026 - Video

[samantha_grey]

[It's late when the feed comes on. Not obscenely late, but late enough that there's a little surprise in it all the same. It's been almost two weeks since the Muspelheim trip, and Samantha's seated in the lab at her shop, working on something that looks like a potion.

When she glances up at the feed, she gives a short, curt nod. Her voice has an audible rasp to it, like she's been sick for a while. It's not full-out laryngitis, but the girl probably won't be shouting again. Dying in Asgard has its costs when you've done it this often.]

Utgard's lovely this time of year. For those of you who just got back from the shopping trip or who were expecting a package, drop by Pinch sometime in the next couple of days. There's a little tariff we need to discuss. [Once again, it's code to the conspirators that they need to meet one more time about this.] And for my delivery girl, stop by this evening if you have the chance.

[She took a sip of tea to sooth her throat and grunted once. The rasp hadn't gone away, but she knew it wouldn't. It was so strange to feel some part of her not working right after coming back. But, then again, that old escape clause didn't work back home anymore did it?]

Blessed belated Yule and midwinters. You won't be hearing the C word from me, so don't expect it, but thank you for those who gave me gifts. Let me know if you liked the mittens. In the meantime, I'm catching my stock back up here at Pinch. Potions stock should be back to full stock in a week or two. Thanks for your help, Merlin. Probably no new product until after that. But, since it feels a little like the world's ending, just a reminder. If you lovebirds are planning on using the end of the world as we know it as an excuse, Pinch has most of what you need in stock...

Especially if you're not the same species. [cough] We stock a few pain relievers, ointments, allergy medicines that sort of thing. You'd be surprised at how different species react oddly. So, if you're getting any funny ideas, be safe out there. [Was that a wry grin on her face?]

Comments

[Video; private]

[5thchild]

Are you alright, Samantha?

[Video; private]

[samantha_grey]

I died in ... Utgard. [She gave him a look that said they both knew it wasn't Utgard, and she wasn't going to stop calling it Utgard on the network.] I've apparently died enough times that not everything's coming back normally.

[Video; private]

[5thchild]

What do you mean?

[Video; private]

[samantha_grey]

My voice box doesn't work as well as it did before. I... probably couldn't shout right now if I tried. If it affected my voice the next time, I might only be able to whisper, maybe a little more.

[She sounds resigned to that fact, unconcerned.]

[necrowmantic]

Hey, react oddly how? Big rashes? Lots of oozing?

[samantha_grey]

Depends a lot on the person. Knew a girl who had a neurotoxin in the oils of her skin. Paralyzed and then it killed with cardiac arrest.

...

Usually it's just a rash.

[She looked at him through the feed for a moment and then just shrugged. It was a harmless enough topic, and at this point it was clear that for all he was a sick fuck, he wasn't personally going around murdering people.

He wasn't harmless, but his dementia was just ... offensive as long as she was under control, and considering some of the people she'd worked with in the last year, she could deal with him.]

[necrowmantic]

Wow, that's awesome! Where can I get some of that?

Rashes are great too, my old magic used to give me a whole bunch. Sometimes I could burn people with the stuff that came out.

[Henry's a little surprised at the actual response, more accustomed to being told off. But he laughs anyway; maybe it was the allure of poisons and rashes that did it. It seemed the most reasonable assumption.]

[Video]

[ofthursday]

[Castiel is usually up late, so he thinks little of timing.]

Using the end of the world as an excuse for what?

[He's asking the important questions here. Though...]

Are you unwell?

[Video]

[samantha_grey]

Sex, my dear angel. It's a pretty common reaction to the world ending. Hell's crashing down around you, so you want to relieve stress.

And... no. I simply died. It's... catching up to me finally.

[Video]

[ofthursday]

Oh.

[His eyes flicker briefly at that, but he then continues in his usual manner.]

That seems a poor excuse for such an activity, particularly as it seems one that doesn't require such justification much of the time anyway.

[And oh, that last comment is a little more serious.]

What do you mean 'catching up to you'?

[Text]

[cyan_maid]

[The rasp is new, that's for sure, and Jane certainly assumes it's an illness. That's why she sends Sam text instead; no need for her to strain her voice.]

Hey, Sam?
Are you okay? You don't sound too well.
Did you catch something?

[Text]

[samantha_grey]

I'm fine, but if you mean my voice, it's going to be like that from here on out I think. It's just a price I pay.

[Text]

[cyan_maid]

I do mean your voice, but...
A price for what exactly?
It won't go back to normal?

video

[livedtwice]

Are you selling love potions? [He just wants to be certain he understood.]

Video

[samantha_grey]

Hah, no. [The rasp came out strongly when she laughed.] I tried to make one a while back. Didn't end well. No, I'm selling things to help after folks decide to get together.

Video

[livedtwice]

... I'm having a hard time imagining what that is.

[His imagination is really quite limited in that arena, though.]

video.

[brainiest]

Do you need any help with the Potions or anything, Samantha?

[ A pause - she really isn't sure she wants to delve into the realms of other species intercourse, at least not if she doesn't have to, considering it's not an area she has any foundation of knowledge in at all. Better to let that one slide for now - especially after her rather giggly reply to poor Harry's concerns. ]

Is the invitation to visit still open? I know things have been a little busy around here and I don't want to take up too much of your time.

Video.

[samantha_grey]

Need? No, but I would actually like the company and the help. It would be ... well, it would be nice.

[She considered for a moment, biting her lip. They'd agreed, hadn't they?] You want to come over? I haven't closed up shop just yet, after all.

video.

[brainiest]

I might not be entirely familiar with how things work here but I am a fast learner. I'd be happy to help.

[ She brightens, nodding her head. ]

I'll be on my way as soon as I've settled Crooks in my room.

video;

[afrozendance]

Your voice, Samantha... Is there anything I can do to help you recover it?

Video

[samantha_grey]

[There's a thin, bitter laugh as Samantha replied.]

Trust me. There's no cure for dying and coming back not entirely in one piece. I'll get used to the rasp. Don't worry.

video;

[afrozendance]

I was not aware of such penalties, I'm afraid... My apologies for simply assuming such things without asking you first.

... But I'm glad that you're back here. I really am.

video; private

[albuquerque]

Unwell, are you?

Video; private

[samantha_grey]

Unwell? No, no. This is the price of dying too often. The body can't be returned perfectly if it happens too often.

video; private

[albuquerque]

Ah. Well, that's astoundingly reassuring to know.

So, I take it that means you quite recently... [What's a polite way of saying 'died'?]