Voxophone I -- video

[beunbroken]

[UNLIKE her… friend? escort? companion? partner-in-crime?, Elizabeth had significantly less-trouble starting the network running. Probably because she paid attention to what was being told to her. What can she say? She picks things up pretty easily. After turning on the PC, she settles down in front of it, looking at it curiously. This is where the feed begins.]

Oh! Hello! You really can see my face! It's like a voxophone and a Kinetoscope all in one!

Right. My name's Elizabeth- I'm looking for a man? He's tall, brown hair, rugged-looking, scowls all the time, like this: [She contorts her face into an exaggerated scowl for a moment, before returning to an easier-to-look-at face.] His name is Booker Dewitt, and if anyone has seen him… Well, I hope he's here. [Did she actually just say that? Yes, yes she did.]

And if he's not? Well, then, hello!

Comments

[washitaway]

[He looks skeptical - he heard things back in Comstock House, terrible things, through tears, and those damn voxophones, and he saw - well, he saw what it would've turned her into.

But he, too, isn't sure he wants to tell her all that, just yet. Not when he can tell her better things, so he just nods, and keeps his grip on her.]

The Vox ain't here. Comstock ain't here. Songbird, the rest of 'em. These people don't care who or what we were back in Columbia.

[beunbroken]

I'm free! I'm really, really free? [The idea of freedom, true honest freedom, she's hugging Booker tight again as the tears start to flow, her head buried in his neck.]

I'm not just out. I'm free, and you are, too. We're here and- [Her breath catches.] Oh, Booker! Thank you thank you thank you!

[washitaway]

It's not Paris. [He's quick to point that out, because, well, he really doesn't know what to do with a crying, hugging Elizabeth. Except another awkward pat on the back.]

I don't think Paris exists in this world, but... yeah. We got out.

[beunbroken]

[It isn't Paris. And she knows that. But maybe, some day, they can still make it to Paris. Until then, she's here, with her best friend because, really, that's what Booker is. He's a friend and a mentor and a partner in accidental-crime (Liz you picked those locks on your own). Whatever the hell they are, they've got a bond now.]

It's better. Because no one is going to come take me back to that tower. [She won't let them. She'll kill herself, first.]

[washitaway]

You're not going back there, ever. [That's a promise. Booker doesn't usually like making promises, but that's one he wants - needs - to make to her. He'll do whatever he needs to do to make sure she doesn't end up back in that place, ever again.]

I'm already doing some work - just running deliveries, but this fella hired me, no questions asked. We'll be all right.

[beunbroken]

Do you promise? [She knows he does. But she needs to hear it.

She pulls back again, trying to wipe her tears away, but it doesn't really work. Last time he saw her, she was crying, and now here she is, crying again.]

Running deliveries? I thought you got outta that business, [She tries snarking through the tears again.] Wait- we? You mean... you're staying with me, right?

[washitaway]

I promise. [He's happy to say it.

Hesitantly, he brushes away some of the tears with his thumb. Well, he doesn't have a handkerchief to offer her, okay?]

I'm not goin' anywhere. In fact, my suite's right around the corner, so you couldn't get rid of me if you wanted to. And I'm delivering fish, so don't give me that look.

[beunbroken]

[She sniffles, smiling at him softly. His thumb is soft against her cheek, his hands so large against her small face.]

Booker... I don't want to stay alone again. I don't want to cause any trouble, but- I can't be alone. [Not after so long.]

I'm sure there's something fishy to the job.

[washitaway]

Well, then, you can stay with me. Long as you want. [He'll sleep on the sofa. He's had worse.]

If you can stand the smell.

[beunbroken]

Thank you. Thank you so much, Booker. I- I don't know what I'd do without you. [She's crying again, but softly.] They said I'd never see you again. But I didn't believe them. And here you are.

[The smell doesn't matter.]

[washitaway]

Hey. [Frowning, he pushes the hair out of her face gently.] They lied. I would never abandon you. I'll always do everything I can to keep you safe. [It's true, even though he doesn't know why. He doesn't know why she makes him feel this fiercely protective, but she does, and that's just the way it is.]

[beunbroken]

I know. I told them. I knew you'd find me. [She's smiling softly as she looks up at him. She feels safe around him, just as protective as he feels towards her. Maybe it's because he's the only person she's ever really known. But... As much as he was a thug... She cared for him very much.]

[washitaway]

And now we're here, and they can't get you.

[Which is mission accomplished, as far as Booker is concerned.]

I hear there's books in all different languages, here. [Because he pays attention to these things, now. Things he thinks she would like, that is.]

[beunbroken]

[She casts her eyes downward, leaning into him slightly.] Thank you. [What else is there to say?]

[Okay, Booker, now you're just adorable. Hearing this, she perks up a little, looking back up at him] Really? I'd love to read Victor Hugo in the original French!

[washitaway]

I dunno - sounds like some language that ain't from our world. [He rubs at the back of his neck, somewhat awkwardly.] Maybe French, too.

[There were some people addressing him in French, he thinks!]

[beunbroken]

Then I'll just have to learn it. [Elizabeth is a certified Ravenclaw, okay? LEARN ALL THE THINGS. Like new languages.]

How long have you been here?

[washitaway]

[He's sure she will - as far as Booker is concerned, Elizabeth could probably learn anything she wanted to. SHE IS SUPER SMART!]

About a week. Folks here - they seem all right. Willing to help. [He's still wary, of course, that'll probably never go away - but he's been waiting for the other shoe to drop for a week and nothing.]

[beunbroken]

[She's your daughter, of course she is.]

That's... [She's wary, too, after everything they've been through. Nothing is what it seems at first glance.] good. Have you done much exploring? [Now that people aren't trying to kidnap her, she wants to explore.]

[washitaway]

Mostly just... learning my way around. [Yeah, he's not about to start trusting everyone on sight, but the fact that he's made it a whole week here without anyone trying to kill him is definitely a point in Tu Vishan's favor.]

[beunbroken]

We'll have to go exploring together, then. [And she should get some not-dirty clothes.]

[washitaway]

Sure - whatever you want. [He'd rather do it with her, anyway - someone needs to keep an eye on her, after all. Just because Comstock isn't here, doesn't mean there won't be dangerous people.]

[beunbroken]

[Booker, your protective streak is obvious.]

You really mean it? [She's smiling, traces of tears gone.] Booker, thank you. I mean it. I keep saying it, but I want you to know how much I mean it. You're... Well, you're my only friend.

[washitaway]

I - I know you mean it. You don't have to keep thanking me, though, really.

[He's a little embarrassed by it, actually. He's not usually the kind of guy who does things that people thank him for.]

And you'll make lots of friends, now. [Friends who are also girls, and closer to her own age, is what he means.]

[beunbroken]

I know. I'm sorry. I just... I really think you deserve it. You did a lot more for me than you needed to. Even after I attacked you. [Multiple times. With various weaponry.]

I hope so. I want to. And you'll make friends, too.

[washitaway]

It was nothin' I didn't deserve.

[He shrugs it off, because that's the only way he knows how to deal with things like that.]

We should start by getting you some decent clothes to wear. [Aka stop running around in that corset, geez.]