[network] Noisy Black, Part Two [open] [horror/watching surgeries/note specifics please]

[snowblindmods]

[Maybe you'd like to watch the video feed and give your comments. Maybe you'd like to try and organize something to fix what's happening. Maybe some of the sinners will be able to get on and join you, eventually... Please note what night/day/morning your post is on and note warnings as necessary.]

Comments

[devoutish]

[Alfie's quiet too, at first. But then he sings, very quietly:]

Do you remember, do you remember
Dancing in September
Never a cloudy day

[The lyrics and tune are a little off because he only heard it once, playing in the background via Royce's tablet, but he's trying to exaggeratedly imitate the singer's voice. Trying to make Royce laugh a little, maybe, or at least distract him with dumbassery.]

[bywolves]

[ Royce coughs a little and lets out a gaspy noise that could be a pathetic laugh, pulling his legs up closer to him. He taps, shakily: ] Bad.

[devoutish]

Fuck off, that was beautiful.

[He tries for a joking tone, despite his rough voice.]

[bywolves]

[ Another small sound. Just barely. ]

Wrong. [ It's hard to tease through Morse, but he's trying. ]

[devoutish]

No, mate, I've been thinking about a career change. You'll hurt my feelings, with this.

[bywolves]

[ What a dork. ]

Fired. [ Like, immediately. ]

[devoutish]

The bell was ringing, ha-ha, my soul was singing, ha-ha.

[bywolves]

[ Royce hums something soft - almost like he's trying to sing along, but it doesn't last very long. ]

[devoutish]

[Alfie lets out a little sound, half-laugh and half-sob.]

[bywolves]

[ He's very quickly losing his ability to pay attention closely, but that doesn't stop him from reaching to rest his hand on the tablet, just taking some measure of comfort in having someone there.

He wants to know this, at least: ]

U OK?

[devoutish]

[Absolutely not.]

I wish I were with you.

[bywolves]

[ Royce wishes he was there too. Like, a lot. It kills him a little that he isn't. ]

Me too. [ He shudders. ] Not ans. [ Hold on. He sucks in a wet, pained breath. He can't do long words, they hurt too much. ] wer.

[devoutish]

Don't worry about me, I'm better off than you.

[It's a Watson-style answer, he thinks. But he really is okay physically.]

[bywolves]

[ Yeah, see, that's what he's hearing with that, and as usual, they're on the same wavelength. ]

Not John. [ Comes his pissy reply, tapping almost aggressive. Just be honest, that's all he wants. ]

[devoutish]

No, Royce, I'm not okay. I'm a fucking mess, me.

[bywolves]

[ He kind of figured. ]

Can see. All. Peo. Ple? [ Stutter, stutter. ]

[devoutish]

Mm.

[Y u p.]

[bywolves]

[ Good and bad, really. ]

Was with. [ He was there. He stayed close, through all of Alfie's loss. ] You. Post.

[devoutish]

I know. I saw your replies. Everything showed up afterwards, after...

[After Royce had been taken.]

[bywolves]

[ Right. Royce sighs. He brings his hand up to tap something, and then stops, just lowering his hand again. He's too tired to try and get out more words, so he just hums low and closes his eyes. ]

[devoutish]

Be all right once you're back. Don't worry about me.

[bywolves]

[ You know he's going to, Alfie. He's not convinced something horrible isn't going to happen to all the people outside of here. Royce doesn't answer, and he won't for a while, unable to find the strength to really tap out his words. ]

[devoutish]

[Alfie just listens to him breath for a while, not saying much either. He murmurs a miss you at one point.]