003 | VOICE

[queenofseers]

[ Cassandra's voice sounds nearly gone. And it sounds close- this is on the mental link, not her communicator. The communicator's smashed. (Many things are smashed, but this is voice, not video, thankfully.) She hasn't bothered to get a new one yet. ]

So if you were one of those shitheads who kept whining about how "oh, those Gods, they ruin everything", you're in fucking luck, because now three of them are gone. So if you had some sort of hang-up on Baphomet setting shit on fire, or Persephone and that flooding issue which, by the way, was her saving your asses, or with Dionysus- I, I don't know-

[ There's a brief pause. This hurts. She shouldn't be talking about it, and not in public. But she's already too far in. ]

You can just keep it all to your fucking self. It doesn't matter anymore. What a great time it is for you.

And- if you had some sort of problem with Rex, who knows what the hell that would be, and he doesn't come back- then you'd better keep that to yourself, too. Before I fucking rip your fucking mouth off.

[ There's quiet, for just a bit too long. Then, softly: ] What am I doing.

[ The feed cuts off. ]

Comments

permavoice.

[killtime]

...I could've sworn you just said Rex.

1/2

[queenofseers]

[ Wait. No. Andy has to know. They're basically raising a kid together, they're so close, she just thought Andy would have Martin and she'd know and- ]

Don't...don't fuck with me, Andy.

1/2

[flightforfreedom]

[ He listens to the feed with a slowly deepening frown. He knew this too well - knew exactly what she was saying, under the words she was actually speaking.

And for himself -

Persephone -

And fuck, Rex--

He sighed, looking at the communicator. What could he even say? Cassandra didn't know him from Adam. ]

2/2, text.

[flightforfreedom]

[ After a while, he finally sent: ]

it doesn't get easier

but i don't think anyone will be gloating, if that makes a difference

and if it helps - though i know it won't -

i get it.

[ ... He'd better check on Luci. ]

video

[metaphorbia]

-- Persephone's gone?

[ Aww, man. He liked her. ]

voice

[queenofseers]

[ She appreciates seeing David's face in the sense that she now knows this is someone she's never met, but she's not letting strangers seeing the state she's in right now.

And, unfortunately, she's not in the mood to be nice. ] Yeah. Been a bit of a hot topic lately. You must have missed it.

[ She says it almost completely deadpan. ]

voice

[aberrant_type]

Dionysus was a pleasant person.

I'm sorry to hear you've lost friends, Cass.

[last time they spoke they had a fight but Hange can summon genuine sympathy for this]

voice

[queenofseers]

[ If there's one person here she doesn't want to talk about, deeply doesn't want to talk about, it's Dio; remembering he's gone, wrapping her head around it, sends her into a mental tailspin all over again. She knows nothing is waiting for him, there. She knows he deserved a chance here more than anyone.

Was. Fuck, Hange. It makes her wonder. ]

Yeah. Thanks. [ Those are words devoid of emotion. ] Did you know?

voice;

[kanyounot]

[ Oh no, Rex. Oh no. ]

Rex will be missed, a lot.

voice

[queenofseers]

You don't have to tell me that.

[ She's a bit sharp, but- once she sees the name listed, she softens a bit. She'd heard that name, and recently. ]

You're that friend of his. The one from his future.

Voice

[craftpunk]

You've had a rough few months.

[ Unlike a lot of his other threads, David doesn't wear the helmet for this one. Just for that extra hit. Unlike the David Blake that Cass knew before...August, the twist of sarcasm, and the fact that he enjoys this is what sets David aside from the kindly professor he'd posed as before. ]

voice

[queenofseers]

[ There's a good while before she responds. Unlike the last time she heard him, when he reappeared on the network, she doesn't even think of avoiding speaking to him- no, this time she needs to take this out on someone, and why not him? Why not let him know she's never going to keep her guard down? Especially now?

When she finally talks back, she's keeping her voice so level it's clearly forced. ]

Yes, I assume you're having the absolute time of your life. Happy the Porter has done so much of your work for you?

permavoice permaprivate

[cassassin]

[ugh. ugh ugh ugh. she'd suspected laura was gone again, she hadn't been taking her calls, but--]

Fuck. [it comes out small, soft, tired.]

[queenofseers]

[ Had she missed the news? She considers Cassandra deeply attentive, but she hasn't heard much from her since just after the Shamtheon. Perhaps she's been busy. ]

You're telling me. [ She mumbles, not knowing if there's much else to say. ]

private | video

[girlybruiser]

[ This level of fury startles Haru, but she can empathize with it. To have not one, but apparently three of your friends disappear is too much to bear. ]

Cassandra...

Would like company or would you prefer to be alone?

private, voice

[queenofseers]

[ Haru's too good of a kid to have to put up with this bullshit- and, well, a kid. Not even counting how she'd rather not let anyone near her right now. She keeps her side of things on voice, not wanting to give away anything. ]

Alone. Please.

voice

[ghoulking]

Would you like some company? [ kaneki knows they aren't friends and she probably has others she can lean on, but he still offers. He knows how painful it is to lose people ]

voice

[queenofseers]

[ There's a soft huff on her end- he hasn't been the only one to offer, and she knows she should be grateful, but it just makes her more frustrated. ]

No, Kaneki. [ A pause. Their relationship is a bit more business-like than most, from her perspective, so she feels the need to say it: ] But thanks, I guess.

video

[loyal_soldier]

[Normally he doesn't pay much attention to the network, but Poe had told him what happened, and...

Well. Here's a man with the same face as Rex.]

Do you know the approximate time Rex was ported out?

voice

[queenofseers]

[ Jesus fucking Christ that might as well give her a heart attack. But she knows there's at least one other clone here, and obviously this man's not blonde. He'll get a somewhat agitated response a minute later, still on voice. ]

At least warn me if you're going to pop in with the same face and everything, fuck. [ He can't see it, but she's rubbing her forehead. Making her feel like a fool for a second... ] It...couldn't be more than a day.

[petergraham]

[The talk of gods and the closeness of her voice sets something off in Peter's head and without him meaning to, a reply comes through but it's just an angry buzzing static. As if something other than human was trying to communicate.]

voice

[queenofseers]

[ What the hell. She hasn't got much patience for this right now, but it chills her in such a way that she can't help but ask. ]

Hey, what the absolute fuck is this?

voice;

[ambasciatore]

...Cassandra?

voice

[queenofseers]

[ Ah- the kid. She can't make herself too mad around him, considering she knew how much Persephone cared. And he sounds careful, compared to some people around here. ]

Yes? I'm- I'm sorry about Persephone.

video »

[onlydoubts]

[ he'd only spoken with Baphomet the once, but he'd kind of enjoyed the conversation. and either way, well -- the reaction rings true. ]

I'm sorry. It never gets easier, to lose people.

voice

[queenofseers]

[ She's not willing to let a stranger see how fucked she looks right now, hence staying with voice, and a part of her is starting to tire of kind words from strangers. But that's not Bodhi's fault. ]

So I've gathered. [ Seems to be the words on everyone's mind. ] And you are, exactly?

audio;

[dragony]

Hey.

[ Her voice isn't soft, or pitying, or even made all that gentle for sympathy. She knows what it's like; even without getting into the nitty-gritty of it, there's no way Cassandra wouldn't realize she knows.

And she knows how hard it is to find comfort, even when it's offered, and how little those balms ever feel. It's the wrong track. Even talking around those comforts, explaining why they're not being offered — it's just as sour. ]

You're going to need a hand with the paperwork. Estates and assets. [ It's not a question, but there is a pause. She and Cassandra aren't friends, but Ruka thinks she has her number; what would help her most, she thinks, is something to do. Something productive — something with a finite accomplishment.

Even if it's a labor like this. ]

Let me know when you're ready to start.

1/2

[queenofseers]

[ Paperwork? Fucking paperwork. She's so fucking tired of working, writing, even if she will never say that out loud- and right now? When she's so full of hurt she can barely contain herself? Her immediate reaction is to feel insulted. ]

Why the fuck would I-

[ But a part of her gets it, too.

She cuts herself off. ]

voice;

[lesterzeppelin]

[ Dionysus is gone.

Apollo shouldn't feel anything, considering they've never talked, but well - no matter the universe, Dionysus is still his brother. Yet he knows that sympathy doesn't work for her (and he couldn't blame her). ]

Sounds like you could use a drink. [ his voice is soft - ] Not that I'm offering for you to go with me. If anything, it might be easier if I just drop a bottle by your place.

voice

[queenofseers]

[ Yeah, it makes sense that a Greek god would think of that first. She could roll her eyes. ]

Not sure if a drink is going to do anything for me, at this point. Other than continue this whole... [ Wallowing in misery. No, she doesn't want to let him know that. ] Thing.

I've got some, anyway. [ The bottle Rex brought her after the Shamtheon. She might as well drink it now, if she wants to drink. ]

[versusseeker]

do u wnt 2 tlk abt it?

[queenofseers]

[ She's sure Red has good motives, but she's a little put off- she's never met him, and it seems like an odd request from a stranger. ]

Wasn't that just talking about it?

video

[khajidont]

Hey, um...

[ Oh, boy. ]

I'm sorry you lost so many people, so quickly. That's always rough. And I know you've probably gotten enough people asking you if you wanna talk about it and I know we're not really friends or anything, but if you wanna talk to someone who gets it, let me know. Or if you just wanna go for a drive.

[ ... ]

That last part is 'cause Laura left me her bike; I'm not just randomly asking you to go driving. [ It's the right way to honour her! By driving really, really quickly! ]

voice

[queenofseers]

[ She's keeping this on voice for the sake of her dignity, but she can't deny that she'd rather hear from Jaime than a lot of people here. And the info about the bike- she should have expected that. She knows Jaime was a good friend of Laura's, to the point that she practically thought they were an item, and she'd trust him with this grief more than most. ]

I...really should not be on a motorcycle, considering all my clothes flow out like this, but thanks, I guess. [ She can't be too mad, knowing Laura was responsible enough to leave a will. ] Did she leave you anything else?

lets pretend im not 3 days late - also private

[notgood]

You're a "God" as well.

[Statement, but he's moving on as well.]

And you don't like Woden.

[Obviously.]

When you've... recovered, I would like to speak with you.

[queenofseers]

[ Huh. To some extent, she can appreciate someone coming to her with actual business rather than platitudes, but who's this? She leaves the message for a bit to deal with more pressing things, but he'll eventually get a response. ]

I am. And, no, I really don't. What's your problem?

Voice

[darkpants_warmfeeling]

That's a hell of a lot of people to lose at once. I'm sorry, Cassandra.

voice

[queenofseers]

You're telling me. Thanks.

[ Honestly, she prefers this- someone who can get right to the point. By the time she gets the message she's cooled down a bit, looking for things to distract herself. Jacob provides a perfect opportunity. ]

Weren't you just on another planet? How'd it go?

voice

[codeofiron]

Rex?

voice

[queenofseers]

Mm. Yet another friend of his?

[ She doesn't like knowing she's the first one to inform so many people. Especially because she hates discussing it. ]

second permavoice verse same as the permaprivate first

[sanguinespell]

[she's already gone through some of this with magnus, but. fuck. nico lets herself be a little more open here, since... as dear as magnus chase is to her, he doesn't do emotional honesty well.]

Hey, Cass, I-- [ugh. stupid. this woman barely knows you, nico. whatever.]

I'm gonna miss them too. [well, baph and dio anyway. baph more so than dio, but--dio had shown himself to be like, ridiculously nice. she and persephone had maybe ever said three words to each other. but the general sentiment stands ok.]

Not just because I lost my job when Baph left, I mean... shit. I don't know. They're good company. They didn't deserve any of the shit they had to deal with.

[queenofseers]

[ Good company is a phrase for it. She'd forgotten about Baphomet's groupies- putting them out of a job is yet another wrench thrown in this, isn't it. He always bothered her, but Dio insisted that was just Baph being friendly. Maybe. ]

I wish I could say I knew how to secure you severance pay, but considering Baphomet was so fond of illegal parties, I'm not even sure he had a proper bank account. Was he living in a cave somewhere again? I seriously don't know.

[ That's rough. Deep down, she appreciates the sentiment. ] But- thanks.

[Voice]

[purple_reign]

It sounded like you were grieving. ...It's hard, losing friends like this.

[queenofseers]

[ Ah. There's a voice she technically expected, but still doesn't really know how to respond to. They may be able to hear her sigh, short and exasperated. ]

Yeah, no shit. [ But she likes them enough not to leave it at that. ] How are you holding up?

voice; (sorry for my lates)

[minorgod]

[ Have a god who's not part of the Pantheon circle. ]

Sorry to hear about Dionysus, he was a good guy. And Persephone was... a very distinctive presence here.

voice

[queenofseers]

[ At this point part of her is exhausted by all of these condolences. But she's also numb to it- she'd listed four people with large social circles, after all. What did she expect? In any case, her mood shows in her voice. ]

Agreed. On both fronts. [ What he says about Dio in particular hurts, although she thinks he may not know the reason. ] Have we met?

Video - Private

[stylistic_disloyalty]

[It comes hours after this, and yes there's no Bwitter mention of Fuckwit Satan going ballistic again, but maybe that's even more unsettling for the span of time where Luci is completely and totally silent on social media and the network.]

[The feed starts, and from the lighting it's clear something is on fire nearby. Luci is laying on a concrete ground, several spent cigarettes around her, face red and wet, dead eyed and smoking her fifth or sixth. Her voice, when she finally speaks, is raw.]

She went back to all of that shit. They didn't deserve her here, she doesn't deserve what's there, where the fuck are we supposed to go?

voice, private

[queenofseers]

[ There she is.

People had been asking her about Lucifer. It was to the point that Cass was beginning to worry she'd have to check up on her- though, at the same time, she knew that would almost certainly end badly. She mostly wanted the security of knowing nobody was going to have to fish Luci out of prison within the next few weeks. This should be reassuring, then- that Luci is grieving in the slightly more normal way of smoking a lot and crying just as much.

But it's not. It's so far off expectations it becomes disturbing in another way. She uses voice to hide her appearance, though she's surprised Luci would share her own. ]

...Everyone is looking for you, you know. [ Maybe not everyone. That's an exaggeration. But people have been asking after her. ]

Isn't that the entire fucking problem? That we don't get to choose where we are?