03 [Accidental Video/Text]

[murderiwrote]

[The feed starts with an image of a man dressed in a black suit sitting in a chair, unaware that he is being filmed. While the post is under Mary Clarissa Christie's name, the only one that can be seen in it is that man as he's shifting uncomfortably, occasionally mumbling something to himself. After a minute or two, he finally came to a decision and turned to the bracelet to seemingly send a message, before realizing that it had filmed him this whole time. About to say something in response, he stopped before the voice came out, choosing to close it silently instead.

Finally, about an hour after the feed is cut, there's a text message sent as a follow-up.]

Would anyone happen to know of a way to end a curse as soon as possible?

(ooc: Mary and Charlotte got hit with the curse that swap their face with someone else! Tags will be coming from both of them)

Comments

action;

[zothiquekey]

[This confirmed it: M had gone to Mary's district, and Mary's room, before having even inquired about her. ...Is that a note of surprise in his voice?

No, just her imagination. Master wouldn't be surprised to see her. He wouldn't forget her.]

Yes, master. ...James.

action;

[murderiwrote]

[While she keeps a distance between the two of them, Mary takes a step forward, doing her best to be accustomed to this body as she tries to maintain eye contact with Moran. It's... uncomfortable--even painful to see the other woman like this. As if Mary was intruding on something private even if that wasn't her intention.]

I... I am sorry, Moran. I'm... not him.

[zothiquekey]

[Silence.

She looks closer, examining him. It's too good, it's better than perfect, it's better than any imitation or imposter. It can't be anyone else but him.

But M never jokes. He certainly never apologizes to her. Which means—]

...It's alright, Mary Clarissa Christie.

[And she turns on heel, back straight, hands stiff at her sides, intending to take her leave as quickly as possible, and perhaps later gather the broken remnants of her dignity. What a fool she is, making such a basic mistake.]

[murderiwrote]

Wait, please, I...

[Truth to be told, Mary honestly doesn't know why she suddenly moves forward, grabbing Moran's arm before she could leave. She knows that the longer Moran sees her with this face, hear her with this voice, would only cause the other woman more pain. Still, she can't let Moran go alone like that. Not after everything they've been through.]

...Regardless of this place's... tricks, sooner or later, he'll come here. And if he doesn't, then we'll find him together, I promise.

[zothiquekey]

[Comical doll, pathetic toy, such a blind little girl she is, thinking the impossible to be true. How could she be so insane, so delusional that her wires can still spark white-hot at the feeling of gloved hands roughly taking her by the arm, even though it's not him; right now, his voice and his words are only controlled by Mary like a puppet. They ought to bring her no comfort, no pleasure to hear him again and see him again.

Her muscles go rigid when she is grabbed, still refusing to look at her master's face, to see another in his eyes. No, Mary's eyes, her eyes. Her hand lays atop those familiar fingers, prying them loose with firm strength.

Together, she had said. She wanted to find him as well, and as always, James would choose Objective A over his weapon.

Like always.]

My master will decide when he would like to be located. You are important to him...

['You are important to him, and that is the only reason you are still important to me.']

So avoid unnecessary action, Mary Clarissa Christie.

[murderiwrote]

[Letting go of her arm, Mary tries to give her gaze steady toward Moran as she gives her reply. Being forced to hear M's voice like this, to be touched by his hands, all the while knowing they weren't really his, was probably nothing but torture for Moran. It might have been better for her to just comply to Moran's wish and stay silent as she lets the other woman go.

But, even if that might please Moran for now, Mary can't do that. She won't lie anymore. To herself and to everyone she cares for. After all, while she might have been just a tool to him before, if there's something she can do for the people important to her, then she won't hesitate to do it.

Even if they weren't welcomed in the first place.]

I am sorry, but I... can't do that.

[zothiquekey]

[Of course. Refusal, refusal, refusal. She will always sacrifice common sense for blind heroism. She will always keep trying, rather than giving up.

But she isn't in the mood to deal with her stubborness today, not while such syrupy words are spewed in M's voice, from M's lips. She turns stiffly towards the door, holding her arm away as if scorching.]

...Don't forget. You made a contract with my master. If you choose to break it, that is your choice.