tushanshu | Entries tagged with † elizabeth comstock

[Elizabeth appears on the screen, her bright blue eyes wide and filled with tears. She says nothing, but holds up a sign. It simply reads:

Pavel Chekov Has Gone Home.

It's not even in her normal, flowing handwriting. Instead, it's on tear-stained paper, her letters simple.

Pavel Chekov has gone home. Leaving her here alone. No goodbye, no nothing. No hope of joining him in Space or on the Moon or anything. Nothing at all.

It's the first time she's ever experienced loss. At least, loss of this magnitude.

She shuts off the feed, having no intentions of sitting around to write down platitudes. If you need her, she'll be in her bedroom.]

grigio

[Julie's been trying to help get things back in some semblance of order around here, but there's a lot to do and frankly it felt a little overwhelming at times. So she didn't really do a lot to check in with friends which finally caught up to her and she felt bad. Today, she's at her console which is flickering and wavering and screeching on occasion. She's recording from her suite and the video on her end fickers from her with her head ducked down, pen in hand as she writes something on a piece of paper to the very shadowy image of...something...moving on screen. At one point, the feed blinks out entirely and when it comes back on, she's holding up a piece of paper. Her note is short.]

Everyone I know, please check in.

[Whether or not it actually is seen, she's not sure. She holds that note up for a good minute just to be sure before letting setting the paper down and waiting nervously. All she wants is to know where her friends are so she can talk to them.]

wintershepherd

[ Jack has mostly been flying under the radar during the past month, keeping to himself. Though he's worked regular shifts at the Fishing Shop and at the Welcome Center, when he wasn't there he was often nowhere at all, away from the city. He doesn't intend to address the recent exodus of people from the city, even though he's taken many of them like punches to the gut. Instead he keeps his tone light, and focuses on something that almost never fails to put some lightness back into him. ]

So fun fact: turns out the kedan have something a lot like "Take Your Kids To Work Day" from back home and there's a group that still need some volunteers. Anyone want to help out some kids and let them shadow you for a day?

alterer

[The feed kicks on to Nilin looking a little weary. Her day thus far hasn't been a good one and it's starting to show.]

Can anyone tell me where in this place I can get a drink? A good drink, mind you. The last bar I found tried to serve me something resembling dishwater.

[And it tasted what she imagines dishwater would taste like, too. There's a pause, and with a light sigh, Nilin speaks again.]

And, to the anonymous voice who spoke up when I first arrived. I'm listening.

[This time, she'll cooperate.]

backinakidflash

[It's been some time since Bart has graced the Network with a post. After Tim left the first time, that had been a miserable one to make. The shine is definitely gone like the cheap, shiny (lead-filled) paint on a kids meal toy.]

You know what is one of THE most annoying short story I've ever read? Hills Like White Elephants. Cause like. The Lottery was a trainwreck of stupid and gross, the one where that girl got shot out of the airlock was tragic, Super-Toys Last All Summer Long, All in a Summer Day - they're all about the worst of humanity, and I get that.

[It's strange how he has a hard time coming up with a short story that wasn't A huge downer, but, since he's venting, he doesn't pause the fast-paced, near breathless delivery to muse on it for long.]

But Hills Like White Elephants, man. It's four pages of doing nothing but waiting for this couple to stop dancing around the topic and complaining that everything tastes like licorice. Like that's a bad thing. I'd cut off my arm for a twizzler. All right not the whole arm, but me and my pinkie have never been on the best of terms. Twizzlers are nature's straws. And that's how they go. On and on. For pages of nothing that dance around everything and you just want to shout at them to freaking say it already because the rampant silence is killing her and the incessant chatter is putting him off. But on the other hand, who cares about him? He's a scumbag, and I hope that - in the fiction of Hemingway's - she grew a spine and dumped his fatass and ran off to run a tourist bar in Borneo. Because he was freaking selfish.

[He shrugs at this terrible understatement. 'Shithead' would be better, or reprehensible dickwad, but this isn't actually a symposium on the works of Ernest Hemingway. It just seemed like the best way to bring up how there were so many things, including Malicant, that no one talked about directly. Talk about white elephants by bringing up the story where they talk about white elephants to ignore the white elephants.]

So, yeah. Most annoying four pages I've ever read, and that's not counting all the essays analyzing it. Half of them were longer than the story! That is what happens when you hafta keep avoiding a topic. The coding and decoding detour takes way longer than flat out talking about it ever could, and. Let's be real. Not talking about things is halfway to lying, and oh-what-a-tangled-web hasn't stuck around for two centuries because Marmion is such a gripping read. Ohgoditreallyisn't. Why am I talking about Walter Scott?

[He actually stops here, scratching behind his ear for a moment until the tangent becomes a parabola and re-intersects with the original topic.]

Ugh, right. Hemingway. Things snowball. Before you know it, you're in an entire room full of white elephants, crowding out all the oxygen, and you can't turn around without face planting in saggy gray butt. Names that you shouldn't say, that you can't say, things you don't want to say cause you'll upset someone else or you, or piss them off and. It's turning every conversation into "Oh. We're talking about that now? OK."

ALL of it could be avoided if people just said what was on their mind because decades of watching what I say is getting old. I can't take it. I'm not wired for patient and subtle. I'm gonna be the first Allen in four generations to get gray hair. Because all I can do is sit here like -

[He jumps to his feet dramatically, pointing off in the distance.] "What in the world could that be?"

[And sits back firmly, as if it's possible to sit down resolutely with enough speed and force. Bart slaps a hand on the desk for good measure.] IT'S A WHITE ELEPHANT. It sucks.

And so does Hemingway.

washitaway

[When the feed starts, it’s on an empty suite, showing a slept-on couch, a clean kitchen, and a very snazzy guitar. Astute viewers will recognize it as Booker DeWitt’s guitar. And his suite. Off-screen, voices can be heard.]

C’mon. You just have to ask. It’ll take five seconds. [That would be Elizabeth, apparently back to living with Booker in his suite. It’s a far cry from when we last left our heroes.]

I don’t see why I have to show my ugly mug to half the city, though. [Booker’s voice is lower, but actually not slurred with drink for once. Apparently, Elizabeth being back has sobered him up considerably.]

Because, [Elizabeth begins patiently,] it was your idea, and you need to ask. No one’s going to hate you, and you are not ugly, don’t say that. If you wanted to do an audio-only- y’know, like a voxophone- you should have said something before. Now go sit and ask!

[Very reluctantly, Booker walks into view of the screen and sits down, looking rather abashed. He’s also looking cleaner, fresher and more sober than he has in weeks. He just shaved yesterday, folks, it’s a miracle. Elizabeth trails along behind him, looking quite proud of herself. But she won’t be taking her eyes off of Booker, until the message has been sent. It’ll be a long time before she trusts him with something even like that.]

Anybody know of nice restaurants around here? Um. The rich sort. I had a bit of a windfall recently and. Well, I’m just wondering. Any that might seem like they could be Parisian?

[He frowns and turns back to where Elizabeth is standing, shrugging as if to say ‘do you have anything else to add?’]

[Why, yes, she does, how kind of you to ask, Booker. Actually, at the mention of the restaurant in question being vaguely Parisian, Elizabeth, brightens up considerably. When he’s done, she wraps him in a quick hug, then turns to the screen.] Thank you so much in advance! [And then, back to Booker, almost a whisper as she reaches for the control panel.] And thank you, dad.

[The feed switches off.]

----
[ooc: specify whom you wanna talk to, or both, whatever!]

iguanasolution

[The first thing the network sees is a big piece of paper with something written in it with dark ink, and careful calligraphy. For those who understand, it says 'Fai Zhang son of Emily Zhang', 'The strongest dragon of them all' ... and 'I like rice'.

Grandma Zhang had really tried to teach him Chinese but he had barely listened, okay, it was actually hard for him to remember that much.]

So... [After a few moments he moves the paper from the camera and the network gets a view of Frank, looking slightly awkward. It's been a while since he made an actual post on the network. Ever since he lost his voice, actually.] Is there anyone who can understand this? It's Chinese, at least that's what it's called where I'm from. If so, could you teach me? I'll pay.

I'm not sure how much I should pay for this, so just... pick your price? Like, I'm not loaded or anything so keep that in mind.

[He shrugs. Really bad at this, for srs.]

Also, I was given this. [He shows the network... a little bag of purple candy. Or what looks like candy anyway.] By Milyn, that [Uh] really happy doctor who helped us all when we ghosted out and later, to recover what we'd missed and cleansing in the ritual. She's nice, or she seems nice, but yeah.

Candy given by strangers. You see how that could end up badly. So is there anyone who could analize it or something? Tell me if it's safe for consumption? I'll also try to pay for that. [Rich kid, never really had to think about money, etc.]

Thanks!

ciderandstew

[The video starts with Calypso, sitting outside in the Earth sector somewhere, weaving fabric headbands or jewelry in an attempt to keep her hands busy and her mind occupied. She quiet for a moment, finishing one of the accessories and setting it aside in her basket.]

By now, it's become apparent to me that there are natives from more than a few different worlds calling the turtle home currently. I may not be around much on these devices, but I've spent my time watching and listening...

[She pauses, wringing her skirt in her hands a little.]

I'd like to hear stories about your homes, what makes it different from what you've learned about the others here. Your favorite things, what you miss most... If it's not too much to ask, that is.

If you want, I'd be more than happy to exchange a story of my own as well.

relatable

[She looks more like a deer caught in someone's headlights than someone about to proclaim something, but it's been coming up, and she doesn't know how to deal with it.]

I don't know what you all want, but I'm the Abigail Hobbs Hannibal mentioned. [Maybe it's like putting a target on her back. She doesn't see herself as an innocent, though she would have done anything to be able to say this to the world back home.]

My father was a serial killer, too. So if you have something to say to me, this is the place.

[It's personal, and it's open, but she thinks she knows what she's doing. Abigail always thinks she knows what she's doing before she throws herself to the flames.]

beunbroken

[Elizabeth is not in the suite she was last seen at. Nor is she nearly as happy looking. Oh, no, the young woman that appears on the screen right now is extremely cross, her bright blue eyes ringed with red and dark circles. Her mouth is set in a fine line and her jaw tight.]

Do not trust Booker DeWitt. He's a liar and a thug.

Don't make the same mistake I did.

[Without any further explanation, she cuts the feed.]

----
[major spoilers likely for bioshock infinite in the comments, if you're worried about that sort of thing]

unconchonable

[The feed turns on to show Eridan, surely his is a face everyone wants to see so soon, especially after his last post. Though, he looks really fidgety. Drumming his fingers on the desk as he starts:]

So, back when I was on my planet, Alternia, I used to do this thing. Orphanin'. Y'know, go around killin' the lusii a other trolls. I mean, it serwed a purpose, was no mindless slaughter or the like. Was actually a pretty damn honorable job to hawe. Probably the most if I'm bein' honest here. Thankless though it were.

[Is this story time with Eridan? It is possible. The finger drumming ~~intensifies~~ continues. His fins are even flicking here and there with notable agitation as he tries to keep up the ruse of being anything but. Stoic is the aim, but sadly Eridan's aim falls pretty far from the mark when it concerns anything that ain't a gun or wand.]

See, it was called Orphanin', 'cos unlike you pink animals who raise their young all weird an' sympathetic-like, we trolls are taken in by beasts-- [as if on cue, there's a rather large white seahorse peeking into view. Eridan spares him a glance, before shoving his head out of view. He's really a polite child, even to the creature that raised him. But hey, maybe that explains a few things! How mannerly could a guy even be when he was raised by a giant floating seahorse?]

--anyway, it was my job to lay slaughter to a good amount a them, leawin' many a troll without their lusus, like I was some kickass royal slayer or some such. Which I was, don't need you lot thinkin' different and such. The ocean was my killin' cauldron, really...

[He lets out a near dreamy sigh recalling those good memories. But honestly, it just frustrates him more than anything.]

...kinda got off track there for a sec, the whole bloody point a this is to say I'm pretty fuckin' restless as a late, an' sponge numbingly bored. I'm more used to hawin' far more... [violent] things to do.

So, I figured to myself, that I'd ask you lot if you knew a any places where there may be a influx a beasts. I think my intentions are obwious, but I mean, if I don't do somethin' and soon I may be liable to kill someone outta boredom.

[A PAUSE FOR DRAMATIC EFFECT...]

An exaggeration, a course.

HOWEWER, I suppose I could shed some consideration an' ask if you pink skinned beasts got some sorta taboo concernin' the harm a random beasts, but surely you ain't that sensitiwe of a species... right?

[See, He can totally be all sorts of considerate, nothing but consideration here! He's even aiming his pent up violent frustrations at animals and not people!! Such consideration. He's like a dog that's been in its kennel all day with no way to burn off that violent energy, so he's... trying, at least?]

Or, if any a you got any better ideas, I guess I'm willin' to listen to it. But it better not be something's stupid like "hawe you tried not bein' wiolent?" 'Cos fuck that noise.

grigio

[Julie's usually a responsible person but today, she woke up with a bit of a shock. Probably the worst one in a good long while. Raleigh was gone. She checked where he worked. She checked his usual hang-outs and when she checked his old suite and saw the Kedan cleaning it...

Well, that confirmed it. He was gone.

So she went back home and tried to go back to bed, but she couldn't sleep. She should tell people what was going on. But she didn't want to. When she finally could drag herself to her console to post a message, the video is on for at least a second and the look on her face is definitely one of hurting.

So off the video feed goes when she realizes she can't actually say what's wrong and she resorts to text, instead.

She doesn't even bother filtering it.]

Raleigh Becket is gone.

[That's it. That's the note. That's all she wrote, folks. She may have to just stay inside today and try to paint something because going out sure as shit isn't happening.]

gravityfields

[ There's a petite woman looking at the camera slightly unsure, because this is weird. She thought changing the ring tone on her cell phone was too confusing to bother figuring out. Not that she'd actually really tried, and at least she had been given a tutorial on this machine. But she launches right into science and gains surety and excitement as she talks. ]

The, uh, local people said I should post my questions on here. I'm looking for information regarding physical properties of this world. Obviously the gravity is at least highly similar to that on Earth, but [ she holds up a device that's not got a whole lot of activity on the screen ] I need to do some minor calibrations to this in order to properly catch anomalies. And if I can properly study the anomalies then I can probably duplicate them in reverse to get back home.

[ Jane is really excited at this point. She takes a moment to catch herself and calm down with a tiny huff of laughter. She's well aware of how odd her excitement can be to strangers. ]

I'm Jane Foster, by the way. I study gravitational anomalies and wormholes and the like. Is there a university here somewhere? It would be nice to have a place to do research while I'm here.

[ Pause. Is this like a phone call or video question board or something? Are people listening live or what? Jane gives a tiny shrug. ]

Uh, thank you for your help?

snehjerte

[The video feed has started to flicker, on and off, on and off, catching bits and pieces of Anna struggling to remember what the Kedan taught her about using these things. When the feed finally steadies, there's a triumphant "AHA!" that goes along with it. She looks plenty smug about her little victory, flicking a single pigtail back over her shoulder.]

Got it! Hah! That was nice and easy, just like they said.

[And then she abruptly remembers that she'd turned the thing on so she could talk to people. For half a second her eyes widen, then she recomposes herself, clearing her throat and dropping the self-satisfied smile so that she can look official. Or at least poised. ...Which doesn't last long, because she can't really help smiling or waving cheerfully (if a little awkwardly) at the camera.]

Sorry about that, I didn't mean to, um- Anyway. Hello! To... everyone that can see me! The Kedan said that I could use this- [She gestures at the console with one hand.] -this thing to contact people if I had any questions, and I, well, I've got a question! Just a quick one, really.

I know they said that we probably can't leave here, ever, but it's kind of important that I do. I mean, first of all I have to find my sister Elsa and bring her home to Arendelle because- Well, it's just really important that I do all that, so I wanted to see if anybody had any ideas?

Anyway, it's very nice to meet you all! I mean- Well, I guess I'm not really meeting you just yet, since we're not seeing each other right now, which is still really weird, but- you know what I mean.

[She pauses for a second, chewing on the corner of her lip, trying to figure out what else she should say. How do people end speeches, anyway?] Okay. Um- That's all! Sooo... Thank you very much. For your time. ...Bye!

washitaway

[Today, Booker is sitting back a ways from the console, and the reason for this becomes apparent very quickly - he’s holding a gorgeous custom guitar, which was a Christmas gift from Elizabeth. He holds it almost as though he’s worried it’ll disappear if he looks at it too much or misuses it in the slightest. It is easily the nicest guitar he’s ever had the pleasure of playing, and his big hands are almost reverential as he tunes it.

He also, it must be admitted, looks a little uncomfortable - he’s not used to doing this for an audience. He doesn’t play for people - he plays for himself, mostly, when he can and when he feels like it. Performing isn’t something that comes naturally to him. But, as usual, he’s being compelled to do it by a small, pretty girl with big blue eyes.]

So, Elizabeth wants to sing for you all. As a happy New Year, maybe. [His eyes slide to the girl in question, because this was her idea, so she can talk now.]

[Elizabeth, on the other hand, raises an eyebrow at Booker. What a great way to put that, Booker. Really. We all know what this is really about. And she’s going to tell the turtle.] I mostly just wanted Booker to play- he’s amazing, even if he won’t admit it. [haha! Take that!]

[Booker grimaces a little.] I am not, don’t go makin’ claims like that and getting everyone’s expectations up. [Still, he strums a chord, making sure it’s all ready to go.] Let’s just do this.

[Booker gets another look from Elizabeth, a small dart of her eyes, before she looks at the screen. Let them be the judge of that, she’s all but saying out loud. All the same, she says nothing else out loud, but instead, she turns away from the console. From there, it’s easier to focus on the man across from her, and not get what she would probably equate to stage fright. With a smile, Elizabeth nods, starting to sing as he plays.]
I'll take you home again, Kathleen
Across the ocean wild and wide
To where your heart has ever been
Since you were first my bonnie bride.

[The song ends, and Booker looks to Elizabeth - he likes her singing, but he wants to cut the feed now. Please, Liz?] Uh, thanks for listening.

[Yes, they can cut the feed now, Booker. With a smile, and something soft and bright in her eyes, Elizabeth reaches forward and presses the ‘off’ button.]

[ooc: let us know who you wanna talk to in the tags <3]

solo_patria

If nothing else, it certainly has been a year.

[Enjolras's face is thoughtful still, pensive as always, but certainly less guarded than it was when he arrived here himself, perhaps six months ago. It is some progress of a sort.]

One year ago today, close enough to today, at least, it is so very hard to tell, I was in Paris, still, and seeing the better world we were meant to usher in, though it was difficult to determine, at that point, when we'd take to barricades a second time. I wrote, I spoke, I read, and prayed for something better as I had never prayed for anything since I was...very young.

[And just who did he pray to? Well, it's better that is left unsaid. There is some speculation there, as it seems likely it was not to any God or Gods not made such by revolution.]

And I've seen much in this past year. Darkness and a new disease at home, the heights of love and sacrifice, virtue, friendship and loyalty defined, refined and brought forth to new heights. And then, I managed to come here, where those lessons, and the new things that I've learned have taught me even more.

Life here has been a life of learning, one of mistakes, triumph and despair and joy. I've been blessed in it, and overall, it has been good, but there are those we've lost, some far more recently than others, some who have been especially dear to us.

I speak of those whom we have lost this year, in specific, those from my home. We have lost others as well, but I prefer to stick to those whom we've known best when speaking of memorials and such. I would propose that we do something if it's possible.

Are there any who would be willing to join in such if we should offer it?

Castmates:

Do we have ideas for something we might do beyond drinking in their honor? It would suit some of them well enough, but not for Jehan, I imagine. I would welcome ideas.

Dorian Grey:

You were,in many ways, the closest of anyone to Jehan here. I would especially hope you are willing to come, perhaps to speak of him, ad if you should need anything, please do inform me.

hanssome

[ooc: No spoilers for Frozen, jsyk.]

[Despite having been taught how to use the computers and the seeming necessity of doing so, Hans hadn't been quick to make his entrance. He's been observing, trying to get an idea of the sort of people he'll come across here, it's a while before he's entirely ready to begin playing along.

A bright, smiling face will appear on the feed, he's pretty delighted that he's learned how to work the contraption with such ease. He seems a little unsure of how to start, whether he should introduce himself or head straight into the issues here. Instead, he opts for small talk.]

It was very nice of the people here to teach us how to use these, we don't have anything like it where I'm from. [He gives a soft laugh.] I thought I should take the time to introduce myself. I am Prince Hans of the Southern Isles, but since they aren't here... [He trails off, looking just a bit concerned by that.] Hans, will do.

I haven't been here long, so any information you can provide would be most appreciated..And in turn, if there is any way in which I can assist you, please do not hesitate to let me know. [He can't help bowing his head a little at the computer. He's not really sure if you're meant to bow at them. Royalty could be watching, it seems a safe bet.]

grigio

[Jules feels like this is in bad form, in light of recent events. It's irrelevant because someone important and cared for died. Violently. But she had news and while she wanted to shout it from the mountaintops, maybe keeping it to people she knew was the best way to do it?

So this is filtered to the people she knows. Jack. Korra. Raleigh. All of her close friends ~~which is actually a lot of people~~.

She even filters it to Allison Argent, since she deserves to know.

And Julie being Julie, she has to be an absolute shit about it.]

Guess what?

[Yep. That's all they get. If they can't figure out the news considering this is a text and she hasn't texted once since losing her eyesight, she's going to be so disappointed if they can't figure it out just from that.

Her next message is filtered to one Jax Teller.]

Okay. So, you sound like my boyfriend and I'm...fifty percent sure you also look like him, but I only know that from touch. Feel like meeting in person and possibly breaking my brain more?

[Action for Raleigh.]

[He needed to see this himself. He deserved that much so the above message? It wasn't filtered to him. She had something better in mind.

Leaving the house, her seeing-eye device was left out of her ear and her hair was braided back and out of the way. Her cane was left behind and Naga was sent home for good with a big hug and a thank you card from Julie for Korra, hand painted.

Now she was hurrying to Raleigh's construction site. She wasn't sure if he'd be there specifically but that was a chance she'd have to take.

When she spotted him, she stood somewhere safe and where she was sure he'd see her. And she was looking right at him with a grin on her face.]

[ooc: if you think your character is friends with julie but aren't sure if she'd message your character with news on her eyesight, PM me. it's likely she will message them.]</sma..

unconchonable

[Maybe it's in bad taste. Maybe it's in bad taste and Eridan really does not give a shit. He's heard the news, and is delighted by it, to be perfectly honest. She was nothing but a disrespectful cur, and the news of her death has left him elated to say the least. When the feed turns on, he's sipping a hot cup of tea (pinky extended), of what type is anyone's guess, but he looks amused as ever.]

I say the bitch got what was comin' to her.

[He takes another long sip. He feels no need to disclose who, when it's probably obvious to anyone with a working think pan.]

Just goes to show that maybe there is some modicum a justice in this place.

mightythinice

So. Uh, getting kind of cold out there.

[hello Keeliai. Ellie clearly doesn't have a reason for being on the network. Not an immediately obvious one, but she loved the idea of being able to talk to everyone like this, quickly and easily. It was so foreign from what she's known her entire life]

You know what, though? It's not that bad. Pretty fucking cool, actually, and just about every restaurant I've been to is serving hot something. Hot chocolate, hot tea, so if you get cold, you know what you needa do is get some of that in you.

[okay, she could tell that was stupid. But hey, maybe she could ask more people about Thanksgiving, while she was there. A day late.]

So, I know this whole thing is a day late and a buck short and all that... But what'd everyone do for Thanksgiving? Yesterday was my first one and it wasn't bad. I ate a lot. And, okay, this is dumb, but I started thinking about things I'm thankful too. Yeah, I know, it's what the holiday is all about... But I'm kind of glad to be here. Believe me, I love food.

... And friends and stuff. So, uh... anyone got any good stories? They don't have to be Thanksgiving related or anything, I just wanna talk.

[a pause] Don't make me break out the puns! I'll do it!

Tu Shanshu

Voxophone III -- video

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Video; take the big game down

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seventh hunt ✗ ( video )

Voxophone II -- PSA

♒ 6th VIDEO

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video

003; video; (joint post)

Video Post

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Winter; video;

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