Video -> Audio

[scorchednpcs]

[A door opens and a man steps into view, carrying a little girl high on his shoulders. His clothing suggests a native, and a wealthy one at that. The little girl has long red hair. She appears to be around eight years old.

They're laughing, but the sound of it is cut short as the video switches off.

A few minutes later, the audio alone returns.]

Comments

[ video ]

[everything_rots]

No.

[That's not right, he thinks, but he doesn't know anything.]

[ video ]

[scorchednpcs]

[The video turns on again, showing the same thing it did before - only in reverse.

It pauses on the part where the man and child have just come through the door.]

...Where is he?

[ video ]

[everything_rots]

Does he exist?

[ video ]

[scorchednpcs]

[The video plays forward. The same scene again.]

Audio

[sugaryoptimist]

Are you lost? [She is going to ignore the laughter atm.]

Audio

[scorchednpcs]

...Come find me.

Audio

[sugaryoptimist]

I would love to, but...I don't know where you are. Could you give me a clue?

Video

[scorchednpcs]

[It's just a flash. A video of a second or less, of Vanille from another angle. Like it was being broadcast from right behind her.]

[photosbythebed]

[...]

Ivy Rose?

[scorchednpcs]

[Video turns on in response, but it doesn't show the girl. Only a white rose.]

[photosbythebed]

Where are you? [Flowershop? Garden? Or maybe it's not a clue at all.] Roses? Are there roses where you are?

[scorchednpcs]

[The rose withers and the petals take flight, covering the video screen. When they fall away, Ivy Rose is standing there. Staring.]

video

[malfattore]

{Well. That was queer.}

Has he left you?

Stay where you are. He may return.

voice

[scorchednpcs]

...Daddy. Come find me.

voice

[malfattore]

{...}

I'll find you if you want me to.

{Couldn't hurt to play along. What the hell did he care?}

Video

[scorchednpcs]

[The video turns on and shows ivy-the plant, not the girl. And it's growing, as if time-lapsed, crawling across the ground and away from the Forge.]

[yetsleeping]

...Ivy Rose? I... are you okay?

[scorchednpcs]

[The video turns on to show a rose.

It withers, the petals flying away.]

[yetsleeping]

...you're looking for your father?