baptizer | week 10 | sunday evening / monday morning

[Unlike Elizabeth, it looks like Jason hasn't bothered to change into something more comfortable. Either he didn't care to get ready for bed after ending a certain conversation, or he was busy dealing with something else. Considering his usual attitude, there's no way of telling which is more likely.

He stops for her, however. Turns from his door toward her when she speaks up, and then — um. Yeah. Okay. Elizabeth sure is getting bolder. If he's surprised, he masks it quickly.]

... Yeah. Sure. [Wait. That sounds too kind.] I mean, I don't mind if you want to have a slumber party. We can talk about boys. Do our makeup. Complain about people we don't like. The nine yards.

[Ha ha. Talking about slumber parties makes him more upset than he'd like to admit. He told Adelina to crash at somebody else's place the next week, so she would have an alibi. What an idiot. He shouldn't have been concerned about her at all, but. Whatever. He gestures for Elizabeth to follow him and moves to unlock his room.

He's not looking at her, but he does add:] Besides, what kind of guy do you take me for? I'm not going to make you sleep in a room where anybody could kill you while you're busy snoozing away.

[Never mind the fact that by sharing a room, they're exposing themselves to death by betrayal. What a conundrum. His head is going to hurt if he starts thinking too much about the pros and cons of being a hermit versus actually interacting with other human beings.]

[ High five for classy ladies being more modern. She wasn't thinking anything lewd, honestly sleeping in a room where she trusts someone is important to her and sadly, Adelina was that. He goes on to do his usual overcompensating meanness and her nose crinkles up intensely. ]

Oh, yes I picture you in a ravishing rich rouge to really accent your cheekbones.

[ She's tired, does she sound serious? Nah, mostly a smartass. She follows Jason, laughing a bit. ]

Come on, don't be concerned with me. People wait for Thursday evenings for that.

[ Even if Adelina betrayed the entire ship, she doesn't lose her faith in him. That's telling. Jason would easily be the one who overpowered her - she's unarmed and she's naive. A deadly combination. Anything she had rests back with Hancock's hat. Her collection of "dead friend stuff" is growing. ]

I'll probably conk out like a child at this rate. It's been a very long day...

Well, I do have amazing cheekbones.

[He unlocks his room, stepping aside so Elizabeth can head in first. It looks like he's tied up since the last time she's been here, so she won't spot any stray bottles of alcohol or crumpled up sheets of paper inside. Not in plain sight, anyway.]

Yeah. Because all our killers have been surprisingly patient and polite so far. But there's no rule that says they have to wait until Thursday to carry out a conspiracy kill.

[Look. He's just... worried about her. Which is disgusting and he wishes he could hit the off switch on his feeheeheelings, but it's too late for that. He supposes that's probably a side effect of being trapped with a select group of people for over two months. The more the situation drags on, the more invested he becomes in everyone's continued survival.]

Just pick whatever bunk you want. Top bunk. Bottom bunk. Only difference is how long the fall's gonna be if you roll out of it.

[That, and one has decidedly seen more use than the other.]

[ She's definitely going to follow him inside! She'll notice how clean his room is in the morning, but for now, Elizabeth is focused on just... being around him? Feelings or interest aside, she's a lonely girl. She's scared after Adelina but - also strangely appreciative of the people she's close to. ]

So why break the habit now? [ She's dismissing it quickly, trying to play it light. It was either sleeping in the parlour, or with Jack - everyone else is bunked up so. She doesn't care if Luke catches her leaving Jason's room again (oops) - she'll choose him over Jack. Lbr.

She'll definitely lead up to where the bunks are and set her pillow down on whichever one Jason hasn't been using. She looks over her shoulder, a bit cautiously. ]

I don't toss and turn! I'll be lucky if I can sleep after tonight, but I can certainly try. [ But, she waits: ] Thank you, Jason. For welcoming me here.

[ Is this welcomed? Maybe she's use to reading through bullshit at this point. ]

Not.. not how I expected everything to go down, if I'm being candid.

[This is, indeed, Jason's way of welcoming her here. He would rather chew on styrofoam before admitting to it, however. This is why he's simply waving his hand dismissively, like her gratitude is superfluos. He doesn't like it when his acts of kindness are brought up. It ruins his whole image.]

If I didn't let you in, then I'd have another trial to deal with before the end of the week.

[Whatever. The bottom bunk is the one he typically uses, so she's free to toss her pillow in the top bunk. It's hard to tell what's bullshit and what's genuine, but he wasn't kidding about the fall being a long one depending on which bunk is used. Experience is the best teacher. It's better to not bring that up.

Regardless, it seems like he (miraculously) still has a couple of blood-free pajama bottoms and shirts after the last couple of weeks. He's in the process of selecting something to change into real quick when she says that.]

... Honestly? Don't think it's how anyone expected things to go down. Adelina was— [There's a second's pause here, like he's carefully choosing his words.] She was trusted. A lot of people thought she would never contribute to the "game". Goes to show you never know how low someone is willing to stoop for their ridiculous sense of duty.

[He says this like he, himself, wouldn't be willing to kill if he thought it was necessary. The life and times of a hypocrite, huh?]

[ She'll take the top, then. Her pillow up, she shortly follows. Elizabeth lies on her side, facing out to the openness of the room. He may not like it, but Elizabeth - well.. she would figure he needs to know her feelings before one of them does something stupid. ]

Don't be dramatic, you're sounding like Jack. [ That was a true tease, but Elizabeth dismisses the seriousness of the accusation. No one would have killed her so soon .... right? Her hand dangles off the edge of the bed limply, fingers trailing the line of the mattress. Of course, when if he begins to change, she closes her eyes because oh boy, that would kinda make her flustered. ]

She's human. Any way you can cut it, humanity was born from one mistake. It's their nature. [ Hello, Adam and Eve!! ] Adelina... she made her choice and died for it. I'm crushed, Jason... but she's paying for it. Let's leave it at that.

[ It hurts to say, so he can see her definitely roll over away from facing him. ]

You can't anticipate anyone's motives or actions. The only reason I get a free pass is because of - [ You know. But, he recalls her anger and how disgusted she was. Willing to throw herself as some bait for these creatures. ] - but... call it foolish, I still trust you.

[He's not getting changed in front of her, at least. For now, he's simply picking clothes out from whatever he has left after both #ventgate and #salsagate. He has more decency than that? Not to mention, stripping in front of Elizabeth would feel — weird. Weird is a good adjective. It's better not to dwell on that feeling.]

Yeah. Humanity was born from one mistake, alright. That mistake is called conception. [Ah. Hello, casual misanthropy. It's amazing it hadn't blatantly reared its head until now. Unsurprisingly, it also serves as a pun.] The universe might've been better off without mankind. But you're right. She's paying for it. I'll leave it at that.

[Adelina was her friend. Being betrayed by someone you trusted is one hell of a slap to the face. He would know that. So he refrains from twisting the knife in as much as he can. With the results of tonight's trial and the conversation they had earlier — she probably has enough to deal with as it is.]

Got it. I'll call it foolish. [He's moving to the bathroom now, although he can still be heard. He'll change where he's out of view. The door is definitely still open, however.] Just try not to be surprised if— When that decision bites you in the ass.

[If, or when. Nice last minute change of words.]

...

[ Elizabeth purposefully keeps her mouth shut. Not only did she have a waning opinion on religion, but she also believed in the sciences. Of Rosalind Lutece's brilliance. As she got older, she believes less in angels and more in scientific theories, but some habits die hard. ]

I don't even care anymore.

[ That was a bit... concerning. Her voice was dry, almost akin to his. There wasn't the usual spunkiness to counter him. Instead, she just accepts the fact. ]

There's little I can do to affect how fate plays out. [ That was actually a direct contrast to what she told Luke. Funny how hypocrites work. She won't brood, she can't. She's far too tired. ] Be it you or someone else - or.. one of those creatures... if someone has a goal in mind, they'll carry it through until the end.

[ But, okay, she's still a girl so she doesn't roll back over, she just moves her arm back, draping her hand over the edge of the bed as if asking for him to come closer or hold her hand. Jason won't do it, but it's there and Elizabeth is five. ]

[It's... very concerning, actually. And it gives him a pause while he finishes changing in the bathroom, slowing as he replaces his eyepatch with gauze for the night. He eyes her carefully when he steps out, though his tone remains the same.]

So you're just going to... what? Give up? I've gotta say, that's a little disappointing. You don't think that same hubris you're talking about could apply to you, too?

[And then — then her hand is right there, draped over the edge of the bed. The intent seems obvious to him, he thinks. But knowing her intent doesn't stop the gesture from feeling completely and utterly foreign to him. He knows he's not cut out for this kind of crap. Fully recognizes that comforting people is just not his forte. But. It's Elizabeth. As much as he enjoys annoying the shit out of her and making fun of her, he doesn't quite enjoy seeing her unhappy. Not really, no.

He rolls his eyes at her.]

Fatalism doesn't suit you.

[... Despite her expectations, he does touch her hand. Whether the contact is brief or prolonged depends on her. She can grasp his hand to keep it there, or she can let him move away after a moment.]

[ Truthfully, she's tired. Grumpy. A grandma, really. The strain of the day partnered in with being tired makes her feel more pessimistic when she really is. Elizabeth never thought she would feel this - the longing for someone. If songbird had died, maybe? Ultimately her loneliness now turns into mourning. An equivalent exchange, really. ]

I never said anything about giving up, don't you dare - [ Adelina would never let her hear the end of it. Instead she's just being a reflective baby. ] Do you lecture Luke when he talks about fate or am I just lucky?

[ When she feels his hand, she clenches her fingers around his. Holding tightly, her thumb rubs against the old scars that may line his knuckles from trainings gone wrong or possible breaks from fights. Elizabeth keeps silent, tugging his hand up a bit more. ]

Will you lay with me here? I understand if not.

Nah. Luke doesn't talk to me about fate. I don't lecture him. Seems like you really are just that lucky.

[Jason allows her to hold his hand, idly watching her thumb trace his knuckles. This is fine. Maybe. Probably. Possibly. He isn't entirely sure. Uncertainty's one hell of a thing. But then his hand is being tugged up.]

What? [He raises his eyebrows, briefly but visibly surprised by the request.] Not too scandalous for your pre-historic sensibilities? Color me surprised.

[He's teasing. Please note that it's not a "no."]

[ She scoffs at that one. Being under Jason's teasing isn't really luck. He sends some major mixed signals, honestly but she's learned to take it easy and not seek too deeply into things. Still, she holds his hand tightly - with a bit of warmth in her voice. ]

You told me to go for what I want, should I just demand you lay next to me?

[ She finally rolls over and he can see her there; a weak smile on her face. ]

I'm not asking for you to be intimate with me. I just - I don't want to be alone and you make me feel safe. I won't beg for you to hold me. Just - lay and talk with me.

If, you know, being a fossil isn't off putting for you.

[He laughs at that. Not anything boisterous, but something light. Teasing. It's more of a huff than anything.]

Sure, whatever floats your boat. Some would find it kinky.

[There is a beat.

And then he sighs, gesturing for her to create more space on the bed.]

Scoot over. If you complain about body odor, I'm kicking you out so this week's murderer can get a head start.

Those sort aren't here, I assure you.

[ She does as he asks, scooting until her back is pressed to the wall of their little bunk cubicles. Her head rests on her pillow, clutching her fingertips onto the fabric while she watches. ]

What? Scared you may smell like fire and smoke?

[ A TEASE RIGHT BACK. ]

Really. You're sure?

[Joking, but. Okay. He climbs up after she's scooted back, doing his best to fit in there without invading too much of her space. For obvious reasons, this is easier said than done, so. Uh. Good luck, Elizabeth.]

Hah. If I smell like anything, it's not going to be fire and smoke. You'll have to crash over at Luke's to get a whiff of that.

[JUST SAYIN'.]

[ Yeah, this was a tighter fit than she imagined. Her knees bump against his thighs and her elbow near his shoulder. She tries not to think too much about it - or how the red creeps on her cheeks. ]

Had har; I think I'll just stick to watching and hearing if I'm going to tune my senses to you.

[ It was awkward at first, but she feels a bit at ease soon after. ]

What are you going to do when you go back to your world?

[Think clean thoughts, chum. Think clean thoughts.

If he had any snarky response for her first statement, it's sadly lost to the void as she asks her question. His reaction is subtle; a small twitch of the lips and a split second where he doesn't seem to be quite looking at her. Not many people would catch it. Then again, Elizabeth might be learning to see past the bullshit by now.]

Well, you know me. Lots of irons in the fire. Lots of things to do. Stuff. Your every day zombie activities, really.

[He'll be busy with revenge plots that may or may not end in his death. Again. Elizabeth doesn't need to know that.]

[ Unfortunately, Elizabeth doesn't quite see that telling sign. Far too trusting, far too naive - she still is learning to read people. He's distant like usual and she doesn't push the matter. A roll of her eyes follows as she lets out a soft laugh. ]

I get it - you have a busy zombie schedule when you get home. So much shambling, so little time.

Exactly. [Not really.] Congratulations. You're learning.

[She doesn't press, and it's a relief. He wouldn't tell her the truth, not ever. But it's so much easier when there's no need to come up with appropriately blase answers to ignore her question.

Like the hypocrite he is, however, he tries to take the focus of this conversation away from himself by asking a question of his own:]

What about you? No busy zombie schedule for you when you get back home — so what are your plans?

["When," not if.]

[ Elizabeth does watch him - since she's on her side, after all. The way he seems relieved is something she can pick up on this time. Her lips curl into a warm smile. ]

Isn't it obvious? I just want to get to Paris. I don't care if I have a franc to my name. I'll figure something out! [ It sounds so silly when she talks about it now, a dream so out of reach. ] ... Would you mind if I visit you? If my powers return, anyway.

If you're so set on Paris, maybe you should consider letting the kids tag along with you. Or — tag along with them. Whichever works. They'll probably give you the grand tour.

[A nice, soothing vacation in Paris truly does sound silly given their current circumstances, but he's not going to tease her for it. Even if he's pessimistic about how everything will end, at least someone should be allowed to think of better things.]

Now, why would you want to visit me? My world's boring. You'll be looking for a way out the second you get there.

[That, and... Should he make it home, there are many things to do. People to kill. Kingpins to knock down. Clowns to round up. It's better if she doesn't.]

I had discussed it with them. That's implying I could find the right time and universe they're in. It's still tricky and after this...? I'll definitely be rusty.

[ #powers

Elizabeth does close her eyes a bit, knowing full well her Paris was as pretty as a picture. Something that was so vividly pure and wholesome. She's ready for the reality. Anything is better than being trapped.

When he talks about his world she makes a face, resigning to her own thoughts for a moment. ]

I don't know, maybe it wouldn't have been so boring to me. I would be visiting for you, clearly. [ Forward, forward, but she smiles a bit. ] I had promised a few others to try and find them too... I guess it's foolish, but it was a nice thought.

week 10 | sunday evening / monday morning

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blocks the time stamp on my last tag w/ my hands

shhh the timestamp typo'd