

[deadly_ned]

That's...sort of good. In a horrible way.

I don't want to be anyone's enemy.

[je_suis_avec_toi]

Good.

I hope to see you around, Ned.

[deadly_ned]

I'm pretty sure you will.

I, uh.

I hope to see you too.