26 - video/action for beach house

[firstaid]

[The device turns on, obviously with its owner unaware of it doing so. The pink haired girl is in the kitchen pulling out a cookie pan of croquettes and placing them on the counter to cool for a bit as she removes the pink oven mitt from her hand. Picking up a fork, she impales one, then brings it up to his lips as she blows on it to cool it down. Taking a bite, she chews on it for a moment before proceeding to look sad.]

They don’t… taste the same…

[And the device turns off on its own.]

Comments

[firstaid]

But he said it was 'love'.

[And she still believes that right now. They don't taste off, they just don't taste the same.]

They are, but...

[She wanted to make them to comfort herself.]

[negativegate]

That can't be a real ingredient!

[She comes over and grabs one--then drops it, because it's hot, and she makes a face as she picks up a piece more carefully with a fork.]

It probably tastes fine, look...

[firstaid]

I think it is.

[Though she smiles at Rita's attempt to cheer her up by taking one to eat it. They are edible, but they just don't taste amazing.]

[negativegate]

How would you even put that in food?

[She blows on it, pops it in her mouth....

...It really doesn't taste the same.]

.....I-it tastes normal, like any croquette! See?

[firstaid]

[Rita's lying, and Estelle knows it, but she won't call her out on it. Instead, she smiles for her, the best she can right now.]

I'm glad you think so!

[negativegate]

[It is definitely edible, at least... Rita eats the rest of the croquette, slowly, thinking Estelle must be hurting.]

Of course. You might not have his secret ingredient, but they're still fine.

[firstaid]

[Which means they don't taste nearly as good as Yuri's croquettes. But that's okay. Nothing will be as good as his croquettes.

She grabs another one with a fork and blows on it before eating it. They did taste fine...]

Yes, they are.

[negativegate]

Estelle...

[Rita looks at her for a moment, not sure what to say...besides the obvious.]

He was bound to leave sometime, you know. I mean, he'd been here even longer than I have...

[firstaid]

[Her bottom lip quivers when she hears that, but she'll remain strong.]

I know. And I-- We will both see him again. Maybe here or maybe when we go home.

[negativegate]

No, Estelle.

[Rita will be strong, too. She faces her friend and stares her straight in the eye.]

It's not 'maybe'. Of course we will.

[firstaid]

[Estelle smiles just a bit at those words, and gives a nod.]

Yes, I'm sorry, of course we'll see him again.

[negativegate]

Exactly. He'll be in our world, so we can give him a piece of our minds then.

[Huff...]

[firstaid]

Yes.

[Her smile falters just a bit. When they go home... they won't remember, but that's okay.]