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[advocacy]

[Daneca has spent the first few hours going through the posts to the network. She...]

[...doesn't know how to feel about any of this so far. People going missing and others turning up dead. Zombies, vampires. And Cassel. Realistically speaking, Daneca knows she should probably be more anxious over a potential serial killer running around than the prospect of speaking to Cassel again, but that's what gives her more pause than anything. (At least she's not totally surprised by the idea of a serial killer on the Barge, she figures. Still in the realm of sanity for now.) She thinks maybe she should send him a private message or try to find him and speak one-on-one, in private. But that seems like too much even for her right now.]

[So, she settles for just introducing herself to everyone else. If he wants to talk to her, he can. If not...]

[Well, he doesn't have to. It's not like Cassel owes her anything anyway.]

[With that resolved, she can go back to being properly more anxious about people turning up dead, zombies, and vampires. And apparently also werewolves being real as well.]

[Daneca appears a little stiff and tense. Being on camera and broadcasting like this makes her a little nervous in ways that are harder to cover up than other things that make her nervous or uncomfortable. But it doesn't paralyze her or make her smile seem like a disingenous cover for nerves that ends up looking more scary than pleasant. Daneca is not someone who can lie very well. It's nervous and small, but her smile is no less sincere. She's trying desperately to channel her mother right now.]

I know I'm coming in at a really bad time, but I thought I should probably introduce myself anyway. My name is Daneca and I'm new. [She flushes a little and says a little softer:] Obviously.

[She shifts a little uncomfortably and finds the strength in her voice again.]

I'm a warden for anyone that might matter to.

[She's sure it does especially to some of the inmates. She'll lie about other parts about herself anyway. Might as well be honest about some things that might make people uncomfortable.]

Anyway, I guess I'm just looking for a tour. Or advice. Whatever anybody can spare.

Comments

[advocacy]

[Daneca doesn't quite know what that's supposed to mean.]

[But then he asks a complicated question that has no simple answer. She decides to ignore it.]

Do you usually just start barking orders at people without giving your name or am I just special because I'm from Cassel's "freaky touch world."

[mistconduct]

Just with you, sweetheart.


All right, I'll throw you a bone. My name's Chris.

[advocacy]

My name is Daneca, not sweetheart.

I don't know what Cassel might have told you about people back home or about me in particular and I'm sure you're just trying to protect him, but you can knock it off.

I'm a friend of his, not one of his enemies. I'm probably the last person he'd ever have to worry about doing anything to hurt him.

[mistconduct]

You know, that's totally hilarious because that's exactly what Barron would say. And that guy's a piece of shit.

[advocacy]

[Daneca frowns at the insult to Barron. She's not going to pretend like Barron was the best person in the world. He had a dark side to him and he did some terrible things. Terrible things that Daneca couldn't overlook or forgive.]

Who do you think you are that you can just judge me like that? Just because you know Cassel and you're "more than just a friend" doesn't mean you know anything about me.

I wouldn't do something like that to anyone, not even my worst enemy. So, I couldn't do that to a friend. [She's class valedictorian, not mobster, and terrified of working someone. That's just not in her.] I broke up with Barron because of what he did to Cassel and I never spoke to him again because I could never forgive him for doing that to his little brother.

And I swear to God, if the next words out of your mouth are about how I'm lying or making it up, save it. Just go ask Cassel yourself.

[mistconduct]

They weren't going to be.

They were mostly "ew, you dated Barron."

[advocacy]

[Daneca looks away sharply. She doesn't have to put up with this. She doesn't have to respond. It takes her a few seconds to recognize that instead of sitting there in pained silence.]

[The last image before she cuts the feed and hangs up on him is her wiping at an eye.]

[mistconduct]

[He'll apologize later, when he's feeling like less of an obnoxious twerp. This is Chris at his worst, and he'll realize later how unfair it was to treat Daneca this way.

But not quite yet]