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 -- ;w; /cling

[stillacaptain.livejournal.com]

Then we'll just have to find out.

Audio

[snowtop]

...h-how can you... b-be so s-sure?

Audio

[stillacaptain.livejournal.com]

Because.

I have to get back to him. Simple as that.

Audio

[snowtop]

[Harding's attitude is so like Ironhide's that it hurts. Xanth thought he was heartbroken when Kairi first rejected him, but now he realizes that he had no idea how broken a heart could be.

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.

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[stillacaptain.livejournal.com]

[His voice softens. This kid is clearly frightened. Hurting. He knew a kid like that.]

What's your name, kid?

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[snowtop]

X--Xanth Aum... Aumeli.

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[stillacaptain.livejournal.com]

Harding.

[A pause.]

... Wait for proof. Then panic.

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[snowtop]

[It's not all panic. Some of it is grief.]

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

[stillacaptain.livejournal.com]

How is that proof? Maybe we were just targeted. Specifically.

[Harding pauses, too, turning that one over.]

How long were you on the 'ship', kid?

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[snowtop]

N...Nine months. A-Almost t--ten.

[He says it with such certainty. He'd been counting the months; couldn't help it.]

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[stillacaptain.livejournal.com]

Nine months ago, I was on my planet.

So much for worlds being destroyed.

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[snowtop]

But...

[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

[stillacaptain.livejournal.com]

... Looks that way, kid.

[snowtop]

[Harding gets no reply. Caught between fury and grief, Xanth throws his journal across the room and sinks to the floor.

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.]