57 [AUDIO]
My thanks to those of you that attended Torn's party yesterday. I am grateful for the help, and T--and he was grateful for the friendship.
But--
[Chuckles weakly, voice lowering to near-unintelligible levels.]
There's always a catch, isn't there?
This--This isn't funny. Come on, isn't there something in this book about bringing you back?
[Long pause, the sound of paper shuffling, pages flipping, and eventually a faint chirp. Sighs heavily.]
I know, Drache, I'll get you something in a minute. Just--Just give me another--
[Another chirp, this one rougher and lower in pitch. Sighs again.]
...He...
[Pauses again.]
[Holds the silence.]
[And continues to hold it for so long it almost seems like the comm is going to shut off on its own.]
.........Torn's gone.
He was just--He was right here and then I--I just--
I--
...He's gone.
[Another long pause, not quite as long as the last, then a thick swallow and a weak chuckle.]
Best birthday present he could ask for, I guess. Going home.
Makers, please tell me that he went home...
[Several deep breaths, then one heavy exhale. Still doesn't sound normal, but sounds closer to himself.]
He left me a book. Well, a bunch of pages strung together with twine. It has all his important notes transcribed onto paper for reference, and--
And a note in the front.
[Clears his throat and reads it off, obviously being careful to read it word for word, no embellishments or changes. Sounds odd using Torn-speak, but...it's the last of him they have now. Reading it right is the least he could do.]
"First things first, if you've got this then chances are I'm gone. I'm not going t--"
No, that's not right.
"--not gonna say that's too bad, 'cause it's not. I've got my own hellhole to take care of, and I'm sure I'm happy to see it again.
"Don't panic. I'm gone, but people here can take care of themselves now, and knowing the folks in charge I'll be back. Might not remember you, or anyone, but I'll probably be back. Hope this'll help you take care of things 'til then."
[Chuckles again, a little stronger this time.]
"Good luck, you poor bastard. You're gonna need it."
...It's dated just after the cookout. He actually wrote the date on it. In the upper left corner.
Obsessive-compulsive little--
[Audio cuts out mid-sentence, and transmission ends.]
But--
[Chuckles weakly, voice lowering to near-unintelligible levels.]
There's always a catch, isn't there?
This--This isn't funny. Come on, isn't there something in this book about bringing you back?
[Long pause, the sound of paper shuffling, pages flipping, and eventually a faint chirp. Sighs heavily.]
I know, Drache, I'll get you something in a minute. Just--Just give me another--
[Another chirp, this one rougher and lower in pitch. Sighs again.]
...He...
[Pauses again.]
[Holds the silence.]
[And continues to hold it for so long it almost seems like the comm is going to shut off on its own.]
.........Torn's gone.
He was just--He was right here and then I--I just--
I--
...He's gone.
[Another long pause, not quite as long as the last, then a thick swallow and a weak chuckle.]
Best birthday present he could ask for, I guess. Going home.
Makers, please tell me that he went home...
[Several deep breaths, then one heavy exhale. Still doesn't sound normal, but sounds closer to himself.]
He left me a book. Well, a bunch of pages strung together with twine. It has all his important notes transcribed onto paper for reference, and--
And a note in the front.
[Clears his throat and reads it off, obviously being careful to read it word for word, no embellishments or changes. Sounds odd using Torn-speak, but...it's the last of him they have now. Reading it right is the least he could do.]
"First things first, if you've got this then chances are I'm gone. I'm not going t--"
No, that's not right.
"--not gonna say that's too bad, 'cause it's not. I've got my own hellhole to take care of, and I'm sure I'm happy to see it again.
"Don't panic. I'm gone, but people here can take care of themselves now, and knowing the folks in charge I'll be back. Might not remember you, or anyone, but I'll probably be back. Hope this'll help you take care of things 'til then."
[Chuckles again, a little stronger this time.]
"Good luck, you poor bastard. You're gonna need it."
...It's dated just after the cookout. He actually wrote the date on it. In the upper left corner.
Obsessive-compulsive little--
[Audio cuts out mid-sentence, and transmission ends.]