013 TEXT LIST TWO/SPAM

[deadliestviper]

Backdated to three days after the Overlook port.

[Locked to Friends (if she's ever told you anything personal, you're on here)]

That port was fucked up for everyone and it hit all of us hard. After going through that I know most of you aren't feeling up to par yet, but when I get anxious, I get antsy. I've laid low to lick my wounds long enough. For the next few hours I'll be playing pool and pretending everything's normal if you've got the energy or inclination to join me.

[Spam, Level 6]

[Rack the balls in the pyramid, set the cue-ball, chalk the cue evenly, line up the shot, break it; Beatrix repeats the pattern over and over again, sinking balls into the table's pockets before starting anew. It's not for practice or any particular love of the game, it's not even for fun. It's just that playing strikes that perfect balance of skilled focus and monotony that allows her to zone out, and the last thing she wanted to do right now was let her mind wander. It was already hard enough to push the images of Sarah and that thing in room 217's bathroom from the forefront of her mind – what she needed, wanted, was someone to talk to, distract her.

But no matter how deeply you repress it, you can't squelch a thought. So by all means, join her, but take care if you point out that she's humming "Love Me Tender."]

Comments

[deadliestviper]

Huh.

[A variety of professional questions spring to mind – what organs did he puncture? What instrument was used? How long did you survive before bleeding out? – but she has the decency to ask none of them. Instead she gives him another sympathetic look and an apologetic half-smile.] That's... basic. When I hear about heavenly smiting, I imagine something a little more metaphysical.

[theonlyresponse]

[The detective in him would be able to answer those questions with precision, even if it was his own body.

He shrugs.] He says he's an angel. I kept with the theme.

[deadliestviper]

How so? Dying with a prayer on your lips?

[theonlyresponse]

... In a way. [It was more of a promise. I will kill you. He won't follow through on it; he's not sure if he wants to.]

[deadliestviper]

Ah. Curses, the other kind of prayer.

[theonlyresponse]

They're more useful.

[deadliestviper]

More sensible.

[theonlyresponse]

[She gets a thin smile. He watches her take her shot.]

[deadliestviper]

[With a forward stab of the cue, she sends the ball careening into a cluster and scattering them across the table. None of them sink, but it opens up a variety of new shots.]

[theonlyresponse]

[He takes position, aims for an easy one.]

[deadliestviper]

[Dutifully quiet as he shoots, she doesn't speak until he's set the ball in motion.] So why'd he do it?

[theonlyresponse]

[In it goes. He straightens up and looks at her.] The hotel affected him.

[deadliestviper]

That much I figured. But why you? Were you a premeditated target or just a convenient one?

[theonlyresponse]

[Oh-kay he doesn't know Castiel well enough to disprove the 'premeditated' thing, so:] Wrong place, wrong time.

[deadliestviper]

Fair enough. [Because if it's premeditated... B doesn't know Castiel personally, but this is the first time she's heard of him smiting people, and if Bruce deserved it he must've done something astonishing.]

In a similar vein, don't go up against the T-X if you can avoid it.

[theonlyresponse]

Android?

[deadliestviper]

Something like that. She's a Terminator, if you know the term. Has some very impressive offensive capabilities. [Not to mention the strength to crush a throat with one hand.]

[theonlyresponse]

Everything has a weakness.

[deadliestviper]

Yes. But I wouldn't recommend facing her unless you know exactly what that is.

[theonlyresponse]

If we're lucky we'll never have to. [But they will, because luck isn't a thing and they have to be prepared for such scenarios.]

[deadliestviper]

If we're lucky. [And how likely is that. But in the event that the robotic peoples on board rise up against the humans, B will be standing by Sarah Connor.]

by my count they should be nearly done with all the balls

[theonlyresponse]

[He misses his shot, and steps back to let Beatrix take her turn.]

I'm glad you were keeping track because I sure wasn't

[deadliestviper]

[This time she's lazier about it: the first shot sinks easily but the second misses by a wide margin.] Damn, must not be my day.

So indulge me. What are you wondering?

there's now one each of theirs and the 8-ball left

[theonlyresponse]

[He takes up position.] About..?

thank you!

[deadliestviper]

Me. You're thinking something you haven't asked me yet.