( 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

[jurisimpudent]

[As soon as he sees her, he straightens starts to take in a breath to greet her formally, tenses to give a little bow - but she just keeps walking towards him, and then she's wrapping her arms around him and she's solid and real and Jenna, and -

He abandons all pretense of dignity, of formality. He squeezes his eyes shut and then gives her, in return, a crushing hug, a needy and grieving and joyous hug, with all of his not inconsiderable strength, with emotion rising in his throat. And he whispers, tears audible in his voice:]

I thought I'd never see you again.

[unparental]

I'm right here though, see?

[ she squeezes back, extra tight, just shy of vampire strong. ] I'm right here, I promise.

[jurisimpudent]

[He nods, and just absorbs her warmth for a moment before loosening his grip.]

Sorry. People usually just...don't come back.

[From the ship or to me; he doesn't specify, and he won't.]

I, ah...Are you very hungry? I made a great deal - Or thirsty - let me get you a glass of water.

[He immediately steps away to go to the cabinet for a glass for her, movements a bit nervous. He's bulked up even more in the past month; his suit (because of course he put on the suit to see her again) strains across the shoulders, and he's put on height. The shyness, though, is just as it ever was.]

[unparental]

I'm like a Weeble. I wobble, but I don't fall down.

[ she takes a seat, watching edgeworth carefully; if it was auggie she'd wolf whistle, but instead she just waits for the water and then reaches up to poke at a bicep. ]

Have you been working out?

[jurisimpudent]

[He blinks in surprise at the poke, looks down at his arm and then back up at Jenna.]

I - yes. [He hands her the glass and then smooths down his cravat - a clear tell that he's embarrassed.] I - guess I've taken a page out of Tyke's book the past few months. I always used to turn my nose up at the people who went to the gym to work off stress and worry, but going and bruising your knuckles on a punching bag really does help a lot.

[unparental]

[ she laughs, loud and surprised-- then explains herself before miles can pull away or feel embarrassed. ]

I'm not laughing at you, I promise. It's just that I've said the same exact thing before myself, and I was never a workout girl back home.

[jurisimpudent]

Really.

[He lifts his eyebrows just a touch, just a little surprised.]

I didn't know you did that. [With a gentle smile:] I thought you were just naturally remarkable with your strength.

[unparental]

Oh, that part comes with the package. But learning how to use it? [ she shakes her head, taking a sip of water. ] Tommy had to teach me how to fight like a human before I could even take on how I should fight with all the extras. Before here, I'd never thrown a punch in my life.

...I slapped a guy once, but I don't think that counts.

[jurisimpudent]

[He shakes his head, hiding a very slight smile - ]

It almost certainly does not.

Do you ever wish to...challenge each other sometime?

[Miles Edgeworth, slowly and against his will, has become indoctrinated into the Security School of Showing Affection and Having A Good Time.]

[unparental]

It was pretty dramatic of me, though. Very main character in a movie.

[ she sees that smile, edgeworth. ]

...you know what? I'd really like that. [ welcome to jenna's life ]

[jurisimpudent]

[And the smile broadens somewhat, becomes a little more open, when she agrees. He brings her dish over to her and settles down across from her with his own.]

I would as well. Though fair warning - I've gotten very good. You'll have to work hard to match me.

[unparental]

Vampire, sweetie. Bring it.

[ but it's a playful challenge, more teasing; she digs into her plate with gusto, making the many a few more than the appropriate amount of 'mm good' noises. ]

[jurisimpudent]

[He taps his chest, his manner teasing in return, good humor bolstered by her cheerful enthusiasm for what he'd cooked:]

Psychic. Don't underestimate me. I took on three of those creatures at once down there, you know.

[unparental]

Well then, we'll just have to see how takes it.

[ miles sounding most boastful-- and not about the law, for once-- and playful all at once makes jenna grin, nudge him with one elbow. ] I will bet you... an entire week of dogsitting that I win.

[ jenna that isn't how bets work you don't have a dog, miles does. ]

[jurisimpudent]

...Jenna, you dogsit for me anyway. And you don't have any dog I can sit. That's not equitable.

[He takes a bite, nods in satisfaction. The food came out well enough.]

[unparental]

It's my bet, I can do it how I want.

[ let's see how you deal with spacemom sticking her tongue out at you, miles. ]

[jurisimpudent]

Ah, but by virtue of accepting it, the bet is half mine.

[He purses his lips back at her.]

[unparental]

Okay, okay. If you win, dogsitting. And if I win...?

[ the representative from the state of lawyertopia has the floor. ]

[jurisimpudent]

I'll...

[He's quiet for a moment, thinking.]

Do your dishes, perhaps? For a week?

[unparental]

Not a fair trade-- dogsitting is fun, dishes is work.

[ TRY AGAIN MILES ]

[jurisimpudent]

[OCD Boy clears his throat - ]

Dishes are also rather fun, sometimes.

[unparental]

It's still under the chore category, sorry. Try again.

[ it's a traaaaaaaaap

...of fun but still ]

[jurisimpudent]

Then I'll...erm -

[Hrnnghhhh]

...Do you have any suggestions?

[unparental]

Take an hour off a day to go down to the pool for a week.

[jurisimpudent]

But - an hour is a lot.

[He chews his lip just a little bit.]

And you wouldn't get anything from it.