Video

[notayoungkitten]

[She looks tired, and rather sad.]

It's difficult to believe I have already been in this tower for five years.
 
I believe I am in need of a hard drink. Is anyone interested in joining me?

Comments

[worldend_dominator]

[Rosa does not exactly recognize the woman in the video.]

A...drink? There is a place for those things here?

[Funny, how this woman seems to know despite only being here for five years. Then again, Rosa might have forgotten. Despite only being 55, the stresses of the years had taken her toll, leaving her mind and body older than her actual years.]

[notayoungkitten]

[She seems to be considering this.]

I seem to recall there was. Perhaps it is gone now.

[worldend_dominator]

I think I went there once years ago.

[At a time when she had gotten so desperate for something to deal with the threat that she suppressed her fear of someone poisoning her drink.]

It's been so long. Nobody wants to run a bar forever.

[notayoungkitten]

Of course. I suppose that makes sense.

I wonder if there is still alcohol around this tower somewhere. I hadn't thought of it before.

[worldend_dominator]

If there is, I hope it's not in a place that Maria can get to. She's still just a child.

[notayoungkitten]

Hopefully not.

[worldend_dominator]

Speaking of Maria, have you seen her? She went out to play today, but she hasn't returned for lunch.

[Of course, Rosa was now a little insane and saw every child as Maria. She couldn't quite say which one she had asked to join her for lunch.]

[notayoungkitten]

I'm sorry, I have not.

[worldend_dominator]

I see. That child, where could she have gone...?

[notayoungkitten]

I'm sure she'll turn up.

[worldend_dominator]

W-what if she doesn't? What if the monsters get her?

[It's obvious that Rosa is working herself up into a fit.]

[notayoungkitten]

Calm down.

I'm sure she's safe.

[worldend_dominator]

But she always runs off. And...sometimes she doesn't return for days...

[notayoungkitten]

[Ocelot is concerned now. Mostly for Rosa.]

You know how children are. My sons could walk into a battlefield and survive without a scratch. I'm sure she is fine.

[worldend_dominator]

That's your son! This is my Maria!

[notayoungkitten]

Children are children, are they not?

[worldend_dominator]

Maria acts even younger than her actual age. S-she can't take care of herself in a place like this!

How have you been raising your child!?

[notayoungkitten]

He grew up a long time ago.

This place is dangerous, yes, but I am sure that she is fine.

[worldend_dominator]

[She opens her mouth to answer, but is hit by a bout of coughing triggered by her agitated state.]

[notayoungkitten]

Do you.... Do you want to talk about this in person?

let's say she's on floor 4!

[worldend_dominator]

[More coughing, and then finally a little nod.]

[notayoungkitten]

[And she eventually finds her. Vaguely, she thinks that it's strange that Rosa would age so much in five years, but it must be the fault of the tower. Whoever is in charge right now must be messing with people again, but that won't stop her from doing her best to attempt to comfort her.]

You need to start from the beginning so that I can help you.

[worldend_dominator]

[By now, Rosa is taking deep breaths and has regained some of her composure.]

I-I greeted her in the halls this morning. She told me she was going out to play. I asked her to join me for lunch, but when I went downstairs to look for her, she wasn't there in the cafeteria. I waited, but she didn't come.

[notayoungkitten]

[Ocelot gives her a sympathetic look, trying to figure things out. She isn't even entirely sure what child Rosa is talking about. The name Maria doesn't ring any bells, but then, people have come and gone for so long she can't really be sure.]

What does she look like?

[worldend_dominator]

She's tiny for her age.

[Rosa, in her madness, has herself forgotten much of Maria's appearance.]

[notayoungkitten]

[She nods.]

How old is she? Seven? Five?

[worldend_dominator]

Nine...I think...

[She remembers Maria as nine, but...wouldn't she have...grown up?]

[notayoungkitten]

[She's thoughtful.]

I haven't seen anyone that young around. At least not very often. Do you remember anything else? Anything distinctive on?

[worldend_dominator]

[She thinks, and then shakes her head.]

N-no...I can't...remember.

[notayoungkitten]

[Her face falls a bit, concerned. Not being able to remember someone you desperately want to protect... that seemed like a terrible curse.]

Lets look for her together.

[worldend_dominator]

[She nods.]

Thank you. Which way first?

[Hopefully, her body would last during her frenzied search.]

[notayoungkitten]

[If she can, she'll try and get Rosa to rest. Somehow, without hurting her. She's not even sure if the girl is actually here in the Tower, but she's become soft.

It can't hurt.]

voice

[beknightedheroine]

Right back atcha, lady. So - is it your towerversary today, or are you just feeling all nostalgic? Either or.

I think a guy used to run a bar. Of course, there even used to be a guy with infinite pancakes, but he's not around now, and I kinda doubt the other one is.

[notayoungkitten]

My anniversary is some time away, but there's always a time to look back.

I must be getting confused, then.

[She laughs.]

I suppose I could see if there's a way to distill my own.