[CLOSED][BACKDATED] In the House of Upside-Down...

[thebigsister]

Characters: Eleanor Lamb (OU) & Naminé (OU)
Setting: Room 1-15
Format: Action!
Summary: Roommate shenanigans. BACKDATED before the event.
Warnings: None? Hopefully?

[Eleanor starts her days early, most of the time. She sleeps as much as her body demands of her, but once she wakes, she makes a furtive run to freshen herself in the bathroom before she returns and begins the almost-ritual by now of putting up her big sister suit. It's sturdy and full of memories both of her father and her mother and the hellhole that was Rapture. But she tries not to think too much about it lest she ends up psychoanalyzing herself. She feels good, this morning, though. And she finds herself singing softly as she inspects the suit for any damage.]

In the House of Upside-Down, cellar’s top floor, attic’s ground.

[The little tune is broken, but she doesn't mind, it's comforting on its own. And that too is something she doesn't think much about, either, because the implications aren't very nice.]

In the House of Upside-Down: laughing cries, and smile’s a frown.

[She runs her fingers over her weapons, the harpoon and the needle, the metal crooked and cool and strangely reassuring before she puts them down and reaches for her helmet, to make sure it isn't cracked.]

In the House of Upside-Down: found is lost, and lost-is found…

Comments

[thebigsister]

[Eleanor pulls her helmet to her body, hugging it like one would a treasured doll. Naminé's voice sounds sincere, but it's still confusing.]

But we should be free.

[There's a touch of childishness to that statement, the voice of a very young girl staring at the whole world in the eye, unable to understand.]

[lethechained]

[That childishness doesn't go unnoticed, and Naminé watches the other girl with a hint more curiosity. Ah, but there are other things to worry about.]

... Yes. We should be. [As a whole, anyway. Her own status is questionable.] But--... if we have to be in a cage, this isn't the worst one we could possibly be in.

[thebigsister]

[Eleanor frowns, puzzled. That's a lot of grey to take in, for someone used to things being either black or white.]

You... sound like you've resigned yourself to be caged.

[lethechained]

--....

[Has she?]

[... In truth, it's all she's ever known. Her hands tighten around each other and her eyes sink earthwards.]

... Maybe I have.

[thebigsister]

[Eleanor smiles lightly.]

I used to be, too.

[She looks down at her helmet, fingering the rough edges, almost lovingly.]

But then I learned that no one has a right to cage another, no matter what. That... that freedom is our one true wealth. And that no matter how hard it might seem at the time, the price is worth it in the end.

[lethechained]

[Used to be? The girl raises her head, watching Eleanor.]

... No matter what the price?

[thebigsister]

No matter the price.

[Eleanor sounds fiercely convinced.]

[lethechained]

--....

[Fiercely convinced, indeed. Feeling a touch ashamed of herself, she turns her eyes away.]

[thebigsister]

[Eleanor looks at Naminé for a long time.]

I'm... looking for a way out, you know.

[She shrugs.]

It's probably going to take short of forever, because this place is huge, but I'm patient enough. But when I do find a way out - and I will - you're welcome to come, if you want.

[She tilts her head to the side.]

Being here, I think, it's different if it's by choice.

[lethechained]

[She can feel the other girl's eyes on her, and, hesitantly, she meets them. The first words don't surprise her. Her lips press together slightly as she thinks of how many people have the same plan, the same desire to find a way out. None of them have succeeded, and yet Eleanor is so insistent. The offer, though, that does make her straighten a little. It's a kindness provided her before, but it never fails to startle her. And what can she say but,]

... Thank you. And... you're right. It is different, if you have a choice.

[thebigsister]

I don't think freedom is about whether you're in the cage or out of it.

[Eleanor smiles, somewhere between lazy and lopsided, and far, far too older than she really is.]

I think it depends on whether you choose the cage or not.

[lethechained]

....

[A little late, she smiles back.]

It does.

[And she can say that from personal experience.]

[thebigsister]

[Eleanor stands up, surprisingly nimble in the heavy suit, and shifts around a bit to let it fall in place. It's slightly terrifying, how comfortable it's to wear the suit. Like bit by bit she's becoming one of them. But she doesn't think about that as she grins, surprisingly bright.]

That's why I'm looking for a way out, you know? So I get a chance to decide whether I stick around or not.

[lethechained]

[Naminé stays put, but watches the other girl stand. It's difficult to imagine a suit like that being comfortable.]

I understand. But... do you have any idea what you'll choose, if you do find a way out?