02 → [audio]

[fallforthesky]

[Scuffling. It's not a new sound this week. This time, however, the sound comes from the network as Lenalee distractedly fumbles to start a feed. Audio, because there isn't anything actually tangible to direct the feed at, and, well. She's currently crouched atop the windowsill of an unoccupied room on the seventh floor, like someone taking refuge

Comments

[AUDIO]

[tothelastbreath]

[Allen sounds kind of breathless, but not out of breath the way one would be from running. Rather, it's the throat-dry voice of someone who's been on the move for hours and hours, until the burn of fatigue is nothing but a lukewarm ache:]

Lenalee? Where are you? [A pause and a thump as he jumps down a flight of stairs.] I'm sorry, no one's found out how to stop them yet. It's like they aren't even there!

[There's the sound of a door opening, but Allen doesn't bother shutting it behind him. It's not going to accomplish anything except give them a few more seconds to catch up with him.]

I don't think anyone's been hurt, though.

[AUDIO]

[fallforthesky]

I-In the apartments. [Close to home. Close to everyone else, or so she hopes-- truthfully, she's loathe to leave the ledge and check that it's actually true. She's quiet for a moment as she listens to the sounds indicating Allen's movement through Nesreca; the weariness sanding down the edges of his words. Clearly he isn't sitting around to be preyed on, which at once is a relief (she doesn't need to watch out for him), and a concern (he isn't near to be watched over). At a faint snarl to her right, she jolts back on the sill, Boots spiralling up her thighs without a second thought.] ...where are you?

[AUDIO]

[tothelastbreath]

So am I. The stairwell, to be precise.

[This part of home's still around! Since it's all the same no matter where they are, he prefers being close enough to help should someone need it.]

Everything seems fine--[BARRING THE OBVIOUS.] Er, I mean, I haven't seen trouble on any of the floors.

[That would be why he's in the stairwell -- patrolling.]

[AUDIO]

[fallforthesky]

[O-Oh, so he is nearby after all. She gives a sound of not-quite-blatant relief, and mostly it just sounds exhausted. If patrolling is still a valid option-- which she's assuming Allen believes it is-- then it's too soon for everyone to lower their hackles again.] So perhaps this is... just supposed to wear us down? Before something worse happens?

[That's how it always seemed to go at home, after all.]

[promisedlotus]

[... No sleep he's used to by now, but still.]

... You should try finding someone to stay with until this is over, Lena.

[fallforthesky]

How much longer d-do we have to wait? [It feels like a lifetime of being stalked by invisible, giant, aggressive rats.] I haven't even been staying in my o-own room; this this morning, I heard s-something scratching on the inside the door. I-- I don't want to open it.

[Can you blame her?]

[promisedlotus]

So don't, and find someone who's willing to room with you until this is over.

[fallforthesky]

Oh, I hadn't thought of that.

[adreamminealone]

M-miss, a-are you okay? [He sounds both worried and tired.]

I-I'm afraid these things can't be fought in any way... Even magic seems to be useless against them...

[fallforthesky]

[Oh, a new voice... Lenalee tries to level her own out a little, so she doesn't sound quite as hysteric. What ends up happening is she just runs her mouth off.] Ah, I'm fine, thanks! Just a little... s-stressed. I was hoping maybe t-the further we got into this week, the more tangible these things would become, but I suppose not. Did you say magic?

[adreamminealone]

I was hoping for the same actually... [He hesitates a little before answering the question: Um, yes. I did say magic...

[fallforthesky]

Magic like... what? [This is rather a foreign concept to her, despite the nature of. Well. Her entire life.]

[alma_karma]

I don't think anybody knows how to stop them...

[fallforthesky]

B-But it has to be possible, right? [Right?]

[alma_karma]

Maybe.

[fallforthesky]

No, there has to a be a way to stop them. They can't just... keep running loose. Something has to stop them, even-- even if we can't.

[Video]

[stealsumbrellas]

Yes. They can.

[/bitch]

[Video]

[fallforthesky]

[It isn't as if Lenalee's ever been in a mood to deal with Rhode. Not since arriving here, and certainly not since their last meeting at home. But lines have been crossed-- Lavi, Kanda-- and she is already at her wit's end. Before she can stop herself:] Firsthand experience, I hope.

[It's exactly the sort of rise she'd berated Kanda for giving, but she has always been a little too adept at exercising hypocrisy in the worst ways. And she won't go further than slinging petty words. After the Ark, she knows not to push Rhode; even if she so desperately wants to.]

[Video]

[stealsumbrellas]

[Lenalee, your wiseness in not pushing Rhode is the only reason why you're still alive. Lavi is the first on Rhode's list to be marked for death. Kanda, second. And she will enjoy every single second of it.]

No~.

They're too smart to mess with me.

[Video]

[fallforthesky]

[The feed jostles as Lenalee stands on the sill, eyes darting up to the ceiling as a long, thin sound like nails on a chalkboard drag across it.] Then you'll have to excuse me for not taking your word as an absolute truth.

[There's a terseness in her voice; it says if I could, I would. She knows you aren't as composed about this as you act, Rhode. Your restless-child behaviour earlier in the week said so.]