savetheearth | 001; action; closed

Entry tags:

001; action; closed

WHO: Brendan & Elizabeth
WHERE: Locke City University campus, halls
WHEN: April 17, afternoon

[The more Brendan finds out about the network, the strange creature sightings, and the ever-growing conspiracy involving the police, military, Thunder Corporation— everything, the less he wants anything to do with it. He has classes to attend and degrees to earn, and isn't that enough? The absolute last thing he needs is something on this scale distracting him, much less potentially threatening his family and especially his sister. If any of this ever comes back to haunt her—

He cuts off the thought abruptly and slows his steps, not especially caring that the other students navigating the halls are shooting him dirty looks as he blocks traffic and massages his temples. No, it won't come to that, not if he exercises reasonable precautions. Avoiding using his name and transmitting his voice or image on the network is easy, of course. The bigger problem is...

He mutters something incoherent and undoubtedly unflattering about the people behind him, shifts the strap of his bag a little higher, and picks up speed again. No, the bigger problem is that— that pink-haired girl, Elizabeth, who he has most definitely seen in at least one of his classes if not on campus. The chances of her recognizing him are virtually nonexistent, of course, but so too are the chances that the situation won't escalate to the point where he'll need to make contact with someone else experiencing the same strange things as him. The suitability of Elizabeth as a candidate for that are debatable, visible as she is both on and off of the network (that hair isn't exactly subtle), but he can't entirely discount the fact that it would be so easy to covertly approach her when they already have classes in common. Besides, her self-imposed position of authority could be a boon in and of itself, however much it might also make her a target. The thought of using a helpful, innocent girl like her leaves a bad taste in his mouth, but if it means protecting his sister in the long run, he has to at least consider it.

Wrapped up in his thoughts as Brendan is, he turns the next corner instinctively, and it's only after he's collided with someone and sprawled in an undignified heap on the floor that it occurs to him this was a bad idea.]

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Being walked into is the last thing Elizabeth is expecting as she nears that corner, and she stumbles back a few steps in surprise. It takes her a moment to get her bearings, and once she does she comes to realize that the poor guy she's run into is collapsed on the ground.

Hey, wait, isn't that-- ]

Br.. Brennan..? [ No, that's not quite-- ] Brendan! Is that you down there? Oh, are you alright?

[ She goes down on one knee to offer him a hand up, trying to see if he's actually hurt. She doesn't think she hit him hard, but... She does also remember him coming to their class on the third floor winded a few times. Maybe he has asthma. ]

I didn't hurt you did I?

[Brendan had let out a small oof at the initial collision, but given that he'd landed primarily on his backside when he'd hit the floor, he's prepared to put forth the notion that he's— largely okay. The hand creeping down to massage at his lower back is evidence to the contrary that he really, really hopes no one notices, but— hang on, he recognizes that voice.

His eyes widen, and slowly, he lifts his head, spotting improbably long pink hair immediately. Oh gods, of all the ways they could have semi-formally met— and she's holding out her hand to him, how embarrassing. That comes second to getting himself off of the floor, though (and he will make it come second, ignore his wounded pride), and after briefly hesitating, he reaches out to take her hand in turn.

What happens next exceeds his capabilities to describe, but it feels very much like experiencing an exponentially magnified version of that same collision: an abrupt, crushing force that squeezes the air from his lungs. An outstretched hand, waves of pink hair, one of the gentlest smiles he'd ever seen— how could he have done that to her? He'd never meant for it to happen, would take it back in a heartbeat if he could, but it's done, it's over, there's nothing he can do to save her, nothing—

The hand shrinks back, settles shakily over his mouth, and for several alarming seconds, Brendan looks as though he's about to faint, be sick, or both.]

I...

[ If Elizabeth wasn't concerned before, she most certainly is now. It's clear that the fall isn't what's distressing him by this point, and she doesn't begin to know what to do for him. He looks like he's positively seen a ghost, and that could mean a million things. It could be that he has something personal against Bishop Industries and has recognized her, or that she's a dead ringer for someone else he knows, or perhaps he's just afraid of women-- Either way, he really does look like he's about to pass out and she'd hate for him to hit the pavement. ]

H-Hey, it's okay-- Deep breaths. Do you need me to take you to the clinic...?

[ She moves over carefully, not quite touching him but hovering her arms around him just in case he does faint. ]

Brendan?

N-no, I—

[He speaks hurriedly, shaking his head and wincing. He's still feeling inexplicably nauseous and light-headed, but the last thing he wants to do now is make her worry on his account. It had just been— what had it just been? Something to do with that network, no doubt; he'd read over those informative posts recently enough to identify it after a moment. It's a good thing, too, because otherwise he'd be doubting his sanity right about now.]

I'm fine. Don't worry about me.

[He ventures a glance at her, not certain when he'd broken eye contact but fairly confident now that he can look at her without... anything bad happening.

He forces a shaky grin.]

Guess I shouldn't have skipped lunch.

Do you need something? I've got some granola bars in my bag...

[ Because low blood sugar is nothing to laugh at. Elizabeth starts digging through her bag without exactly waiting for an answer, still quite concerned about poor Brendan here as she has no idea what happened just now except that she might've plowed over an already dizzy person. ]

Ah, here we are-- [ She produces two of the aforementioned granola bars, holding them out in offering. ]

Let's see... I've got strawberries and cream or peanut butter. Or both, if you'd like!

[ She flashes him a warm, reassuring smile, trying to put him at ease somehow. ]

[... Great. There's no way he can turn her down now, is there? Not when he'd chosen that lie, convenient as it may have seemed at the time. Brendan hesitates only briefly before accepting the strawberries and cream bar, though, willing the grin into a grateful smile. He doesn't entirely succeed, but maybe she'll pass that off as him still feeling under the weather.]

Thank you. Hopefully I'll learn my lesson after this.

[Namely, to look where he's going, but better eating habits couldn't hurt, either. He sighs.]

It's Elizabeth, isn't it? The hair is a little hard to forget.

[ Once he takes the granola bar, she unceremoniously plops down next to him on the ground. The hallways have emptied out by now so she's not too worried about being in anyone's way. She figures she can just sit here with him while he eats and at least until she's sure he's okay. ]

Yes, that's me! Do you think it's a bit much...? I'm still undecided on it myself, but...

It suits you.

[Again, he says it perhaps too quickly, but at least this time he has the granola bar to preoccupy himself. He sets about unwrapping it while avoiding her eyes again, a quick glance confirming that yes, the halls are empty now. He'd been wondering.

He clears his throat a little, then tries again.]

It is a little shocking at first, but I guess college is all about experimentation.

Oh, I'm glad! Perhaps I'll keep it after all, then. At least until I have to apply to law school. I imagine 'no pink hair' must be in the regulations somewhere...

[ She laughs quietly at that, shaking her head a little at the thought. Not that she has much of a choice about keeping it, it seems. She'll probably have to dye it if all this ever settles down and she does finally graduate. ]

And what about you, Brendan? Have you tried anything new since starting school here?

[Law school? He perks up at that, but she'd asked him a question first and he can't imagine being so rude as to ignore it.]

Not in so many words, no, but there's still time for that. [The corner of his mouth quirks.] Is this your way of telling me I'd look good with pink hair?

You just might! [ Elizabeth doesn't hesitate to lean back and hold her fingers up in a mock picture frame, making a show of imagining Brendan with pink hair. ] Let me know if you start considering it. I know a few good places.

[His laughter at that isn't entirely natural, still recovering as he is, but it does make him feel slightly better all the same. He'd only just met Elizabeth, so surely there's no reason to feel guilty about this.

He even goes so far as to take a bite of the granola bar, if only to reassure her that he hasn't forgotten it. Perfectly fine here, in no way recovering from a minor breakdown. Honest.]

I think I'd better suited to something darker, but I'll remember the offer. Of course, I could always just get a tattoo.

[Another bite, chew chew chew, swallow, and he's more relieved than he cares to admit that he can keep it down. As long as he just doesn't think about it, he should be fine.]

I'm headed for law school, too, with any luck. May I ask why you took an interest? I wouldn't have guessed you wanted to be a lawyer.

Oh, I, um-- [ Now it's Elizabeth's turn to be mildly uncomfortable, since she can't exactly go around telling people about her father's undocumented workers and the injustice of it all. She blushes faintly as she reaches up to rub the back of her neck, and if she notices anything amiss about Brendan at the moment she's attributing it to his fall and general nervousness around someone new. ]

I've been a bit of an activist since I was a girl. Immigration reform, human rights, gender equality, that sort of thing... I figured law school was the right place to start for all that.

[Brendan doesn't have to pretend to be interested in this, fortunately, and he nods as she finishes speaking, thinking back to the entry she'd posted on the network. She certainly has the poise for it, and he cares little whether that quality has more due to her upbringing or her interest in political activism. It's good to know that she intends to put it to good use.]

Then you've chosen well. I'll be sure to follow your career with interest, Elizabeth.

Oh my, well I'll certainly do my best not to disappoint.

[ The smile Elizabeth offers Brendan at that is edging on shy, and she laughs quietly to try to snap herself out of it. It's just not every day that she talks to someone about her fairly vague hopes for the future and has them validate the idea that she'll someday have a career. ]

What about you, Brendan? Have you decided on anything for the future just yet?

[His own smile might just be a bit encouraging when he detects that shyness. She must not be complimented very much, he can't help but think. Then again, she is only just starting out. Both of them are.]

Prosecutor, in fact. I... well, I suppose the thought of correcting a few of the injustices in the world appeals to me.

[And if that involves putting guilty parties behind bars, so much the better.

He glances away again.]

On a different scale, that is.

Edited 2013-04-19 07:03 (UTC)

A fellow law school aspirant? Why, I never knew! It seems like we might wind up on opposite sides of the divide, though.

[ Shaking her head a little, Elizabeth laughs quietly because the thought doesn't really bother her. The world needs good prosecutors as much as it needs good defense lawyers. The system isn't perfect, of course, but having dedicated, driven people fighting for what they believe is right is certainly a step in the right direction. ]

I will most certainly have to keep up with your career as well!

[Had Brendan been less cynical, his thoughts might have been mirroring Elizabeth's just then, but as things are, he's— actually a little too distracted by a sudden resurgence of that guilt to think much of anything. It's nowhere near as bad as the first time and he quickly wrangles it back under control, but he knows with absolute certainty now that the last thing he wants or is capable of doing is opposing her. At least... not in the way she suggests.]

You're too kind.

[In more ways than he could possibly articulate, but more importantly—]

We ought to get off of the ground, don't you think? And— oh, I didn't make you late, did I?

[After all, she has to have some purpose for being on campus, unless she'd also been leaving a class. It's a minor thing to worry over, but he dislikes the thought of inconveniencing her all the same.]

Oh, yes, sure! Are you certain you're feeling better though, Brendan?

And don't even worry about that. I'm done with classes for the day. I was thinking of grabbing a bite to eat, but I'm not in any hurry.

[ Still concerned for Brendan's relative health, Elizabeth climbs back to her feet and then offers Brendan her hand again. ]

I'm sure.

[And he is, mostly, somewhat, but he'll do his best to act the part as he rallies himself to stand again, hesitating once again before taking her hand. Why had that prompted such a reaction, anyway? What is the significance of it? Is there any?]

Do you... that is, would it be all right if I accompanied you?

[It's a struggle not to wince as the words leave his mouth, but hopefully she won't assume that he's being anything more than friendly.]

Now why would I mind a thing like that? I'd be delighted! Let's go get you fed, Brendan. In fact, I insist!

[ And of course Elizabeth notices absolutely nothing amiss with the request, and in fact she's all too happy for the company. Brendan seems like a nice boy thus far, and she feels completely at ease with him (mild heart attacks from him possibly passing out on her aside.)

She makes sure that Brendan is entirely steady on his feet before releasing him, gesturing in the direction of the school food court. ]

I was headed this way, unless you had somewhere else in mind?

[Completely steady, yes, and finishing his granola bar quickly once the opportunity presents itself. Overall, it was rather sweeter than he usually prefers, but that hardly matters so much as the chance to keep talking to Elizabeth. The food court is more public than he'd been hoping, but considering that before this he'd had no real plan to approach her at all, he'll consider it a victory.]

This way is fine.

[He doesn't set off right away, though, choosing instead to double check that the contents of his messenger bag are intact (they are) before taking a step forward.]

I really am feeling better. Thank you again for your concern.

[ Elizabeth waits for Brendan to be done before falling in time next to him, a bounce in her step as she walks because, well. All in all, this has shaped up to be a fairly eventful and exciting morning. ]

It's no problem at all. I'm so glad you're okay. You really had me worried there for a second!

[More eventful and exciting than he would have wished, yes, but he wouldn't deny either label. Besides, other issues aside, he's finding that he enjoy's Elizabeth's company. She has a certain spirit that's impossible not to like.]

It was... shortsighted on my part. I apologize.

[Whatever good that does, and he quickly shrugs it away.]

Anyway, we were talking about plans for the future, I believe? What are you majoring in now?

There's no need to apologize-- [ Elizabeth starts to reassure Brendan on their little run-in earlier but is quickly redirected by his questions of the future. She smiles a bit shyly, hugging her books to her chest as they walk on. ]

My declared major is in mechanical engineering. How things work and how to put them together has always interested me, somehow. I can't really explain why. Maybe it's because I had so much time to myself as a girl, if I wasn't reading I was taking apart my alarm clock and trying to put it back together...

[There's every need to apologize, but until she accepts it, he'll gladly distract her.]

Mechanical engineering? I wouldn't have expected that. [Er, slight pause, then—] Not because you're a girl or anything, I'm not that shortsighted, but it just seems so unrelated to your chosen field. It must have been a very interesting alarm clock.

[... This is the best recovery ever, shut up.]

[ Advocate of all things good and right in the world as she is, Elizabeth nonetheless rarely takes offense to things that weren't meant maliciously and she just laughs again at that, shrugging her shoulders a little. ]

It's rather impractical of me, I know, but still... It's something I truly enjoy. Hopefully everything will work out in the end.

What about you, Brendan?

[He shouldn't be surprised by that sort of optimism, especially given what he'd seen from Elizabeth so far, but it manages to catch him off guard anyway. Is she always like this?]

It's important to pursue the things you love.

[He glances away again.]

I'm double majoring in English and philosophy. Both are supposed to be good preparation for law school, and I'm fortunate in that I enjoy them, too.

[ No one's can look on the bright side of things all the time, but that doesn't stop Elizabeth from trying. ]

That sounds quite ambitious! It's good to hear that you enjoy them too. I completely agree that while the desire to make a difference is an invaluable quality, it's important to do something that ultimately makes you happy too.

Wanting to take care of other people shouldn't mean that we forget to take care of ourselves.

[ Admittedly she's not as good at taking this advice as she is giving it, but she does try to always keep it in mind. ]

[Brendan may just lapse into silence at that observation, thoughts running to his sister... and Elizabeth's post to the network, actually. The way she had so quickly leaped to help the others on the network, himself included— he can't help but wonder, briefly, if there's something pathological behind all of that, something dark that he isn't seeing, but it's impossible to imagine what it might be, if anything. Is Elizabeth really just that sort of person? And if so, what danger would there be in coming clean with her?

He fidgets with the strap of his messenger bag again, not quite looking at her. Should he just tell her? Or is it too soon? Or—]

Do you have any siblings, Elizabeth?

[... Or he could ask something only tangentially related to what they were already talking about. Flawless plan.]

Oh, me? No, not at all...

[ There's a slightly mournful look on Elizabeth's face as she answers Brendan, though she's still managing to smile. She sighs out her breath, glancing briefly up at the sky. ]

I always did want them, though. My mother died when I was very young, so I suppose she never had the chance. I was fairly lonely as a girl. Spoiled, of course, since I was all my father had left as far as family went. But lonely.

I don't really know how to explain it, but somehow I always felt like I was supposed to have siblings... you know?

But then again I imagine everyone who feels a profound lack of something in their lives must also feel that way.

...oh, just look at me rambling. I'm sorry, that by should actually be such a simple question--

[ Elizabeth blushes a little as she goes on. ]

What about you, Brendan?

[No obvious root to that protective urge, then, unless Elizabeth is somehow compensating. It doesn't seem like something she's consciously aware of, though, or else it's become so ingrained by now as to be instinctual... or he's overanalyzing it. Some people are just like that, aren't they? Or is that an oversimplification?

Brendan brushes his hair out of his eyes, then speaks.]

A younger sister. She's fifteen at the moment. [He smiles wryly.] She accuses me of doing that sometimes— forgetting to take care of myself, I mean. I guess I don't have much room to argue, considering what happened earlier.

[He sends Elizabeth a sidelong glance.]

I'm sorry for your loss. It's difficult to lose a parent like that.

Edited 2013-04-23 03:14 (UTC)

Oh, it's quite all right... I miss her at times, but I was so young I find myself wondering if it's her I miss or just the idea of her.

[ Elizabeth murmurs this quietly, eyes downcast. Then she simply shakes her head as though physically shaking those somber thoughts away, glancing up to smile at Brendan once more instead. ]

Your sister sounds very mature and wise for her age. You should most certainly take her words under advisement. Big brothers ought not worry their little sisters so.

[ She wags her finger at him chidingly, smiling all the while. ]

[Brendan wants to say something to that, reassure her in some way, but with Elizabeth already shifting the conversation back into lighter territory, he lets the idea go. Now isn't the time for that, and besides, what would he say? He doesn't especially want to discuss his own experience with losing a mother, so perhaps it is a good time to move on.]

You sound just like her when you say that. [His hands raise placatingly, though, his own smile making a comeback.] All right, I know when I've been beaten. I can't make any guarantees about when finals roll around, but I'll do my best not to worry her the rest of the time.

Does this mean I'm going to have to insist that you meet me for lunch during finals week?

[ Although Elizabeth's words are light and teasing, she does mean every word. She'll drag Brendan out to lunch with her for all of finals and the two weeks before that too if it means that she won't catch him collapsing in the hallways again. ]

Someone has to keep an eye on you in your poor sister's absence, after all.

[The underlying sincerity of Elizabeth's words are not lost on Brendan, and while he does laugh lightly to hear them, some of his earlier unease is returning. She shouldn't be making such offers to him, but damn it all, he can't think of why. Why should it matter if she takes it upon herself to look after him? Why is he instinctively rebelling at the thought?]

That won't be necessary, but I appreciate the thought. Besides, I wouldn't want you to jeopardize your own studies just to look after me.

Oh, don't be silly. Everyone needs to eat lunch, don't they? I'd just be taking mine with you. But I do hope it isn't necessary. Not because it'd be any trouble for me, but maintaining good eating habits is important! Speaking of which--

[ And here they are at the cafeteria. Elizabeth, ever the gentleman, goes ahead and opens the door for Brendan since these doors are notoriously heavy and his blood sugar's low. ]

[... For the record, Brendan is absolutely capable of opening a door for himself. Really. Just— no, it isn't worth arguing the point even internally, is it? He can already tell that Elizabeth has a stubborn streak and enjoys mothering people. He was doomed from the start.

Rubbing at his forehead a little, he heads inside and glances around entirely out of habit. She had better not make him sit while she fetches the food for both of them or something embarrassing like that. He's perfectly fine.]

I'll devote my waking hours to cultivating the skill, then. Would you prefer that we get our food separately and meet at a table or shall we chat while we forage?

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

001; action; closed

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject