2.12 - Voice + Spam

[breakingmyheart]

[Private to Erik]

I've been in a coma for about four days.

I…I'm aware it could have been much longer, given how long it's been since we last talked.

I hope you're alright.

[The sentiment of someone who doesn't necessarily expect a response.]

[Open Spam]

[The walk from the door of her cabin to the door of the engine room is very short, but lately she's started to feel terribly agoraphobic on the walk between those rooms, as if the world might suddenly open up completely and leave her stranded in a huge, inescapable void.

If that's unpleasant then the walk up to the library is a nightmare, but her insomnia isn't going away and God knows she needs something to fill the hours. Still, she walks the programming and linguistics sections in a bit of a daze, eyeing the shelves and reading spines without taking much in.]

Comments

[creepur spam]

[ifightfor]

[Conveniently, the library is also one of Rinzler's favorite places to be in the bitter hours of the early morning.

And, equally conveniently, he's been looking for Toshiko.

The instant he notices her presence the program creeps over to shadow her.]

...Toshiko.

[spam]

[breakingmyheart]

[She pauses in her rather aimless browsing and turns to him, managing a small smile.]

Rinzler, hi. How are you?

[spam]

[ifightfor]

[He stands there in silence--except for that quiet growl--for several seconds, just looking at her.

Studying. Analyzing. (And, perhaps, trying to find the words to say. Creator, she's his User, where did he even find the gall to confront her about something?]

I--function.

You are not--well. You did not say--this.

[spam]

[breakingmyheart]

[The smile trembles and dies, and she looks very steadily at the bookshelf in front of her.]

Because I'm managing fine, and it's nobody's business. Who's been talking to you?

[spam]

[ifightfor]

[He hunches his shoulders, growl muting, circuits dimming.]

You are my User. If you--wish to withhold--information, then it is--

[He pauses, taking a strained breath.] --your place. It is mine to--assist. If you ask.

[Notably, he's not saying anything about who spoke to him.]

[spam]

[breakingmyheart]

[My User. She wants to explode, wants to grab his shoulders and shake him and tell him that he has to put that on someone it has to be someone else because she can't accept that privilege, any more. It's been so long since she felt worthy of it, and really, what did she ever do for him? For Aleera? It was their work, their effort, and if anything she feels like a leech for even benefiting from it.]

Rinzler, all I need you to do is trust that I'm - functioning. And if the time ever comes that I'm not, I'll look for help.