❛ FIVE ❧ VIDEO ❜

[aureation]

[With her back turned to the mirror, unaware of the broadcast, all seems calm for Gabrielle as she stands in the Garden-but a brief disturbance says otherwise. Her body seems frozen, tense, as if she's seen a ghost.]

Have you forgotten me?

[It seems Gabrielle is silent-her hands fall to her side. Before her stands the phantom, or rather what she

Comments

[urbanwonderland]

[It's been a very long day. For a while now. The transmissions coming over the vine have been unnerving. She hates to see those closets to her in this place so haunted, and hunted, really-- by lies they can't escape. The sound of Gabrielle's sobbing comes over loud and clear. She isn't sure if the other woman can hear her calling.]

Gabrielle. Gabrielle. It's Reeve, please-- listen to me. It's an illusion, this thing. It isn't the person you're thinking of. It will only lie to you.

[aureation]

[And at the sound of another's voice, Gabrielle freezes. Her breath catches in her throat-but she does not look at the Vine. Her back remains to the mirror, facing Reeve.]

I know that. [Her head turns a bit to look at the phantom, whose half-lidded eyes seemed to be trained on her and her alone; a pleasant smile on her face.] I know she isn't real-

[Her voice is cold, bitter.] She's an illusion... [She's not sure why she's upset, when she knows it's just the Queen and her palace at work. Maybe it's the shock of seeing Rebecca's face after so long, or the memories in her mind that exhaust her as she tries to piece them together. Her shoulders drop, a hand goes up to her face as she tries to wipe the tears away. Reeve cannot see it-but tears continue to fall down her cheeks.] ...which doesn't make it any better.

[urbanwonderland]

[Reeve sighs, shifting her shoulders.]
I know. It should, but it doesn't, does it? The hurt isn't any less real.

You shouldn't be alone. I think I recognize your surroundings, I'll come to you.
[But she hasn't left yet, lingering nearby getting dressed to outside.]

[aureation]

No, it's not. [The end of the sentence trails off into a whisper, her eyes travel off somewhere to an insignificant spot in the distance.]

[While Gabrielle does not say anything about Reeve coming to find her, it's certainly not an objection. After a deep, shuddering breath, she gently turns her head-not fully facing the mirror just yet.] I'll be here.

[urbanwonderland]

[Reeve arrives, out of place in a dramatic scene as ever, pony tail and button-down in full effect. She can seem them both quite clearly, Gabrielle and her-- "friend" seems to be the wrong word. Not wanting to startle her, she approaches Gabrielle from the side. She reaches out, laying a hand on the other woman's shoulder.]

Gabrielle. I'm here.
I can walk you home, or anywhere you like-- but if you feel you should stay here, I'll stay with you.

[aureation]

[When she feels Reeve's hand on her shoulder, she gently turns her head to look at the other woman. While her tears are gone, her eyes still hold a sadness within them. With a tired sigh, she lowers her eyes and through downcast lashes she speaks.]

No, I've already said what I needed to. [She moves into Reeve's comforting hand, before wrapping her fingers around her wrist and pressing her lips into a smile. It's forced, but her words and touch ring true. Gabrielle ignores the phantom.] I think going back to the complex is the bset thing to do at this point.

[urbanwonderland]

[Reeve completes the hug one-armed, turning them as a unit away from the apparition and towards to way back to Gabrielle's tower.]

All right. Then we'll go.
[Reeve smiles faintly.]
This is a first for me, escorting a damsel-- or would that be a princess-- back to her tower. I'm not the most visually impressive of knights, but I do rather well in a crisis. I also make a good cup of tea. With a shot of whisky in it if it's called for.

i had this exact same conversation with someone today!

[aureation]

I think I'm more fit as a Queen than a princess! [She gives the phantom one last look; brief, cold, and sad. Then turns to Reeve with a gentle laugh.] But I can tell you tea and whiskey sounds like a perfect idea right now, especially with a knight as chivalrous as you.

[urbanwonderland]

[Reeve smiles, offering her arm-- and is pleased when Gabrielle takes it. The walk back to the tower building is a quiet but companionable one. When they reach the building, Reeve looks up, following its ascent with her eyes.]

I do love a tall building. There is something there-- even its reach exceeds its grasp, so beautiful in effort.
[She smiles, more at herself than anything else.] Sorry, I tend to wax sentimental about the oddest things, sometimes.

Your destination, my lady.

[aureation]

Mn. [She gently shakes her head, eyes glancing at the familiar building herself.] I've lived in cities all of my life. Some people feel small and insignificant when they see skyscrapers that seem to never end. [There seems to be a mix of wonder and a hint of nostalgia in her eyes.]

But for me, it's comforting. Something that will always remain, even if another takes it's place. When you look out your window and see the city, it just reminds you that you're not alone.

[But even that had disappeared after the Twisted attacked. New York was nothing but creature-created babels, empty streets, buildings torn in half. Here, in the middle of the desolate Garden, stood a complex that she had once seen before-until it had been destroyed.]

[She would never outwardly say it, but there was solace in sharing the beauty of her emotions-even in an inanimate object-with someone who understood.]

We can go back to my place. I'm sure I've got some form of a strong drink there.

[urbanwonderland]

[Reeve hasn't yet released Gabrielle's arm and she smiles to think what they much look like here, standing before a magical replica of a manmade structure in the midst of an alien wilderness. Like surreal tourists-- or tourists of the surreal. Which they are really, she supposes.]

Yes, I feel that too, the life of the city, investing the buildings-- made up out of all the lives within it.

{Smiling she tilts her head towards Gabrielle's]
Your place and something strong to drink sound like two of the best ideas I've heard lately. Lead on.

[aureation]

It may look out of place here, like it doesn't belong, but it still belongs somewhere. Even if it spends it's entire life wanting to fit in.

[Her fingers gently encompass the hand on her arm as she begins to lead the way in. Of course, the font desk is empty-it seems the animals are off duty today. Her heels gently make light clacking sounds against the tiled floor.]

[It all looks flawless-untouchable.]