Break the cutie [Warden/Senar]

[nozomi]

It never took long to tire of the prisoners, though not in the way one would typically use the phrase. Warden never grew bored with the slew of degenerates he'd been given as members of his messed up Weyr - with crazies and psychopaths. No, he tired of always meeting new ones, of having to look over different faces, how they fidgeted or twitched, or something akin to that.

This time, a boy. A child, mere eighteen Turns old, and - It made his head hurt, so much. Sometimes, children just needed to be punched, or shook, or in this case, incarcerated. Taking up room in his damned prison.

Warden shifted restlessly in his chair, the furniture squeaking softly in protest. The entire situation irritated him, to the point where poor Senar would be met with the most intimidating version of Warden that could be mustered up: the length of his salt and pepper hair had been tied back into a severe topknot, the flat lines of his face set in a perfect mask, devoid of expression, with his black uniform pressed and buttoned high up on his throat.

Poor Senar.

He did not stand when the guard posted outside his door opened it for young Senar, nor did Warden bother to smile at the young man. When that door opened, Warden all but glowered.

"Sit down."

[firebird]

Senar was still shaken from having spent the past day strapped to a cot, so he didn't immediately enter the Warden's lair after the door was opened. After a second, the guard pushed him into the room and shut the door. He most certainly did not stumble; he just ...um... stepped forward really quickly. Right, that's what happened. Stumbling was a thing that scared children did, and Senar was no scared child! Right? He also most certainly did not flinch or shrink back or anything of the sort.

He sat down quickly enough when ordered, though he did scoot the chair back slightly. For a moment he sat in a carefully practiced, perfectly straight pose. One look at the Warden's face, however, made him try to disappear into his seat. This was authority. He could handle authority, right? Just agree with whatever they say and don't make a fool of yourself. You can panic later.

Senar avoided looking the Warden in the eye as he mumbled a polite "Sir" with all the grace of a kicked dog. So much for first impressions.

[nozomi]

Warden studied the young man, mouth twisting into a frown. The small creature cowered and mumbled as well he should, but all it did was make him look Turns younger than what his paperwork claimed. Warden leaned back in his chair further, frown not once leaving his face when he spoke to Senar.

"You are eighteen turns old. I cannot express in words how much that disgusts me. You have condemned yourself to at least four or five Turns in this place, if not life, because Holds and Weyrs simply do not have the desire to put up with the likes of you and your crimes. Most likely you will be here until I die, or you do. I'm not sure which is more likely at this point." If anything, his scowl deepend, eyes became smaller under glaring eyebrows. "I don't want an explination. I want your behavior. Don't be a pain in my flank and maybe I'll forget about you. Hope for that."

The older man flicked Senars scroll open, eyes flicking over it with distaste. "Here, you can work. Outside, inside perhaps, with your... condition. Its in your best interest to be useful. You are a non-violent criminal, and are not required restraints. Should you think of crossing the line and pissing me off, remember that part of our night guard consist of Whers. You will be given a tour, shown the mess hall and the like. Should a prisoner abuse you, inform a guard. If a guard abuses you, come to me directly. That isn't considered being a pain.

"Do you have any questions?" Warden arched one of his eyebrows. "This is the time to ask."

[firebird]

Senar's immediate reaction to the Warden's lecture was to shrink back further in his chair. As he was already as shrunken back as was humanly possible, this did little more than make him squirm a little bit. Why did he have to have such confidence problems when dealing with people? It wasn't like he lacked recklessness in other situations! Shards, he once leapt from a tree (and broke an ankle) in order to reach the ground faster, but he couldn't even look someone in the eye?

Admittedly, authority figures tended to be more intimidating than others. Okay, so basically the lecture boiled down to 'you messed up ridiculously badly for being so young. Here's the rundown, and stay out of my hair.' It's not so intimidating when you break it down, is it Senar? Go on, answer back. Don't become mute as well as half blind. Say something!

"What kind of inside work is there?" he asked with only a little staring at his hands. Very good! A proper sentence, with all of the necessary components! We'll make a linguist out of you yet! "And... is there a way for me to protect my eyes if I go outside? Like a visor or a veil or something?"

[nozomi]

Despite the fact Warden very much disliked this child being in his prison, he could, at the very least, enjoy the fact the boy did not try to argue or attempt to shirk away the thought of work. Some prisoners, well - they liked to tell Warden excuses, such as how they didn't mean it, or that they were innocent, maybe that their herdbeast made them do it or something equally as ridiculous.

His chin went down a notch, less peering down his (admittedly flat) nose at Senar, and more stern staring. Hurrah for proper sentences and all that, Warden detested the whimpery ones who said nothing. Typically, they went insane in prison before anything else.

"Food preperation, perhaps. The sort without sharp items. Assisting with the dyes, for the uniforms. Washing dishes. Laundry." Plenty of dirty clothing all over Wardens, of course. Prisoners, their sweat and other bodily issues, the sheets used to gather up hair. Everything. An eyebrow quirked with the question of a visor, a veil, a somewhat suitable covering. Right. Warden noticed the eyes before (who could miss them? Shells.), but the idea of hindered sight... One arm rose in the briefest of shrugs. "I will speak to someone who can create a veil for you."

A moment of hesitation, quickly hidden by the set of his jaw and once again cooled eyes. "Is there anything else you require? Our only experience with your sort is limited to a single other person. A healer can have a look at you, if needed."

[firebird]

It seemed that being arrested gives someone perfect hindsight. Senar knew that he had messed up badly. He shouldn't have left Harper Hall in the first place. He should have returned there instead of turning to theft. He definitely should not have gotten involved in Dust smuggling. Whatever he should have done, he had broken the law and it was his job to pay the penalty.

And he would probably spend much less time paying the penalty if he made himself useful. "I'm not any good at cooking, so who should I talk to for dye and laundry work?" It was getting easier to talk, as long as he focused on just asking questions.

Actually, it would probably be a good idea to talk with a healer. All he knew was bright light hurt his eyes and that he sunburned very quickly. Who knew what else could be happening that would be problematic? Wait, what was that about there being another person with his condition? Did that mean he wasn't a freak after all? "A healer would be appreciated, sir." Was a 'thank you' appropriate in this situation?

[nozomi]

Even if he were to spend just as much time in Warden's while being useful, at the very least he'd receive better food, better treatment from the guards, and, perhaps, hopefully, fall off the Warden's radar. Few enjoyed being there, he'd found. Being constantly watched by the man who could have your life turned to a hell on Pern rarely seemed appealing.

"You don't have to speak to anyone about it. I'll be the one making the arrangements for you. In the mean time, all you have to do is not chase after Whers, or try to stab any one in the prison. Anything in between is also disapproved of." Was that a joke? Maybe? Possibly? The still-severe expression said no, but his dry words suggested that, perhaps, Warden was almost not about to snarl once more at the poor boy.

Ah yes, the healer. "Right," He nodded, eyes flicking to the guard just outside of his door. Left open due to the criminal inside, the guards back was nevertheless turned to them. "I am sure you are familiar with the detox area by now. There are separate facilities in there for Healers outside of the criminals with Dust problems. I'll have the guard take you there after this and have one of them get a look at you."

Warden looked over Senar one more time, lips pursing for not the last time that day. "Be careful with who you associate with here, young man. Now-" A single eyebrow rose, and his chin went up a notch. "Do you have any further questions for me?"

[firebird]

It was actually pretty calming to have things arranged for him. Senar was used to his mother doing it out of doting and his fellow smugglers out of a need for control. Familiarity was something he didn't expect to find in a prison, so he would be sure to be appreciative when he did find it. And he now had a way of making himself useful, so he wouldn't just sit in boredom for who knows how many Turns. Things were looking up!

He took the Warden's warning seriously, though. This was a prison, and its inhabitants were unlikely to be friendly. "No questions, sir. Thank you for your time." Erk, was that too polite? He didn't want to look like he was sucking up.

((Shall we end it here?))