WEEK 13 - I can't lie to you about your chances, but you have my sympathies.

[al2955]

the pygmalion. . . ONLINE CAPTAIN'S LOG: WEEK (13)

sunday (41) survivors Something in the air breaks, shattering from deep within space itself - and to accompany that sensation is a psychic scream. The ship shakes, coming to a screeching halt as a bright light explodes outside it. It pulses, not unlike a heartbeat, that crawls and crawls along at a slow, grueling pace. The last illusion has been broken, the last mental tie severed and crushed. You've done well up until now, and you can reap the benefits of Her labor; the dead walk among you, after all, and as Her scream rings out, a burst of energy shoots through the residents of the Pygmalion. It's clearly a desperate bid, but it doesn't root itself in place. Instead, you feel lighter than ever - Her attempt to claim you has only unraveled the string that kept you in place. The 40% limit has been lifted, and you are at full capacity. The chains have been broken. Go freely, heroes. taken list profiles private conversations setting rulebook ENTER COMMAND_

Comments

[herds]

[ imagine the frustration and impatience in Booker when Elizabeth decided it was okay to be the last person to exit. he shouldn't have let her nap. well, no, she definitely needed it. she looked like she had been without a week of sleep when he had talked to her via video feed. he's unreasonable in his thought process, all too eager to ensure she was in one piece and safe.

he had half a mind to enter the Pygmalion himself, to shove past all of the people flooding out and having their happy reunions. Booker holsters his gun and prepares to do just that, stepping forward and closing in on the ramp. it wasn't long after that she appears, staring down at him from the slanted exit that separated the two of them. for the first time in what felt like ages, he smiled, eyes lighting up at the physical manifestation of the woman he had thought was left behind in Columbia for ages. ]

Elizabeth―

[ she stumbles on her way down and he was preparing to go up and meet her there to avoid any unfortunate trips that may ruin their moment. she stops him by showing how surprisingly agile she can be, reminding him that that she was quite the runner for someone that was a shut-in her entire life. not more than a few seconds later and she's clung herself to his taller frame.

he isn't afraid of physical contact with her. not right now. back in Columbia, he'd resist touching her or vice versa, to keep his distance. she was just a mission, once upon a time. but time and separation does a lot of things to a guy, and with nothing else to really think about but Elizabeth, it can be safely said that he would make an exception for this.

she pushes her face into his chest and he immediately squeezes his biceps around her hips, holding her in a tight embrace while she lets out what is probably months of emotional repression. he nuzzles his stubbled features into her hair, breathing in her familiar scent even as her body... wasn't, oddly enough, physically or otherwise. Booker can't resist kissing his lips on the top of her head, all while scratching his nails into the fabric of her jacket. ]

It's okay. It's alright. We're here now. Together. It's okay...

[baptizer]

[ Sorry, Liz was sleepy, leave her alone??? Let her live???

Their reunion was sweet and pure - removing all thoughts of both of them dying or doomed timelines and such. Elizabeth was so quick to latch onto him, to feel something physical least her eyes and ears deceive her once again. Elizabeth feels his warmth, his flesh and with that, she just kind of gross sobs all over him.

They didn't know each other too terribly in Columbia. Her trust in him had wavered and to her? He was a means to an end. But, she missed him. She savored this moment, as if they both earned it for the bullshit they went through.

Even if her hair was short and she was tired and worn - Elizabeth's light came back in her eyes. The same hopeful expression she had in Battleship Bay. He keeps her grounded. ]

I'm sorry -

[ That was the first thing she spouted out. Mainly because she was so damn sure it was because he was associated with her that he found himself here. Elizabeth leans back enough, wiping away at her own tears. ]

I've never had to deal with reunions - I don't know how to -

[ She stammers before awkwardly laughing. ]

[herds]

[ Booker temporarily lets go of the fact that he has gained an unfortunate level of knowledge regarding what Elizabeth may or may not have gotten into while separated from him. this was an important moment ― for the both of them. she looks like she could use some physical comfort, even if it's from a shithead such as himself. the same guy that she had knocked out when he tried deceiving her. her list of people she could reunite with was sadly short, as was his, so they did indeed needed to savor this. ]

Shhh. Don't apologize.

[ she's human. regardless of what the people in Columbia tried to convince her of, regardless of what the aliens in Pygmalion tried to do... she was still human. a woman of emotion, capable of feeling both sadness and happiness. maybe Elizabeth didn't have many opportunities to feel the latter. Booker knows he didn't. considering how fatigued she still looks even after her nap, he can safely assume that was likely the case.

when she leans back, he's quick to help her clean up, swiping his thumb underneath her eye and cleaning her of some remnants that she was unable to get. ]

It's not an everyday thing for me, either. We'll just wing it. Sound good?

[ he lets out an awkward laugh of his own. Booker would normally be uncomfortable with being this close to her, but the circumstances have kind of changed. she's no longer a mission of his. just a gal that he was hoping to help get back home... or to a place that she could refer to as one. ]

[baptizer]

[ LET HER LIVE.

He tries to give her the companionship and appreciation she needs. A familiar face that keeps her from growing lonely and bitter when people reunite with their loved ones. He was her mission now. She's why she tried so hard to get the Pygmalion to the Nuwa. Booker was there waiting.

He can see the relief wash over her face when he helps her - wipes away the tears that just added to the endless ones she cried over the past 13 weeks. ]

Sounds like a plan.

[ Her hands press into his biceps, squeezing them reassuringly. ]

Not the best, but none of my plans have worked thus far. May as well just - right, wing it.

[herds]

[ he won't kill her over the things he has found out. just... maybe he'll provide some minor discomfort. everyone assumes he is her dad and he should probably spank her for being reckless if that's the case, but no. no. a bad idea on many, many levels.

they take a moment to truly look at each other. Elizabeth's eyes are red and sore from crying and having just woken up, but he can tell they still sparkled with the same color as before. even if they had seen so much, they haven't dulled. he's glad. the pad of his thumb strokes the skin next to her nose before trailing down to the corner of her lips before pulling away.

instead of talking about plans, he goes to what's natural ― the obvious things that need to be pointed out. ]

Alright, so... the haircut. The outfit. What's the deal?

[baptizer]

[ Booker, she can explain.

It's a really funny and stupid story that started with a prank.

He keeps her grounded and she can't help but hug him again. Feeling more at peace than she would have liked - knowing she has a goal and mission to complete. Elizabeth is happy to know she's just not crazy... not imagining this moment.

But, she steps back, looking down at the attire. It was much like something Lady Comstock would wear, actually... ]

...A lot happened. [ Given the circumstances of the game, he can imagine that Liz killed someone, but how? ] ...I can't wash the blood off my hands, but I wanted to be rid of the girl. It always starts with a girl... I think destroying that was right.

[ The girl for the debt. The girl for the power. The girl in the tower. The girl who killed her friends. ...She's awkward, giving a confused look to him. ]

[herds]

[ just because he can imagine doesn't meant that he will want to. so he doesn't. Booker will be happy just assuming she's seen death, and even worse so, experienced it. she mentioned several bodies at one point, and that Roxy lass has done nothing but confuse him further regarding her situation. it's been a messy ride for both of them, but no doubt has Elizabeth been thrown through more loops than he had been. ]

Huh. [ so it was about growing up. it's a shame that she was forced to because of this place, but... he wouldn't be surprised if Columbia had done the same thing to her if she remained there for much longer. ] Yeah. Okay. I'd suppose that's a fair enough reason. Think about letting it grow back when we get you back home, though.

[ not that he was against the short-haired look. or the... jacket, as risque as it was in comparison. Booker just hopes she may be able to seek some sense of normalcy after everything is said and done, regardless of if he has any involvement in her life after they get the hell out of here. ]

But you better have an even better one if this shit I'm hearin' about you being married is even remotely true.

[ bet you thought you'd get away from that one for a little while longer, huh. ]

[baptizer]

[ Roxy is a babe but she is a babe who speaks leet and confuses us simple minded folks.

Elizabeth smiles a bit when he talks about growing it out. She wouldn't mind it but - right now it still coincides with the creature that used her body for murder. She's triggered, okay. ]

I will. It's nice to change things up every now -

[ WHAT? He can see her face grow white and her hand goes up, as if trying to dismiss him. ]

Oh my God, no that's - Jason? That was a - Booker!

[ She scolds him and the red on her face flushes hotly. ]

It wasn't a ceremony or anything of that nature. It was - we were tricked by someone who claimed legitimacy of officiating weddings. I promise - there's..

[ nothing. Besides the plastic dinky practice ring she has lodged in her jacket pocket - ]

That's a laugh in itself.