For lastvoyages: Spam for Deck

[cannibalmind]

[[OOC: This takes place after this thread.]]

[The racuous excuse for modern music finally drove Hannibal out into the deck, where he tightened his coat around him against the chill and looked around. There had been considerably more alcohol in that drink than he had accounted for, and so now he finds himself rather flushed and prone to...stroll...instead of properly walking over to the lift and getting out of the cold. Last time he did that he found Richie's rather overripe corpse. But chances are that he'll run into no such unpleasantness, and he is tipsy enough to truly appreciate the whirling sky.]

Comments

[surrenders]

[ She looks back curious, content, almost blank. It's time to think about it. ] Always wonder about what nobody hears about. The big things are probably secrets for everyone.

[cannibalmind]

There are personal secrets, group and world secrets, and finally...Barge secrets. And that third one especially is relevant to everyone's interests.

You are quiet, unobtrusive, and very, very perceptive. Without endangering yourself, you are capable of discovering much in the day to day. Meanwhile I, as humble painter and chef, can do the same. There are others who are in uniquely good positions for this.

There is only one limitation to my powers, however. Nothing told me in confidence, as patient to doctor, may be repeated.

[surrenders]

[ She nods in understanding. Of course not: she's said a thing or two in the past she wouldn't want shared. ]

Who else you are looking to?

[cannibalmind]

Raistlin Majere. Richard, mostly because he is an excellent barometer for Barge tension. [He nibbles on some cheese.]

[surrenders]

[ She tries to figure out how to say what's on her mind in a way that doesn't give too much away, so buys a second by considering and reaching over. The apple slice doesn't go anywhere near her face. ] You don't want either of them to know you're thinking of the other guy.

[cannibalmind]

See? Perceptive. Nono, the whole idea is that each one of us has our sources, and we don't share who those sources are with everyone; only some. That way if one person is caught they will not know the extent of the network.

[surrenders]

Shouldn't be doing anything that gets you "caught". [ Lua doesn't invade or intrude; she works her way into places she seems like she belongs. ]

[cannibalmind]

OH, I agree. But then again there are Wardens aboard like Narvin and Edward Nygma, who go off of little evidence with annoying levels of accuracy.

[surrenders]

Don't have to know we know. Long as we don't start trouble, just get out the score.

[cannibalmind]

A solid plan. Please excuse my mild paranoia...I fear it goes with the territory.

I would of course provide equal or better value for any information brought to me. For example, I could explain to you something of Richard's quirks of behavior.

[surrenders]

[ Her eyes open wider before she can stop herself. ]

Anything in particular you looking for right now?

[cannibalmind]

Right now I am mapping out the major relationships of the Barge. Major players, major conflicts, groupings. Notably volatile individuals. Wardens who are friendlier to us than others.

[surrenders]

Could help you work that out, if you needed. [ It's calm, not at all urgent, even if she really wants what he's offering her. ]

[cannibalmind]

How about this. Why don't you sit for me tomorrow after our shift, and I'll give you a taste of what I know, and you can trade with some of what you know. And so on.

[surrenders]

Sounds all right. [ A small smile, more agreeable than anything. ]

[time jummmp]

[cannibalmind]

[Hannibal has prepared his room carefully, cleaning up, screening off his bed, and putting up the pencil sketches and paintings he has done of Barge people so far. There is Mozenrath as the Heirophant, Will as the Hermit, and Arkady as the Fool, plus several sketches of other Bargemates both past and present. He has a pitcher of water and two glasses on a side table; his meager stock does not yet include proper refreshments.]

[surrenders]

[ Lua's sidled off to freshen up after work and see if she has anything that she can bring over, but shows up at his door clean and empty-handed. All she's offering him should be pretty clear if you watch people here, but so many people only think about what affects them that they don't see everything else around them. If she can get something that helps Richie from that... well, that's not much work at all.

A light tap at the door, hopefully loud enough for him to hear. ]

[cannibalmind]

[He walks over and opens the door, bowing aside and gesturing for her to come in.] Please take the couch, my supplies are set up across from it.

[He locks the door behind them and waits for them to both be settled before he speaks again.]

I spoke with Richard briefly. He is...still decompensating, I am afraid.

[surrenders]

[ They need to get down to business, she knows, but she still takes a few moments to look at the drawings of the people she knows, hand raised like she wants to touch, but knows it's rude. Even if she doesn't recognize the themes, she can tell they fit Arkady and Will, and she wonders if that's what he's planning for her. When he starts to speak, though, she turns around with a puzzled look and takes a seat in hopes he'll explain. ]

[cannibalmind]

I have brought to his attention the idea that certain symptoms he is suffering are both abnormal and avoidable. But he has heavy layers of denial. Basically, he cannot handle anything painful or troubling and will recoil from it. He has to be worked with delicately, as you have likely already discovered. What is more obscure is just how long he has been hiding and denying his illness.

[surrenders]

He won't listen if he thinks you think he's nuts. No matter who it is.

[ She pauses. ] But he thinks things happened that didn't, hears things that aren't there.

[cannibalmind]

If you are ever close to him, you will notice that he smells slightly odd. That goatish odor is the smell of schizophrenia. He is afflicted. That part of what he is going through is not his fault, which is something I doubt anyone has ever acknowledged to him.

[surrenders]

[ Her head bobs up in acknowledgement. She knows what he's talking about, though she never put the two together. ]

Just means something went wrong in his brain, right?

[cannibalmind]

It is chemical, yes. It can be managed. But until he realizes that what he is going through is not normal and that he does not have to suffer from it I dare not even bring up the idea. Would you like a glass of water?

[surrenders]

[ She makes a sound as if to accept. ] He needs better. What do you do?