040 VOICE LIST SIXTEEN

[deadliestviper]

[Coming out of her first death toll (first real death toll; those times on the Mirror Barge don’t count), Beatrix is in bad shape. Everything hurts and she’s moving much slower than normal, shivering from a cold that just won’t go away. But there are things to be said, news to be shared, and they won’t wait for her to feel better. When the audio clicks on it catches nothing but a breath of air, the sound of hair brushing fabric and skin. Then a throaty voice, hoarse, one straining to sound as normal as possible:]

I want to apologize for everything my other self did. [She pauses; she wishes she could say she’d never done it, but in a sense she hadn’t. She wishes she could say it sickens her to see what her other self is capable of, but all the crimes were those she’d committed before.

Maybe all she can say is that she’ll never do it again.]

I won’t ask anyone to trust me after that. But if any of the people I hurt need satisfaction, whether in the form of words or blood, they’ll have it.

Just make it quick, please. I have unfinished business at home.

Private Messages

[Cecil, Vin, and Bond, separately]
We need to talk. [Mostly about how you’d better not be like that normally.]

[Arya]
I am not happy with you.

[Anya and Ben]
Please know that in my right mind I’d never would do anything to hurt either of you. You don’t have to believe it, but I need to say it.

[Zack]
I… Thank you. Thank you so much. For everything.

And I’m so sorry for trying to kill you.

[Friends and Family]
I’m sorry, again, about what I was.

I don’t know why, but I just – graduated. [She sounds supremely confused about this. Yes, Mirror Barge taught her two lessons, that death is cruel but can also be merciful, that war isn’t always the way to go. They seem like such simple truths, but they’re difficult to realize.] I’m going home. If you’re up for it, I’d like to see you before I go.

Comments

[ Spam ]

[warisart]

[Soon, Ben will be able to walk the halls under his own power; he's not sure if the half day back on the other Barge will count or only the time since the metal shrapnel wounds closed completely upon their return here, but it's too much for him here, today.

He's expecting her, though, so he's worked his way over to the door and he's there when she knocks. He is not, himself, hesitant now that he's made the decision to speak with her. He steps back out of the way, and tilts his head ever so slightly, pale and young and still dressed in the scrubs from the infirmary.]

Beatrix.

[ Spam ]

[deadliestviper]

[It's sheer willpower that's made Beatrix go this far, simple refusal to let the pain conquer her. Every movement hurts, some pain sharp and some a dull echo of injury.

Leaning against the door frame, she nods at him with a grimace and reaches for his hand.]

You all right, sweetie?

[ Spam ]

[warisart]

I will be.

[This firmly and without hesitation. She reaches for him and he, distressed by her obvious pain and difficulty, steps closer so she can take his arm. He'll guide them to the couch, taking his time for the both of them.]

Will you?