seventh tear ♫ video;

[songburdened]

Hello? I hope this is working... I'm never really sure.

[ Elizabeth, looking much more cheerful than during her last broadcast, smiles brightly for the camera. ]

Well! I've been having some strange headaches lately, so I thought it might help to focus my attentions on something. I was given a few things from home in my locker after the last Jump and put them to good use.

[ Voilà! She reveals a painting. Elizabeth beams at it as she turns from the camera, then chews thoughtfully on her lip as if looking to fault it. ]

I only had red, so it isn't as... vivid as I might have liked, but I'm hoping that the next Jump will have a few more colors. [ She huffs shortly, tucking a wayward strand of hair behind her ear. ] If anyone else has any art supplies and wouldn't mind sharing, please let me know! It seems a little morbid, almost, just using black and red.

And... I can do some sketches or paintings for anyone, if there are any requests. I'm far from any kind of proficiency, but it does help to take my mind off of things.


[ private to Booker DeWitt ]

Where are you? You are on this floor and I wanted to show you something!


[ private to Murphy Pendleton ]

I wanted to apologize for-- well, everything. You know. [ She flushes, clearly fretting. ] I can't tell you how... mortified I am.

Comments

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[toomuchtenacity]

[Chell meanwhile is nursing a terrible headache with odd spots of bleeding. It's bad enough she was willing to take Granny Weatherwax up on her medicine.]

That's amazing. You made that?

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[songburdened]

Yes! Thank you! I had a lot of time to practice in my tower.

Would you like one?

A different one, I mean.

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[toomuchtenacity]

[That takes her by surprise for a moment. What are gifts]

I'd love one.

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[songburdened]

[ Elizabeth doesn't know, either, tbh. All her gifts had come from Songbird, so they were... a little different. ]

Okay! What would you like?

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[toomuchtenacity]

[Their pasts are weird.]

Oh. I don't know. Anything you want to draw. Maybe something outside.

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[sparkler]

Ah, that's quite good. Is it a scene from your home world?

[He definitely doesn't recognize anything in it, but it's quite an interesting image nonetheless.]

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[songburdened]

Thank you! [ She beams, then nods. ] Yes, it's a city called Paris. I've always wanted to go there, but so far, I've only been able to read about it.

[ And see it through her tears, but that's another story. ]

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[sparkler]

Lovely. There's no Paris where I'm from, and it certainly doesn't resemble the cities I'm familiar with, but it has a certain life of its own. You're a fine artist.

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[songburdened]

That's very kind of you. I'd love to hear about some of your favorite places, then, since you've seen one of mine!

voice only :|

[dewittinvestigations]

What is it?

voice; !!

[songburdened]

It's a secret!

[ If he's going to be difficult, then she's going to be stubborn. Elizabeth doesn't know for sure where he is, but she does know what floor he might be on, based solely on the Jump he arrived in... not that that will do her much good, based on the first numbers alone.

Floor 41 it is. ]

Why can't I see you?

[dewittinvestigations]

I didn't say -

[ He sighs. It's not him he doesn't want her to see so much as his surroundings. Although, come to think of it, he's probably a mess too. Last night is still mostly a blur. ]

What did you want to show me?

[ STALLING FOR TIME NOW as he goes to splash water on his face and try to make himself presentable. :| ]

[songburdened]

I want to show you something, not tell you about it. You'll just have to trust me.

[ Not much trust here, though, as he still isn't using the video function and seems to be trying to misdirect her. She steps inside the lift and presses the appropriate button, puffing out an exasperated exhale. ]

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[yardbird]

Don't worry 'bout it. Honestly it's not the worst things anybody's ever said to me, and that was comin' from people who actually meant what they were sayin'.

[Just one solitary nervous laugh- hhhhehehehahahaha Murphy that is not okay.]

voice ; private

[songburdened]

That doesn't make it right.

[ She sighs. ]

I would never say anything like that normally; I think I was... scared. Desperate. But I'm glad that you could help. Really.

And you saved my life after the attack, so I really do owe you.

voice ; private

[yardbird]

I-it's fine, really. Not like I was gonna just leave you to die or anything.

[That Murphy Pendleton, so fucking modest.]

This place seriously messes with your head. I get it.

voice ; private

[songburdened]

But you might have. Most people wouldn't risk their lives for near-strangers.

[ Is she a near-stranger to him? She feels safer in making that assumption, but she personally considers him a friend.

Elizabeth doesn't quite understand the concept of staying within her age group. ]

I know that firsthand. I only hope nothing like that happens... anytime soon, at least.

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[forpoland]

Despite your limited resources it's a very lovely painting.

[Very... revolutionary]

You are welcome to borrow some of my paints for future pieces. I have had not much use with them in recent times.

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[songburdened]

Thank you! I only wish I had more than just red.

Really? Oh, that would be perfect! Did you get them in the lockers?

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[forpoland]

Yes.

They are old supplies from my work back home but they should suit your needs just fine

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[songburdened]

Well that would really be wonderful. It's difficult to only paint in red.

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[canevenlift]

[Liam turned on the video, meaning to say something— at least a little productive. But instead he just kind of stares at the painting like it's the most amazing thing he's ever seen—]

— Whoa.

video;

[songburdened]

[ She blinks, then admits a slow, sheepish smile. ]

I hope that isn't a particularly bad "whoa."

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[canevenlift]

Oh— no.

[Now he's the one looking embarrassed . . .]

It looks nice.

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[songburdened]

Well, then, thank you.

[ c: ]

Though I really could use more than red paint, I think.