video;

[cry_reaper]

[The video opens simply enough to Mara flipping through a fashion magazine. Every so often, she frowns and looks over at an empty chair. The looks start to come more often and will less amusement until she finally closes the magazine and speaks.]

For Hades' sake, will you shut the hell UP! This is my home and my life now, you have no right to criticize.

[She picks up the magazine again and throws it down a moment later.]

That's enough, I won't take this anymore. Get out of my house! Now!

[She has no idea she's glaring at an empty chair as she points towards the hallway.]

Comments

[ohcurses]

[Video, from Justin's network device]

Mara? Who're you talking to?

[cry_reaper]

[Of course it was recording. It would be. She has to do a double-take when she sees the face with the network ID.]

Justin?

[ohcurses]

More or less, yes.

Are you okay?

[cry_reaper]

[There's a slight shrug. She's seen stranger.]

As can be with my Father here.

[ohcurses]

Your father isn't here.

[cry_reaper]

Of course he is, didn't you just see him telling me I've been shirking my duties... again.

[ohcurses]

No. [a bit more gently] It's a curse. There's no one there.

[cry_reaper]

But he's... [Wait for it.] Oh, shite, not this again.

[ohcurses]

Sorry.

[Not for pointing out the fact that it's a curse so much as any unpleasant feelings that might result from said pointing out.]

[cry_reaper]

It isn't your fault, it's just... I've never been fond of him.

[ohcurses]

That's understandable.

[Not that he knows her father, but he can at least sympathize.]

Is he still there?

[voice]

[cold_dry_pieces]

There's no one there.

[cry_reaper]

Yes, I don't think he's going to leave. The last time this happened he was at my side constantly. [You can imagine how pleasant that was.]

[voice]

[cry_reaper]

Of course there is, he's right there.

[she moves the camera back to the empty chair.]

[voice]

[cold_dry_pieces]

I still don't see anyone.

[voice]

[cry_reaper]

You don't- [Here it comes...] Not again.

[ohcurses]

Have you tried convincing him he isn't real? It didn't work with my father, but it confused him. That was satisfying.

[cry_reaper]

Last time this happened I did. He claimed that I had indulged myself a bit too much at the District and needed to wait until the hallucinations passed before making such declarations.

Would that he had been right.

[hatesthefood]

.... sweetheart? Who's there?

[ohcurses]

At least this will end.

[voice]

[cold_dry_pieces]

Cursed.

[cry_reaper]

My father. Come to join us in the City.

[cry_reaper]

I wonder if ear-plugs would work to tune him out?

[voice]

[cry_reaper]

Apparently so. I dislike this curse.

[voice]

[cold_dry_pieces]

Because it's someone you don't want to see?

[voice]

[cry_reaper]

My father.

[voice]

[cold_dry_pieces]

It won't last.

[voice]

[cry_reaper]

I know. I just have to... wait it out I guess.

[voice]

[cold_dry_pieces]

At least you know it's not real.

[voice]

[cry_reaper]

[There's a sigh.] It doesn't make it any less noisy.

[voice]

[cold_dry_pieces]

It doesn't make it easier to tune out?

[ohcurses]

I wouldn't count on it.

[hatesthefood]

Where is he?

[cry_reaper]

Lovely.

[cry_reaper]

Here in the living room - didn't you see him?

[hatesthefood]

.... no. Not so much.

[cry_reaper]

He was right... [Hold on...]