![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
week 9 | wednesday night
[ If Jack had made use of the recreation room after such a horrible encounter with furries, robins, and a lamb - he'd find that his evening isn't going to end just yet. Elizabeth had been careful, waiting until the others allowed Jack to return to his room. IE: he probably insisted he had no where else to be. Luckily, "security" wasn't tight at all.
Like, at all.
Jack... psst.
It's a soft voice that doesn't match the quickness of the next few moments. In this brief amount of time of him leaving the recreation room to return to the elevator - something grabs him. It's sudden, a hand on a wrist similar to his actions earlier; a quick tug that forces the man (albeit slower than she would have liked) into the art storage room. With a shut of the door, the culprit was Elizabeth. Shocking, right?
Defensive, she gives the man his space and drags a hand down her face - her amputated pinky visible with no clear thimble like usual. ]
Lord, I didn't think I'd be able to reach out to you.
[ She hates this. She hates lying. She hates seeing him and she hates knowing that she's assisting him with something questionable. Elizabeth finds herself utterly stuck and to keep him from acting on impulse - she plays along. ]
Jack -
[ Her voice cracks a bit, and instead, she leans up against the wall, slumping a bit. ]
You know I didn't wish for any of this earlier.
Like, at all.
Jack... psst.
It's a soft voice that doesn't match the quickness of the next few moments. In this brief amount of time of him leaving the recreation room to return to the elevator - something grabs him. It's sudden, a hand on a wrist similar to his actions earlier; a quick tug that forces the man (albeit slower than she would have liked) into the art storage room. With a shut of the door, the culprit was Elizabeth. Shocking, right?
Defensive, she gives the man his space and drags a hand down her face - her amputated pinky visible with no clear thimble like usual. ]
Lord, I didn't think I'd be able to reach out to you.
[ She hates this. She hates lying. She hates seeing him and she hates knowing that she's assisting him with something questionable. Elizabeth finds herself utterly stuck and to keep him from acting on impulse - she plays along. ]
Jack -
[ Her voice cracks a bit, and instead, she leans up against the wall, slumping a bit. ]
You know I didn't wish for any of this earlier.
no subject
But luckily, the surprise isn't so sharp that he ends up actually striking at her, though the potential is definitely, visibly there. He exhales a tense, harsh breath as she steps away, and he reaches up to push a hand through his hair. ]
Jesus— Liz- Liz, you can't just friggin' do that. Almost gave me a heart attack.
[ It's the slightly milder way of saying "I was about to strangle you," at least.
His hand falls back to his side as Elizabeth says his name, though his expression turns more serious at the subject. Naturally, he's unhappy with this set of events, but at least not enough for it to be outwardly expressed as anything but a deep frown. Considering Jack, that's a pretty good sign. ]
Did you not? 'Cause, I don't know, pretty lucky for you if you're ending up with my gun. [ His words aren't accusatory, though. They're just bitter. ] So, yeah. Tell me what happened here, kiddo. Why'd the local furry convention decide to do something three weeks later?
no subject
She apologizes quickly, a sorry, I know slipping past her lips. ]
I'd rather have your gun than lock it up in storage or hide it. [ She won't feel bad - not after their conversations and how she completely did not agree with the senseless killing. Elizabeth is tense too, her shoulders tightening upwards and her arms crossing over her corset. ] It happened far too quickly for my liking.
[ Her eyes glance up, a heavy sigh escaping soon after. ]
Marinette feels guilty for not doing anything - she spoke with me privately about my guilt and all of the underlining tension on the ship. Those children - they were going to give you no other option but being under watch or being locked up. [ Seeing Elizabeth's expressions change is more telling than anything. Her eyebrows lower, her lips frown and - ] I gave them another option so you're not trapped and vulnerable. Fish in a barrel, you see?
[ This way, she disarms him and he can still carry out his goal. She can provide his gun if needed and - and it won't fall on her. ]
I didn't know they would have brought Jason as well - [ She bites on her bottom lip nervously with that. ] That was the only thing I could have done to keep them from writing your death sentence. I - I didn't know what else to do.
no subject
Which, no, of course they don't. They have no way to understand, and they shouldn't, not until everything is done with. Only Elizabeth knows the truth of what he's doing. Or at least, trying to do here.
He listens to her as she explains, but Jack actually starts to pace. He's wearing a deeply thoughtful expression as he listens, and it's clear from his expression that he's thinking of something. He's evaluating what she's saying, and every possibility here is being considered. Though against what, that's always the question with him. ]
Nonono, death sentence— [ Unsurprisingly, he hands on that word, even bringing his hand up to shake a finger to dismiss it. ] Nuh-uh. No, you made the right call, Liz, because if I felt like it was a death sentence?
[ That question lingers in the air, but goes unanswered. It doesn't really need to be, because the implication is clear enough. Elizabeth had warned about this very phenomenon, because it was very, very predictable with Jack. The moment he felt backed into a corner, he would lash out just to take as many people out with him as he could.
He stops his pacing with a nod, and wherever his attention had been while he was thinking this over, it turns to Elizabeth. ]
I'm close, Liz. Real close. Not- Not to finding anything out about the aliens, because, shit, they hide themselves really goddamn well. But. To figuring this shit out.
[ He motions generally, referring to the ship. ]
Problem is, the shit part of this deal is that I can't friggin' tell anyone. So people start getting self-righteous? It's gonna be a problem. Because if I kill anyone, it's gonna be because they were trying to do it first. Just so we're clear. But if I die? That- That is gonna be a problem. Not just for me, but for everyone.
[ It doesn't seem to be addressing what she's saying, not directly, but he pauses, looking down at his metal hand before balling it into a fist, though the gesture is idle. ]
...Really thought you were gonna screw me there, kiddo. Was afraid you were gonna live up to that promise right then and there. But, no. You're the only one that gets it.
no subject
But, she can't sentence him to death. She can't have that blood on her hands unless she's the one to do it. ]
Ease your mind, I meant what I said. Nothing is going to happen to you.
[ He goes off on a tangent before she can even comprehend - choosing his words and trying to digest them after the fact. There's no way this mystery was being solved... is it? Elizabeth's uncomfortable, her fingertips grazing her biceps with her velvet blue jacket. The truth of the matter is that regardless of her feelings... she knows what an ambitious man is capable of. She's seen it first hand - if there's anything of Jack she truly trusts, its that. ]
So I keep you alive. I've been doing a damn good job at that. [ Bitterness in her voice, especially with how things had last been handled. ] I've discussed with the others. I've told Jason and the duo to keep themselves on truly protecting you. If you need your gun, I'll provide it so long as you can provide without a doubt that someone or something is a threat.
[ She's putting herself on the line. This could have been done. Jack could have been contained where he could hurt no one but - his role. The part he's playing despite how unhinged he can become... Elizabeth knows sacrifices needed to be made at some point. Old Elizabeth? Maybe not. ]
No one else has been rid of that creature - of course I get it. I was violated, Jack - I want to see this ended. There's too much at stake.
[ Her voice... God, her voice was so different compared to the sweet girl full of excitement, even in the face of this horrible situation. Elizabeth's tone drags, a raspiness that creeps up her throat. ]
Until we're dead, we both have our uses, do we not?
no subject
But her words do their job, since it grounds him from whatever his mind was racing through. The bitterness sticks out to him, because he does remember that innocence in her voice. For a moment, if only just a moment, he wonders if he's the one that caused that. But as always, that moment of self-reflection is lost, because a sea of other possibilities cloud it. It couldn't be him. Not just him, at least.
He sighs heavily, but then shifts to put his hands on his hips. His posture is more open to contrast how hers is so closed off, but he nods. Her words are cooler and more logical than his own at the moment, and it's something he takes comfort in, even if she hadn't meant to necessarily provide that. ]
Yeah. That's all-- It's fair. No more complaining from me on this, promise, since things probably turned out the best they could.
[ He realizes that, even if he doesn't like it. Now he regrets losing his temper so badly with Rhys, because perhaps if he had waited... Jack shakes his head as he thinks on that. No, if he had waited, it would have been worse. That thing would have been allowed to roam more freely, and Jack would have continued trusting its host. It still sends a chill down his spine to think that he actually shared a bed with exactly what he'd been hunting down, so, yes. It's what had to be done eventually. It just happened by chance. ]
You're... [ He trails off, but then sighs out a question that certainly seems abrupt, and probably not also what he had started out saying there. ]
Hey, can I ask you something? Why were you asking a few weeks ago about selling my soul?
no subject
It's a particular place to be in, isn't it? Stuck between what needs to be done and what should be done. The loyalty she has with Jack is faulty, full of holes and doubt that will do no one any good at the end. It pains her to look at him with disgust - to feel her own mask tighten. Is this how he feels...? She can only wonder. ]
Just focus on the infected. I'll keep them reassured that you're not going to start problem. Jason has other matters to worry about and I believe the heroes are concerned with redeeming themselves. You'll be fine.
[ Honestly, she's terrified of involving Jason in this. She's terrified of having the two young heroes do anything that could set Jack off. Marinette especially. She watches as he changes his stance, suddenly the question references one of their earlier conversations. One that is still fresh on her mind. When her hair was longer, his body still in pain and her freedom still out of reach.
She felt like it was years ago and that girl was long since a woman. ]
Isn't it obvious? [ She says a bit coldly. ] Man has a way of coveting power. To let it build a city only for its legacy. Caesar, Ivan, Torquemada - these men all helped a civilization thrive and then began to tear it down by their own morality.
[ But, she clarifies, as she takes a step closer, looking up to them between their closed distance. ]
With responsibility and leadership, it's easy to sell your soul to accomplish your goals. To get more power, make the wrong allies or sacrifice people for the greater good. I don't doubt any history book in any universe holds true that same sentiment.
[ She's not accusing, but she is definitely firm: ]
Back then, I asked because I care about your wellbeing. Despite... despite everything and how I feel about your actions... it's stupid of me to still care. To still trust you. But, here I am. [ A weak-willed smile, she rests her hand on her collarbone, her pinky distinctively showing without the steel cap in Jack's possession. ] Remember after Shelley's execution? Alice revealed one of them had a role. ...Whatever role you've been given - it's the same as this Trojan in a sense. They had special requirements for retirement. Do you trust me enough to disclose that?
no subject
Yeah. Kinda-- been on my mind since you brought it up. Surprised you didn't toss Faust in there too, actually.
[ His frown deepens briefly in thought, but his gaze turns down with it. ]
But, y'see, I've gotta wonder. Where's that line? Where is a goal one that's good enough that it is for the greater good? Because, I mean, just this— No matter what, anyone that's got one of those aliens in 'em, they have to die. So, yeah. You think I sold my soul to make sure we get off here? Or is it just doing what's necessary? It's a thin line. Been thinking about it a lot.
[ He closes his eyes in deep thought for a few moments. He reaches up to rub the back of his neck, just idly more than anything. The question she asks in return is one he seemingly has to think about too. ]
...Yeah, guess I do.
[ He decides on that after a moment's pause, but it comes with an expression that's more neutral. He shrugs, and he glances away from her like he's embarrassed to admit this. ]
I don't have anything like that, kiddo. What I'm doing to kill 'em, that's something else. Not even a part of this, 'cause, y'know, Alice didn't even know about him. That's true, so far as I can tell. So, uh. What I'm doing, that's all me, kiddo. No requirements. No incentive, least not 'til Alice got wind of them.
[ He looks at her again, and when he's looking at her, there's that sincerity in his expression that makes it much more beliveable, even if it doesn't seem to fit a man that's so seemingly volatile. ]
Didn't need one, though. It's doing what's right, Liz. Just logically speaking. You got an infection like that on a ship? Then, to be honest, even if we do start steering ourselves home, we shouldn't leave this place anyways until we're sure we're clean. You take one of those things with you? You're taking it to your world. To people you love.
[ He's answering a question she hadn't quite gotten to asking here, and he looks down at his feet as he sighs out the last part. ]
So, yeah. I trust you enough to not go spreading that around, since I don't think anyone else has considered just what aliens like that mean beyond the immediate.
no subject
[ He does go forth and talk about his morality. The lines in the sand that people cross, kick, and blur. From what she's reading - with how quickly he formulates his thoughts and delivers them... she trusts his word. Deep down, she knows there's a big chance that he could be lying. Feeding her exactly what she needs to hear to sedate her concerns. But... it has to keep going. Keeping him calm and letting him do his work - get leads on those creatures... Elizabeth's revenge puts herself at risk.
He does shock her with the incentive talk - the retirement one. Doing good on what's right - she can't comment on it when he speaks about her world. There's... no attachment there. One man among a sea of uncertainty that she misses. That's it. She holds her breath, looking to him with a soft exhale soon after. ]
No one even knows we're on good terms, hence the bodyguards. [ She hates thinking of it. ] Whatever you've been tasked to do, tasked to find out - role or not, I suggest if you have your leads, there needs to be some wheels beginning to turn. For all we know, could they begin to outnumber us...?
[ A beat as she rolls her eyes. ]
The rooms are emptying. My.... my entire unit is empty. Last survivor. Yipee.
[ Her sarcasm is there mixed with a dash of survivor's guilt. She looks down a bit, trying not to let him see how concerned she is. How there's a tension she projects because of how serious this is to her. She's careless, making mistakes by selling her soul to the Devil in this case. Her hands clasp together weakly in front of her, tightening when she notices her bare finger. ]
Oh - Jack? Do you still have my thimble...?
no subject
Always. Mmmmmight surprise you, but underneath my fiendishly handsome face, there's actually a guy with some smarts too. Or at least, y'know, a literate one.
[ But talks of selling your soul, of the devil, of whatever deals Jack may have struck to become the man he is today, those are put aside. He hates dwelling on the past, since he'd always prefer to look to the future and what he can do instead. Maybe that's why he's so susceptible to exactly what she's talking about here. He might even know that. But that's a talk for another time.
When she talks of leads, his expression shifts to something more difficult, like there's something he doesn't like that's come to mind there. It looks like he's considering telling her something else, since he wears these kinds of expressions fairly openly, but that's momentarily distracted. First, by her sarcasm, which gets an amused smile to quirk again, but it drops with the question. He looks surprised, but then sympathetic as his gaze darts to her hands, then away again. ]
Oh— Yeah, of course I do. [ He reaches into his pants pocket, and he pulls it out, though the way he holds it definitely implies care. Jack takes a brief look at it, then holds it out for her to take back. ]
...Thanks. By the way. Think-- Well, things probably would have gone pretty bad if you hadn't given this to me.
no subject
[ Underestimating anyone on this ship could bring her doom before she saw the seeds she planted to grow. To see them harvested and hopefully, the infection killed. Elizabeth's purpose was clouded, but she didn't anticipate to get herself killed or kill anyone unless needed.
Elizabeth, as always, rambles. As if she's trying desperately to make a connection. Make herself clear and make herself readable. Since arriving here, everyone seemed to be 20 steps ahead of her and she needs to thoroughly show her intention. Maybe that's why she was "respected" before this whole alien mess?
She doesn't push topics - she reaches forward and takes the thimble between her digits, but instead, her other hand goes up to his. It's still a bit hesitant, nervous to press her fingers against his. ]
Don't let them get bad, then. You can control yourself. You're not an animal or beast. [ She's firm, knowing that his anger was absolutely ridiculous. It scares her. The flash in his eyes from that moment - it was her second indication of it. First when he lashed out at the cost of a bloodied lip. ] There are some things you can never take back.
[ Her words feel true, clutching at his hand a bit tighter. Her hand pulls away, sliding the thimble back to her shortened pinky. ]
We'll talk later.
no subject
[ He says it with a smile, though it's smaller. He's aware that his temper is vicious, but controlling it is another matter entirely. He's never been able to reign it in once his temper flares, and especially not after... Well. He hates to admit it, but the Vault had probably changed more than just his ambitions. There weren't many people left to remind him of that, but Elizabeth managed. It was both appreciated and extremely uncomfortable.
She takes the thimble, and he bows his head to her lightly before his hands retreat back to rest on his hips again. She's not in the mood to talk, and he can't blame her. Things had gotten pretty tense, and truth be told, he really thought he was about to kill again. ]
Yeah. When you feel like it, though? Come by and we can talk.
[ He nods to the arm that his gun had been perched on. ]
First, gonna teach you how to use that thing. Even if you've shot a gun before, I'm gonna also guess that you've never dealt with a shock weapon. Shouldn't take more than an thirty minutes to go through all that.
[ There's something else on his mind, and that he pauses to consider, but he shrugs. He's playing it off casually, but it's clearly something important to him. ]
Second, wanna tell you something. About when I saved the moon, but not because I just wanna jerk off my own ego here. Just-- [ He sighs, then shakes his head. ] Probably pretty obvious by now that I hate people that betray my trust. I think... Just think you should know why. If you want to hear it.
no subject
So, she needs to choose her actions carefully.
Her eyes shift up to him, a smile creeping on her features and holding. A mask. ]
Right... the others won't be too suspicious if it's weapons training. It's logical.
[ When he talks, she presses her fingers to her chin, covering half her mouth a bit. She wants to say something - to hold back the words she no doubtedly rambles with. It's not really... relevant until the trust talk happens. She's tense, her shoulders tightening and she shakes her head. ]
We can have a lunch before the training, if you'd like. Forcing your handle to expose anything further until you truly feel comfortable isn't my goal. [ She doesn't know if she could look at him again after Angel - after knowing that painful conversation still weighs on her chest. ] You'll - uhm - you'll have to really convince me if you want me to believe you saved the moon.
[ She has that slight childish demeanor back for a second, a skeptical look that carries with some sarcasm. ]
no subject
[ Jack is quick to speak up to dismiss that idea, and it seems that he doesn't think anything of her demeanor, or at least not now. It's contradictory, as many things are with Jack, but he's very trusting. At least, he is once he's decided to give it. He waves his hand to dismiss it, but he ends up just sighing and shrugging. The details of how it had gone down aren't something he likes to speak on, but at her sarcastic, skeptical smile, he ends up smiling a bit more too. ]
...What, don't believe me? C'mon, kiddo. I'm a lot of things, but a liar isn't really one of them.
[ He crosses his arms as he stands straight again, and his smile warms a little more with it. ]
It's a great story, honestly. Classic hero stuff. Impossible odds, ragtag team of heroes to help me out, giant lasers boring into the moon to blow it into bits-- Y'know. The classics!
no subject
i'm not deleting this so you'll have to
no subject