[The feed clicks on, and there's a moment before Percy speaks.]

I was wondering -

[And when he speaks again, his voice is a little quieter, like he's away from the phone.]

Dad, I appreciate what you're trying to do, but it's really undermining me out there when you -

[ - he cuts off like he's been interrupted, but there's silence, and he lets out an annoyed huff.]

I'm sure you think you understand the twins' products, but I've spent the last month and a half working with them, and that product definitely utilizes a Substantive Charm -

[Silence.]

It doesn't matter that you've seen a hex a lot like it, because it's a Substantive Charm! I've checked it!

[Silence.]

No! Look, can you just - please just stay back here and - or go back to the flat. Don't come out onto the sales floor.

[He snaps up the phone and ends the connection.]

[The feed opens to show Jack, obviously in a bar setting. But instead of his usual attempts to liven up the place, he's sitting in the farthest corner of the bar, the music blaring around him and both an empty glass of beer and a freshly filled one in front of him. He's very subdued for those who actually know how he is on most days. It's dimly lit so it's difficult to see, but his eyes are a little bit swollen, his cheeks a little damp. It's obvious he's not having a good day. And despite his attempts to hide away and wait it out, the City has a different plan as he doesn't know the video came on for all to see him in his melancholy.]




ooc: Jack's first curse in the City and I'm so cruel to him! Daddy Dearest curse, of course.

Possible as it may for the deities to pull Sif and I, but the Allfather? Not that I am not pleased to see my father, but if he is here-

(there's just silence while thor talks to the imaginary Odin.)

Most puzzling indeed. Pray you be on your best behaviors whilst he's here, I beg of you. Especially you, Man of Iron.

[Rain's curled up in a corner, hands over her ears, tears falling.]

Please don't. You're not even real.

Please just go away.

[ Tyr is in a better mood than usual as he walks around the empty kitchen. Talking to himself. ]

Relax, Gremio. It's just one birthday... Anyway, we can celebrate again now if you want to--Dad missed it, too. Just sit down; I'll prepare everything for once. I've actually gotten pretty good at cooking...

—I haven't slacked off with that either, Dad. You can watch Riou and I spar later if you wanna see for yourself.

... Ah- Nah, I don't think I'm really ready to go a round with you just yet... Maybe later... Let me start this cake first.

[Raiden's voice is a bit ragged as he speaks. Perhaps something just happened to him? Good luck getting that information out of him though]

... I don't appreciate waking up to a stranger standing in my room.

[He cuts the feed and simply stares at the "body" of Solidus across from him. The deities just had to pick him. It couldn't be his biological father whom he honestly doesn't remember... but he had to be a better man than Solidus ever was.

Raiden tilts his head back and sighs, still holding his MK. 23.

I need a drink...]

[ Carla is laughing as the feed begins, a bitter edge to the sound that isn't all that surprising coming from her. ]

This is not an improvement over the dog.

[ She's not the only one to receive a specter, she has ascertained he is not real. Still, Jorge Morir says something to her and she laughs again. ]

I'm so bored I could cry, why do you think?

[ Another pause, listening, another laugh, this one startled. ]

I've had enough. My tolerance is low.

Lord Rosiel?

How did you--? I thought you were elsewhere...but you're...

[ooc: Seeing double, Katan? Happy father's day, kiddo.]

--I didn't think people were telling the truth. She'd been here about as long as I have. [A dry, humorless laugh.]

Well, I kept my promise. Now what? Some of us never had a dad around to haunt us later.

A day which honor's fathers and all that they happen to mean to the world. They are part of the backbone of a family, even if some children might not agree.

I have been blessed with children of my own throughout my life. Some have lived longer than others but I suppose that tends to happen to some and I must mourn their loss all the same. What a blessing though that I have the ones left to me.

Then again, I doubt that one would ever consider dining with me on a day that honors me.

[Accidental Voice Post]

--addy, it's not a tavern, it's a perfectly nice place with music and dancing and really, it's more than respectable enough for me to manage it. You remember how much you liked Blue, and he was the one who founded it, and since then everyone who's owned it has been a king anyway, so there can't possibly be--

[A pause.]

Oh. No, he's...they're not here anymore. None of them are.

[Another pause.]

That's just how it goes, isn't it? When you think of how long I've spent here. I'm sure plenty would change at home, too, in that much time.

[A longer, more drawn-out pause.]

No, no, some are, still! And plenty of new friends, too, but--oh, speaking of which, we really ought to hurry and be on our way, because of course if you're here then that means everyone else's father might be, too, and--oh, drat it all, this must've switched on when I bum--

[Click.]


( Private to Neil | Unhackable )

[Dean is sitting sideways in the driver's seat of the Impala. The door is open and his feet are on the ground. The device is sitting on the dash. He's the only person on screen. His has his elbows on his knees, his head buried in his hands.]

Don't you think I know that? [The words are out of his mouth before he realizes it and he straightens up as soon as he does realize what he said.] I know this is a second chance, Sir and I'm doing the best I can to make it count.

[There's a pause, Dean's back straightening and his jaw setting.] No, Sir. This place is ten kinds of messed up, but Yellow Eye hasn't shown up in a long time.

[There's another pause and Dean bows his head, nodding a bit.] Yeah. I know. I've been trying. He's...you know how he is. I can't just lock him up even if I could drag his giant ass to Bobby's panic room.

[There's almost a chuckle in Dean's voice and a grin spreads over his lips a little.] Yeah. Bobby was here for a while. He built a demon proof panic room, but I don't think Sammy's going to go willingly anytime I say jump.

[The smile on Dean's face disappears and he nods again, jaw squaring.] Yes, Sir. I know, Sir. I'll take care of him.

[Dean continues to sit at attention for a moment then shoves himself back into the seat with a grumble. He catches sight of the video on, rolls his eyes and reaches up to flip it off.]

Workaholic, so rarely around. When he was, forget he had sons and or more than the one (me). Mother always commandeered lion's share of his attention, not that we ever competed for it. Why bother when he clearly wasn't interested in anyone other than her. Better to ignore him, which was very easy to do.

Died of a heart attack and wasn't missed by us at all. Didn't even bother attending the service. Never visited the grave site, either.

Not surprising his absence on today's curse.

[ACCIDENTAL AUDIO]

--did a better job of it, you know. If only for a couple of days.

[Quietly, Neil's talking to... well, it's probably obvious. He doesn't sound angry; just a bit sad. Weary. It's been a long day, already. Now he pauses, listening to something inaudible.]

Not so badly after all, apparently. I almost wish you would come, just to visit-- to see what I've managed here. I think some of it-- some of it-- you'd have to be proud of. You would. At least a little bit.

[Another long pause.]

Well, of course not. [A sigh.] I'm trying to read, all right? You aren't real. Go away.

[The angle of the camera is upward, from the table in front of the couch upon which Todd is seated. Sullenly, he sits - head downward but eyes up, trailing an unseen figure stalking back and forth across the room in silence. At length, he raises his head, jutting his chin out. There's a tremble to the defiance, but he sets his mouth into a thin line.]

You're wrong.

[He flinches slightly, but doesn't pull back.]

You're not really here, but even if you were, it-- it wouldn't matter. I'm not worthless. I never was.

[Accidental audio]

Seriously, who are you?

[There's a slight pause as if Huey is listening to somebody or reading sign language.]

No, you can't be him...I don't remember you. I can't remember you. Give me proof that you are who you say are.

[Another pause followed by a derisive snort.]

Everyone knows Granddad will try his damndest to hook up with a young woman

[Huey stops once more only for him to speak out in a low and shaky tone.]

...shut up. You can't be proud of me. How could you? I don't know what kind of person you are...or were. Just shut up and don't speak.

[occ: As alluded to in series, Huey's parents are dead. To regain his life he traded the memories of his them permanently. Hence his slight hostility and subtle guilt/angst.]

[voice]

--Won't go back with you! Not even if I have to stay in the City a million years! [ A pause. ] No, Father, I'm not a baby anymore! I've grown up, and you have to deal with it. Listen to me!

[ There's another long pause, and then-- ] I'm not helpless! I never was!

[ There's a large jarring sound of something hitting the wall, and then silence. ]

Father's day? A curse like this is almost predictable.

Tch. What's the point if it's not even real?

[Rapunzel's sitting on the edge of her bed, hands in front of her face, looking very lost and confused...and sad.]

I just...no, I do believe you, I just...I've never met you before, it's a lot to take in.

[She sighs, rubbing her eyes slightly.]

I know you're not real, but...it's nice to see you. Even if it's just for a day.

[She pauses, as if listening to somebody, before laughing.]

Really? I look like her? Even with the hair...?

[That makes her smile warmly, shaking her head.]

...I've never had a dad before...

[ The feed starts with a crash, a high pitched noise that sounds like a buzz, and then someone's breathing. ]

Wanda, no. [ Next come the flapping of wings and the soft coo of a bird. The Doctor is pretty much flailing around trying to scare them off, at least nobody can see this. ] Just because it's father's day doesn't mean I want a bloody corpse as a present. I'm quite happy with a cup of tea.

[ Pause, indignant sounds of a cat mewling as she's picked up. ] Bit tricky for your paws, how about I make it?

Huh? Dad, what are you...

[There's a bit of a pause as he's talking to her because wow it's quite a bit of difference since she's been in the City for a few years already ]

Will you stop that? Not that it isn't good to see you too but aren't you being just way too overdramatic and—

[Another pause, Amu just makes a face at his response because he's freaking out about any boys she might have met. Why is her dad so embarrassing?!] Eh? No way, I'm not talking with you about that.

...Can you pick another topic already?

[The room is dim, but there's enough light for the camera to make out that there's only one person in it, sitting stiffly at the table like an interrogation subject.]

So thanks for the talk, but I reckon cutting me out of your will sent the message clear enough. Couldn't find any 'you're a disappointment' cards?

[Silence replies, but Chase continues the conversation, bitterly.]

I didn't want your money. I never wanted your money. [And he pauses, and something makes him huff a laugh.]

Figured out it was all I was going to get. You don't think I might have wanted to say goodbye?

[Why would he, since-]

I hated you. Didn't mean I didn't still-

Doesn't matter, now. Look, why don't you take this down to the hospital. Probably find someone more interested in listening to your lectures, there. Sign a few copies of your books.

[Another wait for a response that doesn't come, and Chase's tone slips from sarcastic to something dull and flat.]

You don't have a shadow, here.

[A beat. An interruption.]

Sooner be in his than yours.

[And now the silence stretches long. Chase pushes his chair back from the table and stands, but neither party are done talking.]

Allison was wrong about that.

[Barely enough time for the invisible speaker to draw breath.]

Don't want to talk about it. We're not going to talk about it. [But someone doesn't agree and, jaw clenched, despite himself, Chase listens.] Right, and you walked out on two kids and your sick wife. Careful, dad, high ground's looking a little shaky.

[He turns, walking to a counter in the back of the room. The motions, a familiar glug and clink denote drink being poured. He speaks without turning.]

It's under control. Think I'd still have a job right now if I showed up for surgery with shaky hands?

[Pause.]

It's under control.

[Silence.

Silence.

Silence, but for the hard slam of the glass against the back wall. Liquid spilling.]

And maybe I'd prefer to be just like her.

|[VOICE]|

At least you're quiet.

[You only get Merlin's voice today, City. And it's not a very happy one. Distressed, more like, and shaky.

He considered text, but something about that just didn't feel right.]

They're not real, are they? I mean...

[Clearing his throat a little, he tries to get something more understandable across.]

Is anyone else seeing their father? This seems to be another staying-inside day, I don't think I feel up for much.

( Filtered to Arthur )

( Filtered to Charlie )

Isn't the whole positive side to being stuck in a place like this that you don't have to deal with this shit? I call not fucking fair on keeping these friendship-scales or whatever balanced better than this.

You, shut up. I'm trying to work here.