[network] @ASolomons; audio, morning of 265 [open]

[devoutish]

The fuck is going on?

[He sounds exhausted, as per usual, and his voice is hoarse and raw - he's been doing a lot of non-stop talking these past few days, trying to keep Royce engaged.]

Right - the lot of you, sound off. What happened, and what needs to be done?

Comments

[bywolves]

Gloves. [ Royce says shortly. If he doesn't talk much, he won't fall apart. ] I've got gloves. Just need to cover them.

[devoutish]

Gloves. Yeah.

What are you gonna do, are you gonna walk?

[bywolves]

I - I can try. [ He probably needs to. He wants to lay here and rot. ] How far - how.

I - sorry. [ He's just - wildly fighting the numbness, here. It comes and goes in waves. ]

[devoutish]

You wait if you need to, Royce. You understand? I won't have you getting killed.

[bywolves]

[ Okay. Royce swallows hard. He drags in another slower breath and works to settle down. Right now, the numbness will come in handy. ]

I don't know if I can get through the Pass right now. [ He says, honestly. ] I'll - I'll come in. [ His voice sounds wet, though. ]

[devoutish]

I'll do it. I did once already. Wasn't as bad as I expected.

[Some of the buildings on the other side, on the other hand...]

[bywolves]

Mm. [ There's a long pause, as he just breathes on the other side of the line. But that reminds him too much of being stuck in a cell, unable to speak, and it's not doing any wonders for his calm. ]

I - I don't know what to do with myself.

[devoutish]

Talk. I'll talk.

[Hoarse voice or not, he gives no fucks.]

[bywolves]

You've been talking. [ He worries about your voice, buddy. ]

[devoutish]

I'll keep fucking talking.

[bywolves]

I'm - fine. [ He's better. Than he was. He stands up shakily, and makes his way to the bedroom of the house he's in. For the first time in a while, he just wants a bed. Alfie has most of their blankets, but he's got two. That'll have to be enough. ]

I'm fine. [ He says again, like he can convince himself. He sets the tablet down on the bed so he can stubbornly put the bed together. ]

[devoutish]

Yeah. So'm I.

[But which he means he is not fine at all and he knows Royce isn't either.]

[bywolves]

[ He feels the numbness creeping in, and he welcomes it. All he wants is to not have to feel for a while. ]

I can't - I can't walk today. [ Royce says, unsteadily. ] Tomorrow.

[devoutish]

Stay on with me?

[bywolves]

Yeah. [ He curls up around his tablet, like he did before. This time he's cocooned in blankets. It's still not good, but he doesn't hurt, at least. He's so tired. ] I'm fading. Might not - might not be good for talking.

[devoutish]

Don't talk, then. Just don't hang up.

[bywolves]

Alright. [ He won't. He'll probably fall asleep soon, but he won't hang up. At least he has this. ]