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;

[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.

[wintershepherd]

Oh, uh. That's... good.

[ Because Jack isn't sure how to respond to being told it's convenient. ]

You didn't... want to tell anyone?

[escarabajo]

On a scale of one to pathetic, how sad is it that I kinda didn't want to believe it until somebody else said it?

[wintershepherd]

Actually that's... one of the bravest things I've heard in a while.

[escarabajo]

Really? [The relief in his voice is audible-- he's been worried that he's sounding silly this whole day.] You're not just saying that.

[wintershepherd]

No, I'm not. I really do mean it.

[escarabajo]

...Thanks, that's really nice of you to say. It's just that, well, she's probably the first person from home who's gone home like that-- I should be happy for her, right?

[wintershepherd]

[ kindly, understanding: ] It's easy to say things like "should be happy" and a lot harder to make yourself be that way. You don't have to feel one way or another, as long as you can know that it's good they were able to return.

[escarabajo]

It is good.

Wish it didn't have to happen so suddenly, at least.

[wintershepherd]

Yeah... I know. You just-- want to be able to say goodbye.

[ he hesitates briefly, even though he's sure he already knows this answer ]

You two are... from the same place, right?

[escarabajo]

Exactly. It's not like we haven't had to deal with distance before, but she's not just a phone call away this time.

[Jaime nods.]

The same world, anyway. We were mostly long distance back home.

[wintershepherd]

Then when you get back too, you'll have to catch her up on everything she'll be missing!

[ He's trying to at least put a positive, lighthearted spin on this. ]

[escarabajo]

[He manages a smile.]

Hopefully she won't have missed too much. This place isn't so bad, but the welcome's a little worn out by now.

[wintershepherd]

Yeah, it can definitely seem like that.