week 10 | sunday evening / monday morning

[baptizer]

[ After a certain conversation, Elizabeth immediately tracks Jason down when he's returning back to his room. She had changed into her pajamas - a modest night gown and robe - and carries a pillow. ]

Jason, hold on one moment, please.

[ By now, it's easy to see they both had a long night. Elizabeth's tired - clutching onto her pillow a bit tightly as she stops in front of him. ]

... Would you mind if I spend the night with you?

[ Good job, Elizabeth, you're getting more bold. ]

I can't be alone. I can go sleep in the parlour but I figured I would simply ask -

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[baptizer]

[ 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.

[antagonize]

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."]

[baptizer]

[ 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.

[antagonize]

[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.

[baptizer]

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. ]

[antagonize]

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'.]

[baptizer]

[ 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?

[antagonize]

[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.]

[baptizer]

[ 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.

[antagonize]

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.]

[baptizer]

[ 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.

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

[antagonize]

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.]

shhh the timestamp typo'd

[baptizer]

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.