voice.

[theguideless]

[feed starts at the tail end of a harsh exhale.

a beat.]

Where're...Chloe and...Er-eri...[huff. another pause. his voice gets grumblier, agitated:] My friends. Here. Why am I even back.

Comments

[theguideless]

[huff.

huff...

hhh.

grumbled, bitter:] Yes.

[woahwoahawkward]

And if you stay angry, you're more likely to make a mistake.

I wouldn't want that to happen.

[theguideless]

It shouldn't matter. [to you, implied.]

[woahwoahawkward]

I should think you don't get a say in what matters to me or doesn't.

We don't control how other people feel about us, however much we might want to.

[theguideless]

[invisible harrumph. >:(

a beat.]

I know.

[woahwoahawkward]

So it matters, and you'll just have to deal with that.

[H e h slightly smug, also invisible]

You want to go get a -- juice box or something?

[Alistair, you'd been doing so well up until just now...]

[theguideless]

[wow gee sir that makes him feel so much better because he's SO GOOD AT DEALING WITH THINGS.

but.

wait what.

long long pause at juice box. it pushes him out of rage and into a weary kind of confusion.

weakly:] ...No. [he'd rather not ask; it might just be more trouble.]

[woahwoahawkward]

Or -- something else!

[...not that he has any idea.]

I mean, if you'd like.

[theguideless]

[an unhappy sound in his throat as he swallows. the nervousness is pouring back in:] N...No, I.

[reeling now. ugh, he was yelling all over this scene, wasn't he? awful. muffled:] Mno.

[woahwoahawkward]

Are you sure? I don't mind.

Honestly, I was on my way out anyway.

[Lies, but well-meant lies.]

[theguideless]

I don't...really know. [hh.] I. Nh.

[woahwoahawkward]

Well, you can always come have a look.

[More food for him if Martin decides against it.]

[theguideless]

[a delay.

smaller:] If. You want.

[woahwoahawkward]

I think it'd be a good idea.

[theguideless]

[blankly, WELP WE'RE ALMOST BACK TO BUSINESS AS USUAL:] Yes, sir.