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[atowncalledtreffy]

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[atowncalledtreffy]

All right. But don't...you don't need to protect me. Protect the other inmates, sure, I get that.

But if we're talking about taking on risks, then I'd like to say when I move to strike in defense, I'm fine with the risks involved.

[ukan]

Good.

But you need to know when to actually defend someone. A part of being here is to teach certain inmates to defend themselves, too.

[atowncalledtreffy]

Of all the things to be accused of. Not knowing how to defend myself isn't one of them.

Unless you're suggesting something else?

[ukan]

[A chuckle] No, you've proved yourself.

I meant that we have plenty of people here who aren't as good at it, and instead of being their savior maybe you should help them learn how to save themselves.

[atowncalledtreffy]

[A weak chuckle]

Fucking heretic. Both of us.

Anyway. Done plenty of that too. That boy - Hunter - he seems like someone worth getting to know.

[ukan]

Spend some time getting to know people. [Please. He's begging you. Sit down and breathe for two minutes without being in a cell.]

[atowncalledtreffy]

I know plenty of people. I like people, generally.

[ukan]

All right, so learn to work with them as a team.

And find people who need to learn to be as goddamn stubborn as you are. They need to learn to defend themselves.

[atowncalledtreffy]

You want me to be a corrupting influence? I thought the whole point was to make an example out of me.

[ukan]

Think of it as an opportunity to be the dad on the Barge. Maybe you'll grow into the role or maybe you'll be the asshole who vandalizes the neighbors when they complain about your kids.

[atowncalledtreffy]

You're at such a dearth for good wardens that you peg me for -....


Fine. All right.

[He likes kids. It's the asshole adults they sometimes grow into that he doesn't like]

Can't believe you trust me around anyone after this, but I'd be lying if I didn't feel I owed you a lot.

[ukan]

You don't. But if you did I'd ask you to go lighter on the fighting.

[Wishful thinking!]

[atowncalledtreffy]

That's likely. Fighting's a second language. If you don't practice, you lose it.

[He goes quiet, then tries, after a beat;]

Look. Feel free to say no, I know I'm something of an unacceptable person in polite society or what-the-fuck.

Could you teach me how to cook like you do?

[ukan]

Of course. [Another hand in the kitchen? Hallelujah] You're already handy with a knife, might as well put it to chopping carrots, right?

[atowncalledtreffy]

I can chop carrots just fine. Used to do odd jobs back a ways, for food. Mostly older widows.

I just don't know fuck all about how you get everything to taste so good.

[ukan]

Salt is part of it. I'll start with showing you the spices--you probably haven't had access to most of them, I'm guessing? Cardamom, nutmeg?

[atowncalledtreffy]

No idea. Adrian said you told him about something called cumin and chocolate?

[ukan]

[He's never had chocolate. How did Lark forget?]

I'll be right back.

[He goes off to raid Alec's candy stash. He only brings three M&M's, since if he takes more Alec will probably beat him to death with a brick.]

Try these.

[atowncalledtreffy]

[He takes the M%Ms, rolling them in his hand and looking them over]

What's the 'M' stand for?

[ukan]

'Mars', I think. These are made by the Mars family. ...At least that's what I've always thought.

[atowncalledtreffy]

[He nods. And, trusting Lark more than he has anyone on this ship - bar Adrian, of course - Trevor eats chocolate for the first time]


...

[ukan]

[Lark watches. He isn't holding his breath but

no he is, actually]

[atowncalledtreffy]

[He's just...enjoying it. Smiling warmly]

...All right. Despite all the surroundings, this could very well be heaven.

[ukan]

God help us if we go somewhere that is familiar to you. I'll probably come home with fleas.

[atowncalledtreffy]

Haa. Fuck you.

[Says Trevor, who's currently savoring the strange feeling of chocolate aftertaste]

Can't believe that's just a thing that exists.