[Video; un: Snowpiercer]

[peacemongering]

[Pierce doesn't normally make announcements, except when it comes to internal company memos and the like. He keeps things strictly business most of the time, but he is making this addition to the network from his communal housing room. He looks grave and upset, but he is clearly wanting those who might wish to know the information that he has obtained.]

To anyone who knew and was friends with Miss Ava Orlova, I regret to have you inform you all that she has returned back through the portal. While we had only begun to build a relationship, she was the closest person to having one of my daughters back, and I will miss her.

[He sighs heavily and folds his hands together, managing a grief-stricken smile.]

If anyone has any stories of her exploits, I would very much value hearing about them.

Comments

private video; un: goaskalice

[royalpassport]

[ Jefferson didn't know Ava, but he does know what it's like to be separated from your children. For that reason, he's responding without his usual mask, but rather, with raw sincerity. ]

Did you get a chance to say goodbye?

private

[peacemongering]

[There was something distinctly different from the man he had met in the park. This was clearly a subject that hit close to home. He kept his expression schooled to that of continued grieving.]

Unfortunately, no. That would have made this a bit easier but not much. You... have suffered a similar loss?

private

[royalpassport]

Yeah. Pretty similar. [ Jefferson hesitates for a moment, then elaborates: ] Only I was the one who was sent through a portal.

[ Well, the one who chose to go through a portal, and then was trapped. ]

[peacemongering]

And did you have a good reason for taking the portal?

[He isn't entirely certain if Jefferson is speaking of this portal or a different one, so he expects the answers might come with some gentle probing.]

What was your daughter's name?

[royalpassport]

I thought I did. [ And judging by the tone of his voice, and the look on his face, he knows now just how wrong he was in that assumption. ]

Grace. [ Pause. ] How long has it been since you've seen them? Your daughters.

[peacemongering]

But that clearly isn't the case now. How you must have suffered realizing that mistake. [His sad expressions shifts to sympathy. While his 'loss' is difficult, he can't imagine leaving behind his children undefended.]

A lovely name. Have you seen her since you went through the portal? [He considers for a moment.] My blood relative daughters? A few months, which is longer than usual. Our family makes a point of get togethers to keep bonds strong.

[royalpassport]

[ The corner of Jefferson's mouth twitches, but he doesn't need to say anything to confirm as much: suffering's pretty much a constant these days. ]

I've seen her. She doesn't... see me. [ That's the easiest way of putting it.

Months. What he wouldn't give to be able to go back, back to when it had only been months since he'd last spoken to Grace, rather than decades. ]

Sorry. Must drive you crazy, knowing you can't see them here.

[peacemongering]

[While this is clearly a private matter, he still is perfectly confident in realizing that this is a hot button that can cause immense emotional trauma in this man. That is not a gift lightly taken, and he will use it in only the best of situations.]

She doesn't know you. [He hazards a guess, but oh how fitting is that? The man with the asset's face has someone who doesn't recognize or acknowledge him. Karpov would have a right laugh about it.] That is, perhaps, the most painful fate a father can endure.

[He sighs heavily.] I am fortunate in that my children are grown to adults and they have children of their own. My presence is an added bonus, but they have their own lives. It simply makes me appreciate the little things in life.

[royalpassport]

[ THANKS, PIERCE.

Jefferson rubs his eyes quickly, a quick swipe of his hand as he takes a breath. ]

She doesn't know who I am, no. [ Or didn't. She must know him now, with the curse ending. ] Even if she did...
[ She'd want nothing to do with him. ]

The little things... [ He laughs gloomily and forces a smile, though really, with his eyes getting a bit red and teary, and his general air of an insomniac, the effect is a bit... well. Mad, probably. ] Like tea and crossword puzzles.

[peacemongering]

[Ah yes, that was rather raw, wasn't it? He frowns to the idea that Jefferson isn't recognized by his own child. He can only imagine the pain that would be caused by such a state.]

Even if she did, what you've done is unforgivable? Is that where you are going with that?

[He smiles and leans back in his chair, staring down at the table in front of him as he recalls all the little things his girls did when they were young.] Like watching their faces light up when you bring them a new stuffed toy. Like kissing them goodnight. Like being called daddy.

[royalpassport]

[ He lets out a short breath of a bitter, unpleasant laugh. ]

Yeah. [ No elaboration, as if Jefferson isn't constantly giving so much of himself away regardless of what he says.

And those words of Pierce's are like scalpels, precise and cutting. ]

Memories. You can't survive on those forever.

[peacemongering]

[No elaboration is necessary as he can already imagine how this is all going to play if there is enough pushing on his part. It doesn't even seem completely necessary either.

This man is broken.]

But you can survive on them for a long time. How long have you so far?

[royalpassport]

[ He is. SO DON'T MAKE IT WORSE, PIERCE.

Jefferson starts to respond-- at least twenty-eight years-- then stops himself, considers, and tries again: ]

Too long. Time loses all meaning, after a while.

[peacemongering]

[He's a bit confused by that given how young this person appears to be. He had learned since arriving here that not everyone was as it seemed with other times and worlds, so perhaps this was a different scenario?

He nods his head slowly, understanding pinching his lips.]

I can understand that. What would you do to see her again if you could?