Day 29, audio, open

[runs_on_batteries]

[He knows he promised to leave her alone. He'd been trying his hardest to do that too. However, he hadn't seen her in two days. He had a bad feeling in his stomach, so.. he was breaking his promise, which sucked. The worry was obvious in his tone along with the guilt of knowing he was crossing lines.

But, he was a dad. He might not be her dad, but it was a dad thing. He had to.]

Buttercup, if you're hiding from me, fine. Just.. let someone know to tell me you're okay?

Has anyone seen her? I don't need to know anything other than that. Just, as long as she's safe and someone has seen her.

Comments

[seawanderer]

Where did you see her last? I'm sorry, but I haven't seen her either. [But then, he's been a bit distracted still.]

[runs_on_batteries]

She's one of my roommates so I usually see her briefly at least once a day. I was busy with cleaning up after the party yesterday, so I'm not sure quite how long it's been since I saw her. She's.. sort of an expert on hiding.

[seawanderer]

I will start looking. I have some experience with finding lost children who do not wish to be found.

[runs_on_batteries]

I'd greatly appreciate it. I'm in a.. precarious position here, so it'd be best if someone else finds her and just tells me about it.

[hashtagparkerluck]

What? She's missing?

[ God damn it. There's a surge of emotion washing over him and he just-not another one. Not again. He can't do this again. He tries to take in a calming breath. ]

Did you try to places she usually hides in? What color is her name on the roster? 'Cause if it's-if it's gold then- [ He swallows because he doesn't want to think about that because they still don't know what happens to people who vanish off the train. Gwen doesn't even remember. ]

Uh..

I'm gonna check a few places. Brb.

[seawanderer]

I would be willing to listen, if you wish to tell someone. But I will conduct my search first, and find you later, if that suits you just as well?

[runs_on_batteries]

Her name? I don't know. Yes, of course I've checked but.. I also promised to leave her alone.

[runs_on_batteries]

[He sighs. He didn't want all of his baggage with the child hanging out for everyone on the train but he could always use more opportunities to bitch about it.}

If you feel inclined, I'm currently in my workspace.

[seawanderer]

[Much the same way he is with his father, though things are...better. Maglor's voice is clearly sympathetic.]

I will see you when I am done. Even if all you want to do is have a cup of coffee, that is well with me. [He won't push.]

cw: mentions of abuse.

[hashtagparkerluck]

[ Peter's not too sure how he feels about that. He'd never get the option of just having Tony leaving him alone, which he didn't want, but at the same time. Why would Mr Stark promise that. Isn't he looking after her? ]

Uh... Mr Stark, you really don't know how to handle abuse victims, do you?

Oh god.

I'm sorry-I.

hang on.

[ During the time of his boredom, Peter's played around with the ICP so he's figured out how to get a broadcast to just the one car. ]

That's better. I didn't mean to ask that with the whole train-I'm really sorry. That was stupid. I wasn't thinking.

but check the roster, if her name's in gold uh, then uh... well that's uh... what happened to Gwen.

[faithfulsupport]

[Ignis heard 'Buttercup' and put two and two together from his conversation with the little girl.]

When was the last you saw her?

Audio:

[blueberryprincess]

What does she look like? I can keep an eye out for her.

[runs_on_batteries]

[Tony glared at the icp- obviously Peter couldn't see him do it, but what a thing to say to the whole damn train! Fortunately Peter fixes it and apologizes or he was about to get ripped a new one.]

First of all, yes, that was very stupid and rude. And second, what do you think I'm doing that's so wrong, Oh-Wise-Expert Parker?

[Okay, so he still sort of lashed back.

However, he gets up and looks outside his cabin. Peter would hear a soft curse.]

It's gold.

[hashtagparkerluck]

[ Yeah, and he feels super guilty. ]

I know! I know! I just words-and then I said that-and then now I really regret it-I'm so sorry Mr Stark, I didn't mean to say that it's just that-well-you just uh you're not bad at it-but you're overly cautious?

[ That probably makes absolutely no sense. but before he can really explain what he means Tony reveals that her name is in gold. ]

Well.. um, Gwen came back. so, maybe-maybe she will too?

[ He really hopes so because he hates the idea of her going back to world where abuse is just common place. ]

Re: Audio:

[runs_on_batteries]

She's eleven with dark hair and always runs around without shoes. She likes to hide out in the luggage carriage but I didn't see her there.

[runs_on_batteries]

Actually, a cup sounds good. I'll meet you in the kitchen instead.

[runs_on_batteries]

I'm almost certain I saw her at some point on the 26th but I'm less sure about the 27th. I know I haven't seen her since the party.

Re: Audio:

[blueberryprincess]

Without shoes? Why without shoes? Does she not like them?

[runs_on_batteries]

I'm 'overly cautious'? What the hell does that mean? You have more triggers than the military!

[Gone. Buttercup was gone. She might come back? That's what they were left with?]

We've got to stop this from happening. There has to be an explanation for this.

Re: Audio:

[runs_on_batteries]

[He shrugs and then remembers this is audio.]

I don't know. She'd never worn them until she woke up here and had the boots like everyone else. I think the novelty wore off fairly quickly.

Re: Audio:

[blueberryprincess]

I can understand that. It sounds a lot like where I grew up. If you’ve never had something basic that other people take for granted, and then suddenly you do, there’s an adjustment period where you either decide it’s fine or decide it’s overrated.

[seawanderer]

[It takes a fair bit of time before Maglor reluctantly accepts defeat and slinks to the kitchen. Maybe Tony will know more than he now.]

She is not onboard.

cw: mentions of grooming

[hashtagparkerluck]

[ Peter winces. Maybe this more of a conversation to have face to face but at the same time, Peter doesn't really want to talk to him face to face about this. Mostly because that comment about his triggers. ]

...

[ He's quiet a moment because wow. That hurt. That hurt a lot. He tries to push it aside though. He really wants to because it's really important that Tony learn this. ]

Yeah, well, I'm a victim. I mean it was different kind of abuse but I got groomed by someone I thought was my friend. So a lot of things make me think about him, okay? There's-I shouldn't but I do.

And May or Ben aren't here to help you figure out how to handle this, Because yeah, I'm probably the last person to be telling you this-but one thing I'm not doing, I'm not leaving her alone because that's about the worst thing you can do-is leave someone that's been through.. that kind of thing alone.

[runs_on_batteries]

[Tony was pacing in the kitchen while the coffee maker brewed. He stops when Maglor enters the room and he can already see it on the elf's face this isn't good news.]

Damn. This is just like what happened to Gwen. She just randomly went missing. We couldn't find her and she showed up again in the luggage car with no memories of what happened.

[runs_on_batteries]

Sorry.

[He could tell by the way there was a pause here that he'd struck too hard. He'd been hurt by what Peter had said and he lashed out. It hadn't been right.]

Why do you assume the worst of me Peter? By leaving her alone, I'm not meaning I avoid her at all costs. I'm giving her time to heal from whatever I did. We've been making some progress. She came back to the room. She's seeing that I can be trusted again.