041 VIDEO LIST SEVENTEEN

[deadliestviper]

[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.

Comments

[mirabilis]

And you chose to come back? [ Except what she really means is 'are you still a earden? Still graduated?' ]

[deadliestviper]

Apparently.

[mirabilis]

Then it must have been quite something if here was considered an alternative. [ Not that Helena knows all of her experiences but the last was bad enough, and fresh on people's minds ] Now you can see it from the other side.

[deadliestviper]

"Quite something" is accurate. [B.B.'s death is not something she's going to share with Helena - they don't know each other well enough for that - but she may be able to guess what sort of tragedy pushed Bea back.] Lucky me, huh?

[mirabilis]

Indeed.

[ Except that isn't a serious agreement, and the drop in Helena's tone from what was a little jovial and curious changes now to one that is serious - one that isn't prying. It's the words, and the way that they're said that lets Helena know that this wasn't quite so much of a choice for her, or not an easy one. But Beatrix had returned, and for what Helena thought and believed about the barge she also knows what not having much of a choice felt like, and what the draw of hope and promise was ]

You're asking him to help. The Admiral.