forty second dance | video; tiny bit forward dated to midmorning!

[motioned]

[The face on the screen, when first she appears, looks a bit somber.]

I guess the longer you live here, the longer you learn to expect the unexpected, huh? But even then, I didn't think - I mean, Halloween passed, so I thought maybe nothing awful would happen. I've lived here for two years and it still catches me off guard, things like that. I just hope it wasn't anyone with powers behind it. If it was, they should be ashamed of themselves. But that's not what I wanted to talk about, even though I'm really sorry to anyone who saw things that hurt them.

[But then her expression brightens considerably.]

I wanted to talk about, um, being here so long, but it's not as self centered as it sounds, I promise - I guess I just wanted to thank everyone. I think I might have said already, but it's been two years today, and even though the first few months I hated it and just wanted to go home, I think I wouldn't be the same person I am now if I hadn't come here. Not just a different person, but not as good of a person, either. I mean, I've learned so much, and so many people have helped me learn that stuff, both stuff about me and stuff about life, and I wouldn't trade that for the world. Maybe not for any world. I can't help but feel like this is my home. I've met so many people, so many amazing people, people I think of as family who I would never have even known about otherwise. And a lot of them aren't here anymore, some of the best people I've ever met, but I would much rather have known them and lost them than the alternative, you know?

[Her voice gets a bit thick, though it's not in the least unhappy, and she has to pause for a moment to recollect herself.]

So I guess, just - even though horrible things can happen here and things can get very bad, and everything seems dark, I just hope everyone here can find as much light in this island as I've been able to. But I know not everyone's as lucky as me, and I know there are people who have been through things I can't even imagine, so... I'm not the best with technology, but I guess since I'm saying this to everyone, you can all tell what my NV number is, so if everything gets to be too much - there's always someone you can talk to, even if I don't know you.

[Filtered to Fakir]
I need to talk to you.

[Filtered to Gilbert]
Are you busy?

Comments

video;

[motioned]

Oh, yeah, I'm fine! I mean, are you okay?

video;

[retraced]

[Aside from Oz returning from a terrible situation that he'd been trying to keep from hidden from him, the eyes on the dead on him everywhere for the entirety of yesterday, and facing down Nill, everything else is...great!

Or at least it's manageable, especially after listening to her speak her feelings so candidly just then.]

I'm fine, really. There's nothing to worry about.

video;

[motioned]

You don't seem very fine. I mean, if you don't want to talk about it, it's none of my business, but...

video;

[retraced]

Ah...it's that obvious?

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[motioned]

You just didn't look very happy just now.

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[retraced]

[He gives her a weak smile and shakes his head.]

I'll be fine after some sleep.

video;

[motioned]

Maybe you should rest, in that case... I mean, what I wanted to ask you can wait.

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[retraced]

I won't sleep until tonight anyway.

[He shakes his head, rubs at the back of his neck as he holds the NV a little further away.]

We can talk whenever you need.

video;

[motioned]

You won't? Why not?

Dad, are you sure nothing happened?

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[retraced]

Nothing...

[He hesitates. Man, he really does hate lying to her, so he offers a sliver of truth.]

Ah, after yesterday I guess I'm still a little...shaken.

video;

[motioned]

[She nods, somber.]

Who did you see? I mean, if you want to talk about it.

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[retraced]

[He tries his best not to let himself look emotional, but there's a hint of sadness that takes over the corners of his eyes.]

It's fine...it's better if I don't talk about it.

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[motioned]

It's not fine, but - I understand.

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[retraced]

[Once again, he tries to smile encouragingly.]

Did you want to talk like this or should I meet you somewhere?

video;

[motioned]

Oh, um, meeting me somewhere would probably be better. But, I mean, if you want to wait, that's fine too!

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[retraced]

No, I don't mind. I'll be home from the grocery market soon.

video;

[motioned]

Okay, take your time! Um, I'll be here.

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[retraced]

I'll be there soon.

[And he'll just walk a little faster with his bag of apples and pears and lettuce and...stuff. All perfect produce!! Don't judge him.

As soon as he's home, he walks in through the kitchen entrance on the side of the house, draping his jacket and hat over the back of a chair after setting his grocery bags down.]

video;

[motioned]

[She hurries into the kitchen a few minutes later, her cheeks still pink, looking a little breathless, maybe even giddy. Because continuity.]

Hi, um, sorry! I got sort of preoccupied with something, but, um, let's talk. Here, I'll help you put stuff away.

action;

[retraced]

[Yay continuity! He looks down at her, head tilted in confusion.]

Are you feeling all right?

[Were you running a marathon somewhere............]

action;

[motioned]

Huh? Oh, I'm fine! I just, I hurried here from my room, I didn't want to leave you waiting or anything. Here, um, where do you want me to put the lettuce?

action;

[retraced]

[Sob Ahiru it's okay, he can put groceries away! But if she really wants to help...]

The bottom drawer in the refrigerator. You didn't have to hurry, it's not that much to put away.

action;

[motioned]

It would've been rude to ask you to talk to you and then keep you waiting, though! So I didn't want to. But it wasn't that far, just across the mansion, so don't worry about it! Um, I'll just, the celery - no, lettuce! Lettuce. I'll put away the lettuce.

[Babbling.......... And grabbing the lettuce now.]

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[retraced]

[And then suddenly this conversation became even more suspicious than before.

Frown. Frown.

He puts down the bag of apples in his hand, walks right over to her, leans down to her height and shoves the underside of his wrist against her forehead before she can get too far away.]

You're sure you're feeling well...?

action;

[motioned]

[She laughs, taking a step back.]

I'm fine, Dad! More than fine. I don't have a fever or anything.