DATALOG // entry 4 → [voice/video]

[exsergeant]

[She's sitting, knees bent loosely up toward her chest. The crystal's hovering casually off to the side, and she's gazing at something out in front of her that it can't see for a moment, then her eyes drop to her hands in her lap, brow knitting.

After a moment, derisively:] This waiting is ridiculous. [And she's up and pacing. The crystal can see

Comments

[Voice]

[furorimperator]

It's more preferable than the alternative.

[Voice]

[exsergeant]

In ways.

[Voice]

[furorimperator]

Are you ready?

[Voice]

[exsergeant]

I'm always ready.

[After a moment, a grudging sigh.]

But Serah needs more time.

VOICE | 1/2

[recombined]

[ Sometimes, Riku will go days without listening at all. Collecting his thoughts, he calls it. Because sometimes these crystals are so loud he can barely ... Then there are other days. Days where it's hard to do anything but listen. Today is one of those days. And when a voice comes through, his comes a little wry, almost responding on auto-pilot. ]

You could always do something about it ...

[ It isn't until the words leave his mouth that he realizes he knows that voice. That tone ... ]

VOICE | 2/2

[recombined]

[ Funnily, he's seated as well; leg drawn up, arm draped over the knee, back to hard rock, his crystal floating off to the side. But her voice makes him turn toward the crystal, only to notice that there's a visual feed running as well. Grabbing the gem out of the air, he catches only a glimpse of her as she disappears off screen, frustrated when she reappears again and he still can't see much.

Finally, her crystal catches up, and Riku nearly balks at what he sees. ]

It's ... you.

[ He whispers, voice failing him in his disbelief. ]

VOICE |

[exsergeant]

[She was paying too little attention to recognize the voice until he recognized her. At that point, her brow furrowed again a moment, and she stops pacing long enough to glance at the crystal. After a moment, she exhales in a silent 'tch', looking away.] Looks like it.

VOICE.

[recombined]

[ He'd felt bad before, but recalling their fight, he starts to feel bad all over again. He knows he must have hurt her, and he thinks of how confused he was by her sudden departure, as if she'd forgotten something, or better yet, as if she'd remembered something. Just like that, she was gone, and just like that, he'd been left to wonder.

Now, that the pieces are coming together for him, it's not making things much easier. For a long moment, he doesn't quite know what to say, either... but he tries anyway and gets caught up for it. ]

I ...

[ Thick swallow. ]

I didn't know.

[nogoodpeople]

There's not much we can do about that, I'm afraid.

[exsergeant]

So I'm starting to learn.

[nogoodpeople]

Were you waiting for anything in particular?

[exsergeant]

Anything but waiting.

[brightsiding]

How long have you been waiting..?

[exsergeant]

Weeks.

[brightsiding]

That long? But-

[ They probably already went over any time discrepancies, but it's still pretty hard to believe. ]

[ She stops herself short, though. ]

Everyone must be... Getting really anxious, huh?

[exsergeant]

Some are. Others are fine just sitting around.