snowtop | 001. (v2) [audio + commentlog/open]

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

A...Again?

[Xanth lets out a hollow, bitter laugh.]

I... n-no, you, you have to be k--kidding. I-I already d--did this. M-My world was... a-already gone. Th--The End took it. K-K'lai, a-and Grams, they... th-they were... already gone.

[He takes in a shuddering breath. His chest tightens, his voice cracks.]

N--Now you say it... it's all g-gone? Unmade? D--Didn't ev--even-- h-happen? How!? I-- I lived that! It-- it can't-- not again--

[There's a small gasp, like a prelude to a sob, but then Xanth slams the book shut.

Xanth takes his record, takes his key, and immediately sets out into the Keep. He's tired, he's so fucking tired, but he has to know if anyone else got snatched into this mess too.]

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Guess we're a hard lot to kill. Name's Kevas.

[Xanth laughs, shaky with relief and adrenaline.]

Y--Yeah.

So, Kev--K-Kevas-- is anyone e--else h-here?

[Please say yes. Gods, say yes, please.]

There are, but it's not a lot. So far it's just a couple of us.

[And just like that, Xanth's hopes are cracked. Not shattered - but there were so many people on the Elegante. The chances that any are people he knows are so small...]

Wh...Who?

[This kid is just asking for some heartbreak, but it's his choice. Best he find out sooner than later.]

Two ladymons, Nel and Talia, and a mon, Auron. That's all I know of.

[Pause.]

There are some other familiar faces here, but they aren't from the Elegante.

[Vie and Yuna come to mind.]

[Xanth holds his breath, waiting for a name, any name, that he recognizes.

There are none.

Xanth has to take a moment. He flips the book closed and leans against the wall, closing his eyes and fighting back tears. His emotions are fried. Just one day ago he escaped a sinking ship - the universe didn't even have the decency to give him two days of rest.

But worse than that, he's alone again.

Eventually, he picks himself up again and sends out a reply.]

O...Okay. Th--thank you.

So. Um. [He swallows hard, then takes a deep breath.] What-- w-what should I kn--know about... h-here?

Sorry little mon.

[And he means it. Kevas knows exactly what it's like to lose everyone you love in the span of a day.]

Well, so far no one seems completely out of their damn minds so that's a plus. Punishments here a brutal though so be careful.

W-Worse than the o-ones on th-the El--Elegante?

[Because, dude. Captain Redd made Jinx eat his own foot.]

Not sure, only seen one punishment so far but they were forced to fight to the death.

Wh...

What did-- wh-- what'd they d-do!?

They started a fight I think.

That--

B-But--

Th-that's so-- b-backwards! F-Fighting to-- to p-punish fi--fighting?

Maybe. Maybe not. Used to see things like that back home. Still, it wasn't over something so simple as a fight.

[Xanth has heard of duels to the deal, but they were for honor. They were for innocence. But fighting just to punish fighting made no sense...]

N--No, it-- it c-couldn't be.... I-I'll... b-be careful th-then.

Is th-- there-- a-anything else I sh-should know? Uh, h--haunted th-theaters, for--forbidden d-dangers, th-that... kind of th-thing?

[Kevas contemplates telling him about that Clothier Tower, but seeing how this kid has no reason to even go down there it probably isn't worth mentioning.]

No little mon, nothing like that. Just use some common sense and you'll be fine.

O-Okay.

[He sighs.]

I-It almost... sounds ea--easier, than... th-the Eleg-gante...

So far it is little mon. Just don't let your guard down completely.

I-I'm not th-that stupid.

[Not anymore, at least. He knows better.]

Th-thanks. A--A lot. I-I mean it.

[He does.]

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