audio//locked to friendlies (sorry i promise the next one's public)

[pursuitofcappiness]

[ Backtagged to ~4 AM on Day 31 ]

I think she's gone.

[ There's some sort of shuffling as he thinks to add more to this message, but then there's just a click as he hangs up. ]

Comments

[audio]

[afallenstar]

[ She's still looking when she hears his message. Another one?

If it had been almost anyone else she would have ignored it, but Steve has made the short list of people she's actively trying to protect, so her response is almost instantaneous. ]

How long?

Re: [audio]

[pursuitofcappiness]

I saw her this morning.

She didn't come home tonight. I've called her; I've gone looking.

[audio]

[afallenstar]

[ Her cold exterior is cracking, it's hard to remain so single-mindedly focused on finding Balthazar when the people still here are in such strife. After a very quiet sigh, she answers him. ]

I'll do everything I can. I'm out anyway, I'll look for her too.

[ There's an awkward pause, and then- ]

I'll find them. If it's the last thing I do, I'll find them.

Re: [audio]

[pursuitofcappiness]

Anna.

[ That's the sternest tone he's taken on this entire conversation. ]

We'll find them together.

[audio]

[afallenstar]

No one else is getting lost to them people, Steve.

[ At least, no one that she cares about, though the addition isn't really necessary. ]

Re: [audio]

[pursuitofcappiness]

Doesn't matter. We don't go out there alone.

[audio]

[afallenstar]

[ And how is she supposed to explain without giving up the game, exactly?

...Well, Anna was never very good at subtleties. ]

Listen, I'm a lot tougher than you think. This isn't a risk for me. It's not the same for you.

Re: [audio]

[pursuitofcappiness]

[ Not the first time he's heard that. ]

This is my choice.

[audio]

[afallenstar]

I'm sorry, but you're not being given one here. A few more hours won't kill me. You're too emotionally invested and it'll get you killed.

[ So no hypocrisy there at all then... ]

Re: [audio]

[pursuitofcappiness]

I come with you or I go alone.

[ And he just said that's not an option, so, look, you've really just given him no choice. ]

[audio]

[afallenstar]

[ ...So much internal grumbling. At least if he's with her she can keep him safe, though. ]

Fine, we go together then.

DRAGGED TO THE LOG

[pursuitofcappiness]

I'll see you when it's light.