EVENT; LIFTS & CORRIDORS

[ataraxites]

CHARACTERS: Ensemble production!
LOCATION: The Corridors.
WARNINGS: Space crazy, violence, etc.
SUMMARY: You may have simply been taking the lift with passerbys, but now you're hopelessly lost.
NOTES: Notes on the corridors.

Those on their way to meet a friend at dinner, or heading to their department, may never reach their intended destination. Instead, characters will find themselves in an unfamiliar part of the ship, abruptly stranded. All attempts to access the elevator will prove fruitless, as the doors cannot be pried open and the lift will not respond when called. It looks like you have no where to go but forward. Hallways will connect only to other hallways, giving you the impression that you're always on your way somewhere- but can't quite manage to arrive. Time spent in the hallways will seem endless, but with luck you may find a break in the monotony. It is possible for characters to find one another, which would be preferable, as it's probably safer traveling in groups. Those that spend an excessive amount of time in their own company will find themselves feeling increasingly hostile and paranoid, until even the walls seem to be watching. That may not be such an exaggeration, with those murals that continually appear...

Comments

[jurisimpudent]

But we can't -

[Edgeworth's voice sounds truly distressed. He doesn't sound at all like the pompous, windy prosecutor; he sounds like nothing more than a young man who's miserable and worried and unhappy, even though it's for someone he hardly even knows. But he can't get around Deb, not with her in that stance; all he can do is grip her shoulder and plead - ]

We have to work with him, Lieutenant. We can't - if he goes off by himself, they'll attack; it's how they always work. We cannot leave him to die -

[dearlydeceived]

Yeah, if I've gotten anything from this conversation, Edgeworth, [ voice clipped and precise, eyes and gun still focused steadily on Hal ] it's that in that scenario? We should be worrying about the health and wellbeing of the hellbeasts.

[passe]

[ Hal stays where he is, smile broad and amused, and now the fangs are clearly visible. His hand moves again slowly, a casual gesture to tap at the side of his head in emphasis of his next comment. ]

You should listen to the Lieutenant. She has a very clever - and beautiful, if I may be so bold - head on her shoulders.

[ Then both arms open wide on either side, more theatrics to display his lack of concern. ]

The only thing I'm in danger of is making a mess of my poor clothes. [ A pause, then he remembers the blood already staining the dark fabric and adds: ] More of one, in any case.

[jurisimpudent]

[Edgeworth's brows draw closer together, though, and his mouth thins unhappily. But what can he do? He can't force Hal to come with them; he can't force Deb to allow it. After a moment, he just steps back, lowers his hand and his eyes, and bitterly and miserably and finally surrenders to leaving Hal to his death.]

[dearlydeceived]

[ Man, bad guys threatening her always have to go for the creepy flirting, huh. Hal's little compliment is miles less uncouth than most of the comments Deb's heard about her appearance and/or what the guy will do to her given the chance, but it's no less unsettling though her only reaction is a faint downturn in her mouth.

Deb's not happy about the waves of unhappiness now coming off Edgeworth, but on the other hand she's not in the habit of being made to feel guilty or regretful about doing her best to save someone's life just because they make sad puppy eyes at her. (Fuck knows Dexter has tried often enough.) It's mostly frustration and continued alarm she's feeling, but Edgeworth's obvious distress does at least temper what was going to be "Have a nice fucking life" into ]

Best of luck.

[ She doesn't lower her weapon or her eyes, let alone turn her back on Hal, but she takes a couple of steps back.]

[passe]

[ Now they've got it. The fear and aggression, Edgeworth's reluctant misery; it's not blood, but it's the next best thing, and it's hilarious to watch.

He watches quietly as Edgeworth gives up, as they both move back a step. Then he clicks his tongue as if he's kicking a horse, smile stark against the blood still streaked over his face. ]

I suggest you hurry.

[jurisimpudent]

[Edgeworth, though, lifts his head, and there's something almost defiant in the kindness of his parting words:]

Be careful, and stay unharmed. And if we find a way out, we'll come search for you.

[And, finally, he turns and goes.]

[dearlydeceived]

[ Debra has none of Edgeworth's quixotic graciousness or courage in turning his back on a threat. She can tell - or thinks she can tell - when she's being mocked, when her vulnerability or that of others is being used for some sick bastard's amusement, and there's nothing she hates more. If she were alone, if she were a few years younger and less experienced, Deb might not have been able to rein in her impulse to stomp back and get in Hal's face, or at least to fire some parting conversational shot.

But she isn't either of those things, so there's only something kindling in her eyes, and a slight, unpleasant smile touching her lips. She paces backwards, light on her feet and her gaze unwavering till she's around the bend in the corridor and the line of sight is broken. ]