(Untitled)

[dark_thespian]

[The pcd only clicks on for audio this time in which there's a heavy sound of breathing. It's rushed as if someone is fighting hard with each breath they're taking. To what end? It isn't clear even as Allen brings in a very steady tone.]

I'm going to need, [An in-drawn hiss and his voice breaks a little.] bandages. Any we have that are clean. Ha

Comments

[audio]

[population_ctrl]

Do you have assistance, Monsieur?

[audio]

[dark_thespian]

I do, [He muffles another cough.] thank you for asking. How are you?

[audio]

[population_ctrl]

Good. [Pause.] We're completely unaffected, happily. No powers to lose.

[He didn't actually answer your question, Allen, but that's because his life sucks atm.]

[audio]

[dark_thespian]

That...wasn't what I was asking.

[audio]

[population_ctrl]

[Chuckle.]

You should focus on yourself, Monsieur Walker.

[audio]

[dark_thespian]

I'm taken care of, but I don't know how everyone else is doing.

[audio]

[population_ctrl]

We're doing fine. You people with powers - it's your turn to struggle this week.

[His voice is kind enough; there's no mockery here, though the implications are a bit on the harsh side.]

[audio]

[dark_thespian]

[There's some sort of familiar kicking irony that he's being told this as he can feel the agony of the hole in his heart. His life is ebbing away bit by bit just like in China. Just like when he'd reached the edge of life and stood there.

Just like when he'd been told all he was intended to be was a vessel. Something in him is so tired. So tired of struggling against the city. Against the world and the other part inflames with rage. People he'd met here. All their struggles and suffering-]

No. [He says in a tired tone, coughing this time without muffling it. A wet bubbling sound that ends in a rattle. The sound of approaching death.]

We're back to how everything has always been.

[The 14th reaching to swallow him, the Vatican out to chain him down and devour him, People falling to dust before his mind's eye.]

Some of those things are just catching up. Like as if you were stabbed. [He coughs again and there's a wet sound of his blood hitting the stones.]

Blinded. Or something else taken.

[audio]

[population_ctrl]

[Jean Louis has watched enough people die to understand what that rattle means. He's not overly invested in Allen - or in anyone - but he does make an extra effort to listen. After all, when people speak near the edge of life, they don't tend to waste their words.]

It's a burden you choose, isn't it. Using yourselves for others, just to suffer the consequences. [He laughs, dryly.] Perhaps you are too generous.

[audio]

[dark_thespian]

It's the only path I can take and feel alive.

[He laughs a bit himself and there's no bitterness there. Despite how he feels inside about the Vatican, he can remember the souls crying out for someone to help them, love them.]

I'm okay with it. So long as it makes a difference.

[audio]

[population_ctrl]

So it's a selfish choice. [This part of it, at least, makes sense to him.] Like everything else.

[audio]

[dark_thespian]

Isn't every choice, somewhat selfish?

[audio]

[population_ctrl]

Perhaps. In some cases, it's not so obvious.

[audio]

[dark_thespian]

Ha, and in this case?

[audio]

[population_ctrl]

This case... [A short pause.] You are not exactly transparent, Monsieur.

[audio]

[dark_thespian]

I've been told that before. ...can't remember where.