Christmas in Columbia

[beunbroken]

Who: The BioShocks and Pavel Chekov!
What: Christmas the Columbia way.
When: December 24th
Where: Elizabeth & Booker's Suite
Why: Because in 1776, General Washington lead his troops across the Delaware to defeat the British in the Battle of Trenton.
...You mean there's another reason behind Christmas?

Elizabeth had always had strange Christmases. Trees and presents were always set up in her tower, by forces she didn't know. Songbird would always arrive, a basket filled with gifts for her. And she would celebrate by herself, humming along to Christmas Carols. Some were the traditional ones of her time. Others were exclusive to Columbia, about General Washington and the other Founders. Because for the people of Columbia, Christmas was more about Washington than Jesus.

So this year, she was determined to do Christmas right. She'd prepared a roast ham, fixed hot cocoa, and made presents for all of her friends- knit sweaters and scarves. Well, not for Booker. Booker, she'd actually purchased a gift. A beautiful guitar that she had commissioned specifically for him. She'd heard him play once, and figured tonight, of all nights, he should play again.

[ooc: Mingle log, whatever, do what you want, give gifts, give kisses, load shotguns, do science.]

Comments

[starcharter]

She told me about her life. Her home. [And judging my Chekov's expression, he understands that her life wasn't exactly wonderful.]

[When Booker says 'take advantage,' Chekov looks mortified.]

No. No, no, no, I have no intentions like-- like that!

[washitaway]

[Booker studies the younger man for a moment, as though trying to figure out if he's really telling the truth - as though if he looks hard enough, he could figure that out and go from there.]

She's been - watched, and studied, and used all her life. I'll be damned if that ever happens again. So you'd best be telling me the truth.

[starcharter]

[That... he didn't know. The expression on his face becomes mixed-- anger and sadness.]

How could anyone do that to her?

[He knows how, of course. When people see you as a means to an end and not a person. But it's the first thought that came to him, and it tumbled out.]

[washitaway]

She wasn't a person to them. She was a tool.

[He means Comstock, of course, but he won't say the name, not today. Not like this.]

Anyway, I just - I need to know you're gonna treat her with respect, and not hurt her any. She's been hurt enough.

[starcharter]

[And there's the pure anger. But he pushes it down, not trusting to look over at Booker until it's gone.]

[He looks completely serious.]

I wouldn't hurt her. She is... so kind for someone who has been hurt so much.

[washitaway]

[Booker nods slightly.] Most of what she's seen of the world has been the bad stuff. It's changed her, some. But she still sees good in people.

[She still sees good in him, which he can't necessarily say for himself. It constantly amazes him, in fact.]

[starcharter]

A talent very few people have.

[There's the other talent too, but that's... very different.]

[washitaway]

[Booker nods faintly.]

She deserves some good things. Deserves to believe she's right, about some people, at least.

[starcharter]

I... will do my best to earn the kindness she gives me.

[He's used to the idea of earning respect and esteem. It's something normal for him. Elizabeth just... hands it to him and he's not entirely used to that.]

[washitaway]

All right.

[Booker will accept that, at least for now. He completely understands the sentiment, too. He'll spend the rest of his life trying to be worthy of her esteem.] That's all I had to say, really. That, and I'm good with a gun.

[Is he joking? Is he serious? YOU MAY NEVER KNOW.]

[starcharter]

[Um.]

I see.

[Chekov's not laughing. Booker has that aura of "mess with me, I mess you up."]

[washitaway]

[Or maybe it's more like "mess with my girl, I mess you up". Yeah, he tends to do that.]

Son, it's okay. Just no funny business.

[starcharter]

I intend no 'funny business.'

[washitaway]

Then we'll be just fine.

[Booker gives Chekov a faint nod, a clap on the shoulder, and stands to go get more food, his task complete.]