007 VIDEO LIST 3

[deadliestviper]

[Private – to Steve Rogers]
Sorry to bother you, but my warden can't exactly help me with this. You're the one I talk to about using the gym, right?

[Private – to Kon]
Have you got a minute? I wanted to ask you something.

[And afterward; Public]
Hey Barge, Beth here.

There's been a little interest in it lately, so I thought I'd offer. For the last month or so Kon and I have been training together – it's a mix of meditation and basic martial arts. It's strictly beginner stuff, since I don't know enough to teach anything too advanced, but if anyone's interested we usually meet in the gym before breakfast. If there's a lot of interest and that doesn't work for people, we can talk about changing the meeting time. Warden or inmate, experienced or not, you're welcome to stop on by.

Comments

Private.

[deadliestviper]

[It's very cute, and she smiles until he asks the question.] Nah, not – not me. [She almost said "not anymore."]

Private.

[an_abomination]

Did our imaginary time together mean nothing to you? [He teased her, thinking back to their history from the last flood.]

Private.

[deadliestviper]

[She giggles, something she hasn't done in a long time.] It'll always have a special place in my heart.

Private.

[an_abomination]

[Follows up her giggle with a chuckle.] Phew! My ego just avoided a crushing blow.

Private.

[deadliestviper]

I'd never do that to you.

Private.

[an_abomination]

You know, you should give the whole relationship thing a try sometime. I think it'd suit you. [Her hesitation in her initial response makes him wonder if it's one of those complicated things, like with Steph and Tim.]

Private.

[deadliestviper]

I might someday. Once I got engaged, but it didn't quite work out. [That sounds casual enough, right? Engagements break off all the time.]

Private.

[an_abomination]

[B, you are talking to the same guy who didn't think it would be awkward to ask his girlfriend how you know when you love someone. He doesn't know anyone personally who has gotten engaged before or at least they haven't talked about it to him.]

I'm sorry to hear that, what happened?

Private.

[deadliestviper]

Oh... he died. [She glances down and shrugs.] I don't really like to talk about it. Needless to say, it kind of put me off relationships for a while.

Private.

[an_abomination]

Oh, that's understandable. Most people would probably feel the same way.

Private.

[deadliestviper]

I'd rather that didn't get widely discussed, by the way. The last thing I want is anyone's pity.

Private.

[an_abomination]

I won't say a word about it to anyone. What about sympathy? They are not one in the same.

Private.

[deadliestviper]

Acceptable, but in my experience uncomfortably close to pity.

Private.

[an_abomination]

I've noticed a lot of people here don't like to talk about things that are bothering them. Maybe that's part of the reason.

Private.

[deadliestviper]

That, and they probably don't want to relive the details. I know I sure don't.

Private.

[an_abomination]

I get that but I feel like Wardens should do whatever it is they need to do to work past it. I was talking to a Warden the other day who said he was able to save an entire world because he graduated one Inmate.

Think of the countless lives and the war and the destruction that people could change back in their world if they graduated someone here. That's amazing. [Kon, your Kryptonian sidei s showing.]

Private.

[deadliestviper]

That's incredible, and more power to anyone who's trying for that. But meanwhile, I've still got my doubts how well this system works.

Private.

[an_abomination]

The system's messed up but I've had enough people tell me that it works to put some faith in it. Claire graduated several Inmates and she got to return home to see her dad again.

I want to graduate and come back as a Warden.

Private.

[deadliestviper]

It might work for some people, but I've got my doubts that it will for everyone. There are people who just can't be redeemed, I think.

That's very altruistic of you.

Private.

[an_abomination]

Heh, that's another one of those "opposing forces" I have going on in me. Logically, I agree with you and wonder how someone like Harvest could ever be redeemed. But there's this part of me that's fighting against that belief. I blame it on the guy I was cloned after.

Think so? I've seen the difference between what I'm like here and what I'm like back home. It only seems right to give back.

Private.

[deadliestviper]

Who were you cloned after? I don't think we ever touched on that.

Then I hope you're able to graduate soon. I think you'd make a good warden.

Private.

[an_abomination]

My Kryptonian genes come from Superman, I was designed to look like him and the S shield on my containment suit is modeled after the symbol he wears. When people see it in my world, they're either inspired by it or afraid of it.

I used to not get why people were so afraid of him but after having my arms nearly shattered, I get it. A big, powerful, alien from another world would be pretty scary to most humans. I spoke with a Superman from another world during the transmission breach and he seemed like a real do gooder. The type to never give up on someone no matter what.

Me too, and thank you. Though I don't think I'll be able to graduate until I learn more about the other side of my genetics.

Private.

[deadliestviper]

I should have guessed, considering the codename and all. Admittedly, if Superman showed up in my world I'd be pretty nervous too – there are people who can do some damage where I come from but no one on your or his level.

[B looks amused.] It seems like you two have that in common.

Private.

[an_abomination]

I think that's one of the major differences between myself here and back in my world. People judge me all the time back there so I've taken on a similar attitude. I want to help but I'm also of the mindset that there are consequences to your actions and if people mess up, it's on them.

Here, people have been surprisingly understanding and encouraging. I've told people about the mistakes I've made and they look past me. Sometimes I wonder if it's my world. Someone was surprised when I said people are afraid of Superman in my world, sounds like he's revered elsewhere.

Private.

[deadliestviper]

Sometimes I wish I could visit you on your world, see exactly where it is you come from and what it's like there. But after hearing your stories, I'm a little glad I haven't been. [Canting her head, she nods.] You're right, everyone's got to pay for their own mistakes.

It might just be. There's no point pretending my world is a default normality but where I'm from, Superman is just a story but very well beloved.