2nd Song // Computer [Voice]

[wordsgate]

[He takes a deep, deep breath before he starts speaking. When he does, his voice is even, but he's speaking in a quiet, worried tone.]

I'm one of the people that Detective Sherman decided to visit the other day. I'm not sure what about me tipped him off. If I haven't been careful enough about who I give my name to, or if the rats really had something to do with it, or...[He trails off for a moment before he continues.]

That doesn't matter right now. What DOES matter is that I'm getting my mother out of this city. I thought I should let you all know in case you were working on getting your families out of here and wanted to stagger them leaving to avoid making it look suspicious, or something.

Luckily I was already working on convincing my grandfather to invite her to his place and he somehow got her to agree--maybe some sort of mind control. [He laughs at his own joke, but it sounds a bit uneasy.] He convinced her to stay for two weeks. That's nearly all of her paid vacation time! I don't know how he pulled that off.

[sigh] Of course, that's not nearly long enough, but what can I do, convince her to quit? She'd never do that. Not in a million years. But...I guess that at least gives me enough time to see if--

[Sasame's suddenly cut off when a woman's voice speaks in Japanese.] Sasame? What are you doing?

[Sasame responds back in Japanese.] Um... I'm vlogging!

Vlogging? Your camera doesn't look like it's on.

Oh no, no, not VIDEO blogging. It's VOICE blogging! Like a podcast? It's the latest thing.

Ah. Well, finish up and get to the car, I'm going to miss my flight.

Yes, yes. I'll be out in a minute.

[There's silence for a moment, besides the sound of retreating footsteps on carpet, but then Sasame calls out again.]

Ka-san!

Mm?

If something happened to me, what would you do?

What do you mean?

I mean, if there was an accident or something and I died, what would you do? Where would you go?

Go? I...I don't think I'd go anywhere.

Not even to Japan? Grandfather's getting pretty old, he'll need someone to take care of him anyway, so you could--

And quit my job? Not in a million years! Besides, nothing is going to happen to you.

I don't know. There isn't a fire escape. What if, I don't know, I burned a TV dinner and POOF! There goes the apartment? [He tries to pass that off as a joke with a laugh.]

Unless you're planning on doing something stupid to impress a girl I doubt we'll have to worry about that any time soon. Unless...something happened?

No! Nothing happened. It's just--we're doing a unit on death and mourning in one of my classes right now and I guess I was thinking...

[She laughs.]

Mom, this isn't funny, I'm being serious.

No, it's funny. You've always been the sort to think too much about that sort of thing.

But--

Nothing is going to happen, all right? And even if something did, why would I leave Locke City?

To go home. Back to Japan.

This IS my home. My friends are here, my job is here, all of my good memories are here. So don't worry about that. Just because sometimes I want to go back to Japan, it doesn't mean I'd leave here. I love it here.

...Oh.

I've probably messed up your 'vlog' now, haven't I?

Eh, I can edit it out.

All right. After you come back from the airport, please. If you make me late I'm taking it out of your college fund.

I'm coming, I'm coming, just give me two minutes! Out to the car, go!

[She laughs again, and her voice fades as she leaves the room. Sam's quiet for a moment...]

There has to be some way...

[and the recording ends]

Comments

[Closed]

[espigeonage]

Good on you. I wish I could do the same to my big sis, but she's having none of it. Family, right?

[Closed]

[wordsgate]

I'm sorry. :( I wish you could get your sister out, too. Although Hajime pointed out to me that this sort of mess might be going on in other cities, so who knows if this is the right decision or not. Your sister might end up being safer here.

[espigeonage]

It'd have to be a big conspiracy indeed to go global. And, well... You've met me. I'm a hit at parties, but mister able to protect the family I'm not.

If anything happened either way it would be horrible. But things are pretty quiet back where Mom and her guy live.

[wordsgate]

Good. "Quiet" is probably a good sign.

And don't be too hard on yourself. Your family is important to you, so I'm sure you'll do your best to keep them safe. And if you need my help, I'd be happy to do anything I can to help protect them, too.

[espigeonage]

There's a lot to worry about, but that's good to know. Thanks Sam.

[wordsgate]

You don't have to thank me. That's my purpose, after all.

[He sends the message before he even has a chance to think about it, but stops and stares at his response almost immediately after it sends.

What in the world did that mean?]

[espigeonage]

[Julien is oblivious, of course.]

What, I can't appreciate a bit of kindness? ^_~

[wordsgate]

[Yeah...he's just not going to think about it and act like it was a joke.]

Hah, I suppose a little appreciation isn't too bad. But that's all I ask for, and I want nothing else!

[espigeonage]

[I see some of my icons have gone to default. This is what comes of renovating...]

Nothing? I can't do you a favor sometime, make you feel good like you make me?

[wordsgate]

[Somehow the pigeon icon made total sense to me so I didn't even notice. XD]

Well, that does sound nice...but it clashes with that knight-in-shining-armor image I'm trying to cultivate.

[espigeonage]

Lol! I can be discreet, you know. Nobody can ask who doesn't know.

[wordsgate]

I do like people that can keep a secret. I suppose a little favor wouldn't hurt.

[espigeonage]

I'm so glad.

[wordsgate]

Oh? Good! in the end that's all that matters.