ataraxionlogs | twenty-eighth jump;

Entry tags:

twenty-eighth jump;

CHARACTERS: Any and all.
LOCATION: Gravity Couches and beyond.
WARNINGS: Maybe some swearing, or even some violence, and more than likely some implied (and possibly explicit) nakedness.
SUMMARY: Another month, another jump, another round of new faces.
NOTES: It could just be the standard sensation of air on wet skin, but if you bother to check, you might notice the steam rising from your body, barely there and gone within a minute. By the time you get to the showers, it will be clear that it's not just taking you time to adjust. The room is cold — colder than usual, but no worse than the last jump. While it's nothing dangerous, it's certainly motivation to hurry through the usual routine and get dressed quickly.

It's getting closer.

YOUR EYES ARE OPEN.

KEEP LOOKING.

You wake up in darkness.

There's a breathing tube jammed down your trachea, and you're suspended in a tube of clear blue fluid. Upon registering your level of consciousness, the gravity couch drains the fluid surrounding you and retracts the breathing apparatus; the doors in front of you open, and you're deposited on the floor of a stark, sterile medical bay.

You are not alone.
There are others who have come before you, others who are awakening beside you. Some may be familiar to you, perhaps even friends. Others have much less amiable plans. Some are merely alien and inexplicable, but there are always those who might mean you harm.

After you catch your breath and your vision returns, you notice a number on the inside of your forearm. Maybe it's a familiar number. Maybe it means something. Maybe it's just a number. But the number—completely unique to you—is a tattoo, and it does not come off.

If you enter the room adjacent to the medbay, you will find a small locker with your number on it, surrounded by rows upon rows of identical lockers. Inside, you will find a few of your personal items, a communications device, and a ship's uniform in your exact size. The comms device is fully powered and connects directly to the ship's network; it's your only means of communication beyond physical conversation. Upon turning the device on, a neutral, automated voice will say, "Please take the blue lift to the passenger quarters." Any other attempts at communicating with the rest of the network are met only with static.

This is your welcome party.

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[ her mother is as indomitable as ever, and it heartens her. ]

Thank you, Lady Mother. [ she shakes her head. ] No, I have not.

But I did overhear a woman exclaiming about not being dead. Something strange indeed is afoot here.

[ if only her father were still alive when she comes from. she would be waiting for him to swoop in and save them, too. but she knows differently, and that they have to look out for each other. ]

Lockers? [ the word sits unpleasantly on her tongue. elizabeth freezes upon seeing the grotesque inkage upon her mother's skin, and pales as she finds similar markings upon turning over her own arm. ]

I.. I see. Very well. Then the numbers shall correspond with the numerals on these lockers, I suppose?

[ there are drying cloths nearby on a chair. elizabeth snatches one up, and wraps it about herself in the meantime. ]

I should like to see if my own are located here somewhere.

The dead coming back? We know that is not possible, Elizabeth.

[There is only so many bizarre things Elizabeth can take in one day.

She reaches over to make sure her daughter is covered well enough, even in this place they are still royalty.]

Come, I shall help you look. The numbers on your arm should be the same as on the locker.

[ she draws her features into an unreadable mask and nods. ]

Yes. But nevertheless, it seems then that something terrible has happened to the people here.

[ elizabeth stands still while her mother fixes her towel, feeling just a bit like a child. but her mother is here, and she is happy for that.

she can deal with being babied just a little. ]

That is helpful. So.. [ she begins, as they walk amongst the odd metal boxes. ] it seems as though we have been abducted.

I am simply attempting to fathom who would have the means, rather than simply the motive to transport us here.

Even though we have been abducted, we will not sit idly by to wait to see what they will do. [Elizabeth knows she has to keep moving, doing something because otherwise all the other thoughts lingering in the back of her mind will catch up, things she doesn't want to think about at the moment.]

It is someone without decency at the very least. If it is George, I will destroy him completely. [Elizabeth isn't sure how George would manage something like this but there is no doubt that this time when she has the chance to take him down, she will no matter what Edward says.]

Ahh, I believe this is it [She stops at a locker.] Does it match your number?

No. But it would be prudent to learn more about this place and the others trapped here before acting rashly, I think.

[ she isn't the type to jump headlong into hare-brained schemes. but she's with her mom on this one: she has no wish to stay here.

elizabeth is quiet, until her mother mentions george. she freezes, and turns pale. ]

My Uncle George is already dead, Lady Mother. [ there is no point in explaining the how right now. all she knows is that he is, and thus it cannot possibly be him.

but tudor? it could be. and if it is, he has made her quite furious. ]

Let me see.. [ she glances briefly from her arm to the locker in question, and nods. it is with a sense of relief that she opens the door to find her things.

and also a strange blue suit, which she pulls out first with a dubious look. ]

What in God's name is this?

Edited 2014-02-09 02:08 (UTC)

[Elizabeth has to smile at that, her daughter is such like Edward, always more patient and calm than she is. ] We shall, in time.

[Her eyes widen at the mention of George being dead. Elizabeth is older, granted there are things she's obviously missed.]

He's dead? How? [She glances around to make sure there are no others who could overhear them before looking back at her daughter.]

That, I am not sure, it is nothing like I have seen before. Here, I will help you. [She says as she pulls one of Elizabeth's gowns from the locker. It's like when her daughter was little again, helping her dress when she can, it was one of her greatest pleasures as a mother.]

[ they act as a good balance for one-another. it should serve them well. ] Yes. I am concerned for these people.Some definitely seem to have been here longer than we have.

[ which means that the two of them were not the sole targets, even if they were chosen specifically to be abducted. she pales further, and schools her features into a mask of indifference. ]

Executed. By Father's decree. [ she says this in hushed tones, just as aware that someone may overhear. ]

It looks completely indecent. Our captors are lechers, I see.

[ again, she finds herself standing still as her mother helps her to dress. it lends a sense of normalcy and familiarity to a situation which is anything but for either of them, and so she offers no complaint. once she is dressed, she gives her mother a small smile. ]

Thank you.

We will find a way out for everyone, if they have been taken as well we would make sure they are returned to their homes.

[Elizabeth is impressed her daughter is able to stay so composed, but then again that inner strength runs in the blood of the women in their family.]

If is it not George, we have other enemies. We must be more cautious than ever. [Elizabeth says softly but she can't hide the relief. If Edward has finally understood how dangerous George is, she's glad for that. It's one less threat.]

I last saw you as a young girl and now here you are, a woman all your own. [Elizabeth says with pride as she finishes doing up the buttons, giving her a warm smile.] I am sure your father is proud of you.

Yes, we will. I could never in good conscience leave them here.

[ to be truthful, she is scared out of her mind, confused and groggy. it is easier to hold herself together with her mother here, and by focusing on the welfare of others instead of her own. ]

We always have other enemies, Lady Mother. [ by the very nature of their status. still, she draws herself straight. ] I will be cautious.

Yes. I an eighteen now. And you appear just as young as I am.

[ she finds it easy to smile. up until her father is mentioned, and then it takes every once of willpower she has left and regard she has for her parent not to allow her face to crumple into an expression of sadness, or her heart to crumble anew with grief. she takes a breath, and smiles the same smile she has ever since arriving at richard's court, which looks genuine but is actually a clever little mask. ]

I hope you are right. I have never wanted anything more than to be worthy of his pride.

I am glad. We should find a more private place, there are many around. I am sure there is much to discuss.

[Elizabeth tightens her shawl around herself, someone had pointed out the lifts to her earlier and even if she's was still uncertain what lifts were, it meant more comfortable quarters it was worth checking out.]

He is always proud of all his children, I know that much for certain. [She remarked as they walked along, looking for a way out of the area they were in. It would be nice to be somewhere with lights that were so glaring and more quiet.]

Do you know how to leave this area? [ she tries to deflect the topic just enough that she doesn't have to let on just how much dread has just sunk like a ton of stones to the pit of her stomach at the idea of having a discussion about future events with her mother.

god save them both. elizabeth wraps her own shawl about herself and ties her necklace about her neck, before grasping the rest of her things in a loose pile in her arms. ]

I remember. [ she remembers a handsome face and a broad smile as she was declared a 'beautiful girl' so long ago. it is the one memory she has from her infancy which stood out enough for her never to forget. elizabeth feels the strain in her facial muscles because she is smiling when she would rather burst into tears.

she will never not miss her beloved father. it is a boon when they start to walk, leaving the bright lights behind with one step at a time. ]

I believe there is an exit...somewhere. [Any sense of direction is lost in this area, everything seems the same and Elizabeth just wants to get out.

She pulls her shawl a little tighter around her, noticing some people heading out towards a small metal room with doors which slide close. That couldn't be the way out.

She turns around, there has to be a door, something leading away but all she sees is is the same places, no exit. It's all unnatural, she can't figure out where people are going, how they are getting out. ]

Do you see a way out?

There must be. [ and given what that strange woman had told her earlier about this place, she is more than a trifle uneasy. ]

I have heard that some of these people have been here for two years, Lady Mother.

[ her pale face is the only indication as to how she is feeling at the moment. otherwise, she clasps her little bundle of belonging close to her body and casts her gaze about, looking for doors which.. do not. slide.

those look frightening, tbh. it's too bright, and there are too many people. too many voices. it is becoming disorienting. she takes in a deep inhale of air, and releases it slowly to calm herself. ]

No. But all of these people are going somewhere. They are not lingering here.

Two years? [Elizabeth frowns at that, she can't imagine being parted from her children, from Edward, from her life for such a long time. There is too much at stake, even if they had achieved a peace.]

We will find where they are going, do not have fear, Elizabeth. [She glances at her daughter, noticing her pale face. When the sliding doors open again, the people who had stepped into the small room are gone and there is no sign of them. It only makes her more anxious but it seems the area is becoming more empty.]

Come, it seems there are some people who are finding an exit this way.

So the lady said, yes. [ little does she know how short and sweet that peace will be. elizabeth is loathe to disabuse her of any happy thoughts. ]

I do not think we can afford to fear the Unknown. [ that, and she doesn't want anyone, especially her mother, to see her afraid. ]

They are not being killed in there. Perhaps that is the only way out.

[ she is in agreement with her parent; she doesn't like the look of that little room behind the sliding doors. people are disappearing in there as though by some black magic. but what other choice do they have? none. so elizabeth bravely takes the fore, and walks, talk and straight toward those doors. ]

[Elizabeth is proud of her daughter's bravery going into the elevator and she follows her without hesitation. It's that same bravery she saw in Edward whenever he rode off to war, that same fearlessness. She has no doubts that Elizabeth will one day be a strong queen, even if it's in a foreign land.]

We can only hope, we certainly cannot wait around any longer [She agreed as she looks around the small room, startled when the doors slide shut once more.

Their lives are truly in the hands of God now.]

[ she wants to make him proud. and her mother, as well. she doesn't come from weak stock in the least. on both sides, she has inherited strength. and so that is what everyone will see, even if inside, she's afraid. ]

No, we cannot. It is cold. [ but she does not shiver. if this room leads them somewhere warm, then she will risk entering it.

which she does first, because she would rather something ill befall herself than her mother. when the doors shut, she glances sharply at the door but manages to keep herself from jumping.

and then it begins to move, and her eyes widen. so this is why it is called a lift, is it? ]

[Elizabeth reaches back to clutch at the railing when the lift starts to move, her stomach lurching. It's an uneasy feeling not knowing where they might end up to, how they will get out of this box.

But despite her fear, she reaches over to take her daughter's hand in reassurance, a silent promise that it will be alright, even if she's not sure how.

She lets out a breath when the lift stops suddenly and the doors open. It may be the wrong floor but it's a different place, they have to take the chance to get out while they can.]

[ it is not often that her mother needs reassurance. but she gives and takes it in plenty as her fingers lace with her mother's, squeezing her palm firmly.

in her mind, she is chanting a silent prayer to god, mary and jesus to deliver them safely from this moving box. and what is surely some form of black magic.

and when the doors open and the box stops, she lets out a deep breath, before tugging her mother out of the doors. elizabeth is eager to be out of that thing, for now. ]

Do we explore a little, then?

[The hallways are thankfully not as bright, Elizabeth is more relaxed once they are out of the lift at last.]

Yes. I was told we were traveling through the heavens themselves though how that is possible, I do not know.

[Elizabeth isn't sure where they are going but anywhere is better, and at least here it's quiet, they are alone for the time being.]

[ which elizabeth's eyes and head are very thankful for, tbh. the pounding at her temples has abated enough for her to open her eyes normally, rather than squint.

and then she nods, her face a mask of neutrality. ]

A rather rude little girl told me such, as well. [ she pulls a funny face. ] She reminded me a little of Cecily at that age.

[ so they are, and here comes the conversation elizabeth has frankly been dreading. god give her strength, pls. ]

I only hope I could have seen all my children grown up. I can only imagine the future King Edward has grown up into. [To imagine anything else is something Elizabeth can't do.]

Has your father arranged your betrothal? [A simple question, or so she thinks.]

[ she stiffens where she stands, both with dread and the all-too typical 'mom whyyyyyyyy' syndrome. ]

We should discuss the former, Lady Mother. As for the latter..

[ she purses her lips, and sighs. ]

No. And yes. You actually arranged my betrothal, to Henry Tudor.

[ from the look on her face, her opinion of that is made quite clear. she won't do it. ]

[Elizabeth is confused at Elizabeth's reaction, stopping in the middle of the corridor to look at her.]

Has something happened? [She doesn't like the look her daughter is giving her, perhaps she's missed more than she had thought.]

Henry Tudor? [Elizabeth frowned at this. She remembered him as Lady Margaret's boy, but no doubt he was grown as well by the time when Elizabeth had come from.] And why would I do that? You, Elizabeth, you are to be a Queen. I would want nothing less for you.

So much.. Lady Mother, so much has happened.

[ and she has bottled it up ever since. her eyes are glittering with the tears she refuses to let herself weep. not here, not now.

perhaps not ever. ]

Father.. oh, Mother! He was taken by a fever a few months past.

And ever since.. [ she can't finish that sentence. ]

Because Uncle Richard is King, now. And he has declared us all.. [ oh, god, does she hate that word. ] bastards.

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