Je me fous du passé

[wormintheglass]

[The feed opens with Bianca. She stands in Delight's bar, the lighting rearranged to get as close as she can to the appearance of being on stage, and she glares into the camera and takes a large swig of the glass in her hand before she makes any sound.

Then she sings. Inside the bar, her voice is strong enough to rattle glasses.

People listening to the feed on the network may hear the familiar Lancastrian accent of Kate, grumbling almost inaudible complaints. Most of them seem to be along the lines of why did I agree to this and why did I give up booze.

The song ends and Bianca casts a grateful look at Kate before launching into speech.]

I have lived a long time, my friends. I am sorry for many things. I've been unforgivably careless of people's hearts and hopes. I've allied myself with the most treacherous of worms - I have trusted too much, cared too much, and -

[She stops.]

Or not cared enough. I have broken people for my own gain. I have sold myself to a power I knew to be malevolent, to buy my own life. I have tormented those I believed I loved, and abandoned those I know I did. Kate -

[She gazes, stricken, past the camera.]

I pulled you into this scheme. You almost died. Sharon and Maketh did die. I'm sorry, so sorry, for that.

[And then she lifts her chin, defiant.]

But I'm not sorry we made the attempt. I'm not sorry for taking a risk on the chance of buying all our freedom. Are you watching, Hope? Did you feel it, just when it started? The only real hope I've felt since coming here? I hoped so hard to end you.

I'm only sorry we failed.

[There's a brief resigned sigh from behind the camera as the feed goes out.]

Comments

[wormintheglass]

Since we're apparently conducting this argument by nursery rules, I'll just point out that you "defamed" my "character" first.

[With actual air quotes.]

[torrefied]

No, what I did was express an opinion - one for which I am more than willing to offer supporting evidence as backup, by the way, rather than play an extended game of verbal gymnastics.

[You can't bullshit a bullshitter.]

[wormintheglass]

But I'm not interested in your opinion or your evidence. I'm in a bar, not a court of law.

Are you sure? I feel you need the practise.

[torrefied]

Then you're basically admitting that you're entirely unreasonable? Noted. And as such, I'm not particularly interested in continuing this sham of what passes for a discussion. Waging a battle of wits with an unarmed person is incredibly unsatisfying.

[wormintheglass]

Interpret it however you find most convenient, dear boy - that's what you do with everything in any case.

[torrefied]

[Mello makes an exaggerated, audible yawn and hangs up.]

[wormintheglass]

[Bianca makes an exaggerated obscene gesture at the camera for him.]