✘ 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

[unfollowing]

[She's sorry anyone has to go through that. It's the actual worst, but it's the way things are here. And more to the point, she doesn't see it as strength. She might act tough and like she's got everything under control, but most days, Emily's afraid she's going to fuck everything up.]

You should've seen me the morning I realized Matt was really gone. [She gives a small, self-deprecating laugh.] I spent days with Wolfie. Like, anywhere I went, I took him with me.

[When Glacius grasps her hand, she smiles for him, a tiny, sad, sincere little thing -- and then she laughs again, quietly, when he references her number one rule.] Yeah, I am.

[There's a short pause, then she goes on.] I don't want to give you hope for something that might not happen. It'd be like lying. I don't want to lie to you, so... [She shrugs.] This is just how it is for me. I know you'll be okay. You're the strongest person in this entire cave.

[glacius]

[That finally gets a little bit of laughter up out of the alien; it's a bitterly amused sound as opposed to a truly happy one, but it's at least better than the despondent sighs or woe-filled lamentations he's been uttering left and right.] So I have been told. At times, I have a hard time seeing it... but... those sentiments will keep me going until I can be worthy of them once more.

[That, too, feels like a distant aim, but it's one Glacius won't stop working towards as long as he has people who believe in him. He's lost one of them, but that just makes the ones he has left all the more important to him.] So thank you, my friend, for giving me heart in all of this. It means more to me than I know how to say... know that you will always have my loyalty and support.

[unfollowing]

That just means you really are that strong. [It's like how Matt doesn't brag about his strength or skill on the football field, or about how nice he is to her and their friends. He just is all those things, comfortable and confident in them, while Emily used to put others down every chance she got. Used to. Not so much anymore. She's learning little by little, thanks to the example of people like Glacius and her friends from home.]

It's the least I can do. [She gives him a small nod, smiling a bit wider.] I'm here for you.

[glacius]

[Glacius gives another quiet chuckle--it's hoarse, but a little less bitter.] You flatter me with your unending support and praise. I would gladly offer you the same, should you ever find yourself in need of it.

Anyways--I know you are. There is perhaps... one more thing you could help me with. When I posted to the network, someone suggested that we set up some sort of... service, or gathering, of Kate's friends to honor her departure. Is that something you would... like to be a part of? [They did make his sash together, after all. In Glacius' mind, it's only right that Emily should be helping him spearhead it.]

[unfollowing]

[His question sobers her, the smile fading from her face in respect for the pain he's feeling over Kate's disappearance. She was on friendly terms with Kate, but they weren't close, and definitely not anywhere near as close as Glacius was with her. Emily would be okay without a service or a gathering or whatever he has in mind.

However, for him, Emily would go. She'd want to show him that she supports him, that she's there for him, just like she said she is.]

Of course. [She smiles again, this time more subdued.] I'd be glad to help you out. Whenever you're ready, whatever I can do to help, I'll do.

[glacius]

[Glacius still doesn't really know just how they'd gotten along; it's never been clarified. They worked on the sash for him together, though, and that's all he needs to know--they they were capable of coming together to bring goodness into this cave.] Thank you. I... I think I'll take some time for things to feel a bit less... fresh. But I would like to do it before too long. I just need to figure out what exactly it will... involve. I wasn't planning anything grand, perhaps just a place where people can offer tokens of appreciation and share memories.

What do you think? I don't want to treat it like a death ceremony, but I... I do want to make sure her absence is properly honored.

[unfollowing]

[Hmm. What to do, what to do.]

You could always start some sort of shrine. Maybe by the clinic, where she worked. Set up something that looks kind of like an altar, maybe with a few shelves. Put something on it that represents her, keep it tidy, visit it often, tell people it's there and what it's for. They can add things to it if they want. It'd be like sharing things from here with her even though she's gone.