It's a long way down to the bottom of the river

[Christine Daye]

Christine is still backed against the wall, her eyes wide and dark and mad. She's still singing:

"... are you, are you... coming to the tree... where I told you to run... so we'd both be free... strange things did happen here... no stranger would it be... if we met at midnight... in the hanging tree..."

((https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3hTW9e20d8))

[Erika Leroux]

Erika sighs.

"It's perfectly alright, I'm here now. These nice people won't hurt you." She pats the chair beside her, as a mother might to a child. "Come now."

[Christine Daye]

Christine blinks slowly, like she's waking up. Her song fades into a soft hum, and she slowly walks across the room to sit next to Erika as bid.

She sits, expression still blank, and folds her hands meekly in her lap. Then, like a switch flipping, her gaze focuses on Erika and she smiles happily.

"...hello, Maestra... I didn't see you come in..."

She looks confused, biting her lip, as she sees Epi standing up imposing, while Campion studies her.

[Erika Leroux]

Erika reaches out, touches Christine's arm reassuringly.

"No, my love. You weren't exactly yourself. But that's fine. That's why we're here." She looks at Epi and Campion hopefully.

[eponine]

Eponine relaxes her posture back to the soft gentle friend Christine knows.

"Do not worry my dear, alas I do believe that we have just made the acquaintance of the other soul, but do not fear this is a good thing as it gave us a window, however brief to see it for ourselves"

She turns her attention to Erika.

"I get the feeling that this is not the first time you have seen him Lady La Roux."

[Christine Daye]

Christine relaxes a little at Erika's reassurance, though her fingers still twist nervously.

"...oh... oh.... um... what happened? ... did... did I do anything wrong...? ... what did you see?"

[eponine]

She smiles slightly,

"You didn't do anything worng at all just calm yourself, it will be fine. When you're ready we have a few more questions for you, but allow yourself a few moments first, we have all night."

With that Epi sits herself back in her seat.

[Christine Daye]

"...oh... of course... I am ready for your questions now... if... if you wish... "

Her tone of voice is subdued, nervous. Quietly, to herself, she sings:

"... If you get sleep or if you get none
The cock's gonna call in the morning, baby
Check the cupboard for your daddy's gun
Red sun rises like an early warning
The Lord's gonna come for your first born son
His hair's on fire and his heart is burning
So go to the river where the water runs
Wash him deep where the tides are turning..."

[eponine]

She sits still and gentle, glancing at Albert see if he wishes to jump in but it appears thet at this moment he is happy to listen.

"When do you think he made his way into your head Miss Daye?"

[Christine Daye]

"...um... I don't really know for sure... but it makes sense that it would have been... after the demon attack... "

Her voice quiets to a whisper and she looks scared.

"...it... it felt... like all my skin had been stripped off... but in my soul... and then... when I nearly drowned... in the river..."

Her speaking voice fades into quiet song.

"... and if you fall... if you fall... hold my hand..
oh, baby, it's a long way down to the bottom of the river.... hold my hand... oh, baby, it's a long way down, a long way down..."