016 ... a man sees in the world what he carries in his heart

[amagicalmystery]

You know, since we're all doin' some good old-fashioned bonding, I think it's high time I asked somethin' for everyone to hear.

See, when I was alive, I was in somethin' of a wish-granting business. Not that I was a decent man about it, mind. Most of y'all know that by now, and really, deep down so did they. I'd draw a man's feelings out an'

Comments

Private

[gimmethemap]

This isn't going to make you feel better, Etienne.

Private - sweet, sweet filters!

[amagicalmystery]

Didn't expect it to. But he's a son of a bitch and everyone ought to hear it.

Private

[gimmethemap]

I can't say I really agree with you, but you have a right to your feelings, right?

Private

[amagicalmystery]

Thanks. Should hope I do.

How do you see it, then? More of this 'tear someone down to build 'em back up' business?

Private

[gimmethemap]

I hate to put it this way, friend, but the lot of you died -- often in horrible ways. Nobody can really tear you down any further from that; the only thing we can do is help you build yourself back up, and...us Wardens wouldn't be here if the Admiral was the man to do that himself.

Private

[amagicalmystery]

That's it? That's what makes this all fine?

You got a serious lack of imagination, then. There's plenty of things worse than death.

Private.

[gimmethemap]

Which this place kept you from initially.

Private.

[amagicalmystery]

Assuming this ain't it, signed, sealed, and delivered.

...if it's a toss-up, 'course I'd pick this over what I thought I'd be getting. I still have nightmares 'bout It...it still don't make him good, or right. It still don't mean I'd put even Big Daddy LaBouff himself here thinkin' it was the moral thing to do.

Private.

[gimmethemap]

That's assuming the Admiral is the one who decides who comes and goes.

I don't know, Etienne. Nobody does. But I've known enough people who saw glimpses of what goes after in places. There's always something more complicated behind the simple setup we see everyday. Everything goes deeper.

The Admiral's an easy target when you need to let out some steam, I'll give you that. You don't have to look someone in the eye and scream. He doesn't get offended.

...He also gives out cookies if you get worked up enough. You should totally try it.

Private.

[amagicalmystery]

That's true enough, that other layer - but he's here, he's talkin', and he isn't providing any answers.

And don't condescend - I want to look the bastard in the eye, I deserve that respect. And I'd deck him then and there.

...what flavor?

Private.

[gimmethemap]

Usually chocolate chip. I got something called a snickerdoodle once, though.

And I'm not condescending. I'm just saying that with him it makes it easier. Makes it a lot less work, actually.

Private.

[amagicalmystery]

...well shit, if I'm gonna feel angry today I am gonna demand my compensation.

Ah, for y'all and the wardenly types. Funny, I'd have said you're the ones we get mad at to take the focus off the one steerin' the boat.

Private.

[gimmethemap]

We yell at him too. I'd like to say I'm one of the loudest voices in his favor and I still vent.

Private.

[amagicalmystery]

Yeah, I've heard you before. Didn't seem like my business, at the time.

You know, it's real simple with the loa. You ask them for what you
want, phrasing it real careful - they give you the exchange, you move your ass an' you do it.

Suppose I always thought that if nothing else was fair, gods an' magic were. Tough, merciless even, but fair.

Private.

[gimmethemap]

No offense to the few we've supposedly got on this ship, but I honestly don't put a lot of stock in that. It depends upon the religion and what have you, but the more there are in a set the more distant and flawed they tend to get. They have more to do, they have their own problems, and they don't have the time or the obligation to care about grey areas, and that's what people are.

And as you can see, even they're not off limits when it comes to who is brought here.

Private.

[amagicalmystery]

You've got a point - Greeks are a mess like that, for instance. Maybe just the spirits in my neck of the woods, then. I made my share of mistakes there, but I knew the rules.

Don't remind me. I've got a whole other set of issues with that business.