i am demi → ❝ hear me roar ❞ (
demisms) wrote in
bakerstreet2017-04-05 02:33 am
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Entry tags:
au this, au that

- comment with your character.
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- "i don't think we're in kansas anymore, toto" — just what it says in the tin, cast canon aside and create your own adventures. need some inspiration?
- write starters or whatever it is we do here
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the 100 au!
Shaking his head, Rick left the chambers for the time being to head to med bay to endure his check up. The Chancellor wanted everyone on the Council to get a clean bill of health and if they didn't - well -
Moving into the area, Rick looked around for Beth but instead found a sheepish looking Carl. ]
Don't tell me. You're in trouble again?
[ Rick let out a deep sigh, again running a hand over his face. ]
Y'better not be involved in this medicine theft. We haven't found the root cause yet, Carl. We cannot have everyone breakin' the rules and making things a worse panic.
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She wishes her dad were still around to help - about six months ago he'd passed away in his sleep, probably the best death she could have asked for him after his health had been deteriorating for months, but she missed him everyday. She'd learnt as much as she could from him - she'd spent her entire life on the ark learning about medicine from him - but she underestimates how good she is. She feels like her dad would have come up with solutions quicker.
She's just finishing checking on a patient when she hears Rick's voice from across the room, looking tired and sounding frustrated with Carl. She feels she ought to intervene before they cause a scene by arguing - it wouldn't be the first time Carl bit back at his father. He's at that age and ever since Lori died... well, he doesn't make it easy for Rick. ]
I caught him before he did anythin' stupid. [ She says by Rick's side with a look expressing how lucky Carl is that it was her and not someone less forgiving. ] Enid's sick. [ She mentions as though that will explain everything to Rick - and it does. She's never heard Carl call Enid his girlfriend but they both know how much he cares for her and how close they are, more than friends. ]
Like I told you, Carl, you need to bring Enid here so she we can monitor her and give her proper medical attention. You and anyone else tryin' to play doctor could do more harm than good. [ She says that in hope of Carl knowing anyone who might be involved in the raid. Maybe he could convince them to give back the medicine they took. ] We're doing everything we can.
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He failed to change the Council's mind regarding her as well but thankfully they allowed him Judith rather than lock her up in the Sky Box. She hadn't asked for any of it and most were against sentencing a baby, at least. They all had some form of humanity left it seemed. The sentencing left him at odds with Carl as well, shown now by the glaring and biting comments. ]
Thank you, I appreciate it. [ He offered her a tiny smile, his eyes returning to his son's face. ] If Beth said she can help, ya gotta get Enid here. You should have let me know, Carl. You know I would have done somethin'.
[ Since Enid's parents died, Rick had taken it upon himself to look out for her but again he hadn't been able to save her from the Council and they sentenced her to the Sky Box. Perhaps, her illness would allow the Council to review her case and allow for someone to adopt her. Surely, someone wanted a child? ]
[ Carl threw his hands up, trying to push past them up but Rick managed to grab onto his arm to prevent him. ] Gettin' yourself into trouble won't help Enid and we gotta get you checked if ya been around her. [ Rick motioned for Carl to sit and wait for Beth to check him, promising to do everything he could for Enid. The snide comments he received in response caused a deepening frown. ]
Chancellor wants me checked over. Got to with the whole Council. Any idea yet on what's causin' it? Nobody's died yet, right?
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Nobody's gonna die. [ She sounds sure of herself when she says that - she has to be. She has to be confident she can save everyone because if she starts to doubt herself, if she gets scared, she'll make a mistake and it could cost someone's life. ]
I gotta theory but you ain't gonna like it. [ Beth leads him by his arm over to sit on a bed for his checkup slightly away from Carl, out of his earshot. She keeps her voice low. ] I think someone's responsible for this, maybe even a group of people. There's been rumors floatin' about people wantin' to overthrow the Chancellor. I've found traces of harmful chemicals in people's bodies - that's what's made them sick. Maybe they've done this to try and make him look bad? Like he's lost control and can't take care of his people? What if whoever's responsible for the chemical poisoning was part of the medicine theft as well, or started the idea at least, to create even more chaos?
[ She pulls out her scrunchie, her long blonde locks falling out of her ponytail. She hasn't had a moment to breathe all day - this is an opportunity for her while running her fingers through her hair. ] How did the meeting with the Council go?
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Situating himself on the bed, Rick's eyes narrowed considerably as Beth explained her theory on things. Out of all the options, no one thought to consider this being orchestrated by someone. Sadly, it didn't shock Rick because the Chancellor had alienated plenty of people lately with his out of control policies. Rick did what he could to reign things in but he could only do so much before he stepped out of bounds and found himself floated. ]
Everyone was thinkin' it was a flu of some kind. Didn't really make sense when it never happened before now. We've always been careful and the air in the Ark is filtered. [ He let out a tiny sigh. ] I'll look into it. Any idea where it coulda originated? Might help me narrow down who's responsible for all of this. [ There were a few theories roaming around in his mind but he didn't want to jump too quickly to conclusions when things were tense enough. ]
[ He let out yet another sigh, this time followed by a shake of his head. ] Not good. Things are gonna happen this comin' week and it ain't gonna - things ain't gonna be peaceful anytime soon. You watch out for yourself, alright? Don't stay in here too late and never by yourself. Got a feelin' this thievery is only the beginnin' of what's to come. It's gonna get a lot worse before it gets better, can promise you that.
[ If only he could come up with another way. ] They wanna float half the thieves of the medicine. Got a list and everythin'. I got to go over it tonight and decide what to do. It's gotta be an example, least that's what the Chancellor said. Won't help anythin'. Tried talkin' to him but he wouldn't listen and the Council outvoted me.
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[ Beth nods when Rick tells her to be careful. She likes the way he speaks to her - he doesn't make her feel like she can't take care of herself. She's had weapon training from Rick because she wanted to be able to defend herself, even if they were meant to be safe on the Ark. Clearly it wasn't safe anymore. More and more fights were breaking out lately.
She can't quite believe her ears when Rick reveals floating as the Chancellor's solution - then again, why is she surprised? It's his solution to everything. Beth looks like it's taking all the strength she has to stay where she is and not march over to the Chancellor's chambers and slap him. ]
He's only makin' you do it 'cause he thinks he won't have to live with the guilt if he leaves the job to someone else. [ She shakes her head, unable to believe the Council would make a decision like this. ] He's doin' everything to play into the hands of the people who want us to turn against each other. It's not like they stole alcohol or guns... [ She could almost understand if it were either of those things, but it was medicine. ] This is gonna kick off a rebellion.
[ And Rick? He was going to be hated for doing what he was told. Because arguing could get himself floated and that couldn't happen - no matter how great the cause - when he had children who needed him. She looks at him with pity for what he has to do. ]
My dad would never have agreed to this. [ Things were so much better when Hershel was in charge. She didn't just miss him for herself, but for the people on the Ark. ] This ain't livin'. [ It hasn't been ever since Hershel died and the new Chancellor took over. ]
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How could he put so many to death? ]
Food tampering narrows down the list. Thank ya, Beth. [ Rick leaned forward to squeeze her shoulder gently, offering a very faint smile. There hadn't been a lot to smile about lately, sadly enough. ]
I agree. Since it was medicine and not anythin' dangerous, it's only gonna expand their cause. Floating people ain't gonna do anythin' but cause more of this division. [ The different sectors of the Ark had been tense lately but now things were even more apparent. The so-called privileged were a target to those who felt less than. ]
I miss your dad everyday. He would have known just what to do and would have kept everyone calm.
[ With a sad sigh, he looked at Beth for a moment. ] What else can we do? This rebellion isn't gonna go away. Can't really go up against the Council. They'd float me without blinkin' an eye. [ For once, he really did feel at a loss for where to turn and what course of action to go with. ]
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You've gotta be careful, too. You're gonna be a walkin' target if you go through with this. Don't go anywhere without guards. [ He could easily say what she wanted to hear right now but Beth didn't want that, staring up into his eyes pleadingly. ] Promise me.
[ She could barely handle losing any of her patients but if she lost Rick, one of the few sane, decent people on the Ark who seemed to share the same opinions as her... Truth be told, she wouldn't have much to live for. She still had the scars on her wrists from harming herself after finding out her dad was gone. She'd almost taken her own life but Rick had found her, talked her out of it and bandaged her up. He was the reason she was alive today, and maybe that's why she felt like she had to do everything she could to repay the favor by keeping him alive along with his children. During one of the darkest times of her life, he reminded her that her life had purpose, that she was valuable and had the skills to save others which not many had. She realized how selfish she'd been been and how disappointed her dad would have been if she'd gone through with joining him too soon. She had to live and help others.
But there was no saving Rick from this. ]
He's still here, y'know. [ He's in the walls of the space station, in Beth's smile, in every moment of hope. ] He always wanted you to lead after he was gone.
[ But the Council had voted the next Chancellor. It should have been everyone's vote. Beth would have voted for Rick. ]
How much time do you have? If you could find whoever's made people sick and put them to justice rather than the thieves...
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I promise. You don't gotta worry about me, Beth. I can take care of myself but I will be careful. [ He offered her a smile, reaching out this time to squeeze her arm. If only he could tell her how much he valued her friendship but he had never been too good with words, something Lori always had a problem with. ]
[ Staring off for a moment, he slowly nodded his head. ] Yeah, I always thought it'd go that way. Your dad was always showin' me how to get things done. Probably why it didn't go that way. The rest of the Council didn't want more of the same apparently. They always felt your dad was too lenient with people and allowed too many chances.
At most, I can stretch it by two days. They won't allow anymore time than that and will think I'm stallin'. Maybe I can play that card if I find the ones responsible and have evidence to support it. Could save a lot of innocent lives. Can you get me the medical evidence to support the claims?
[ He loathed involving her and felt guilt working through him but Carl wouldn't be able to help. He had just started his apprenticeship and involving him didn't appeal to him either. Regardless of which way he went he lost somehow. He gave a heavy sigh. ] As much as I love the smell of rubbing alcohol, you gonna check me out? See if I've been poisoned?
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[ Beth has known him long enough to know that words aren't really his forte sometimes, but she can tell the little gestures like squeezing her arm are his way of expressing himself and that's fine with her. She's smart enough to read between the lines. ]
Give me a couple'a hours and I'll get you the evidence.
[ She chuckles at the mention of the smell. She's immune to all bad smells by now. You have to be when you have a job like hers. ] If you feel fine then you're probably okay. There's very obvious symptoms like vomiting and shaking, but if the Council needs me to give you a proper check up... [ She says "the Council" with a lot of disdain right now. ] I need you take off your shirt--
[ She's interrupted by a man bursting into the medical bay holding his sick wife in his arms, yelling for help. Beth immediately runs over to him and gestures for him to set her down on an empty bed. ]
How long has she been like this? [ The woman's skin is covered in rashes and she's gasping for air, almost like she's choking, but when Beth opens her mouth and shines a light down her throat to see what on, she can't see anything. The man explains that he gave her medicine that was stolen during the raid. Beth throws Rick a look at that information before returning her attention to the ill woman. ]
I think she's having an allergic reaction to the medicine. [ She knew something like this would happen. By now the rest of her team have gathered around her to help. The husband looks horrified and all he's doing is getting in the way by latching on to his wife, distressed and asking questions Beth doesn't have time to answer right now. ] Sir, you need to step away and let us help. [ When he doesn't move - starts reacting aggressively - Beth looks over to Rick for help. ]
Rick, can you get him out of here, please? [ She watches as Rick struggles to wrench him out of the room, the man putting up a fight. ] Stop! If you don't give her space, she's gonna die!
[ Her raised words seem to snap the husband out of it, allowing Rick to drag him the rest of the way out of the room. She gets to work quickly when one of her assistants says she can't feel the woman's heartbeat. Beth will get it back...
And she does. About half an hour later, the woman is stable and breathing much better, and Rick can find Beth at her desk in her office, gathering the medical evidence on paper she needs for Rick to present to the Council. ]
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They sit down in some nearby chairs, Rick listening to the stories about the man's life and that of his wife. Gertrude and Mason. Two very respectful people and part of what Rick wanted to fight for. People who lived in fear did rash things, dangerous things just for a glimpse of freedom they once experienced.
About forty minutes later, Rick walked back inside, letting Mason sit by his wife. His heart clenched slightly at the scene but he felt grateful it didn't slide another way. ]
We have less time than we thought to get this all taken care of. These things will keep happenin' if we don't find the culprits and get the stolen medicine back where it should be.
[ He let out a sigh, taking a seat in front of her desk. ] What you did there - Hershel would be so proud of you. What you've done. What you continue to do.
Being a guard before I got on the Council helps with all this case stuff. I'll figure it out. I can guarantee it.
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Her attention returns to Rick when he talks about her father's pride, ducking her head a little the way she usually does being praised. ] I hope so.
[ Hearing Rick filled with hope to finding answers was one of the many reasons why she thought he should lead the people of the Ark. He was someone who inspired strength in people and made you feel like the world wasn't over when you felt like it was. ]
I ain't worried now Detective Grimes is on the case. [ She says positively, covering her mouth when she feels a yawn coming. She needed to stay awake and finish putting together the information Rick needed. ] I'm almost done but I feel like I need coffee before I finish the rest. Do you mind?
[ However long it takes for Rick to get coffee, he'll find Beth asleep at her desk when he returns, her head on top of her arms against the table, simply closing her eyes for a second. She's been living off naps lately. Unfortunately she's having a nightmare, her face scrunched up in distress, whimpering in her sleep. ]
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I don't mind. [ Giving a quick nod, he headed out to grab two cups of coffee. By the time he returned, Beth had already drifted off, confirming his earlier suspicions. Carefully, he put down the coffees and gently shook her shoulder to wake her up. He would have let her sleep on but she looked distressed and sleeping hunched over wouldn't do her any favors. ]
Beth, come on, wake up. How's about you go catch a few hours of sleep in a bed. I can look over these papers and finish the notes you were scribbling down. I can figure it out. [ Nudging at her, he tried to lead her over towards the entrance and in the direction of her quarters. ] I'll come get you in a few hours, alright?
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Sorry. [ She still feels half asleep, which is how Rick manages to get her up out of her seat and as far as he does across the room. ]
Hey, you need as much sleep as I do. [ Beth points out, standing her ground for a moment. He looks just as exhausted as her, especially after speaking with the Council. He has a lot of responsibility on his shoulders and that's bound to have drained him - more so than Beth because she doesn't have to choose who lives or dies. ] If you're stayin' awake, so am I.
[ She gives Rick a look that's almost defiant - not in an aggressive way but certainly with an air of stubbornness. She's definitely her father's daughter. ]
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If you'll only sleep if I do, alright, let's both rest. But you gotta promise to actually rest. [ A stern look came over his face, a look perfected from being a dad to someone as high spirited as Carl. He preferred to think of his son as high spirited rather than difficult as some others termed him. A nicer phrasing than some other things he overheard.
He worried constantly if it made him a crappy father. He kept trying his hardest, though. ]
My quarters are larger if you wanna crash there and more out of the way.
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Deal. [ She tells another member of the medical crew that she'll be back later, but not to hesitate in contacting her about an emergency if they need her, then lets Rick lead her back to his quarters. They're definitely larger because of Carl and Judith, Beth reminded of his little girl by the sight of one of her toys. ]
How's Judith? [ Beth had told Rick to limit Judith's interactions with anyone until the sickness was over. She knew Carol was currently taking care of her. ]
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Rick always admired Beth for her tenacity. ]
Judith is good thanks to ya. Made sure to get her to Carol once everythin' started happenin' and they've been safe. [ It had only been a few days but he missed Judith something fierce and couldn't wait to see her again.
As for his other kid, Carl came banging into the quarters, going straight to his room without even saying a word to either of them. It didn't surprise Rick but made him sad all the same. ]
Hope this means we can get Enid all healed up. Carl should be - it should make things better. [ Not likely but Rick wanted to at least seem hopeful. ] You can take my bed and I'll sleep here on the couch. You thirsty or anythin'?
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Beth actually jumped when Carl came in, sighing as she watched him wordlessly enter his room without acknowledging them. ]
He has a severe case of puppy love. [ She diagnoses Carl jokingly. Not giving Carl another reason to hate Rick was all the more reason for Beth to help Enid. ]
The couch'll do me fine. [ Rick's bed was Rick's bed. ] You got any alcohol? A nightcap might help me sleep better. [ It had been a long day. ]
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[ He placed all the bottles down and a couple of glasses, gesturing for her to help herself. ] I just hope the guards are roundin' up the rest of the stolen medicine before anyone else uses it. The Council won't make any further moves till I go in for the meetin' at least.
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I hope so, too. If that man hadn't gotten his wife to me in time today... [ She shakes her head at the thought, picking up her glass and moving over to one of the big windows in Rick's family living quarters. It's a view of space surrounding the Ark, a spectacular view to someone looking at it for the first time, but it loses its awe when you see it everyday. ]
Y'ever get sick of space, Rick? I mean, I know I ain't got nothin' else to compare it to, bein' born here, but I want my feet to touch the ground of a planet at least once in my life. [ Her face lights up at the thought. ] Just for a minute. [ That would be her dying wish, if she was dying. ]
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His eyes followed her movements as he sipped at his drink. In his youth, he used to dream of the ground and took Earth Studies to further his fascination on the subject but as he grew older he began to lose the thrill for it. They would never see the ground in their lifetime and all the knowledge in the world wouldn't magically change that.
He wished things were different, though. ]
I used to dream 'bout it. Even took all those Earth Studies courses, somethin' no one ever understood why I bothered with. Used to work on waterin' duty with that fancy tree we've got. [ More like a twig with a few leaves but he liked to imagine how grand it could be if given the chance. ] All that knowledge don't do much. Air on Earth still isn't right for us. Probably take more years than we'll be alive for that to change.
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The mental image of Rick being on watering duty makes her smile, though. ] I bet you were the best water boy there ever was...
I have this dream where I'm layin' in a meadow of flowers, just watchin' the clouds go by, birds flyin' above me... [ It's so peaceful, unlike the harsh reality of living in space. She swirls the contents of her glass. ] What did you dream about?
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Sounds real nice. [ Letting out a sigh, he moved to sit on the couch, leaning back against the cushion. ] Wonder if there's still animals left or if the radiation got 'em all. [ More like mutated them all but he didn't want to be so morbid, at least, vocally. ] I used to think 'bout runnin' and climbin' trees. Gettin' as close as I could get to the clouds. Seein' the sky in a different way. Just bein' outdoors all the time. Been enough closed in up here.
Wish we could see it.