headjacked | ic inbox

[Okay. This particular apology leaves him feeling particularly anxious, if only because Rhys has guessed at something John would rather not have people knowing.

It was bound to happen, my darling. You shouldn't have turned on video.]

Rhys, hey. I wanted to apologize for how I talked to you the other night. My death price lifted this morning, and I think that's going to fix some things now I know what it was.

[Are you just going to insinuate seeing me was part of that price? Mary asks, raising her brows. She shrugs after a moment. Clever.]

I'm very sorry. I was rude and hostile, and you didn't deserve that.

Hello, Rhys. I assume you've stopped panicking by now since you're checking your inbox. Perhaps Angel has already checked hers and averted the panic altogether? One can hope.

I can imagine in great detail the spiral of guilt I am sending you both into; I apologise, though I think you're well aware that I don't actually hold either of you responsible. MY departure has nothing to do with ill will towards you. I simply need time. To process, if you will. I suppose at heart I'm not as tamed as I thought.

As I've told Angel, I will meet you two at the entrance to the eastern tunnels in three days' time. Try not to lose any limbs in the meanwhile. Watch over each other.

[ The all-too familiar anomalies may be gone, but that doesn't mean that sleep is going to come easily. Clan Vamperion are crammed in a bathroom overnight, and no amount of blanketage can make that entirely comfortable.

Still. Sleep comes. Angel's is fitful, though, and at approximately fuck o'clock she awakens for the billionth time and decides that sleep can go eff itself. Maybe she'll just surf the network for a while. It's better than just lying there thinking about things that she can't do anything about.

So she opens her eyes. ]

ERK--!

[ "Erk" is not a thing that real people actually say when they are startled. Except this once. Angel honest-to-god fucking erks before covering her mouth with both hands.

Jack has been freaking watching her sleep and that's creepy as heck. WEIRDED OUT WHISPERING, HO. ]

What the heck are you doing?!

Checking in.

[Sup, Rhys. It's been a while.]

Rhys I'm so sorry YOU AREN'T OLD OR STUPID

[ Typed in a rush, first thing in the morning, before any sensible people are awake. Because gOTTA SAY IT FAST ]

Rhys, I swear to god, I am going to destroy this fucking robot if Jack doesn't keep his goddamn mouth shut. Either tell me how to mute him or tell me how to delete him.

Rhys, hello. I know I haven't spoken with you often of late, and I apologize for that, and more so for this having to be a warning. If you haven't spoken with Beckett already please be careful. His death has taken something from him; empathy, love, or something, and he may be hostile.

I know you're close to him, too, so I felt I ought to let you know. Be safe, and don't hold it against him, he isn't entirely himself even if he claims he is.

[He spends hours in a stupor when he wakes up, mind lingering on what could have been a dream, perhaps even futilely trying to convince itself it was.

It's when that part of him finally gives up as it should that he reaches out to the people that had been there...]

Rhys. [Enoch's voice breaks on that one simple syllable. He's short of breath, tearful, words racing out as quickly as his mouth can make them. Rhys is the first person he contacted, and it shows.] I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry Rhys, please tell me you're well again, please forgive me, how could I have- I know it wasn't me but I still- it was still my hands, my voice, that-

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Can't think, can't talk, just- sorry. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry... [He repeats until there are no coherent words left, only tears. Part of him has forgotten Rhys himself is on the other end of this.]

hey firstly fuck you

[ ...that felt like simply going through the motions instead of a genuine 'fuck you.' Man, he needed to sleep this off. But first-- this particular conundrum's bothering him, and Vasquez didn't want to think about it for more than the five seconds it deserved. Too late for that, though! ]

okay that did absolutely nothing to make me feel better and that is just disappointing on a fundamental level.
secondly, what was that. in there, with the whole...........not being a total dick in my direction thing. starting to think i'm losin my touch, here.
[ He prides himself in being a good nemesis, okay. He's not gonna halfass that, ever. For the sake of not leaving the message on that note, he throws in another line of text, although he's pretty sure the answer to it's obvious. ]

did you get your leg back

Edited (pHONE TAGS ARE HELL) 2017-08-01 08:01 (UTC)

[So he's set up a vague meeting with Brian. They're both heading for "the tunnels" so he can hand off his stuff. He knows Brian is going to meet with Beckett and Beckett is with Rhys.

Only the next night does he realize he's forgotten the most important step of all, as the panic of nearly dying from drifting focus settles down. At least he has the presence of mind to use text, instead of video or audio. He's at the point where he can type more or less normally again, no matter how awful he feels.]

Hello, Rhys. I suspect I'm still the last person you want to hear from, and I'm sorry for this. But I'm afraid we may end up in the same place soon. When I died that night in my failed attempt to protect Beckett, I left my things with Brian. He still has them, and says he is going to meet you - or, rather, to meet Beckett. This means we may cross paths, as he doesn't know exactly where he's going or when he'll arrive.

I do admit no small part of me wants badly to rejoin our mutual friend, as well. But I won't stay if it will hurt you. If you'd like, I can only reclaim my belongings and leave as soon as it is safe.

I didn't want to arrive unannounced, after what happened. The last thing I want to do is cause you more pain.

I did find some things earlier to give to you, as a gesture of

[He's mastered the art of using a line break to indicate a confused pause.]

I'm not sure, really, whether it's apology, or goodwill, or both. But they are yours to do with as you wish, whether I am there to gift them in person or I send them along with Brian.

Safe travels, Rhys, and tell Beckett I wish him the same.

Yo, Rhys! Wanted to check up on your guys and ask if I could show you something. Thought you guys might be able to figure it out.
You both okay? How was all the other weird shit from the last couple of weeks?
How's Dumpy?
Get back to me when you can!

[Angel might have told him this was coming, at least, so it may not be a complete surprise.]

Hello, Rhys. Angel tells me you two are returning from downtown. Are you doing well?

[ ~~Continued from here!~~ ]

What the fuck.

[ Angel has become more forthcoming with The Eff in recent years. Just a bit, mind. You have to deploy your F-bombs with care if you want them to remain effective.

Now, however, is definitely a moment for the most strangled and gobsmacked of fucks. ]

Is that - are you - is - what the fuck, Rhys!

[ Maybe TWO fucks. ]

Rhys.

[ It's nighttime. There are sleep piles. Some of the sleep piles feature people who have been recently stabbed.

GOOD TIME FOR A TALK AMIRITE!!

Meaning Angel is quietly-but-insistently nudging Rhys in the ribs. He probably doesn't need the sleep anyway. ]

Psssst. Are you awake?

Edited 2017-11-28 16:59 (UTC)

[It's been an odd day for all of them, with the sense of reality shifting, things spinning in their own minds. Between that and the beginnings of cabin fever, Beckett has given up on productive experimentation, and elected to spend much of the day sleeping. More rest is never unwelcome in Norfinbury after all.

Except in the middle of the day he wakes up with a start, stares briefly into space, and proceeds to freak the hell out.

It is a very quiet, contained freakout. He's experienced at those. With the cloak drawn tight, and walking fast down the corridors, no one can tell that he's shaking all over. Thank God he can even manage to move his legs in any sensible way. By the time he finds Rhys and drags him to a quiet out of the way corner, though, he's all spent with that effort. He practically collapses into a crouch, shaking like a leaf.]

Rhys. Remind me. The Book. When you and Angel - remind me - what did I do?

[See, Rhys is the hardest. Because as far as Beckett remembers, Rhys just died himself. And Beckett is still very much in the mindset that birthed the Decisions made in the wake of that death.

This is the worst death price ever.]

I... probably owe you an apology. One way or another.

Dude. What the eff

[ oh hey angel is back and yes that's the full message

rhys is welcome ]

Hello, Rhys. Angel told me you followed when Squalo left the bunker with her. Is everyone all right?

[By that he means "are you and Angel all right", but the way Rhys answers this will let him know whether or not his communication is being watched. He knows Angel has a tendency to downplay any distress she might be in so a second pair of eyes on the scene is a blessing, and it might help Rhys's state of mind to know that someone is trying to look out for them from afar.]

[ Okay, two and a bit days is enough of a time out. IT'S TIME FOR...... THE RE-SPEAKENING..........................

Or something. WHATEVER. The important thing is that Angel is approaching Rhys and actually offering eye contact and IT'S BEEN THREE THOUSAND YEARS ]

Hey. Feel like helping me out with something tomorrow?

[ PROFOUNDLY EMOTIONAL!! ]

[Well...once he and Beckett had calmed down after it seemed the unusual anomaly had actually given up, against all odds, he had to go back and see what he could add to John's post. When he actually reviewed everything that had been said...]

Rhys, are you all right? I'm...I'm sorry, for what the- that other me did.

[It's not him, but it also is. Therefore, he must apologize.]

@jwatson; text; Night 208

@Mnemosyne; text; Day 225

action; night 231;

@ASolomons; audio; day 138

morning 254; text; @guardian

@Spoiler; audio; Morning 255

Night 257, text @Enoch - AND NOW FOR SOME BACKDATED MOOD WHIPLASH

@Enoch, voice; Day 265