Participants:
| Scene Title | Get Back |
|---|---|
| Synopsis | Rue fulfils her promise to find Kaylee with the help of Quinn and Elaine, and spills the beans about what's been going on back on Pollepel Island. |
| Date | February 8, 2011 |
With the topside of the iconic Grand Central Terminal in ruins, it's its basement level that sees most activity, as covert as such activity may be. Entrances are sealed (at least, to those who don't know any better) to the upper levels leading above ground, whether with rubble, or with manmade additions of gates and blockades, and so most will find their way to this place via the countless tunnels that run like arteries in what could appropriately be termed the heart of Manhattan's train system.
Electric lights shine pallid white in the arching ceilings of the basement concourses and foyers, running off their own generators and so power is only used conservatively. Here, the wide open spaces are used for storage that is destined to be moved either towards the arching doorways opening to platforms and subways for shipping out, or waiting to be dragged down to the sub-basements for longer term storage. The floors, the walls, the ceilings are differing kinds of tile and vary in cleanliness.
Tables have also been set up so that supplies can be sorted, shifted, packed properly. Folded cardboard boxes awaiting use can be discovered in most corners. Signs on the walls in the form of crude spray paint indicate where things might go, from food, to clothing, to medical supplies, and some things even more exotic. This is a place of motion and organization.
Last but not least, a makeshift recreation room has been set up for the workers of the Grand Central Station, and this can be found within what used to be known as the Whispering Walls. Famously, this interstitial space was known for its strange acoustics, wherein one could whisper to a companion from one far side of the corner to the other by talking directing into the curving corner, where sound would travel along the curve of the arcing ceiling. This, of course, still works, but now the space is no longer simply a foyer - there's a semi-portable kitchen area offering simple food and beverages, a television (which gets no reception, but is hooked into a VCR and a DVD player, with a modest library for both), a card table, a few comforts such as couches and armchairs.
Upon one of the walls, is a rough but well-meaning mural, a mock up of an aquarium - an addition that came after the Ferrymen claimed this space as theirs. It seems to grow in size every several days, with new aquatic characters added each time.
There are no unread postings on the Global Bulletin Board.
The sun still shines over New York City, for all that it seems to make things a monochrome wash. And down here, beneath the city, it doesn't matter that it's still hours before curfew. "You know," murmurs Rue Lancaster as she makes her precarious way to the basement levels she thought were impassible, "I thought this place would be a total shithole… It's really better than I was expecting." With Robyn Quinn's aid, and Elaine Darrow's companionship, she intends to find Kaylee Thatcher at the Grand Central Terminal. At least, she hopes to.
Rue's not really dressed for the excursion, in a red-orange dress over black leggings, black Chucks that are caked in snow and wet from slush, a red jacket and a purple scarf wrapped around the lower portion of her face. She looks like a rather un-colour-coordinated…
Well, she's a model.
Part-time.
Elaine, in her sensible brown wool coat, is bundled up. Still, she's always perpetually cold, so she keeps her hands in her pockets as she watches the other two and makes her way along with them. She looks back towards Rue. "Yeah, things can be pretty surprising when it comes to secret lairs and hideouts, I think."
Quinn hates going down into Grand Central Station. The decimated, ruined terminal itself isn't too terrible once you get inside of it. Getting there, though? Getting there suck, particularly for someone as clumsy as Quinn tends to be. So, by the time they arrive, Quinn at the head of the trifecta of girls, there's a nice new tear in the knee of her jeans, her leg cut beneath it from a spill she took just short of the terminal entrance.
Isn't that a bitch?
"It's a lot nicer than you might expect. Before we get outta here, we're going t' have t' take you guys over by the fish wall." She looks abck, flashing a smile at the pair. "This is the hub, though I've heard we're supposed t' steer clear around curfew an' after now. I think… in general we're supposed t' only be around here if we need t' be." Her eyes narrow a bit, grimacing. "Because we are totally screwed if this place gets found out."
"That's because we can't move this place. It's the best place we have." Comes a helpful bit of commentary, from a side hall. Kaylee Thatcher offers them a bright smile to the three. "Ladies," is offered in an equally warm greeting.
Kaylee's dressed warmly in a dark red cable knit sweater big enough that it slips partially over one shoulder. A black turtle neck keeps skin covered modestly. Long blonde hair gathered up on the back of her head. Ends fanning out in places, stray strands framing her face.
In her arms is clutched a box of supplies, the telepath working. "This is sort of our hub. If a safe house needs supplies." The box is settled on the table. "This is where it comes from." Blue eyes move from one girl to another. "So what brings you all down into the depths?"
"Yyyyyeah…" Rue has to agree with Quinn there. Especially after what's happened on Pollepel. "Ms Simms gave me permission, though." As if she hadn't already assured them of this before. When Kaylee cuts in, Rue's stops like a deer on a highway, trapped in the headlights of an oncoming truck. She did not expect them to be greeted so soon.
"There's been an attack," comes tumbling from curly top's lips before she can stop herself. "We need you to come back to Pollepel." Rue fixes her gaze on Kaylee, serious and pleading. Her breath hitches, but she fights back the urge to cry. She doesn't speak again until she's certain her voice won't crack. "Hannah won't wake up."
"That's why we have to be careful," Elaine says. She keeps her hands in her pockets, glancing towards Quinn with the usual look to make sure she's okay. The Irishwoman is kinda clumsy, so it's a valid look. Her gaze shifts back between Rue and Kaylee. Oh, this isn't… the best news ever. She stays quiet for the moment.
"Jesus, what?" Quinn quirks an eyebrow at Rue, looking between her and Kaylee. She means to give the older woman a thank you, but can't really manage it due to how badly she caught by surprise. She looks over at Elaine, offering an apologetic smile. "Elaine, you keep comin' t' Ferry stuff at all the worst times. We need t' fix that sometime…" Walking up beside Rue, Quinn reaches up and puts a hand on her shoulder. "What in the world happened?"
All cheer and warm greetings is sapped out of Kaylee at the news, like a dunk in the icy river around Pollepel Island. There is a paling of her face, while the smile slides off her features to be replaces with concern. "What?" She sounds almost like she doesn't believe what she's hearing.
Finally the telepath settles for, "What happened?" The words breathless. "The island?" she feels compelled to ask. "And why isn't she waking up?" A hand moves to touch where her necklace lays under the layers, below that her heart gives a quickening beat of fear.
Rue, with most of her face hidden behind her scarf, shakes her head first at Quinn, then to Elaine and Kaylee. "Fuck. I- I didn't mean for that all to come out like that." Behind purple knit, the girl bites her lip. "A patrol went out… We found them hours after they were supposed to be back. I-"
Blue eyes blink several times to ward off tears. "Hannah was the only survivor. They… were hanged. Left for us to find. We don't know what happened for sure." Rue again pleads with Kaylee, "You have to come with me. You have to find out what Hannah saw."
Elaine's not too familiar with Rue. However, she's not the type to just let someone crying just… cry. She reaches a hand forward to rest on Rue's shoulder as she looks between Kaylee, Quinn, and Rue. She's there for moral support. Not much else she can do at the moment.
Quinn's eyes widen with surprise; if Kaylee somehow manages to catch a stray though, all she'll hear is horror. "Holy shit, Rue. Do we… do we know who?" Well, that's kind of a stupid question, but it's also not. Could just be some soldiers. Could be the Institute, for all she knows. "If I'd know this was why here were here, Rue, I would have brought you over immediately, I'm sorry…"
There is a grimace at Rue's words, eyes closing for a moment as Kaylee tries to brush away the mental image. She doesn't move to comfort Rue, there are two others already doing that. Fingers tighten around the box for a moment, before she releases it. "Of course, I'll come back."
The words are a touch strained, rough at the thought of Ferrymen hanging. "I can look through her memories and find it." Kaylee doesn't want to invade the woman's privacy, but the island and so many lives needed her there.
Her hand drops to press against her stomach, the thought of those people hung, making her feel a bit ill. "I— have to tell Joseph." Before she goes. "He may want to go. He's — " The telepath trails off and shakes her head. It's not her tale to tell, about how he survived his own hanging. "He may want to go back too," she just states again.
"I— I think he needs to stay here," Rue admits in a soft voice. "I…" She tilts her head to the side and fixes Quinn with the most apologetic look the woman has ever seen on her ex's face. "I'm so sorry, Quinnie. I might have—" One hand slides up under her scarf to rub at her nose. "Do- Don't touch me. I might be sick."
Again, she looks to Kaylee with tears spilling down her cherub-like face. "You have to come, but you have to be so careful. I think something terrible's happened." Worse than people simply being murdered and left to be found, in Rue's book. "We don't know though. That's why we need you."
Elaine doesn't get the implication of sick. She blinks toward Rue, looking towards the redheaded woman. "You don't sound so sick." She looks back to Kaylee. She's a bit lost. Really, she never gets filled in.
Neither does Quinn, really, though she quickly withdraws her hand form Rue's shoulder. She can't risk getting sick right before the concert, after all. Looking over at Elaine with a worried expression, she grimaces ad nods. "You seem fine t' me- good ol' perky Rue." At least until this came up. "So I doubt you're sick. I hope." Gaze moving to Kaylee, Quinn takes a bit of a step back. She looks a bit shaken, this whole idea of hangings and terribleness. I doesn't surprise her, but she certainly doesn't feel very talkative at the moment. "I can come by, after Thursday if they need extra hands out there or something. Just for a day or two, I have… weekend plans, but I'll do what I can."
"That's up to him, Rue." Kaylee's words are not unkind, but it is meerly spoken as fact. Joseph being council will do as he will. "I made a promise that I will tell him everything, before I do it. If I'm heading into danger…" She trails off, not seeing a need to continue that.
"He's a smart man. He'll do what he feels needs to be doing." The telepath squares her shoulders and seems to be steeling her nerves. "Either way, I'll go with you…" She trails off at Rue's words. The warning is ignored, Kaylee moves around the table to approach the younger telepath.
Fingers move to touch her forehead. "How long have you been sick, Rue?" The question is soft, concerned. Kaylee's had the flu before. She's risking the contact. "When we get back to the island, you go see Megan." He makes she the other girl looks her in the eye. "It's important that you go see her. Til you do, try to limit your contact with others."
"I haven't… shown symptoms yet. Neither has anybody else that I know of, but… We have suspicions." Rue's mouth has gone dry by the time she finishes speaking. She wants to grab onto any of the three women and indulge in her emotion. Cry her eyes out. But she doesn't. "Missus Caliban may… have been exposed, too. Me- Megan, too."
Rue sniffles miserably. Then, she tells herself to buck up. She stands up a little taller and takes in a deep breath. "I said I'd stop and get more supplies while I'm here on the mainland. And… I'm going to visit my Auntie before I go home." Home to Pollepel. The girl's shoulders sag and she gives a helpless look to Quinn. "There's a reason I didn't kiss you at the door, Quinnie." Then, to Elaine. "I'm sorry." She closes her eyes and shakes her head slowly. "And maybe it's nothing, and maybe I'm just being paranoid. I just… I hope it's nothing."
Her eyes open again, this time absent of the tears she's been holding back. "You have to get there right away, Ms Thatcher. Just… Just in case. I can't read her mind and…" Rue stops herself short of saying that she doesn't know where to find Benji Foster.
Elaine winces, just slightly, moving to lean lightly against Quinn for the moment. She's not liking the sound of this. She doesn't like these end-of-the-world sounding things that keep happening. The Dome, problems on Pollepel… it just doesn't seem right. "If we can do anything, Rue…" She offers, helpfully.
"Wait…" Now Quinn gets it, and she winces. Despite this, she doesn't move any further from Rue, offering a sympathetic look. "Oh Jesus, Rue…" She grimaces hanging her head for moment. "You'll just have t' owe me another time," she tries to joke with a smile, but the amused expression doesn't last long. "I'm- sorry. I'm… sure you're fine, though. I'm sure it's fine." Optimism makes for a good outer defence sometimes, even though as Elaine leans against her, Quinn is taking hold of and worriedly squeezing her hand. "Elaine's right, though. f there's anything we can do t' help, we will." She pauses, looking over at the other redhead. "I don't want t' leave Pollepel out t' dry when I don't have t'. Even if it means taking some really, really annoying precautions."
"Megan I believe is safe from getting sick, at least." Kaylee murmurs softly, studying Rue. Hands fall to the young girl's shoulders an give a gentle squeeze before slowly letting go. "I will. As soon as possible." In other words as soon as it's safe to move around the ruins. Plus, she has to talk to her significant other and her sister.
"This kind of stuff is my specialty. I have a way with memories, even in those in a coma." The vague memory of bringing Angela out of a coma, coming back unbidden. "I promise to do what I can to find out what happened." Maybe even ease the memory for Hannah if necessary.
Taking a step back Kaylee gives them all a bit of a smile, a bit of a nervous one. "I better not delay, if I hurry… I might be able to get out of here and see if there are any boats going out after dark." In all truth, it may be tomorrow before she can get set to go out there.
"I'll let Ms Simms know you're coming," Rue tells Kaylee with a quick nod of her head. "I… shouldn't stay here long. Just in case." She pauses a moment and then smiles, even if it's behind her scarf. It shows in her eyes. "Thank you." To her companions, she shrugs a little sheepishly. "I can find my way back. I… need to be alone for a while."
Debris crunches beneath Rue's Converse sneakers, ash she trudges back the way she came, toward the surface.