002 VIDEO LIST TWO

[deadliestviper]

[This time when the video turns on, Beatrix is well-groomed and polished; she's dressed in a very feminine suit with a nametag reading BETH S. on the lapel, is wearing makeup, and her hair is pulled back in a ponytail. Her smile is bright, easy, and full. In both name and deed, she's here on Official Business.]

Ahoy! – That's the right terminology, right? I've never been on one of these things before. [She winces, a little self-deprecatingly.] Uh, anyway, hello there, I thought I'd better introduce myself since I'm going to be working with a few of you. My name's Beth Solberg, I'm a social worker, and I'm just here to check in on the staff and residents, ask a few questions, basically make sure everything on the Barge here is up to snuff.

So yes, I'll be speaking with a few of you. Let me assure you, you don't have to answer any questions you don't want to. I'm not here to interrogate, I just want to get the gist of the situation. And it is an unusual situation here, so any comments, complains, you've got about the place, this is the time to talk.

I'm setting up shop in the – what's this place called? That's it, library, no special term? Okay – I'm in the library for the next day, just stop on in. [She pauses, lifting a pen to her lips as she consults a clipboard.] Oh, and I've got a couple people I need to check in with – newer ones specifically. If none of you mind doing this in reverse alphabetical order, may I speak to a... Ms. Reese?

[OOC: So since I forgot to say earlier, this flood B.B. got marginalized. Beatrix still got pregnant, still had the baby, just never hid her pregnancy from Bill or ran away to Texas. As such she's still very much an active member of the Assassination Squad, with the events of the movie never happening. The social work thing? Just a ruse to get in the same room with her current target Natasha.]

Comments

[demigoddess]

So let me ask you this, Beth. What kind of things are you really hoping to uncover here?

[deadliestviper]

All I'm here for is to get an idea about the strengths and weaknesses of the therapy programs, see if there are any major problems that have to be addressed, that kind of thing. And of course if anyone wants a listening ear, I'm here, Ms...?

[demigoddess]

Cassandra.

But you still haven't really answered my question Beth.

[deadliestviper]

[sigh] Honestly? I'm here to investigate whether there are any incidences of maltreatment or abuse.

[demigoddess]

Do you already suspect there are?

[rass_bestie]

Oh, Luvvie, what you up to, hmm?

[deadliestviper]

Just doing my job, miss.

[rass_bestie]

An' what part of your job comes with showin' up here covered in mud, luvvie?

This is no part of any flood, nobody does much talking to the Admiral, let alone perform any kind o' 'inspection' to see how well 'e's doing.

[deadliestviper]

I'm sorry, but I have no idea what you're talking about. And my lack of communication with the Admiral by no stretch of the imagination means no one's keeping tabs on this ship.

[brbculling]

I'm glad to see the facility is well-kept.

[Charming smile! Flood Arthas is tall and well-bred with a blond ponytail and a purple cloak. Medieval royalty, if the middle ages had better teeth.]

Do you mind if I have a look at your findings?

[deadliestviper]

[God, does everyone in this place wear armor? B is starting to feel under-dressed, a Kevlar vest under her blouse just isn't cutting it. Still, she manages a blush at Arthas' charming smile, her gaze dropping before she makes eye contact.]

Well, sir, once I've completed my interviews I'd be happy to give you a brief overview. The actual findings, unfortunately, are confidential. [Yeah, those findings are never going to be recorded, let alone shared. Once she finds her target, she's dropping this ruse.]

[brbculling]

Thank you. There's another version of myself here, I would at least like to check on his progress.

[deadliestviper]

I'll let you know if he's doing all right, Mr. ...?

[lastmanstanding]

...You're a social worker?

[Have a slightly wary figure.] ...You assigned to anybody?

[deadliestviper]

Yes, I am. [It's a testament to her skills as a liar that she can say this completely seriously.]

No, no assigned inmate, I'm more here as a general resource. And at the moment, it doesn't look like I'll even be staying longer than a few days.

[lastmanstanding]

...Like for people getting out or for people having to cope?

[deadliestviper]

For people having to cope, but it's not as if I'll turn anyone away.

[persuadeyou]

[The suspicion is so immediate she can practically taste it. What would a social worker want with her? At least she's using the cover story Natasha read about; that's probably a good sign, isn't it?

The simplest option would be to just refuse to reply. Avoid the woman, since she was foolish enough to make a video post.

But then, she made sure Natasha would see her. It seems like a challenge. And Natasha's never been good at refusing a challenge. So she clicks on her video, a calm smile on her face.]

I'm Nicole Reese. What can I do for you?

[deadliestviper]

[B still doesn't know every rule she's supposed to play by here, and may have made a massive miscalculation in adopting this persona. She's already gotten the idea that she's done something very wrong. But still, it only has to fly for a little while longer. Just a few more minutes, just until they're alone together.

Beatrix smiles, placid as Natasha, and says cheerfully]

Hi, Nicole, I'm pleased to meet you. I just have a few questions about your time here so far, I'll be quick. Is there any chance I could meet with you personally?

[persuadeyou]

[Definitely a trap. Natasha cocks her head to the side, puts on a confused, curious look, and masks her accent so well it's as if she doesn't still have one.]

Sure, of course. Do you have time now? I could come to whatever room you're in if that's easiest, Beth. [She'd be as familiar as the blond.]

[deadliestviper]

[Well, that was easier than she thought. And this job wasn't supposed to be a simple one-shot end, either; Bill'd told her it'd be difficult. She braces herself, smiling reassuringly.]

Absolutely. I'm in the library, if you're nearby, or if it's more convenient I'll come to you.

[yeahscience]

...You're a social worker. [Have every variety of side-eye, B.]

[deadliestviper]

[B arches an eyebrow quizzically. She hasn't been expecting this skeptical response, normally schemes like this work like a charm.] Yes, is there anything wrong with that?

[yeahscience]

First I ever heard of the guy dragging SS down here, that's all. [Oh, and also, you're an inmate.]

[deadliestviper]

There's a first time for everything. [She doesn't know that part, someone ought to explain it.]