◌ 022 ◌ The power of belief brings even monsters into existence

[wind_of_reason]

[The scream that comes directly after the CAT's strange message makes Fuu's head snap up from where she'd been resting it on her hand, staring vacantly across the street. Eyes wide, she at once focuses her gaze towards what had been the object of her fixation for the past two weeks- and sees a woman's body collapsing outside the White Rabbit, part

Comments

Audio

[lamb_of_gold]

Fuu? [That doesn't sound good.]

I'm on my way. Stay there.

Holo

[wind_of_reason]

Thank you. Oh, thank you.
Is there anything I can do until you get here?

Audio

[lamb_of_gold]

Check her breathing and pulse, and try not to move her too much.

[There's white noise over the CAT that may suggest he's running very /very/ quickly]

Holo

[wind_of_reason]

I- I tried, but I'm shaking so much... I'll try again.

[Taking a couple deep breaths, she tries to find a pulse again. It only takes half a minute, but it feels like forever.
She can't find one.
With sudden inspiration (she saw this on TV once), she takes a compact out of her purse and opening it, slides the mirror in front of Miss Ardes' mouth.
She watches intently, but the mirror doesn't fog with her breath.
Fuu feels like her stomach has turned to ice.]

Oh, no. No... no...

[Audio]

[bonnypiperlad]

[There's a bit of noise before Jamie's voice is heard, sounding remarkably as if he dropped the CAT and had to retrieve it before he could reply.]

Fuu? It's Miss Ardes, ye said?

[holo]

[wind_of_reason]

[She nods numbly.]

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. There is nothing I can do-

[Audio]

[bonnypiperlad]

Och. Look, stay put, will ye? I'll be right there.

[More bumping-thumping noises, and then, muttered:] How do ye turn off this infernal thing anyway?

Re: [Audio]

[wind_of_reason]

Th-thank you for coming.

There's a narrow button along the top... [She answers softly, even if his question was rhetorical. It ...keeps her from thinking too much about her being alone in the presence of a dead woman.]

[Holo~]

[manicurious]

How is that even possible? Did we not just hear her in a broadcast from an entirely different location a moment ago?

Re: [Holo~]

[wind_of_reason]

[Oh, a new person- She sniffs a bit and wipes away her tears with her sleeve. Grateful for the question to distract her, she tries to pull herself together.]

I- I'm not sure. Perhaps... mmm... [a long pause as she thinks] perhaps the video was on time delay. Or pre-programmed to broadcast in case of- of- [She glances down at Miss Ardes and wipes at her eyes again, taking a couple deep breaths.]

I'm sorry.

[manicurious]

In case of what? In case someone feels the desire to- [picking up his diary and flipping to a recent page] "-get some noise going?" [Then slamming the book shut and tucking it under his arm]

The timing is too perfect, and the girl in the broadcast sure as hell didn't sound like she wasn't aware of exactly what was going on. Shouldn't she have sounded just a little bit worried?

[Shaking his head] I need to see this in person. On camera, something about this seems... Off. It doesn't feel the way it should. I'm not far away, I'll just be making my way there from the town's gardens.

In the meantime... [Quirking an eyebrow and sounding rather agitated] Shouldn't a massive group of people have stopped by to help you with this situation by now!? What the hell is wrong with this town!? Is everyone else deaf and blind, or are they just stupid!?

[wind_of_reason]

[She notes his book with interest - ah, good, someone else is keeping a journal! - but interest gets overridden with shock. He- he's so brash-]

Ah- thank you for coming... and you're right. There hasn't been even a passer-by or anyone...

[She stands up and looks over to the pub. She can't see anyone through the windows, not even the staff who should be behind the bar.]

Where is everyone...?

video

[desertdaggers]

Miss Ardes? Audrey? I'll be there shortly.

Re: video

[wind_of_reason]

Th-thank you, Hawk...

[desertdaggers]

[He arrives a little while later, a little out of breath, and takes a moment to slow down.] Wasn't she speaking to someone, just a little while ago? How did she get here? [He reaches out to check for a pulse.]

[wind_of_reason]

I was wondering that too. Th-there is the chance that the video was on a time delay, or set to play in case of- of... [She trails off sadly]