17- Video

[bodilesswarrior]

[Her hands are clasped in front of her, lips a thin line. She looks more irritated than traumatised.

She can still feel the press of a mask, if she tries.]

Well, that was fun. [Her voice is dry and flat.]

Status, everyone?

[Private to people who went through the door]

What did you see? What do you remember?

[Private to the Emperor]

[A wry smile curves her lips.]

Guess the breach was prophetic.

[Private to Bond]

[It's a different sort of smile, this time, slight and sharp.]

I would have beaten you eventually.

[Not she; it would be easier, to think that way, but not particularly honest.]

Comments

[Private]

[lastrat]

M'sure.

[Sorry, Babs: he's been drunk from the moment things returned to normal.]

[Private]

[bodilesswarrior]

That's not a good coping method. [The words aren't harsh, though.]

[Private]

[lastrat]

Works for me. [He probably would have hung up, if they were.]

private.

[mirabilis]

Do you remember it all? [ It's a curiosity - she wasn't changed, and she hasn't been here long enough to know enough or what to expect. But how like other 'changes' was this? ] Everything from the other side, more than just the last few days? [ During the port where they'd had a 'pet' Helena had remembered it all - her entire life, a life more than just the few days that they'd been off the barge. Did that always happen when people were different? ]

[text]

[routemistress]

didn't die. p. sure i wish i had tho.

Private

[bodilesswarrior]

[Her expression shifts; it's softer, now. Vulnerable.]

Can I come see you?

[Private]

[bodilesswarrior]

I prefer hitting things. Better on your liver.

Re: Private

[routemistress]

don't ask stupid questions, woman.

[That's a yes.]

private.

[bodilesswarrior]

The last few days are clearest, but there's...an echo, I suppose. If I try, I - [know what it feels like to scratch at a coffin lid] can recall certain things.

It fades, usually. [Never entirely, though.] Might work differently, this time.

Private

[bodilesswarrior]

[A slight, fond smile.] No such thing.

[And then she's off.]

[ Private ]

[surfaceshine]

Really bad breath.

[Someone sounds like death warmed over. He's pretty sure he's in the majority this time.]

[strangehistorian]

I seem to be... together again.

[ Private ]

[bodilesswarrior]

Interesting. You sound like crap. [Her expression is stern - you better be taking care of yourself, Winchester.]

[bodilesswarrior]

[A faint, sympathetic smile.] Glad to hear it.

[ Private ]

[surfaceshine]

I'm kidding.

[Just in case she actually tries to put that in there. He doesn't offer anything else to replace it, though.]

It happens. You're charming as ever.

[ Private ]

[bodilesswarrior]

And here I was going to theorise that the Admiral doesn't use breath mints.

[Her lips quirk.] I'm real smooth, I know. Have you been to the infirmary?

[ Private ]

[surfaceshine]

It's just a death toll, Babs. They can't do anything for me.

[ Private ]

[bodilesswarrior]

They could make you more comfortable, if you weren't a proud, stubborn idiot. [Speaking as a proud, stubborn idiot.]

[ Private ]

[surfaceshine]

[Dean laughs, then, a bitter and twisted sound.]

Right.

[spaaaaaam]

[routemistress]

[Iris is in her room, one dog on her feet, one against her side and an icepack on her head. The room is dark and enormous.]

'Ey beautiful - ow!

[That was for Elvis, who launched himself off the bed to greet Babs and dug both his hind paws into Iris' belly as he did so. Solace is only a shade more diffident and every bit as delighted to see Babs.]

Bloody fleabags. I put in a request for a room for 'em for when I want 'em out of the way. They are nice and cuddly though. Bless 'em.

[Private]

[lastrat]

Harder on your hands.

[Private]

[bodilesswarrior]

Hands heal. [She lifts hers up, smirking slightly at little scars crossing rough skin.] Well, mostly.

[Private]

[lastrat]

[He lifts his own hand; there aren't many little scars, but a few larger, older ones, and many, many calluses.]

Mostly.

private.

[mirabilis]

The last memories I was given- it was similar then. [ The memories of the last breach, the one of England. It had been the first time that it had happened to her, but she still remembered it - slightly ] I remember having them, having a feeling as to what they were, of what my life was, although the detail is gone. [ Would it still be gone if she tried to think on it? Helena never did - not wanting to remember how she had felt ]

[spaaaaaam]

[bodilesswarrior]

[It shouldn't be so easy to smile, but she's grinning as she bends down to pet the boys.]

You need to be more considerate. [It's a light, loving murmur as Elvis licks her nose.]