third ( video ) late day 38

[gleans]

[ To anyone who has seen Galen over the course of this insanity, it's worth noting that when he appears on the feed, he looks more... present, and more like himself, than he has in days. He also looks exhausted, but that's a little, tired smile on his face. ]

Hey, uh... I hope everybody's okay. [ His nose scrunches a little, edging his glasses back up. ] I, uh. I wanted to apologize in case I like... you know, weirded anyone out while I was... gassed up? Is that what happened? Uh -- and is anyone else... coming down, I guess? I feel like shit, but I don't like... see anything. Anymore.

[ He clears his throat, scratches his head. ]

And hey, Anna, can we talk?

Comments

[audio / private]

[tooghoulforschool]

S'that all? You just feelin' like shit, that all? Shit seems to be fading all around, but you're not hurt?

[gleans]

Yeah -- no. Not hurt. Just tired. Are you guys okay?

[tooghoulforschool]

[He laughs, dry and humourless. If he doesn't laugh, he'll scream.] Depends which ones you're askin'. Depends what you mean by 'okay'.


... We lost P.

[gleans]

You... [ Wait. ] You what?

[tooghoulforschool]

He's gone. Drugs did him in. Made a mistake, and now he's gone. [Body, too. No fucking trace. They just took him. They fucking took him right out of Ghoul's arms and he had no chance to stop them.]

Just the three of us now.

[gleans]

Shit. [ He vaguely remembers a transmission, but he'd been wrapped up in his own problems when that happened. He lets out a long sigh, runs his hand back through his hair. ]

I'm so sorry. Is there -- can I do anything?

[tooghoulforschool]

[Ghoul's quiet for a while. Thinking. Processing those words. Thank fuck this feed is private.]

Stay alive. Keep an eye on your boy. S'all I need from you, Galen. Stay safe.

[gleans]

Alright. I can do that. [ Galen rubs at his cheek thoughtfully. ] You too, dude -- be safe. And... I really am sorry.

[tooghoulforschool]

Yeah. Thanks, man.

...Me, too.

[It's probably the calmest conversation he's had all day. He hangs up to make sure it stays that way.]