(no subject)

[pain_train]

Who: Wrath and anyone!
Broadcast: Fleetwide, video
Action: SS Windrose
When: 7/11 oh shit get her a space slurpee

[Wrath's a lot more cheerful than she was in her first broadcast, just because she now knows what the heck is going on. And really, the situation isn't that bad at all! No zombies! So she just about radiates warmth and a good, can-do attitude. It's almost eerie, really.]

Hi everyone!

Everybody has been working super hard, and this place is weird and doesn't have an actual command structure so I thought someone who isn't weird and creepy and involved in abducting people should say, good job! I'm really excited to be working with all of you now.

[Yes, on Planet Wrath, the job is king.]

Um.

I have to ask for a favor now, though. Sorry, it feels like a total dick move.

[She holds up the sad, flimsy cane that Dr. Crusher was able to find for her.]

I need something a lot sturdier than this so I can keep doing an effective job. If someone could make something for me, I'd really appreciate it. My old cane also had a sword blade in it and the sheathe had a good enough spring that I could like knock people out with it if I aimed right, so it'd be cool to get something with combat usefulness, but not necessary.

Also, I should probably get a pedometer again so something electronic will yell at me when I've been on my feet too long. Sorry, my back is all FUBAR because of that time I got thrown out a window, but I want to do a good job at being security and protecting everyone!

In exchange I can... uh. Well, I've instructed all kinds of basic combat training and I was number one for close combat for a couple decades so I can offer that. I can also draw and paint but that isn't so useful. Oh! And there's money, maybe? But I'd need some help figuring that out because numbers are... I'm not good at numbers.

Thank you, and good job everybody! [Enthusiastic thumbs up. Yes, she is for real.]

[On the Windrose, she's just doing what Wrath do, which is basically living in the armory at this point. Well, and looking out a space a lot, because it's space! And that will never stop being exciting.]

Comments

[stigmaofsuccess]

I think I understand what hurfdurf is now...

[But there's still something on her face. Something he doesn't like.]

I promise. I wouldn't hurt you.

I feel like I should say sorry for this.

[pain_train]

Good. I don't know how else I could explain.

[She hesitates.]

I believe you. You're a good guy, Julian.

Just...

That's what doctors always say.

[stigmaofsuccess]

[He understands. Doctors made him feel that way when he was younger.]

If they did otherwise? They were terrible doctors and you deserved better.

[pain_train]

[If anything, she's feeling more uncomfortable on this topic, because half of her is white-hot angry, and the other is filled with guilt for questioning the authority of Bifrons and the militia doctors in such a way.]

I think they were the best doctors in Proles. They were.

They said.

Um.

They were making us better. I think.

I don't really remember.

[stigmaofsuccess]

[Julian pales slightly. It's a brief reaction, not expecting to hear those words and it's gone a moment later, replaced with just genuine empathy and feeling.

And tiny hints of anger at however said those things.]

Better from being unwell? Or better, better more useful?

[pain_train]

There weren't many of us left. After the Line. 864,000 dead and... and. They needed better soldiers, I guess. We had so much work to do. We live to serve. The Wolves were the best, so we had to lead the charge. You have to finish the mission. Only the mission matters.

[Is this making sense? The more she tries to think about this, the less sense it makes. She can only think around it in circles, not look directly at it.]

And it keeps you from getting sick. You have to keep going. You have to be stronger and faster and--

And then. Then it's. It's... its... everything breaks down, and they have to fix you, because something's wrong with you, you're noncompliant and you've got a gun and--

[Not you. Him. He's got a gun. She shakes her head.]

I don't really remember. It's not really important.

[stigmaofsuccess]

[Julian doesn't interrupt her, just focusing on the way she reacts and the things she says the horrible, obvious damage of reprogramming from people who were good at blunt force psychology and didn't give a damn.

He needs to talk to Beverly. Badly. This is well outside his experience and field.]

It's all right, you don't have to go over it again.

[He doesn't want her setting off anything hidden in her mind. Particularly when he's not there to help if it goes bad.]

[pain_train]

[Little sigh of relief there. She shifts over to a bright smile. ] Okay! I'm glad I answered your question well enough.

[stigmaofsuccess]

You did great, Wrath.

[He's starting to realise how important praise is to her well being.]

And between Beverly and I, we might be able to get your back feeling much better.

[pain_train]

Thanks! I try to do a good job.

I really hope so. That would mean so much. [And she really could do a good job then.]