poly_chromatic | 063 x 360 // video/action // Family Day (3rd

[ The house is a little bit outside the city, swathed heavily in evergreens, but it's gorgeous. Carla supposes that's what she can't quite get over, because she's struck by it every time they've visited.

They won't be visiting anymore. And even if she has her camera trained up at it with one hand, there's a box under her other arm. She lowers the view to where a little girl with curly blonde hair is near the front door, staring up. A pair of dogs scampering nearby to her.

Another swing in frame, behind them with a borrowed car is a man sorting through the boxes in the trunk.

The last turn is to Carla's own face. She looks apprehensive about this whole process, her eyes flicking back and forth between the little girl and the man. Eventually she sighs, murmuring, ]

Welcome home.

[The camera lowers, about to be shut off as she calls,]

Come on, Victoria, we have a lot of work to do.

[[ooc;

victoria_stay,

unflagging and Carla are making a hideous family this weekend. Fact. Action is fine if anybody wants to housewarm... or gawk.]]

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[Victoria has a sketch pad under one arm and a small bag under the other, colored pencils poking out. She's studying the dogs carefully, head tilting slightly before she looks at her mom.]

My room is the attic.

[She's calling it now.]

It's a better view of the trees.

[Carla's head turns from where she's gathering boxes from the trunk, eyebrow raised.]

Do what you want.

[Because she's a terrible uninvested mother.]

It needs to be dusted.

[Also does a little bit of a clean freak.]

It will be.

[She's not the biggest fan of dust, either.

She heads back over to the car, pulling out one of her own boxes, as well. She's not going to be entirely useless, here.]

Get your father to help you.

[Because bossing around Rory is one of her favorite things, lets not pretend its not.]

[He's hauling a box out of the car himself at the moment.]

What am I helping with now?

[He's still there at the car, wrangling with something, when Victoria comes over. Naturally, he scoops her up instead. With great, hilarious exaggeration:]

Whoa! Look at this huge load I have to carry!

[A little swinging going on here.]

I dunno if I can make it all the way up the stairs with something like this! It's just so heavy! They ought to make boxes with legs so they can carry themselves!

[Carla watches on with a somewhat confused expression. It's not that she dislikes her daughter. Victoria was good as children went, but... they were best drawing together, in silence. She has no idea where Rory finds the love and enthusiasm for displays like that. It niggles in the back of her mind that she's a bad mother for not being the same way. But she's also not surprised to be a bad mother. She'd never wanted to be one.

All she can really think of to be 'better' is,]

Victoria wants the attic. Once all the boxes are inside, you can get that ready first.

[Obvious answer: just stay out of the way and let dad do his thing.]

Action:

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[Wait. That's not right at all. He recognizes Flagg of course. The girl he's seen around, he thinks... but family... um...]

I ... when did you get married?

Years ago.

[Look at how old Victoria is, Theo. She wouldn't have had that baby unless Daddy was going to be there FOREVER.]

Oh.

I see.

Silly me for having missed that one.

Not that it was any of your business.

[Because you are a creep. Then again so is Flagg, so what exactly is Carla complaining about.]

No. I guess not. I just didn't remember you being married the few times we've talked before.

[Theo is a different kind of creep?]

Hey who's calling?

[Look who just walked up--slightly dusty, and therefore very careful not to get too close to Carla. Very careful.]

Hey, hi!

Re: [Video]

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[Video]

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You have a daughter.

[It's almost a question. That's not a thing that should happen.]

Of course I do.

[Look how old she is. It's not like it was a secret.]

You don't seem... [like someone who should be trusted with small creatures?] ...maternal. Nurturing.

[She's sterile, for one. Self-inflicted.]

I didn't say I was a good mother.

[That's not necessarily a bad thing.]

Who's the father?

Rory. Haven't I introduced you?

[He was a terrible person just like she was. She finds it hard to imagine she's missed out on the chance for them to make Justin miserable together......]

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othersdie - 2013-08-07 23:58 (UTC) - Expand

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[Naoi blinks in surprise at the familiar face and name.]

Are you that girl's mother?

Victoria?

['That girl.' How rude.]

Yes. I am.

[Lady, you have no idea how rude Naoi can be.

Right then, he switches from "aloof rudeness" to "furious rage" quick as lightning, pointing an accusatory finger at the camera.]

Wench, how dare you call yourself that! When you left her all alone?! She's so young! And she was ill! She had a strange man over because you weren't there!

[She stares at him blandly.]

You mean her father.

. . .

EEEEEH?!

[Staring, wide-eyed, like a chastised schoolboy before dropping his head and shoulders in an impulsive bow.]

Forgive me! I have no excuse! I—

[Just, going to cut himself off here because this is embarrassing.]

[Carla doesn't precisely roll her eyes.]

So who are you?

[Someone's been creeping around her daughter, and it's not her father.]