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[youwill]

Once, there were three fisherman. Friends and sometimes rivals, all. At the end of a long day, they came together with their catch to judge who had done the best, and found that all three of them had only caught fugu. They jested some halfhearted arguments as to the sizes, but all three knew that to make a proper meal of their catches could be deadly. None of the fishermen were willing to confess to their fear, so they went home to prepare their stew. As knowledgeable fishermen, they knew which parts were most poisonous. They removed the liver and the ovaries, and when the stew was done it smelled delicious.

But when it came time to taste, no one stepped forward. "Let us find someone else to test it," said the wisest of them. "We will bring some to the beggar in town. We will be seen doing a kindness, and in turn, he will do us one." the fishermen all nodded their agreement, and packed a bowl for the beggar. All together, they went to find the beggar. The old man was surprised but grateful, and seemed to enjoy the stew immensely. When nothing had happened to him, the fishermen delightedly returned home to partake of their meal.

The next day, the beggar saw them on their way to the water to begin their day again. He was delighted to see that they were in good health - for he had hidden the stew, and only pretended to eat when the fisherman asked how it was. He knew better than to trust a stranger.

[Hannibal pauses and gives the ghost of a smile.]

Some men are wise, and some men only believe they are so.

Fugu is the Japanese word for pufferfish. They are considered delicacies there, and rightfully so. Fugu sashimi and milt are quite excquisite. A good fugu chef will not serve the liver, as that is where the potent neurotoxin is at its most powerful: but the flesh surrounding the liver is tender, and much less poisonous. It will likely not kill a man, but good fugu will leave the lips and tongue tingling.

[The smile fills out.]

A reminder, of how close one has brushed death.


[Private to Mal]

I suppose you fared well during the latest odyssey?

[Private to Damon]

Forgive me for not saying it sooner, but your actions with Maladicta upon your arrival were inspired.

[Spam for Abigail]

[He does not bother knocking, when he reaches her door. Instead he stands outside it, carefully taping three things to her door. It is, as is his wont, artful. The first page, trimmed to have rounded edges, has German lyrics, beautifully written out. It looks calligraphic. It is taped at an angle, and, overlapping at the corner, is another page, similarly trimmed, similarly written. It is the English translation of the song.

Between the pages, he very carefully tapes a rosehip, with its many shades, red and purple and black.

When he finishes, he admires the lay out for a moment before turning to go.]

[Spam for Alana]

[He carries a manilla folder gently, so as not to smudge any of the lines within. He walks with a little smile on his face, though he doesn't offer it to anyone he passes. This smile is not for them, and neither is what he holds. When he reaches Alana's cabin door, he pauses to make certain the trip did not blur any of his carefully drawn lines, and knocks.]

Comments

[deadly_ned]

I didn't ask you to reveal that part of me just yet. You weren't entitled to do it. If someone wants to tell the world what they are, that needs to be up to them.

You basically did the secretive equivalent of blowing out someone else's birthday candles.

[youwill]

I did not reveal that part of you. It was your decision.

I told you then that I would have kept your secret: that was not a lie. Had anyone asked why, I would have said it was for the sake of your kitchen.

It is perfectly natural to feel used. You were. But I cannot take the blame for something you chose to do.

[deadly_ned]

Technically speaking, you're right.

Why do you always have to be right?

[youwill]

I pay particular attention to detail.

[deadly_ned]

Do you feel sometimes that people discount the points you make because of who you are?

[youwill]

I've been disrespected more here than I have in the last half decade at home. I do feel that on occasion.

[deadly_ned]

I'm sorry if I've been unintentionally disrespecting you. When I'm angry I say things I don't mean.

But you tend to do things that other people find disrespectful. Sometimes it's eating human livers and sometimes it's putting elbows on the table or chewing with your mouth open.

[youwill]

[wow excuse, he would never chew with his mouth open u_u]

Treat others as they act.

[deadly_ned]

[And other people would never grill up human burgers. :| ]

Treat others the way you would want to be treated.

[youwill]

[It would be the most delicious burger you've ever had and you know it u_u]

Precisely.

[deadly_ned]

....Really?

[youwill]

The two ideals are not so dissimilar, Ned.

[deadly_ned]

I think one has significantly more compassion and a forgiveness of mistakes.

[youwill]

Compassion and forgiveness are healthy, but they too, fall in line with the old adage. Too much of anything can be bad for you.

[deadly_ned]

I don't forgive a lot of things. Some things, I hold grudges.

[youwill]

We have very civil conversations, despite the grudge you must bear me.

[deadly_ned]

I'm obligated not to make your life harder than it has to be.

[youwill]

Obligated.

[Give him the deets.]

[deadly_ned]

I'm a warden. It's part of the agreement with the Admiral that I not...antagonize anyone. Even people I struggle with being around. Everyone's here for a second chance and I don't want my personal hiccups ruining yours.

[And more than that: the Piemaker makes his living via comfort food. He's a naturally comforting person. He wants to be able to fix things, even for people he distinctly doesn't like.

And he can never bring himself to abandon someone]

[youwill]

[It makes Hannibal smile. Ned is an innately good person. He's almost sorry for what he had to put the man through, but only almost.]

More wardens should follow your example, I think.

[deadly_ned]

[The Piemaker doesn't smile back. He only looks sad; sometimes he wishes he were less nice]

Are there other wardens antagonizing you?

[youwill]

[It would do him a world of good. Hannibal could help.]

There is nothing to be concerned by.

[deadly_ned]

[He's seen how you 'help' people, sir. No thx]

Tell me. I'll talk to them.

[youwill]

[look some people are just better as crazy serial killers.]

I appreciate the offer, Ned, but I don't see anything to be gained by it.

[deadly_ned]

If I can mediate a situation before it gets out of hand, I want to help.

I don't want anyone to get hurt. You or them.