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]

[Don't need to get it right away is clearly code for let's keep hugging; at least, that's what Bianca wants it to mean so that's what she goes with.]

I keep forgetting this place isn't mine. I was about to say I'll get a waitress to bring it, but there aren't any here.

Rey, that time in your dream - did I just imagine you increasing your body heat? Or was that real?

[circumitus]

[Let's go with that, sure. At least Rey isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

[She opens her mouth to say something, until Bianca's question comes out, and then she falls quiet again for a few seconds.]

No, that was real. Don't really get cold.

[Cheers for being a living furnace.]

[wormintheglass]

But how wonderful. Does it work in water? Of course it must.

[She lifts her face up to look, smiling, into Rey's eyes.]

I voted for Love, as I will every chance I get. Because of all these misbegotten godlings, that's one I can properly feel some affinity for. And once again I was outvoted.

[The way she says it sounds as though Bianca takes it as a personal slight.]

But we can at least improvise hot springs. If you wouldn't mind getting wet in a good cause.

[circumitus]

[Does it work in water? What an odd thing to say--

[Rey stares down at Bianca for a moment, deciding to neglect the fact that she, personally, would rather choke on a bullet than to ever vote for a god of love. Love is scary. People do terrible things in the name of love.

[But she bites her tongue and focuses on the more pressing issue.]

Um, sure. It shouldn't be too hard.

Though... admittedly, have never considered applying it to something like that before. [The corner of her lip twitches. She is unsure.]

[wormintheglass]

Of course you haven't. Everyone I've ever met with unusual abilities has generally been compelled to use them in combat.

[She gives Rey an affectionate squeeze. She is not asking for details of Rey's history and wants Rey to be sure and notice.]

I think a sauna and hot tub would be much more constructive. Do you think we can find a suitable tub? Perhaps we could keep it in the orchard?

[circumitus]

[Her mouth twists despite that reassuring squeeze, though she can't get offended or anything. For the most part, she's applied her abilities for combat purposes. She has, however, found some alternative use for them.]

You mean you want to put a tub in the orchard...?

[That's a weird location.]

[wormintheglass]

Yes. With the trees there you can almost pretend you're under the stars. It'll be much nicer than indoors.

[circumitus]

[Makes sense.]

Mm. Suppose with some wood and other equipment here, it shouldn't be too difficult to build something...

[She did help construct the dam, after all.]

[wormintheglass]

[Bianca laughs in open delight.]

Why I am I not surprised you can build things? I'd thought of asking Delight, but I admit it pleases me to think of building with our own hands.

[circumitus]

[Nothing beats good old fashioned self-sufficiency.]

Shouldn't be too hard.

[Her mouth then twists, forming an uncertain expression.]

If we make this thing, will you still keep voting for Love? [Rey knows that it's only a matter of time before Love is also resurrected, but she'd like to delay the inevitable for as long as possible.]

[wormintheglass]

[She rests her head on Rey's chest and doesn't answer for several long moments.]

Love is the only thing that keeps me breathing, Rey, my sweet.

Though I admit that this city's idea of Love may be very unlike the ideals my hearts crave.

[circumitus]

[However long Bianca intends to hang onto Rey, she isn't sure, but she isn't about to pull away now. Her jaw tenses at Bianca's eventual words, though.]

Don't see the need to rush this one in for that reason. People tend to do all sorts of fucked up things for love.

[She has other reasons, too. That is just a major one, though.]