Sixteenth Message [Video | Sheet of Paper]

[scramasax]

[As with a certain previous post, the visual coming through this connection is of nothing but a ceiling. For anything it's worth, it is not the same ceiling as last time.

Voice likely fully-recognizable of course, however, to anyone who's heard it - dragging a bit low, anxious but less so than a weary. Nerve-racked and laid flat and unwilling to move much. Rather mumbling.]

...This is Anthony Janvier. -- Is... erm... [Short cough, and then quicker.] Everyone all - right...?

[This is very largely prompted by yesterday. Is Mr. Lyall all right, he wonders, in case anyone would know. The question is broader than that, with a couple other specific points of immediate concern, across the board at this point, if more intent where more immediate.]

Also, it's uh. -- Nice to meet you. Everyone who's connected recently... [Also very mumbled but forcing a lighter tone - a but breathier in a trade-off.] I've, uhm. -- I've been -- I'm -- one of the people who -- has been connecting since April, if er -- ...if -- uhm - tell me if there's anything I can - I might be able to -- help with - please...

[Drift-off's more absent than unsure - that was said semi-compulsively and with both thoughts out of the way there's nothing more coming to mind to be said.




Post the earthquake, however, he is back in - and that is to say in - not-at-all-life-like face and all, glazed eyes wide, leaning intently over the page and slouched over it - shaking his head slightly and looking down - voice not much more or less hushed than it was previously but shaking, more breathless, certainly - ]

I'm sorry -- I'm sorry -- is -- ? [Hard swallow - a sudden oddly wild-eyed glance up from the paper - and back down after a tight blink shut.] Is everyone all - all right -- I'm... -- Sorry...

[In truth he really isn't even for reprising just about the same thing so soonHe does not drop it this time. Stays hovering and in-sight intently over the paper, unsteadily, with the occasional almost woozy sway or look aside. Another swallow at some point - any word will do...!]

Comments

voice {iphone}

[ursoreckless]

[Shou sounds a little grumpy and a little sleepy, but that's probably because his sleep was disturbed and some of his stuff had gotten banged around. So luckily that he's not closer to where the earthquakes hit.]

We're okay here. Has there [yawn] been word where it hit?

video

[scramasax]

[Still stilted - ] Oh, good --

[Yes, a response - doesn't sound terribly worse for wear, so that's that.]

-- wouldn't - uh - [In fact steady shallow exhale.] -- I wouldn't know -- it's -- Erm... Nothing's happened here - either.

[Another few seconds - then another breath, this one dragged in - ] ...I'm sorry but uh - thank -- ...Thanks - for -- answering.

video

[ursoreckless]

That's good. The less people we have to find, the better.

It's okay. You don't have to apologize for worrying. We're all worried if this is another plot or if someone screwed up.

[Voice]

[dominateartimus]

[His voice is rather business like when he speaks.]

I'm fine, Anthony. Are you all right?

[Video]

[scramasax]

[Yes, definitely a reassuring tone to hear - getting an answer was the important thing; that seems to leave it settled, hence that his answer back's hasty, if a little looser.]

-- We both are - ...thank -- thank you, Xander.

[Voice]

[dominateartimus]

That's good to hear. Both you and John stay safe, okay?

1

[stavros]

It is good of you to always offer help.

[scramasax]

...Erm -- [He's not entirely sure how to respond to that. Worried that the first thing that comes to mind sounds like fishing, but he honestly is appreciative...] -- it would - [Tries to lighten the tone a hint - ] - be, um, better if there was much I can do, but uhm. -- Thank you.

[stavros]

I have no idea what I can do, either, and I'm not bedridden.

Audio post quake

[glorifiedtrash]

Aah, I'm in one piece! But everyone is not alright where I am. Thankfully I don't think too many of us have much of a calling in the business district. Never thought I'd say it, but small blessings having so many kids around here, hmm ♪.

Are you okay? You forgot that part.

Video

[scramasax]

[A glib enough response that he's inclined to trust in the all-right-ness of it - emits a "hmm - ..." - twitches a flicker of a smile in primarily politeness and a hint of wryness. Swallows.]

Yes, er -- we're okay. -- Here. Sorry -- if I'm. ...If I sound anxious, is that uhm -- is that - where you are - are -- are you in the business district - ?

perma Audio/Video

[glorifiedtrash]

[It depends on one's definition of alright, but he is both at his greatest and lowest he's ever been. So it couldn't be said he's lying most certainly. No need to mention to Anthony anything worrisome though.]

Yep! Unbelievably they had me come in to do some actual work today! I guess even the universe wants me to spend my days lazing about and doing more practical things than legal documents.

And don't worry about sounding anxious. It's been kind of nuts lately, hasn't it. Did anything break where you were? It was surprisingly strong here.

[Text]

[shiromadoushi]

Yeah, just a few things got knocked over. You?

[Text | Handwritten]

[scramasax]

[None of it all that neatly-written, but still perfectly legible.]

Yes. We're fine... I won't lie. I think I may be hearing things again. However, at least I know it. [Wanted to get that over with someplace - greatly disconcerted by the fact that this time it's not even come with a pulse, but true, at least he knows it.]

Thanks for replying.

[Text]

[shiromadoushi]

More like last time? Ug. Means it's not just a flashback but something the flashback brought in, huh?

Least nothing got broken more with this quake.. Utterly fucking weird to have a quake here.

POST EARTHQUAKE voice;

[aetos]

[It's the last one that catches his attention, what with Anthony's sickly (to put it lightly) features, as well as that ceaseless apologizing. Seems like that earthquake did a number on him.]

There's...no need to be sorry about anything. Are you hurt?

video;

[scramasax]

[There's a voice he's not heard in a while - tad of surprise, but at the moment not remotely an unpleasant kind, takes a moment of floating pause to refresh the name for himself...]

Roy - ...? Er. -- No. I'm not. But, uh - are you - ...?

[You didn't answer the question.]

video;

[aetos]

[Roy shakes his head at first, before realizing Anthony can't see it.]

...No. No, I'm fine. You just seemed... [There's a pause as he attempts to search for the most benign description he can think of.]

...Distressed. [There we go.] More than others.

Post Earthquake

[originaloddcouple]

Don't feel bad! It's not your fault!

[scramasax]

[Drat did he sound worried in the wrong way - ] -- No ma'am, I'm - sorry!

[Whoops!]

-- I know it's not - ! I'm just -- [Swallow wavers off to a short absent groan.] -- panicking - I know I'm panicking, are you and -- you and Isaac - fine... - ?

[originaloddcouple]

[She crosses her arms in thought.]

Well, Mom's not taking it well and some of our stuff broke... but we're fine!

Are you okay? Can we get you anything?

[handwritten]

[moarnomsplz]

Why do you keep apologizing dude?

I'm OK, are you?

[handwritten]

[scramasax]

I'm okay. I am apologizing because I'm panicking... I should stop sending messages like this. Still, thanks for responding.

[In fact he'd probably not have coherently determined the regret to be for the panic if the response wasn't enough to get him a couple of steps away from it for a fuller look at it.]

[Voice] Post quake

[dododo]

Perfectly all right.

That was unusual.

[Video]

[scramasax]

-- I-it. Was... -- Thank you for answering, sir - good to -- ...good to hear.

[Regardless of who it is indeed every new response he hears is helping his brain - quiet down, a bit.]