31 - CWOs; nosing in everything

[umgekehrt]

[Private to Dracula]

Captain Angua mentions you've been without access to some warden-controlled services for a bit. I'm free at the moment; if there's anything you need, I can help with it.

Comments

[nolongerhollow]

I...

...thank you.

[He sounds very subdued.]

I just want to go into the CES until my shift comes up, if you please.

[Away from people.]

[umgekehrt]

[He nods.]

I'll meet you at the door in five.

[A long pause. There's only so much he can say about Vincent without breaking a private filter open to public, and he doesn't know what came of the flood for Dracula, there might have been something painful. There's a pause.]

Heard there was some unpleasantness in the pub. Some folk are jackasses.

[nolongerhollow]

Very well. [Dracula isn't moving much out of his slump. It's a bit like talking to a statue.]

[The mention of Vincent makes him wince and glance away.]

A jackass with Warden powers. He could douse me with holy water and get away with it. If I lifted a hand to defend myself, I would be punished.

[umgekehrt]

'Get away with it' isn't something that would happen. He hasn't got the authority to do any such thing. And I'll make that clear to him if he tries.

Until Mister Cage is available again, would you be willing to bring any behavior like that to me? I may not have authority as your warden specifically but I can at least advocate along with making sure you get your time in the CES.

[nolongerhollow]

He will ignore you. He is a fanatic.

You are not the one who had to sit there and use nothing but words as he screamed and threatened and laughed at your hopes for graduation, your hard work, your very ability to be redeemed. You don't know what it was like to not be able to plant a fist beside his flapping mouth but instead have to let him talk on, and on...because defending your honor in any real and manly way is forbidden to you. To have your hands tied while he's free to do and say as he pleases.

You say he wouldn't be allowed? I say he'll do it anyway.

Mr. Cage is no longer my Warden. I am asking the Admiral that we be unpaired. I never want to see him or talk of him or speak his name again. He deserves not one bit of credit for my hard work; even less than that coward Armand.

I...appreciate your offer. But know that I hate him, just as I hate that I must go through the worst part of my redemption efforts alone.

-> Spam

[umgekehrt]

Not allowed in that, in frank terms, I'm not the only one looking out for that kind of abuse of power. Still your point's well taken. I don't understand the cultural conflict here but I've seen his willingness to listen. Or not.

[He dips his head in acknowledgement. He understands Dracula's reluctance to rely on yet another warden who might disappear out from under him, and on shakier terms than an official pairing.]

Almost there.

[He cuts the comm to take the stairs up to the deck.]

Spam

[nolongerhollow]

[Dracula is clinging to the roof of the Warden Area and doesn't come down until he sees it's Stildyne coming up. He moves slowly, as if weighed down, and his eyes are dull.]

I am willing to report to you as you wish, I merely...

If I had stayed with Cage I would be facing my possible impending death alone and with someone actively neglecting his duties with regard to me. If I have to face it alone I at least want it to be by my choice.

The Admiral never chooses anyone who is actually good for me anyway.

Spam

[umgekehrt]

[Stildyne feels a stabbing pang of sympathy. Dracula is a good man and shouldn't have to be fighting such a lopsided war, with his own emotions and the harassment at hand.]

I'd prefer to help if you want help. But you've gone a hell of a way alone and before I got here, so I'd understand either way.

I can't promise I won't leave as soon as the rest, but so long as I'm conscious I'll look out for your interests. Even if all you want is this. [With a nod to the door, which he unlocks with a small gesture. ]

Spam

[nolongerhollow]

I...

[A soft sigh.]

I need help, Chief. I know I need help. The exorcism may damned well kill me and I can't face it alone. I just feel badly putting it on you because even though I have grown well up from the man in my file, this is an ugly business. Fear of death is how the Devil got me and now I must face it.

And I may not be able to wait until I get formally paired. Especially since I don't think I can trust the Admiral to put me with anyone who will actually help.

I did my best. I truly did. But this endgame that I now face, atop losing my wife and everyone and the mockery of these aspiring Inmates...I'm sorry. I cannot do this by myself.

[He turns and looks at the door, and nods quietly, but doesn't go quite yet.] Thank you.

Re: Spam

[umgekehrt]

Don't regret putting anything on me. I've done enough in my life to deserve the work.

[And isn't that poor reassurance.]

I'm no philanthropist. I'm here because you're a friend, not out of duty or finer feelings about how the barge should be run. So-- what you need, don't regret asking.

[He nods seriously to acknowledge the thanks.]

Spam

[nolongerhollow]

Well...you have my gratitude.

I want...mostly I just need time in the CES and time working in the gardens, and to be able to face my fate without dealing with someone's mis-aimed emotional spew. I'm not yet at the point where I can just ignore them. The power imbalance somewhat prevents that.

Re: Spam

[umgekehrt]

Understood. I'll help you keep your space to yourself. We can make the CES a regular thing, if that's convenient? The same time every day, assured, Unless you're indisposed?

[That power differential is a brute of a thing. He knows. He used to abuse it.]

Spam

[nolongerhollow]

That...sounds good. I don't have anything going save my afternoon garden shift. [His eyes cloud and he swallows.]

I truly appreciate this.

[He turns slowly toward the door.]

Spam

[umgekehrt]

[Ah, there's the guilt. Just a bit. For actions past, men who'd had this little and had some of it taken from them. It's only in this time of his life that he's become aware of what a vicious cruelty it is.]

It's-

[Stildyne's never sure to say to this kind of gratitude. Just a nod.]

Hope the CES turns you up a good one. Give me a message when you're out. See you here tomorrow around this time.