008 ♠ voice | reboot.

[implemented]

[ When the sound clicks on it's nothing but a bit of scraping (like gravel against metal), followed by a long stretch of silence.  Eventually there's ragged breathing as the microphone is brought close to Nigel's mouth.  There's the audible chatter of teeth, but when Nigel speaks, his voice is (for the most part) even.  The tone is a bit distant,

Comments

voice;

[namesnotjack]

January eighth, two-thousand-twelve. Hello, Nigel.

voice; WHY IS MY BEST FRIEND SUCH A DOUCHE

[implemented]

[ Panting. ]

...twelve?

voice; I'M SO SORRY

[namesnotjack]

You have no sense of how long you've been "away on business" at all?

video; ENCRYPTED // I SHOULD TAKE AWAY YOUR BFF CARD

[implemented]

[ The image clicks on and at first it's not clear what the camera's looking at. Some darkened bit of warehouse, cut clear across by an abstract slope of white that shudders and shakes. An adjustment to the camera reveals it to be Nigel's bare shoulder, shivering from the cold. There are dark circles under his eyes and an odd bruise at the corner of his mouth. He's seen better days and looks a bit...well, desperate. ]

Alex.

voice, private.

[spadassin]

Nigel. What happened?

voice, private.

[implemented]

[ Teeth still chattering, though the effort's made to get it to quite down. ]

I've had a very bad week, Scathach. I think the phrase is, 'I've gone on a bit of a bender'.

voice, private.

[spadassin]

I see. Do you need assistance?

voice, private.

[implemented]

[ Sharp exhale. ]

I'll be fine. Just need to-- ah. Collect myself.

voice;

[justlikeherson]

Nigel. Are you alright?

voice;

[implemented]

[ A clearing of his throat as he collects himself. ]

No need to worry, Mrs. Altman. Just a very long night is all.

voice;

[justlikeherson]

If you say so. Do you still need to know the date?

voice;

[implemented]

Two thousand and ten. Correct?

[video, private]

[afeatherpillow]

[The communicator is set to 'voice' at first, and there's a few seconds of scritch-scratching, fumbling, and breathing, before it's switched on to video.]

Nigel.

[video, ENCRYPTED]

[implemented]

[ The picture racks focus but then the white blur of the image finally sharpens on Nigel's face. His bare shoulders are shivering slightly, in time with his bottom lip. He looks as though he hasn't slept for days and there's a nasty-looking bruise starting at the corner of his mouth and spread across his cheek.

Surprisingly, he smiles. Relieved almost. His cheek gets him to wince. ]

Hello. Katurian.

[video, ENCRYPTED]

[afeatherpillow]

[He chokes out a laugh, because he's relieved. Once Nigel's condition dawns on him, however, really dawns on him (and this takes a grand total of three seconds), his smile fades, and when he speaks, there's no mirth in his voice. Only horror.]

Oh my god. Oh my god, Nigel, you look like hell. Tell me Cameron's on her way.

[video, ENCRYPTED]

[implemented]

[ Strange. The next time Nigel comes on screen the bruise that was once so bright and ugly on his cheek is suddenly...not there anymore. Nigel's smile does not waver, despite Katurian's horror. He nods and shudders more from the cold. He's obviously naked out in this weather so it can't be good for him. ]

She is. Don't worry. That's never happening again. [ He almost laughs. ] It worked.

[permavoice]

[gallitrap]

It's Friday, the eighth of January. Two-thousand-ten.

... You sound cold. Are you alright?

permavoice;

[implemented]

2010. I'd hope someone would offer that correction. Thank you. ...Ruka, isn't this?

[ Some panting. ] The weather's much colder than I thought it would be. That's all.

[gallitrap]

That's right. You're Nigel, aren't you?

What's the last date you remember?

[implemented]

Yes, that's me. I'm Nigel. You and I spoke at Mr. Edgeworth's party. I -- ah. I recognize your voice.

[ A pause. Collecting himself again. Teeth chatter. ] Just a few days ago. Not long at all.