[open] canon updates are rough

[interpolating]

WHO: elizabeth + you!
WHERE: Near the forest at first, then generally around town
WHEN: October, just before the event
WHAT: Elizabeth got a canon update, which means she had a bad time. So clearly, she needs a chill hang to come down off that
WARNINGS: Likely to have mentions/allusions to torture and murder. I'm not kidding, she had a real bad time!!

i. forest's edge

[ If you've been looking for Elizabeth, she's been nowhere to be found.

It's been three days at this point, and it might seem like she's one of the few to have left this place. Though if you've talked to Elizabeth about her home, that's probably a sadder prospect than it is a happy one. She's been clear that Columbia is the last place she wanted to go to if she left Chroma, and as it turns out, her worries were more than justified.

If you're hanging out near the forest, you might see someone coming out of its depths. At first, it might seem like someone new, because Elizabeth has had something of a makeover in her time away. Her long hair is cut short, and her silhouette is considerably different with her corset drawn tight to a tiny waist. But regardless of whether you know her or not, just by her posture as she emerges from the trees, it's fairly clear that she's in pain.

As she steps out of the shadows of the trees, it's a bit clearer why, since there are visible cuts and bruises on the skin that's exposed. Her eyes also look darker and sunken, as if she hasn't slept in quite a while. And to herself, before she notices you, she just looks towards the town and shakes her head. ]

I'm... back. Here. Why here?

[ Also, she's probably cold. Oddly enough, she's not wearing shoes. ]

ii. home (?) again

[ Once she's gone away from the forest, Elizabeth heads back into Chroma proper. You can encounter her as she's en route to her house (still very much shoeless), or after once she's found a pair. Though if it's after, she'll be idly wandering the town. Her posture is very much drawn in like she's protecting herself, and her gait is still a bit slow, since that massive bruise on her back is far from comfortable, and there's no need to run for her life here. But she almost doesn't believe that she's here. It's why she's wandering. It feels like if she just stumbles across the right thing, this will break, and she'll be right back in Columbia.

...She almost wants that, in a way. Being here when she'd so thoroughly decided to take matters with Comstock into her own hands feels wrong.

You're free to stop her if you know her, but even if you don't, she might just approach you, so long as you look open to a conversation. She tucks some hair behind her ear, then shrugs. ]

Sorry for interrupting. Can I ask— [ She starts, but she seems to just decide that she's going to ask regardless of that answer. ] Have you ever heard of someone leaving Chroma and then coming back?

iii. something else?

[ If you have a specific idea in mind for how your character might encounter Liz or just want to talk out something different, hit me up! As always, I'm flexible for wildcard options. ]

Comments

i

[scooptimistic]

[ It's not difficult to realize when a friend of yours just... suddenly isn't there. And Maya had certainly searched, even ventured into the forest a couple of times, but had returned every single time with no further knowledge of where Elizabeth had gone.

Until now, and at first it doesn't register that this girl with the short hair and the cinched waist is Elizabeth-- up until the facial features strike up recognition, and Maya's darting forward, eyes wide and worried. ]

Elizabeth!!

[interpolating]

[ They notice each other almost at the same time, but this comes with a strange feeling for Elizabeth. She feels almost disoriented, lost, because the fact that Maya recognizes her honestly isn't what she expected. She's gotten better at using her Tears, but going to the exact same universe twice was still a unlikely prospect. As she'd seen Chroma from the trees, she'd resigned herself to the idea of that. She could go walk into the town, and no one would remember her. That was just the way this worked.

But the fact that she's wrong bring a different set of questions. How did she come back here? How long as she even gone? So much had happened since she left, yet it was still only a short time. Back in Columbia's timeline, leaving her tower was still recent. Linear time stopped mattering as soon as they'd tried to bring Chen Lin back to life, but still. It's almost dizzying. ]

Maya... [ Elizabeth says her name like a tired sigh, but a smile doesn't come to her face. She seems concerned herself. ] This- You remember me?

[scooptimistic]

Of course I do!

[ It's a little fiercely emphatic, if maybe just because the question itself brings back a resurgence of memories and feelings-- of remembering a life she'd lived once before that she could no longer return to, remembering people who unfortunately would be better off if they didn't remember, and how it had felt.

But that's enough of that. More importantly, Elizabeth's injured, and Maya extends a hand to her. ]

Here. Come here for a second, let me heal you before I hug you, and then you can tell me as much or as little as you want.

[interpolating]

[ The emphasis almost feels physical, and while Elizabeth doesn't mind it (she's so, so glad for it), she shakes her head. ]

No, it's- It's fine. You don't need to, um, heal me.

[ Phrasing it that way is odd for her, but she remembers what Maya had told her so it's at least not a surprise. However. She knows why Maya is offering and appreciates it deeply, but something about having this pain just erased... She draws in on herself slightly, not quite uncertain, but conflicted. She elaborate more if pressed, but it also has to do with explanations. ]

Just be careful of my back. It's still— [ She pauses briefly as she swallows hard, because she remembers the sensation of that massive needle in her spine quite vividly, as it was only a few minutes ago, really. ] It's sore.

[scooptimistic]

... Are you sure?

[ Yeah, that concern isn't going away anytime soon, as Maya walks closer and sets her hands carefully on Elizabeth's shoulders instead. She'd only said her back, but she still wants to be cautious here. ]

If you're in that much pain, I'd really like to do something about it.

[interpolating]

[ She nods confidently, but her head does dip as Maya sets her hands on Elizabeth's shoulders. She's avoiding Maya's gaze a little, because this... isn't like talking to Booker. Booker would understand without even having to ask, but Booker has seen why she would want to carry this. ]

Not right now, at least. I- [ She sighs and looks up to Maya again, and her gaze is hard and even cold. This isn't the sort of expression that the Elizabeth from a few days ago would have even seemed capable of. ]

This was done to me. I don't want to forget that.

[ Because she's worried she might falter if she does. She may not have wanted to return to Columbia before, but now? She feels she has to. ]

[scooptimistic]

Elizabeth...

[ Clearly, something's happened. Events can change people you thought you knew, into people who had suffered things they never should have had to deal with. And she wonders exactly what Elizabeth had gone through.

Maya doesn't look too happy at not being able to treat these wounds at all, as Elizabeth insists, but she finally nods with a quiet sigh. ]

All right. I'm not sure what this is about, but... is there anything I can do?

[interpolating]

[ The way Maya says her name does make her feel a little guilt in the pit of her stomach. This is... probably selfish of her. Unreasonable, even. But she feels like she has to carry this, at least for now. If she can just get rid of it so easily, it feels like it would be letting Comstock get away with something.

Though at least Maya accepts it, disappointment and all. She'll explain, she's sure, since it's not even something she wants to keep secret, but there are things that need to be done first. For example: ]

Um... [ She looks down at her feet, then back up to Maya with a tired laugh ] I'd really like to go warm up somewhere, actually. I didn't have my shoes when I woke up.

ii.

[messianic]

[And approach he will, of course. It's not hard to keep track of when people are in Chroma and not, because the Town's not really that big--

So of course he notices that Elizabeth is missing. He's out and about, trying to keep to his usual day-to-day life despite that worry... and while she looks different, it's still not hard to place her after a moment.

And then? He's running.]

Elizabeth-san--!

[interpolating]

[ As soon as she had met people by the forest, at least her major concern was soothed. Somehow, impossibly, this was the same Chroma she remembered. People here remembered her, and her things were exactly where she'd left them. It made her feel like she wasn't gone long at all. Maybe no longer than she was back in Columbia.

She's not sure how to feel about that, really. But compared to an alternative of showing up in the town where everything was new, she definitely preferred this.

After all, as soon as she hears Minato call out to her, she quickly turns. It's not quite with a smile, but there's a definite hope and softness in her expression. ]

Oh— [ And for a moment, though she's so glad to see him, she's not sure what to say. So all things considered, she goes with the simplest. The answer to the question that she thinks is probably getting him to run her way. ]

I'm okay.

[ debatable tbh ]

[messianic]

[Debatable. Definitely debatable.

But... the fact that that's her first option, the first thing she says...is endearing. Minato slows to a walk until he's standing right there in front of her...and then he just shakes his head a little, a small, lopsided smile on his face.]

... Is it okay if I believe you and still worry about you at the same time...?

It looks like a lot happened.

[interpolating]

[ She smiles in return, though it's also small, and maybe even a little embarrassed. As she nods, she reaches up to put a hand on her neck lightly and massage it, though it's more idle than anything. Though considering how sore she generally is, it also just kind of feels a bit better. ]

I think... that's an understatement.

[ Elizabeth's hand drops, and with a small shrug, she corrects her earlier statement. ]

I'm okay now? [ The question in her tone seems to imply "is that better?", though she continues fairly quickly. ] I was sent back to Columbia.

[messianic]

[That honestly sounds like the opposite of what would make Elizabeth okay, knowing what Minato knows about Columbia, but...

He can respect what she's at least trying to do, and how strong she's trying to be.]

Back there, huh...?

[Ugh... and there was nothing any of them could do about it.]

I'm really, really glad you're back here, Elizabeth-san.

[He can ask what happened in a moment--that's something he wants her to know, firmly and solemnly.]

[interpolating]

[ She nods a little to the first question, even if it's rhetorical. Her lips are set tight and thin, and she thinks that's probably enough to convey her feelings about that. But the fact that he's glad she's back (and the emphasis on that) makes some of her chilly demeanor melt away. Her expression softens, and she looks tired more than anything, but also intensely relieved. ]

I— I'm glad to be back. I never wanted to go back to Columbia, but...

[ She sighs in a way that's almost physical and heavy as she holds her hands out helplessly. ]

But it wasn't my choice. [ There's something in her tone that's bitter too. An unspoken it never is, but she keeps that to herself. ] Just how long have I been gone?

[messianic]

[That's...the real problem here, isn't it? Elizabeth went back home, and it wasn't by her choice. That gives him hope when it comes to Mitsuru and where she went, but...

For someone like Elizabeth, who doesn't want to go home...

...]

It's only been a couple of days...

But... listen, Elizabeth-san...

[Minato's quiet for a moment, as if trying to find the words, before he meets her eyes firmly, tone just as firm.]

We'll find a way to make it your choice. I don't think we've had much of a direction in figuring things out here, but that's something we can all work together to try to find.

[interpolating]

[ His words are incredibly kind, and Elizabeth absolutely doesn't miss that. She thinks to herself that despite everything, she is lucky to have come here at all. If she hadn't, it would be worse, she thinks. Her only friend in the world would be Booker. That thought is painful, though, and as if to stave off how anxious she feels, she reaches up to start fidgeting with her thimble.

But where Elizabeth just a few days ago would have accepted that with a warm smile and easy, optimistic warmth, this Elizabeth can't. It's the show that it's not just her appearance has changed, because her face sets into a colder expression. Still fresh from opening up a Tear with a tornado inside to kill the scientists operating the Siphon, there's not really any shame or hesitation. ]

It will be my choice. Or whoever denies me it will regret it. [ There's enough implication there to get her point across, but she shakes her head as her tone does soften slightly. ]

...Thank you, though. I- [ She sighs a little ] I'm sorry for making you worry. You know I wouldn't have left if I had a choice.

i

[withwisdom]

[ at the moment zelda is nearby the opening to the woods taking pictures of specimens. and though she's absorbed in her work, it isn't enough to avoid seeing someone coming out of the forest looking immediately out of sorts. zelda is quick to put away her slate into the belt holster and rush toward the woman, only realizing as she comes closer that she knows her. ]

Hey -- Elizabeth, is everything ok?

[interpolating]

[ As soon as she hears a voice, Elizabeth looks that way quickly, since she's almost startled by it. She really should have noticed someone was here in the first place, but she was so shocked to be back that she had honestly completely missed Zelda's presence. It's no less surprising to see someone that she knows, but more importantly, someone that knows her. ]

You know who I am?

[ She had expected this to be a completely different town entirely, just based on the usual rules of how hopping universes go in her experience. Absently, she reaches up towards her nose, touching just underneath as if she's feeling for something, but with a shake of her head, she emerges fully from the forest with an expression of concern. ]

I-- [ She starts as she looks at Zelda, but she ends up looking back to the town's edge. ] I didn't think I would come back here.

[withwisdom]

[ the first question only makes her more concerned. maybe she just forgot about her after the siren island? but then the next comment washes the first one away and her concern grows far more. ]

Come back? [ zelda repeats quiet, still looking over elizabeth's body and the present damage. she looks awful. ] I'm - I'm not sure what you mean, but we should get you back to town. You need to wash up and be healed.

[interpolating]

[ It's a conflicting feeling, because while part of her is so, so glad to be back here in this (relatively) peaceful town, another part feels like she shouldn't have come back here at all. When she'd come here the first time, this was what she wanted. It's why she believed it was some kind of rogue Tear at first. Chroma was a strange version of it, but it was absolutely her wish-fulfillment. But now?

Now, she had a purpose. It wasn't one she was necessarily proud of, though. It makes her feelings for being here all the more complicated.

But Zelda's offer at least allows her to push that aside for now. She's not sure if she wants to be healed just yet, but the soreness in her toes because of being barefoot in chilly weather is easy enough to get her to nod. ]

Please. I... don't know where my shoes went? [ That part she does sound genuinely confused about in a more light-hearted way than the rest of her confusion, and she looks back at the forest as she walks closer... But at least as they'll start to walk, she can explain some of Zelda's confusion. ]

I went back to where I'm from. [ Not home, notably. And after a moment's consideration, she adds: ] Or was sent, I guess. I didn't exactly want to go back.

[withwisdom]

[ she'll walk beside elizabeth carefully, making sure to stay right by her in case she needs to lean on her, or if something worse happens to her physical state. and as she explains, zelda feels a cold shock that most certainly does not come from the weather. ]

I... I thought you had just gotten lost in the woods. [ and she's wishing that was the case. ] So you left the realm and now returned? I thought people only came here through the well.

[ or is it different for someone who returns? such a strange mystery and not one she's equipped to solve. and it's not what matters here either when she takes a moment to pause. ]

Do you remember ever entering the woods to begin with - that is, when you were sent back...

[interpolating]

That's what I thought too.

[ She reaches up to rub the back of her neck thoughtfully, since though she hasn't really had time to process it fully, that's actually something she definitely prefers to focus on over... Well, Columbia as a whole. So she latches onto that topic as he shakes her head. ]

I definitely don't remember, but that doesn't seem right anyways. I'm... not really a fighter. I never went into the woods in the first place. I knew it was too dangerous.

[withwisdom]

If you trust your instincts on that, then there's no need to doubt. However, it does mean something pulled you in and then spat you back out.

[ what that something is - the force of the town? she has no good answer for it, like a lot of things. they'll be at her place soon though. ]

Do you have any sense of how long you were back in your realm? I'm not sure how long you've been gone from here, but maybe we can make a timeline together.

ii. steamrolls in here late like a professional

[ifionlyhadthecourage]

[ Caramia's time in Chroma recently consisted of preparing for the weather-- trying to insulate the house, collecting clothes and blankets. Things like that. He didn't really do well with the cold, so it was nice to be prepared. If he seemed distracted, it's absolutely because he was. So, when he's approached by her, he almost looked startled. ]

Elizabeth--!!! [ Honestly, with that new smell she has around her, it was hard to tell it was even her for a moment. But her scent was definitely still there! Something... Caramia probably shouldn't point out if he wanted to avoid sounding creepy. ] What happened?? You...

[ Well, actually, considering the question she just asked, it's not hard to put it together, but boy, this was a lot to take in. ]

Er-- yeah. I know it happened with Keith early on. He made a post on the network on it-- thinking on it, I think it was around the same time you were... um... [ a statue. ] not around...

Are you alright? You don't look well.

[interpolating]

[ Being recognized, being remembered, it's such a relief that Elizabeth is surprised by the intensity of it. It wouldn't be a certain thing, because this could certainly be another universe where there's another Elizabeth, but... No, this one looks like the Chroma she remembers. Keeping track of the Chromas was easier, because the colors were never quite the same. She looks up at the leaves of the trees first as Caramia talks about Keith, because yes, she's sure. Somehow, impossibly, this is the same Chroma that she was in before. ]

I... went back to where I'm from. Not for long, but—

[ For enough, the way she trails off seems to say. She looks back to Caramia, and she's not exactly convincing. ]

I'll be fine. I just- I didn't think I would ever come back here again, to be honest.