4. voice

[rickitikitarr]

All right, this is all good fun and games, kids, but I'm going to be the one who spoils it by asking the question.

What the hell is going on?

And, for that matter, if we're the ones apparently running the show now, is anyone steering the boat?

[Ricki does not want the barge to smash into a sun and everyone to burn up, even though he's currently in the inmate-reclaimed bar and part of him is rather enjoying the fiddling.]

Comments

[rickitikitarr]

I don't trust them.

[tucky]

Not any of them?

[rickitikitarr]

When it comes right down to it? No. Tiffany, they want something from us. Never trust someone who wants something from you.

[tucky]

But I do. I do trust them. I only got a few inmate friends. Almost all the people I love are wardens.

[rickitikitarr]

I've got a few who I believe think they're doing the right thing.

[tucky]

Like who?

[rickitikitarr]

Anya'n Eggsy are good ones. We ever find ourselves in another pinch, you find Eggsy and you put him between you and it, whatever it is.

[tucky]

I like both of them a lot.

But I don't know if I've met very many wardens at all who aren't doing the right thing.

[rickitikitarr]

Good. Maybe I'll just get to know them better the longer I'm here.

[He isn't the sort who likes to spread his own pessimism.]

[tucky]

You ever talk to Iris? She's special.

[rickitikitarr]

Sure. Lovely lady. Very colourful.

[Totally untrustworthy in his eyes, but good fun all the same.]

[tucky]

Yeah. If someone's looking for more wardens to like, she's a good one.

[rickitikitarr]

Who else are you fond of? Merlin?

[tucky]

Him and Dillon and Simon. There's a lot more that I like, but I know them the best.

[rickitikitarr]

Haven't met Dillon yet. Tell me about him?

[tucky]

[Oh boy, a chance to talk about Dillon. She looks very happy about this prospect.]

I met him right when I first got here - just a few days after, in fact. It was in the chapel, 'cause he's religious, too. He helped me, a lot, and we just kept talking from there. He's been... so wonderful to me. He knows me better than anyone, probably.

[Him and his weird mind-reading thing that isn't actually mind-reading.]

[rickitikitarr]

What's he like? How'll I recognize him?

[tucky]

He's like... my age, I think? A little younger, probably. And he's got short brown hair and he's American. He looks like a human being, but he's more than that. He's real powerful; he's part star, or something like that.

But he's kind and gentle and he's got compassion and everyone should know him.

[rickitikitarr]

Well, I'll have to keep an eye out for him. And tell him you said nice things about him.

[tucky]

He already knows I say nice things about him. He's used to it, I think.

But it feels good, talking about the people I love. It makes my heart feel full.

[rickitikitarr]

Good. And now you're all cosmically powerful, with the barge and whatnot?

[tucky]

A little bit, maybe. You see the pool yet? I did that.

[Water slides, hot tubs, and a mini wave pool; oh my.]

[formerself]

Cheers, Tiff. An' he's right, what he said about bein' in a pinch.

[Being between pinches and the potential victims thereof was his occupation way before it was his actual job.]

private

[rickitikitarr]

Thanks.

[tucky]

[She smiles at him.]

Thanks. Eggsy.