✘ Round 4 | [Audio]

[glacius]

[It's time for someone who rarely accesses the network to rear his head again, driven to desperation as the days have ticked by and he's failed to find even a trace of one of his closest friends. That being said when Glacius speaks there's an uncharacteristic urgency tinting his voice, worry bubbling just underneath the surface.] Kate Galloway. Has--has anyone seen or heard from her recently?

[Realizing that in his haste to get to the point he's left out some details, he dials it back a bit:] She's, ah, a human woman. Brightly-colored hair. Worked at the clinic, primarily. I... haven't seen a trace of her ever since the masquerade and...

... Please. [His voice finally wavers noticeably, resignation clashing up against his innate tendency to hope again hope. This can't be how it goes.] I need someone to tell me she's still here.

Comments

voice;

[closerift]

[ It clutches at her chest, knowing that another friend has come and gone. Cecily tightens her jar, stricken, before she eventually responds. ]

... Has anyone found her yet?

voice;

[glacius]

No. I will not give up, but... I fear the worst.

voice;

[closerift]

Not yet. I'll help to look.

[ She isn't going to give up, either. ]

voice;

[glacius]

... Thank you, Cecily. For everything, I mean... you have always been kind and supportive.

If you discover anything, please let me know.

voice;

[closerift]

No thanks necessary. I've been neither of those things.

[ Says the self-deprecating protagonist. ]

... I didn't know that you two were close. But, then again, she seemed - seems the type to know everyone.

voice;

[glacius]

We were... and she was, always helping people in need, particularly in her work at the clinic. But I must ask how can you say that about yourself? Even after I... lashed out at you... you continue to be these things.

voice;

[closerift]

You suffered under Rage's influence, wasn't it? That's got nothing to to with you. I would never hold you accountable.

[ As she hopes others don't think of her actions as a wendigo as her own. ]

You're right about Kate, though. She had a sharp tongue, but a kind heart.

voice;

[glacius]

That doesn't mean that you... have not been kind and supportive of me in light of my struggles. You have.

[It's difficult for the alien to watch his friends give themselves a hard time or sell themselves short, it seems. Things are hard enough here already without them being tough themselves.]

Yes, she did. Strong but kind... a combination of characteristics that all should aspire to be.

voice;

[closerift]

Ah, well, then that's just basic decency. I deserve no praise for that.

[ glacius pls ]

Agreed. [ Kate was, in many ways, what Cecily has always aspired to be. ] ... I hope, if she's... really gone, then she returns to something good. Something more peaceful than this, anyway.

voice;

[glacius]

Sometimes decency can make all the difference, especially in a place like this. Besides, you have done much more than that for me.

[Glacius pushes a quavering sigh out of his gills, his body seeming to deflate slightly.] Yes. Me too. Though I will probably never feel good about her loss, that thought at least may come to provide some small comfort. She deserves better than this place... and no matter where she is, she will find her way.