even this deep under the waves, the cold indigo of night reaches their abyssal abode. no watch is needed. elijah can feel the evening weigh like sediment in his joints. he leans against the bar counter by his mug of beer, still frothy from a clumsy pour: a cold monolith of indecision.

when lulu suddenly materializes with her gardevoir, elijah swears the glass jumps. stiffly, he cranes himself toward lulu as the capsule consumes the head scientist's partner with light.

"couldn't you have just walked over here instead?" elijah asks. his stare is sharp like silver crescent moons. "i thought the thrill wasn't the destination, but the journey there."

Lulu Flint

"welcome home, then." elijah's timbre veers closely to a scoff. "that's me. and you're miss big brains." he takes a mouthful of beer, letting it run over his scowl.

a light gasp leaves him as the cold glass peels away. all the while, his gaze lingers on lulu's. despite his own frothy lethargy, her eyes seem bright like headlights. it's blinding.

"work keeping you up?" elijah's rigid form remains planted on the awkward stool.

Lulu Flint

"just lulu?" elijah rolls his shoulders. "fine by me."

he debates another swig. the earthy taste lingers on his tongue like wet horse blankets— but to mask the rise of his anxiety, he downs a mouthful anyway.

"same." elijah says. "the plants are loud tonight." he captures the electricity in her eyes with his stony stare. lets it arc around a little before he speaks. "i'm elijah. not gonna lie, i was wondering who'd fill in the head scientist position. hopefully you plan on staying for longer than the rest."

Lulu Flint

the wedding vow is apt. elijah has seen many a grunt die for the cause of rocket— but he knows of more bodies found off-screen. out of frame. within the murky shadow pooling from that dramatic 'R'.

"maybe it's the moon's pull. y'know that shit. we're under the water after all." elijah speaks slow. each syllable is solid. purposeful, like a boulder settling into place. "maybe it's just me. not the plants. our moods affect them, so now i'm here, drinking whatever it is away."

he arches his brow.

"are you superstitious, lulu?"

Lulu Flint

when laid out like that, his answer seems odd to him. it's like a gaping fish sliced open on a cutting board, twisted guts, bones and all. everything is tidy on the outside— but the logic begins to fail within; however, elijah casts away doubt and owes it to oversimplification.

"oh, i was just wondering," elijah looks at his glass, scrutinizing the foam slide off the sides, "figures though. since you're a super scientist."

he arches his brow: stern bridge above another bitter swig.

"pressure ever get to you?" elijah's eyes remain on her, gaze heavy as if anchoring judgement. "or is this why we're self-medicating now?"

Lulu Flint

elijah has half the nerve to deny it— but he senses the slightest slip in façade. questions, even rhetorical, find salient answers. it is just a matter of who speaks it— whether it is by one's lips or echoed in the inquirer's head.

"sure." business descends upon the conversation like his glass against counter. "you want something for sleep? i've got plenty. no need to be shy. everyone comes to me for something..."

elijah crosses his arms, slouch straightening as he leans back on his stool.

"...eventually."

Lulu Flint

"i can't speak for everyone." elijah says, and although they speak in covert tongue, he doesn't mean the conversation to be shady.

in fact, he offers his work out of some stubborn kindness. one that comes about when his skills—and by stony extension himself—have a chance to be valued, appreciated and needed. for it is nice to have in one's life, the inclination that they are the only one required. the only one necessary. no one else.

"your rocket peers?" elijah grumbles. "tell me about it. who's been a pain in your side lately?"

Lulu Flint