(no subject)

[colonelcannibal]

 *The stream where Ives prefers to swim is cold, even in the heat of summer. Unnaturally so, perhaps. At its bank lays a cave, and there his secrets hide.

*The cave is mostly filled with bones. Skulls, jaws, fingers, the occasional arm or leg bone sucked clean of marrow. More complete skeletons deeper in, showing how his food preferences have evolved over time--or perhaps he simply learned more recipes.

*In the back of the cave, where the old bodies are deepest, a tree has grown. It exits through a hole in the roof that was undeniably carved by human hands--or what most people would call human, at least, no matter what their owner had to say on the matter.

*A farmer could tell you that the tree is an apple tree. The superstitious would have reason to think it the very tree of good and evil knowledge that doomed mankind to die. If so, however, it came from a most sinister Eden.

*Ives, being what he is, sees nothing wrong with sitting against the tree and eating the apples. They are by far the best he's ever eaten.*

Comments

[dr_jd_watson]

I rather think not, no. You enjoy yourself, though. I'm fine up here with a recently dead pig for company. Her name was Lucy, if you're interested...

[colonelcannibal]

Oh, I plan to enjoy myself quite a bit. *He raises an eyebrow.* Who names pigs?

[dr_jd_watson]

A lot of people. They're lovely animals, really, once you get to know them.

[colonelcannibal]

And yet you're fine with eating them? Your moral high ground is slipping again.

[dr_jd_watson]

The difference between you and I, sir, is that I treat my prey with both respect and compassion. Get back to me when you can say the same.

[colonelcannibal]

Unfortunately, there are times when that is rather hard to do.

If you're concerned about what I think you are, remember what it was like before refrigeration. When it's the middle of summer and you have nothing cold at hand, how do you keep meat fresh?

[dr_jd_watson]

I vividly remember the days before refrigeration, thank you. Smoking and salting were then and remain now viable preservation options. Which has nothing to do with the blatant disregard you show for your food...

[colonelcannibal]

It's so much easier, however, to simply keep food alive . . .

Disregard is how I keep myself from breaking down. It's why my kind is rare, I think--most of them either go feral or commit suicide. There's a reason why I don't try to change people anymore. But by luck I managed to shut off my conscience, at least when it comes to humans, so I'm still here and still capable of communicating.

You might say that suicide would be better, but living things are hard-wired to survive. I became this to stay alive, after all . . .

[dr_jd_watson]

There are always alternatives to suicide, and you made a conscious decision not to afford your victims a quick, clean death, then you justified it away. That's quite a bit beyond merely doing what you had to in order to survive...

[colonelcannibal]

I usually do. There are just times when I want, ah, something special.

Lobsters are boiled alive, you know. There's also a few kinds of rather nasty sushi that involves vivisecting fish and eating it before it dies. I at least have reasons beyond it being amusing.

[dr_jd_watson]

Just because some people enjoy a thing doesn't make it acceptable.

[colonelcannibal]

If you're going to get angry about it, however, they'd be the place to start.

[dr_jd_watson]

I donate to and volunteer for a number of animal rights groups. Perhaps you think that's not enough and I should take up arms as well?

[colonelcannibal]

It couldn't hurt. *He smirks a bit.* It would distract you from the holier-than-thou mood you're in at the moment, too, which is also a plus.

[dr_jd_watson]

Some people are very much deserving to be on the receiving end of such an attitude...

[colonelcannibal]

The Wendigo is not a nice creature, my friend. Wasn't the first thing you said when you found out a request to not get eaten alive?

[dr_jd_watson]

I've said it before and suppose I must now say it again. My objection is not to your diet but your attitude. It's that which could stand to be remedied. I've known perfectly decent vampires. I don't see why anyone should get a free pass based on species alone.

[colonelcannibal]

I'm not going to live my life ashamed of what I am for your sake, James. Not when I can have fun with it instead.

Having a conscience just hurts a man anyway, making him feel upset any time anyone is hurt. That's no way to live.

[dr_jd_watson]

[James watches him with genuine sympathy.]

I tend to think that's the only way to live, if you want the true human experience. I'm not preaching self-loathing, just mindfulness and restraint.

[colonelcannibal]

Being human is painful. *He closes his eyes for a moment.* Don't tell anyone I said that, but it is. I'm well rid of it.

Restraint is against the nature of the wendigo, I'm afraid. But I will do my best.

[dr_jd_watson]

Your best is all anyone can ask. Just try to bear in mind that, without agony, there can be no true delight...

[colonelcannibal]

I had more than enough agony as a human, trust me. Tuberculosis is good for that. I am, however, willing to refrain from causing too much agony if it means that I don't have to be alone.

Friends, then?

[dr_jd_watson]

Not enemies at any rate. I think you're not a bad person. Someone just needs to remind you how to be good again.

[colonelcannibal]

I don't think of myself as a good man, but I can't deny that I'm glad you disagree. *A chuckle.* Hopefully you will be able to stand my worrisome sense of humor and general antisocial tendencies.

[dr_jd_watson]

Trust me, if you knew some of my friends. One spent about a century plotting to enslave the human race, bless him...