(no subject)

[loiseau_ou_la_cage]

Elizabeth wished she could enjoy the Enterprise the way Booker did. He behaved like none of it was real and she was so jealous of his light-hearted nature. Everything about the ship reminded her of some past tragedy. The ship itself was too much like Rapture with its enclosed spaces and lack of proper breezes. That, she thought, was why she was having nightmares again. There wasn't much difference between the bottom of the ocean and the middle of space, when it came down to it.

Despite being made of her memories the dreams were never quite the same each time. Sometimes her dream was of Columbia and her 'father's hands laying on her shoulders in prayer after a spinal tap before it merged and flowed into Rapture and Atlas. Sometimes it was just that moment in her life replayed in perfect clarity. It always ended the same way. One final tap of the hammer and she would be lobotomized. She was one little motion away from not caring, from laying down her burdens.

The terror came from how seductive that still was to her. The depression was easing, but it ebbed and flowed, coming and going. Right now she couldn't push her demons away. Her life was objectively good and it terrified her to think of losing it all again. Despite herself she saw Killian's appearance as a bad omen. The thought of losing Anne or Booker was enough to keep her up at night without her bad memories interfering.

She sat in the bar in her pajamas and bathrobe. A glass of wine sat on the table in front of her, next to a sketchpad and charcoals. Both were untouched. She apparently preferred to stare at them and brood. She looked as upset as she felt: her jaw was slack, her eyes unfocused, brow furrowed somewhat at her thoughts and memories.

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[sealed_gauntlet]

When Samanosuke found himself suffering from insomnia for whatever reason (and he had reason aplenty), he trained. He'd just spent an hour or two in the gym, and after a shower and a long soak in a hot tub, decided that some refreshment was in order. Perhaps a pot of tea, with which to wind down before he tried again to capture the elusive mayfly known as sleep.

When he saw Elizabeth seated at a table in the lounge, gazing off at nothing in particular, he approached; murmuring a soft apology to make his presence known.

[loiseau_ou_la_cage]

Elizabeth startled when he spoke and approached, gasping loudly. She pressed her hand to her chest and closed her eyes when she saw who was approaching. Normally Samanosuke's presence was quite pleasant, maybe he'd get her to sleep. "I'm surprised you're awake. Would you like to join me?"

[sealed_gauntlet]

"I don't sleep much," he said, bowing his head apologetically, "But if you don't mind, I would be happy to join you." He bowed once more, and took the adjacent seat. "I am sorry to have startled you. You seem to have a great deal on your mind."

[loiseau_ou_la_cage]

Elizabeth sighed and ran a hand through her hair. "Bad dreams. I'm not sleeping much either between nightmares and Anne." She felt heavy and tired. "Do you naturally not sleep much or is it your own problems keeping you awake?" She reached out for his hand, needed to have safe contact with someone.

[sealed_gauntlet]

"Both," he said, shrugging his shoulders slightly. Thanks to the gauntlet, his body could repair itself rather quickly, which sometimes meant that he could get by on less sleep. But sometimes, he simply grew restless. Or just plain bored.

He took her hand, and held it between both of his own. "If you need someone to help with Anne, and your father is unavailable, you know you are welcome to call upon me, yes?"

[loiseau_ou_la_cage]

She squeezed his hand. It made her sad that her friend had the same issues she did, even if she expected it. "I think right now I need help taking care of me. Do you dance? Maybe dancing would help. We could go to the holodeck."

[sealed_gauntlet]

"Oh, I think I can manage," he said, rising from the table, still holding her hand. "And if all else fails, we can always try battling imaginary foes until we are sufficiently exhausted."

[whereishe]

Yuna's sleep schedule was a little odd and so she found herself wandering around and eventually ending up at the lounge. She let out a sigh sitting down at the bar and ordering a glass of wine. She thought about what to do tonight.. train maybe?

As the bartender passed her the glass she glanced over at the woman a few seats down. It was rather obvious that something might be wrong. She didn't move, not wanting to invade her space but there weren't many around so it was still easy to talk to her.

"Hey, you alright?"

Though the answer was obvious. Yuna's eyes flicked to the paper and supplies and then back up to the woman's face.

[loiseau_ou_la_cage]

Female voices were so unique in Elizabeth's life that Yuna's arrival didn't startle her. She looked up, blinked a couple times, and shook her head. "I'm fine, I'm just pretty tired. I'm a new mother."

[whereishe]

"That can be difficult."

Her smile shifted to a gentle gaze while her fingers lightly glided across her drink. One of her friends had just had a baby and she remembered all of their worries. It wasn't an easy thing.

"How old?"

[loiseau_ou_la_cage]

"Almost five months." Elizabeth smiled softly and reached for her phone. Unfortunately it was in her room, not her pocket. "Her name is Anne. Please sit down, it's nice to meet you."

[whereishe]

Yuna moved to sit, her arms resting on the counter with a wide smile. "It's nice to meet you to. Five months. I bet she's beautiful like her mother."

She smiled, "Oh, I'm Yuna."

"One of my friends from home just had a baby too." Lulu had let her watch her after a lot of convincing so that she could have so alone time with Wakka. It was fun though Yuna had never thought to have kids herself. Of course, Yuna hadn't thought she would have a lot of things.

[loiseau_ou_la_cage]

Elizabeth smiled at the compliment. "Nice to meet you, I'm Elizabeth. She is the most beautiful baby in the world if you ask me." She wished she had her phone to show Yuna. Next time she would grab it. "Do you babysit? It's so nice to have people to rely on to look after your little one."

[just_dewitt]

Booker was worried about Elizabeth. She had been spending a lot of time, he thought, following depression and darkness. She didn't seem to be able to enjoy the place they were in, despite it's amazing properties. Booker didn't like it here, and thought most of the things here were taken for granted by those native to this time and place, but that it still was worth appreciating. There were so many incredible things to see and do, and he had still not run out of them.

And with him finally managing to get a steady supply of alcohol, the real stuff, he was thinking about getting a job, too. He'd liked how it had felt to stop those rampaging pigs when they were on board, and helping the one woman who had been grateful had reminded him of his time in the Army. This place was a crazy place, and he was waiting for something really bad to go down. He shook his head, as he stepped into the room, and blinked, seeing Elizabeth there.

"Elizabeth?" The worry might show in his tone as he stepped to her side and gently tapped her shoulder. He ordered a water, actually liking the taste of the stuff here.

[loiseau_ou_la_cage]

She roused and looked up at Booker, sighing softly. "How's Anne? Where is she? Is she safe?" Anytime she was separated from her daughter she worried. Anything could happen to a small child in a strange place. She sipped her wine, finally. It didn't taste that great to her, but it gave her something to do with her hands.

[just_dewitt]

"Anne is fine. She's with Thor, right now. He's someone I knew and trust from Misena. I don't know if you know him...?"

He raised an eyebrow. "He's a good man, and can be trusted." Few fit the bill, but this one, a friend of the Emma's, seemed to be. Even if he came from before that place, he still was a familiar face.

"How are you?"

[loiseau_ou_la_cage]

Elizabeth had a moment of panic until she remembered what he was like on the Island. It wasn't ideal for Boker to have given the child up, but at least he'd chosen well. "Just be careful who you give her to." It was the primary thing Elizabeth feared. Seeing her daughter turned into a little sister or something analogous would destro her.

Booker's question drew a shrug out of her and no further comment. He was a detective, let him figure it out.

[just_dewitt]

"I know, Elizabeth." He poked her lightly. "I promise, I am paying attention." He gently hugged her, then.

"What's going on, then?"

[loiseau_ou_la_cage]

"I had another nightmare. No splicers this time, at least. Just Atlas." She rubbed her face, checking to make sure there was nothing in her right eye. It was so hard to deal with how little sleep she was getting sometimes. "Anne has been fussy, too. I almost wonder if she's teething. Mabe I should get her seen by a doctor."

[magnetic_magpie]

"Elizabeth?" He wasn't often in the bar this last month, enjoying having his own space, worrying over his young neighbors and daughter, working in the sickbay and keeping a close eye on the goings on there. Seeing Elizabeth in a state of undress in public mades him worry - the look on her face only made it worse.

[loiseau_ou_la_cage]

Elizabeth jumped. She didn't know Erik's voice yet so her reaction was much larger. An unfamiliar older man calling her name was a call back to her problems.

She stood and her left hand coated itself with ice, ready to defend herself. It took a moment for her to remember Erik, which made her gasp and put a hand over her mouth. "Oh, I'm so sorry Erik." She let the ice plasmid sink back into her body, returning her to normal. "Um, I'm fine." Clearly. Nothing wrong here, just an extremely paranoid young woman.

[magnetic_magpie]

He ticked up a brow as the ice spread and retracted. "Clearly." There's only a soft lift to the corner of his mouth. He focuses for a moment, then offers her the back of his hand - it's very hot to touch. "Ice wouldn't really do me much harm, just so you know."

And accidents happen - he wouldn't be too upset if they did.

"What to talk about what's fine or should I try to distract you?"

[loiseau_ou_la_cage]

Elizabeth delicately touched the back of his hand. "Are you ill?" She couldn't understand what would make him so hot to the touch.

His question made her blush. Of course he knew she wasn't fine. She was being very obvious about it. What she wanted to do about it was a surprisingly difficult question. She gave it due consideration. "Distraction for now. I used to draw or paint to soothe myself but I'm too sleepy for it right now."

• I'm afk •

[magnetic_magpie]

He shook his head. "No, I just run warm." And could make himself much warmer.

He offered a soft understanding smile - not point in pretending he didn't understand. "I tend to sculpt or program. What type of distraction would you like?"

[loiseau_ou_la_cage]

That he ran so hot was curious to Elizabeth, but it certainly wasn't appropriate to ask why right then. It wasn't as though she was displeased he thought he could protect himself from her. The overconfident were easier to trick and outsmart.

There was one thing that would certainly take her mind off her problems. It had worked so many times before. She nodded and gave him a small, tired smile. "Do you dance? That usually wears me out enough to sleep."