deadliestviper | 041 VIDEO LIST SEVENTEEN

[The Beatrix who comes back to the Barge is not the one who left. Yes, she's the same person; she looks the same, except a bit older. She's rounded the corner into her early forties now, but it's not age that weathered her face. She looks exhausted, ashen-skinned and with dark shadows under her reddish eyes. So many things have changed from the last time she was here.]

Ten years.

[Ten years of monumental changes. She'd gone back; she'd seen Budd dead; she'd blinded Elle and killed Bill. She'd lost her enemies, at least she thought. And she'd gotten the most precious gift imaginable, which hadn't been revenge.

Ten years of motherhood, ten years of hugs and growing pains and tantrums and tears. Ten years of watching the most beautiful little girl in the world grow into a beautiful young woman, bright-eyed with a smile that always dazzled her. Easily the most perfect daughter any mother had ever had.

And then in the last week, it had all changed again.]

Well, I'm back.

[Ben]
I'm sorry about Zack. But I'm glad you're here. [Very, very glad. Much more relieved than she can say, if her voice cracking is any indication.]

[Ellie]
[This one is more difficult. She hopes to God Ellie's still here, and at the same time is afraid to see her. Too close for comfort.] Are you okay, honey?

[Vin]
How was she? Is she all right?

[Anya]
If you don't have an aversion to rock music, I have some things for you.

[Arthas]
[This one, at least, is an easy message.] Why the hell is this sword in my room?

[Lab Personnel]
If any of you have a working knowledge of chemistry, I have a favor to ask.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Oh shit. Fuck, that's why he gave the sword back.

Do you know what set him off? What the hell happened while I was away?

We had this little... run in with another barge. A mirror barge, where the wardens were the nasty fucks. And he was... well. You know what he could be.

But that was two weeks ago-- I thought he was coping, thought he got through the worst of it. I mean, he wasn't happy and what he saw fucked him up, but I didn't think--

Right. That one I remember, it hurt.

No. And I remember what he was, but that doesn't mean - [Deep breath.] He told me once that he was more like that than what I think of him.

I didn't believe it, but he must.

Right, you didn't take off that long ago. Funny how it feels longer.

I didn't realize how much he did.

[And he's not really okay. He should be. Suicide doesn't last here. It doesn't take. He'll be back. But it got to him.]

Funny, I was just thinking it doesn't seem like that long ago.

Have you seen him since he did it?

[A headshake] It wasn't... long ago. That we found'm. I don't know if he's tolling yet.

Edited 2013-11-14 04:56 (UTC)

He'd want you there, I think. Even if he says otherwise.

Yeah. I'll get up there soon as I'm given the go-ahead.

So.

Ten years. What brought you back?

If he's not, you know. [Crazy.] Just let me know. I might talk to him.

My kid.

[A small head-tilt can convey so much. 'What kid. Last I heard you lost one,' it says.]

Edited 2013-11-14 05:06 (UTC)

I found her.

Not thirty minutes before I walked back on this Barge, she died.

[And all is instantly clear.]

Well fuck that.

I already mourned her once. I'm not letting her go this time.

Was it a who, or a what.

A who. One with a preference for poison.

I assume you'll be handling shit once you've made sure your kid's okay.

That's the plan.

Sounds like a plan to me.

...Bea, I'm sorry.

Thank you.

Shit, if I hadn't done this before I'd be even more of a wreck.

It... can't be good. Even considering.

You wanna drop by? I ain't feeling much like having an evening on my lonesome, just waiting-- if you wanna hang out and do tea while we wait.