[Some time after the message, hopefully after Note leaves. The message is still hidden from Note anyway.]
....ey, kid, you still here?
-☕
Affirmative. I'm still here. I don't think I ever really left.
[They did leave, for a while. Tracey just doesn't know it.]
Are you still here?
-♤♡◇♧ (☻) @researchercoffee
[Another message.]
Yes, yes I am. It's. Been a bit hasn't it?
Mind if I visit?
Yes, it has. I'm sorry for not reaching out. I've been a little busy. And I can't get away with sending out any messages when ♪ is watching. But eh, it's... been long enough, I suppose. And, I don't mind at all! I'm still in the foundation.
-♤♡◇♧ (☻)
Sweet. May I ask where you are? I'll be able to explain more once I'm there, but. You don't have to worry about note. Or the harmonists for that matter.
Uh, yeah. I'm in a big room, lots of chairs, big stage, with a... white lump? With an orange nose. The audit-orium, I think.
-♤♡◇♧ (☻)
[Moments after the message is sent, Coffee peeks through the main doors, giving a little wave once they spot their freind.]
Ey, kid, is it ok for me to come in?
[Tracey waves back! They're so happy to see Coffee again.]
Of course. Do you want to sit down? There's seats everywhere; enough to hold maybe half a foundation site worth of people. Perhaps more. I even tried counting them. Uh, can I hug you? I hope that's alright. How are you?
-♤♡◇♧ (☻)
[Coffee answers by scooping them up into a big, soft, six-armed squeeze. They even do a lil' hair ruffle for emphasis. They missed the kid. A lot.]
[They return the hug without hesitation! Tracey laughs.]
I take it you're doing well!
-♤♡◇♧ (☻)
[They chuckle a bit too, before eventually letting them go.]
Yeah, you could say that. It's just. I was a bit worried about you, is all.
Worried about me? I can't fathom why— I mean maybe it makes a little bit of sense...
[They think.]
I'm fine. Did something happen?
-♤♡◇♧ (☻)
[They plop into a chair, glad to find that it's actually sturdy, for once.]
No, I mean, yes. Yes because no. The thing that happened is. Well. Nothing is happening.
I. I don't think I can explain it. Not properly. That's. A good thing. All you really know is that things are gonna be a lot. Calmer. No more crazy, world ending threats.
[They make purposful eye contact.]
The Harmonists aren't going to be an issue anymore. Even Note. Especially. Note.
...Now that I think about it, you never really told me your name. Do. Do you have a name? If that's ok to ask.
I understand. Likely another Foundation secret.
[They're relieved, actually.] So no more events. That's good. I wasn't certain of it, whether or not it was really true, but it feels so much better to say it out loud.
[They smile to themself. They don't say anything about the Harmonists; they don't really want to talk about them. But Tracey is happy— Oh, right.]
My name is Tracey now.
I have had many names, but this is one that I finally got to choose on my own. And I like it a lot.
[They smile wider.]
It feels great to introduce myself, properly, I mean. And it really is nice to see you again.
-♤♡◇♧ (☻)
[They reach over and tousle the kid-Tracey. Tracey's hair. Cause they can. They also smile a bit. It's been a bit too long since they last smiled.]
Nice name. Fits ya' like a glove. Metaphorically, at least.
...And literally. Gonna take some damn effort to yank that off ya. Can't even see any gaps. Nice work.
[They pause, and their eyes do a weirdly scattered blink-wink-whatever.]
...Right shit you can't see that. No matter. Uh. Wanna. Go get some food? I am in dire need to change the conversation topic and I am also starving.
Thank you! I think so too.
And yes please. Did you have anything in mind? I think the breakroom has some snacks in the uhm, what was it called—"ven ding machine", but those might be old. Not very filling either.
-♤♡◇♧ (☻)
I was thinking more the actual lunchroom. Maybe even go out and get some stuff from a restraunt. Have you ever had Wendy's? It's good.
[They stand up, stumbling a bit because rhey got up too fast, like a moron.]
Either way, I can give you a piggyback ride if you want. I think that'd be fun. Maybe we could swing by Peachy and see if they wanna come too.
I don't know what a "Wendy" is.
[Tracey jumps from their seat.]
So I guess I'll have to try it. Is it a drink of some kind? It sounds like a drink. In any case, I'm positive Peachy will tag along if they're not too busy. It's been a long time since I've seen them too.
-♤♡◇♧ (☻)
[They pick up Tracey and put them on their shoulders, making sure to remember toduck extra low through doorways they would encounter.]
Even better, it's a restraunt! They got burgers and fries and this thing called a "Frosty" which is a weird ice cream thing....
[And they walked out the door, into the metaphorical sunset. Probably to get a Frosty.]
