029 VIDEO LIST ELEVEN + SPAM

[deadliestviper]

[Infirmary Spam]

[Beatrix didn't exactly dream in a coma; what went through her mind was closer to a collage of images, snapshots of the memories that haunt her. A newborn baby cradled against her breast; a little girl standing by her mother's corpse; a puddle of blood pooling on polished floorboards; the suffocating darkness of a coffin; the thunder and spark of a gunshot.

It wasn't exactly a dream, but it was enough of a nightmare to wake her with a start.

She reached out and touched warm flesh, gripped it before winding back her other hand to throw a punch.]

Where is he?


[When she appears on camera from the gym, Beatrix looks frustrated instead of refreshed. The rest has done her no good, but hasn't necessarily harmed her either. Her arms are crossed over her chest, her tank top already darkened with sweat.]

For those of you who are curious, I'm awake. In addition, I'm available to continue training with the people I've been practicing with.

[And she flashes a brief, small smile. There are a few people who'll seek her out, she knows; this is her welcome to them.]

Comments

[routemistress]

Bea, love, you're back! Ooh, I am glad.

'Ey, we've got the spa more or less up and running. I'm a bit short'anded while Claire's napping, but you should nip up for a massage. Got to leave you stiff, sleeping for a week, eh?

[deadliestviper]

Glad to be back. [It sure as hell beats being comatose, in any case, even if Barge comas aren't much compared to real ones.]

You're dead set on doing me a world of good, aren't you?

[routemistress]

Ooooh, you've seen right through me cunning plan there.

I'm thinking of formulating massage oils for everyone individually from their biodata, if they'll let me. But in the meantime I've got a pretty good feel for what does the most good on where. Ginger and geranium, off the top of me 'ead; maybe lemon too.

[deadliestviper]

So I have. Try getting another one past me.

Fancy! And here I usually just stick to bubble baths.

[routemistress]

'Ow'd you know I 'aven't already, eh?

...I could make personalised bubble bath and all. Actually, that's a good idea. But I do want to get more people popping by the spa. It's dull as a Tuesday evening in Milton Keynes in 'ere right now.

[deadliestviper]

Good point. I can never tell with you.

Well if you put it that way, I'll be up after I finish in the gym.

Spam

[deadly_ned]

[The Piemaker, ever one for talking to people when he was sure the people couldn't talk back, was visiting a coma-induced Riddick at the time of Beatrix's awakening. He stood over his friend's bed, frowning in concentration at the man's lax face, struggling to psychically will him to move.

His back was to Beatrix, and when he felt a hand suddenly reach out and touch his, he leaped back in absolute terror of being touched.

But he didn't leap back quick enough.

With a yell, the Piemaker hit Riddick's bed and dropped down next to it as his nose began to gush blood.]

Wait!

Wait. Wait.

Spam

[deadliestviper]

[It takes Beatrix only a second after the punch to realize that her surroundings don't match her memories, that this is not reliving her past but a particularly potent strain of deja vu. When Ned goes down she throws off her covers and scrambles to help pick him up.]

I'm so sorry! I didn't realize who you were.

Spam

[deadly_ned]

[Trying with futility to mop up his nose, the Piemaker holds out his free, clean hand in an effort to dissuade Beatrix from touching him further]

I think I'd be more worried if you knew who I was and still hit me anyway.

I'm fine. I'm all right. Don't get up. Please. You're in recovery.

Spam

[deadliestviper]

[She almost scoffs about not knowing him but thinks better of it and scoffs about something else instead.] From sleeping. How long was I out?

Spam

[deadly_ned]

I don't actually know. I wasn't here keeping time. I was...here to visit Riddick.


...Can I get you anything?

Spam

[deadliestviper]

No, I'm fine. You're the one who needs a tissue.

Spam

[deadly_ned]

I'll be all right.

Um.

Welcome back to consciousness.

Spam

[deadliestviper]

[Solemnly, she reaches for the box of tissues next to her bed and holds it out to him.]

Thank you.

Spam

[deadly_ned]

[The Piemaker takes the tissue in hand and dabs his nose with a wince]

You, um.

You hit pretty hard for someone who's been in a coma. You'd think there'd be some sort of...muscle atrophy.

Spam

[deadliestviper]

I wasn't asleep that long, was I?

Spam

[deadly_ned]

Long enough. Any coma can feel like a long time.

Spam

[deadliestviper]

It can.

[Almost out of instinct she looks down at her palms. The lines are the same as they were when she fell asleep, no four years frittered away this time. It's nearly a relief.]

Spam

[deadly_ned]

...But this one wasn't long. I would, um. Think of it as getting the flu.

[an_abomination]

Oh, geez. The Admiral also put you in a coma? Sounds like he's been going on a coma inducing spree. I'm glade you're awake! I just woke up the other day.

[deadliestviper]

Hi honey. I knew you were asleep but I didn't realize you were awake. Sorry I wasn't there when you woke up.

[an_abomination]

It's okay, I spent most of the day with Steph. We were figuring a couple of things out. [There's a touch of sadness in his voice.]

[deadliestviper]

Good. I'm glad.

Do you need some company, honey?

[an_abomination]

I'd love some company. [Also thinks she could use some company.] Want me to come to where you are at?

[deadliestviper]

Sure. I'm back where I always am. [It has to be good to get out of his own space, now that he's back there. She isn't sure whether to put away the invitation to his and Steph's wedding, but ultimately leaves it in plain sight on her desk.]

[an_abomination]

[Several minutes alter and there's a knock on the door. Assuming it's open, he pokes his head inside.] Hey, it's me.

[deadliestviper]

[She greets him with arms opened for a big hug – there's no point in denying they both need it.] I missed you.

[an_abomination]

[Throws his arms around her, hugging her tightly.] I'm sorry I was out for so long. I wish there was some kind of way we could break out of the comas and not have to wait for the Admiral to grow bored of it.

[warisart]

[Ben has to visit the infirmary daily anyway, and he uses that time to also check in on the people he has there that he cares about. Beatrix. Aya. He knows Beatrix is awake when he goes to check her bed that morning and she's gone, though there's a breathless moment of panic before he arrives at her door and finds that it has not, yet, vanished.

So he waits, because it's what he knows how to do, and does not try to seek her out. She'll reveal herself, to him or to the public, when she is ready. And sowhen he sees the video he is quick to respond despite himself, flipping on the video function before he can quite get the sudden, relieved smile worked out of his expression, the tail end of it fading to his usual casual neutrality.]

Beatrix. Welcome back.

[deadliestviper]

[Ben is one of the people whom Beatrix wouldn't mind seeking her out, but his patience is in its own way just as thoughtful. That end of a smile makes her light up and she doesn't bother hiding her own in return.]

Good to see you, Ben.

[warisart]

[He likes seeing her smile like that. He likes, even more, being at least part of the reason for it, though he doesn't understand it.

He doesn't need to, he's coming to realize. Each person has their own reasons for the things they feel and think, and to them, that is what matters. He glances down for a moment, shifting his weight, and then back.]

How are you feeling?

[deadliestviper]

[Sometime in the future, it will dawn on Ben why people smile for him when he realizes he smiles for them.]

Stiff.

[warisart]

[He's pleased with the answer, chin lifting slightly.]

You've already found the best cure for that.

[deadliestviper]

Oh, did I? What's that?

[warisart]

[Ben tilts his head, and doesn't smile.]

Training.

[deadliestviper]

It's the best cure for everything.

[warisart]

I'd disagree, but it does resolve quite a number of issues.

[silvestris]

[Selina has been in the infirmary almost constantly, waiting for Riddick to wake up. She actually forgets to worry about him for a second, though, seeing Bea up--and seeing her punch the poor guy watching over her. Selina has enough tact to wait for that to settle down before she speaks up.]

Hey, there.

[deadliestviper]

[Mollified by what just happened with Ned, Beatrix is grateful not just to see Selina but by the distraction she provides.]

Do you make a habit of watching people sleep?

[silvestris]

Only the pretty ones. [The quip is immediate, and natural.]

Did you have a good sleep?

[deadliestviper]

Not really. [She swings her legs over the edge of the bed and gets to her feet, bracing herself before taking a tentative step. At least this time her legs haven't atrophied.

She nods toward Riddick.] How long has he been out?

[silvestris]

Almost a week. So we'll see how long this goes on, hm?

[deadliestviper]

Not much longer, I hope.

[silvestris]

Do you know him?

[deadliestviper]

We've met before. Good cook.