||008|| - voice

[hejhej]

[A long, annoyed sigh. Lisbeth doesn't really like to apologize - hell, some would even say it's not in her vocabulary. But from what she experienced in the past week, there were a few people she cared about enough to apologize to for her unbridled behavior.]

If I was excessively agitated or violent towards you, I'm sorry.

Except for that Sylar asshole.

Comments

[hejhej]

[She sighs because she's upset, she's angry. The telekinesis hadn't been some gift that ultimately saved her life - Sylar knew it was his, that's what he'd meant when he said she was broken. He knew how she'd gotten it too.

And then they shared that little moment where he gave her a few pointers on how to use it. Lisbeth's hand shot out behind her as she held it back towards Jesse.]

Take it. [She demands firmly.] Take my hand and take it away.

[hostage]

[Jesse jerks back.]

Wait, but - What if I mess it up? What if I make it worse?

[He doesn't even know what worse could look like, but if he could pick anyone to experiment on, it wouldn't be Lisbeth.]

[hejhej]

[She turns around to face him, her hand still outstretched.]

He taught me how to use it. I don't know what could be worse.

[Upon closer inspection, one would see that her hand was shaking.]

[hostage]

[He did this to her. He should make it better. He's afraid, but he should at least try to make it better. Only he doesn't even know for sure whether it's something that can be controlled. And maybe he can only swap it out once, or...]

Jesus. Uh...

[He takes a deep breath and shuts his eyes. For some reason, he feels like that'll help his concentration. Isn't that how it goes in movies?

Then he takes her hand.]

[hejhej]

[It's a tense moment that leads up to him finally grabbing her hand. Lisbeth was expecting the transfer to hurt and readied herself for it. However, none came. In fact, the whole kitchen was silent, a clock ticking in the distance. How long did this take?

She waits five seconds. One minute. Three minutes. When five minutes had passed, Lisbeth let go of Jesse's hand.

Did it work? She looks at her hand. She doesn't feel any different.]

[hostage]

[Jesse looks at his own hand, then at Lisbeth. He doesn't feel any different either. He wishes this was more like a video game. A status message or a power bar would be really useful right now.]

Did it..?

[hejhej]

[She couldn't tell. Lisbeth turns back to the chair she'd just moved and concentrates on it. She uses the same hand gestures and everything.

The chair didn't budge an inch. She tried a little harder. Nothing.]

Any harder and I'll pop a vein.

[hostage]

Oh my god. Thank god.

[He steps forward, pulls the chair out with his hand, and sinks into it. He'd been pretty close to either passing out or vomiting. Who knew superpowers were that stressful?]

[hejhej]

[She wants to touch his shoulder, to show him that everything will be okay. But she's too afraid of getting the telekinesis back.

She was sure he didn't know what power he was giving to her either. Instead, she turns back to the stove.]

Do you want some coffee?

[hostage]

[He shakes his head, remaining slumped in that chair with his eyes on his hands. Just what is he supposed to do with a power like this? Does he need to stay away from people now? Is he going to end up rearranging powers every time he bumps into someone in the subway?]

[hejhej]

[As he sits there and contemplates, Lisbeth goes about fixing herself a cup of coffee. With a fresh cigarette in her mouth, she sits down at the table with her cup. Lisbeth takes a few puffs before taking a sip.]

It'll be okay.

[hostage]

How's it gonna be okay?

[hejhej]

We'll find a way for you to control your power.

It doesn't make sense to have a power and not be able to control it. It's a sixth sense. [She turns her head to him rather lazily.]

We can control what we smell, what we taste, what we touch. [She shrugs.] Who says you can't control a power like yours?

[Lisbeth took another sip of her coffee.]

[hostage]

You can control what you smell?

[hejhej]

[JESSE. STAY ON TOPIC.

She sighs through her nose.]

Well, that is more your environment.

[hostage]

[IT'S COMPLETELY RELEVANT.]

What happens if I can't control it?

[hejhej]

We'll force it.

[There had to be some limitations to this thing. His power was both an advantage and a disadvantage.]

But we have to see what does and doesn't work. That means experiments.

[hostage]

Experiments.

[He doesn't like that. Not one bit.]

[hejhej]

Transferring and taking from me. See if it's skin-to-skin or you can touch any part, clothed or not.

[She raises her cup to her lips, but pauses.]

Giving me back my power after sex.

[hostage]

I'm not gonna experiment on you.

[hejhej]

Then who?

[Her tone wasn't in any way condescending - she was genuinely curious as to whom else he could experiment on.

She figured he had friends and the like, but she was ready to help him right now if he wanted. Who else would say yes?]

[hostage]

I'll... work something out. Not you, though.

[hejhej]

[She stares at him. She could argue, insist, but if that's what he wanted then she would let him be.

Lisbeth was the last person to ever force someone into something that didn't want. Unless they warranted it.]

Okay.