#sunflower || bianca hightower

[experimental-blueprints]

“Huh? Oh… this isn’t the news studio! Where… where am I? Where’s Ren-Ren? Helloooo?”

———

*drops original Bianca and runs*

[experimental-blueprints]

HAPPY BORTHDAY

“…whose birthday?”

[experimental-blueprints]

Sounds of shuffling can be heard from somewhere dark… slow taps of footsteps can be heard. A familiar honeyed voice of a man can be heard slightly muffling.

“Bianca… Bianca…!” The passive tone chants the name, as if trying to sound cheerful as if talking to someone. Is it her he’s talking to?

“I brought you sunflowers… your favorite.” The voice softly says. Sounds of shuffling can be heard as if something was placed on top of a solid surface, “I got busy lately, news reporting can’t be done by itself afterall! Many things happened while you were gone… and while she got decommissioned.”

Then, a silence stays for a moment.

“…I’m not sure if I’m going to celebrate Valentine’s… I guess I got too used to having your company. This time, it feels… different. I’m sure some change will do good for me, though. But… I sometimes wonder if I can ever see you again… and hear your voice again.”

@idv-news-boi (HEHEHE;;; 🥰😭)

Leaning against the locked door in a crumpled heap on the floor, the young brunette closed her eyes slowly. How long had she been sitting there, after trying and failing to escape on her own?

...

She wouldn't deny, she had grown tired of meaningless struggle. She missed the elderly folk back home, who always offered her a freshly baked loaf of bread on the flooded streets. The Coral City was a waterlogged mess, but that place was a waterlogged mess she called home.

She missed the ferryman, who would always row her to school. The streets were always too flooded to walk, too flooded to drive even.

She missed her father. Well, she always missed her father. He was always in that lab... what was it, Site 20493? She never saw him, yet she still missed him. She missed him a lot. Especially now. If she made it out, she should take notes to tell her father. Mysterious places like this were up his alley, after all.

She missed her friends. As bad of influences as they could be, there wasn't anything they couldn't (and wouldn't) do if given the chance.

...

Friends...

It might have been her being tired, but she could have sworn heard the voice of... an old friend. Sitting up, she pressed her ear against the door with a curious expression.

"... That sounds like... Jou? Why would Jou be in a place like this though...? And... he sounds so sad... I wonder what happened?"

[experimental-blueprints]

How are you feeling Bianca!!!!!

Sitting on the floor of the sealed off room, the girl sighed.

“I’m hungry. A little lonely. I thought I heard Jou. I could be wrong. I hear people under me. They can’t hear me though. I might die in here. I’ve kind of accepted that. How are you, anon?”

[experimental-blueprints]

(For Bianca hehe)

...

Brendan leans against the wall, standing outside of Bianca's lab. He sighs, looking down and shaking his head. Sometimes he just... comes here. He's not even sure why anymore.

"... I'm gonna find a way to bring you back. I promise."

The lab was always empty whenever Contract wasn’t inside of it. Unlike Bianca, she didn’t spend all her time inside of it, meaning moments like this were possible for all those who missed the original Mechanical Designer. Usually it was locked when she was gone, but not on February 14th. She wouldn’t keep people away on her birthday.

…

The room above the lab, however, did seem a bit noisier than usual. Like someone was in it. Of course, that room had been sealed off by the manor years before, there was no way in and no way out.

This, however, wasn’t exactly true, as Bia laid her head on the floor curiously. Who was that talking? She couldn’t help but wonder. They seemed sad. She tapped her hand gently on the floor of the room, which also acted as the ceiling of the lab, as if in deep thought.

“… everyone here is so sad. Is today a sad day?”

[experimental-blueprints]

Oh.. oh dear. Don’t worry, I’ll try to be here to help! Can you try to feel around the room maybe for anything?

.. Ah. Take a moment to calm down, first, that’s more important. You’re going to be okay, I’m sure!

“Uhm…”

Taking a deep breath, Bia looked up.

“I don’t think there’s anything here to be honest… at least, nothing I can use to get out. There’s a bunch of bookcases but most of the books are glued to the shelves… I don’t know why I’m here…”

Tears welled up in her eyes as she shook her head fearfully.

“Are you sure I’ll be okay… I’m scared. I miss Jou. I miss Hare. I miss my mom and dad.”

[experimental-blueprints]

Yes, yes, it’s a place called Oletus Manor. People usually arrive here by an invitation, but you seem… different? It could be the effect of your memories. Take it easy. What have you seen so far of the Manor?

Shaking her head in panic, she pressed her back against the window. Squeezing her eyes shut, she sunk onto the floor with a small thud.

“I’ve been stuck in this room the whole time. The door won’t open. I think I’m stuck in here. I’m kind of scared… the only thing I’ve been able to see is out of that window and… I can barely see anything.”

[experimental-blueprints]

Oh? Hello? How have you been, Bia! What brings you to Oletus?

Turning gently, the girl tucked her hair behind her head. She stared for a moment, an expression of confusion on her face.

“I’m sorry… have we met before? My memories as of late… has been especially poor. I can’t remember anything!”

Then, placing one hand in the glass window, she frowned.

“You said this place was called… Otleus? I-I don’t remember going to any place with that name…”

An expression of worry flushed onto her face for a second, before diverting her attention back onto the window before her.

[experimental-blueprints]

Bia! Do you have Bianca's memories?

“… huh? I… hope I would have my memories!”

( she has no idea who Bianca is. She died before the creation of “Bianca”. )