27 ❦ Video

[chlorophylliac]

[Ivy appears in the video feed surrounded by plants. It’s all a little more sparse than it looks like it could be; this is because the Admiral kindly confiscated anything that could be considered dangerous. Thanks for that, guy. She looks like she’s been in a fight recently but her deep green skin doesn’t really show much bruising.]

...This again.

[She touches her fingers lightly to the bridge of her nose. The frustration is washed out of her voice; she just sounds tired. She’s struggling to reconcile her time on the Barge with two days spent at home that as good as eliminated those memories; it’s wearisome.]

I left in August, it appears I’ve returned in February, so the question now is whether my absence can be measured in months or years. I’m dying to know.

[You wouldn’t be able to tell.]

For those of you who recognize me, I’m pleased to say that my memory is intact. [Largely. Not as much as she’d like.] For those who don’t, my name is Poison Ivy. I have previously been an Inmate here for almost two years, so rolling out the welcome wagon isn’t necessary. I would like to know whether the greenhouse has finally fallen into Warden management, and if so, whose.

[Friends Filter]

['Friends' is too strong a word in most cases but those remaining on this filter are: Morgana, Zane, Iris, Arthas and Barbara.]

If you can see this message I would appreciate a response. Thank you.

Comments

[chlorophylliac]

No.

[She read her previous file; there were no revelations there. And now it feels terribly irrelevant to her anyway.]

[tucky]

[She falls silent, and considers hanging up to go think-- but in the end she just changes the subject, albeit in a much more subdued tone.]

... Your name's really Poison Ivy?

[chlorophylliac]

Really. And yours is?

[tucky]

Tiffany.

Were you named after the plant?

[chlorophylliac]

Yes.

[...kinda? At least this is an improvement on being fourthwalled immediately, points for you Tiffany.]

[tucky]

Why? 'Cause, uh... it ain't a very nice plant. I know from experience.

[chlorophylliac]

[Ivy's smile is one of genuine amusement.]

That is why.

[tucky]

Oh.

Well, I ain't that nice either, so think twice before you step up to me.

[chlorophylliac]

[Ivy stares completely blankly at the screen for a moment.

Then bursts out laughing.]

[tucky]

[She's unsure of this is a laughing with her or a laughing at her situation]

What?

[chlorophylliac]

[She's somewhat calmer when she returns to the feed.]

Nothing, nothing. I'll try to be careful around you.

[tucky]

What's the matter, you think I can't be threatening?

I can protect myself. I can do all sorts of things if I need to.

[chlorophylliac]

[How have you been here for a matter of months and not had this attitude kicked out of you yet, Tiffany? Iris is right, the demographics here really have changed.]

I think that you're lucky enough to be on the Barge at a time when nobody thinks you're worth the effort of 'stepping up to' so you'll give them an excuse to beat you to death.

[tucky]

Why the hell do you think I couldn't beat someone to death if I wanted to? You're assuming a hell of a lot, is all I'm saying.

[chlorophylliac]

I'm not assuming that.

[But 'someone' is overly generic.]

Are you human?

[tucky]

You're assuming I'd get my ass kicked, so yeah, you are.

Why's it matter what I am?

[chlorophylliac]

Because if you are human, then there'll be twenty people on board who could break you in two without breaking a sweat.

I'm not assuming that you'd get your ass kicked by anyone you picked a fight with. I'm pointing out that picking fights indiscriminately will get your ass kicked comprehensively. And some people will take the simple fact of you warning them off as provocation.

[tucky]

Inmates don't got powers.

And I'm not picking fights, either. A warning ain't provocation at all.

[chlorophylliac]

[Very slowly:] A warning ain't provocation at all to you.

And those inmates who had superhuman abilities, retain them at a reduced level.

[tucky]

If someone else thinks it's a provocation that's their own damn fault. They can go to Zero.

[chlorophylliac]

Where it's a week maximum for them, while it's a week for you Death Tolling.

[tucky]

They could probably just be sent right back in after a week's up.

Look, I ain't going after anyone. But I'm not gonna be fucking scared of the whole Barge.

[chlorophylliac]

[This has nothing to do with fear, she wants to say. It's about simple common sense, and an understanding of how people start to think and feel when they've been here a little too long.

But some animals can't be trained with words, they can just be bitten until they know what has the sharpest teeth. Ivy's too tired to keep talking.]

Enjoy your stay, Tiffany.

[tucky]

I already am, thanks. The Barge is a good place.

[chlorophylliac]

[Ivy just scoffs and cuts the feed. YOU'LL LEARN, NEWBIE.]