014 ♐ Video ♐ You're just a bunch of noise; that ain't nothing new

[codename_duchess]

Why're you guys all so freaked about this?

Seriously. This was MirrorBarge. As in mirror of the Barge. It's just us but worse, idiots. We know the MirrorBarge, we've been there, and except for some of you getting insomnia nothing bad carried over. It's like a fucking flood, you guys.

We got through it. We'll do it again. Especially if we can rack up some flamethrowers or something to make it more even.

Comments

[codename_duchess]

...But it is trivial. [Totally serious. Archer does not see crises, major injury, or horrible death as problems.]

No. I got Nathan through the door.

[routemistress]

I'm glad it was for you. You weren't affected, were you? You were still you.

[codename_duchess]

And you weren't. In which case there's not a lot of point in preparing anything, is there? 'cause you won't have done it? It's just like a flood.

[routemistress]

It's not me I'm working on preparing, Archer, it's every bugger she might touch.

[codename_duchess]

Really?

I mean, no offense, but I don't even know who she was.

[routemistress]

Ask anyone with memories of the mirror. And Archer? You armed?

[codename_duchess]

Um, I remember the Mirror. And no, Rogue won't let me have a gun.

[routemistress]

I mean the memories their flood-selves 'ad. Of their whole time on that other boat. Not three days' visit.

Maybe she'll change 'er mind for this jaunt. It's a bit of a special occasion, after all.

[codename_duchess]

Dude, it's not. We already did this. This is going to do exactly as much permanent damage as a regular flood.

[routemistress]

...Let me try and explain this, Archer love. When we 'it the other Barge last time, I turned into someone else. I turned into someone whose soul was eroded with fear like it were a disease. Someone who did vile things to people she loved and felt all right about it 'cause nowt mattered to 'er but 'erself and 'er own feelings. I'm not that person. I've spent my whole life fighting everything in me that wants to be 'er, right?

And now I remember being that person. Remember a lifetime doing things that make me want to puke, poisoning everyone she touched. I'm carrying 'er round in me 'ead like a bloody tapeworm. All the time. D'you really think it's not permanent damage if it doesn't show on your skin? Really?

[codename_duchess]

Well, yeah. You're not her, you just think about her.

[routemistress]

No. No. I think about all sorts of things but that doesn't make me them. This is remembering being 'er. It feels like me soul's veined through with rot like them Italian cheeses with worms in. It's disgusting.

Look. I'm glad it's been duck's back for you, sweetheart, I really am. The more folk we can bring out of this unscarred the 'appier I'll be. But you've met me. Am I normally frightened of owt?

I'm frightened of this.