15 ❄ ( AUDIO )

[wintershepherd]

[ Jack's voice is one of the biggest changes that he'd been affected with: higher and lighter, even without the soft tone that he's speaking with right now. If you haven't spoken to him since the misspell took hold, it might even be hard to identify the audio only feed as his, unless the console ID is checked. ]

Traci didn't show up for work today so I went to check on her. Her suite is empty... it looks like she's gone home too.

[ A pause, almost like he intended that to be the end of the feed and then he speaks again, this time with resolve and a lilt much more like Jack Frost. ]

I know this has been mentioned offhandedly a few times in the past but I hadn't heard of anyone taking it on, so I'll be doing it from now on: keeping track of everyone whose come and gone from Tu Vishan. And I don't just mean their names and dates... but what made them important while they were here.

[ another pause, and the faint chirp of Baby Tooth in the background ]

That's all, I guess.

Comments

audio

[backwordscompatible]

[And another one bites the dust.]

[She wasn't particularly distraught over the thought of Traci getting to go home again, still forever of the mindset that that's what happened. Clones or not. But even she couldn't help the very distinct twinge of sadness tugging at her heart at the thought of losing her magic brosis. They'd had so much in common, after all, that there were moments where she could have convinced herself that Traci really was her sister.]

...I just saw her a few days ago, too.

[Her voice is quiet, betraying far more sadness than she would have liked.]

Re: audio

[wintershepherd]

So did I. But she's never late for work without letting me know so... I knew something was wrong.

audio

[backwordscompatible]

Are you okay?

[Immediately her next thought. However she might've felt, she knew Jack was fairly close to Traci as well. Considering how worried he had been when Finnick left and he was put in charge of the shop.]

[Considering this isn't the first time he's lost someone like this.]

[alphatar]

[They got along and Korra counted Traci among her friends. Mako and her were even supposed to do a double date with Traci and Jaime since she had yet to meet him. Go fishing together when they had the chance.

It takes a while before she responds to the video feed.]

I'm going to miss her, thanks for letting us know.

audio;

[wintershepherd]

[ Jack's feed stays on audio, but his tone is understanding even if it's not a familiar voice. ]

Me too, Korra. If... you want some time off, you can.

Re: audio;

[alphatar]

[The work part kind of gave it away. That and Zatanna was more than happy to inform Korra of Jack's status after her spell bomb went off.]

I can't. I'm the only fisher now. [And minus one friend.] I'll bring in more to cover us.

voice;

[parallels]

Noble task

[A pause. Clara didn't know Traci at all. But she understands completely the feelings of coming to find a friend and finding no trace of them. Like they just vanished off the face of the planet.]

I'm sorry.

Re: voice;

[wintershepherd]

Noble? I don't think it's like that...

Re: voice;

[parallels]

Hm, suppose it's noble in the sense that it's not easy. But it's important.

[audio]

[alpha_squad_leader]

[Victor didn't recognize the voice at first but it was vaguely familiar. That combined with what was being talked about prompted him to check the ID. He's forgotten that he doesn't sound anything like himself right now so his console ID will need a checking too.]

She's...thanks for letting us know, Jack. She'll be missed.

If you need some help with keeping track of things, let me know?

Re: [audio]

[wintershepherd]

Yeah, she will.

Thank you, Victor. We'll see how it goes, all right?

[audio]

[alpha_squad_leader]

You're welcome but you don't need to thank me.

Are you doing alright?

[audio]

[cantbewalled]

[Last time, Prussia hadn't really cared the last time Jack mentioned someone being gone. To be honest, humans die in the blink of an eye for him so one just up and disappearing doesn't mean much.

But something about the way Jack said it made it mean a little bit more sense. And maybe because of certain changes, he's not going to try and push for video. The voice that responds is a bit higher, less raspy.]

How are you planning on keeping track of everyone?

Re: [audio]

[wintershepherd]

I can keep up with the network, and read everything in the past. I don't need to sleep and it's not winter yet so... I have time.

audio;

[aloadeddie]

[Jack's not the only one with a changed voice for the past few days - Arthur's doing his best to only say what he absolutely needs to say - and keep his face off the network, because damn, that would just be asking for trouble.

But he just lost someone too, and he's not sure what he thinks of Jack's idea.]

I don't see why it matters. We've all lost people. Either they meant something, or they didn't. Maybe some would sooner not have their names publicly known.

Re: audio;

[wintershepherd]

The fact that we've all lost people here is why it matters and everyone matters. It doesn't make a difference if they were vocal about it or not.

audio;

[aloadeddie]

Not saying I think anyone is expendable, or whatever. [He actually kind of is, because he doesn't think any of you are real, but you know. In theory. If you all were real.]

Just that most of us don't have the energy to worry about every single person who's ever been here and disappeared - even if it was possible to keep track of them all, which I doubt. Personally, I'd rather move on and focus on how to get the hell home.

audio;

[watcheslanterns]

She was a friend of yours?

Re: audio;

[wintershepherd]

Yeah, she was. I could talk to her about some things that other people didn't seem to understand... she gave good advice. I'm going to miss her.

Re: audio;

[watcheslanterns]

I'm sorry, Jack.

But at least she's gone home...right?

audio;

[escarabajo]

[Jaime's already discovered this-- his voice sounds a little less-than-steady, and there's no way he wants to go on camera right now-- but he replies nonetheless. It's the thought that counts. Especially to one of Traci's friends.]

Thanks.

Re: audio;

[wintershepherd]

You're welcome.

[ a pause ]

I know it's not the best way to find out but... I couldn't think of anything else.

[escarabajo]

No, it's-- convenient. [Which sounds horribly insensitive to say, in a way: he shrugs it off, because he really doesn't need to be getting existential about their existence here.] I mean, I found out a little earlier, but for people who wouldn't have figured it out on their own.

video;

[andaway]

[Traci... which means Superman should pay a visit to Blue Beetle some time soon.]

We actually do that on the radio already. Maybe you'd like to be on charge of that in there?

audio;

[wintershepherd]

Do you? Sorry, I didn't mean it like... to announce it to everyone whenever someone leaves. I just meant, I want to keep records.