052 ][ VIDEO

[worksmart]

[These videos play on a loop from 10am until 5:23pm, at which point they shut off abruptly. No replies come before the shut off.]

Memory OneThe room is golden with hazy afternoon light as it filters through half closed blinds and across to the couch where the woman is laying. Head tipped back, her fair hair spreads along silk cushions, and she

Comments

[eiremagic]

...Chase?

around 7pm ][

[worksmart]

Obviously.

[eiremagic]

Sorry.

[worksmart]

Did you want something?

around noon ][ 1/2

[adamantined]

You're recording.

audio ][ after 5:30

[adamantined]

[Hesitation and a slowly indrawn breath on the line, then -]

Did you... ever make it to the retreat?

audio ][ around 7pm

[worksmart]

Is that important?

audio ][

[adamantined]

All of it's important.

[Pause.]

It's not like anyone really likes talking about things like this, but once they're out there it's hard to get them to go away.

video; approx. 2pm

[habitformed]

[ Mouse doesn't say anything when he clicks on the video, just sits there, a small huddle of legs-to-chest and large eyes peering over the tops of his knees. He has an expression on his face that says, I'm here and if you don't want to be here, I can go away again. A silence stretches.

Mouse's cheek dimples as he begins to chew on the inside of his mouth. A minute passes and then another, then he shuts off the feed. ]

text; approx. 9pm

[worksmart]

did you need anything?

text;

[habitformed]

YOU

WORRIED.

text;

[worksmart]

no need.

[as_damaged]

[This isn't here, but she's noticed this.]

audio;

[fatespoken]

[ Accidentally, he sees it all- silence is intended, but the clink of the ice in glass says otherwise ]

audio; around 9pm

[worksmart]

[Silence met with the glass and metal chink of a beer bottle being opened.]

audio; *his

[fatespoken]

[ Spoken softly- ]

None of their business. Nor mine. [ He pauses. ] Sorry.

audio;

[worksmart]

Why apologise? It's out there. I'd look.