hadriel | issue #1

[It's taken a few days for Ellie to find her way. She has an apartment, but she's not getting comfortable or even really considering it 'hers'. It's temporary. A good hideout until she moves again. She knows where to find food, but she's not going to get lazy. It feels like a good idea to stay in the practice of fending for herself as often as she can.

Figuring out the network and how to do anything with her phone had taken some practice. But now that she's got the basics down, there's something important Ellie needs to ask.]

im looking for joel. hes a big grumpy guy with good aim and a talent for pissing people off. if you see him, tell him ellie is looking for him. joel if you can see this but you cant answer me, im hanging around those weird tall pointy apartments. let me know youre okay.

[It's way easier to say that kind of thing over text, where no one can hear her voice fill with worry. She doesn't really want to consider the possibility that he's not here. That she's alone again.]

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[ He's trying. Maybe he misses the work he used to do for the FBI back in his world? Or maybe her text pulled at his heart strings? Either way, Will was willing to help out if he could, even if he wasn't as able as he thought he was. ]

I wouldn't recommend going back, not if you've only just arrived. I'll just nip in and back out again, call out for your Joel and see if anyone fits his description.

Most people here will probably just tell you, you arrived here alone and that's how it is. That if he was here then he'd be on the contact list. It's not very reassuring, I know.

[ He experienced that himself when searching for people he knew too. He empathized with her. ]

yeaaaaaah. almost regret asking. at least before i posted here i felt like there was a chance. anyway. let me know what you find and thanks again

[ It was a good few hours before Will got back in touch with her. He'd managed to get back into the arena, scout about and stayed until there were no more people left.

He was exhausted, from avoiding people and shark-like monsters alike. He was still wounded and trying to busy himself. Instead of texting back, Will automatically called her, not thinking that she might not have wanted to talk. ]

Hey, it's er Will again.

[ His voice was small like he was trying not to be loud. He was tired. So tired. ]

I guess no news is good news, right? I er... I couldn't find anyone that fit Joel's description... Dead or alive. Sorry.

[ He really was sorry too. Will knew what it was like to be alone. ]

[Considering how she's been waiting to hear whether or not he's found anything, Ellie's willing to deal with it. She answers quickly.]

Yeah... Yeah.

[Disappointment saturates her tone. Still. She knows Will is right- no news is better than a body. The sincerity in his voice softens her reaction, too.]

S'okay. Not like you can do any more than look. Thanks for doing that. Guess it's just me.

[ Will picked up on the disappointment in her tone and it pierced through his chest like a bullet. Oh God, she sounded so young too. He choked up a little, remained silent for a short while after she spoke. There was a lump in his throat, his thoughts drifting to Abigail and how they sounded only a few years apart. ]

I'm sorry. Not that being sorry helps you actually feel any better, I know... But still.

[ A pause. A beat and then a held in breath before he talks. ]

If you er... If you need anything or even if it's not something you need but something you'd like? I'm always around.... It's no issue for me to get you anything. Do you like chocolate?

[ He still had some left that he'd managed to find a while back in one of the abandoned stores. ]

[She... starts to withdraw a little, fear pinching at her nerves. There's a long pause before she replies to Will. It's not personal, and she's grateful for what he's already done to help her. She does has good reason to be wary of friendly strangers.]

Um... Right. I'll let you know.

[Woah, wait a second-]

Hey, did you say chocolate? I've kinda... well, I haven't had it in years.

[ It's understandable too. Will had a feeling she would withdraw, he's not offended he just honestly wanted to help. It might have seemed strange to her anyway, a grown man so keen to help a young girl? Yea, he's kicking himself at how creepy he might have come across as.

He's about to swallow his pride and hang up on the call until she seems suddenly interested in his offer of chocolate. ]

Hm? Yea, I have a few bars left but I don't really have a taste for it...

[ A thought and a pause. He doesn't want to scare her off but he does want to show her he's a trustworthy person to have around. ]

I can, err, leave it somewhere for you if you'd rather that than I give it to you in person? I mean, I know how overwhelming arriving here is... I honestly just want to be left alone too most of the time so...

[Well, that... seems perfectly safe, right? She's starting to feel guilty for doubting him, regardless of her more than fair reasoning.]

I'd really like that. I mean, only if there's no one else you wanna give it to, or anything.

issue #1 | text

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voice;

voice; oh will honey

voice; he tries ;~;

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