AUTHOR'S NOTE: A strange rendition of events following the "Together Forever" ending, in which Ib's parents talk a lot or talk about nothing at all.

Mary's hair is of the sunny variety, of bright yellow suns and stars. It curls like a heap of moons strung up together, and it's probably what makes her easy to identify - she's like a multitude of colours in a grey crowd; it is near impossible to lose her. Her eyes shine with excitement as she drags Ib around to play with her, a much livelier counterpart to her sister.

Their mother notices. Their father notices.

Mother looks at Ib and Mary, she can see a clear distinction between them. Ib's hair is straight and stiff, possessing some kind of roughness by feeling the surface when Mother pats her head; Mary's hair is light and soft when she asks Mother to braid it for her.

On occasion, Ib asks to hold her hand, Mary almost instantly requests for a piggyback ride. She smiles, acts like how a mother should, and obliges.

They are her children, after all.

To Father, it is as plain as the eye can see - Ib is red. Mary is blue. Ib looks at things with quiet appreciation; she talks when she's spoken to. Mary is much more active; she constantly speaks her mind and has no reservations in stating her opinions on matters. Mary always looks expectantly at him as if she's waiting for someting to happen, in particular when he lights up the fireplace - she draws back as if by reflex, while Ib regards him with curiosity.

They are different, that much is true. But when he looks at Mother holding their hands and Mary visibly pouting when she's not granted her ride, laughing as she leads the way, he can detect some sort of indifference.

Something off. Some form of ostracism.

And he frowns, because that is wrong. They are a family, a family bound by weekly outings and nightly dinners, a family that shares shelters and troubles and lives. A family that stays together.

Then Mary smiles at him, tugging at his hand and snapping him out of his trance. Tells him to get a move on.

Father looks up to see Ib and Mother, one staring at him with mild concern and another with confusion. He quickly smiles at them, smiles at Mary, and they continue their journey to the diner.

He feels Mary's grip tighten on his hand. He knows something they don't.

That is not his child.