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

[synthedick]

[Nick's expression is impassive as he listens, his tone as neutral as his face. Henry is more of a soldier than an interrogator -- given what happened to him and Maketh, he knew well enough he couldn't be impartial when questioning Kate. And as for Maketh herself, she'd fought to hold her temper with Miss Galloway, letting Kate's evasive, noncommittal answers get under her skin. That's one reason Nick has taken it upon himself to find out more, and in a less formal setting.

That, and he was pretty sure they weren't going to get Bianca to come into the station. The bar will have to do.]

We're still working on a resolution involving the other two, but as their ringleader in all this, I was hoping you might take it upon yourself to find some other way to make up for what happened. It's not so much a punishment as it is trying to make things right for those who suffered as a result of what you three did.

[wormintheglass]

[She inclines her head, deliberately gracious.]

That's only fair - in fact, it's positively generous of you. I'd be happy to make the effort. What do you feel would be most appreciated by way of restitution?

[synthedick]

I'm not sure just yet. Miss Galloway does work down at the clinic and is going to work with us in making sure nothing like this ever happens again. I believe Maketh is supposed to speak to Miss Da Silva.

[He spreads his hands, palms up in a gesture of trust.]

I know the Guard doesn't have any real power over you folks. We don't particularly want it, either. We're just trying to keep everyone safe, and if people start thinking they can do whatever they want without any kind of remorse or consequence, well... that just makes things harder on all of us.

[wormintheglass]

I couldn't agree more. I shall certainly cooperate in any way I can; perhaps I'll consult Maketh about it myself.

[Bianca's expression hardens.]

Which reminds me; is any action being taken regarding the man who took it on himself to murder Sharon?

[synthedick]

[Nick's own expression hardens just a hair. He's still just more than a little bitter at the fact a teenager got murdered, and he didn't get there in time to stop it.]

We're still working on finding him. The process has been slower than I'd prefer, and given the kid's attitude on the network, I'm doubting he'll be turning himself in anytime soon.

[wormintheglass]

How pointless of him. Not to mention rude. What does he think will happen, a firing squad?

[She laughs, short and wry, and inclines her head.]

If I ever murder anyone, I promise I shall turn myself in immediately.

[synthedick]

Let's hope it never comes to that.

[Oh ye of little faith, Nick.]