001 VIDEO LIST ONE

[deadliestviper]

[The screen switches on, revealing a face caked in dirt, covered in dust, streaked with sweat, and smeared with blood. A pair of troubled, if clear, blue eyes look out from it, and then there's a shake of the head, followed by a swirl of long, messy blonde hair – underneath all the grime, the new arrival's a female. She gives a bright smile, the sight slightly disarming on such a gritty face.]

Hi. [Her voice cracks when she speaks and she coughs, then clears her throat.]

Sorry to bother you folks, but it appears I've got some new business to attend to and I'm a little out of sorts. [Her smile turns apologetic, a little self-deprecating. It might be cute if she didn't look like an adult female approximation of Peanuts' Pigpen.] If one of you would be so kind as to point me toward the showers, I'd be in your debt.

[One last thing: her voice lowers, the sparkle gone from her eyes.] Budd... If you're here, I'll find you.

Comments

[lastmanstanding]

...I honestly couldn't tell you. I wish I could. But it'd be up to your warden to try and figure that kind of thing out. I just-

Shit I fucking knew. If you don't remember dying you're not dead.

[deadliestviper]

I have to wait until I get my very own warden to find out if I'm alive?

[One thing's for sure, though – she remembered getting shot full of rock salt and drugged, trussed up and thrown in a coffin, buried alive and even fighting her way out of it, but she never had that moment of complete despair, of knowing she was done for.] Assuming you're right about that... I got out, now I'm here.

[lastmanstanding]

The admiral thinks you're worthy of a second chance. [Is there a note of bitterness there? amusement? Some sort of other emotion?] He thinks you have something to live for.

[deadliestviper]

[Whatever it is, she's curious. Beatrix tilts her head, studying him.] Yeah, I know. I was in the middle of pursuing it when this place reeled me in like a trout. [And she's just waiting for someone to try and gut her like one.]

[lastmanstanding]

I was buried alive for two months in a hell hole. More then prepared to die. What were you after?

[deadliestviper]

Christ. [That had to fucking hurt; there's not a lot more she can say about that. At least she'd only been underground for a matter of minutes.]

Seeing that someone got what they deserved.

[lastmanstanding]

[Hoffman laughs. It's sharp and sudden. He stares at her and there's no amusement, just understanding.]

Did they get it?

[deadliestviper]

Almost.

[For a second there's the slightest hint of a smile. She and this Hoffman have something in common, even if she doubts they'll ever discuss it. Then as suddenly as it appeared, it's gone.]

[lastmanstanding]

[He straightens. And his gaze fills with something akin to pity.] They must have taken something important.

[deadliestviper]

[Her smile is bitter.] Damn right they did.

[lastmanstanding]

[Something about that smile makes him pause. They took his honor, and his life-but he gave that up willingly. This...this isn't giving it up. She didn't make a mistake. She was robbed.

He looks conflicted.]

...is there anything else I can get for you. Sort of a weapon. If you want alcohol or anything like that.

[deadliestviper]

[Robbed of everything, yes. Of her daughter and any chance of being a mother, of her chosen life, of her revenge. But the offer makes B's lip twitch in mild amusement.]

Give me a few minutes and I won't say no to a strong drink.

Spam? Or something? Or handwave?

[lastmanstanding]

[He had to face it sooner or later. The pub. He gives her directions to the pub and he'll be sitting here-uneasy and uneasy and uneasy.]

Spam works!

[deadliestviper]

[When Beatrix shows up some fifteen minutes later she's been scrubbed pink, her hair clean but still wet as she joins him at the pub. She has no intention of starting any trouble, even less intention of telling her story. This is just a drink, just getting to know what she's dealing with.]

You saved me a spot? That deserves thanks, Mr. Hoffman.

[video]

[demigoddess]

Okay. [ But she doesn't sound convinced. ] If you want to borrow some clothes that fit, or you know, need anything, you can ask me.

My name's Cassie by the way.. And, welcome? [ She means that, but is sure this woman feels less than welcome in her current state. ]

[video]

[deadliestviper]

[There's nothing wrong, Cassie, promise! Certainly nothing that'd require a doctor's care, she's had worse and come out just fine.] Thanks, I appreciate that.

And that as well. I'm Beth. [Offering a small smile, B eases up a little.] So, Cassie, what are you doing here?

[video]

[notafuckingnut]

[Sure, and he doesn't suspect anything amiss. Which helps.]

Nice to meet you, Beth.

[video]

[deadliestviper]

It'd normally be nicer. You'll have to excuse me, I'm not exactly at my best right now.

[video]

[notafuckingnut]

That's okay. I wasn't really in the greatest mood when I first got here either.

[Mostly because he was panicking because he couldn't find his brother but that is...not the point.]

[video]

[deadliestviper]

Can't blame you for that. How many inmates show up with trauma?

[video]

[notafuckingnut]

Well...none of 'em. The Admiral fixes everybody when they get here.

[video]

[deadliestviper]

Fixes them enough.

[video]

[notafuckingnut]

So they're not bleeding all over the place or anything, yeah.

[He rubs the back of his neck absently, fingers running over the healed-over scars from his own untimely demise before he drops his hand.]

I mean...depends on how you die as to how much you get.

[video]

[deadliestviper]

He's got that kind of ability?

[This admiral was getting more interesting by the minute. Her gaze zeroes in on his hand, noticing the placement and making a note of it. Stab wound, maybe? When she meets him in person she'll be better able to guess what left the scars.]

[video]

[notafuckingnut]

Oh, yeah. Um. People don't die here. I mean, they do, but he brings them back if someone asks.

[She wouldn't have to guess. Ask about it and he'd be more than happy to share, if not launch into a very put-out explanation of how it happened and why it was unfair and probably more besides. It's a story he was all too happy to share with anyone who would listen his first month or so.]