1: [Action | Video]

[blue_macarons]

[Action]

[[Garry's ratty coat is doing nothing for him in this frigid weather. His teeth chatter together as he tries to balance the many items in his arms and shove them into his pockets. A pamphlet, this communicator phone thing, some money (what is this, some sort of theme park or convention?!), his lighter, the necklace, his rose ...

His eyes fall to Ib's handkerchief, still wrapped gently around his injured hand.

From one far away place to another. At least it seems like this world is a lot less likely to get him killed. He wonders if his rose means just as much here as it did there. And just as well, he hopes that Ib, at least, made it back safe---to her parents, to safety, to home. If she isn't with him right now, many he can count on the fact that she's okay! Brave, resilient Ib doesn't deserve to be away from them any longer.

Still, he feels a bit forlorn that he can't keep his promise to see her again, and give her back her handkerchief, or go get macarons. At least, not any time soon.

He's stuck. And not for the first time.

With another furious shiver, he trudges across the Bay, and buries his cold nose in the map to look for an inn or something to keep him until he can figure something else out. And soon. It's freezing.]]


[Video]

[[He's looking rather worse for wear, and very, very cold, but he forces out an awkward, weak smile nonetheless.]]

H-Heh, I ... I guess this place w-wants me to stay. I suppose it c-could be worse!

I'm going to the inn ... I think th-there's enough money here for th-that. There's so m-much I have to f-figure out.

If by any ch-chance you run into a little girl---brown h-hair, red eyes, her name is Ib---l-let her know Garry's here! I h-hope she's made it back home, though! Her p-parents must be worried sick!

Ah, and th-the map is helpful, yes, but does anyone know of any coat s-stores and th-their cross-streets? I'd b-be so grateful!

Comments

Video;

[delicate_rose]

[What? Did you just call for a little girl with brown hair and red eyes? Because that's what you're going to get now, except you can only see part of her face because the weird camera angle.]

Garry! I was looking all over for you.

[She's so happy to see you right now.]

Video;

[blue_macarons]

[[Garry blinks at the screen for a moment, but from what little he does see, it's certainly familiar! And then there is no mistaking her voice!

He feels a little guilty, because he's somewhat grateful that she's here---and remorseful all at once, that she isn't home where she belongs.]]

Ib! Y-You're here, too! Are you alright?! W-Where are you?

Video;

[delicate_rose]

I'm okay.... There are very nice people here who helped me when I got here the other day. I'm at... uhm... [what are long words....] that Children's House I think it's called..?

Are you at the weird water place?

Video;

[blue_macarons]

O-Oh! Good, y-you found safety! The people are nice here ... then th-this place isn't another painting.

[[At least he dares to hope. He definitely hopes that no one is like Mary, here.

At any rate, forget the cold! Ib is here!]]

Yes, yes, I am! Do you need me to come get you? I can run over right away!

[[He'd find it SOMEhow!]]

Video; -> Action;

[delicate_rose]

[You have no idea how relieved she is to see you. She couldn't help that small giggle in response. Not because it was funny, per se, but just.... she was just happy... Happy that she wasn't alone.]

I can come over. I think I remember the way.

[Well, She's already moving. Jerry was nice enough to buy her a coat -- which was surprising to see such a nice person after being in the Fabricated World -- so she already tugging it on and out the door.]

Action

[killerrose]

[Ib's already had a hard time running into her past self. She's been avoiding the network since but then she hears a familiar voice ring out from her phone. She doesn't look at the screen, instead she wanders out to see if it's really true.

Only it can't be. Garry, her Garry, is dead.

She stops at the Bay and stands in the shadows until she sees the familiar messy mass of hair. Her fingers reach into her pocket turning over the lighter again and again. It can't really be him... It's little Ib's Garry.

Ib doesn't step forward, she doesn't say anything but she also doesn't try to hide.]

Action

[blue_macarons]

[[He almost walks right on by, but as he passes someone, he lowers the map from his gaze with a sigh. What a mess this all is.

He catches her in his peripheral, and maybe it's his time in the Fabricated World that makes him turn sharply at anything or anyone that might hide in the shadows. He swivels quickly on his heel so he faces her head-on.

Then he reminds himself that reacting harshly has consequences, so he tries to calm himself down from the startle.]]

Ah! Ahah, I'm sorry ma'am.

[[Fair skin, long, brown hair, those eyes ...

Why are they so familiar?]]

H-Hello, ah ... would you by any chance know w-where I may buy a-another coat? I do love this one b-but it's rather thin for this w-weather ...

Action

[killerrose]

[Ib closes her eyes and then steps from the shadows. She doesn't say a word and instead walks past him. She pauses and then looks back at him.]

This way.

[She's trying to figure out what to say, of course he doesn't recognize her. She's at least twice the age that she was when they first met. She probably doesn't look anything like that little girl anymore.]

Action

[blue_macarons]

A-Ah ... thank you.

[[He doesn't know why, but as she steps forward and ahead of him, she has his full attention.

Strange. And the small intonation of her voice makes him take pause for a moment.

Whoever this woman is, though, she seems rather cold. He keeps his guard up, just in case this place is the work of the Fabricated World, and this woman might be a part of it.

Yeah. That must explain the odd sensation of familiarity here. Maybe. Sort of.

Argh. He doesn't know.

He clears his throat and follows after her.]]

... My name is Garry. Are you ... have you been here very long?

[Video]

[lookprofessor]

[Sorry Garry. Luke spent too much time out in the cold sans coat yesterday--not that there's much his little coat could do to help the taller boy even if he tried. He sniffs before speaking on the phone, clearing his throat.

The kid that answers can't be more than fourteen, wide brown eyes blinking.]

Miss Ib? She's at the house for children. I showed her the way last night.

[The teen sneezes, then tilts his head.] There's a coat shop not too far from there but I can't remember the street. Are you still by the Bay? I can come show you the way if you'd like!

[Video]

[blue_macarons]

[[Garry isn't too keen on being especially trusting (even to little kids, because Mary did a number on them), but ...

... Well.

... This boy obviously has a cold and really, Garry is a silly, bleeding heart at the core.]]

Ah, thank you very much for looking after her! She's already contacted me. And don't you fret; it looks like you've got a bit of a bug!

What's your name?

[[And please don't turn out to be a crazy painting kid.]]

[Video]

[lookprofessor]

Oh! I'm okay. I've got root remedy tea and that'll help with a cold just fine, but thank you--even if it's awfully bitter. It works most of the time...

[Luke blinks at the camera, tilting his head.]

I ran into her after running to the grocery and a gentleman never ever leaves a lady in distress, so I stopped to help her. I was going to leave her my coat too but they said they could help her find one. At that shop, by the house for children--see? [Aaaand we've come full circle.

Luke is approximately as harmless as flower.]

[Video]

[blue_macarons]

[[jfdklsa;

Oh no. Garry's heart is melting at the thought of this little gentleman escorting Ib and offering his little coat and jfdklas

And he knows for a fact that Ib is safe so this boy canNOT be like Mary.]]

Perhaps if you add honey, maybe it'll taste a tad sweeter!

[[Garry smiles.]]

Seems like you know your way around! How long have you been here?

[[The boy certainly seems more at ease than Garry, that's for sure.]]

video;

[firefandance]

Hello. My inn is near by if you want to get warm.

[She is pretty sure she has seen someone fitting that description, but she can't be sure.]

As for your friends, I might have seen someone like that, but I need to think about it a bit more.

video;

[blue_macarons]

Ahh! You run the inn?

[[Garry gives her a grateful grin.]]

I-I'll probably be there soon, if you have any vacant rooms, miss!

[[He chuckles weakly.]]

Yes, I got to speak with her---seems like she may have a good number of friends already, so if you did see her, thank you for looking out!

To be honest, I wish she was sent home instead, but I'm glad she wasn't alone.

video;

[firefandance]

If you are talking about the one near the Bay then you are correct.

[She nodded slightly.]

I do and I assume you'll want to use the Hot Springs?

[She paused, giving a small smile.]

I understand that need to not to want people you know be here. Because if they were to leave then... it hurts a lot.

video;

[blue_macarons]

[[Ahhh hot springs! Garry's grin widens further.]]

That sounds absolutely lovely.

[[He bows his head.]]

Ahh. She's so young, too, and she's been away from her parents for too long. Now that she is here, well, I don't know how I'd feel if she left.

Oh! And my name is Garry! It's a pleasure to meet you!

video;

[strawberrypenguin]

I'm not surprised you're cold.

[Because he was not really wearing something that was suitable for the weather when he looks at it.]

I think not only do you need an inn you need a clothes store.

video;

[blue_macarons]

[[Garry shivers and gives a weak smile.]]

D-Definitely! You wouldn't h-happen to know a place, would you?

video;

[strawberrypenguin]

Inn or clothes?

[he mentioned two places so he had to ask.]

video;

[blue_macarons]

The c-clothes? I think I can find the inn.

[[sheeeeepish]]

I hope at least. I-Is is always this cold here?

video;

[eighthchild]

[Hikari knows who he might be talking about.]

I think I meant someone fitting that description. I'm glad you have someone here you know. [She genuinely was as she smiled happily.]

video; AHHH HIKARI <3

[blue_macarons]

[[Garry's expression instantly brightens.]]

Yes! I'm glad she wasn't alone for long, too. Are you one of her new friends? I'm Garry. I'm---well, Ib and I met rather recently as well, but I'm grateful to everyone for keeping her safe while I wasn't with her.

video;

[eighthchild]

I don't think I would call her a friend. We met once and I think she's nice.

[In her mind she was pretty sure they could get along at least.]

video;

[blue_macarons]

[[He nods.]]

Well, it's nice to meet you, regardless. What's your name?

[[Ib, Luke, this girl ... this place has quite a bit of children unattended. He hopes that she isn't alone here.]]

And how long have you been here?

[[So far, Garry's gotten a range of answers---a few days, fifteen months ... ah, this place is just too much.]]