003 VOICE LIST ONE

[deadliestviper]

[This time, there's no image. There's no fucking around with an introduction either, no explanation of the sounds of a fight broadcast over the network a few days ago, just Beatrix's resigned, tired voice.]

Yeah, I know. I have it coming.

[Private to Jesse]

I shouldn't have threatened you. You didn't deserve that.

[Private to "Nicole"]

If you don't ignore this message, please accept my apology for what little it's worth. Had I been myself, we never would have butted heads as we did.

[A sigh of breath, which could be taken as nervousness.] ...Your skill is impressive. I was prepared for a challenge, but you gave me more than I bargained for. For that, and the much-needed dose of humility, I thank you.

Comments

[an_abomination]

Had what coming?

[video?]

[deadliestviper]

Criticism, in the best case. Some form of punishment in the worst.

whoops, yes [video]

[an_abomination]

[Frowns.] Why? Is this because of something that happened during the last flood?

[video]

[deadliestviper]

Yes. Flood or not, I did something stupid and got caught.

[video]

[an_abomination]

You and me both [spent most of the flood locked up]. I get that there needs to be consequences for the both of us but you shouldn't be punished.

[Private]

[persuadeyou]

[She's curious. She can't help it. Because Natasha was impressed, too, when all was said and done.]

Who trained you?

[Private]

[deadliestviper]

Will you answer honestly if I ask the same of you?

[Private]

[persuadeyou]

No.

[Because she feels she owes that much honesty.] But you might get close.

[Private]

[deadliestviper]

I thought not.

[She tilts her head thoughtfully; an incomplete truth for an incomplete truth was a fair trade.] Some of my studying was done in Henan.

[Private]

[persuadeyou]

Russia. Siberia. [Which she knows will lead to KGB, but that's okay. She'd done work for the KGB, but she wasn't KGB.] Among others.

[Private - Text]

[yeahscience]

Happens. You get used to it.

What the hell was all that?

[Private - Text]

[deadliestviper]

Still.

Just something I had to get done. Don't worry about it.

[Private - Text]

[yeahscience]

"Social work"?

[Private - Text]

[deadliestviper]

It would have worked in a regular prison.

[Private - Text]

[yeahscience]

A lot of things would be different if this was a regular prison.

[demigoddess]

At least it's over, right?

[ At least. That's about all actually. ]

FFFFF PRETEND THIS ISN'T LATE

[deadliestviper]

There's some comfort in that.

You know, until the next one.

NO WORRIES! /slow over here

[demigoddess]

I just hope it's a little more mild, like a cute bunny invasion or something.

[deadliestviper]

For those of us with allergies that might be even more terrifying.

[demigoddess]

[ She laughs. ]

Good point. But I still think I'd suffer the allergies.

Look, over there, a backdate bear

[umgekehrt]

Folk don't generally have anything 'coming' from floods. It's not quite as if we're the same person, under the water.

OSHI -- *hides the picnic basket*

[deadliestviper]

Folk might not. Wouldn't be surprised if I do though. Who I am now isn't far removed from who I was then.

[umgekehrt]

I missed this flood, but I know how they can go. Whatever happened - [yes, he heard the audio-play of violence]- you're about as culpable as you'd be if the admiral had spiked your morning coffee.

Still if it bothers you, I'm sorry. I don't like floods myself.

[deadliestviper]

Lucky you, I wouldn't have minded sitting this one out. [If she knew she'd broadcast that she'd be wincing.] Yeah, well, it's still not exactly an insanity defense.

Does the admiral make a habit of spiking drinks?

[umgekehrt]

The admiral's a busy creature. Of whatever variety of creature he is. Doctoring our drinks would be too laborious and individual.

He generally restricts himself to driving us into alternate realities.