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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

[routemistress]

[Iris grins.]

Fair enough, lovey. Megamind and that new lad found the first one and I don't think 'e's come out of 'is room since. I'm just not real good at sitting still.

We 'ad one of 'is brothers 'ere for a while and all, but Barron graduated and left. We're keeping Cassel, though, 'e's a little star.

...'Ave you met Zane yet?

[She's just remembered the rabbit's name, with a kind of wry amusement.]

[patheticvillain]

Oh my god shut up.

[About ALL OF THIS ESPECIALLY BARRON AND THE RABBIT but specifically]

The hell does that even mean, a little star. Do I get stickers on my book reports too?

[routemistress]

[Unrepentant]

It's not like Barron weren't on the network, sweetheart.

Would you like stickers? I didn't use 'em all on Davros.

[patheticvillain]

I didn't say shit about Barron, Iris.

[Shut up.]

Yes, I want stickers. Who doesn't want stickers?

[routemistress]

There are so many stickers in your future, petal.

[All right, she'll shut up.]

[patheticvillain]

If they're not as good as Kon's stickers, I'm complaining to management.

[routemistress]

...I 'ate to break it to you, poppet, but we're the management.

[The Barge is doomed.]

[patheticvillain]

Oh my god.

I liked it better when I wasn't part of the management.

Okay, no, I got this, I'll complain to Zane.

[routemistress]

See, you 'ave the best ideas. We'll just make Zane fix everything. Problem solved.

[advocacy]

Someone's got to do it, I guess. As long as you can handle it...

[She saw about Barron. Her mouth draws into a thin line.]

I saw. I'm happy for him.

[Which is a bold-faced lie. Not that she would wish ill on Barron or anything like that, but she doesn't know exactly what she feels about missing him. Or that he was even here and graduated. It's a confusing mix of feelings.]

[But happy is good enough.]

Zane?

[routemistress]

Oh yes, lovey, I've 'andled worse, I'll be fine.

[She'll let Barron drop from the conversation; not because Cassel asked her, just because the look on Daneca's face answers all her questions.]

Zane's another friend. Which ...that's a weak word for what we are to each other, 'ere. Zane's rather special to us. You'll see.

[There Cassel she didn't mention the rabbit ARE YOU HAPPY NOW.]

[advocacy]

[She's definitely confused about this Zane thing with Cassel over there, but O K A Y.]

I guess he'll come out sooner or later.

Have you been on the Barge long?

[routemistress]

'E's a bit occupied just now. One of the missing people's 'is lover and 'e's worried. Two weeks short of a year, I've been 'ere. Not much longer'n Cassel. I'm Iris - Iris Wildthyme. Temporal adventuress and presently Warden.

I like it 'ere. Not everyone does; you'll 'ear a lot of complaining, and it does get a bit rough and nasty at times.

[She doesn't say outright that she enjoys a bit of rough and nasty, but the look on her face says it for her.]

But it's never dull. Never stops moving. Never runs out of challenges and adventures. It's the first place I've found where you can 'ave that and be settled with people you love. It's brilliant.

[advocacy]

Oh. [She furrows her brow in genuine sympathy. She doesn't know Zane, but it's not like she can't feel bad for him. It's not a situation she'd want to know personally.] I'm sorry.

[Daneca gathered that this kind of place is probably Iris' element given she's looking for corpses.]

To be honest, it's not really some place I'd ever consider settling down in. It's a little too much for me in the long-term.

[routemistress]

So am I. Zane's not as fragile as 'e thinks 'e is, but 'e doesn't need this.

[Daneca's comment provokes a short bark of laughter.]

I'm allergic to settling down; that's why I'm staying 'ere. Nothing very settled about it. But I'm glad you're 'ere. We nutjobs need a saning influence.

[advocacy]

[A small smile.]

That sounds like a lot of pressure.

[routemistress]

Everything about wardening 'ere is, lovey. You'll barely notice us, I'm sure.

[This is a barefaced lie, and Iris is certain Daneca knows it.]

[advocacy]

Somehow, I get the impression this crowd doesn't like to be ignored or forgotten.

[routemistress]

I resemble that remark, lovey. Why, I'm like a ...no, I can't. I'm sorry.

We're more worth than we're trouble, though.

[advocacy]

[She smiles.]

I believe you.

[routemistress]

Thousands wouldn't.

[Smirrrrk.]

[advocacy]

This place is about taking chances, right?

[routemistress]

I knew I liked you. Come check out the spa once the serial killer panic's over? I've got 'ot tubs.

[advocacy]

I'll consider it.