Once again, in the infirmary

[la_belle_rogue]

[Filtered away from Alpha and Victor]

[She's embarrassed and horrified and more sorry than anyone can know. But she puts on the brave face like a good X-man, and ends up just looking tired.]

Ah'm really gettin' tired of wakin' up in here. Tell me this place gives vacation time.

[Private | Charles]

Thank you. [So much relief and gratitude in those two words.]

[Private | Beatrix]

Ah'm more sorry than Ah can say. Ah understand if ya need ta kick mah ass.

[Private | Kara]

Kara.... Ah'm so sorry.

[Private | Arthas]

That was me. But Ah apologize just the same.

[Private | The Emperor]

Ah'm sorry for what Ah did. Ah couldn't control it. Is yer friend all right?

[Private | Ned]

Tell me he's in Zero and ya destroyed that damn thing.

[Private | Erik, a bit later]

Ah hate ta ask, but... feel like playin' hero for me again? Ah don't think Ah can sleep if Ah'm alone right now.

Comments

[routemistress]

I'm not usually glad when I don't bump into you, beautiful. You all right now?

[la_belle_rogue]

Ah didn't kill anyone, so that's a plus. [Translation: No, she's not all right. ]

[routemistress]

...I ever tell you about the rabies epidemic?

[She knows.]

[la_belle_rogue]

Don't think ya ever did, no.

[routemistress]

It were a couple of inmates; Toto were some kind of mad scientist and 'im and 'is warden 'ad some weird power related to blood - well, that don't matter. The point is 'e used it to create a nanovirus that sent anyone it infected stark raving bonkers - aggressive, paranoid, the works.

Any road, it 'ad some unusual effects on us. My people. There were three of us 'ere then: Narvin, Rassilon and me. The rabies got us square in the psychic centres; turned 'em up to eleven with the paranoia and aggression at full throttle. It were strong enough that the three of us manifested a physical embodiment of our dark sides. An actual monster, rampaging the 'allways full of all the unpleasantness we normally keep on a leash in our 'eads.

[la_belle_rogue]

Ah see what you're doin' there, Iris. [Sigh.] Thanks.

[routemistress]

Good. This is part of the redemption cruise too, you know. People who did worse things by choice are watching 'ow we 'andle this. Learning that it's not because we're weak or soft or incapable that we don't act like this all the time. Learning that we can be forgiven, and forgive ourselves and all.