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[impure_tale]

To my fellow Inmates, a short broadcast for the time being:

I would be remiss in my role here if I were not to acknowledge that this ship is on the precipice of change, and for better or worse we know not what lies in store for us. Whatever its outcome, we must continue to entertain the notion that we will remain as we are, and this may gladden the hearts of very few.

It is my sad station that words are all that I can offer you and I continue to hope they bring some comfort. Keep home in your hearts, thoughts of skies, of pleasant smells and tastes, of warm feelings and kinder faces. You left them as heroes and every day that you resist, you continue to be heroes.

Behind this iron door, across the air and the barriers between us I reach out my hand to you.

I honor you.

I love you.

(ooc: Some things of note -- the Marquis is still an Inmate and has been for a long time. Presently unsorted, his door is unlocked, but much in the way he was when he first came to the real Barge, he can't comprehend that it's unlocked even though people can come and go pretty much freely. I'd like to presume that in times like this, when a Warden isn't assigned to bring him food, he patiently waits for someone he's friendly with to do it. Volunteers welcome.)

Comments

[tentacruelest]

To my illustrious and eloquent friend,

There is no better change on this ship, only worse. I'd have thought in your years and experience here, you would know that no heavenly light sheds upon this forsaken deck and the equally forsaken souls she carries.

[impure_tale]

I speak not of heaven, mon ami, because I do not believe in one. There is no God, no heaven, no hell -- none that men do not invent themselves, at any rate.

We are not forsaken, merely stolen.

[tentacruelest]

There is Hell. I have seen it for myself.

And there will be no rescue except through pain, so we are indeed forsaken.

[impure_tale]

As have I, and I've still no doubt that man was its engineer.

[tentacruelest]

Aye. I could imagine my warden creating such a hell in his days off.

They feed yeh still? When the food runs scarce, it may be that only those with the strength to take it for themselves will find their bellies full.

[impure_tale]

I eat when it is expected of me.

[tentacruelest]

Now there's an evasive answer if ever I heard one.

[impure_tale]

There is rarely a time in which I do not rely on the courtesy of others to obtain food, even when I haven't a Warden assigned to me.

[tentacruelest]

And the food is enough to keep you sated?

[impure_tale]

Oh I'll always crave nourishment of another sort, dumpling.

[tentacruelest]

[An embarrassed grunt; Davy has never been fully at home with the Marquis' ways]

Not one I can satisfy.

[impure_tale]

Nor would I impose on the unwilling. [They've likely had these conversations before. Both of them have likely been homesick for at least one person, after all.]

[tentacruelest]

[It's true that Davy's bed is lonely, and has been for long, long years. The Barge has only changed the location, not the heartache. He gives another nondescript murmur]

That already puts you above all the wardens on this ship.

[impure_tale]

I'm always here to lend an ear if you need a port in a storm, Captain. If we Inmates do not hold onto each other from time to time we would be swept away.

[tentacruelest]

There was a time not too long ago when I was the one who did the sweeping.

But those days are over, now, and the storm rages around us daily.

And I am concerned for Dean Winchester.

[impure_tale]

We've all seen our worst. [Said with some discomfort. He doesn't ever seem to just mean his indiscretions in life. If it weren't for his fear of his own door one might wonder whether the man is aware that this is the most lucid he's been in years.] What of Monsieur Winchester?

[tentacruelest]

He defends me when he should not. He's got a good heart, but at times he puts himself into dangerous situations and it's growing harder and harder for him to be healed.

He's hardened, now.

[impure_tale]

With the Barge in its current state, what's to be done?

[tentacruelest]

..I haven't the faintest idea.

We need him. But at the same time, I'm reluctant to put him to the front line.

[impure_tale]

How can I help, David?

[tentacruelest]

Yet again, sir, my name is Davy.

And yeh can help by convincing him to stay where he is and accept his lot for now.

[impure_tale]

And why would I encourage anyone to accept their lot if they do not wish to?

[tentacruelest]

It will save him pain and humiliation and death, in the end.