driftfleet | one ☂ rain, rain, go away...

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!

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[ Her expression softens, a little hopeful. ]

Which planet is it? Can you tell me what it's called?

I'm actually not sure of its name. It might not even have one. You'll have to ask someone else.

[ ...She doubts it could be Homeworld, anyway. And...she's not so sure she'd want to go back there anyway.

She deflates, shoulders slumping. ]

...Why...why are you helping me?

[ He watches her slump. He feels for her. He can understand the kind of desperation she felt, even if he controls every emotion he experiences. ]

Because you seem like you need help. Should there be any other reason?

...There's always another reason.

[ People didn't just help people because it was the right thing to do. People helped people because the wanted something.

At least, that's how it seemed with everyone who wasn't Steven Universe.

Could he be like Steven...? ]

I'm Lapis. Lapis Lazuli.

True. But my reason is simply that I want to. Does that not count?

[ He would extend a handshake, but he senses she might not understand it. ]

My name is Obi-Wan Kenobi.

[ He would be right about that. Even still, it's strange...meeting humans. They're so different from Gems. Even after all the time she'd been trapped on Earth, she'd only ever interacted with Steven. ]

You're a prisoner, too. [ It's not a question, but a statement of fact. ]

I am. Though, I'll have to say, this is the nicest prison ship I've been on.

[ He hasn't been tortured or whipped or beaten. It's a strange new world! ]

...Have you been on many before?

[ So she's not alone in that regard. ]

I have been captured or held against my will a couple of times. It's a job hazard as a Jedi.

[ A small frown - and a hint of sympathy. ]

This place...does it take people prisoner often? [ Just how many people were trapped here like them? ]

I'm afraid it does. Everyone here is a prisoner, simply on a different ship.

Though I was mostly speaking of my experiences in my own galaxy, you'll find that your situation is not that unusual here.

[ So many ships, so many prisoners. It makes her feel cold. ]

...That's terrible. [ And then, some of the water around her starts to churn again. ] How...how dare they! They have no right to take us like this!

Yes, but I imagine destroying the ship will not benefit us in any way. We must be patient and wait for an opening to exploit.

You think we should just...wait around?

No. I simply think we shouldn't act impulsively and wait until we come up with a plan, so we can all escape. Together.

I won't leave anyone behind if I can help it.

But there are so many ships full of people. How can you hope to rescue all of them?

[ It sounds like an idea doomed from the start to her. ]

I don't know . . . yet. But I will not leave until everyone else manages to.

...Why? [ Why would he risk so much just to save everyone else? ]

[ He pauses, considering his answer. ]

I'm tired of leaving people behind who need me.

[ And at heart, he is a little tired of surviving. ]

...Me too.

[ That's why she'd fused, wasn't it? She could have turned Jasper down. But it was the only way to make she she couldn't hurt Steven or his friends.

...But did they really need her that much? ]

[ He nods. ]

I know you're afraid and worried for someone you care about. But I suggest waiting for a while until we find our opportunity.

So what do I do until then?

What would you like to do?

...I'd like to visit my friend. He's on another ship in the fleet.

Re: [ action ]

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