video;

[storyseeker]

[Elena Fisher isn't a constant ray of sunshine, no matter what some people say, but she's usually in good spirits when she talks on the network. Even in Hadriel's most difficult times, she's tried to project an air of optimism, or at least determination.

Not today.]

Nate's gone.

[She seems to search for more words before shaking her head.]

I just wanted to let people know.

Comments

[audio]

[synthedick]

[This is bad news no matter how one looks at it.]

I'm sorry. He's a good fella, and we're worse off without him.

[Though maybe it's better he went home. He never did get the chance to ask much about what he'd be returning to, exactly.]

You gonna be okay?

[audio]

[storyseeker]

Yeah, give me the chance to have a good cry and a lot of whatever alcohol's currently available. I'll be all right.

[For a given value of all right.]

I guess it was silly of me to assume we'd go home together.

[audio]

[synthedick]

Not that silly, seeing how people come and go.

[Usually, it's one at a time, as it seems to be here, but hey, folks have left together before. And it doesn't hurt to have some hope in a place like this. He's not usually an advocate of drinking your sorrows away, but even he knows there's a time and a place for it.

And yeah, Nate disappearing? That's about the right time.]

If you need a stiff drink, swing by the Speakeasy. It'll be on me.

text

[abyssalarcana]

[There aren't many things she ever bothers to even look at on the network, much less reply to, but...]

so he is! what a letdown

text

[storyseeker]

Yeah. That's one word for it. Might get too calm around here now that he's home.

[abyssalarcana]

do you think? he always seemed a little too restrained

could have done more to liven things up

you must know him well though if you thought it was your job to inform everyone so do you know what it is hes returning to?

[audio]

[itsnotaonesie]

[Aw man, that's a bummer. Peter didn't know Nate super well, but he'd seemed pretty cool. Y'know, for an older dude.

He doesn't know who this lady is, but he assumes that she and Nate must have at least been friends or something.]

I'm sorry to hear that. I only got to talk to him a couple times, but he seemed like a good guy.

[audio]

[storyseeker]

[Very, very good friends.]

Yeah, he was. Is. Sorry, you are...? Nate didn't mention you to me.

[audio]

[itsnotaonesie]

[BFFs even]

Oh, sorry. I'm Peter. I haven't actually been here all that long yet. Couple months tops.

video

[outofthefire]

[she never met Nate, but she does consider Elena a friend, so]

I'm sorry.

D'you want company, or would you rather be by yourself?

video

[storyseeker]

Solitude feels more appealing, but...it's probably not the best option.

video

[outofthefire]

Probably not. I'll be over soon with a bottle of something strong enough to strip paint.

private text

[restinglichface]

im on my way

[storyseeker]

[Elena knew she would be.]

Okay.

--> Action

[restinglichface]

[With the use of a spell, it only takes Lup less than a moment or two to arrive at Nate and Elena's place, letting herself in without caring to knock.

And then, wherever Elena is in the apartment, Lup is going to scoop her up into a hug without hesitation.]

Text

[abbatis]

[Look who's not anon this time]

I'm sorry.

Text

[storyseeker]

[She recognizes the name, and she's wary, but she also doesn't have it in her to be outright hostile.]

Are you?

Thanks, I guess.

text

[abbatis]

I know you don't have the best opinion of me

But that doesn't mean I've wanted nothing but good to you two.

[audio]

[pocketspa]

[Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck--]

When'd you last see him?

[He doesn't show his face, while he thinks about it, tries to pull himself together. His voice, he can at least keep resolute, flat, even.]

[audio]

[storyseeker]

This morning. He went out to do some sketching, I think. Sometime between then and now he was gone.

[Taako doesn't have to show any of his emotions for her to know they're there, whatever they are.]

I'm sure. I checked.

[She wouldn't be saying any of this if she weren't sure that he's not somewhere on this island or another, hurt, unable to get back. She knows.]

[audio]

[pocketspa]

Great.

[Fan fucking tastic, even. Fuck these assholes, especially in the middle of this on-and-off touchy feely bullshit.]

It's the end of the month. He could be back. First time I left it was a week.

[Audio]

[drabsolutelynot]

I am sorry... about your friend.

[Audio]

[storyseeker]

My husband. [So, her best friend.] But thank you.

voice;

[thelastjoy]

Your friend? [She assumes. Otherwise, why would there be an announcement?] Sorry. That sucks.

voice;

[storyseeker]

My husband, yeah. Now I have to spoon myself at night and I'm not sure how that's gonna work.

[She's at least trying to maintain some semblance of humor.]