Video

[fuckton]

[Deb is standing in front of her mirror, and there's writing on it, it's black and thick and from the way she's staring at it, it's pretty clear she didn't put it there.

The words: "The stars have all gone away" are there in thick black writing, and from the streaks on the mirror, it's clear Deb has tried to wipe them away.

More than once.]

This is so not fucking funny. I fucking mean it. I don't get this whole mirror shit, and I don't like it, and someone please explain what the fuck this shit means.

[A beat, and there's a quieter, more personal sort of anger there, the one that comes with Deb being scared.]

And how to make it fucking stop!

Comments

[routemistress]

'Ey Deb. I know, it's a bit much if you weren't 'ere for the previous instalments.

D'you want to come stay at mine for the duration?

[fuckton]

Explain the previous installment shit?

[routemistress]

We've 'ad run-ins with the mirror barge before. It's got its hooks into some of us - there were a door on deck, the last two times.

They were 'oping it might be a way to break free. It's not. It's only caught us tighter.

Chin up, my darling. This is going to get bad, but it'll still only last three days.

[Oh Iris, you are so wrong.]

We'll get through it. Meantime, if you want to not be alone you're welcome 'ere, sweetheart.

[fuckton]

What kind of shit is on the other side of the door?

[There is an unspoken 'for me' there.]

[routemistress]

Nothing good, lovey. The ones that went through didn't remember, after - but they're the ones getting sick, now. Bruce is in a coma, the Emperor and Horatio barely know what day it is.

I'm still doing tests. But I think it's safe to say it's a bad idea.

[fuckton]

What do you mean they're getting them?

[strangehistorian]

I think they are talking about the stars on deck.

[fuckton]

So why the fuck are ghosts telling me about that shit?

[strangehistorian]

It's a message from someone on the mirror Barge, as far as we have been able to determine! Morgana saw them the last time we were about to encounter it.

[fuckton]

Mirror barge. Well, that doesn't sound like a fucked up episode of Star Treks or anything.

[The 's' is because Deb is not a nerd.]

[strangehistorian]

I wouldn't know, I'm sorry. But it is a very real phenomenon, unfortunately.

[fuckton]

So what kind of shit can I expect?

[strangehistorian]

Well, either you will find yourself stranded on the other Barge or your counterpart will temporarily take over for you.

[fuckton]

Counterpart? What the fuck kind of counterpart?

[strangehistorian]

Each of us has a direct mirror-self on the other ship that shares many characteristics with us. A bit like one of the people you may become during a flood.

[fuckton]

[And she just breaths softly through her lips and murmurs:]

Fuck!

[strangehistorian]

Yes.

Many of the counterparts are violent. Finding yourself stranded there is dangerous, even if you are not merged with your other self.

[fuckton]

Oh goody. Something else to look forward too.

[strangehistorian]

I am sorry.

[fuckton]

Not your fault unless you can get me the fuck out of here which I know you can't.

[strangehistorian]

No, I can't. Sometimes I wish he would just park the ship on a planet, though.

[fuckton]

Why the fuck doesn't he?

[strangehistorian]

I don't know.