tearmeanewone | neuf + action/audio

[Action - Backdated to the 18th]

[It had been an emotionally charged week for Elizabeth, but in the end she was grateful for it. She had the opportunity to see old friends, be honest with Booker and Rosalind and Robert, and see Gai one last time. It was strange, she felt almost at peace about returning and continuing on the path she knew she had to walk. When her younger self was returned, she would be happy in Elizabeth's stead, and safe from the unraveling that was about to occur.]

[After writing a few notes, Elizabeth methodically removes her more modern-looking clothes and changes into one of the many outfits hanging in her closet. Heavy winter jacket for the chill, gloves, scarf, boots... And she removes her makeup and brushes the curl out of her hair. For all intents and purposes, aside from a distinctly cold cast to her gaze, she looks like she always did in Luceti.]

[She contemplates saying goodbye in person, but there isn't time. She didn't want a scene, and if the effects of the experiment were reversed when she was in the middle of crying on Booker's shoulder, things would be hard to explain. So she leaves the house quietly and walks into the forest. She walks a good distance in, then sits down to wait. Her eyes drift shut and she appears to fall asleep against a tree trunk...]

[A few hours later, Elizabeth comes stumbling out of the forest, half-frozen and looking confused and scared. The last thing she remembers is being kidnapped by droids, and now she's freezing to death in a forest and she can't remember anything between now and then. She hurries through the village, repeatedly blowing into her hands to try and warm them as she heads home. Everyone must have been worried sick about her.]

[Audio]

I looked back at my journal, and I realized that my fight with the droids was recorded. I'm sorry, that must have been a real shock for some of you.

But I'm back now--I don't remember what happened, but I think I have all of my limbs attached where they're supposed to go and as far as I can tell there's nothing strange about my behavior (though let me know if there is something I'm not seeing, of course...).

I don't know, do people sometimes come back from being kidnapped without anything strange having happened to them?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Finally she pulls back, tucks some of Gai's hair behind his ear, and lets her fingers drift down his face again.] I'm sorry. I must have hurt you.

[The corner of Gai's mouth lifts into a tiny grin, and for a moment it almost looks as if he's going to say something in response to that. He is going to respond, but not verbally-- he just leans down to capture her lips in another kiss before she has the chance to apologize again.

He would never, ever blame her for this, not ever.]

[Well, yes, it was probably best for them to put it all behind them. It was over, Elizabeth was home, Gai was warming her up again. She wanted to stay with him, go back to his apartment and get under his blankets just to be warm be held by him. But she had to go home and reassure the others.]

Oh! [She pulls back and looks up at Gai, slightly panicked.] What day is it?

It's the 18th. Nearly two weeks, like I said.

[Of course she wants to go home and see Booker and the Luteces. He doesn't blame her for that one bit, nor will he protest if she says she needs to go see them. In fact, he'll probably encourage her to do so.]

'Like I said', he says. That only works if you remember what day it was when you were kidnapped, mister. [Which, she has to admit, is a little odd. If it would be an easy thing if it had felt like it had been just yesterday, but it feels like she's in a daze. Like she isn't quite sure if she's been gone or away or here and in her room.]

It would have been a disaster if I'd missed Christmas.

It was the 7th.

[He remembers the exact date; there's no chance he would forget something like that.]

And I wouldn't have let that happen. If it had gone on for too much longer, I would've gone straight to the Malnosso myself and demanded they bring you back.

[Never mind that it wouldn't have worked for various reasons. He would at least have tried, even if he likely would have ended up kidnapped himself in the process.]

[Elizabeth laughs. She knows she shouldn't, but the idea of Gai kicking in a door and demanding the Malnosso give Elizabeth back is a little funny.]

And I'm guessing you also know where they live, too. So you could actually go straight to them and demand me back.

[The laughter is welcomed, as he'd been aiming for an amusing mental image with that. If there had been a door to kick down, he would've done it.]

I figured I'd be hard to ignore if I stood out in the middle of the plaza and yelled for them.

Oh Gai, no! [Elizabeth laughs more at that image.] Don't embarrass yourself for my sake!

[But Gai just grins and pokes her lightly in the side.]

That's not even the worst of the things I'd be willing to do for your sake.

You're too much. [She giggles again, squirming away from the poke before laying her ear over Gai's heart. Just another minute, and then she'd go home.]

Love you too.

[When she leans against him, he settles his arms back around her waist and just holds her, enjoying the contact and comfort every bit as much as she is. He's in no hurry to tell her she should probably go check in with Booker and the others, that much is for certain.]

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