R50 - Now my song's on the radio

[with_my_teacup]

This is Richard B Riddick calling out from the barge. Anyone interesting out there?

[He's feigning casual, but last year he was able to talk to Fry and Kyra and that wasn't a small deal for him.]

Comments

[with_my_teacup]

I'm interested, though.

[He thinks he recognizes her. One old message long ago, no memory from that time-- he hadn't strictly been here.]

What can I do for you?

[onceaprincess]

Well, actually I hadn't really thought much farther ahead.

[She laughs, bashfully. Way to go, Calia.]

What's it like there, I guess? Is it nice?

[Are you all nice to Arthas? Is he well treated? Two and the start of a third conversation over three years and she's falling back into that place where he's her little brother again, and not this terrifying thing that may come for her in the night.]

[with_my_teacup]

It's sort of fucked up here, but the food's good and the accomodations are plush. It's not 'nice', but it has its 'nice' patches.

It's like hell, though, you come here for the people.

[onceaprincess]

So you're a warden then?

[with_my_teacup]

Ex-inmate. I graduated. Technically, that does make me a warden, but eh.

[onceaprincess]

Oh well, that's good to know that they do let you go eventually.

[This is actual relief, not just polite commentary. This is good to know. Whatever is going on there it can eventually end.]

[with_my_teacup]

There's an endpoint, yeah. Comes sooner for some of us.

I'm just killing some time while I wait for a friend here.

[onceaprincess]

Really? That's very noble of you. May I ask how long you've waiting?

[with_my_teacup]

Couple months. I'm not holding my breath, though; he'll take it in his time.

[onceaprincess]

He's very lucky if you're willing to wait around what is basically a prison for him to be ready for release. Could I ask his name?

[Haha Calia. If you only knew.]

[with_my_teacup]

[He frowns, thoughtful.]

You obviously know the score here. I'm not sure how much I actually should tell you.

[onceaprincess]

I only know as much as High Lord Fordring told me, but I'd like to know more. I have family there.

[with_my_teacup]

You know Fordring? Then you probably know Arthas. He's the one I'm waiting for.

[onceaprincess]

[Well color her surprised. Well not really all that surprised. Arthas was taking his time about all this, so the not holding his breath part makes a lot of sense.]

Arthas is my brother. My name is Calia Menethil.

[with_my_teacup]

...somehow I didn't see that one coming. [He frowns. Very faintly.]

[onceaprincess]

You and my brother are friends then?

[with_my_teacup]

Yeah, let's go with that phrase.

[onceaprincess]

What does that mean?

[with_my_teacup]

It means there's some complications, but yeah, we're friends.

[onceaprincess]

What kind of complications?

[It seems that one track mind, dog with a bone attitude is a family trait.]

[with_my_teacup]

We started out trying to kill each other. [Who has two thumbs and isn't going to out Arthas to his family?]

[onceaprincess]

But you're friends now, to the point that you're staying in that place to wait for him. I don't understand what the complication is. Unless it's about his stubborn refusal to try and leave.

[Because she's ready to smack her head into a wall from arguing with Arthas about it.]

[with_my_teacup]

Nevermind, then. Consider it a complication sorted out.

And yeah, I'm waiting.

[onceaprincess]

I suppose I don't really have the time to convince you to tell me, so all right then.

Anyway, I'm glad he has someone over there still to believe in him. Thank you for that, Mr. Riddick.

[with_my_teacup]

...Just Riddick. I'm not good with cute addresses.

Nice to meet you.