17 [AUDIO]

[likeonacompass]

[There's a very low, well-stifled whimper. North clears his throat, there's a moment of silence while he rubs his eyes, and then comes on sounds absolutely heartbroken.]

Sh-Shi--Shi-i-lo--

[Clears his throat again.]

Sh-Shilo's g-g-gone.

J-Just--just go-one. Gone.

She's n-not--a-and I tried--b-but she s-s-still--

[North chokes and at this

Comments

[meinxxherz]

North--

I'm--

I'm pretty sure it--it--it doesn't work like tha-at.

...y-you want something?

Anything?

[likeonacompass]

C-Can I just--

Can I c-come over or--or something? J-Just--just for a f-few.

[meinxxherz]

Sure!

S-Sure. I'm--

My room or--or Sergei's? Whatever you--you want. Real--ruh-real--really.

[likeonacompass]

Never--Never been to your r-room.

[He doesn't even know where it is.]

S-Sergei's.

[meinxxherz]

Sure.

I'll--I'll be waiting and--a-and I'll make you something; how's that?

[likeonacompass]

...

[You can tell he's trying to sound happier here. He fails, but he's forcing a good smile on the other end of the line!]

Thanks.

[Click. He'll be at Sergei's in about...ten minutes. Because he's depressed and slow today.]