francel is silent for a long time. and for a moment perhaps it seems as though he has disappeared from their conversation entirely, that he has no intention of replying, that he has decided haurchefant is a figment of his imagination and nothing more.
but then — the sound of a breath being taken, roughly, over dry lips. it trembles on the exhale. francel's voice quivers, interrupted only by the unmistakable whine of a hiccup, punctuated by shuddering breaths. crying. he's crying again, a grown man brought to tears over something so simple as seeing his best friend alive, even through a screen (still clearer, still crisper than any painting). he shouldn't be doing this, it's weak, and yet...]
no subject
francel is silent for a long time. and for a moment perhaps it seems as though he has disappeared from their conversation entirely, that he has no intention of replying, that he has decided haurchefant is a figment of his imagination and nothing more.
but then — the sound of a breath being taken, roughly, over dry lips. it trembles on the exhale. francel's voice quivers, interrupted only by the unmistakable whine of a hiccup, punctuated by shuddering breaths. crying. he's crying again, a grown man brought to tears over something so simple as seeing his best friend alive, even through a screen (still clearer, still crisper than any painting). he shouldn't be doing this, it's weak, and yet...]
It's —
It's really you?