*002* Audio

[sirius_sit_down]

[His voice is a bit...odd. It's overly cheerful, quite obviously fake.]

[Filtered to Inmates]

Do you think everything about the Barge is a test? Every last moment? Do you think it purposefully puts the most horrid, rancid, despicable things on board just to screw with you?

[Private to Severus]

Hello, Snivellus. Why is your evil arse skulking about, allowed to draw breath, when so many good people are dead?

Wichita said I would be tested. Better you than the rat. But stay away from me. I don't need one of Voldemort's minions to remind me of what he did to James and Lily and what he tried to do to Harry.

How do you live with yourself?

[Private to Wichita]

You knew Snivellus was on board and you didn't tell me. Thanks. I could have ran right into his ugly face in a corridor and then what?

[Private to Merlin]

I hear you're a wizard. Why didn't you tell me?

Comments

Re: [Private] OH HE WAS WANDED

[sirius-is-a-dog.livejournal.com]

But you knew of him and you had to have known we were from the same bloody place, yes? Worth a small mention?

Why do you think I'm still in my room? I told him to stay away from me. But if this Barge business is bollocks, if you were lying to me about everything, then all bets are off.

[Private] SEXY WANDINGS. I bought a ring for my fiancee and we're celebrating. Sorry so slow!

[wichita-kansas.livejournal.com]

I guess. I knew you'd find out soon enough, and I was hoping I would be finished researching [READING SEVEN BOOKS] before the two of you managed to meet so I'd know what to say to you.

I'm still not done with the research bit. I don't have answers yet, Sirius, but if you give me a little more time, I think we can work this out. I'm not lying. I haven't done shit to betray what tiny amount of trust you've given me.

Is he staying away from you?

Re: [Private] Awww, congratulations!!!

[sirius-is-a-dog.livejournal.com]

Researching what exactly? Why not just ask me? How big is my bloody file anyway?

I'm not a very patient person. That should be on page 1 paragraph 1 line 1 of the file. But apparently there are no quick answers or quick fixes here. I'm trying. But I don't know what to believe when what I want to believe sounds too bloody good to be true. I'm trying.

He's leaving me alone. He won't be able to come anywhere near my room, him or his little minion.

[ Private] Thanks! I AM SO POOR NOW.

[wichita-kansas.livejournal.com]

Researching your world. I'm not going to take responsibility for someone else's redemption if I don't know the first thing about them. I intend to know all of it, Sirius. Past, present, and future. I've made it through past and present, but the future portion is... complicated.

I know it sounds too good to be true. If my friend hadn't had his kid brought back from the dead, I wouldn't believe it either. I hope you get the same confirmation someday. Until then, you're going to have to pick a stance and stick to it until evidence provides otherwise. I implore you to stick with me on this.

Minion?

Re: [ Private]

[sirius-is-a-dog.livejournal.com]

What is complicated about my future? I'm rotting in Azkaban. No, I'm dead. I shouldn't have a future. I did die in Azkaban, didn't I? Or am I still there? Am I still there while I'm here? Bloody hell, that's horrifying.

He really had his kid brought back from the dead? Was he a warden then? I've been seeing mentions of wardens and deals. But us inmates are screwed, I think. We're here for you wardens to get your deals.

Mozenrath.

[ Private]

[wichita-kansas.livejournal.com]

I'm still working on it, Sirius. I don't want to instigate this conversation until I have all of my facts straight. You don't die in Azkaban. You're not still there while you're here -- I assume time's stopped in your version of your world, but it can be different for everyone.

His name is Tallahassee. If you look hard or employ someone to hack for you, you can find his old transmissions from the Barge.

I don't see you as a means to an end, and when the time comes for you to graduate your own inmate, I'll be there for you every step of the way.

[ Private - Video]

[sirius-is-a-dog.livejournal.com]

[Sirius has finally cleaned himself up now that he has his wand. His face is nothing but intense as he stares into the screen.]

I don't die in Azkaban. How is that possible? [A flicker of...but he doesn't dare...] Am...am I cleared? Do they finally realise it wasn't me?

[The implications of that are written all over his face, despite the fact that he's tried not to go there. He swallows and looks away for a few moments.] I don't die in Azkaban. If I'm cleared...that means I could go back...and live my life...maybe Remus would...maybe he wouldn't hate me... [Chews on his lip.] But James would still be dead.

[He looks more determined now, shaking off the moment.] Doesn't matter if I'm cleared. I'm here for James. But I still want to know how I manage not to die in Azkaban when I was sent there for life, without a trial.

[ Private - Video] This is a few hours later, right before the port.

[wichita-kansas.livejournal.com]

No, Sirius. You aren't released.

[Wichita breaks eye contact with him, eyes flitting about here an there. He needed to know something. Any small detail might appease, if for a little longer. She hoped it wouldn't have the opposite effect.]

You escaped. I-- I just need two more days. Two more days and I'll have all of your answers. [She sounds and looks tired, lounging in an man's button-up which fits her loosely. The Prisoner of Azkaban is sitting on her lap, out of view.]

The port should be a good distraction. The days'll pass quickly and I'll have everything in place, I hope. I'll arrange for someone to take you off-Barge so I can finish... this. You can discover something new, exciting, if only for a distraction. Bring your wand, but do not use it unless it's a case of self-defense. You can't escape; when we leave port, you'll just end up back on the Barge, so just [BIG SIGH, INTAKE OF BREATH FOLLOWS.] behave yourself.

Re: [ Private - Video] This is a few hours later, right before the port.

[sirius-is-a-dog.livejournal.com]

I...escape? [He blinks several times. It's obvious he's completely stunned.] But you've never...you don't know what it's like. I never could have pulled that off, never.

[He looks a bit dazed, scared, confused, annoyed, a whole cornucopia of Sirius Black branded emotions.] How do you know all of this? Can you tell me that? And if you can't right now... [He's trying so hard to be patient.]can you tell me eventually?

[He just nods at the port business, dimly recalling seeing someone mentioning it in a post.] Fine, whatever. I will only use my wand in self-defense. But Wichita... [He leans forward slightly, gaze directly into the screen.] I will use it.

[ Private - Video]

[wichita-kansas.livejournal.com]

[Her smile is tired and reluctant. Because she's worked so hard these past few days to give Sirius a proper wardening, there may even be a hint of melancholy. If only because of these books and their impact on her level of empathy for him. She's also too tired to pretend otherwise.]

Eventually? After the port, Sirius. Maybe a few days after. Even so, I shouldn't leave you waiting for more than a week. I promise that my source is reliable.

[She sighs a great, big sigh.]

Please don't provoke the use of your wand. I understand that it must feel beautiful to have that kind of freedom, but I swear, Sirius, I don't have a high tolerance for bullshit, and neither do the other wardens. When they call for confiscation of weapons, the weapons are taken, and they never seem to forget that once -- no matter the reason -- you were dangerous. Keep that in mind, especially if you plan on being here for some time, whether it's as a warden or an inmate.

Re: [ Private - Video]

[sirius-is-a-dog.livejournal.com]

I already said I'll only use it in self-defense. Do you think I'm going to go around screaming, 'Attack me, please!' just so I can whip it out? I'm not that hard up for a fight. I told you, I'm trying. Believe me or don't, I don't care.

[He shuts off the transmission.]