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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.]
[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.]
Audio
Or he used to.]
L...Listen. I--I... I did th-this once, a-and-- and it w-was gone. I--I know it was.
Th-they're.
[He chokes up.]
Pr--probably not... l-lying.
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Until I see a bunch of space dust where that planet was, I'm not buying this shit.
[Yeah, this attitude is probably very familiar to the poor kid.]
Audio
He already misses Ironhide so goddamn much.]
You... y-you won't. But... y-you're... not g-going home.
A-And I'm-- I'm s-so, so s-sorry.
Audio -- goddammit ;o; i'm tearing up here
I'm getting back to him. I don't care what these people say.
Audio -- ;w; /snuggles
[Xanth takes in a shuddering breath.]
I-I don't... know w-what'll be l--left to go b-back to.
Audio -- ;w; /cling
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Audio
I have to get back to him. Simple as that.
Audio
Xanth's reply is delayed, and when it finally comes, it's little more than a mumble.]
I-I know... kn-knew... someone l--like you.
Audio
What's your name, kid?
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Audio
[A pause.]
... Wait for proof. Then panic.
Audio
But if-- i-if I'm h-here, a-and-- and th-they're not... isn't-- that p-proof enough?
[Xanth pauses and just breathes.]
I-I... I d-did this b-before. On-- on a ship. Th-they said all-- a-all of our w-worlds were g--gone, and they-- th-they... they weren't l-lying.
Audio
[Harding pauses, too, turning that one over.]
How long were you on the 'ship', kid?
Audio
[He says it with such certainty. He'd been counting the months; couldn't help it.]
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So much for worlds being destroyed.
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[But did the time frame this man thought he lived count? The fact that this place is here at all calls into question everything he thought he knew.]
But then-- were-- w-were they l-lying? I-- I l-lived through all-- a-all that, a-and-- and they were l-lying!?
Audio
no subject
He might be relieved that his family is alive and safe, but that doesn't change the fact that he, and so many other good people, lived through months if not years of torture for no reason.
Captain Redd was not a great man. Captain Redd was a monster.]