chiseler | This ain't about all the friends you made but the graffiti they write on your grave [post T6]

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!the cradle project

This ain't about all the friends you made but the graffiti they write on your grave [post T6]

[There were way, way too many things to process during this trial. It had worn him out both mentally and physically and that would have been enough. It's what happened after the votes were tallied that really ran them all through the ringer.

Who the fuck would have suspected aliens? …well, that's not true. Luke had wondered about what else was on the ship. After finding Todd's body and the blood in the vents, he'd wondered if they were really alone.

Elizabeth hadn't deserved this. Rhys…okay well. That's a subject he's not going to touch but Elizabeth's situation had hit a couple of hot button issues for him. Namely…being bodily possessed and forced to hurt and kill people she considered a friend while not having any control what-so-ever and then her body almost being completely destroyed. So that was fun for the whole family. The alien itself was pretty damn horrifying, too, but he hadn't thought to stick around after it was killed and they were freed from the conference room. Marinette and Jason had seen to Elizabeth to tend her wounds and Luke and Adam had absconded.

Later in the evening though…he sought her out. He had questions to ask, theories to test, but more importantly…he understood. He understood that she was probably freaked the fuck out by what had happened and if he's honest he's a little concerned about her. It's not really his place. They're not close or anything, but she's always been generally kind and cooperative. It's the least he could do. It takes him a little bit to find where she's been moved, but when he turns up he's alone.]

…know you're probably tired of seeing everybody, but got time for one more visit? [He skews his expression into one of vague hopefulness and also concern, but his eyes are studying her closely. The one thing is though he's not afraid of her. Small blessings, maybe.]

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[ She's so tired and now she knows why. Her body, her shell, was not her own for a large portion of her time her. She doesn't know when. She doesn't know how. All she knew is that with her two hands, she killed countless people and hurt people she truly cared for.

Yet... people worried. Yes, she knows the looks - the fear. The same way the people in Columbia looked at her. She wasn't to the point she was back then - proud of scaring them in some sick redemption for her captivity. Elizabeth didn't like this one. When she feels helpless, but completely understanding of their feelings.

She was tended to, her vitals showing normal with whatever measuring they could do with the medbay in disarray. The person tending to her had left and she was just buttoning up her shirt by the time Luke came in. Good timing!!!

Her eyes lift, tired and heavy but she acknowledges him with a hoarse croak: ]

Come in.

[ She waves, very faintly and without much energy. ]

Did I - [ A beat. ] Did I hurt you in anyway too? I I did, I'm sorry -

[ She sound sincere, honestly going right to that before he even speaks. She's said sorry a lot today. ]

[Ah. What timing indeed. For a moment he doesn't say anything and he's watching her closely before shaking his head and stepping into the room. This doesn't seem too unusual and she seems to have sorted herself out enough. It's the heavinesses of the room and of the situation that gets to him and he presses his lips together in a thin line.

There are some measures taken to be sure no one will overhear them, another glance over his shoulder and a sweep around the room before he looks into her eyes again. It's what she says that also presses him to be quiet for a moment.

"Did I hurt you in any way too?"

It's not unlike something he'd once said before to someone else. "You knew. I almost killed you, but you knew."

People in his world had known, but no one knew what to expect here from her. No one could have guessed Elizabeth would be the one targeted…and if he's honest that's what made her a great target. So when she apologizes he's quick to hold up a hand to get her to stop before she can continue. There are a lot of things he could say, but he chooses a different route entirely and ignores her question.]

I know. You don't need to apologize to me yet. […yet?] I didn't come here looking for an apology, Elizabeth. Would you believe me if I said I wanted to make sure you were okay?

[ Her mouth opens, but shuts tightly when he cuts her off. That was a reaction she truly didn't expect.

The concern he shows makes her shift her her seat, looking down at her hands which rested in her lap. The thimble catching her eye, but then again, it always did. ]

I would. You and a few others have shown worry. I don't think I really deserve it. [ She looks away. ] Fiona and Jessie are in the other room with Jack. They could use it as well.

Edited (one day i wont use that icon) 2016-07-19 01:22 (UTC)

[He does nothing to make her look at him, carefully assessing her behavior and making no sudden moves other than a lackadaisical shrug.]

And I'll be checking in with those three later this week. [...probably. He likes Fiona, Jack is really kinda scary, and Jessie is Jessie...] But think about it this way. From where I'm standing there were four victims in all of this. Those three, and the one who probably didn't ask for this. [A pause.] Did you?

People don't ask for a lot of the pain in their lives. That's why it's there. [ She's not quite believing in God at the moment and that saying "God only gives you so much you can handle. ] If we lived blissful lives with no risk, no pain... is the good really worth it?

[ But, to clarify: ]

I had no idea any of this was ongoing.

[…there's a hum of agreement.] That depends. That's assuming there's always going to be some good that you get to keep. [Thanks for being bitter, Luke.] But you're right. People don't ask. Sometimes that's predetermined even before we're born and even then…you've got monsters that'll find their way in.

[His eyes seem to light up in relief. Granted that makes this much harder to figure out where the aliens are from and who they'll go after next, but…it's a start.] That's probably the most important part. Most people don't really ask to be possessed or get a choice in the whole thing either. ["Most people." He fidgets for a moment, one ankle crossing over the other as he leans back against a wall, fingers drumming on his elbow as his arms are also crossed.] I want to ask you something. Were you having any…weird dreams or anything this week? Outside of the nightmares we were all probably having. Anything that might have left an opening for this to happen?

No. Nothing at all.

[ She's firm in her answer. ]

I was always tired. Even if I felt I fell asleep at an early time of the night, it was never enough. I suppose ... I suppose it could have been using me during that time.

[ No dreams, though. ]

Why do you ask?

[Sounds like a drain on her life, really, but he's not sure how that works. It could definitely explain some things if she was up and wandering in the night without her knowledge. It's sort of creepy and sort of sad and he bites his lip carefully as he thinks of how to elaborate without...well, without sounding crazy.]

Let's just say I've got a couple of thoughts on possession and how it all works. It's hard to say how they're doing this since I've never dealt with aliens, but I'd like to be able to help prevent them from ever coming back. [Which is mostly true.] I just need to try and understand what could have happened. Most people when they're possessed are like you and they don't remember a thing. During the week, nobody said anything about maybe seeing you at strange hours of the night?

No. Even during the trial, my alibi was never disproven.

[ Call it luck, but she doesn't remember anything. She doesn't remember how her fingerprints were placed on Hancock's wine bottle. It hurts to think of, bringing a bit of strain to her mind. It's enough to make her wince and tilt her head to the side.

...Were her memories conflicting? She thinks of back with the weapons dealer - his ... his confusion and pain. Her finger goes up, touching at her nose for only the brief hint of blood. She stops, trying not to alarm Luke. Literally, she stops it before it begins. ]

No... I believe everything is how I recalled it. Except - [ ://// ] Hancock.

Edited 2016-07-20 12:49 (UTC)

[Oh sweet summer child. The only thing that would alarm him right now is if another alien popped out of your skin. However, he appears rather pensive after that explanation because it seems to match up, though his eyes widen just slightly when she winces. He's watching closely, matching behavior with words. It's habit.]

That's the incredible part of it all, you're right. [It's why Frankenstein was also accused and ultimately voted for, but he keeps that to himself.] What bothers me about all of this is Alice says she has surveillance or whatever on us. She probably could tell us how these aliens invaded but she's not…so that means either she really doesn't know, or she doesn't want to tell us. I don't like either option.

[There's an apologetic smile.] I don't mean to press when you're still recovering. It'll probably take a few days for you to really get sorted back out. [There's a pause.] …after everything, is there anyone you can trust yourself with? [There's a reason for asking. Of course there is.]

Alice has never been transparent with us, but I'm inclined to believe her. When there's something that can shock whatever form Alice is - [ AI, yeah but, she's still not sure of the implication. ] - it's something. She seems bound to her rules, and ... ha. That's why I'm still here, I suppose.

[ But, Luke's question catches her off guard. ]

If I trusted myself enough to trust someone else, I would let you know.

[ Elizabeth smiles weakly. ]

My plan, as horrible as it sounds, is to detain myself at night. It seems that's when I was being controlled. If I'm locked up with key out of reach, it would provide a contingency plan if anything happened to me again.

Either that or she's a good actor. [But Elizabeth has a point. The AI has strict orders. It makes sense why she fixed everything. "Fixed" being a loose word.

He shakes his head slightly at her plan though.]

And what's going to stop an alien from getting the key before possessing you? We've seen they have their own forms and their own will. [So yes it's a horrible plan but he can see where she's coming from.] That and we have no idea where the other one went. I get what you're thinking. You think it's safer if you're the only person who will get hurt if this thing comes back, but it's never that easy. If we were going with that kind of logic, why not just chain you up at night?

[It's a blase suggestion, one he doesn't want her to take seriously.] …couple of us were talking. We think it wouldn't hurt to stick close to at least one person who can be watching over you to make sure this doesn't happen again. It was also suggested that we should maybe all start keeping written logs of what we're doing in the day. Just in case gaps in your memory come back again. That's why I wanted to know.

I don't know, Luke. I don't know what else I can do - [ At the root of it, she doesn't know anything. She chews nervously on her thumb, unable to make eye contact with him as he gives her some good perspective. Yeah, amazing perspective that she can't quite wrap her head around.

His suggestion was valid, and she nods. ]

Do you have anyone in mind? For my watcher, I mean. [ She agrees, the logs are helpful and she writes frequently. ] I can make note of that...

[The most he's grateful for is at least she's considering what he's saying. He can't force her into anything, but suggestions can be made.]

…maybe Jason. [As much as he doesn't know if that will help, he seems to have a train of logic to follow that suggestion.] Somehow he's always struck me as the kind of guy who really diligent about that kind of stuff. Besides, he can't be that afraid of you if he and Marinette stayed behind after you came to. [Marinette's a child and he's worried for her. Jason's younger than he is, too, but he trusts Jason to be able to take care of things a little better.] The other thing is I don't think he'd hold back if something did come up.

[…which is both good and bad, but. It's a thought.]

[ Jason's name actually makes her look panicked. The girl... was pretty fond of him. Between the teasing and her seeing a nicer side of him on small occasions, Elizabeth doesn't like the idea. ]

I don't - [ She stumbles on her words. ] I don't want to put him through this.

[ Another person that could be at risk, another person with blood on their hands. Elizabeth has to clarify. ]

I... er... I value Jason's company. [ More like she has a fucking crush on him. ] I have no doubt of his tenacity or how serious he'd take his goal, but... I don't want to be a burden to him.

[…huh. He can't help but give her a quiet look as he assesses what she's saying, but at the same time he's already rolling over it.]

Shouldn't you let that be for him to decide? Or any of us? [He brings a hand up, idly rubbing at the scar on his face for a moment.] …I'm going to tell you a story. You don't have to listen to it, but I want you to think about it.

[Oh gods why is he doing this. Probably because Frankenstein told him that people trust him and part of him does want to help. What happened to being the antagonist, Luke? (Then again…he'd thought of this in his conversation with Frankenstein as well. Chiron had once said Luke was a great hero. Maybe he can try to be that again if it'll help get innocent people out of here.]

Where I'm from, there's this story. It's a pretty famous war story by now, I only heard about it in the aftermath when the fighting was over. There was a man…someone people liked and trusted. One day, he was contacted by a ti--demon. [Let's change the details a little bit.] This demon got into his head and in the end, he wound up using the guy's body as his new host. While using the guy as his host, he did a lot of really, really terrible things. He hurt people. He killed people. But even with all of that, the guy had a couple of friends who realized it wasn't his fault. They realized he was being controlled by a monster. So even if it was a burden or more trouble than it was worth, his friends…one girl in particular, if I remember right, made a solid effort to try and help him even at the risk of her own life because she made the choice that she cared enough. Believe it or not that's what ended up saving him and killing the demon.

[A pointed look, though he's peering at her through the fingers of one hand.] My point is people are gonna make their own decisions no matter what, so it doesn't hurt to ask. Who knows? If Jason doesn't want the responsibility, maybe he knows someone else who'll take it. But isolating yourself might be the worst idea.

[ Despite being headstrong, Elizabeth comes from a culture where women were just beginning to blossom. Rosalind Lutece saw opportunity when others saw misconduct. She doesn't speak, out of respect for Luke when he tells his story.

If anything, it's informative but the way he inflects his words, stumbles a bit - she wonders... was this him? Was this story merely a ruse to hide his shame? Elizabeth looks down, listening attentively. ]

Luke, I've - I'm not use to this. [ She admits. Alien possession? Obviously, but she actually talks more on: ] I've been isolated my entire life. I've seen more people here than I've seen over 18 years. It's all I know.

[ But, she won't bring a pity party on herself. ]

I'll... I'll talk with him about it. My feelings aside on the matter, if that would make the ship comfortable, I'll do it.

[He's mentioned this story before to someone else, and they also drew the same conclusion. Maybe he was purposefully being transparent and pretending to be vague to feel better, but he wasn't really under the impression she wouldn't figure it out. He's not quite making eye contact, but he frowns lightly anyway.]

Being alone sucks. [First and foremost.] Trust me, I get it. …I wasn't locked up anywhere or whatever your story is, but I get it. But we've been here for almost two months now. It's better this way, isn't it?

[Maybe.] It's something we've been thinking of bringing up to the ship in general to make sure we can cross-check each other. And if Jason has a problem with it, you tell me and I'll figure something out. […is…that a threat? We just don't know. Boy he's going to feel sort of bad about that when he finds out Jason lost his eye four days into the future!] This shouldn't have happened to you in the first place. What happened to Rhys shouldn't have happened either. So…now we've gotta improvise. Understand?

[ She can't keep making this a pity party on herself. She checks that thinking. This isn't about her. No one cares about her tragic back history. They're dime a dozen and she completely dismisses it. ]

Alright. I - I really don't want to create conflict on the ship. Two of the closest people I have on the ship is a monster or dead.

[ Jack and Hancock respectfully.

Her hand lifts up when he talks about improvising. However, she thinks of Fiona immediately when Luke brings up Rhys. What Rhys had done for her - she wonders if he knew nothing of it too. ]

I'll do whatever is asked of me for anyone's comfort. What happened to Rhys - ... I wasn't close to him but it pains my heart. The entire trial caused so much pain. I'd like to try to focus on helping others during the next few weeks.

[ Until another inevitable death, she thinks. ]

Call it a selfish attempt at redemption.

[It's not until she says the word "redemption" that it really clicks with him. He doesn't speak up immediately but the expression on his face flickers between pity and understanding and a bit of anger that she's been made to feel this way.]

I didn't have a lot of strong feelings about the guy either but it's still something that should have been avoided. [How, he's not sure. For a moment he pauses again and glances behind him. It's an action he's continually taking to make sure they won't be overheard, though part of him is nervous to continue.]

If yours is a selfish attempt at redemption then I guess you can say that all of this and being here is my selfish attempt at redemption, too. Would you really say that about someone else who didn't really have control in what they were doing? [He doesn't mean himself, but in general.] None of us are gonna last the next couple of weeks if we aren't looking out for each other. I can't guarantee it'll stop people from killing other people, but it's a better path to take. It's like...it's a lot easier to possess someone who doesn't have a purpose and is looking for one. If you want to help people? Make that your purpose. Redemption's a pretty hard road to take. Some people don't even stick around to see it through.

[He stops then to give her a once-over.] Somehow I don't see you as one of those people.

... May I ask something of you, Luke?

[ Elizabeth heard his words and with the sincerity behind them, there's something that spurs her onward. Her way of thinking was less selfish... And more focused on him. He did something honestly good - she views it - that he didn't need to do. She could have been just another gush of gossip but he wanted to talk to her. To ease her. ]

Hancock... He was a mayor back in his old world. Even his will focused on Goodneighbor more than himself.

... I would like for you to take his position on the ship. No - not his role, but how he inspired us. How he remained logical when everyone ran on emotion.

[ its a big task but Hancock wanted her to find people she could trust. ]

There are people here that I'm fearful of. I fell for someone's charms, for their lies. I'm not quite sure my feelings on the matter but we need someone that can organize us - I think that person is you.

[Oh no. Ohhhhh nonono. That really is a rather big task to take on and he's, truthfully, a little afraid of the responsibility like that. There's really no polite way to say "the last time someone asked me to lead I nearly destroyed western civilization" and if he's honest he doesn't want to do that again. He wants to be better. He's back for a reason and it's only because of Frankenstein that he's realized what that might be.

So he doesn't quite respond immediately. He looks at her quietly, tilting his head like one would expect from a dog whose heard a particularly interesting sound, and his lips quirk into a disbelieving smile.]

That's a pretty big set of shoes to fill, wouldn't you say? [It's not an indirect yes and it's not an indirect no. He's not sure how he feels on it, but he does know she's correct. Someone needs to organize people. And...he's been able to control people before. He used to be able to take care of people. It's clear there's internal debate before he shakes his head again.] I can't guarantee I can always keep everybody in line. [...but, if he thinks about it...] I can try though. We don't know how long this game will last but I kinda made a promise to someone that I'd like to keep. I think this ties right into that.

That's a little trusting though, don't you think? [He doesn't want to discourage her. But he wants her to be certain in her choices.] You think he'd approve?

When we spoke privately, Hancock put his faith in me. It was his undoing, but...I'm still trying to do good on his word.

[ She watches for his reaction. She watches for any indication on if she assumed their conversation was anything other than "for the good of the ship". If Elizabeth was alone, she could be next to be killed and he came to her as someone with his own demons. His own torment. Putting that aside, she figured as such, he took the responsibility to address the elephant in the room. ]

Maybe in some... divine justice, me putting faith in you will be my undoing too, then. [ It was a joke, a poor joke. She's been hanging out with Jason Todd too much. She gives a half-hearted shrug. ] The first night without Hancock hurt. I wanted to keep doing... what he was doing. Order. Law. Whatever you call it. But, my words are nothing now. People are scared and there's no getting around that. You saw what happened - to me, to Rhys - ... there's going to be paranoia.

[ It's not about her. ]

You can do this. Hancock would be proud, I think. I have faith that you're able to do great things. Talking with a monster was the first step, right?

[To be perfectly honest he'll run away. He'll run away from that responsibility for the next few days but in the end he knows himself a little better now. In the end, he knows he's supposed to be taking the good path now and that means doing great things.

Someone once said he used to be a good hero before someone started to manipulate him. Now that he's remembered that, now that he's in his right mind again, he's decided he won't let anything manipulate him again and that includes this stupid game with its stupid motives.

The thing about it is that something terrible has happened to her and even if she doesn't quite realize it yet, he does. It's aged her. He doesn't know her terribly well but even he can see that she's grown a little wiser and perhaps a bit more jaded to things. It's a harsh reality people like them face when pitted against terrible situations. It's also noble in a way, he thinks, that she wants to carry on what Hancock started. So there's consideration before he slowly speaks again.]

From one monster to another, I think you're pretty okay. [It's the only official hint he's going to give her. He's fucked up pretty hard, too. He shouldn't, but he smirks a little at her comment. Will this be her undoing? Maybe. He'd like it not to be but it's hard to predict the future sometimes. However...] I can't do this by myself. I can get people to listen and I can get people organized well enough, sure, but in terms of keeping order I'm gonna need some help. Maybe your words don't mean much to people anymore, but your actions going forward? Well, that can change everything. [Considering the fact that one little action changed his status from villain to hero in less than thirty seconds, he firmly believes that.]

You said Hancock put his faith in you. Don't think he ever stopped. [He doesn't like the word faith, necessarily, but he needs her to understand.] I'll do my best so long as you stay out of trouble and help me from the sidelines.

[ If Luke doesn't accept, Elizabeth doesn't know what else she can do. Jack so... viciously executed someone with no rhyme or reason other than a vendetta. People listen to him and even if she misses him, misses the lies he spun her in some sad attempt at connecting with another human... she knows he must be stopped.

She saw the look in Jack's eyes - a man with nothing left to lose. Those type of men can do horrible things. ]

When have I ever gotten myself into trouble? [ She takes that personally! But, she fingers her finger against her bare throat, feeling naked without her brooches now... ] The point is, it's a start. I'm not telling you to replace Hancock - with his attire and smell, I don't think that's possible. ...We just need someone to believe in.

[ She shrugs a bit, looking down. ]

I can help in any way that I can. I don't want you to tell me - to tell me if you have any role in this game, but... something needs to get done. Paranoia can crumble an entire city.

After everything that's happened it's probably safer for all of us not to tell each other about our roles. We don't know what we're really up against here. [He doesn't know the full story about what happened between her and Jack. He doesn't entirely know how things played out, but all he really knows is...]

What if people don't actually take me seriously? [He knows he's a little...reckless. He led a test that nearly got a couple of teenagers and himself killed.] I think I get what needs to happen.

[Give him time. He'll do it, even if he won't verbally confirm it.] I'd say we've all learned our lesson about paranoia but I don't think that's true. As the motives keep getting harder and harder we're going to need something solid for people to grasp on so they quit giving in. Logic isn't entirely my strong point, but I can get things done. You help me get people to believe in me, I'll lead everybody to the end with as many of us alive as possible.

I'll make them.

[ If this was a week ago, feel free to laugh at her face. The girl who seemed amused by a tablet's audio or so desperately wanted to stop those from drinking... well, it would be laughable to hear. But, now, there's a dry lump in her throat that makes her voice hoarse. ]

No one else is going to volunteer for this. Hancock still cared about order - an eye for an eye. But people like Jack? He shot a man with no rhyme or reason. [ That's... God, that's how she has to pan this. ] If that kind of logic is here, then he may very well shoot someone for looking at him the wrong way. Men with power can either rise or oppress.

[ It's not about Jack, she knows it's not, but - she has to. This is the driving force. She didn't see Rhys die, she didn't see it. She's done nothing but hear the stories and it's her fault. Jack just got a lucky shot and took an alien out while he was at it. ]

I was close enough to Jack to be lured in. To feel safe with him and he thinks everyone is against him now. I almost - .... I almost killed myself to prove a point.

[ IT IS TOTALLY ABOUT JACK. She clenches her fists. ]

I don't want to feel this way. His anger, his ego - he's lashed out to me because he can't control himself. [ She doesn't fear him, not anymore, but she needs to... ] - we need to keep him and others in check. Focused on the goals. Pushing their stupid vendettas aside.

We can do this - we have to. I may be entirely wrong, but man sin and make mistakes. There's a very thin line between the two.

Edited 2016-07-26 01:45 (UTC)

[What a funny conversation to be having. What a funny conversation to be having when Luke himself is entirely aware what happens when men come into too much power. Or titans and gods, as it were. There's absolutely nothing amusing about it, but his default reaction is to smirk anyway. It's not unkindly, but it's something to keep his fat mouth shut.

Granted, it slips just enough when Elizabeth talks about Jack, talks about a man who will do whatever his own agenda says he should do without considering what's best for other people. He can't exactly say Jack's a bad man. Once upon a time, Luke's own agenda is what nearly destroyed the western world. Then again, Luke's own agenda also saved the world in the end, but he doesn't think that's the case with Jack.]

I know. I was kind of watching during the trial. [It's hard not to when they're all shoved into a room together, but he was also preoccupied.] You want a piece of advice? [She's getting it anyway.] Always keep your guard up. Even with the people you feel safest with, keep your guard up. I don't think I need to tell you that now after everything. [But he knows. He knows Liz was about to drink the poisonous wine.] That's what this game's designed to do. We're all crammed together in a space that's big but still too small, nothing to do and no way out. We're all going to get stuck thinking about vendettas and issues we have with other people. And anyway...I've always thought a mistake is something you could be forgiven for. Can you really forgive a sinner who isn't apologetic?

[ Elizabeth is far too trusting.

That's just the sad reality of it.

Her entire life circulates around submission - accepting her life as is even if she had the power to escape. When Booker helped her escape, she was still trapped. She couldn't see the wires that so tightly kept her bound. Elizabeth willingly trusted men who did not have her best interest in heart. At the end of the day, this could be her downfall.

Now, she once again, finds herself putting faith in Luke. It's a pivotal moment that she still puts faith in Luke - underneath her pain, her pity, her guilt... she hopes he can see the importance of her word. Luke, to her, was a stranger just as Jack was. Just as Hancock. Just as Frankenstein. But she puts faith there.

Because of her mentality, she offers a quick - ]

I'm sorry. This isn't.. this isn't about me.

[ She dismisses her feelings, despite the white hot bitterness she has. Elizabeth stays silent, listening to him. Studying him as if she was ready to paint him. Noting the way his eyes dart, the curve of his lips - she tries to read him as if she needs... she needs to know he can be trusted. She still has, but this is an afterthought. ]

Someone once said "love the sinner because he is you", [ She pauses. ] "Without the sinner, why is there a redeemer?" Or some such.

[ Spoilers: her fucking mother says this. :) ]

Please, don't let my opinions sway - it just... we need order. I need to see this through. I need your help to do such.

[ She lowers her head. ]

..I want to talk to Jason about this too.

[And just as quickly:] This is as much about you as it is about me, Elizabeth. [Unlike Elizabeth whose life was shaped by submission, Luke's life has been shaped by independence he wasn't sure he wanted, fighting for the attention he thought he deserved, doing what he could to try and be heard. It was difficult at times, and even now not thinking solely of his own wants and needs sometimes proves to be challenging. So…he frowns again.]

The thing about that is that some sins are already prewritten. [That's all he says though.] …but nothing says we can't rewrite things here. I'll do my best to get all of this sorted out. If we can't trust each other we're going to eat each other alive. [Though she bows her head, he can't help the slightly satisfied smile on his face.]

Still think that's a good idea, too. Jason's proven himself innocent before and even if that doesn't always mean something, it means enough. You'll let me know what he says?

You don't inherit sins.

[ She says coldly. Would she, by proxy, be to blame for the innocents that Comstock has taken? The prophecy he planned for her? She counters it back to him because she feels strongly about this.

But she does chew his words. ]

I'll speak with him, let him know. Hopefully he won't have anything smart to say about the whole thing. I just want us - I just need for us to be careful. I've trusted you - others - far more than I've trusted anyone else in my entire life... which isn't really saying much, but...

[ She's tired. It's obvious to see with the heaviness of her eyes. Maybe she's not making sense, so she takes a moment to push her hair back. ]

Thank you, Luke.

[He doesn't immediately respond. He's surprised by her sudden backbone, though the curve of his lips says he's pleased to know she's not entirely down for the count. He notices he's overstayed his welcome a bit and he dips his head, still with a little bit of a devilish grin on his face.]

It says enough. We'll do the best we can. [He looks back out the door.] …I should go anyway. I was only supposed to be gone for fifteen minutes. [He's already backing away as well, though he's watching her with a slight amount of concern.]

…and Elizabeth? [He stops in the doorway, regarding her thoughtfully.] You may not inherit sins, but the same can't be said for everyone. Keep that in mind. [With that, he raps his knuckles on the doorframe.] Get some rest. We'll catch up soon.

[And if there are no objections, he'll disappear just as quickly as he'd arrived. It seems as though they both have a lot to do now.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

This ain't about all the friends you made but the graffiti they write on your grave [post T6]

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