week 12 - fffffriday? i guess? whenever they have to decide the cradle junk

[refactor]

[ After their conversation, Jack had left Elizabeth to go find Rhys. It was unsurprising, since whatever bond Jack and Rhys had, it was... complicated, to say the least. Jack going to hunt him down earlier would have perhaps been worrying, and maybe it still was. Even so. As the weeks had gone on since Rhys's death, there had definitely been a fading resentment for Rhys, so Elizabeth could be fairly certain that Jack wouldn't still be holding that rage.

Of course, when she approaches Jack's little cabin, she'd be free to have doubts about that, because there is definitely yelling.

But weirdly, it's melodic yelling? Jack is truly belting out some kind of song, but it's not really singing so much as yelling.

The door is at least unlocked, so she can let herself in, but. It's definitely a super fucking stupid sight, because Jack is definitely yell-singing the chorus at Rhys. He gets to "size of your mainframe" before jabbing a finger at Rhys and moving onto another thought: ]

Nonono, fuck you, I stand by this, you're a total ass for making that your encr—

[ Though he seems to notice Elizabeth at this point, so he abruptly stops and looks at her. ]

Oh, hey, Liz. Found him.

[ this is Fine ]

Comments

[refactor]

[ Jack watches the exchange patiently, since unlike SOME PEOPLE he doesn't find this weird or in need of a yandere reaction at all. When Elizabeth steps back and speaks about being held up, Jack looks interested, but it's only briefly before Rhys speaks. He rolls his eyes, but then sets a hand on Rhys's shoulder as if that would stop garbage from spilling out of his mouth. It will not. ]

Anything in particular, or just, y'know?

[ He nods towards Rhys, which is meant to be a gesture to imply what Rhys had said as an option, but. Slightly less dickishly. ]

[baptizer]

You don't know that. I didn't know I could get another body and die in front of people again, but here I am.

[ Rhys stop being weird!! Elizabeth was super bitter he threw a tantrum in the woods while probably naked and on drugs. Let's be real. She lowers her gaze a bit, rolling her shoulder a bit. ]

Well... it's hard to explain? The letters in your inbox. We were told about a way to break the communication barrier between us and the living. Our personal cradles... they had to be refused. People are starting them - some haven't.

[ She looks to them with a forced smile. ]

It's scary, you know? I didn't - ah... I wasn't - ...I didn't know it was an illusion. You have to sacrifice your own personal heaven... [ Particularly glancing up to Rhys. He knows her happiest place. ] If we want to make sure the ship can get all the help it needs, you have to overcome this. I - ah... I gave up Paris. Dancing in Paris and freedom.

[ She waves it off, knowing now it wasn't real. It never will be real. ]

So yes, my friends helped me, Rhys. I want to help you two as well.

[jackhole]

[ don't make him fight, liz!! she says that and he immediately wants to bite back but he. is going to have self-control here because he DID NOTHING WRONG.

but as she keeps talking, he feels weirder and weirder because all his responses are negative. he doesn't care. it's too much, he just wants to be left alone still, he doesn't understand. so, instead he focuses on jack's hand on his shoulder and his arms cross over his chest as he frowns, staring at the floor. he can't help the furrow of his eyebrows and spike of bitterness when elizabeth reaffirms that yes, her friends helped her.

haha, god. he's so alone. ]

... You should probably help Jack. You guys have more people to contact than I do.

[ what would his personal heaven be anyway? he honestly couldn't answer that if asked. he used to think it'd involve fiona, but now... hah. ]

[refactor]

Oh, yeah. That.

[ Jack doesn't sound impressed, and in fact, he just crosses his arms and scoffs dismissively. There's a glance to Rhys briefly as he dismisses the idea too, but his reasoning is very different from Jack's, and that's clear enough. He doesn't press on Rhys's reluctance here, since Jack simply imagines that Rhys probably couldn't break out of it anyways. Because, you know. He's an asshole like that. Thanks, Jack. ]

You have to go in them? Because I can tell you right now, kiddo, I've got no interest in some bullshit fake heaven. I'll destroy it, no questions asked.

[ It's one of those odd moments where those more admirable parts of Jack shines through, because truly, he doesn't seem to have any doubts at all in this. Even so, Elizabeth has heard why, in part. Jack simply doesn't believe that a world where he hadn't strove for his happiness was worth it in the first place.

Though, after a pause, he does add: ]

...Also, I mean, it'd be pretty weird. I can take a pretty damn good guess at what mine would be like, and, uh. Yeah. Weird. Dooooon't want anyone seeing personal shit like that.

iiii didnt get a notif for this laughs my bad

[baptizer]

If we want to communicate with the living without filters, we have to. Unless you're content with being limited... I understand, I didn't want to do it either.

[ Despite how much she honestly wished she could have stayed. It's a scary thought. ]

Er.. I won't push the subject but I'm willing to just help you both and get it over with. It's much like getting a shot - you just deal with the needle prick and move on.

[ Weird shit is obvious but she's looking to Rhys with a concerned look. ]

You have us? Jack and I could help you, if you want to but -

... [ She trails off, knowing that this is a difficult choice. It's hard, definitely, and she's still a little shaken up. ] It all depends on if it's worth it, I guess.