13 // video, public // luckiest of numbers

[dovehearted]

Anyone having any luck getting people from home?

[ edit: she comes back a little bit later, looking her very neatest and trying to hide a sense that this is going to be useless. ]

...any of you guys around? It's Lua. You remember me, right? Didn't go so well on the train but it's all right... I'm all right.

But it'd be good to hear from you.

Comments

[only_a_ladd]

[Just smiles at the screen, calm as calm can be. There's a sharp edge to his smile, though, and even though the camera only shows him from the shoulders up, she might recognize the old black suit he's in. Is it a funeral or another court date?]

Heya dollface. Stayin' outta trouble?

1/2

[dovehearted]

[ i-is this the real life? ]

2/2

[dovehearted]

[ and filters would be up in a second but instead he gets her best brave "wondered where you'd been" face; he's here but he's not here so she can't let go yet. ]

...doing my best.

[ after another moment, where she's just looking back with all the wonder ]

...you all right, baby?

[only_a_ladd]

Well, I'd be lyin' if I said things were like they were back in the good old days, but it ain't nothing I can't handle. So don't you worry about me, alright?

[dovehearted]

[ Nothing could have touched him, not before, but he's all right now. She nods, her eyes shining with that same trust as before, and tilts her head as if to ask what happened. ]

[only_a_ladd]

Gonna be going away for a while, and it could be a long time before we can see each other again. But don't worry - I got it all worked out, y'see? I got a nice little plan for myself. All I need to do now is make sure you're taken care of.

[dovehearted]

[ Another nod, quicker, as if to say "I got it", but where is he? ...but maybe it's better if she doesn't know, so if the wrong guy asks she can say that. ]

...it's not too bad. [ Not for prison, anyway. ]

[only_a_ladd]

Yeah? No creeps trying to get the jump on you or nothin', right?

[dovehearted]

[ She shakes her head, but there's something wrong about it, like she isn't giving the whole story. ]

[only_a_ladd]

...hey, something the matter? [Because he knows something ain't right. Lua's not just being quiet. There's a certain kind of stiffness there, like she's holding something back. Whatever it is, he wants to know. Needs to know.]

[dovehearted]

Had a problem with a guy. Might be taken care of, but... [ Don't worry about it, Ladd. It's going to be all right.

But she's had the "problem" almost since she's been here. ]

Ladd... how long's it been? [ He'll know what she means. ]

[only_a_ladd]

Just a couple a weeks, doll. Haven't seen you since then, though.

[He's sad, genuinely so, for a moment, but soon his expression turns dark]

But this guy...he learned his lesson, right? He ain't gonna come 'round no more?

[dovehearted]

[ She spreads her fingers out and slides her hand along, almost like she's petting a dog down. ]

It'll be all right. Promise. Anyone try it on you? Might not think you're quite as tough.

[ There's a note in her voice like she already knows how that ended, a little pride, even through the worry. ]

[only_a_ladd]

[Gives her a nice, wide smile, and calms down immediately]

That's my girl. Always knew I could count on you to keep your promises.

[dovehearted]

[ She smiles and you can see that almost constant tension start to flow out of her, but when she hears the last word it's clear something's still wrong. ]

...they want me to give up, baby. If they're gonna let me out of here. [ She looks down, like it's hard to say what's next, but then back up at him like she really means what's going to come out. ] I won't.

[only_a_ladd]

[And his voice goes dark once again] You mean all those people on that damn boat. They're trying to get in your head, get you all messed up and confused, aren't they?