[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

text: scavenger.rey

[talentedscavenger]

I didn't know her, but I am sorry for your loss, Alexander.

video | @minsu

[foxtrots]

[oh. it's one of his roommates. minsu has seen him, but they haven't really spoken before.

but he looks sad, and minsu feel sad, and maybe that's as good an opportunity to make a new friend as any.]

I didn't know her, but...would you like me to bring you some tea?

[he makes that where he works too, and he's seen this man make it, smelled it coming from his cup.]

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?

Video. un: ilikehorses

[shoplifter]

[She's not about to tell the guy about her own terrible luck with her father, having lost him after only just getting him — it's too raw and terrible a topic, some days — but she does feel a small thump of sympathy, that sympathy that had been nearly squashed by scientists and soldiers and an unfair lack of hugs and braids and storybooks.]

Is she going to be safe there? At home?

[That's always her biggest concern, when someone goes missing.]

[peacemongering]

Thank you for your kind words. It is a shame you hadn't met her. I think you two would have gotten on well.

[peacemongering]

[Ah yes, his roommate. They had not had formal introduction as of yet, but he had smiled at the young man in passing.

He nods his head, appreciating the gesture.]

That would be very kind of you. We should be formally introduced as well.

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?

[peacemongering]

[He'd seen this one on the network a few times, and she seemed all too young to be without some sort of parental guidance. At the same time, she seemed... hardened, like she had seen more than most children her age.]

I like to think so, little Miss. She has a lot to endure, I suspect, but she's strong so she will do alright.

[talentedscavenger]

You're welcome. A shame I wont' meet her, but you never know. You may see her again.

Are you doing okay?

[foxtrots]

[it's these little acceptances that please minsu more than he can put into words. being able to do something nice for someone feels good. earning their approval feels good. it feels a little bit like forgiveness, even though he knows it's not that simple.

he smiles faintly, knowing too that tea can only do so much. he ate for days after he first arrived, it barely took the edge off of missing someone.]

My shift's about to be over. [no, it was over two hours ago. minsu lingered.] I'll come straight back.

[an introduction. his smile warms a little more.]

I'm Minsu. Hi.

private video; un: ren

[killthepast]

Is it really so tragic?

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]

I hope so, though she may well enjoy being back in her time more than here. She had indicated that there were tasks yet undone.

I am managing. Her leaving has been unexpected.

[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?

private video

[peacemongering]

[He sits back in his chair and folds his arms over his chest, and the aura of grief that he has been displaying evaporates like smoke.]

No, not particularly. However, to test the waters of the public network is sometimes necessary to see where people's sympathies lay.

[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.

[peacemongering]

[He smiles, though it's tinged with sadness still. This is quite unexpected after all, but he appreciates the gesture all the same. So few people are willing to set aside their life for the emotions of a near complete stranger.]

That is very kind of you. I look forward to sharing a cup of tea with you, Minsu.

[He nods at the camera.] I'm Alexander.

private video

[killthepast]

[ Ren's expression shifts to one of greater interest as he watches Pierce drop the act. ]

You're wise to do it. People are too free with their sentimentality. [ THEY GIVE EVERYTHING AWAY IN A HEARTBEAT.

Unlike him.

He definitely never does.

Ever. ]

[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]

[Pierce knows he's wise, and he also knows how to play the game. He's been doing it for quite some time, but he doesn't allow his act to drop often or readily.

Ren just happens to be a special case.]

They are. Miss Orlova would have made an excellent asset, but in her passing out of focus early, it seems fitting to use that to greatest effect all the same.

She hid inside of her a monster she was terrified of losing control of.

[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.

[killthepast]

[ Honestly, it reminds him of Snoke, and their conversations... only minus the sneering cruelty, so hey. Pierce is way ahead of his old master already.

And oh, there it is, his pesky empathy. Now it makes an appearance, even as he's trying to prove that others are sentimental, and he is not. ] Perhaps, if she were to return, I could offer her guidance. [ Because that 'monster' hits so close to home. ]

What could the girl do?

[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.

Video @the.boneless

[ragnarsson]

[Oh look, it's the old dude with the good advice.]

I didn't know her well, but she once made sure I didn't die in a fire.

[He says this very blithely like his life being in danger of being snuffed out is a pretty regular thing, which really, it is.]

Not that I was in any danger anyway. [Lies. He would have either burned to death or died of smoke inhalation.]