1 cherry pit (video)

[victoria_stay]

[The face peering out of the screen is confused and just a little bit wary, as if the device she's looking at may very well bite her. It's also likely, again based on the young girls expression, that she may very well bite back.

She's not terribly new, per se. She's been here for a few days and has spent most of her time skulking around, searching hard for something and hiding from everyone that came too close. She took enough time out to watch how people used the device, and only just now decided to get it running.

She's also a bit dirty. Her hair's tangled with the withered, faded remnants of a wreath of flowers and there's smudges on her face. Possibly even tear tracks that are a little fresher than she'll care to admit.

There's a cautious look in her eyes, the kind of look seen only on a wild animal that isn't sure if it's been cornered or not.

When she speaks, her sentences are short. There's no young child babble from her.

New girl has a question. Listen up.]

My sister is...['Dead' is the word that goes in the pause, but she opts for something else with a bit of hope in her voice.] missing. She's six and she was wearing a white dress. Her face is dirty and her name is Lilly.

[Another pause and a moment where she shakes her head just a bit, as if she feels stupid for asking.]

If you see her, tell her Victoria's looking for her and to stay.

[Not 'wait.' The word 'stay' is important. She knows how to speak to her sister. Stay is a word Lilly knows.

And then the device just shuts off on Victoria's end. She's only been on a few minutes and she's already had enough. For now, it's time to resume her search for Lilly.]

Comments

[action;]

[unflagging]

[Don't mind him, just another passing grown-up. You know how they are, right? Always busy busy busy, something on their minds. Never enough time.

Or not. See, this one stops, crouches down to her level, and looks at her.

Because there's something strange about this one (the girl or the man? tough to say. maybe both.).]

Sweetheart, are you lost?

Re: [action;]

[victoria_stay]

[Good lord why does this keep happening? She watches him for a moment, very tempted to just walk away or run or act like she belongs here. Which wouldn't work since she doesn't know how to do that.

But her answer comes soon enough, and it's honest because she doesn't know how to lie, either.]

Yes.

[That's as big an answer as she's giving right now. She's not sure about this adult, even if he isn't approaching. He's keeping his distance, as far as she can tell, And that's good.]

[unflagging]

[Nod, nod, nod.]

Do you want some help getting...un-lost?

[Which is not the same as "found," but that's splitting hairs.]

[victoria_stay]

[She'd love some help but there's still that wary look and she's not sure what to do.]

Can you help me find my sister?

[unflagging]

Sure! I don't see why not. If she's here, we can find her.

[victoria_stay]

If?

[Something about that 'if', good sir.]

I wasn't anywhere near a city a few days ago. I was driving home.

[She's going to leave off that Lilly wasn't in the car and stick with the theory that maybe she died, too.]

[unflagging]

And now you're in a city.

What do you think that could mean?

[victoria_stay]

Someone took a wrong turn. Or I'm asleep.

[Or she died.]

[unflagging]

[Nod, nod.]

So, let's imagine for a little while, okay? Think with me!

If someone took a wrong turn, maybe you got here and she didn't.

Or!

[Charmingly raised eyebrows!]

Or maybe you really are asleep. So if you see her, you must just be dreaming of her.

Which do you think it is?

[victoria_stay]

[She's a kid, yes, but she's not the kind of kid who lets her imagination get away with her. She's not even sure she has one, to be fair. So, her answer is honest and a little let down.]

Someone took a wrong turn.

[unflagging]

[There have been other children that he has known who have completely lacked imagination. And yet...it was so worthwhile to look after them. So very worthwhile.]

So where's the car?

[victoria_stay]

[Shrug. That's all. Just a shrug. She has no clue.]

Maybe I died.

[...yeah, and there's that.]

Is this where people go when they die? It's crowded.

[Her tone has a hint of curiosity in it. And probably a little bit of hope.]

[unflagging]

[This kid is the best kid.

He has to laugh. He can't help it. He laughs. Not for too long, but for long enough.

After he calms down a bit:]

Maybe it is where people go when they die. But I'm not dead. So maybe it isn't.

It is crowded, though, that's for sure. If you're going to find your sister, you'll have to look carefully.

[victoria_stay]

[What what what why are you laughing? This is baffling. So she's gonna ignore it for now.]

She's good at hiding. [A pause.] She won't like you trying to talk to her.

[If she knew to say 'no offense', she'd say it now.]

[unflagging]

That's okay. You can talk to her. I'm just here to help, remember?

[victoria_stay]

Uh huh. [She starts to look around, trying to find a direction to go before looking up at the man again.]

I don't know your name.

[Her way of asking what it is.]

[unflagging]

I don't know yours either.

[Still crouched on the ground, of course, he holds out his hand to her.]

I'm Rory.

What's your name?

[victoria_stay]

Victoria. [She looks at the hand, leaning away from it just a bit. She didn't have the opportunity to see anyone shake hands or learn about it, so it just gets a look before she looks up at him.]

What do I do?

[unflagging]

[... ... ... Lack of imagination. For sure.

Kiddo, you sure your name's not Victoria Deschain? Because there's this guy...]

Victoria. That's a pretty name.

[He glances at his own hand.]

You put your right hand in my right hand and then we both hold on and bounce our hands up and down together for a second. And that's how you say hello-it's-nice-to-meet-you--where I come from, at least.

[victoria_stay]

[If she knew what the Hokey-Pokey was, she'd make a reference. Her hand tentatively goes into his and she shakes them lightly, looking up at him with one eyebrow raised.]

Like that?

[unflagging]

[Now. He's smart enough to know that if he grabs and holds her hand as one would in a usual handshake, she'll probably bolt. No, don't want that to happen. Not at all.

So he rolls along with the tentative and limp-fish handshake.]

Yeah, exactly like that! You're a fast learner, Victoria.

[he_who_kills]

Greetings! [Believe it or not, he likes kids.]

[victoria_stay]

[And she's seen weirder. So she's chill about it, save for a brief look of WTF?! on her face.]

Hullo.

video;

[her_waterloo]

[ Joan's heart goes out to the grubby child. She's obviously been having a tough day, if not a tough week. It's hard enough coming to the City as an adult. It could only be worse as a lost child. ]

And what about you, hmm? Are your parents helping you look?

Re: video;

[victoria_stay]

I don't have parents. Just Uncle Luke and Annabel.

[And she had Mama at that point, but she doesn't want to talk about her.]

They're not here, though.

video;

[her_waterloo]

[ Yeah, that was what Joan had suspected, judging by her clothes and her attitude. ]

We have a place for children to go here when they don't come in with their guardians. Would you like that? To live with some other kids?

Re: video;

[victoria_stay]

No. [Her tone is calm. Even. Possibly just a little flat. She doesn't understand other kids at all. Lilly was difficult enough.]

I'm staying with someone.

video;

[her_waterloo]

Oh, good, good. [ Someone was sensible, then. ] I have to say, you're taking this really well. I'm impressed.

Re: video;

[victoria_stay]

Why?

video;

[her_waterloo]

Because I was very upset when I came here. I think most people are.

[Video]

[destinedtobeunpopular]

[ Oh, no... The sister probably isn't here, but the state of this girl--

He swallows. ]

Where did you last see her?

Re: [Video]

[victoria_stay]

On a cliff with Mama.

[Hello, man with the weird accent. Victoria finds you fascinating.]

[Video]

[destinedtobeunpopular]

In... your world?

Re: [Video]

[victoria_stay]

Back home.

[Thats a yes. Not that she knows it.]

[Video]

[destinedtobeunpopular]

Then she's not here, I'm sorry.

Re: [Video]

[victoria_stay]

I already looked. I know.

[it didn't stop her from trying.]

What's your name?

[Video]

[destinedtobeunpopular]

[ Yeah, he can understand that. ]

I'm Merlin.

Re: [Video]

[victoria_stay]

Do you know when I'll go back?

[Video]

[destinedtobeunpopular]

No, I don't, sorry. If you're lucky, after only a few weeks or months. If you're unlucky, after more than a year, or several years.