[ 004 ] [ Audio ]

[gotyourwallet]

[The first sound to grace the airwaves was a yawn, moments later followed by a voice.]

I wake to find a storm on the borders, on the approach, it would seem. It might be in our best interests to not wander outside too much. A sandstorm is worse, but a dust storm, assuming that's what this even is, can be near choking.

[She might have lived through a few of those in her lifetime.]

What I want to know is wher--

[The question lingers as to just where the dust is coming from, but as she was about to ask, Vie noticed something... wasn't quite right. She switched to her native tongue, words more alert than those before.]

What in hell is that!?

[End transmission.]

Comments

[iwannabeadragon.livejournal.com]

[That's not good.]

Vie! What's wrong!? Are you alright!?

[gotyourwallet.livejournal.com]

[Give her a moment to assess her arm.]

Hawke? I... there is writing on my skin.

[iwannabeadragon.livejournal.com]

This again?

[Hawke's not sure whether to be relieved or worried.]

Is it doing anything?

[gotyourwallet.livejournal.com]

It's spreading. Writing it's way up my arm.

[Considering it started while she was asleep, the jumbled text has already reached her shoulder.]

It seems to of slowed now but it's- My arm. The whole thing.

[iwannabeadragon.livejournal.com]

Just try to relax, as far as I know it won't hurt you.

[kptn-sparrow.livejournal.com]

[That got his attention like nothing else did.]

What the hell is what? Where are you?

[And out he goes from his room, book in one hand and searching for sound or sight of the woman.]

[gotyourwallet.livejournal.com]

Your ah... tattoo. The one they marked you with when you came here. It's still the same, isn't it?

[kptn-sparrow.livejournal.com]

Well the same as something that moves without moving ever can be, I guess.

[Astute the pirate is.]

Has yours done something else?

[Apparently she's not in the hallway. Maybe he should try the kitchens.]

[gotyourwallet.livejournal.com]

Either I've gained another, larger, faster spreading one or this is something else entirely.

[She's in her room on the third floor.]

I'm in my room.

Audio

[allthesame2me]

[Alex swears under his breath, having moved inside just a short while ago, thumping the heel of his hand against his forehead.]

Sandstorm! God, I've only watched National Geographic my entire life. Has it gotten worse, then? Can you tell where it's coming from?

[Yeah, Vie, he'll voice what you're both thinking and then he frowns as she changes language and her feed cuts off abruptly.]

Hello? Hey, you there? Is everything okay?

Audio

[gotyourwallet.livejournal.com]

I ah.

[She sounds a little distracted.]

I'm fine, I think. There are words writing their way up my arm, but that's nothing to worry about... right?

[Yep. Nothing at all.]

And I think more dust storm than sandstorm, but dangerous all the same. I cannot find the source, though I think staying indoors might be the safest bet.

Audio

[allthesame2me]

[Alex's concern is genuine and he frowns at her reply, but it ends in a soft exhale of relief. He's listened and read through the other responses while she's been replying and adds his voice of support.]

I don't think it's a really big deal, no .. if they're saying that they go away, I'd be willing to be they're right. I didn't see any words or letters all over 'Punzel at the festival the other night, so it seems like they'll go away on their own.

[Yeah, Vie, sure. :| He's nodding to himself about the whole dust vs sand storm thing.]

Want to keep inside either way .. I only hope nothing comes with the dust.

[Horror movies and books, wot. Make a boy the tiniest bit paranoid while living in the magical Keep, yes.]

Audio

[gotyourwallet.livejournal.com]

[She's just thinking out loud, Alex. Vie lived in a desert area for a good twenty years. These kinds of storms are not new to her.]

That is a relief to hear. It seems to of slowed, at least.

Stay safe.

[text]

[thii2ii22tupiid]

diid you notiice 2omethiing about the 2torm or are you freakiing out about 2omethiing el2e?

the extra letter2 wiill go away 2oon.

[audio]

[gotyourwallet.livejournal.com]

Nothing about the storm no. It seems quite alike to the ones I knew from Tal Cuaron.

The words on my arm are what startled me. You know of them?

[text]

[thii2ii22tupiid]

oh.

*Never mind, then :/*

they happened two people la2t perigee, but iit went away.

[audio]

[gotyourwallet.livejournal.com]

[Oops.]

...Perigree?

[That is not a term she knows.]

How did they make it go away?

[audio]

[snowtop]

[This is a familiar voice. Vie is here. At first, Xanth is over the moon, but then he comes crashing back down.

Kevas said there were familiar faces here who were not from the Elegante. Kairi was one of them.

What if Vie was, too?

So, instead of elation, he responds with caution.]

A-A... Are... y-you o--okay?

[Please, let it be her.

Please.]

[audio]

[gotyourwallet.livejournal.com]

[Another unfamiliar voice.]

Oh? I think so. Startled, really.

[Sorry Xanth. :(]

[audio]

[snowtop]

[If Xanth's heart were porcelain, it would have cracks and chips. It's been dropped and broken so many times that it's little more than a patchwork of glue. First K'lai and Grams. Then his new family. Then Kairi. Now, Vie.

He can't keep doing this. It's just too much.

Time to pick up the pieces.

His response is delayed, and when it does come, he sounds a little choked up.]

O--

O-Okay.

I-- that-- th-that's-- good.

Not-- th-the startled, but-- you-- y-you know.

[audio]

[gotyourwallet.livejournal.com]

[...]

Are you alright?

Audio

[turian_honor.livejournal.com]

Are you okay?

Audio

[gotyourwallet.livejournal.com]

I'll live.

[Pause.]

Though I could do without the unexplained tattoo work that seems to be taking over my skin.

Audio

[turian_honor.livejournal.com]

Uh.

You want to run that one by me again?

Audio

[gotyourwallet.livejournal.com]

You know the tattoo we all have? The small, moving one?

[This sounds insane.]

I've writing much the same to that all over my arm.

[And torso, but hey, arm will do.]