[network] @LELRIC; audio; night 330 [open to those left behind]

[armoured]

[The first sound to come through is wind in the background, and then Al's voice sounding guilty.]

I, uh-- I may have made a mistake.

[A big one.]

I was looking for the people that went missing, and I kind of lost track of time. It's so stupid, I've never done that before, I guess I've just been here so long that I thought I would never get locked out now. Shows how much I know, huh?

[He tries for a little laugh there, but it sounds a bit choked.]

I'm-- I'm really sorry. I know I promised to be there for some people, but I guess that's another broken promise. It doesn't mean that I don't think you can be strong, or make it, you really can. Whatever happens, I'll be proud of you all, even if I don't see you again.

Comments

[armoured]

I wish it was that simple.

[That he couldn't die because he didn't have permission to do so.]

You know, I knew someone who used that argument as a way to keep herself alive.

[heavensreader]

So it did work. [She sounds surprised herself, faint with it. She'd spoken in anger, and now the cold thoughtless feeling is giving way to the gray misery of helplessness.]

[armoured]

It did for her.

[Only because she had May there to help heal her as well.]

But Lieutenant Hawkeye is amazing woman, she could do pretty much anything, I think.

[heavensreader]

If she could do it, couldn't you? [Of course not, but still she asks. She sounds very young.] If you - since you don't have my permission?

[armoured]

[He huffs a small and saddened laugh.]

I wish it worked that way, but I don't think I have the strength of Lieutenant Hawkeye. I'm sorry, Kesara.

[heavensreader]

But you do have strength. You've been here longer than, oah, than most anyone, and your body is special, so - so if it is possible -

[armoured]

It's not.

[Gentle, but firm.]

You shouldn't have to listen to this, Kesara, why don't you go and talk to someone about something fun? For me.

[heavensreader]

Oah, yes. Shall I just run along and play now. [To his credit, he does manage to make her flare again in anger, rather than continue to wilt into grief. For a moment.] You are the greatest, biggest fool.

[armoured]

That's not what I said! But yeah, you know what, go and play if you can find something to play with. Go and do anything that isn't this.

[People need to stop wanting to listen to him die.]

[heavensreader]

No I shan't. If you think that this will frighten me then you do not know anything.

[She will listen to whomever she jolly-well-pleases die. It will certainly be better than pulling away, as she was pulled away from Dame Ariel's side.]

I am going to tell you a story. You can choose whether you would like a cheerful or a frightful one. I will not tell a sad one.

[armoured]

You're so stubborn!

[Says the pot to the kettle. He thinks for a moment, though it's hard because the cold is making thinking sluggish at best, and devises a plan to make both of them happy. Sort of.]

Fine... tell me a happy story.

[And after that he'll switch his tablet to text only. So he hasn't hung up on her, but she shouldn't be able to hear or see him when he does die.]