Troublesome Family

A/N TIME IS 1615

" How'd you get in? " Maria, what's wrong with your home?

The little girl raises an eyebrow, " You and Flo-Hugo taught me how to pick locks."

" Sorry um little sis, my memories are a bit foggy."

" No!" She huffs.

"What do you mean no."

" Call me Rose," She rolls the r theatrically, " or Rosie or Rosie Toesie Polli!"

Maria deadpans, " I'm in no way, ever calling you that."

She smiles back, " Now you sound normal! Now you should wear the dress in that drawer, you'll look like a princess!"

Maria deadpans again, is there really a point in replying? Maria took the time to think to himself troubles in this household so far have never come alone. Best to look presentable before facing the inevitable, he'd know. It took quick deliberation to conclude to at least give it a look. An unhappy child can be problematic. He searches the drawer she pointed to and sees the abomination in dress form. He lifts it up and twists it around. The dress was obnoxiously pink and lacy, clearly, no self-appreciating human would wear it unironically.

Maria must've been battling demons.

The mental kind.

" Rose in no world I'd live in would I wear this."

" WHYY! I had it made for you, my favorite Yasuke made it." She claims confidently, no shame in her demeanor.

Maria looks back at the drawer for less embarrassing wear. And finally finds somewhat presentable clothing. Grey sweat pants and black shirts will always be your friend.

Rose nearly chokes, " No no no not those, aqui wear the dress. Florent would be so angry if you wore that."

" I'll be fine, thanks." He says before he changes in the bathroom.

He locks the door to the bathroom still knowing it won't do much. Maria unzips the corny pajamas and rips off the sleeves static clinging to him. He gets off one legs at a time but the gun in his pocket clatters to the floor

" Shit. "

" Dropped your hairband again?!"

" I'm fine." He yells tiredly.

" Coming in."

Maria scrambles to throw on his clothes and stuffs the weaponry in his waistband before she comes in.

Rose cracks the door open and pops her head in.

" Do you have any idea what personal space is? Why did we even teach you that?"

" That's the Mimi I know. Though you don't yell at me in Spanish anymore." She replies happily.

He sighs, " Can you remind me where I can get food?"

" First floor all the way down the hall to the right. Why?"

" Well, you ate my food."

" Meh, it wasn't that good tastes different than usual."

" Mind taking me to the kitchen or whatever then?"

" Yup!"

Rose doesn't move.

" Lead the way?"

" I mind taking you there," she rolls her eyes.

Maria, what's wrong with your home…

He moves past Rose and walks down the hallway, the sound of his bare feet slapping against the floor. This time accompanied by small squeaks. The afternoon sun paints the portraits in the halls vibrant colors undeterred by the silence.

Next to the stairs, Maria finds himself enraptured by an oil painting of a dandelion in a flowerpot.

It was nostalgic in a sense.

It reminded him of before he ascended. When he was poor and weak and all he had was an obsession and a flower. He could still feel the insanity that was at the edge of his mind, it still spurred and inspired him to this day.

" I miss you." He whispers to himself. He'll never have to leave again.

" Mimi, are you okay?" Rose interjects.

" Yea just reminiscing." Speaking of leaving, " Hey Rose, why did I leave?"

Rose goes through a myriad of emotions. Shock, happiness, and sadness. She cringes and looks away, " You don't remember that either?"

" No I don't, can you tell me?"

" I can't." She tears up.

" Are you sure? I don't know why everyone's acting weird."

"I can't Mimi." She sniffs and cries.

As much as she's an annoyance, he's not a monster. He gets on his knees and hugs the girl. He lets her sob and wet his shoulder.

The real question is whether she can't or won't? I can still ask around but something is very odd here. Maria was killed. He was gone for a while. The people who worked here liked him. Most seemed sad he was gone, but his sister can't even talk about what happened beforehand?

Rose tries to choke out words but her sobs turn to wails. Her lungs turn noncompliant with her pleas for air.

" It's okay, Rosie"

She calms down, the sobs stiffle and Rose giggles in between the tears, " You hate that nickname. You still used to say it all the time. I'm sorry Mimi."

" It's okay."

Just in time, a yell reverberated the hallway.

Even more helpfully right at the bottom of the staircase.

" BORIS! CALLATE LA BOCA! What is that useless ( bleeped for audiences, use your imagination) doing MY. DAMN. HOUSE."

" For once, ONCE don't act like a scumbag!"

Audible horror in her voice Rose says, " What's Florent doing here?"