( PHONE ) 4th of may, afternoon

[sidle]

❰ the message starts, and there's a good few seconds of dead air before a hesitant: ❱

H-Hello?

Wesley? Charles? Cordy?

...Is anybody out there?

❰ her speech gets progressively faster as she gets to talking, though never quite frantic. ❱

I... I don't understand any of this. I woke up in this hospital and there were all kinds of people and I couldn't remember much of anything at all, and now I'm in a house and they're sayin' it's mine but I don't remember any of it. But golly, these books I found sure seem like mine, and they were even in the piles that I would've made, and I just-, I don't remember anything, and I-I don't know. It's all so weird.

❰ there's a pause, and a small nervous giggle. ❱ After getting- well. After everything else, I call this weird. I guess strange houses with dusty old books just make me a little nervous right now... But since I can understand the words in this one, I guess it's safe. I mean, what are the odds of being- I-, I mean, of the same thing happenin' twice in one year?

❰ another stretch of quiet. honestly, it's pretty possible she forgot it's even recording. ❱

As far as I know, I'm the only one who's... had... that same thing happen, but hell, surely I can't be, so me plus an allowed variation of three, that still makes a one in 1,720,190,000 chance of it happenin' once in a lifetime, so twice in a lifetime, and then twice in one year would be-...

❰ a shorter silence. then in a small voice: ❱ Guys? I'm... I'm under this table. And I'm a little bit scared.

Comments

[allfornothing]

Not remembering is rather frightening.

But... I don't think you should stay under the table.

[ Can't blame her for pointing that out, right? ]

let's start with a phone call back

[ouzel]

Is this Fred?

[ Cassian is only...half certain he understands what's happening here. If it is the Fred he thinks it is, anyway (it's harder to tell just by voice for him, somehow). There's the impressions of a terribly smart woman, sweet, science fiction stories and a wide variety of tacos, which is a fascinating collection of ideas right there. ]

People get into accidents and forget things, it's. Common, I'm afraid.

[sidle]

Really? 'Cause I feel like stayin' put is always the smart thing to do - y'know, that's how people can find you, is if you stay put so they don't have to go chasin' after you - but maybe that's just 'cause I'm so good at stayin' put.

yes good

[sidle]

Cassian? ❰ something about this feels wrong somehow. like this isn't who she's supposed to be when she's talking to cassian.

like she's supposed to be so much more together and not this silly rambly mess, but she doesn't know how to stop. doesn't know how to go back to that. ❱

I-, I'm real sorry. I probably worried you, didn't mean to worry you. Gosh, I'm okay, I really am. Don't you worry about me. ❰ that sounds so totally unconvincing and she knows it. ❱

[allfornothing]

Yeah, but you can't get food if you stay under the table, and eating's kinda important.

Did you lock your doors and double-check your windows? If people're chasing you, I mean.

[ouzel]

Hey, it's me, it's Cassian. [ She doesn't have to feel bad about rambling; he's just abruptly aware that their entire situation is upsetting Fred in a way that it hasn't upset anyone else, or at least no one else to this degree. He's also aware that it is because, and she implied, that it has happened to her before and he hates this place, he really does.

Into the box it goes. The focus, at the moment, is Fred. ]

Don't worry about worrying me, I get to worry about that.

Would you mind if I came over?

[angelic_archer]

[Alec hadn't really intended on answering the phone. He isn't good at comforting people and he'd had that same experience with the hospital. He didn't have any insight that would help whoever was speaking. Except she said 'I'm a little bit scared' and that sets off every big brother instinct he has. No matter how awkward he may sound, he can't ignore someone who needs help and is frightened.]

You're not the only one who's went through that routine at the hospital.

[His tone is soft, the one comforting one he used to use when his siblings were still kids and he'd needed to be the adult.]

I went through it too. My name's Alec. I'm still trying to remember things.

[Thinking of how he used to distract Jace, he tries to get her to think of something other than the strangeness of the situation.]

What's the book about?

[sidle]

Oh! ❰ fred lets out a laugh, sheepish and self-depreciating, because obviously she's being pretty confusing. ❱ No, people aren't chasin' after me in a bad way. But I know people are lookin' for me, Wes and Charles and Cordy and- ❰ and the hero, the one whose name she can't quite remember no matter how hard she tries. ❱ That's what happens when I get lost. And they're gonna find me, too, but not if I'm off lookin' for food when they show up.

[sidle]

Sure, okay. As long as I get to worry about you worrying about that, because I don't really think I can much stop it anyway.

[sidle]

❰ it honestly works pretty well, the soothing voice and the introduction, the little bit of commiseration. it's enough to take her off guard a little, so the question about the book earns what almost sounds like a quiet, surprised sort of laugh. ❱

Oh, well this one here's just a deconstruction of the Heisenberg cut, nothing too academic.

[allfornothing]

If they're not looking for you in a bad way, why are you hiding under the table?

[ This is getting more confusing by the moment. But if no harm is threatened, Crowe doesn't really mind. ]

You wouldn't even be able to answer the door, if you're under the table.

[angelic_archer]

Nothing too academic.

[The phrase is repeated with amusement.]

I have no idea what that is. It sounds almost historical but I doubt that it's referring to battles.

[If it was, Alec probably would remember it since his lessons seem to be easier to remember than the details of his life outside of town.]

[ouzel]

[ Cassian lets out a little huff of air, almost a laugh. There's humor in it, at least. ]

That sounds fair.

I'll be there in a few minutes, okay? If you don't feel safe with unlocking the door, that's okay. [ He can pick the lock and deal with it later. That's cool, right? ]

i need this cr to start somehow after all

[00nothing]

Is it a sturdy table, at least?

[you sound like you have some problems, friend. have a soft, young british voice speaking to you passively over the phone.]