text; pockets full of stones

[nascensibility]

[She very much debates sending this. It isn't her style, not after the losses she's endured, not after the way this place takes, and takes, and takes, so much that it becomes commonplace, that she should find herself numb to it. Evelyn doesn't particularly anticipate replies; people go missing every day.

Her son's room is entirely empty. Evelyn knows what it means.]

If anyone sees a tow-headed boy, eight years old, please contact me.

His name is Alex.

E. O'Connell

Comments

text

[scoutsniper]

[Fuck. Yeah, that pretty much covers Frank's thought process. ]

where have you searched already?

[It's probably pointless, but it's something he can do.]

text 1/2

[nascensibility]

His room. The library. The stables. The orchards.

[She knows the first one counts the most, though. The first one is what defines it. Solidifies it. Evelyn has never wanted so desperately to entertain denial.]

I can't find him. And his room is completely empty. Usually when that happens, it

text

[nascensibility]

It means the person has left, permanently.

text

[spycurious]

[Though he doesn't know the true extent of what Evelyn has endured in this place, it doesn't take much to guess, just knowing the tenure of her stay and the chaos of every event. Regardless, he can't imagine what she's feeling. All he can do is try to help.]

I'll help search for him and I'll enlist Caleb as well.

[It's only been four months for Ben, but he knows what it means when someone is gone--he's read the lore chronicled in current and former residents' records. If Alex is gone, then he's gone, but it isn't Ben's place to remark on a mother's grief except to offer her some support.]

Please tell me if there is anything else I can do.

[nascensibility]

[If Alex is gone, he's gone, and Evelyn can take comfort knowing that he is safe back home, but it doesn't help strangle the nerves of a mother who only recently reunited with her child after years apart.

Logic says her son is gone. Desperate hope says otherwise.]

The stables. He often went to visit the horses.

If you don't find him, just

I'm sorry, I don't know what to say. I don't know.

text;

[restinglichface]

[one of the kids in this place is missing? well fuck. Lup may not know Evelyn very well, but since the other woman reached out to help her not too long ago, she'll do her best to return the favor.]

ill keep an eye out sis
any places in particular you need checkin?

text;

[nascensibility]

I've been here long enough to know that the state of his room makes it unlikely he is still here, but...if you see him around the caves, or the grounds, please

please let me know.

text

[screwedontight]

I'm going to assume the room is empty, but don't give a shit. You got anyone checking the maze and beach and all yet?

[He's lost only a few, but they were enough, and she was there for him when it happened.]

[nascensibility]

His room is empty. I'm not expecting results, I just
I don't know what I was thinking. I don't want to think he's gone.

I only just got him back.

text ; private }

[deathlessness]

[Private for two reasons: 1) she doesn't particularly want it getting out that this is a Thing she can Do otherwise she'd likely be inundated with requests all the time, and she doesn't want to waste her magic for just anyone. 2) She senses that Evelyn already knows what the truth is, and she doesn't want it being held against her if she decides she doesn't want that confirmation quite yet.]

I could perform a locator spell if you like.

text ; private }

[nascensibility]

[Evelyn doesn't expect this response, but she appreciates it all the same. While very nearly certain that her son is not in residence any longer, she'd...she'd rather know.

She needs something concrete.]

Please. If it isn't too much trouble.

voice; private;

[ofletters]

[ They both already know. If his room's empty, then...

... But... ]

He could still come back. It's always a possibility. Even if he doesn't remember being here, he'll always remember you.

voice; private;

[nascensibility]

[They know. They both know. Evelyn can rail against the unfairness and hope for something better, but it always happens this way.

It always ends like this.]

I know that. [Sam knows better than to be optimistic, too. She lets out a shaky breath.] I know. I just- I'd waited so long-

( text. )

[wildwest]

where did you last see him?

( text. )

[nascensibility]

His rooms. But they're empty - completely empty - so I anticipate that finding him will be more fruitless than successful.

I just
I want to be sure.
If he's not here, then...I want to be sure.

TEXT

[endingpoint]

[ Oh, no. Not this. God, not to Evelyn. Jane's heart breaks for her, and she knows. Evelyn knows too, she's been here long enough and it makes it all the more terrible.

Jane doesn't even know what to say, sure that she has people who are much better versed in things like this than she is. So she settles for something heartfelt, that she means with no hesitation. ]

I'm here for you. Whatever you need.

TEXT -> VIDEO

[nascensibility]

Thank you.

[Evelyn knows it is a gesture of goodwill in a time of need and she can’t ask for more than the thought alone, what it took to reply at all. But Jane deserves more than quiet gratefulness after offering to protect and help both Evelyn and her son.

She switches the feed to video.

When she does it is clear she is tired, rubbed thin and raw. Evelyn has become accustomed to disappointment but that doesn’t make it sting any less.]

...I need a friend.

text;

[startingpoint]

[ He's pinged immediately by this, worried at the thought of a small child potentially lost and alone in Wonderland. ]

Your son, ma'am?

text;

[nascensibility]

[Evelyn doesn't regularly speak with Kurt, but she knows what he means to Jane, and she's certain that whatever his training is, it comes with finding people who need to be found.

The trouble is: what if that person can't be?]

Yes.

I don't want you to trouble yourself unduly. His rooms are empty and it's very likely he isn't here, but...

[But.]

I appreciate you keeping an eye out. I do.

[krmvgivv]

[Evelyn is one of the smartest people Dipper knows, and certainly the number one Wonderland expert. She knows as well as Dipper does what the signs are when someone's gone.

But Dipper knows that sometimes, it doesn't matter what your head says. Because your heart wants it so much to mean something else. He remembers how much it hurt that time Mabel left. She doesn't remember, but he does. So he doesn't say what both of them know. It won't help. Not that anything will help. But he can try.]

Want me to help you look?

[They can pretend that she might find him.]

[nascensibility]

[Dipper knows better. They both do. Pretending won't do either of them any good, and she hates the idea of being vulnerable in front of a child - the last time she was truly vulnerable in front of Alex, she was dying, and those memories are too raw and too close to not want to relive.]

I appreciate the offer, Dipper.

[She can't turn him away. He's trying.]

Perhaps instead you'd like to keep me company? I have some books you might like.

video;

[thesamurai]

[ Michonne's fresh off a death but it hurts to know Evelyn's kid is just...gone. She's wondered what she'd do if Andre ever came and left, but now her friend is living it. So, she sends a video expecting no reply and not needing one, but still feeling the need to reach out. ]

You've got people to lean on. I know you now that, but I'm adding to the group.

text;

[nascensibility]

[Evelyn doesn't know how ready she is to talk, but Michonne made a point of reaching out and Evelyn isn't so rude as to leave such messages unanswered.

She knows they'll speak again soon.]

Thank you.

-E

text » stark encryption

[revokes]

what do you need?

[ so fast. so efficient. ]

text » stark encryption

[nascensibility]

My son disappeared. I believe he went home permanently.

[Then, more belatedly:]

I need a drink.