004 | voice, tw: references to psychological torture

[dracobin]

[The post is the first word from anyone in Team 7 since a few days before the 13th, and unusual for Temeraire in more than a few ways: the feed is audio only, for one, and when he speaks, for another, his voice is hesitant, slow, and clearly shaken.]

This is--

This is hardly the best time to say this, in light of all our recent difficulties, with these creatures, and I do not know where to begin--I must beg your pardon, but--

--it came for us.

[He falls silent. An astute listener might notice significantly less trilling coming from the feed than most broadcasts on the network: he has been taking out his frustration on the tribbles, and his apartment is, for the moment, mostly tribble-free. Well, mostly free of living tribbles. Pity, really, since it sounds like he might have needed the calming effect.

He takes a deep breath, and tries again.]

We were in the palace--there were interrogations to be conducted, on behalf of Evandau--and it came for us. It took us--

[Silence again. Clearly he is choosing all the wrong places to begin, and it is some time before he resumes with:] Annabeth spoke of a realm of Death, in her last post, and what I saw, for a moment, was very like her description. In any case--there is no question that is its country; that it may do whatever it likes to whomever is unfortunate enough to enter it; and that what occurs in that realm, however fleeting the event, feels as real and vivid as if it had occurred in this reality.

I know that we must fight it regardless, but I fear I cannot imagine how.

[And this time there is only a moment of silence before he lets out a quavering breath, and cuts the feed. Any responses to the post come several hours later.]

[Private to Team 7, standard encryption, French text:]
Pray respond at once; I must know if you have come to harm.

Comments

voice | 100% encryption

[sophos]

Somewhere else...? Still in the Death plane? [If they were there at the same time, just in different locations, it would explain why Malicant didn't come for them when they began erasing the markings. He was busy. But she won't bring this up right now.]

Have you heard from the rest of your team? I mean, just, if they had a similar time loss experience - it might be possible to figure out more from multiple sources.

voice | 100% encryption

[dracobin]

If I were to venture a guess, I would say so: but it was very different from the palace, and it was difficult for me to tell.

They have sent word, but they are reluctant to discuss the matter openly, as, it must be said, am I. I beg your pardon--it is still a little too near, for my liking.

voice | 100% encryption

[sophos]

No. No, I understand. I'm sorry if you've felt I've been pushing too much, but I am glad you've heard from them by now.

[She hesitates for a moment.] But I think it's important, so when you're ready, and if you're willing, I would like to maybe speak to you further.

voice | 100% encryption

[dracobin]

Of course it is important: I am simply not sure I have all the answers, yet. [Nor is he in any fit condition to pursue them: but even admitting he cannot speak about it took enough of his pride, and he leaves the rest implied.]

When I do, you shall be the first to know.

voice | 100% encryption

[sophos]

I don't think anyone does. I'm not even sure we'll get all of them. We need time to regroup first, collectively, now that the turtle's health is on the rise, too. [She picks up on it, but she won't address it. Not directly.]

Thank you. I appreciate it. [A pause.] Please take care of yourself. [If the lingering fears she has over only just feeling it are any indication, Temeraire is in a much more worse state.]