The lights are fading out once more (Active/Simi-Closed)

[sleepy_fire]

Characters: Portgas D. Ace, Lantern Keeper
Setting: Mother's Study
Time: Night 19
Summary: Ace goes into the Mother's Study with no intentions,asks a few questions
Warnings: Ace is insane. No joke. Also this thread has a plan, so if you want in, talk to me first and we'll see how it will work.

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[dollsy_npcs]

Within, the small, pale girl noticed his entrance. She rose dark, sad eyes to meet with him, looking darker - stark - due to the ghostly colour of her skin. She, too, remained silent, but she had no choice. The gaping wound of her throat. It was still starkly visible, especially in the light cast by her lantern. Her hands were folded in her lap, politely.

She did not speak, and her eyes were wary, but she made no hostile moves. She was cautious, but not unwelcoming.

[sleepy_fire]

He held his silence for a long moment, just watching her, a thousand questions running through his head, mingling with accusations and dread and an unvoiced plea.

Makeitstopmakeitstopmakeitstop.

But the first thing he actually said, voice scratchy as though he hadn't spoken for years, was a simple statement of fact. "That's not your chair. That's Lilia's."

[dollsy_npcs]

Immediately, her expression changed. Perhaps subtly, but it did. Her eyes grew colder, her mouth more firm. But still, she did not reject his presence, even as she stared at him, gaze harder than before. She did, however, shake her head - a small gesture, but a response all the same.

[sleepy_fire]

"It's not Lilia's chair?" The gesture confused him, and his eyes slid to the picture on the desk, staring at March and Lilia and Rose.

He closed his eyes, reaching out unconsciously. "I can't feel you. Like I can't feel the Phantasms." It wasn't a question, finger lifting to his head. "Nothing. Nothing. More nothing. Just them outside and nothing in here. Just silence. Like a normal person." He almost laughed, lips twitching into a manic smile.

"Only nobody really listens."

His fingers dropped to the bag, tracing over the battered leather.

How do you talk to someone you can't hear?

He pulled out the folded sheet, staring between it and her. "Do you remember me? I was there, when you came and answered questions. If I give you a- something, so you can talk...or...whatever...I'm trying..." There was something desperate and broken in his voice, something old and young and pained and needy. "I need help."

[dollsy_npcs]

Once again, her posture relaxed, by a small amount. He seemed less accusatory. She would be cooperative. Her gaze became softer, gentler, and she gave another small nod. She remembered him. And she would help.