First Experiment

[puzzledwife]

[Action!]
[Upon waking, Claire burst out of her bedroom, and fled down the steps. Something was wrong, she coudl feel it in her bones. She could see fine without her glasses... and the explosion, why was she safe? It didn't make sense

Comments

[tophatofawesome]

[The sound of hurried footsteps jerked Layton out of the newspaper, and the notebook and pencil he had perched in his lap clattered to the floor as he stood up in curiosity and suspicion. Then the front door -- he ran for the front room, and just as he put his hand on the knob of the partially open door, a family picture on the small table by the front door (meant for mail and keys and things) caught his attention.

He stared. The drone wife had disappeared from the picture, and in her place... it couldn't be. He'd been told this place could bring the dead back to life, but surely not if they hadn't died in Mayfield in the first place!

He cautiously stepped outside, almost afraid to look. His voice shook as he called out.]

C... Claire?

[puzzledwife]

[The turned suddenly, staring a moment, then hurrying over.] Hershel! What's... what's going on? Where is this?

[tophatofawesome]

[He was still staring in shock. It looked like her, it sounded like her... but it couldn't be. This had to be a dream. He reached up and pressed the heels of his hands into his eyelids until they hurt and colors flashed in the darkness, then opened them again -- but past the fading blobs of color, Claire was still there.]

How on Earth....

[He slowly realized that she'd asked him a question, and shook his head.]

It's a very long story. But how... how are you even here?

[puzzledwife]

I'd like to know the same, it doesn't look like London.

[her head was turned a bit when she said this, then she looked up at him from the first step of the pouch.] Is something the matter?

[tophatofawesome]

[He was beginning to regain his composure by now.]

I just never expected to see you here. I thought you were....

[Did Claire not know what had happened? Then he wouldn't be the one to tell her -- it would only make her upset.]

A-at any rate! You're looking for an explanation, right? I don't know everything myself, but I'll tell you what I can.

[He stepped forward, sitting down on the step by her, and looked up at her, as if telling her to sit down by him.]

lkj my icons suck orz

[puzzledwife]

[...

So something did happen--But what? She didn't have marks, or scratches, burns or bruises... It wasn't making much sense to her, but obviously whatever happened.... it had upset Hershel.

She didn't mention it though, maybe leaving it a mystery was better--at least for now. She sat down, and softly looked at Hershel.] Where are we then?

/cuddle no they don't

[tophatofawesome]

[He opened his mouth to speak -- then shook his head. Instead, he leaned forward and wrapped his arms around her, holding her close and nestling his head into her shoulder. He mumbled something, quieter than a whisper, and not even consciously aware that he'd said it --]

I've missed you.

FFF i think they do, so there :3,

[puzzledwife]

W--[...]

[She figured it out then... even if it didn't make sense...

Wrapping her arms around his neck, she leaned her own head against his, and waited a moment for him to regain composure. How long...?]

B|

[tophatofawesome]

[He slowly pulled back, bumping his forehead and nose against hers before he let go of her entirely.]

Sorry, I -- well. [He cleared his throat.]

It's called Mayfield. We've been kidnapped and there's no way to leave. We're assigned into families and expected to play along like we belong here.

:D

[puzzledwife]

I see.... How do you mean, assigned to families?

[tophatofawesome]

The natives of this city look like people, but they aren't -- it's like they're hollowed out inside. They're called drones, apparently.

And when I came here, the drone children in the house called me "father" and the drone woman called me her husband. I've... been trying to avoid them. They're rather unsettling.

[puzzledwife]

Sounds like it would be... I believe I met the children briefly, though I haven't seen this wife of yours.

[tophatofawesome]

I think... I think you've replaced her, somehow. She's not in the photographs anymore, and....

[He wrapped his hands around her left and brought it up between their faces so that she could see the shining ring on her finger.]

[puzzledwife]

[A lightly shocked look a moment, as she looked at the ring...]

Well, this isn't exactly the way I'd imagine being married to you. [she looked at him, a gentle smile on her face. She brought her other hand up to the small collection, and held her's there as well] You're going to have to find your's, too, then.

[tophatofawesome]

[His eyes widened slightly in surprise -- not that you could tell with Layton. She... didn't mind? He felt his face grow warm.]

It's around in the house somewhere.

[He chuckled slightly.]

I'd always thought I'd remember the wedding... [he closed his hands over both of hers.] ... but this is alright too.

[puzzledwife]

[She smiles brightly. He's not upset anymore, that's good.]

We'll make due; perhaps we can have something to replace it?