idv-wayward

[idv-wayward]

Mi didn't visit the manor much. Honestly, she didn't have much reason to outside of visiting friends and all the people she got along with. But she didn't mind staying at the warehouse either. She liked being with good people like Brendan and Himari! And having a pet bird is cool too, she always wanted to know what that's like! Especially since they can talk. Maybe not to the extent of full conversations, but it was enough to entertain her mind for a while.

It's just- Something's missing. She knew why but didn't understand it.

It doesn't take sight to know what it's like to be homesick. It didn't take having to see the smiles of your loved ones to hear their laughter. It didn't take looking the other way to let them know that you needed comfort but don't want to say it. It didn't take a pleading glance to feel the warmth of a hug. And it didn't matter that she can't identify faces, because she knows them in a different way. The calloused fingers of her father, the bony hands of her brother, the furry texture of her dog. The glossy feel of her sister's fingernails and the metallic clink she heard from her mother when nearby. What she couldn't see didn't detract from the fact that she just wanted to go home. And just hear or feel any of that familiarity again.

Even with the clothes from a cold seamstress and the furniture made by a kind woodworker, this foreign world- wherever it was. It's not what she knew.

Everyone she met here after her game were amazing, and luckily she hasn't run into that Hunter ever again. And she knew that a lot of them would understand her predicament. But by the time she goes home, are the rest still going to be stuck here? She didn't want that though! If only-

"... Mi? It's Himari, I'm back."

The door didn't open and she could tell because she didn't hear it creak. She immediately grew cautious, despite the familiar voice. Pneuma was resting on her lap, but he just squawked at the door instead of saying hi. Is something wrong? This is one of the many reasons why she wants to go home. Why can't those kind of people leave her and good people alone? She didn't open the door herself yet, but even though it sounded like a bad idea, she still responded verbally.

"... Hi? Why didn't you walk in?"

"Well... You know that dog I saw around the warehouse?"

"Yeah?"

"It followed me and it has a collar... One of the tags is in braille."

Wait.

"... Do you want me to open the door?"

"Yes, but please be careful. He's friendly but he's... Big. I just don't want you to topple over when I open the door."

"Okay!"

She perked up slightly and let Pneuma off her lap before getting up to open the door. That's when a large white dog with immediately shoved its head into her arms and sniffed her excitedly. Himari was very much there, but she was already worried at the dog practically pouncing on her. But Mi was quick to give it a pet or two.

It had uniquely placed black spots. It covered its ears and tail, and had a spot on its left eye. But the Wayward obviously couldn't discern that. What she could discern was the sheer size and fluffiness of the dog. She pet around its neck and there was indeed a collar attached to it. Finding the tag beneath all its fur, she felt the one in braille and read it. A smile crept on her face along with tears in her eyes. Mi just laughed as the furry companion wagged its tail and licked her face.

"Bao! Bao you're here!"

[idv-wayward]

"Really? Thank you! I can't see so I just use what I hear and feel! People say dogs bark but mine doesn't do that, I think it's because he's a big boy! My brother would put me on him like a horse and he didn't mind! I think I might be too big for him to keep doing that though..."

She didn't frown when she said the latter statement. She just didn't want to accidentally hurt the poor animal if she wanted to keep playing with it.

"Yeah! I dunno what she's doing but I know she wants to be in the lab working with people! And I think my brother might be one too... I know computer science is a thing but I dunno how that works. If it's a mostly visual thing like art then I can't really get it, but I think it'd be cool!"

The small girl wandered into the room after Brendan dropped her off to the new survivor. She didn't really look around because, well, she can't see to begin with. But she still peeked her head around the corner

"Hello? Is anyone there?"

@idv-wayward

"Ah, hello there. You're Mi, I assume? It's wonderful to meet you!"

*He gave off a gentle, warm smile. Even if she couldn't see it, a smile like that could be felt.*

"My name is Mr. Awol, I'm a teacher from Africa. Your guardian has told me about you, and I'm quite excited to help you. May I assist you in getting a seat?"

[idv-wayward]

"Oh wow, you have three older siblings! That's so cool! And I love dogs too! Mine goes boof instead of bark, he's a big fluffy dog!"

She reached her hand out to the glass, careful to not knock it over as she went for a sip.

"Oh my family's great! My sister's away in college but she's really cool! She wants to be a scientist! My brother still lives with us but he's cool too! He plays with me but he stays in his room a lot. Mom said he's on the computer too much but I know he still cares about me! My parents scare people a lot. They get mad when someone talks about my eyes but they're really nice people! I go shopping with them a lot!"

The small girl wandered into the room after Brendan dropped her off to the new survivor. She didn't really look around because, well, she can't see to begin with. But she still peeked her head around the corner

"Hello? Is anyone there?"

@idv-wayward

"Ah, hello there. You're Mi, I assume? It's wonderful to meet you!"

*He gave off a gentle, warm smile. Even if she couldn't see it, a smile like that could be felt.*

"My name is Mr. Awol, I'm a teacher from Africa. Your guardian has told me about you, and I'm quite excited to help you. May I assist you in getting a seat?"

[idv-wayward]

"Okay!"

She kind of needed something like this. She did miss having some semblance of normalcy here, like going to school. It's not that traditional but at least the teacher is nice so far! She gave him a little "thank you!" As she sat across from him.

"Alright! I'm 12 years old, I have two older siblings, and a pet dog! I was taught how to sing and I like... uh, I don't know what the name is but I like the kinds of songs that are like classic music but not really!"

The small girl wandered into the room after Brendan dropped her off to the new survivor. She didn't really look around because, well, she can't see to begin with. But she still peeked her head around the corner

"Hello? Is anyone there?"

@idv-wayward

"Ah, hello there. You're Mi, I assume? It's wonderful to meet you!"

*He gave off a gentle, warm smile. Even if she couldn't see it, a smile like that could be felt.*

"My name is Mr. Awol, I'm a teacher from Africa. Your guardian has told me about you, and I'm quite excited to help you. May I assist you in getting a seat?"

[idv-wayward]

"Oh... Yeah, that's me. Mi, with an I! It's nice to meet you too Mr. Awol!"

She smiled back at him and stepped a bit closer to him, reaching her hand out to him after waving.

"Oh, you met Brendan already? And yes please!"

The small girl wandered into the room after Brendan dropped her off to the new survivor. She didn't really look around because, well, she can't see to begin with. But she still peeked her head around the corner

"Hello? Is anyone there?"

@idv-wayward

"Ah, hello there. You're Mi, I assume? It's wonderful to meet you!"

*He gave off a gentle, warm smile. Even if she couldn't see it, a smile like that could be felt.*

"My name is Mr. Awol, I'm a teacher from Africa. Your guardian has told me about you, and I'm quite excited to help you. May I assist you in getting a seat?"

[idv-wayward]

Mi! You doin okay? Need some ice cream or smth?

"Brendan said Bianca's okay, he saw her... But ice cream would be nice... Please?"

[idv-wayward]

She didn't understand what the words meant when the call happened. But something told her that she's not okay, especially with a lack of a response. Usually someone would say something if there was nothing to worry about right?

"Okay... Please go see her I don't— I don't wanna think that she's not okay..."

"Mi, are you ok? You seem a little down, are you feeling alright?"

- Brendan

"B-Brendan..."

She faced in his general direction, her watch already hanging up from the call at this point. Her hair blocked most of her blindfold, but there was still two faint wet spots there...

"I was calling Bianca and we were talking but she... She just stopped talking... And I heard someone else and— And I don't know what happened..."

@avatar-idv

[idv-wayward]

"She..."

He gave her a hug, which she quickly started to cling onto him like her life depended on it. Which it felt like it did.

"Okay... But I... I heard her fall... I don't know..."

"Mi, are you ok? You seem a little down, are you feeling alright?"

- Brendan

"B-Brendan..."

She faced in his general direction, her watch already hanging up from the call at this point. Her hair blocked most of her blindfold, but there was still two faint wet spots there...

"I was calling Bianca and we were talking but she... She just stopped talking... And I heard someone else and— And I don't know what happened..."

@avatar-idv

[idv-wayward]

"Mi, are you ok? You seem a little down, are you feeling alright?"

- Brendan

"B-Brendan..."

She faced in his general direction, her watch already hanging up from the call at this point. Her hair blocked most of her blindfold, but there was still two faint wet spots there...

"I was calling Bianca and we were talking but she... She just stopped talking... And I heard someone else and— And I don't know what happened..."

@avatar-idv

[idv-wayward]

MI NO HONEY ARE YOU OKAY *HUG TIME*

"Thank you..."

She gladly took the hug. Well, she's still sniffling here and there, but at least hugs make her feel better.

[idv-wayward]

"I will! Don't worry Bianca!"

Mi held her arm up, on a call with her on the watch. The same one The Designer gifted to her when they first visited. As much as she wanted to talk to her in person with her, she still had to be wary of the manor. So she was listening to both Brendan and Bianca when it their warnings and advice.

Still, she really did prefer a human presence accompanying her in coversation rather than through a device. It was nice to be near them, give them a hug or two while sharing a meal. Or playing with toys. Just simply being there physically was enough for her. Seems like Brendan knew that if he decided to stay with her at the warehouse for the time being.

However, something was off. She stayed silent so she could finish her sentence, but it didn't feel like she was present in the conversation anymore... Sure she can't see that, but her heightened hearing made it easier to pick up on verbal signs and any other sound cue. Hearing a second voice from the other end, the concern more than clear, her smile slowly faded.

"...Bianca?"

Then one moment led to another. A thud, the voices growing distant. She can't tell what happened. There was no conceivable way for her to even know. All she heard was confusion, Bianca's voice growing weaker.

"Who... Who was that? I don't... I don't understand... Hello?"

The other person piecing it together, cussing someone out. She didn't know what any of that meant. Was it important? Were they there to hurt or help her?

"...Bian... ca...?"

But there was no reply.

"... Are you okay? What's wrong? Hello? Are... Are you still there?"

The panic increased in her voice, alarming the raven accompanying her on her lap. Her body trembled as she couldn't process what just happened. And the fact that she wasn't saying anything just made her more terrified of what was possibly occuring on the other end. Silence is never a good thing unless it was to drive away something scary. But she wasn't in any danger... right?

"B-Bianca, please say something. I don't like it when people are q-quiet around me... Bianca..."

Wet spots started to form on her blindfold, at the corners of her eyes as the raven flew off her lap to go outside and let his owner know something was wrong.

"... B-Bianca..."

[idv-wayward]

"Oh no! I hope you guys catch them soon. I don't want anyone to get hurt especially if they're my friends!"

Himari helped her hold onto her plate while she made sure Pneuma didn't try to snag a piece or two.

"I'll still stay away from the manor for now. You stay with me too until it's all over, alright Mi?"

"Ok! And you stay safe too dad!"

“Mi, happy birthday.”

*Brendan walks into the warehouse with a small birthday cake, a plastic covering shielding it from the outside.*

“I’ve been really busy with everything going on, but I didn’t want to miss it. I’m sorry about that.*

She turned around and smiled brightly when she heard his voice. It was getting a little bit lonely with how hectic the manor was lately, but she knew that he'd come back eventually. But it's not like she knew that, it's not even like anyone told her about the roaming serial killer to begin with.

"Oh my gosh! Thank you dad!!"

She immediately pulled him into a hug, even though he's standing and she's roughly at his waist at best.

@avatar-idv

[idv-wayward]

"Okay! Stealing is bad, I can still tell when things don't belong to me anyway!"

"That's good Mi. AndI'll take care of that for you then. I do hope it's all over soon. I know we would hate to have you get hurt again, along with some others."

She glanced over at Mi even though she couldn't glance back, but he pretty much got the idea.

"Yeah! Just come back safe! Wait why is there a bad guy in the manor?"

No one told her the context.

“Mi, happy birthday.”

*Brendan walks into the warehouse with a small birthday cake, a plastic covering shielding it from the outside.*

“I’ve been really busy with everything going on, but I didn’t want to miss it. I’m sorry about that.*

She turned around and smiled brightly when she heard his voice. It was getting a little bit lonely with how hectic the manor was lately, but she knew that he'd come back eventually. But it's not like she knew that, it's not even like anyone told her about the roaming serial killer to begin with.

"Oh my gosh! Thank you dad!!"

She immediately pulled him into a hug, even though he's standing and she's roughly at his waist at best.

@avatar-idv

[idv-wayward]

happy birthday baby girl

"Thank you kind stranger!"

[idv-wayward]

"It's alright. I haven't stepped foot into the manor since that whole... mess started. But I hope everyone has been alright, including you. I also don't mind, I still wanna celebrate with you both either way."

Mi went over to give Himari a hug before she guided her for them to both sit down on the floor. She gave Pneuma a command and the raven went off, away from them. It landed on the ground before hopping around.

"Sorry, birds can't have cake, it's bad for their health."

"That's okay! You're the doctor after all!"

"You want me to water the plants for you if you're gone for this long again? I know how to make sure they're growing well at least."

“Mi, happy birthday.”

*Brendan walks into the warehouse with a small birthday cake, a plastic covering shielding it from the outside.*

“I’ve been really busy with everything going on, but I didn’t want to miss it. I’m sorry about that.*

She turned around and smiled brightly when she heard his voice. It was getting a little bit lonely with how hectic the manor was lately, but she knew that he'd come back eventually. But it's not like she knew that, it's not even like anyone told her about the roaming serial killer to begin with.

"Oh my gosh! Thank you dad!!"

She immediately pulled him into a hug, even though he's standing and she's roughly at his waist at best.

@avatar-idv

[idv-wayward]

"That's true! And it's okay, this place already feels like home to me! Because of you and Himari! And I can go get her! She went outside because she heard—"

Right as he asked about Himari's presence, she walked in as if it was on cue. Pneuma was perched on her shoulder as she was carefully closing the door behind her. Seeing the two of them, she smiled softly as the bird squawked a friendly greeting at them.

"Hi!"

"You're back sooner than I thought... Although I wouldn't want to miss Mi's birthday either."

She lightly chuckled while the little girl gasped.

"Oh! She's back already!"

“Mi, happy birthday.”

*Brendan walks into the warehouse with a small birthday cake, a plastic covering shielding it from the outside.*

“I’ve been really busy with everything going on, but I didn’t want to miss it. I’m sorry about that.*

She turned around and smiled brightly when she heard his voice. It was getting a little bit lonely with how hectic the manor was lately, but she knew that he'd come back eventually. But it's not like she knew that, it's not even like anyone told her about the roaming serial killer to begin with.

"Oh my gosh! Thank you dad!!"

She immediately pulled him into a hug, even though he's standing and she's roughly at his waist at best.

@avatar-idv

[idv-wayward]

She giggled and held onto him, wrapping her arms over his shoulders with a bright smile on her face.

"Aw that's okay! I can tell you now so you can know next time!"

That's— Okay let's just move past that.

"It sounds really good though! Let's eat it together!"

“Mi, happy birthday.”

*Brendan walks into the warehouse with a small birthday cake, a plastic covering shielding it from the outside.*

“I’ve been really busy with everything going on, but I didn’t want to miss it. I’m sorry about that.*

She turned around and smiled brightly when she heard his voice. It was getting a little bit lonely with how hectic the manor was lately, but she knew that he'd come back eventually. But it's not like she knew that, it's not even like anyone told her about the roaming serial killer to begin with.

"Oh my gosh! Thank you dad!!"

She immediately pulled him into a hug, even though he's standing and she's roughly at his waist at best.

@avatar-idv