† 003

[hullonurse]

[Video switches on, the communicator looking up at England's face. There's her eyes are wide and she looks very disturbed. On her lap, a woman's head is resting. There's no sign of life on her face, though her features are similar to Rosemary's, and England's free hand is tangled up in her long, red hair.

But you only have a few seconds to take that sight in before England quickly fumbles with the communicator to switch it to voice as she originally intended.]

What's going on? [Her voice is a little shaky, but she's clearly trying to hide that.] They weren't- They weren't even here how could they have...

This is a trick, yes? [Laughs a little, sounding slightly hysterical.] It's not funny, you know! They're all too stubborn for this anyway!

Comments

[hullonurse]

I will be if you keep that attitude up. How do you take your tea?

[crotchroses.livejournal.com]

Plain, nothing added.

[hullonurse]

[England freezes up, confused for a moment about just what the hell is going on.] ... What are you doing?

[crotchroses.livejournal.com]

I am tired and distraught and I happen to find you comforting.

[hullonurse]

I didn't give you permission to touch me. [But that does make her feel a little bad for him.] Sit down if you're tired. I can comfort you without being touched.

[crotchroses.livejournal.com]

[hullonurse]

[Grabs his arm and pushes it away from her.] I meant it, you know, I'm not in the mood for this bullshit right now.

[crotchroses.livejournal.com]

... I... I need to cook something.

[hullonurse]

The kitchen is all yours, dear.

[crotchroses.livejournal.com]

... Merci.

[hullonurse]

You're welcome.

[ Rosemary quickly finishes making the tea, placing France's cup near him on the counter but not disturbing him. She adds milk and sugar to her own and walks to the table, wanting a moment to collect herself. The smell of the tea comforts her slightly, but not nearly enough. Even though she's no longer looking at them, she can't shake the images of her sisters and-

Just as she reaches the table, she feels herself step on something that feels oddly like flesh.] ... Fuck. [She scrunches her eyes shut.] Fuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuck...

[crotchroses.livejournal.com]

... Rose-- Who... who is it?

[hullonurse]

[Yes, she stunning. Blond, curly hair half falling out of a bun, purple cape complementing the bruises and blood around her neck perfectly, as if she's been strangled...

Not that England can see, with her eyes still screwed shut.] I-I don't.... I don't want to look... [She lets out something half laugh and half sob.] What... do they look like?

[crotchroses.livejournal.com]

Don't think on it. Turn, look at me instead.

[hullonurse]

[She pauses and then steps back towards Francis, her eyes flickering open as she bumps against his chest- and that quick glance is all she needs to recognise the figure on the floor before she starts to fall to her knees.]

[crotchroses.livejournal.com]

N-non-- It isn't real. It isn't...

[hullonurse]

[She doesn't pull away from his grasp, at least, but she doesn't pick herself back up either.]

... She's dead. But I didn't kill her. So it can't be her. She wouldn't dare.

[crotchroses.livejournal.com]

She is not dead.

It's a trick. It's false. I-- I saw--... I saw Arthur, but I know he is alive.

[hullonurse]

You can check. [Snaps back without thinking much and shudders.]

... I know it's not her.

[crotchroses.livejournal.com]

[hullonurse]

[Keeps staring at the corpse... Then she takes a deep breath and stands up unsteadily.] ... Sorry.

[crotchroses.livejournal.com]

... Don't be.

We will have tea and something to eat, non? Let's think of better things, like literature and the bright green countryside lit by the blue skies overhead.