second { accidental video

[gleans]

-- o, that's not true!

[ The feed comes on in the middle of a one-sided conversation. There's no answer - and there's no video, either; just a nice view of a dark wall - but there is definitely the sound of slightly panicked breathing. ]

Dad told me what happened. It was an accident. Don't lie to me!

[ Silence. ]

No -- of course I missed you, I still --

[ Silence. ]

Dad and I did -- we're just fine, but that doesn't --

[ Silence. The view moves, crawling closer to an empty wall. ]

Mom -- shit -- mom, you're sick, okay? Let me find you some help, we'll figure this...

I...

Mom?

[ There's a frantic movement - a quick wiping of the eyes - and Galen still hasn't noticed that the communicator is on. Shakily, he breathes: ]

What the fuck is happening?

Comments

[audio]

[afallenstar]

Galen, is everything okay? ...Who were you talking to?

[ audio { private foreva ]

[gleans]

[ Ffffffuuuuuccckkkk. A pained sigh. ] No one. I mean -- someone was here. But no one.

[afallenstar]

Not supposed to lie to a messenger of God, you know. [ It's lighthearted, but it doesn't do much to outweigh the real concern clear in her voice. ]

What's going on?

[gleans]

Heh. Um -- [ He pauses for a second. He's always felt... comfortable with Anna, but now that he knows she's an angel, that's increased. Strange, that; it's not like he's ever been religious. ]

... Ah. [ Inhale, exhale, even out. ] My mom. Was here. I think.

[afallenstar]

Your mom. [ She's quiet for a moment, just contemplating this. There wasn't anyone on the other side of that conversation though, that much was obvious. ]

It was definitely her?

[gleans]

I'm not even sure anymore, Anna. Like -- it seemed like her, but she was... sick, and something felt wrong. And then she was just gone.

[afallenstar]

[ Whether or not there was anyone else in the room seems to be one of the least concerning things at the moment, because real or imagined Galen is still reacting like she had been. ]

How do you mean, sick? What did you see?

[gleans]

[ He rubs his eyes, thoughts all over the place. ]

Sick, like -- she was sick before she died, and she was almost like a ghost, but that's not possible.

[ => oh wuts dis action]

[afallenstar]

[ Yeah, that's enough for her courtesies to wear thin. She's worried about him, worried enough that she wants a better chance at talking than through these little communicators.

Which is why she doesn't bother to ask - doesn't even bother to cut the feed, actually. If Galen's still watching he'll see a flash of light that consumes the whole screen, and then something that looks suspiciously like the wall next to him. There's a fluttering sound to accompany it, and she clears her throat quietly before laying a hand on his shoulder gently. ]

Galen.

[ ANNAPLS ]

[gleans]

[ Still somewhat freaked from whatever it was he saw, Galen's heart jumps up into his throat when Anna touches his shoulder -- the fluttering sound registers just a moment later, and his head whips around as if looking for wings. It's just Anna, though, and his mouth drops open for a second while his heart eases back down to where it's supposed to be. ]

Shit. Ha -- warn me, will you? [ There's a wry little grin, and he rakes his hand back through his hair. ] I'm -- don't worry.

[ Your Friendly Neighbourhood Gingerangel! ]

[afallenstar]

Sorry, it's been a while. [ She's got a small, tight smile of her own to offer in return, but she doesn't keep it up for long. It's not fooling anyone, after all, and it's certainly not helping. She frowns for a moment as she eyes him closely, then rests a hand on him again. Just a light squeeze to his upper arm, supposed to be comforting, and then she slides her hands into her pockets instead. ]

If I believed that you were okay, I wouldn't. You're not though, are you. What do you mean, your mom was sick? [ Quieter this time, careful with her words as she watches him. ] Tell me.

[gleans]

[ Galen blows out a steadying breath, pushes back on the bed to sit with his legs folded. A rather rude response comes to mind, but he swallows it down; one, Anna is a concerned friend, and two, Anna is an angel. Maybe she can help. ]

I don't... talk about this much, but I guess I owe you a personal story or two, huh. [ He smiles a little; that's partially a joke. A hand comes up to his mouth, and he starts biting at one of his fingernails. ] Um -- after I was born, my mom developed schizophrenia. Like, triggered by pregnancy, I guess -- her uncle had it, too. So she was on some different medications, but they were always kinda iffy.

[afallenstar]

I don't know about owe, but I'd like it. [ She takes a small step to the side, hovering a few feet in front of Galen with her hands behind her back. Quiet, just listening for as much information as he's willing to give.

After a moment she nods, lets a soft quiet sigh escape and comes to perch on the edge of the bed too. Still not too close, she actually understands and mostly respects personal space. ] This is what you saw then, her displaying these...symptoms? [ She pauses, still so careful. ] What did she say to you?

[gleans]

[ He sniffs, runs a hand back through his hair. ] It -- it was worse. Like she was a ghost. Like she was angry. With me. With my dad.

[afallenstar]

You know it's not likely that she was really here, right? [ She has to ask, just to be sure. After all, she watched the conversation. Galen was the only one visible or audible, as much as she'd like that not to be the case. ] Why would she be angry at you, though?

[ Anna huffs quietly, glances over at him, and then reaches a hand across the short distance. Still no contact, still so careful, but she holds her hand out to him palm up. ]

[gleans]

I don't fucking -- I don't know, Anna. [ He's hesitant for a second, but he takes her hand in his, holds it gently. ] It felt real, so if you're saying it wasn't... [ He shakes his head. ] What does that mean?

[afallenstar]

[ She sighs quietly, and she's just as lost as he is when it comes to answers. There's the obvious, the one thing that she really doesn't want to say, but as she gives his hand a gentle squeeze she reaches the other out and places it on top of Galen's. ]

It could mean a number of things. Spirits, they can sometimes linger after they've died, if they don't move on. [ She's sugar coating it, hard, but how could anyone bring themselves to break something like that to anyone? It's not like there's anything for her to heal, he's not physically injured, but she can try and soothe him somewhat at least, so of course she tries. ] It could be that your mom's spirit has gotten dragged here. It might explain why she's so angry.

[ And then there's the other option. His mom was a schizophrenic, even Anna knows it can be hereditary, but she can't say it. ]

[gleans]

[ Galen drops his head, runs his free hand back through his hair. That doesn't sound likely -- or possible. If his mom's spirit was still around, wouldn't he have some indication of that back home? He can't remember anything like that, growing up. The logical conclusion makes him feel sick to his stomach. ]

Jesse said it wouldn't happen. [ It's mumbled, and he disregards it when he looks up again, glances at Anna. ]

So... you're saying angels exist, but people still get left behind when they die?

[afallenstar]

You're not supposed to know what happens after you die. [ It's said in a light tone, and if it were in any conversation it would have been far more teasing, but as it is she remains gentle and gives him a small, almost sad smile. ]

Everyone gets to make a choice, Galen. You can move on when Death comes for you, or you can stay behind. Some people stay behind. You can't take it back though, once you've made the decision it's final.

[ She's been around long enough to witness countless people make their choice, one way or another, and she may be biased but she's not an advocate for sticking around. Always observed though, never made comment. That wasn't her job, and until recently (by her standards, at least) she had stuck to it. Just watched, nothing more. ] Sometimes when they stay...well, it's lonely. No contact with anyone else, watching loved ones move on. It can make people angry. And the people that brought us here, well I don't doubt there's much out of their power at this point.