( 14 ) video ✶ into the water let it pull him under don’t you lift him let him drown alive

[unparental]

[ the feed opens on two pairs of feet; one large, one smaller. then jenna's voice comes through. ]

Tell you what. I'm going to leave you here, with this broadcasting-- [ the shot jerks a little, exposing an empty and spotless kitchen. ] and that way you can have something to talk to while I try and figure out where we are right now. I'll be back in a flash, you've seen how fast I can move now, and you know I'll hear you. Okay?

[ not waiting for an answer, jenna presses her comm into desmond’s hand and brings it up a little, so his chest is in frame, squeezing his shoulder with her other hand. ] I'll be right back, I promise.

Right. [Desmond sounds... Well shellshocked and crazy pretty much covers it. You can hear him swallow in that sort of pained, half-panting way, like he's out of breath and can't quite manage to calm himself down.] Assuming anyone's still out there, yeah? [He might be talking to Jenna, but she’s already gone. The comm shifts violently, flashing to Desmond’s face for only a half second (long enough to see he has both eyes and doesn't seem to be missing anything vital) and then to the ceiling and then back to the floor.] I don't understand what more it wants from me. Three bloody years of my life, pushing a damned button wasn't enough. I've been to the heart. I saw the light again. It was supposed to put me back. It was supposed to- [The camera swings by so fast you can easily tell that Desmond was gearing up to smash it against the nearest wall before-]

--whoa whoa, hey. Hey, it's okay. It's okay, I'm right here. Des? Desmond? [ she crouches down, taking the comm back into her own hands and setting it on the counter, where it films the tops of their heads for the moment. ] We're fine, look. We're even back in the main part of the ship, so that trek back is cancelled. I'm--

[ she pauses, hand reaching up into the picture again as she reaches for the comm, setting in on her upraised knees so it's more or less centered on the two of them, looking a whole lot worse for the wear. ]

If someone could prove big brother is always watching and figure out what floor we're on for me, that would be great. Who needs civil liberties, anyway? --don't get any extra ideas, Nathan. [ there's a tinge of forced, unnatural cheer to her tone, and her gaze darts over to desmond every few moments as if she needs to make sure he's there and fine. ] And maybe whoever pulls rescue duty, bring him something with a lot of sugar in it? That would be great.

[Desmond rubs his face, weary.] Someone tell Tyke I found what I was lookin' for, yeah? It's all true.

[ she inhales, about to add something else; then she shakes her head, lips pressed together in a tired line and jabs the off button. ]



( ooc | they're on floor thirty eight, where they were dumped after being rescued by ward from some Seriously Bad Metaplot Shit. colors for ease: jenna and desmond. )

Comments

[northerner]

Which place do you speak of?

[thatsaflaregun]

[He makes a pained sound and it takes him a minute to speak.] I saw a white light once, and it took me to a place where none of this ever existed. And everyone I'd ever met was there and safe and happy. And as soon as I reached out and touched it, it was gone and I was back. And now I'm here in a place that's no different from where I was before, and all I want is to find that light again.

[northerner]

[ there is a long, long pause. robb's voice hardens. ]

Are you sure it was real, and not some sort of trick?

[thatsaflaregun]

I don't expect you to believe me. You can't imagine it, unless you've been there.

[northerner]

I once would have said all of this couldn't be possible. But I've learned otherwise. I don't doubt you, Desmond.

[thatsaflaregun]

There's not much we can do about it either way. The place I was in- it wasn't the white light, but it could still be out there. And even if it's not- what we need to find to escape this place most definitely is.

[northerner]

What do you mean, escape? Surely the way out is the same as the way we came in?

[thatsaflaregun]

If you want to wait around for those tubes to take you back home then, brotha, I won't tell you not to. But I don't have that kind of time.

[northerner]

What do you find so pressing, Desmond? What waits for you at home?

[thatsaflaregun]

My wife. My son. [His breath hitches. Desmond is a frustrated bunny right now.] I promised her I wasn't gonna leave her again.

[northerner]

This place is beyond any promise. She cannot hold it against you, for you hardly came here willingly.

[thatsaflaregun]

True as that might be, brotha. I don't intend to keep her waiting.

[northerner]

She'd not wish to see you ruin yourself trying to get back.

[thatsaflaregun]

It's a little late for that, yeah?