032 VIDEO LIST FOURTEEN

[deadliestviper]

[Nothing strange here: when the feed clicks on Beatrix is in the gym, bokken in one hand. She turns the hilt over in her hand as she speaks, as if getting a feel for the practice weapon. She's still covering one eye with a patch but the cuts on her arms and chest from the Creed encounter are fading into purple scars, and despite the injuries she looks none the worse for wear -- even cheerful.]

How many of you use swords back home?

They're favored in my world among certain classes. Carried with at least one sidearm, of course, because there's no sense in sacrificing range for elegance. Contrary to popular belief you can live by the gun and the sword, but it's usually only career killers who do.

Not since Lakeside have we had a good swashbuckle, and I want to remedy that. For any inmate who wants to spar, I've got access to practice weapons. For any warden, come on: let's play with sharp things.

Comments

[routemistress]

I never did a lot till I come 'ere and took up with Wade, Bea love, but I'd like to keep me 'and in. All right by you?

[deadliestviper]

Not a problem. He fought double-handed with katana, didn't he? Do you use the same technique?

[routemistress]

Aye. Mine are sabres, but I did pretty much pick it up off 'im. Not as good, obviously, but I 'ave fun trying.

[deadliestviper]

Sabres? Heavy hitter, aren't you?

[routemistress]

Oh, I 'ad mine made for me, they're lighter'n the standard Polish cavalry sabres. The two-handed thing were new, but I always like learning.

[deadliestviper]

Bring them up! I'd love to see them.

> spam with sabres

[routemistress]

[She doesn't answer; she just gets changed (neon-pink tiger-print leggings and a cotton tank top with Deadpool's logo emblazoned on it), fetches her sabres out of the bus and heads up to the gym to show off her pointy toys.

The sabres are actually 1790s vintage British officers' sabres, though they seem lighter than they should and they're a lot less worn than a blade that old has any right to be.]

'Ere we are, Bea love.

> sabres and katana

[deadliestviper]

[When Iris arrives Bea has put down the bokken for her own sword, always within reach although she doesn't wear it at her waist. The moment Iris presents her sabres she leans it against the wall with a breath of admiration, reaching out hesitantly to examine one.]

May I touch?

> sabres and katana

[routemistress]

[That's kind of adorable, and it makes Iris smile as she hands one over. They have been decently looked after, but Iris has never been the kind of weapon fangirl Bea is.]

'Course, sweetheart. I 'ad 'em made when I were working undercover in Lithuania, just before the wars kicked off.

> sabres and katana

[deadliestviper]

[They've obviously been taken care of, which is why Bea is careful not to touch the blade and takes the sword reverently by the hilt.]

Nice grip. [Turning, she tests the weight and takes a low practice swing, the way she would if fighting from atop a horse.] Did you ever fight there?

> sabres and katana

[routemistress]

[Iris is anything but reverent with them herself, much as she appreciates them for good craftsmanship, good tools.]

Not a lot; not like front lines or owt, you know. I were out there to knock over an etheric transmitter some Osirian joker'd set up. That's the problem with being the seed planet for vast intergalactic empires, Bea love, some people can't keep their fingers in their own timelines.

> sabres and katana

[deadliestviper]

[Well used, well loved, well taken care of. They'll take their toll on a sword but there's no other way to treat them.]

What's an Osirian? [And that second part makes her arch an eyebrow and look up at Iris in amused disbelief.] Is that so?