43rd Frontier [audio // common]

[ecopiracy]

[Phoenix's voice is quiet, but there's a certain strain to it he cannot completely hide.]

Has anyone seen either Ashelin or Odette?

[He hasn't, and he can't find them, and their ID's are missing from the ShipNet. But he doesn't want to believe...]

Comments

[missmimmi]

[If anyone can understand what's going down right now, it's Mimmi. She's been avoiding the comms lately, but this warrants something]

I am sorry. I am so sorry.

[ecopiracy]

[He takes a breath, then slowly lets it out. Maintain control.]

So. You haven't seen them, either?

[missmimmi]

I am afraid not.

[ecopiracy]

[Phoenix closes his eyes, taking another breath. It isn't the answer he'd been hoping for, even if deep down he knew he shouldn't be surprised.]

I see.

Will you... tell them to contact me, if you do happen to see them?

[standardpackage]

Not since I got here.

[ecopiracy]

[Normally, Phoenix might have made a quip about how they must have been avoiding Jinx.

But today his heart isn't in it.]

Have you heard anything from either of them?

[standardpackage]

Don't know who Odette is but I haven't heard er seen Ashe fer months.

[ecopiracy]

[Ashelin had been quiet and keeping to herself, and Phoenix had been giving her space, but her ID had still been there.

Now it isn't.

Damn it, he should have sought her out. And Odette... ]

I see.

...thank you, Jinx.

[Now you know there is something wrong.]

[heavyweaponsbot]

... No. Not lately.

[ecopiracy]

...will you keep an eye out for them?

[He knows. Deep down he knows. But he can't bring himself to acknowledge it yet.]

[heavyweaponsbot]

Give me their descriptions.

[He knows too. But he'd do the same thing, if anyone close to him were gone.]

[ecopiracy]

[Phoenix does so, briefly but accurately describing both women. If Ironhide has ever seen either, it should be enough to identify them.]

Thank you.

[dormant_beast]

[Anna is very quiet. She knows precisely what this feels like.]

Non. I have not.

[ecopiracy]

You know them both?

[dormant_beast]

Not well. Only by...

[She frowns to herself, translation failing her.]

How do you say, mmm...I have seen and heard them, but not talked much.

[She hopes he gets it. She can't find the right translations for what she's looking for.]

[ecopiracy]

Ah.

[Yes, he understands. There are many people he's seen and heard himself, but never spoken to.]

If you happen to encounter either one, I would... appreciate it... if you let them know I was looking for them.

[He's barely keeping an even voice.]

[ntjstapwn]

...I'm sorry.

[ecopiracy]

I do not want to give up hope just yet.

[ntjstapwn]

...

*Marco's not sure how he feels towards Phoenix, so he doesn't know if he wants to comfort the man or snap him out of it*

...just remember false hope can be just as harmful as an outright lie.

[ecopiracy]

[There's a pained silence before Phoenix responds.]

I know. But giving up prematurely can be just as devastating. I just... want to be sure.