jackhole | week 10 | friday morning

Entry tags:

game: cradle project

week 10 | friday morning

[ elizabeth is dead.

finally.

rhys sits in the computer room and wonders if he should be relieved. a strange sort of jealousy built in him over the weeks as he watched elizabeth and jack and everything else play out in the game. she grew both closer and distant from him at the same time and he could see it hurting jack, see how he wanted to reach out for her but -- but not rhys. rhys died, rhys had an alien crawling through hims just like elizabeth, and no one mourned him. not fiona. not jack. but they went and saw elizabeth, didn't they? went and gave her their attention, their care, their love. it was sickening to watch and after a while, he barely paid attention to the participants after at all, feeling bile in his throat and a slow systematic shut down of his emotions.

fiona didn't care. jack was stripping him for parts. elizabeth got to live and he didn't.

he's not sure how he feels anymore.

he thinks he hates them.

so maybe this is relief he feels when he sees elizabeth's body go down, sees her corpse shoot out into space and finally end her participation in the game. he thinks to himself, cruel and cold, that at least elizabeth won't be able to go back home either -- just like him. she played jack, made him feel like they still had such a relationship while going to people like jason and luke -- telling them how evil jack was, how he deserves to die. she didn't know anything of jack, not really, the sanctimonious little bitch.

doesn't she realize jack saved them? doesn't she realize jack saved her?

rhys didn't deserve to be saved, he realizes. it doesn't stop him from being bitter.

he misses jack. he misses fiona. he misses being alive and now the woman -- no, the girl who took his place is here with him in death.

he wonders if he should kill her again. it would certainly make him feel better. ]

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[ She's thought of him for weeks. Whether he zoomed in on that or not. Elizabeth felt the ship didn't take his death seriously and thus, that's where Jack's little task force comes into play. There needed to be some followup to his murder and - well, look how well that ended up.

She's tense, feeling a creeping sensation overwhelm her as she sees the man for the first time in a month. The screens shut down and Elizabeth flinches at his words. ]

If that's what you truly want... I won't force your hand for conversation. [ What happened to him...? Elizabeth isn't savvy in tech nor his relationship with Jack. Not at at all. ] I just - I wanted to come see you first. That's all.

[ rhys crosses his arms over his chest, sinking further into his seat and staring blankly at the dark monitor. there's the rational part of his brain, telling him he should talk to her, try and shake this funk and do something again -- but then there is the emotional, gutted and hollow and feeling so blindingly empty. he's so achingly alone now, he wishes he didn't have to think anymore. what's death if you're still ruminating on your sins? ]

You --

[ he stops, letting out a frustrated noise that's still quieter and more defeated than anything else. ]

You don't get it.

[ he feels his eyes prickle again, a sensation he hasn't felt since his first week here before everything in him just sort of shut down. he doesn't... he doesn't want to do this but here he is, feelings clawing up and out of his throat without his consent. he gives a shake of his head and pulls his legs up to his chair, curling into a ball as he drops his forehead to his knees and shifts his arms to hug his middle instead.

when he speaks, it's muffled and holding back emotion rhys thought was dead, it's audible in his tone even if his words are just -- ]

None of you get it.

[ a repetition of rhys' mantra during the trial. no one gets it. no one understands. you can't control jack, you can't make him do what you want, you can't manipulate jack because he's already five steps ahead of you and convincing you of something else. you give jack an inch a power, just a tiny little smidgen of it, and you've already lost. it's like no one here seems to get that -- they don't understand how handsome jack works.

... but then really, what gives rhys the right to think this? to argue this? to turn people against jack when jack's done so much for him? he saved him, didn't he? he saved the ship too, showed everyone what rhys really was deep down and rhys finally understood. he was a monster. he was the bad guy. jack was just being the hero again. no one mourns the villain, so that's what rhys had to be. that's the only thing that makes sense here for him. ]

[ It's an odd feeling. She thinks of the different universes - the different worlds probable from her own experiences, not Cradles. Places where Rhys was happy. Places where she was alive and free. Places where Jack never had Angel locked up. Places where people like Hancock, Adelina, and Frankenstein had their own chances to do what was right.

...But does it matter?

Elizabeth's defensive - her arms crossed so tightly onto her chest that it was hard to breath. If she even breathed anymore, that is. ]

What?

[ She's a little unsure, especially with his reactions. Gauging his reactions, watching as he shuts down she wants to comfort him - to show a basic human respect she feels everyone deserves. Was Rhys truly alone here? She hadn't seen anyone since arriving but she feels that she deserves that - not until she sets something right. Optimistic is a real killer, isn't it? ]

I don't understand. What don't I get? This game - the trial..?

[ Carefully, two steps were taken towards him - the ends of her skirts tattered and torn since her body was forced out of the airlock. ]

I'm sorry - [ She doesn't understand but that word completely hangs in the worst way possible. ]

[ rhys stays curled up in on himself, pulling tighter and trying to be so desperately smaller. it's impossible though -- just not something rhys can do in this situation but oh, how he wants to. he wants to disappear completely, not have to feel any of this anymore but he... can't. he's stuck, stuck having to deal with jack. with fiona. with elizabeth. he doesn't want this anymore. ]

Jack. [ it comes out, a flash of annoyance like oil in a pan and it seems to snowball from there to rhys actually feeling anger again -- even if misdirected. ] You stupid, sanctimonious cow. I'm talking about Jack.

[ another frustrated noise as he pulls his hands from his chest to press his face into them, head still braced against his knees. his thoughts are a confused mess of hurt, betrayal, and longing. he feels so stupid but he knows this is deserved. he knows he couldn't have stopped this. ]

You can't -- you can't just say one thing to Jack and do another because he can always tell. [ he shakes his head, dragging his hands down his face before dropping them into his lap. he doesn't pull his head up but at least his voice isn't muffled anymore. ] He just wants to help and -- and rejecting Jack's help, that's the worst thing you could do. Why would you do that? He just wanted to help you so badly, Elizabeth, and you... you couldn't see that, could you? Stupid, stupid bitch.

[ the hands once again return to his middle, curling over his stomach and gripping his sides as he rocks slowly in his seat. his head is a mess of thoughts, contradicting each other at every beat and he doesn't really even know what he's saying -- it's just... coming out, really. ]

He wanted to help you like he helped me. He saved my life, you know? Saved the ship and showed everyone who I really was deep down. A monster. I'm the bad guy of this story, I don't deserve redemption. He knew that the whole time and I -- I have to... thank him, somehow.

[ The sudden shift in emotion nearly knocks her back. Her fingers knit at the seams of her corset, tightening until it hurts. His reactions were unsettling, making her stomach churn. The anger was expected, but - the way he spoke of Jack? She's caught off guard. ]

What the hell are you talking about? He killed you in cold blood. He didn't know you were infected!

[ Elizabeth snaps back, feeling her own anger and bitterness. Not only was it a lot to deal with, but this sudden shift - seeing how Rhys crawled at Jack's graces? Something wasn't right. She takes two more steps forward, her feet shifting in a low drag. When Rhys begins rocking in her seat, she wants to calm him down - to do what's right but he's lashing out in a way that brings the tears to her eyes and makes her teeth clench in anger. ]

I don't know what he wanted to do with me! He could have wanted to siphon me like his daughter! What did you expect me to do?! To let everyone ignore killing you? To wash away his sins?!

[ The tension is there and she feels her hand raise as if she wanted to strike him but instead she balls her fist and lowers it. Absolutely, defeated, her voice croaks: ]

You're not a monster. You're not.

[ he doesn't look up as elizabeth approaches, just listens to her words with a sad sigh and his eyes falling shut. she doesn't get it, he thinks again, and he's just trying to explain this as clearly as he can -- doesn't she see what he sees? why isn't anyone understanding? ]

I was a monster before this. The stuff I've done... and it was just to stop Jack? I get it now. I shouldn't have bothered. Jack's right in the end, he's always right. I was selfish -- should've just... given it to him. So, so stupid.

[ he thumps his head a few times against his knees, slosh of thoughts in his head just getting the better of him. elizabeth doesn't even know the whole story, once again. she knows bits and pieces from biased points of views and rhys knows that, on some level, but he's in no place to explain it, no place to think clear enough to let her in.

this time when he talks, it's more of a mumble and it's more to himself. elizabeth's presence has him thinking again and it's... not actually anything good. ]

Why do I keep doing that? Something -- something's gotta be wrong with me. I don't want to betray Jack. I just gotta try again, one more time. I can get it right this time. Please, Jack. Please, please, please.

[ he's started rocking again, eyes squeezing shut and voice so clearly choked up. he's falling apart, only able to keep on by a thread and elizabeth being there is just unraveling him a bit more by the second. ]

[ Elizabeth isn't comfortable. She's never seen someone react in such a way unless they were mentally ill. The way he seems utterly pained at the word Jack makes her feel horrible - disgusted that Rhys is now blaming himself. Is this what Rhys meant 4 weeks ago? That Jack does this to people - ]

Stop it! I don't care what you feel about this! You died trying to stop Jack - to protect me. I can't let this go ignored. I can't ignore that Jack is a snake, waiting to strike. You.. Rhys... Please listen to me.

[ She knows he won't. He's hurting himself and Elizabeth can't stop. She kneels down in front of him, looking up with tears beginning to stream down her face. The emotion too much for her to handle. Too much to feel without a release. A choked sob. The fact she died on GOOD terms with Jack terrifies her. It makes her entirely too afraid to think of the others - his mental instability too much of an issue, she thinks.

Her hands hover over his knees, scared to touch him. ]

I can't undo what's been done. I'm sorry - I'm so sorry that you ended up like this. I don't know what you did back in your world - but what Jack did to Angel - I can't ignore that: I can't excuse it. You need to listen to me - please! You did nothing wrong - you didn't deserve to die!

[ he can hear her getting upset and he feels bad for a moment, like he's made some sort of mistake. should he apologize for his frustration? for lashing out like this? he doesn't... want to though, people like him -- they don't apologize. they just hurt and ruin things and suffer in the end. here he is, suffering. he gives a shake of his head, eyes opening again but staring blankly with no purpose. he can see her kneeling in front of him but he doesn't bother to pick up his head and look at her, just keeps his head against his knees and thinks.

when he speaks again, it's tired. resigned. ]

Yeah, I did. That's one thing I'm sure about, Elizabeth. I lied to Jack since the moment we got here, told him what I thought he wanted to hear because -- because I'm not a good guy. He would've killed me if I told him the truth but that's because I deserved it. It was going to happen eventually, it just took some time.

[ he finally pulls back then because the more he hears her own sobs, the more he realizes how out of hand he got. no, she doesn't get it, there's no reason to cry -- not for him. he leans back in his chair, hands falling into his lap and looks at her -- finally meets her eyes again but there's still no real light in his, just a dullness. rhys has accepted his fate. ]

I mean, you were honest with him from day one and he loved you regardless, he protected you the whole time. Maybe if I was honest with him... I don't know. [ a sigh and he slumps a little, looking down to the ground. ] Fiona must've known though. Everyone must've known -- I wasn't a good guy. That's why no one did anything, right? I killed so many people so... I'm the bad guy. Jack was just being a real hero. It's -- it's okay, Elizabeth. That's what Jack's supposed to be. Killing me was the right thing to do. Sorry you had to witness it.

[ This isn't what she wanted. She didn't want to die. She's selfish and thought she had more time. She could feel her powers strengthening, even if they were just a fraction. She wanted to get them out. She wanted to get to Angel. She wanted to get back to Booker - god, all her wants were completely gone now.

Her backside hits the ground as she just... flops, her hands settling at his ankles and holding onto his pant legs weakly. Her eyes pull away from him, trying to catch the breath she just can't keep up with. Like a hiccup, it pains her to hear his words. ]

It doesn't matter. He killed you - because you went against him for trying to save someone's life. For trying to point out his flaw. His disgusting, cruel actions. Rhys, Angel - ... Angel was just like me. I can't - I can't!

[ Her fingertips comb through her hair. Flashes of warmth - Jack's hands against her cheeks, the way he looked at her, the way he reassured her that things would be okay. Flashes of cold - hearing about Angel, the way he goaded her to drink the poison, to when she saw him after dehanding him... Jack, Jack - why did she care so much about a man that disgusted her?

Guess Rhys and her had that in common.

Elizabeth looks up, shaking her head. ]

Stop it! Stop it, please! Blaming yourself - saying you're horrible - you didn't take part in this game. You didn't - [ He talks about killing people and she's quick to point out: ] And so did Jack! He flaunted his kill count. "It comes with the job" - just please. You died because of me - if I never left my tower... if I just let Songbird take me back - I wouldn't be here... I - I should have stayed alone.

[ He can feel her clutch at his ankle tightly, holding onto him as she feels regret and pity. Regret and shame. It eats at her when she sees Rhys become.. well, accepting of Jack's lies. ]

You can't do this to yourself. You can't.

[ rhys is trying really hard to pull himself together. he was upset when she came in, fluctuating between a need to lash out and yell at her and his own crippling misery. now though, as he hears her sobs and feels the tug as his pants -- his emotions start to fade into numbness, a simple explanation in his head for what happened. jack saved his life. why should he feel bad about that?

so, he uncurls from himself, dropping his legs down to the ground and leaning forward to look at elizabeth, a frown on his face. he still seems so -- so off and it's clear enough why when he speaks again. he looks composed but he hasn't changed his mind. ]

Look, I don't really know anything about Angel other than the stories. Pandorans say she killed herself. Hyperion says the Vault Hunters killed her. I was -- I was just trying to hurt Jack, I was wrong for that. I shouldn't have said anything so, really, stop worrying about it.

[ he's trying to help now, in some weird way. he still doesn't like elizabeth, doesn't like what she became to jack -- but it's not because of wanting to protect her. instead, it's jealousy plain and simple. she was the most important one to him on the ship and he trusted her the most -- this is something rhys would have killed for, happily. he was so close to getting it before he fucked up, before he lashed out at jack, and it's haunted him since.

he doesn't know how to explain that though because elizabeth so obviously believed his crap about jack being bad, about jack not having her best interest at heart -- he feels sorry for her now. everyone else saw the truth, why didn't she? maybe that's why jack stuck with her, out of pity for so readily believing rhys.

he moves forward to slide out of the chair and crouch down in front of elizabeth, feeling his bones creek with lack of use and wincing slightly at the movement. he really hasn't moved for much too long and it gives him an idea. he reaches out a hand then to cup elizabeth's face, wiping at her tears with his mechanical thumb and giving her a sheepish grin. ]

I'm not doing anything to myself. I've had a lot of time to think about it, since, well, we can watch everything from here. [ he gestures to the monitors around them with a free hand. ] Made me realize how wrong I was, about everything. I was a monster -- the whole time! And Jack, he was just trying to get rid of them. I must've, I dunno, known it on some level? That's why I went after him and he did what he had to. Fiona must have known it too, that's why she didn't stop him. I -- I was in love with her, you know? Real stupid of me, but she deserves better. I'm glad she didn't stop him.

[ he drops his hands then, resting them on his knees as he lets out a tired sigh and looks down to the floor. there's a moment as he seems to consider something, silence to gather his thoughts, before he looks back to her and holds out his hand for hers. ]

Elizabeth -- Liz. Get up, wipe your face. We can go out in the sun for a bit and maybe you'll see it my way. I swear to you, Jack was only just trying to help me. That's -- that's the only thing that makes sense, you know? It has to be the truth.

[ Even with Hancock, Adelina, Frankenstein - all of her friends here - how could she find herself doubting everything she's done? All of the good? She thinks of the people she left behind - Yuno, Adrien, Marinette, Jason - the list goes on and on. She remembers the jolts of electricity and prays no one else would feel it. No one else would have to die. His words - he tries to reassure her about Angel. But, she immediately snaps her vision up. ]

No. You don't get it - you don't get it. Jack admitted it to me what he did to Angel - what he did for the greater good. He kept her locked up alone her entire life like a - like a [ Sorry, she's breathing heavily, feeling her own eyes sting. ] - like a freak. She never had the chance to learn her powers and he - whether he loved her or not, she was so engulfed with her own grief -

[ It takes a minute for her to look up when he kneels. He starts talking, trying to defend Jack. Trying to make sense of the brokenness that fills him. Elizabeth doesn't see an ounce of hope in his eyes when they finally meet. He touches her - she flinches. It was like Jack, honestly. When he tries to soothe her so she would see his reason. Her hands snatch up against his wrists and then to his own face, clutching at his jawline roughly. ]

He didn't know! This entire time he was willing to put anyone down who posed a threat as those creatures, but he suspected me - not you. You were expendable to him because you threaten him.

[ But, she corrects herself, clutching onto his face tighter. ]

I don't want the sun, I want you to - I want you to understand that Jack - [ No. She shuts up. She drops his name and laughs weakly. ] I'm selfish. Jack's wrong, but it's... it's not my place... [ Her hands drag and she wipes her cheeks with the back of her sleeves idly, trying to keep herself composed. ] You can't fix a sinner who doesn't see sin. You can't make a non-believer believe.

[ She sounds distraught, she won't ever see it Rhys's way and she fears that her selfishness will - well, he'll never see it her way either. ]

I promised to find Angel if we survived. If we could win the game. There's an infinite amount of universes out there and in every single one... Jack's choices will cause Angel's death. I promised to open a tear - to show him his daughter alive and well -

[ But, she winces: ]

- only to take her from him. I wanted to give her what was denied of me. Freedom.

...I was a fool.

[ when elizabeth grabs him, he stumbles forward a little and lands on his knees, hands braced against the floor as she drags his face in. he goes a little wide eyed, a little hesitant to face her emotions so head on and he almost wants to jerk back out of fear but instead he watches with wide eyes as she almost shouts at him, tries to get him to see what she sees. ]

Hey, I--

[ he starts but then she keeps talking, keeps talking about sins and beliefs and how terrible jack is. keeps talking about angel and how she wanted to tear her away from jack and honestly, it's getting to a point where rhys doesn't really understand. he had watched them, sure, but their conversations were such a blur to him -- the facts, the details, all a mess that he doesn't really get what elizabeth's talking about at all.

god, he's so... tired. everything was so simple before elizabeth got here. everyone left him alone. when she pulls away her hands to wipe at her eyes, he doesn't really move other than to just sort of sit there on the floor in front of her. he thinks for a moment that he wishes he could just leave now, but he knows he has to follow this conversation through till the end. ]

I don't... really get what you're talking about, Elizabeth. I watched but, uh, I wasn't really watching for you. Or Angel. [ he was watching for jack -- just for jack. ] I don't know what you want me to say.

[ he runs a hand through his hair then, not really sure where to go from here because he just... doesn't know. he has what he's seen, his point of view, his concerns and perspective about everything and elizabeth has her own. she's not... listening to him, he thinks, about what jack really is. he knew she latched onto the angel thing, even saw it in her eyes when he called out jack during the trial -- that's why he pursued it, he knows. he saw her pain, jack's anger, and he pounced. that's what hyperion trains you to do, to notice weaknesses and take advantage of them -- even when you don't have the context.

now though, he still doesn't really have the context and he also doesn't really... care, he thinks. her tragedy, what he's inflicted on her through his words, it was just one more thing he ruined by being... himself. by being a monster. one more reason jack was right to kill him. so, the only thing he does care about, he thinks, is that elizabeth took his place at jack's side and it kills him.

he tries to push back from the floor, intending to get up and just put space between them at least. this is getting too much for him to handle, hurting him in ways he doesn't really get. he thought he could follow through but he... can't. he really can't. ]

I think I'm done with this conversation, Elizabeth.

[ Selfish little child. Lamb straying too far. A seed trying to grow its roots too soon. Elizabeth remembers so vividly what Comstock's voice sounds like and how his gospel skewed the lives of so many. She was wrong to think of Jack and Comstock in the same light - similar but not quite the same. Jack, even briefly, made her feel safe. He was interested in her companionship not her powers.

That's why it hurt so much when she found out about Angel. How - in the same light of Rhys's opinions on Jack - he just didn't get it.

He's cold, focused on Jack and she doesn't know how to respond. She weakly laughs, humming a song to herself under her breath to try and regain control. It lasts only about ten seconds, trying to tune out his words.

Rhys gets up and says he's done and she scoffs. Laughs and balls her fists tightly. ]

Because I'm right and you don't want to admit it. Jack was a very bad man - heh, charismatic as hell, though. Can't fault him for using that to his advantage. I miss him, Rhys. I miss being blinded by him and - [ She's ready to give up. To just let him be because she's only making things worse and bringing her confusion and misdirected sense of duty on him. ] The last thing you want to be is alone, Rhys. After everything... after all of this -

[ She trails off, finally standing up. Her attire is in ruins, her hair an absolute mess. She turns away, trying not to give him anything else to worry about. ]

He was wrong about you. You didn't deserve to be gunned down like an animal. I cared - whether you believe it or not - I cared about what happened to you.

[ she's getting under his skin and he doesn't like it. he'd convinced himself so firmly, made peace with this new reality. jack saved him by killing him. jack had his best interests out for him. rhys was a fool about cradle and a monster about helios and he'd felt so guilty for so long -- it was nice to finally just... accept it. he was a bad, bad guy and now he paid the price. that was simple. that made sense.

but elizabeth is so hysterical about this, insisting her version is true and he knows he agreed with her at one point, he knows it's his fault she even believes this. jack was a hero! he saved elpis! he was going to save pandora if it wasn't for those fucking vault hunters and pandora -- pandora is a terrible planet, rhys knows that first hand. he doesn't really get elizabeth's deal, she has no stake in this in rhys' opinion so why is she so attached? he hates this. he hates her.

he gives a shake of his head and runs his hands through his hair again, tugging lightly out of frustration. ]

No. No, you didn't care because if you did, why would you stick to his side? You don't -- you don't have the same reasons I do. I killed him back home, I killed him and everyone who believed in him because he tried to kill me. I was so selfish, so fucking selfish. Good people died just because they believed in Jack and I -- I should've just given him my body? He wanted to kill him, skin me and upload himself into my ports. We'd rule together, my body, his mind and I freaked out -- backed out and tried to escape and I was so stupid. Should've just given it to him then, you know? I didn't realize what I was, why I was so wrong.

[ an explanation. he just needs to give her an explanation, make her understand why he's the bad guy here. he was selfish and wrong and he did it again here on the ship and finally paid the price for it and that was a good thing. jack definitely deserved life more than rhys did -- why didn't she see that? ]

I couldn't tell him when we got here. I was so scared? I just wanted to apologize, tell him that he could have it -- I didn't care anymore but I was selfish. I wanted him and Fiona. I wanted him to be happy with me again and he was, god. He really was! I was his guy again, I was on his team. Do you know how many people would kill to have what I had? I was so lucky, Elizabeth. It was like he forgave me for killing him without even knowing it.

[ he drops his hands then with a sigh, shoulders slumping as he stares at the floor and the weight of everything hits him. he doesn't want to keep talking about this, but maybe now she'll get it -- now she'll understand why he had to die. ]

You... you don't get it because you're attached to some guy you made up in your imagination. Not who I really am. I'm the bad guy here, Liz. Jack knew it. Fiona knew it. Everyone else knew it which is why -- that has to be why they didn't care. It was just a relief to be rid of me, nothing else. So, stop it. Whatever fantasies you've built up -- stop. Listen to Jack, he knows what he's doing. More than any of us.

[ If Rhys's logic was sound - was Elizabeth bad? Did she get what she deserved too? The poor reality of this was that she was dead - Elizabeth had unfinished business. She didn't fulfill her promises with Yuno. She didn't keep living - as Adelina so tearfully requested. ...She let Jason down. She really misses Jason and thinking it brings her eyes to ache with the impending tears.

But, it's Jack that keeps coming back. She had obsessed with the idea of making him pay. Projecting her feelings for Comstock and her own misfortune onto him. It wasn't long ago that Elizabeth said she would not hesitate to kill Jack if needed - she told it to his face. It wasn't long ago she watched as Jack insisted what he needed to do was just.

Rhys's words hit hard. Enough to make her clench her fist tightly. She wants so badly to strike him out of frustration. But - it's not him. It's Jack. It goes back to Jack. Whatever relationship they had, Elizabeth can't unsee the way Jack uses his charismatic attitude to get away with murder. Literally.

Elizabeth catches herself against the doorframe of the shack, feeling her knees weak but - she's fine. She'll be fine. She has to be - there's no other options. ]

I can't.. help you... [ She mutters, knowing damn well she was blinded and regret her trust. Regrets trusting so easily into someone and - something. ] I don't know Jack like you do. Like Fiona does. It's stupid. I'm -

[ Stupid. She grits her teeth, a mixing bitterness and sadness for what Rhys had become. ]

You're not the bad guy and I'll say that until - well... I suppose eternity is a fitting time period. [ This wasn't Heaven. There... was no God, was there? ] I don't want to hurt you anymore. I don't want to make this anymore painful. If you want to sit in your self-destructive mindset, I pray one day you'll find solace and clarity.

[ A brief pause as she turns to look at him, her expression tired and genuine. ]

Thank you for saving me, Rhys. It was a heroic action and I never got to thank you.

[ it didn't work. he thought maybe she would understand now, he explained so clearly, hadn't he? he thought she got it, thought she really understood but -- but she didn't. he frowns at her back and he has half a mind to argue with her, to move forward and turn her around so she can look at him and listen to what he's saying. after he died, she tried to take his place at jack's side so -- so didn't she get it? what happened between them?

his arms cross over his chest and her digs his fingers into his bicep, trying so hard to not do anything rash. her words keep digging under his skin though because that's what he thought when he was alive, but -- those days in the vents, these weeks alone, they've taken their toll. rhys understands it now. maybe she needs more time...?

when she looks back at him and speaks, her words hit him and he looks shocked for a moment before it quickly turns into anger, a disgusted look given back to elizabeth. ]

Get out.

[ that's all he's going to say this time but it's low, it's angry, and he means it. if elizabeth knows what's good for her, he thinks, she'll listen to this. ]

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week 10 | friday morning

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