one ☂ rain, rain, go away...

[waterwing]

Who: Lapis Lazuli & YOU
Broadcast: Fleetwide
Action: S.S. Huntress
When: 1/10

[ VIDEO ]

[ The very second she wakes, the immediacy of how wrong this is crashes over her like a wave.

Lapis curls upright on a cot on the Marsiva, blinking and coughing - like she's been underwater for too long. Frantically, she reaches out for something that isn't there - a shackle. A connection she had been holding on to with all the strength she had, just moments ago -

She had lost it. She hadn't been strong enough.

She stumbles off the cot like she's still getting her land legs, and slowly moves out of the room, quickly casting glances around every corner as she moves down hallways. This doesn't look like a Homeworld ship, but...it has to be. She wasn't strong enough to stay fused with Jasper, and so she must have gotten free. She was probably hurting Steven right now, and Lapis had been taken prisoner again -

What's the point?

In front of a large window, she slumps down, arms winding around her knees. She her forehead against them until she can't see the harsh lights of the ship anymore. With that blocked out, there's just her, and the tumultuous ocean roiling inside of her. ]

[ ACTION ]

[ Soon enough, Lapis is shuttled off to the S.S. Huntress, and she enters the ship with all the reluctance in the world. She is not happy to be here. She barely minds the fact that she's been assigned to a Security position - rather, she avoids the armory entirely. She didn't ask for this. She didn't ask to come here, to be taken prisoner yet again by an organization she knew nothing about, but who would inevitably find some way to use her to their ends.

She doesn't want any of this.

And so as Lapis makes her way to the bunks, she starts pulling - only partly deliberately - on any liquids she passes. Someone using the toilet or shower may suddenly find the water fleeing upwards and out towards the Gem calling it to her. Water, tea, or any other drink may jump out of a cup or drink dispenser as she passes. She does this until she builds a small river down the hallway, barely glancing at anyone she passes unless - unless, they get a bit too close for comfort. ]

No! Just - just stay away from me!

Comments

[action]

[scrubscrub]

[A-ah. She was cleaning the floor with that water, miss.

When she follows the trail, she illogically copes with it by thinking it's some sort of strange leak or that, perhaps, the toilet is overflowing; it wouldn't be the first time slaves have dealt with unsavory things, and toilets are high on the list. People in Mariejois would not stoop so low as to handle their own wastes.]

Oh, I really don't like handling toilets...

[She stops in the middle of the walkway, surprised to find someone —

Blue! And afraid. Is she a new slave? She seems skittish like a new slave; Koala has comforted some of the smaller ones before, or the new roster that had no clue what it took to survive. She likes being helpful. And she hates for people to die.]

Ah — it's okay! I won't hurt you. Did you make a mess?

[This blue girl must have overflowed something. Not a problem! She begins to mop it and squeeze it out into the bucket she's carrying.]

It's alright! Nobody will ever know. I'll have it cleaned for you. It can be our little secret.

[action]

[waterwing]

[ A...child. And a small one...even smaller than Steven. Would their captors stoop so low to bring someone even as young as this girl here?

But Lapis's righteous anger is doused when the girl speaks, not threatening her or trying to tell her what to do but offering to help her, even if she's mistaken what's happening.

Though she hardly budges, Lapis's tone is a shade gentler. ]

What are you... [ She shakes her head. ] No. I-I don't need your help. I won't cause you anything but trouble.

[action]

[scrubscrub]

[Smaller than Steven, indeed! She looks like she's 8 or 9 — but she's 11. Promise. She's just an intense runt. She speaks very kindly, though, because she does understand that mindset. Some slaves are afraid to be helped, after all! But a little secret help is better than being flogged or left without a meal. That's not the case here, but... old habits.]

It's no trouble at all, miss! This is my job. I'm very quick at it.

It can be very overwhelming, coming here; I understand!

[ action ]

[beardstrokes]

[ He doesn't seem perturbed or annoyed, though he looks at his cup with some forlorn longing. He could just as easily manipulate back with the Force, but the last thing she needs is a show of power. ]

I wasn't planning on invading your personal space for any given reason. May I have my tea back please?

[ action ]

[waterwing]

[ Whatever she had been expecting him to say, that wasn't it. It leaves her more perplexed than anything, though her defensive posture doesn't relax.

What was tea? That brown liquid? ]

I-I don't...Why would you want it back? [ What was he going to do with it, anyway? Humans don't use water like she does. Her features are marked with suspicion. ]

Re: [ action ]

[beardstrokes]

For sustenance, though I enjoy the taste. Would you like to try it?

[ He still hasn't moved or made any threatening gestures. ]

[notkittenaround]

[ Yet another "guest" to the ship. It's not difficult for Marhi to find Lapis, not when she's such a walking beacon of water, and it doesn't even require looking at the river running through the ship.

If anything, it's oddly familiar - in her world, aetherial power dwells most in elemental crystals and gems. Marhi approaches with cautious wariness, her tuxedo black-and-white tail flicking behind her, and remains at a distance.

... A crystal manifested into a powerful woman, or so it appears. It's almost enough to make Marhi look for a sacrificed victim, or a brainwashed horde. She can only hope this lady is not from her world. ]

It is not so large a ship that I might.

[waterwing]

[ Lapis crosses her arms over her chest, taking further steps back from the newcomer, water gathering around her feet. ]

I-I'm warning you! You can't take me anywhere else! I have to get back to Earth.

[ Evidently, she's a little confused about who her enemy is. All she knows is this unfamiliar face is not a human nor a Gem, and she won't be kept a prisoner here any longer. ]

video

[stickupherforehead]

[hrk. She was definitely not expecting to see you, of all people.]

Lapis Lazuli.

[Pearl looks rather grim. The implications of this aren't especially good, especially if Garnet isn't around.]

video

[waterwing]

[ As drawn inward as she is, Lapis can't ignore the sound of her own name, spoken by a familiar voice. A Pearl - and not just any Pearl.

Her head snaps up, glancing wildly about until she spots a screen with Pearl's face on it. ]

...you? What are you...

[ ...No. It couldn't be. The Crystal Gems - they couldn't be responsible for this, could they? ]

What have you done?!

[stickupherforehead]

[Pearl bristles at the accusation, frowning.] I haven't done anything.

We're all stuck in the same situation.

[Video]

[jamminshield]

[This is definitely something that Steven did not expect to see today. His eyes immediately widen in shock, and he gasps her name in surprise.]

Lapis...!

[It's her. It has to be. Lapis Lazuli. A tidal wave of emotions wash over Steven just at the sight of his long-separated and long-suffering beloved friend. Happiness and relief to see her here, but also concern and worry for her situation. What happened to Malachite - could Jasper be near as well? Or maybe he was just dreaming...]

[Video]

[waterwing]

[ That voice. She'd know it anywhere. That voice, calling out her name...

Lapis glances up, eyes searching frantically for him until they settle on one of the screens. She's all too eager as she moves on hands and knees over towards it, her own eyes wide with dismay. ]

Steven! Steven, what are you - where are you?!

[avaricious]

Hey!

[Greed, dressed in nothing more than a bath towel, marches out into the hallway looking less than pleased. He only had to find the trail of water to find out who was behind this latest insurrection.]

Give me back the water, lady. I won't ask twice.

[waterwing]

[ She's already poised defensively upon her tiny river, but at those threatening words, the murky water starts to ripple. She certainly doesn't return it to him - if anything, it draws closer to her feet. ]

I said, stay away! I'm getting off this ship, and you can't keep me here!

[ Because naturally, that's what he wants to do. That's all the ever want to do. Keep her prisoner. Bend her will. Not again. Not ever again.

She doesn't really like the idea of hurting a human - what if he was a friend of Steven's? But she'll do what she has to to protect herself. ]

[action] 1/2

[falconing]

[ why is there a river in the hallway.

why.

why this.

why now.

w h y. ]

[action

[falconing]

[ at first, han is a little worried that, you know. something ruptured and burst. and so han steps out into the hall to follow it along, to see where it's coming from... but when he happens upon lapis, and how she's apparently yanking all the water from all the places, he very seriously considers just turning right back around and going back into his room and pretending this isn't happening.

unfortunately, though, han has A Conscience, and he sighs to himself before turning back around, slipping his hands into the pocket of his coat. ]

Are you alright?

[Lights + Camera]

[digthefuzz]

[Kurt was just trying to brush his teeth when all of the water was flowing out of the bathroom - and his mouth! Confused, the blue guy steps out into the hallway with toothbrush in hand and beholds the mysterious blue woman.]

What? I- Whoa! [There's not much time to make sense of her plea, as he only notices the river on the floor just as slips on it. He can't even gain his bearings enough to teleport, so he ends sliding right towards the mysterious lady!]

[QUACKTION]

[waterwing]

[ Gross, spit water.

But Lapis is no respecter of water sources. She's pulling everything she can, though maybe she should discriminate a little more, considering the attention it's getting her.

Surprise betrays her features as another blue figure slips in the water towards her. She doesn't have time to wonder whether or not he's a Gem - though he doesn't look like one she's ever seen before. All she can do is stagger backwards and summon small bursts of water to push him backwards so he doesn't fall into her.

But then she can't keep her own balance - at least she has a cushion of water to break her fall. ]

Video

[alwayscomeback]

[Well. That's...never a good sign. Usually there's a lot more screaming on arrival. ]

Hey! You doing okay there?

Video

[waterwing]

[ Her reaction is immediate, glancing around wildly like a wounded animal looking for a predator.

Then, her eyes fall on the screen. ]

Wh - who - what have you done? Why did you bring me here?!

private/video

[versusnurture]

[Oh. That's no good.]

[Abigail knows some things about being a prisoner. She knows what it's like to never feel safe no matter what, because you know someone is watching you. So there's something about the way Lapis is sitting that . . . well, it's familiar. And it hurts.]

[She's quiet and solemn when she speaks.]

It's not a traditional prison. There are some freedoms. But on some level, what you're thinking is probably correct.

private/video

[waterwing]

[ Her head snaps upright at the sound of a voice, but when she realizes there's no one in the immediate area, her alarm softens into confusion. Until she sees a screen...and a human face.

So it is a prison...no. ]

No - not again! I can't be a prisoner again!

action;

[fishwife]

[Undyne isn't doing anything with water at the moment, but she'd be stupid if she didn't notice a new arrival or the sound of water. That's... interesting! She pokes her head out of a doorway.

Someone who obviously isn't human, and blue at that! And obviously not having a Good Day, if the way she snaps at everyone is any indication. Undyne tries a softer approach, namely by appearing a few yards ahead of Lapis. She's so far unarmed, but she gives the impression she is much stronger than she looks.]

Hey. You look upset, and I don't blame you, but you've dragged all the water out of where it's supposed to be. Take a deep breath. Let's talk about it.

action;

[waterwing]

[ Lapis doesn't move any closer to her, but neither does she move back. Not a Gem, but not a human, either. That much is obvious. What's harder to tell is why she's trying to talk to her like this.

Why...why would she try to help? The gesture almost makes her more defensive, like she's expecting a trap, and Lapis crosses her arms tightly over her chest. ]

I can't - I can't talk about it! I have to get back to the Earth!

[ She can't be a prisoner again. She has to finish what she started. ]