[Voice]

[espigeonage]

[Dated to within hours of Wise Snake's demise. There are a couple seconds of nothing but his very deep slow breaths before Julien speaks. He sounds weary and ragged, with hollow trembling notes in some of his vowels.]

I guess this is goodbye, Numbers Club. See, I made plans to leave if I got too pulsed up to look human anymore, and. [paaause] Yeah. I'm sorry. I can't really help anyone like this, anyway. I can't-

My sister can put me up, out west. She agreed to it, I called her and everything. -I would like to see my niece again. [okay trying to focus] Um, Tater, I showed you where the outside key is, you can get someone to let you in. People who work at the LSR... I think I was recognized. -I know I was. So the cops might know. I'm sending Aaron a voicemail about that, we set up plans, but for you, just, if they talk to you, I'm some weirdo who worked there and had nothing to do with you, okay?

[Deep, deep breath.] Can I get someone to drive me out of the city? And get just the stuff I really need from my apartment? There's a motel out of the bounds where I've booked a room. I know, short notice, but I don't want the city border getting clamped down first. Things are still messy right now. It should be possible.

Please be safe. Everyone.

[This is not going to work quite as planned.]

Comments

[espigeonage]

Oh. [he fakes a brief laugh. It sounds convincing except for how it's more stable and firmer than the rest of his voice right now, and stands out.] You're welcome. Athelas is pretty awesome...

I guess you have a housemate I gave it to?

[dead_black_eyes]

It's helped me a lot.

And yes, she said she got it from someone named Julien, and described you well enough for me to make an educated guess.

Are you really leaving the city?

[espigeonage]

Well. I'm glad, then. Far as I know it's not addictive. [it is a little bit, but just in the sense that using it to maintain a constant positive mood would make time not on it feel down.] We have people on the network who know more about it. I think. It's not from the other me's world.

I am.

[dead_black_eyes]

I've been drinking it every day, so I can't really tell, but if I stop and get withdrawal symptoms, I'll let you know.

Or not... I guess that if you're leaving, you won't remember any of that.

[espigeonage]

Huh. [That seems a little excessive - but then again, Julien's been taking some two or three times a week, and carrying hot water and leaves around just in case. It's good for warding off panic attacks.]

Yeah. I'd... notify the clinic, I guess. Maybe Doctor Percell, too.

[dead_black_eyes]

Where did you originally get it, if not from your own world? That is... who did you get it from?

[espigeonage]

[Julien's voice is a little dulled. He's still hurt by this.] Aaron Strider. LSR. The other him is, or was, some kind of healer. It was his first pulse. He gave me a clipping for Christmas, a few days before he went off-network again.

[dead_black_eyes]

What initially interested you in the clipping?

[He definitely picks up on that note of hurt, and he'll pry as far as he can about it. L doesn't care much for money or acclaim, but information is very valuable to him.]

[espigeonage]

Athelas is useful. And it's hardly ugly, either... Plus it's got a nice smell. That can be useful, in a clinic.

[dead_black_eyes]

The clinic? Is that where you work?

[espigeonage]

...Worked. Yes.

[dead_black_eyes]

You've officially quit, then? How soon do you plan to leave?

[espigeonage]

Phoning my boss, yeah. It's not a normal job, the two-weeks thing isn't... doesn't really matter. I'm trying to be out of here by tonight.

[dead_black_eyes]

Probably a good idea. I've heard rumors I don't like.

Did you find someone to drive you?

[espigeonage]

What - kind of rumors?

Yeah, I did. Killing time, now.

[dead_black_eyes]

Probably wild ones. Talk of a lockdown, but I suspect it's just talk.

Who's driving you?

[espigeonage]

They clamped down after the earthquake, I think. Or the bombings? [sigh] I don't remember.

Belle.

[dead_black_eyes]

I see.

Does she seem angry in any way?

[espigeonage]

I don't think so. I'll be better at telling when I see her.

[dead_black_eyes]

Will you let me know, if she seems like she is?

[espigeonage]

If I can, yeah.

[dead_black_eyes]

I guess you'd have to do it before you leave the city, but... it would be very good, if you could.