[The song drifting down from the music music room is so faint that at first Vivi doesn't notice it. It's not until she begins unconsciously humming "Bink's Sake" that she realizes something prompted it. She stops, listening carefully, and sure enough, she can catch snatches of song, muffled, but unquestionably there. This was a common enough occurrence when Brook was still with them, but he'd gone home what seems so long ago now.]
[An excited flutter of hope stirs in her chest, and she turns to the stairs, cocking her head to listen. Yes, the music is definitely coming from up there. It must be the music room. She mounts the stairs quickly, not quite running up them. It's a little louder up here; she can see the music room's door is open just a crack, though the soundproofing in the room still swallows much of the sound. Doubt retreats, and Vivi feels certain she knows who she'll find as her hand slips over the door knob. She's already calling his name as she pulls open the door.] Brook-sa--!
[Oh. No. The sight that greets her couldn't be more different from an eight-foot skeleton with an afro: a little girl, and one it takes Vivi a moment to recognize after having her hopes pulled out from under her like that.]
[Action]
[An excited flutter of hope stirs in her chest, and she turns to the stairs, cocking her head to listen. Yes, the music is definitely coming from up there. It must be the music room. She mounts the stairs quickly, not quite running up them. It's a little louder up here; she can see the music room's door is open just a crack, though the soundproofing in the room still swallows much of the sound. Doubt retreats, and Vivi feels certain she knows who she'll find as her hand slips over the door knob. She's already calling his name as she pulls open the door.] Brook-sa--!
[Oh. No. The sight that greets her couldn't be more different from an eight-foot skeleton with an afro: a little girl, and one it takes Vivi a moment to recognize after having her hopes pulled out from under her like that.]
O-oh. Katie-chan. I didn't...