tushanshu | Second Apple; Video

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Second Apple; Video

[For the second time, the feed clicks on from Rosalind's console. For the first time, it's actually Rosalind's face on-camera, icy eyes staring right into her prospective audience. She looks awful, for lack of a better word...dark circles under her eyes, gaunt, pale...likely, she hasn't slept in a bit of time.

She's been listening to all the talk, all of the sadness...and in the stillness of her lab, she has something to say.]

I knew very little of the Empress. Still, for what it's worth, no one ascends the throne without realizing it's going to be dangerous. I've seen it before. Different times, different places....

[Columbia. Dimensions apart from this place, but so many of the realities that she once called home. It was hard to think about now, but she tries to reflect on it for just a moment. Comstock had not only tried to mount a throne, but had tried to sit his daughter upon it as well. So many ways that had gone wrong. She can feel something in her brain give, and she changes her train of thought, taking a moment to discretely wipe her nose.]

At the very least she acted with dignity in life. Perhaps it would be best to follow her example.

Mourning is fine. Still, speaking as someone who watched the ridiculous production after her own death, there are more important things to bear in mind. Tears are only for your own purposes. Elaborate memorials will only go so far. It means more to take the time to take action.

Before it's too late to take action at all.

On that note, if there is anything a spare scientific mind might aid, I would like to extend my hand.

[With a weary sigh, she cuts the feed.]

((ADDITIONAL BROADCAST AFTER DAMIAN'S ANONYMOUS CALL))

[A short time later, the feed returns - now the woman is visibly shaking, expression that of barely restrained emotion behind a very thin layer of composure. A lit cigarette burns between trembling fingers.]

I have been informed that Empress was the incorrect term. I did not mean any disrespect. I was not aware. I was trying to say something of consequence, but evidently I am far too ignorant to do so.

[She's at the end of her rope. That much is clear. This...hasn't helped. Her eyes look wet.]

I do apologize. Perhaps I should go back to my work and leave the epitaphs to those less insensitive.

[What might be a tiny sob escapes her before the feed turns back off.]

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Her title was not Empress. It was Emperor.

[ That's all, he disconnects after that. But he's twelve and she had earned his respect - not an easy feat - and so that seems important, to him. ]

[Just a child. A child piping up with a correction. She is a grown woman, and this shouldn't hurt her. She has endured far worse.

But it does hurt. Her first time sticking her neck out, addressing everyone at large, trying to be something resembling socially concerned - and the immediate response is that she's wrong.

Lighting a cigarette, she sucks in a breath, turning the feed back on.]

((See amendment to main post above.))

[ He didn't mean to upset - which is why the correction was so brief, and short on calling Rosalind ignorant or stupid. But, well. That's what he does, isn't it. He sees the update and rubs his face, but... decides that trying to explain further will only make things worse. So he'll. Just. Remain quiet. And maybe find a way later to see if she's all right, or something like that. ]

You're still not talkin' to Robert?

[He doesn't have anything to say about Eshai's death. Elizabeth has been a bit upset by it, but as far as he's concerned, there's nothing they can do. He never met the woman, personally.

But he does have some things to say to Rosalind.]

[Oh, GOOD. Just the guy that Rosalind wants to see, talking about just the guy she wants to hear about. Just perfect.

She scowls a little as she speaks, rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand.]

No, Mister Dewitt.

I am not.

[That's Booker - always around when you want to see him the least!]

Elizabeth wants to invite you over for Christmas. To eat, and exchange gifts.

[He pauses a bit because he feels like Rosalind might say no, but dammit, that would make Elizabeth sad, and Booker doesn't want that to happen.]

She's never done it before, with other people.

[At least some things are consistent.

She thinks for a long moment before responding - likely she had invited ROBERT, too, and she didn't want to see him....

...But it was also partly her fault that she had never had a REAL Christmas celebration.]

...For her...I will go. I'm afraid I am not...particularly social, mind.

You and me both.

[Ugh, it's so weird having her like this, not being a smartass and not having her brother nearby to finish all of her sentences. Booker thought the two of them were just a confusing nuisance, but this?

This is terrible. It's like there's something fundamentally wrong with the universe.]

I haven't bothered with holidays in a long time. It'll make her happy, though. She likes you.

[YOU HAVE FRIENDS, ROSALIND. Okay so maybe Booker wouldn't count himself among them, necessarily, but he's not an enemy, either. Maybe ally would be the best word for it.]

...She...likes me.

[The words almost sound alien coming out of her mouth.]

To be honest, I'm surprised that she still does, knowing what she knows.

[Booker just raises his eyebrows slightly.]

She likes me, and that should tell you all you need to know about Elizabeth - she wants to think the best of people, despite everything.

Regardless of the Emperor's death, have you been afforded a position at either Stark's or Wayne's scientific divisions? I work for both and have my own theories concerning how to send the detainees here home, having already shared them with Tony Stark.

[ Everyone on the turtle is miserable except for Spock, it seems. He might just be one of a handful of people approaching the situation objectively, so he actively contacts the red-haired woman who appears to be of a similar mind. ]

It is regretful that she is gone, as the sole claimant to the ability of bringing us to Tu Vishan. I do not, however, intend to waste time and energy in mourning when there are far more productive pursuits to be engaged in returning us home.

[Thank God. Finally someone sensible around here. Rosalind is able to calm herself down with a draw on her cigarette, glad to hear from a like mind.]

I have not. I am a quantum physicist with experience in interdimensional travel - literally wrote the book on it. I prefer to work by myself.... [A beat. That is...a complicated turn of phrase where she is concerned, especially now. She continues after the moment has passed.] ...But I would be happy to consult.

And thank you. That is precisely what I'm driving at.

You are welcome.

[ Perfunctory and to the point, he continues. ]

I believe I understand the nature of how we came to be here, though in truth I am now more inclined to think there is an alteration in the methodology of transport that is solely dependent on the different laws of physics governing each universe. What may take my ship's crew home is not necessarily a general solution.

Edited 2013-12-18 05:56 (UTC)

[Mm, she likes this fellow.]

That's very true. Different universes seem to have different properties, different rules in reality. The further from one probability you get, the more the traits disappear and differ from the origin point. Voluntary travel from one point to a distant point is...complex.

Indeed. [ He's so relieved not to have to explain any of that in detail, though he keeps his expression blank save for a curious arch of a brow. ] Though you have expressed your preference for working alone, I would suggest contacting Mr. Stark about using his facilities. They will more closely benefit your area of academic specialty and he is not an invasive employer. I believe the staff would also benefit from your experience, even on a peripheral level.

[ Stocking might have been more sympathetic but her opinion of Rosalind is already fairly sourly coloured. ]

For fuck's sake, don't cry about it.

[As upset as Rosalind is right now, her dislike of Stocking overpowers her for the moment.]

A fair point. It could be worse.

I could be more insensitive everythingl, I suppose.

Like some.

Better than smearing your blubbery face all over the network, yeah.

If there's any room left on the network once you've been on it.

Edited 2014-01-02 05:58 (UTC)

You know, someone should really put you in your place!

[ Pete only managed to see this after the amendment and he has to say, he hates the sight of a woman crying - though his initial draw was the mention of a scientific mind being available. ]

Woah, easy miss. It's an easy mistake to make. [ And he's being genuine there; travel among the stars enough, and you'll come across a variety of titles that translate funny and result in slip-ups. ]

What kind of work is it that you do?

[On the one hand, being patronized is frustrating. On the other, being called "miss" for the first time in ages is at least a tiny ego stroke to someone who feels so, so very old sometimes.

She tries to pull herself together.]

I'm a quantum physicist with special experience in interdimensional theory and travel.

[Damn kids.]

Like you said, it means more to take action.

I'm with you if you need a helping hand, Rosalind.

[Someone she can rely on. The exhaustion is laid bare for Holiday. There's no need to put up a front for her.]

Thank you, Rebecca. I just may take you up on that some day.

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Second Apple; Video

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Re: Video;

Video; ((OH MY GOD was I drunk when I wrote the last post???))

ahaha I just rolled with it

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