Eleventh Message [Audio | Cell Phone]

[scramasax]

[Anthony's defaulting to his typical least-preferred method of communication for two reasons - text isn't quote-unquote enough for his peace of mind about now, and video is for another package of sub-reasons not ideal - at least to start with.

He doesn't have much of a voice for speaking on the phone. Still, the particular brand of apprehension he's got in it presently pulls it through to register relatively well - and he's loosely rehearsed this in his brain enough times for his tone to be evenly-cadenced and -pitched on the whole, if just a little hoarser than his usual natural, and restrained. All the same best to clear his mind on this, better sooner than later than never.]

Hello. -- This is Anthony. ...Janvier.

I -- spoke - about this before, but I -- ...thought I should - be clearer. About it. Now... -- I -- am - a zombie. So please -- ... [Trip here - second-guesses phrasing.] -- don't be alarmed - when I use the network. -- Anyone. -- It's... - unpleasant-looking -- I know. However -- I promise that it's safe.

-- I can, er -- [Also second-guesses and wrings and waffles over making this offer, but again, if wanted it'd be better sooner than later!] -- also show anyone, who'd like me to... if it may help.

... -- And if you're - one of the new ones - in this, er... - Transforming - hasn't been common... among pulses - or Echoes... -- It happens, but - it's -- normally in ways that aren't -- extreme -- like - hair and eyes changing color -- [Bumbles quickly and back to a higher pitch through this next as he has no idea if he's being presumptuous in saying it but it must be worth something - at least he'll not name names!] -- ...others are becoming "monster"-like but they're -- all - ..."safe", also.

Thank you. Uhm. -- And please excuse me.

[For any and every way in which that might have been a poor move - and alas what's done is done - he'll see if it'll have appeared to have at least been benign.]

Comments

[ action, because I can ]

[allinvein]

[John's actually in the shower at the start of Anthony's voice post, but as he steps out with a toothbrush shoved in his mouth and his hair plastered to his head, he stops and quietly listens to what the kid has to say. An odd but fond smile tugs at his lips, and when Anthony finishes, John comes over and gives him a light squeeze on the shoulder.

He doesn't do anything else and doesn't say anything--he just wants Anthony to know that he's there for him, zombie changes and all.]

[ action ]

[scramasax]

[Anthony hears John come out - quick to pivot to turn a bit, but doesn't try or rather makes himself try not to turn dead on. Carries on with the message without trying to find someplace to look for direction, or approval or disapproval on saying anything as it comes out - wouldn't be fair, he started the message himself anyway, finish it as naturally as he can.

He freezes tensed on a judgment for it, not necessarily positive or negative, that he more-consciously knows isn't going to come when he finishes the recording. With it cut he finally turns his head to watch John coming over with a look similarly too blank and undecided in its anticipation to be deer-in-the-headlights.

Some part of his mind knows well enough to expect the gesture, still - and though he doesn't feel the contact as immediately, fully as he would have before, he feels it more than well enough for it to be greatly relieving, reassuring.

Gets a humbled, deeply thankful smile. Still not entirely dead-on but in a rather cowed spirit. Huffs a short fractional breath out through his nose as acknowledgement as well - without any sense of permission to, isn't going to say anything, either, and hopes that the thank-you is strongly-enough felt.]