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

[snowtop]

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.]

Comments

Audio

[snowtop]

Wh--what? No! I mean-- I-- I'm h-here now, b-but, what?

text

[thii2ii22tupiid]

you WERE at lea2t, ii remember you freakiing out about the tattoo2.

2o eiither there are two of you here or they traded out for a diiferent model.

Audio

[snowtop]

T--

Um. O--Okay.

[This sounds familiar. Didn't something like this happen on the Elegante? All the time?

In any case, doppelgangers and recurring versions are a little much to think about right now. Xanth focuses on something else.]

W-What... tattoos?

text

[thii2ii22tupiid]

everyone ha2 a tattoo, we get iit when they briing u2 iin or 2omethiing.

Audio

[snowtop]

[Xanth scoffs.]

G--Great. I-I bet mine is s--somewhere s-stupid.

text

[thii2ii22tupiid]

the other you never found hii2

Audio

[snowtop]

[Other Xanth couldn't have been very perceptive, then. This one can even figure out Sollux's ridiculous writing patterns!]

H...How long had th--the other me b-been he--here?

text

[thii2ii22tupiid]

not very, unle22 he wa2 really quiiet for a long tiime.

Audio

[snowtop]

...w-what was... h--he like?

[Xanth can't help his curiosity.]

text

[thii2ii22tupiid]

ii only talked two hiim once and he wa2 freakiing out about the tattoo2.

Audio

[snowtop]

O--Okay.

Th-thanks.

[He guesses.]