001;

[washitaway]

[It takes him a while to figure out the console - a mechanical box of some sort, on the table in his little apartment? What newfangled technology is this now? Seems rather silly to Booker, being able to see people's faces through it. It's not any better than a telephone, and much less mobile.

It takes him a moment to realize the video feed is actually on and he can stop poking and banging at it - he frowns into the camera somewhat suspiciously, then.]

This seems like a nice enough place. I'm not looking for any trouble, but I need to find someone. A girl. Brown hair, blue eyes, a little on the small side. She answers to Elizabeth. It's important I find her.

If anyone can point me in the right direction, I'll be much obliged. If she's here.

[A brief look - of desperation, vulnerability, fear, even - crosses his face, and then he shakes it off.]

If you see her, tell her Booker's looking for her. [Then he flips off the feed abruptly.]

Comments

action;

[washitaway]

[Eaten or drunk? Well, yes, actually!]

Vigors. Uh, tonics, they had 'em in Columbia. Give you... powers.

[He holds up his left hand to demonstrate, and watches as it... sets on fire spontaneously! Booker cringes a little at it, though it doesn't hurt, it just... looks painful. After a moment, it goes away and his hand is back to normal.]

action;

[asouthron]

My God...!

[ How is this not detrimental in the long run? Humans should not have otherworldly powers! It isn't natural, and those who meddle in such things can't possibly know what they are truly doing. ]

These vigors... Do you know what they'll do, or do you just drink one and hope for the best? What if yer damn head explodes from drinkin' one!

action;

[washitaway]

[Booker scowls.] Necessary risk. They had zeppelins with rockets, a giant mechanical bird, handymen - huge, unholy monstrosities that were part man, part machine - fellas spouting fire like demons from hell, and entire armies - all tryin' to kill me.

I made use of whatever I could find. I'd say I was doin' pretty well for myself.

action;

[asouthron]

Christ, your world sounds like a horrible twentieth century amusement park.

Well, if it dissipates on its own, I guess there's nothing I need to do about it.

[ He starts putting back the instruments in his medical kit. ]

You wouldn't happen to have any of this vigor with you by chance? I'd like a small sample of it to study...

action;

[washitaway]

It was a goddamn hellhole.

[He rubs at the back of his neck, thinking for a moment.] Don't think they're supposed to dissipate. And I don't have any with me - I drank all of 'em I found.

Except...

[He gets up, grabs the vial of salts from the counter. It had been in his pocket when he showed up. He hasn't had cause to use the vigors at all since showing up, though, so he hasn't touched the salts. It's a liquid, glowing faintly blue in its bottle.]

Salts. Powers the vigors.

action;

[asouthron]

So they just... remain? These powers of yours?

[ My God, how desperate can you be to swallow potential poison? Hesitantly, he takes the bottle from Booker and eyes it suspiciously. ]

And with liquid, this becomes some sort of supernatural potion? Does it matter what kind of liquid?

action;

[washitaway]

[Booker shrugs vaguely. He has no idea, honestly, but there's no indication the vigors will ever go away now that he has them.]

Look, I don't know how it works, it's just like havin' enough ammo for your gun or fuel for your automobile. I can tell when I'm runnin' out, they start to go on the fritz, and I find more salts.

It's not magic, it's probably some kinda scientific claptrap. [Elizabeth might be able to explain it, BUT SHE ISN'T HERE (yet).] Fella that made 'em is dead back in Columbia, so you're not like to get any answers from him.