ii. video.

[thanatophobias]

[You can tell something about this message has been a long time coming when it first clicks on, revealing the bust of a young boy with uncertainty in his eyes. The moment he confirms it's recording is the moment he places down the communicator with small hands, before settling back and sitting down. His eyes are downcast, debating - until he gathers some more courage and starts talking.]

Someone died.

[There's a lengthy pause after the announcement. He just... doesn't want this to make him a freak. He has to remind himself he's not the only one with an ability no one else has. That's the only reason he's brought himself to reach out.]

I can see her sometimes. She wants my help, [As all the benevolent spirits who visit him do, in the end,] But she won't say anything.

I don't know what to do.

[Dr Malcolm isn't here to help him. They'd said goodbye once he'd helped that little girl back home, but - he wishes he were here to give him more advice, now.]

Comments

( video )

[abadidea]

[There's something that strikes Isaac as really wrong about the fact that there's a kid on this thing. As far as he knew, the only people who had access to the communicator network were imPorts. Were they using children, too? Go figure.

Still, he also knows a thing or two about being haunted by the dead, even if it's in your own mind, and it nearly drove him insane. He can't imagine what it must be like for a child. He's not really that great with children, he's never had any of his own, but the kid seems concerned, lost, and very alone.]

Uh, hey there, buddy. I'm Isaac. Could you...tell me a little bit more about what you're talking about?

[thanatophobias]

['Buddy'. He isn't sure he likes that, he isn't sure he likes the approach. It's too easy to feel like you're being questioned, analyzed.]

I see dead people.

[His answer is dry, blunt, almost defiant. Testing what the man's reaction will be.]

They come to me when they want something.

video

[aggressiveapathy]

[she can't tell if he's in the house or not, so rather than leaving her bedroom in search April just turns on the video.]

In the house?

[thanatophobias]

[Oh... right. This might freak out the other people in the house the most, right? Having dead people around...]

It's just - in my room.

[A little while lie.]

permavid

[demonspawn]

[ an exhale. ]

I was wondering what your power was. Not exactly what I was expecting, but okay.

[thanatophobias]

[What was he expecting?]

... I had it back home.

Video;

[blue_pheasant]

Ahhh, that sounds annoying. Try pretending to be asleep. Then, maybe she'll get bored.

[thanatophobias]

[Oh. Well. That's new.]

It doesn't work that way.

[The dead have all the time in the world.]

[video]

[myownbestfriend]

It's outside my normal scope, but I might be able to help.

[Emma doesn't doubt Cole for a second because ghosts and the people who can talk to them are totally a thing where she's from.]

[thanatophobias]

[Oh. Well.]

How come?

video.

[selfequipped]

[Kate looks at the other responses before she responds herself. It seems like a good idea to go in at least somewhat informed on this one.]

Hey, I've got a question about this. And it might be obvious, but: can she show you?

And can she show you with someone else there with you? Even if they can't see her.

[It seems like a good precaution.]

[thanatophobias]

[a pause.]

I think she wants to find someone.

[permavoice]

[heartstings]

So...that's what you can do. [Neat but also creepy.]

I read that sometimes ghosts have difficulty communicating with us so they need help. Like maybe with writing or something?

[thanatophobias]

[Yep.]

They make me do that sometimes. [They've possessed him before. Made him write things, made him hurt himself. That's clearly not the case here, though.]

I don't think she wants to.

[thanatophobias]

I'm at the house.

[A pause.]

I didn't call you this time because I don't have a lot of information.

video

[foreshadower]

[ A look of confusion. ]

If she won't say anything, how do you know she wants your help?

[thanatophobias]

That's why they come to me.

[either because they want help moving on, or... because their anger has held them to this Earth, and Cole is their target.]

video;

[glowsferatu]

Well, dying is something people tend to do, but they don't usually talk afterward. [ unless they come back, like she did, or you find your way to their little corner of the afterlife, which she's done. she looks off to the side with a sour look on her face, considering whether she should qualify that statement. ] ...Well, not in normal circumstances, at least.

But she'll need to help you if she expects to be helped. Where is she?

[thanatophobias]

[Sorry, Kanaya. Something just happened - the woman starts pointing at his communicator the moment her image flashes on video. Cole's first thought? She's pointing at her killer.]

Who are you?

voice

[enabeled]

[ Hmm. This is interesting. ]

How did she die? Do you know?

[thanatophobias]

I think she drowned.

audio;

[dragony]

What does she look like?

[ it's a calm, steady voice—like she's asking more about someone Cole saw at a coffee shop, rather than a ghost in his bedroom. ]

[thanatophobias]

[after a pause-]

She's grown up. Younger than my mom, I think. [another pause!] Her hair is red.

action

[ifnotloyal]

[ As much as Ace tries to tune out all the sounds he can pick up with his hearing, by far enhanced even beyond the norm of a dog, there's a few words he'll always pick up immediately. Died being one of them. Someone died and whoever is saying that is in the same house as he is. He can't ignore that, which is what will bring a dog a-looking around the door to Cole's room.

He won't barge in, but he will test the door to see if it's ajar or, if it's already open enough, peer inside. If it's entirely shut, he'll opt scratch at it a bit, indicating he's out there. ]

[thanatophobias]

[It's shut, and Cole hears the scratching, looking away from the communicator and over his shoulder to pause and make sure he heard it right. The moment it continues is the moment he gets on his feet and makes his way to open the door, looking down. He expects to see something smaller - a cat, Terry's dog Terror, or even one of April's minions. Not... this guy.

He looks at one side of the hallway, then to the other.]

voice; the actual latest...

[waiting]

Cole? [ To be honest, he'd been half-expecting something like this to happen, but he'd been hoping not. One of those times where a little fourth-wall-breaking knowledge isn't welcome.

Skimming the post, though, it looks like most people have covered whatever Bradbury could have said. After a moment, he continues, quietly. ]

Why didn't you say anything sooner?

[thanatophobias]

... I don't know.

[He knows perfectly well why. Because he didn't want to be labeled a freak by people he hardly knew. Or knew at all.]