xenologue 3 || voice

[fauxmarth]

So the day has worn on...and on. And the sky shows no sign of incoming terrors from where I'm standing. Will this be one of those long lapses I've heard tell of?

Whatever was done was enough, friends and imPorts. I'm grateful to those who found a way...

[a beat.

exhale.]

Forgive me. I wish to ask of things touched upon again and again -- much more than the span of days we've just endured. I've already read so much about the past here that I may go cross-eyed to scour any further, and...and there's...something to be said of hearing truths from first-hand sources.

Should you be willing, please tell me: how long did it take you to know for certain your friend or loved one has left-- returned, as it were. What did you do? How many days did it take you to find it in you to be certain?

...How did you know they had forgotten, too? All of this, good and ill. [with an empty laugh in her voice:] There's a lot to be said about fools who believe anything in life is certain, of course, but all the same... A fool like me can at least do her part to ask.

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[fauxmarth]

It's still where he left it last, back at the clock tower. But all the same-- thank you for your thoughtfulness, Blue. [well,] Both of you, no doubt.

[shutterbugged]

It does actually get easier.

[ There's a not-very-convincing display of blithe unconcern, there. ]

I haven't been back home in more than seven years, so yeah, I've gotten used to seeing people come and go. Dunno why the Porter finds me so interesting, but there you go.

[h2no]

That time you suplexed me begs to differ...

[he snorts, though he's still got a vice grip on the tv remote. it might've cracked? fuck. well, whatever, he's not interested in it.]

Just-- don't push yourself too hard. I know... I know how hard it is to lose someone you love to the Porter, but you're a strong woman. You'll be able to pull through.

[even if he doesn't come back, goes unspoken.]

[halloflamer]

He left it? ...Huh.

[Blue frowns momentarily. Maybe he didn't want to be found, for some reason.]

Do you think something happened that he might... I dunno, have run off to sulk somewhere? [Like perhaps a very tall and snowy mountain....??? Asking for a friend no experience here or anything]

[fauxmarth]

[mild horror:] Seven...?! Gods, that-- [that certainly breaks the records she knows some others hold here.] How in heaven's name do you do it? It-- [she cuts herself off, ashamed.]

Forgive me. I don't mean to be rude.

[fauxmarth]

[there's little reaction to the offside comment -- not audibly, anyway. but she's got her video feed off, so the weak, crooked smirk she flashes for a moment comes and goes unseen.

and--gods, he doesn't have to say it aloud in no uncertain terms; that elicits a rogue tear that must be hastily brushed away and another composing breath is drawn to compensate.]

It may take reminders, but all the same. I'll do my best, as is to be expected.

[fauxmarth]

Perhaps. I'd be loathe to rule much out if there is a chance to sniff him out, if that's the case. There's still many places to look and...well, truly, I don't know all of his haunts. Some of his life here is...still a mystery to me.

[h2no]

You don't have to perform to expectations here. It's-- a blessing, I guess, but you can take your own time to deal with things.

[he shakes his head, then realises, too, that he has the video off.]

Do what you can, when you can. Nothing else.

[shutterbugged]

Ha! [ There's a beat of silence as he waves it off, then remembers it's a voice thread. ]

Don't worry about it, I've got a pretty thick exoskeleton. Anyway, what are network threads for if not asking other imPorts nosy personal questions?

The answer to said question, by the way, is a hefty dose of denial and constant wisecracking to paper over the yawning existential abyss. But that's how I've lived pretty much my entire adult life, so hey.

[fauxmarth]

[sure YOU can say that, but YOU'RE not 1. a princess nor 2. considering how BADLY ur cousin would feel if u spent all ur time moping. so. u know.

anyway.]

As you say. Thank you, Archie.

[fauxmarth]

[this may as well be video, but oh well, she can simply shake her head in wonder unseen.]

I hope you take no offense, but that sounds...rather dreadful to me.

[halloflamer]

[Blue would suggest reading the tabloids, but that seems a little-- unhelpful, at the moment? Even he has his limits. He'll keep his mouth shut, for once.]

[Instead he shrugs] Hah! I'd say the things that are a mystery for everyone else are the things you seem to get! Well whatever, but that's how family goes.

I bet he'll turn up! [Or at least Blue can try to be optimistic for his friend, here.] Are you okay, other than that?

[h2no]

[he's the prettiest princess, how dare u]

Don't worry about it. Just... keep yourself safe, yeah?

[shutterbugged]

No, I highly recommend going for therapy, like a normal person. They probably won't be a supervillain, and your odds are even better in this universe than mine.

[ He's had Experiences, okay. ]

[fauxmarth]

Yes, of course. Now that we have escaped the temporary madness of time. You and Red are safe and well, too?

[quickfingers]

[Again, he's grateful for choosing text because his silence for a drawn out second doesn't come off as strange. He half writes a response before deleting it, the kind of response of don't worry about me - not hungry that's a callous lie even to himself. He doesn't need to seal himself away here, that'll only garner him more of the attention he wants to dodge.]

Could be doable. Is there anything I can help with? Besides pizza. Been eating pizza for days. Too many days? But let me bring something over for you guys.

[fauxmarth]

[...]

You speak from experience, I take.

[halloflamer]

[...Come again??] The whatnow?

[shutterbugged]

...You know, talking to you I'm beginning to feel very self-conscious about my life.

[fauxmarth]

Please do. Anything you like. [he's not failed her when it comes to interesting, tasty new foods so far, after all. and she'd not deny him the chance to help with something so simple.]

[fauxmarth]

Eh-? [...] The...time loop, Blue. [a little dismayed:] Gods, don't tell me you don't remember it? None of the natural-born citizens do, either, judging by the news...

[fauxmarth]

Oh, I--I apologize, sir. I won't pry any more and cause you undue trouble.

[shutterbugged]

I said it was fine, didn't I? I don't play by take-backsies.

[ Whatever that means, he doesn't sound offended. ]

I forgot to say this before, but: I'm sorry someone you care about's gone missing. If you don't mind my asking, who was it? In case it's someone I know.

[halloflamer]

Time.... loop...? [Blue's head tilts, skepticism slowly creeping into his expression.] Um, sorry but I don't really know what you're talking about.

I guess I saw some weird posts on the network... Oh, Archie sent me a weird message, too. Did something dumb happen again?

[fauxmarth]

[mh...]

...My cousin, Owain. Or--Odin, as he's known here. My real fear is...believing without a doubt that he's safely returned, when instead he's in need of my help.