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.

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Misery loves company, right?

That's the working theory.

Are you still in the room I remember?

One-twelve. Ain't moved.

[She's there quickly, knocking on the door more urgently than the situation really requires. Talking to someone - whether about B.B. or about anything else - is going to be a relief. And she knows Riddick doesn't share secrets.]

[There's a moment before the door opens-- the sound of Partner's questioning yap, a low rumble from Riddick telling him it's okay-- and then there's Riddick. The water hasn't had time to boil yet, so the room doesn't yet smell of tea.

He extends a hand to welcome her in.]

[Without hesitating, she takes his hand and squeezes it. It may have started as a welcome but it's become comfort, and she's grateful for it.]

Good to see you again.

[He reels her into a hug, sighing deeply. A few months ago, if that, it was him on this end-- re-adjusting after years, walking face first into crises that had seemed so distant in the real world.]

[God, she needed that a lot more than she thought. He hugs her and something in her, some sense of pride or paranoia, breaks. Bea hugs back and holds on, eyes tightly shut.]

Thank you.

[He presses his lips against her forehead, tightens his grip.]

S'okay. You'll fix it. You've got it.

[She has to breathe slower to lower her heart rate, to stave off the rush of emotion. But she nods before resting her forehead on his shoulder with a heavy sigh.]

[The moment is slightly interrupted by the jackal jamming its face between them, trying to nose in to see what's going on. Riddick ignores him for a few more moments, and then pulls back, gripping Bea's shoulders tightly.]

Tea. Tea?

[The jackal's a welcome distraction and she opens her eyes to look at the strange creature before Riddick pulls back. She nods.]

Yes. Yeah, that'd be good.

Don't mind Partner. He knows better than to get aggressive at guests as long as you don't out and attack him. You can pet him; careful around the eyes and the bullet wounds, he might get snappy.

[Yeah, those. Like Riddick said-- his dog's slightly undead.]

Green tea or herbal?

I wouldn't hurt him. He's a good boy, aren't you, Partner? [She holds out a palm to let him sniff at before rubbing behind his ears.] Yeah, you're a good boy.

Whatever you'd rather have.

[Partner sniffs without smelling-- or at least not smelling what Riddick can. Magic, Arthas said. Life force.

He starts nibbling affectionately at the sleeve of her jacket, matching her grooming attentions; he is a social animal, and fortunately years with Riddick have accustomed him to other social animals being on two legs.]

Herbal. I'll save the caffeination until I need it. Got some condensed milk, you want-?

[The kettle boils and it is poured out into his sturdy, camping-gear teapot, with some leaf tea in a bag.]

[Whatever Partner is searching for, he seems to find. When he takes to her sleeve she smiles, tousling his ears playfully.]

That'd be great. Thank you.

[When the kettle whistles she looks up from the jackal as if shaken from her reverie, and gives Riddick a little half-smile.]

Want to see her?

I'd like that, yeah. [He lets the tea steep, coming over to thump Partner's side and see what Bea has to show him.]

[The picture's always tucked in her wallet, now, and she pulls it out. It's a school photo, the kind taken for a yearbook, and shows a blonde girl of about eleven smiling brightly. Bea smiles sadly as she looks at it, brushes her fingertips over the image before passing it to him.]

That's B.B. three years ago. She's more grown-up now, but she's got the same smile.

Edited 2013-11-15 05:42 (UTC)

She looks like a great kid. I can see you in her face.

[The picture is all but colorless to him, like one in sepia, but he studies the features for a long time, memorizing them. If he ever meets the real deal, he'll know. The tea is oversteeped by the time he hands the picture carefully back, fingertips only on the edges.]

She is. [Bea takes back the photo and tucks it away, this time in her breast pocket close to her heart.] She's an amazing kid. Shy as hell at first, but a little motormouth once she warms up.

041 VIDEO LIST SEVENTEEN

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