008. (v2) [audio + commentlog/open]

[snowtop]

[This feels kind of familiar, but Xanth can't pinpoint why. Maybe he was just used to tons of people bustling about on the Elegante.]

O-Okay, uh, well, h-- hi. I-If you're new, y-you-- you probably-- r-read the thing i-in your journal. A-And if-- if you didn't, well, g-go... do... that?

...

O-Okay. Um. H--Hi. This is H-Holloway's Keep, and... y-you're kind of-- t-trapped. But-- i-it's not that b-bad here? There's-- f-food in the kitchen a-and beds if-- if you need rest a-and... i-it's not as-- bleak a-as it looks. T...Trust me. S-So, for now, s-- stay safe?

A-And please, don't... d-don't-- kill a-anybody.

[Xanth closes his journal and tucks it away for the moment. He's out by the stables, feeding the animals inside and keeping an eye open for anyone he recognizes.

For anyone who saw him when he still had long hair, well, that long hair is gone. He's got a hat on to keep his ears warm, but he is so close to bald now that it's not even funny.]

Comments

[Commentlog]

[snowtop]

I-I mean it, i-- i-it's out, th-there's a door, b-but, but, a-all that's o-out there f-for-- for m-miles a-and-- and miles i-is-- d-desert, n-- n-no-- no one's f-found another-- c-city, o-or a--anything!

[What he fails to say is that leaving the Keep means death, but he'll say anything to get this guy off him.]

[Commentlog]

[time_to_go_pro]

[Not being an idiot, Pike can figure for himself that leaving this keep isn't a great idea. Not without transportation and supplies, at least, and if they were available, why hasn't anyone else thought of it?]

Huh. That is bad news, isn't it?

[That gun is still pressing and making it clear what kind of "bad news" he's talking about. After a tense moment of nothing... Pike lets go, steps away and puts away the gun. He's not about to waste a bullet on a scared little punk. He turns and stalks off, hoping to find someone more worthy of putting a bullet through.]

[Commentlog]

[snowtop]

[As he's dropped, Xanth slumps against the fence, jelly-legged and on the verge of panic. His eyes still on Pike's retreating back, Xanth touches a hand to his neck and watches the man go.

He'll be saying nothing, though, because he'd rather this man forget he existed than make him aim that gun again.]