82 - stage four

[perfektsymmetry]

[Crowe's hit stage four, though like most, he doesn't realize this. He's frustrated beyond belief with this little event, and makes a call that starts out as some venting with innocent enough intentions. He's been telling people all the bad things about himself, and learning things about his friends in town he isn't sure how to deal with. Surely

Comments

[commie_island]

........you alright there?

[perfektsymmetry]

[In a tiny, tiny voice:] I don't know?

[commie_island]

Maybe you should step away from the phone.

And you realize there isn't even half of us here right?

[perfektsymmetry]

Y-You're right, this didn't work a-at all.

Half of who?

[commentboxtroll]

You know, by asking that question, you're going to get a bunch of people admitting even more terrible things, right? And I could hardly make out the rest of that thanks to your constant stammering.

That is really annoying.

[perfektsymmetry]

N-No, I-- What? I-I said I can't help it, it n-not like I want to!

[commentboxtroll]

That doesn't change that it's obnoxious.

And I didn't really have anything so terrible happen until I got stuck here. I nearly killed my target in the town's last round of hell, but he was just too much of an idiot. I couldn't do it. Then that France guy killed me on the way back, only a few houses away from our safe house, too. I've been refusing to talk about it because my family was never really big on showing weakness and I'm more like them than I want to admit.

[...ffffghdflkshjdgh.]

See? That's why you don't open up with a question like that. I nap during the day because I just can't sleep at night. Damn it... You get stuck hearing this kind of stuff.

[perfektsymmetry]

The target who had m-me during that kept saying things about dinner. I-I don't want to know what she meant by that.

....

We should hang up.

[dragonlitany]

[Just... patiently listens to the whole thing.]

Not everyone has silly things to hide, unfortunately... that would make some of this a bit easier.

...Um. Are you all right, Crowe?

[perfektsymmetry]

I-I don't either, there's more seriously thing, b-but I thought if I just got this stuff off my chest I'd feel better a-and keep from saying the other stuff, b-but it didn't work and I am very sorry--

[dragonlitany]

It was a good idea, at least...? But all I've been able to blurt out to people have been... terrible things, like the fact that I've been lying to everyone about what I am. Or that I was killed by the man that I--

[A pause as she dives for the nearest pillow to muffle herself with.]

...See? It could be worse. S-Sorry.

[perfektsymmetry]

N-No, I'm sorry, I was a fool to think something like this would w-work. I-I'm sorry i-if back home you were... a-ah, you're not the only one in that situation I've m-met here.

[Action]

[snipingmissy]

[You can't think Not!Mom didn't overhear this, Crowe. She has really good ears, so if she's in the house, she heard it.]

Crowe...

[Thankfully--for her--she did not quite catch his question at the beginning of his litany, otherwise she'd be stuck with no option other than to answer said question, and that was probably not what he needed or wanted to hear.]

[perfektsymmetry]

[He's standing there by the phone with his hand over his mouth, face bright red.]

[snipingmissy]

[She's frowning, and wished that there was more comfort to offer other than words.]

I'd ask if you are all right, but that seems pointless.

Would you like a cup of tea?

[Not!Mom is going to prepare you one anyway, and then you are going to drink it. It's the best way she can think of to calm him down a bit.]

[perfektsymmetry]

[He sits down at the kitchen table with a thud.] I give up.

[mercyasdeep]

[Oh, it's that really nice guy who showed him the camera. Hmm...]

Are you okay?

[perfektsymmetry]

O-Other than mortified beyond reason? .... Wait, no, that covers it.

[mercyasdeep]

Oh...

It may not be any of my business, but perhaps you should stay away from the phones.

[perfektsymmetry]

No, you're right, I-I should have, I-I just heard everyone saying such horrid things a-and I thought maybe there would have been a way to keep people from a-admitting they were murderers o-or whatever else a-and... Well obviously this isn't working at all.