linkingup | IN THE FOREST OF THE LOST

The frames themselves seem duller. There's five of them, too.

[Hmm! Anything different between these five frames or are they all identical?]

If he looks closely, he can see different engravings at the bottom of each one...

A merry-go-round, an apple, a broken heart, a ...laptop?, and a cluster of sea grass.

[Huh... Maybe we need to put something in these? Anything else noteworthy about these frames?]

There's a feeling of something there, but- just looking at it isn't going to fix anything, is it?

[Apparently not! Does anything happen when he reaches out to touch the one with the apple on it?]

Edited 2024-09-29 01:33 (UTC)

Yes.

A much, much Mafuyu is in bed, flushed feverish and coughing as she clings to her rabbit. A storybook with two rabbits lies beside her, well loved, as her mother steps in-

"How do you feel, Mafuyu?"

"M-Mommy... I'm... Okay..."

It's followed by a harsh cough and her mother's face falls as she crouches beside the low bed.

"Oh, you poor thing... Just try and take it easy, okay? Hm... Your fever seems to have gone up, too. Would you mind taking off your pajamas, dear? I'd like to get you cleaned up and into some new ones."

Mafuyu nods and complies, and is quickly changed-

"Mommy... I'm sorry... I know you were really busy with the neighborhood association and everything..."

Mom smiles softly, petting her hair.

"Hehe. Oh, honey, your being sick takes priority over all of that. Your job is to get as much rest as you can today, so that once you're all better, you'll be able to show us all that beautiful smile of yours."

"Okay..."

"Oh, that reminds me. Our neighbors gave us some apples. You may be sick, but I'm sure they'll still taste just as good. Would you like me to make some apple sauce for you, dear? Or just cut them into slices?"

The little girl is quiet for a moment, before she makes a soft request:

"Bunnies..."

"Huh?"

"Bunnies... Make them look like bunnies."

"Hehe. You really love bunnies, don't you, Mafuyu? Just one moment, dear." and so she steps out, just long enough to fetch a plate, knife and an apple. it's a brilliant red. sitting back down, she works quietly for her child to watch. "There we are."

"Thank you..."

"Can you sit up? You don't have to if you don't think you can."

The illness has really, visibly taken a lot out of the girl.

"Maybe... I don't know."

"Then why don't we do this...? Open up for the airplane..."

Mafuyu does as told.

"Mmm... They're yummy. Thank you, Mommy..."

"Hehe. You're very welcome. Now, Mommy needs to go hoist the laundry on the patio, so try to get some sleep, okay, honey?"

As she gets up, Mafuyu moves, giving the woman some pause.

"Um- Mommy?"

"Yes, dear?"

"Can you stay and hold my hand...? Until I fall asleep...?"

"Hehe. My, aren't we full of demands today. Of course, dear. Now, lie down for me, and take my hand..."

Mafuyu happily settles back into bed, holding her mother's hand and giggling softly as if this is the best thing she could ever have. her mother smiles fondly, warmly- not at all like the cold-eyed woman she is now.

[...

A difficult scene to witness, one that would paint Mafuyu's mother in a better light. But then, if things were truly going this well for her, she wouldn't be here in a palace, now would she? Fray doesn't know all the details of her story, but he's seen enough in these brief glimpses into Mafuyu's life to know that this isn't all there is to see.

Let's try the laptop(?) next, what does that one show?]

Mafuyu steps into the entryway, closing the door behind her. She's... scared. But she has to be good.

"Mom, I'm home"

Mom walks over to the entryway, waiting in the living room.

"Welcome home, Mafuyu. How was school today?"

"Let me think... Oh, we started softball in P.E. today."

"My, is that so? It sounds like great stress relief!"

"Yeah. Maybe it's because I got to move around, but it felt like I could concentrate better when I was studying in the afternoon."

"I see, that's good." Mom seems so happy. Maybe... "Then you must be hungry. I'll start dinner early today, then. You should go get changed."

Mafuyu nods, and turns to go up the stairs with a cheerful "Mhm!" But her mother cuts off anything else...

"Oh- I just remembered..."

... Why does her stomach feel so heavy suddenly?

"What's wrong, Mom?"

"About your music equipment. I threw that away today."

".........................What?"

Her heart drops-

And Mom keeps smiling.

"Although I can understand your feelings about wanting to do music, with your music equipment at home, its hard not to notice, right? I thought that an environment where you can focus on studying would be better for you right now. And since you said you'd quit music anyway, I figured it was best to get it done quickly."

Mafuyu is quiet, trying desperately not to cry.

"..............Oh. ... It's... It's okay. I don't mind... Because I... don't need it right now."

She said the right words, right? Please let her go-

Mom smiles. "Right? I'm glad that you agree with me, Mafuyu."

".........Yeah."

"Ah- there's something else that I need to apologize to you for..."

... Huh? More? There's more? Mafuyu just stares.

"Remember that time I borrowed your computer to search for something? Well, I borrowed it for a little while today as well and accidentally spilled a drink on it. It wouldn't turn on at all, so I sent it in for repairs this afternoon. I'm truly sorry. Was there anything in there that you needed to hand in for school? If there was, I'll speak with your teacher-"

"........ Really....?"

Her music. Her lyrics... her photos and- and Nightcord...

"Is that.... really..."

"Really~?"

... How does she sound so playful and yet so terrifying? It's a warning, Mafuyu knows-

"... It's... Nothing. There wasn't anything for school on it, so it's alright... I'll go get changed..."

...

Her room feels so empty.

IN THE FOREST OF THE LOST

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