2.14 - Voice

[breakingmyheart]

[Posted about two hours after Megamind's post.]

[Seconds before transmission, almost everything is reset. The lost areas and items reappear, the above-decks areas are restored in their entirety, and the 'space' and sunlight around the ship come back. Zero is returned to normal and anyone teleported down there is automatically released. Anyone who has had their powers or weapons temporarily removed will get them back. Auto-demoted Wardens regain their previous status and everything associated with it.

The loose panels are still around. For some reason, it's raining lightly on deck. A few random bits of furniture in the common rooms have changed colour.

The voice of the 'Admiral' comes from Toshiko's network signature, quiet and tired.]

I don't stand by everything I said, but I don't hold myself above any of it. Anyone who wants to call me a hypocrite, a coward, a sadist, a weakling…

[The feed shifts. Tosh's voice. Hi, Barge.]

I know. I just - I know.

I need…time. To end this without doing any more damage. Tomorrow I'm going to come out. I'm not - I'm not going to fight. I'm not going to defend myself in any way.

[There is a background interjection from Megamind: But I will!

Tosh is quiet for a moment, probably pulling a face at him.]

...Whatever's decided, I'll....go along with it.

Comments

[routemistress]

[Iris is tightlipped and furious, speaking in a clipped and careful voice.]

As long as you're detaching from the barge, as long as you're putting right what you messed up, I'll be one of them standing between you and anyone trying to 'urt you.

Not because I agree with anything you said, not because I'd be sorry to see you 'urt; right now I honestly wouldn't. It's still me job to prevent 'arm on this boat, though.

[breakingmyheart]

Thank you.

[For being reasonable more than for agreeing to defend her.]

[routemistress]

Don't thank me. Right now I'm actually sorry you can disengage without 'aving to be killed.


Later on, when everything's calmed down a bit, you and me are going to 'ave a long talk about what the bloody 'ell you thought you were playing at, and 'ow you're going to make things right with everyone you've 'urt and tortured. I'll try an' wait till I can stop meself decking you.

[breakingmyheart]

[The same frustration that led her down this path in the first place bubbles up, and she thinks: am I meant to feel grateful for that? She'd much rather get decked or killed or tortured by everyone on the Barge who feels like it than be forever surrounded by people who expect her to feel indebted to them for gritting their teeth and pulling their punches.

Does she think anyone will benefit from her having a one-on-one with someone who regrets the fact that she didn't need to be killed? With someone who is bringing nothing to the table but the possibility of restraining her open hostility?

No, not really. But she's in no position to argue, so while she doesn't respond she doesn't object either.]