003. (v2) [video]

[snowtop]

[At first, there is no sound; there is only the image of Xanth's forearm. Lines of letters curl around his fingers, twist around his hand, and spiral onto his arm. The ink, jet black, is stark against his pale skin.]

Th-this-- it means I-I've been-- t-too quiet, right? I-It... it wants me to-- t-to say... s-something.

[It's been a while since he's checked in, made sure people knew he hadn't vanished, but there is nothing to say.

The feed remains set on Xanth's arm.]

I'm... o-okay. I'm s--still here.

A-Are... are you guys... o-okay, too?

[He heard that crack some days ago. No one has called for help on the journals, so no one was hurt in the expedition that came after, and no one had been hurt during the initial bang.

Or so he hopes.]

Comments

[heavyweaponsbot]

[Dadbot would comment--! If... he knew what happened in the woods :(]

[Audio]

[lightwithin]

I'm okay.

[She hasn't spoken to Xanth since they both returned to the barracks. It isn't that she'd meant to avoid him. She's just... Been preoccupied.

Xanth, on the other hand, doesn't sound okay.]

I have some oranges...

[The offer is there before she's finished, but she'd hoped making smoothies could be something fun. Xanth doesn't sound like he's really up for fun.]

Do you want some?

[Video]

[agentknockknock.livejournal.com]

It wants you to say something?!? Don't listen to it! That is really not good. Really, really not good.

Look I've seen this before, and I can get rid of it. Have you touched Edger Allen Poe's book or quill? I need to find it now before [She trails off ominously.]

Well, I just need to find it. Then you'll be OK.

[She thinks.]

[ghostly-stutter.livejournal.com]

Xanth.

[A soft sigh. Relief.]

I--I'm glad you're okay.

[Audio]

[angha-firebird.livejournal.com]

Xanth.

[There's relief and warmth in her voice, along with the smallest bit of vulnerability she is trying very hard to hide. They hadn't talked at all after she re-gained her memories, after all.]

I am glad you're okay.

[Those markings worry her, however, she she leans closer to inspect the journal.]

They do not hurt? The markings on your skin?

[She wasn't going to mention her sleepless nights or internal conflict with her friends. She hadn't harmed Xanth, at least. For that, she would count herself fortunate. Alex's words have been haunting her. She needed to tell them. Everyone one of them. She never wished to be a danger ever again. But how to go about it? And when would she find the time?]