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@original-elias-bouchard
oh shit, is this actually working? huh. i didn't expect tumblr to be ghost-accessible
but yeah, hey. i'm elias bouchard (he/him), and i mean the original one. i'm (thankfully) not jonah magnus.
what do you even put in introduction posts? i mean i guess i just did one, but eh. who cares
How. long has it been?
-@original-elias-bouchard
Elias?
Oh- I-
oh dear, how long has it been?
…
I.
months.
I’m sorry, I hadn’t.
I don’t-
I’m sorry.
no no it's fine
i just. didn't.
hm. nevermind.
how've you been? the um.
the kids. are they. okay?
The kids-
ive.
it’s been. A lot. I’m not sure where to start, really, haha.
…maybe it would be easier in person-?
if you’re up for it, if you aren’t that’s fine by me.
just. Been too long since I’ve heard y
But, you? How have you been? And. Sasha, is she okay?
in person. ?
i.
i think i could
try
maybe.
this place. feels weird.
maybe the End's finally claimed us.
maybe it hasn't.
i can't
tell.
oh f-
I’m.
I’m at my apartment, living room. Might have to clean up a bit…
If that isn’t too far. I can head back down to the institute if you think that’ll be easier, though? No one else should be there around this time.
hm
maybe
i don't know.
where
is everyone?
this isn't the lonely.
I’ll head down.
I. Don’t know.
honestly I. I haven’t been keeping tabs on everything… I’ve been… busy with other things.
Tim is…. I don’t know. I had thought you and Sasha were looking for Martin, Jon has been in and out, acting. Stranger, than normal.
I don’t know what happened. For once, I don’t even have a point of reference.
tim, martin, jon.
i
remember those names
we were
yes
Sasha and i
were looking for martin
he was
found
not by us
I’m around 30 minutes away.
what. Do you mean? Who found him?
thirty minutes...
ae was
found
by
.
.
.
by...
aer
sister?
pandora
i think
it's hard
to think
Martin has a sister? Suddenly everyone has a sibling an-
It’s alright. You. Don’t have to?
Or if it helps you stay present then…
ah…
20 minutes now. New car. Technically. It’s.
complicated.
adopted
i'm pretty sure
shared the same
patron
the
the Web.
they're
siblings
in that aspect
oh- right, yeah. I- kinda. Thought? But. I don’t know, it’s.
web, mother… I guess that makes sense….
don’t know what I’m saying.
yes
the
the Web
Mother of Puppets
they
had a heartfelt
reunion
i
think
i wasn't
there for it
i don't know what happened
something about
an "angelboy"
Angelboy? Is that a nickname?
I’m just around the corner now, hold on. I’ll meet you at the front desk? Like. Old times…?
yes
i don't know
who gave him
that nickname
but he
hated it
.
.
.
like old times
i'm
looking forward
to it
…
yeah.
yeah I am too.
—
*A few minutes later, Rosie unlocks the back door of the institute. Call her paranoid, but it. Felt too weird to go through the front door this time.*
*she makes a quick beeline for the front desk, scanning the dark with her phone’s flashlight to see if she can spot Elias.*
i'm
at reception
this is
where you work
right
is it
called
reception?
i can't
really
remember
you are? I can’t see you…
-
*she walks behind the desk, reaches a hand out to try and feel any colder than normal air, still looking with her flashlight.*
“Elias?”
"Rosie,"
Rosie can hear the smile in her old friend's voice. The air is cold and still. No fog, though.
*Relief floods through her, though the tension in her shoulders doesn’t loosen. She whips her head around, trying to find him.*
“Elias-! Where are you, I- dear, I- I can’t see you…” *a sort of fear - not That kind - starts to claw at her throat.*
"I'm..."
He looks around. He's at reception, yes, but he's...not at reception.
Hm.
"I'm here. But not here. Are...are you..."
He hesitates.
"Are you...alright?"
“I- I don’t- I can’t- Elias I- no. Nononono please not you not this time please not you too-“ *her gaze is far, full of confusion and regret and tears.*
“Can you see—? Are you- fuck i- can— hear, feel the-the cold but-” *no please not again please not him please—*
"Rosie, please-"
He tries to reach out, to see if he can somehow feel where his friend is.
"It's-- it's okay. I'm...here."
*She flinches, seems to snap out of her spiraling, shuddering at the cold feeling of some phantom hand*
“Elias? You- I think-“ *she isn’t sure what she thinks, and can only see a hazy outline of her friend, an outline that blurs even further in the light.*
“It’s- is it you? Really, this time? Or is it- am I-“ *she forced herself to take a deep breath.*
"It's...it's me."
He hesitates again. He mimics taking a deep breath.
"I feel...hazy. But I'm here. I...I promise."
”promise…”
*she reaches blindly behind her, pulling her chair closer. She slumps into the seat, like a puppet with its strings cut.*
“I’m- I’m sorry I- I should’ve- you don’t need to see- I’m sorry, de- Elias.”
"It's okay. I missed you."
He places his hand on where he thinks Rosie's is.
"I'm...sorry."
“I- I missed you too. So much” *she leans into the “touch”* “don’t- don’t be sorry it’s- it’s not your f- you’re okay. I. Its not your fault.”
“I’m sorry for- coming such a- a wreck.”
A small laugh escapes him.
"We're both wrecks...aren't we? It's not your fault, either."
He sounds a lot more present, now.
”we are, aren’t we…”
*a small, sad smile fights its way to Rosie’s lips. It looses the battle quickly after.*
“It. Might…. Not exactl be my fault, but I still could’ve. Tried more. To keep in touch. Then we wouldn’t have had this scare…”
He- ...Elias hums.
"Maybe. I still don't blame you, though. So don't...blame yourself, yeah?"
”…. Okay…”
*she wipes at the corners of her eyes, putting on a(n admittedly fake) smile.* “sorry I- I forgot what I was. Going to talk to you about…”
"Oh."
Elias taps his feet against the floor. It doesn't make a sound.
"To be fair, I came to you."
“Oh- w-well, yes, but-… I did also. Offer to come down here. To talk.”
*his hazy form seems a bit more present. Not too much, but enough for Rosie to feel more at peace.*
"You did, yeah."
He tries leaning against the desk. He phases through it and falls.
"...I hope I'm still invisible."
*she snorts.* “were you leaning on the desk again?” *she can almost picture it, in her head, a faint memory of the first time he tried. That was… so long ago….*
"What... do you last remember...?"
Elias groans in embarrassment. He stiffens when Rosie asks her question.
"Uh..."
He blinks at the space he can vaguely see her in. He's not sure what expression he's wearing, but he could feel how his face scrunched up.
"I was with Sasha, I think..."
“Hm…. Has she… been around…?”
"I...think so? You might have to go and search for her. We- we can look for them together. Maybe they were taken by the table again, somehow..."
He trails off, a guilty expression on his face. How could he not remember one of the two people he'd been such good friends with? It's almost like Shel aga-
“I… don’t know how much help I’ll be. Whatever… connection with whatever Entity I had is…. I can’t feel it…” *she hasn’t felt much of… anything, really, recently. Not in the way the Lonely felt. Just. A numbness. If she did, maybe she’d have had an easier time finding Elias…*
“Do you remember where you two were? Or what you were doing?”
Elias shakes his head to get himself to focus.
"Uh-- I think...we were looking for Martin, yeah, then he was found, and then...I...can't remember? I know we did something after that but I just-- can't...remember."
“It’s alright dear, dont push yourself. We’ll… we’ll find her.” *she takes a deep breath, trying to think of one problem to focus on at a time.”
He blinks. Once. Twice.
" 'Dear'? "
“Hm?” *rosie tilts her head, then it clicks. She is quiet for a while.*
Elias jolts with the realization that she might've taken that as a sign to stop calling him 'dear'.
"I was just- curious? To why you were calling me that? I don't want you to stop, just-- curious."
*she clears her throat, suddenly very interested in everything that isn’t where Elias is.*
“I. it. Slipped? I wasn’t really… thinking….. I guess I just. Think very dearly of you, ha.”
Elias blinks again. He hums in thought.
"I...like it? Can I call you nicknames, too?"
*this time, Rosie blinks in surprise.*
“Ah- yes. Yeah. I’d like that…”
Elias smiles.
"Okay, mon cher."
*rosie tries, and partially fails, not to short circuit.* “okay… ah- querido.”
His smile grows wider, almost bashful. He nods.
"That's-- good."
Elias takes a deep breath. He hates to sour the mood, but--
"We should...go look for Sasha, I think."
*reality sets back in, she takes another breath.*
“Right, yeah. Sasha. Any ideas where she might be?”
Elias hums thoughtfully.
"Not...sure? Again, I don't-- my memories of before you came here are really foggy. Or, well-- hazy's a better word. Aren't they pretty much synonymous-- whatever."
He sighs, tapping his foot on the floor.
"Like I said before, maybe they're in the Web Table? Maybe she's somewhere else? Maybe she's in the same place I was in -- I don't know. We'll just have to look, I guess."
“It’s alright, take as much time as you need to—“ *she reached out a hand to try and calm, but it phases through the faint image.* “….to remember…”
“Well— we can try the table. But… maybe after checking the rest of the institute? I don’t… know what it’ll try to do.”
Elias nods a bit too quickly.
"Okay, yeah, we can...we can check it after. Come on, we have another spirit to find."
He smiles at her, trying to reassure.
How. long has it been?
-@original-elias-bouchard
Elias?
Oh- I-
oh dear, how long has it been?
…
I.
months.
I’m sorry, I hadn’t.
I don’t-
I’m sorry.
no no it's fine
i just. didn't.
hm. nevermind.
how've you been? the um.
the kids. are they. okay?
The kids-
ive.
it’s been. A lot. I’m not sure where to start, really, haha.
…maybe it would be easier in person-?
if you’re up for it, if you aren’t that’s fine by me.
just. Been too long since I’ve heard y
But, you? How have you been? And. Sasha, is she okay?
in person. ?
i.
i think i could
try
maybe.
this place. feels weird.
maybe the End's finally claimed us.
maybe it hasn't.
i can't
tell.
oh f-
I’m.
I’m at my apartment, living room. Might have to clean up a bit…
If that isn’t too far. I can head back down to the institute if you think that’ll be easier, though? No one else should be there around this time.
hm
maybe
i don't know.
where
is everyone?
this isn't the lonely.
I’ll head down.
I. Don’t know.
honestly I. I haven’t been keeping tabs on everything… I’ve been… busy with other things.
Tim is…. I don’t know. I had thought you and Sasha were looking for Martin, Jon has been in and out, acting. Stranger, than normal.
I don’t know what happened. For once, I don’t even have a point of reference.
tim, martin, jon.
i
remember those names
we were
yes
Sasha and i
were looking for martin
he was
found
not by us
I’m around 30 minutes away.
what. Do you mean? Who found him?
thirty minutes...
ae was
found
by
.
.
.
by...
aer
sister?
pandora
i think
it's hard
to think
Martin has a sister? Suddenly everyone has a sibling an-
It’s alright. You. Don’t have to?
Or if it helps you stay present then…
ah…
20 minutes now. New car. Technically. It’s.
complicated.
adopted
i'm pretty sure
shared the same
patron
the
the Web.
they're
siblings
in that aspect
oh- right, yeah. I- kinda. Thought? But. I don’t know, it’s.
web, mother… I guess that makes sense….
don’t know what I’m saying.
yes
the
the Web
Mother of Puppets
they
had a heartfelt
reunion
i
think
i wasn't
there for it
i don't know what happened
something about
an "angelboy"
Angelboy? Is that a nickname?
I’m just around the corner now, hold on. I’ll meet you at the front desk? Like. Old times…?
yes
i don't know
who gave him
that nickname
but he
hated it
.
.
.
like old times
i'm
looking forward
to it
…
yeah.
yeah I am too.
—
*A few minutes later, Rosie unlocks the back door of the institute. Call her paranoid, but it. Felt too weird to go through the front door this time.*
*she makes a quick beeline for the front desk, scanning the dark with her phone’s flashlight to see if she can spot Elias.*
i'm
at reception
this is
where you work
right
is it
called
reception?
i can't
really
remember
you are? I can’t see you…
-
*she walks behind the desk, reaches a hand out to try and feel any colder than normal air, still looking with her flashlight.*
“Elias?”
"Rosie,"
Rosie can hear the smile in her old friend's voice. The air is cold and still. No fog, though.
*Relief floods through her, though the tension in her shoulders doesn’t loosen. She whips her head around, trying to find him.*
“Elias-! Where are you, I- dear, I- I can’t see you…” *a sort of fear - not That kind - starts to claw at her throat.*
"I'm..."
He looks around. He's at reception, yes, but he's...not at reception.
Hm.
"I'm here. But not here. Are...are you..."
He hesitates.
"Are you...alright?"
“I- I don’t- I can’t- Elias I- no. Nononono please not you not this time please not you too-“ *her gaze is far, full of confusion and regret and tears.*
“Can you see—? Are you- fuck i- can— hear, feel the-the cold but-” *no please not again please not him please—*
"Rosie, please-"
He tries to reach out, to see if he can somehow feel where his friend is.
"It's-- it's okay. I'm...here."
*She flinches, seems to snap out of her spiraling, shuddering at the cold feeling of some phantom hand*
“Elias? You- I think-“ *she isn’t sure what she thinks, and can only see a hazy outline of her friend, an outline that blurs even further in the light.*
“It’s- is it you? Really, this time? Or is it- am I-“ *she forced herself to take a deep breath.*
"It's...it's me."
He hesitates again. He mimics taking a deep breath.
"I feel...hazy. But I'm here. I...I promise."
”promise…”
*she reaches blindly behind her, pulling her chair closer. She slumps into the seat, like a puppet with its strings cut.*
“I’m- I’m sorry I- I should’ve- you don’t need to see- I’m sorry, de- Elias.”
"It's okay. I missed you."
He places his hand on where he thinks Rosie's is.
"I'm...sorry."
“I- I missed you too. So much” *she leans into the “touch”* “don’t- don’t be sorry it’s- it’s not your f- you’re okay. I. Its not your fault.”
“I’m sorry for- coming such a- a wreck.”
A small laugh escapes him.
"We're both wrecks...aren't we? It's not your fault, either."
He sounds a lot more present, now.
”we are, aren’t we…”
*a small, sad smile fights its way to Rosie’s lips. It looses the battle quickly after.*
“It. Might…. Not exactl be my fault, but I still could’ve. Tried more. To keep in touch. Then we wouldn’t have had this scare…”
He- ...Elias hums.
"Maybe. I still don't blame you, though. So don't...blame yourself, yeah?"
”…. Okay…”
*she wipes at the corners of her eyes, putting on a(n admittedly fake) smile.* “sorry I- I forgot what I was. Going to talk to you about…”
"Oh."
Elias taps his feet against the floor. It doesn't make a sound.
"To be fair, I came to you."
“Oh- w-well, yes, but-… I did also. Offer to come down here. To talk.”
*his hazy form seems a bit more present. Not too much, but enough for Rosie to feel more at peace.*
"You did, yeah."
He tries leaning against the desk. He phases through it and falls.
"...I hope I'm still invisible."
*she snorts.* “were you leaning on the desk again?” *she can almost picture it, in her head, a faint memory of the first time he tried. That was… so long ago….*
"What... do you last remember...?"
Elias groans in embarrassment. He stiffens when Rosie asks her question.
"Uh..."
He blinks at the space he can vaguely see her in. He's not sure what expression he's wearing, but he could feel how his face scrunched up.
"I was with Sasha, I think..."
“Hm…. Has she… been around…?”
"I...think so? You might have to go and search for her. We- we can look for them together. Maybe they were taken by the table again, somehow..."
He trails off, a guilty expression on his face. How could he not remember one of the two people he'd been such good friends with? It's almost like Shel aga-
“I… don’t know how much help I’ll be. Whatever… connection with whatever Entity I had is…. I can’t feel it…” *she hasn’t felt much of… anything, really, recently. Not in the way the Lonely felt. Just. A numbness. If she did, maybe she’d have had an easier time finding Elias…*
“Do you remember where you two were? Or what you were doing?”
Elias shakes his head to get himself to focus.
"Uh-- I think...we were looking for Martin, yeah, then he was found, and then...I...can't remember? I know we did something after that but I just-- can't...remember."
“It’s alright dear, dont push yourself. We’ll… we’ll find her.” *she takes a deep breath, trying to think of one problem to focus on at a time.”
He blinks. Once. Twice.
" 'Dear'? "
“Hm?” *rosie tilts her head, then it clicks. She is quiet for a while.*
Elias jolts with the realization that she might've taken that as a sign to stop calling him 'dear'.
"I was just- curious? To why you were calling me that? I don't want you to stop, just-- curious."
*she clears her throat, suddenly very interested in everything that isn’t where Elias is.*
“I. it. Slipped? I wasn’t really… thinking….. I guess I just. Think very dearly of you, ha.”
Elias blinks again. He hums in thought.
"I...like it? Can I call you nicknames, too?"
*this time, Rosie blinks in surprise.*
“Ah- yes. Yeah. I’d like that…”
Elias smiles.
"Okay, mon cher."
*rosie tries, and partially fails, not to short circuit.* “okay… ah- querido.”
His smile grows wider, almost bashful. He nods.
"That's-- good."
Elias takes a deep breath. He hates to sour the mood, but--
"We should...go look for Sasha, I think."
*reality sets back in, she takes another breath.*
“Right, yeah. Sasha. Any ideas where she might be?”
Elias hums thoughtfully.
"Not...sure? Again, I don't-- my memories of before you came here are really foggy. Or, well-- hazy's a better word. Aren't they pretty much synonymous-- whatever."
He sighs, tapping his foot on the floor.
"Like I said before, maybe they're in the Web Table? Maybe she's somewhere else? Maybe she's in the same place I was in -- I don't know. We'll just have to look, I guess."
How. long has it been?
-@original-elias-bouchard
Elias?
Oh- I-
oh dear, how long has it been?
…
I.
months.
I’m sorry, I hadn’t.
I don’t-
I’m sorry.
no no it's fine
i just. didn't.
hm. nevermind.
how've you been? the um.
the kids. are they. okay?
The kids-
ive.
it’s been. A lot. I’m not sure where to start, really, haha.
…maybe it would be easier in person-?
if you’re up for it, if you aren’t that’s fine by me.
just. Been too long since I’ve heard y
But, you? How have you been? And. Sasha, is she okay?
in person. ?
i.
i think i could
try
maybe.
this place. feels weird.
maybe the End's finally claimed us.
maybe it hasn't.
i can't
tell.
oh f-
I’m.
I’m at my apartment, living room. Might have to clean up a bit…
If that isn’t too far. I can head back down to the institute if you think that’ll be easier, though? No one else should be there around this time.
hm
maybe
i don't know.
where
is everyone?
this isn't the lonely.
I’ll head down.
I. Don’t know.
honestly I. I haven’t been keeping tabs on everything… I’ve been… busy with other things.
Tim is…. I don’t know. I had thought you and Sasha were looking for Martin, Jon has been in and out, acting. Stranger, than normal.
I don’t know what happened. For once, I don’t even have a point of reference.
tim, martin, jon.
i
remember those names
we were
yes
Sasha and i
were looking for martin
he was
found
not by us
I’m around 30 minutes away.
what. Do you mean? Who found him?
thirty minutes...
ae was
found
by
.
.
.
by...
aer
sister?
pandora
i think
it's hard
to think
Martin has a sister? Suddenly everyone has a sibling an-
It’s alright. You. Don’t have to?
Or if it helps you stay present then…
ah…
20 minutes now. New car. Technically. It’s.
complicated.
adopted
i'm pretty sure
shared the same
patron
the
the Web.
they're
siblings
in that aspect
oh- right, yeah. I- kinda. Thought? But. I don’t know, it’s.
web, mother… I guess that makes sense….
don’t know what I’m saying.
yes
the
the Web
Mother of Puppets
they
had a heartfelt
reunion
i
think
i wasn't
there for it
i don't know what happened
something about
an "angelboy"
Angelboy? Is that a nickname?
I’m just around the corner now, hold on. I’ll meet you at the front desk? Like. Old times…?
yes
i don't know
who gave him
that nickname
but he
hated it
.
.
.
like old times
i'm
looking forward
to it
…
yeah.
yeah I am too.
—
*A few minutes later, Rosie unlocks the back door of the institute. Call her paranoid, but it. Felt too weird to go through the front door this time.*
*she makes a quick beeline for the front desk, scanning the dark with her phone’s flashlight to see if she can spot Elias.*
i'm
at reception
this is
where you work
right
is it
called
reception?
i can't
really
remember
you are? I can’t see you…
-
*she walks behind the desk, reaches a hand out to try and feel any colder than normal air, still looking with her flashlight.*
“Elias?”
"Rosie,"
Rosie can hear the smile in her old friend's voice. The air is cold and still. No fog, though.
*Relief floods through her, though the tension in her shoulders doesn’t loosen. She whips her head around, trying to find him.*
“Elias-! Where are you, I- dear, I- I can’t see you…” *a sort of fear - not That kind - starts to claw at her throat.*
"I'm..."
He looks around. He's at reception, yes, but he's...not at reception.
Hm.
"I'm here. But not here. Are...are you..."
He hesitates.
"Are you...alright?"
“I- I don’t- I can’t- Elias I- no. Nononono please not you not this time please not you too-“ *her gaze is far, full of confusion and regret and tears.*
“Can you see—? Are you- fuck i- can— hear, feel the-the cold but-” *no please not again please not him please—*
"Rosie, please-"
He tries to reach out, to see if he can somehow feel where his friend is.
"It's-- it's okay. I'm...here."
*She flinches, seems to snap out of her spiraling, shuddering at the cold feeling of some phantom hand*
“Elias? You- I think-“ *she isn’t sure what she thinks, and can only see a hazy outline of her friend, an outline that blurs even further in the light.*
“It’s- is it you? Really, this time? Or is it- am I-“ *she forced herself to take a deep breath.*
"It's...it's me."
He hesitates again. He mimics taking a deep breath.
"I feel...hazy. But I'm here. I...I promise."
”promise…”
*she reaches blindly behind her, pulling her chair closer. She slumps into the seat, like a puppet with its strings cut.*
“I’m- I’m sorry I- I should’ve- you don’t need to see- I’m sorry, de- Elias.”
"It's okay. I missed you."
He places his hand on where he thinks Rosie's is.
"I'm...sorry."
“I- I missed you too. So much” *she leans into the “touch”* “don’t- don’t be sorry it’s- it’s not your f- you’re okay. I. Its not your fault.”
“I’m sorry for- coming such a- a wreck.”
A small laugh escapes him.
"We're both wrecks...aren't we? It's not your fault, either."
He sounds a lot more present, now.
”we are, aren’t we…”
*a small, sad smile fights its way to Rosie’s lips. It looses the battle quickly after.*
“It. Might…. Not exactl be my fault, but I still could’ve. Tried more. To keep in touch. Then we wouldn’t have had this scare…”
He- ...Elias hums.
"Maybe. I still don't blame you, though. So don't...blame yourself, yeah?"
”…. Okay…”
*she wipes at the corners of her eyes, putting on a(n admittedly fake) smile.* “sorry I- I forgot what I was. Going to talk to you about…”
"Oh."
Elias taps his feet against the floor. It doesn't make a sound.
"To be fair, I came to you."
“Oh- w-well, yes, but-… I did also. Offer to come down here. To talk.”
*his hazy form seems a bit more present. Not too much, but enough for Rosie to feel more at peace.*
"You did, yeah."
He tries leaning against the desk. He phases through it and falls.
"...I hope I'm still invisible."
*she snorts.* “were you leaning on the desk again?” *she can almost picture it, in her head, a faint memory of the first time he tried. That was… so long ago….*
"What... do you last remember...?"
Elias groans in embarrassment. He stiffens when Rosie asks her question.
"Uh..."
He blinks at the space he can vaguely see her in. He's not sure what expression he's wearing, but he could feel how his face scrunched up.
"I was with Sasha, I think..."
“Hm…. Has she… been around…?”
"I...think so? You might have to go and search for her. We- we can look for them together. Maybe they were taken by the table again, somehow..."
He trails off, a guilty expression on his face. How could he not remember one of the two people he'd been such good friends with? It's almost like Shel aga-
“I… don’t know how much help I’ll be. Whatever… connection with whatever Entity I had is…. I can’t feel it…” *she hasn’t felt much of… anything, really, recently. Not in the way the Lonely felt. Just. A numbness. If she did, maybe she’d have had an easier time finding Elias…*
“Do you remember where you two were? Or what you were doing?”
Elias shakes his head to get himself to focus.
"Uh-- I think...we were looking for Martin, yeah, then he was found, and then...I...can't remember? I know we did something after that but I just-- can't...remember."
“It’s alright dear, dont push yourself. We’ll… we’ll find her.” *she takes a deep breath, trying to think of one problem to focus on at a time.”
He blinks. Once. Twice.
" 'Dear'? "
“Hm?” *rosie tilts her head, then it clicks. She is quiet for a while.*
Elias jolts with the realization that she might've taken that as a sign to stop calling him 'dear'.
"I was just- curious? To why you were calling me that? I don't want you to stop, just-- curious."
*she clears her throat, suddenly very interested in everything that isn’t where Elias is.*
“I. it. Slipped? I wasn’t really… thinking….. I guess I just. Think very dearly of you, ha.”
Elias blinks again. He hums in thought.
"I...like it? Can I call you nicknames, too?"
*this time, Rosie blinks in surprise.*
“Ah- yes. Yeah. I’d like that…”
Elias smiles.
"Okay, mon cher."
*rosie tries, and partially fails, not to short circuit.* “okay… ah- querido.”
His smile grows wider, almost bashful. He nods.
"That's-- good."
Elias takes a deep breath. He hates to sour the mood, but--
"We should...go look for Sasha, I think."
How. long has it been?
-@original-elias-bouchard
Elias?
Oh- I-
oh dear, how long has it been?
…
I.
months.
I’m sorry, I hadn’t.
I don’t-
I’m sorry.
no no it's fine
i just. didn't.
hm. nevermind.
how've you been? the um.
the kids. are they. okay?
The kids-
ive.
it’s been. A lot. I’m not sure where to start, really, haha.
…maybe it would be easier in person-?
if you’re up for it, if you aren’t that’s fine by me.
just. Been too long since I’ve heard y
But, you? How have you been? And. Sasha, is she okay?
in person. ?
i.
i think i could
try
maybe.
this place. feels weird.
maybe the End's finally claimed us.
maybe it hasn't.
i can't
tell.
oh f-
I’m.
I’m at my apartment, living room. Might have to clean up a bit…
If that isn’t too far. I can head back down to the institute if you think that’ll be easier, though? No one else should be there around this time.
hm
maybe
i don't know.
where
is everyone?
this isn't the lonely.
I’ll head down.
I. Don’t know.
honestly I. I haven’t been keeping tabs on everything… I’ve been… busy with other things.
Tim is…. I don’t know. I had thought you and Sasha were looking for Martin, Jon has been in and out, acting. Stranger, than normal.
I don’t know what happened. For once, I don’t even have a point of reference.
tim, martin, jon.
i
remember those names
we were
yes
Sasha and i
were looking for martin
he was
found
not by us
I’m around 30 minutes away.
what. Do you mean? Who found him?
thirty minutes...
ae was
found
by
.
.
.
by...
aer
sister?
pandora
i think
it's hard
to think
Martin has a sister? Suddenly everyone has a sibling an-
It’s alright. You. Don’t have to?
Or if it helps you stay present then…
ah…
20 minutes now. New car. Technically. It’s.
complicated.
adopted
i'm pretty sure
shared the same
patron
the
the Web.
they're
siblings
in that aspect
oh- right, yeah. I- kinda. Thought? But. I don’t know, it’s.
web, mother… I guess that makes sense….
don’t know what I’m saying.
yes
the
the Web
Mother of Puppets
they
had a heartfelt
reunion
i
think
i wasn't
there for it
i don't know what happened
something about
an "angelboy"
Angelboy? Is that a nickname?
I’m just around the corner now, hold on. I’ll meet you at the front desk? Like. Old times…?
yes
i don't know
who gave him
that nickname
but he
hated it
.
.
.
like old times
i'm
looking forward
to it
…
yeah.
yeah I am too.
—
*A few minutes later, Rosie unlocks the back door of the institute. Call her paranoid, but it. Felt too weird to go through the front door this time.*
*she makes a quick beeline for the front desk, scanning the dark with her phone’s flashlight to see if she can spot Elias.*
i'm
at reception
this is
where you work
right
is it
called
reception?
i can't
really
remember
you are? I can’t see you…
-
*she walks behind the desk, reaches a hand out to try and feel any colder than normal air, still looking with her flashlight.*
“Elias?”
"Rosie,"
Rosie can hear the smile in her old friend's voice. The air is cold and still. No fog, though.
*Relief floods through her, though the tension in her shoulders doesn’t loosen. She whips her head around, trying to find him.*
“Elias-! Where are you, I- dear, I- I can’t see you…” *a sort of fear - not That kind - starts to claw at her throat.*
"I'm..."
He looks around. He's at reception, yes, but he's...not at reception.
Hm.
"I'm here. But not here. Are...are you..."
He hesitates.
"Are you...alright?"
“I- I don’t- I can’t- Elias I- no. Nononono please not you not this time please not you too-“ *her gaze is far, full of confusion and regret and tears.*
“Can you see—? Are you- fuck i- can— hear, feel the-the cold but-” *no please not again please not him please—*
"Rosie, please-"
He tries to reach out, to see if he can somehow feel where his friend is.
"It's-- it's okay. I'm...here."
*She flinches, seems to snap out of her spiraling, shuddering at the cold feeling of some phantom hand*
“Elias? You- I think-“ *she isn’t sure what she thinks, and can only see a hazy outline of her friend, an outline that blurs even further in the light.*
“It’s- is it you? Really, this time? Or is it- am I-“ *she forced herself to take a deep breath.*
"It's...it's me."
He hesitates again. He mimics taking a deep breath.
"I feel...hazy. But I'm here. I...I promise."
”promise…”
*she reaches blindly behind her, pulling her chair closer. She slumps into the seat, like a puppet with its strings cut.*
“I’m- I’m sorry I- I should’ve- you don’t need to see- I’m sorry, de- Elias.”
"It's okay. I missed you."
He places his hand on where he thinks Rosie's is.
"I'm...sorry."
“I- I missed you too. So much” *she leans into the “touch”* “don’t- don’t be sorry it’s- it’s not your f- you’re okay. I. Its not your fault.”
“I’m sorry for- coming such a- a wreck.”
A small laugh escapes him.
"We're both wrecks...aren't we? It's not your fault, either."
He sounds a lot more present, now.
”we are, aren’t we…”
*a small, sad smile fights its way to Rosie’s lips. It looses the battle quickly after.*
“It. Might…. Not exactl be my fault, but I still could’ve. Tried more. To keep in touch. Then we wouldn’t have had this scare…”
He- ...Elias hums.
"Maybe. I still don't blame you, though. So don't...blame yourself, yeah?"
”…. Okay…”
*she wipes at the corners of her eyes, putting on a(n admittedly fake) smile.* “sorry I- I forgot what I was. Going to talk to you about…”
"Oh."
Elias taps his feet against the floor. It doesn't make a sound.
"To be fair, I came to you."
“Oh- w-well, yes, but-… I did also. Offer to come down here. To talk.”
*his hazy form seems a bit more present. Not too much, but enough for Rosie to feel more at peace.*
"You did, yeah."
He tries leaning against the desk. He phases through it and falls.
"...I hope I'm still invisible."
*she snorts.* “were you leaning on the desk again?” *she can almost picture it, in her head, a faint memory of the first time he tried. That was… so long ago….*
"What... do you last remember...?"
Elias groans in embarrassment. He stiffens when Rosie asks her question.
"Uh..."
He blinks at the space he can vaguely see her in. He's not sure what expression he's wearing, but he could feel how his face scrunched up.
"I was with Sasha, I think..."
“Hm…. Has she… been around…?”
"I...think so? You might have to go and search for her. We- we can look for them together. Maybe they were taken by the table again, somehow..."
He trails off, a guilty expression on his face. How could he not remember one of the two people he'd been such good friends with? It's almost like Shel aga-
“I… don’t know how much help I’ll be. Whatever… connection with whatever Entity I had is…. I can’t feel it…” *she hasn’t felt much of… anything, really, recently. Not in the way the Lonely felt. Just. A numbness. If she did, maybe she’d have had an easier time finding Elias…*
“Do you remember where you two were? Or what you were doing?”
Elias shakes his head to get himself to focus.
"Uh-- I think...we were looking for Martin, yeah, then he was found, and then...I...can't remember? I know we did something after that but I just-- can't...remember."
“It’s alright dear, dont push yourself. We’ll… we’ll find her.” *she takes a deep breath, trying to think of one problem to focus on at a time.”
He blinks. Once. Twice.
" 'Dear'? "
“Hm?” *rosie tilts her head, then it clicks. She is quiet for a while.*
Elias jolts with the realization that she might've taken that as a sign to stop calling him 'dear'.
"I was just- curious? To why you were calling me that? I don't want you to stop, just-- curious."
*she clears her throat, suddenly very interested in everything that isn’t where Elias is.*
“I. it. Slipped? I wasn’t really… thinking….. I guess I just. Think very dearly of you, ha.”
Elias blinks again. He hums in thought.
"I...like it? Can I call you nicknames, too?"
*this time, Rosie blinks in surprise.*
“Ah- yes. Yeah. I’d like that…”
Elias smiles.
"Okay, mon cher."
How. long has it been?
-@original-elias-bouchard
Elias?
Oh- I-
oh dear, how long has it been?
…
I.
months.
I’m sorry, I hadn’t.
I don’t-
I’m sorry.
no no it's fine
i just. didn't.
hm. nevermind.
how've you been? the um.
the kids. are they. okay?
The kids-
ive.
it’s been. A lot. I’m not sure where to start, really, haha.
…maybe it would be easier in person-?
if you’re up for it, if you aren’t that’s fine by me.
just. Been too long since I’ve heard y
But, you? How have you been? And. Sasha, is she okay?
in person. ?
i.
i think i could
try
maybe.
this place. feels weird.
maybe the End's finally claimed us.
maybe it hasn't.
i can't
tell.
oh f-
I’m.
I’m at my apartment, living room. Might have to clean up a bit…
If that isn’t too far. I can head back down to the institute if you think that’ll be easier, though? No one else should be there around this time.
hm
maybe
i don't know.
where
is everyone?
this isn't the lonely.
I’ll head down.
I. Don’t know.
honestly I. I haven’t been keeping tabs on everything… I’ve been… busy with other things.
Tim is…. I don’t know. I had thought you and Sasha were looking for Martin, Jon has been in and out, acting. Stranger, than normal.
I don’t know what happened. For once, I don’t even have a point of reference.
tim, martin, jon.
i
remember those names
we were
yes
Sasha and i
were looking for martin
he was
found
not by us
I’m around 30 minutes away.
what. Do you mean? Who found him?
thirty minutes...
ae was
found
by
.
.
.
by...
aer
sister?
pandora
i think
it's hard
to think
Martin has a sister? Suddenly everyone has a sibling an-
It’s alright. You. Don’t have to?
Or if it helps you stay present then…
ah…
20 minutes now. New car. Technically. It’s.
complicated.
adopted
i'm pretty sure
shared the same
patron
the
the Web.
they're
siblings
in that aspect
oh- right, yeah. I- kinda. Thought? But. I don’t know, it’s.
web, mother… I guess that makes sense….
don’t know what I’m saying.
yes
the
the Web
Mother of Puppets
they
had a heartfelt
reunion
i
think
i wasn't
there for it
i don't know what happened
something about
an "angelboy"
Angelboy? Is that a nickname?
I’m just around the corner now, hold on. I’ll meet you at the front desk? Like. Old times…?
yes
i don't know
who gave him
that nickname
but he
hated it
.
.
.
like old times
i'm
looking forward
to it
…
yeah.
yeah I am too.
—
*A few minutes later, Rosie unlocks the back door of the institute. Call her paranoid, but it. Felt too weird to go through the front door this time.*
*she makes a quick beeline for the front desk, scanning the dark with her phone’s flashlight to see if she can spot Elias.*
i'm
at reception
this is
where you work
right
is it
called
reception?
i can't
really
remember
you are? I can’t see you…
-
*she walks behind the desk, reaches a hand out to try and feel any colder than normal air, still looking with her flashlight.*
“Elias?”
"Rosie,"
Rosie can hear the smile in her old friend's voice. The air is cold and still. No fog, though.
*Relief floods through her, though the tension in her shoulders doesn’t loosen. She whips her head around, trying to find him.*
“Elias-! Where are you, I- dear, I- I can’t see you…” *a sort of fear - not That kind - starts to claw at her throat.*
"I'm..."
He looks around. He's at reception, yes, but he's...not at reception.
Hm.
"I'm here. But not here. Are...are you..."
He hesitates.
"Are you...alright?"
“I- I don’t- I can’t- Elias I- no. Nononono please not you not this time please not you too-“ *her gaze is far, full of confusion and regret and tears.*
“Can you see—? Are you- fuck i- can— hear, feel the-the cold but-” *no please not again please not him please—*
"Rosie, please-"
He tries to reach out, to see if he can somehow feel where his friend is.
"It's-- it's okay. I'm...here."
*She flinches, seems to snap out of her spiraling, shuddering at the cold feeling of some phantom hand*
“Elias? You- I think-“ *she isn’t sure what she thinks, and can only see a hazy outline of her friend, an outline that blurs even further in the light.*
“It’s- is it you? Really, this time? Or is it- am I-“ *she forced herself to take a deep breath.*
"It's...it's me."
He hesitates again. He mimics taking a deep breath.
"I feel...hazy. But I'm here. I...I promise."
”promise…”
*she reaches blindly behind her, pulling her chair closer. She slumps into the seat, like a puppet with its strings cut.*
“I’m- I’m sorry I- I should’ve- you don’t need to see- I’m sorry, de- Elias.”
"It's okay. I missed you."
He places his hand on where he thinks Rosie's is.
"I'm...sorry."
“I- I missed you too. So much” *she leans into the “touch”* “don’t- don’t be sorry it’s- it’s not your f- you’re okay. I. Its not your fault.”
“I’m sorry for- coming such a- a wreck.”
A small laugh escapes him.
"We're both wrecks...aren't we? It's not your fault, either."
He sounds a lot more present, now.
”we are, aren’t we…”
*a small, sad smile fights its way to Rosie’s lips. It looses the battle quickly after.*
“It. Might…. Not exactl be my fault, but I still could’ve. Tried more. To keep in touch. Then we wouldn’t have had this scare…”
He- ...Elias hums.
"Maybe. I still don't blame you, though. So don't...blame yourself, yeah?"
”…. Okay…”
*she wipes at the corners of her eyes, putting on a(n admittedly fake) smile.* “sorry I- I forgot what I was. Going to talk to you about…”
"Oh."
Elias taps his feet against the floor. It doesn't make a sound.
"To be fair, I came to you."
“Oh- w-well, yes, but-… I did also. Offer to come down here. To talk.”
*his hazy form seems a bit more present. Not too much, but enough for Rosie to feel more at peace.*
"You did, yeah."
He tries leaning against the desk. He phases through it and falls.
"...I hope I'm still invisible."
*she snorts.* “were you leaning on the desk again?” *she can almost picture it, in her head, a faint memory of the first time he tried. That was… so long ago….*
"What... do you last remember...?"
Elias groans in embarrassment. He stiffens when Rosie asks her question.
"Uh..."
He blinks at the space he can vaguely see her in. He's not sure what expression he's wearing, but he could feel how his face scrunched up.
"I was with Sasha, I think..."
“Hm…. Has she… been around…?”
"I...think so? You might have to go and search for her. We- we can look for them together. Maybe they were taken by the table again, somehow..."
He trails off, a guilty expression on his face. How could he not remember one of the two people he'd been such good friends with? It's almost like Shel aga-
“I… don’t know how much help I’ll be. Whatever… connection with whatever Entity I had is…. I can’t feel it…” *she hasn’t felt much of… anything, really, recently. Not in the way the Lonely felt. Just. A numbness. If she did, maybe she’d have had an easier time finding Elias…*
“Do you remember where you two were? Or what you were doing?”
Elias shakes his head to get himself to focus.
"Uh-- I think...we were looking for Martin, yeah, then he was found, and then...I...can't remember? I know we did something after that but I just-- can't...remember."
“It’s alright dear, dont push yourself. We’ll… we’ll find her.” *she takes a deep breath, trying to think of one problem to focus on at a time.”
He blinks. Once. Twice.
" 'Dear'? "
“Hm?” *rosie tilts her head, then it clicks. She is quiet for a while.*
Elias jolts with the realization that she might've taken that as a sign to stop calling him 'dear'.
"I was just- curious? To why you were calling me that? I don't want you to stop, just-- curious."
*she clears her throat, suddenly very interested in everything that isn’t where Elias is.*
“I. it. Slipped? I wasn’t really… thinking….. I guess I just. Think very dearly of you, ha.”
Elias blinks again. He hums in thought.
"I...like it? Can I call you nicknames, too?"
How. long has it been?
-@original-elias-bouchard
Elias?
Oh- I-
oh dear, how long has it been?
…
I.
months.
I’m sorry, I hadn’t.
I don’t-
I’m sorry.
no no it's fine
i just. didn't.
hm. nevermind.
how've you been? the um.
the kids. are they. okay?
The kids-
ive.
it’s been. A lot. I’m not sure where to start, really, haha.
…maybe it would be easier in person-?
if you’re up for it, if you aren’t that’s fine by me.
just. Been too long since I’ve heard y
But, you? How have you been? And. Sasha, is she okay?
in person. ?
i.
i think i could
try
maybe.
this place. feels weird.
maybe the End's finally claimed us.
maybe it hasn't.
i can't
tell.
oh f-
I’m.
I’m at my apartment, living room. Might have to clean up a bit…
If that isn’t too far. I can head back down to the institute if you think that’ll be easier, though? No one else should be there around this time.
hm
maybe
i don't know.
where
is everyone?
this isn't the lonely.
I’ll head down.
I. Don’t know.
honestly I. I haven’t been keeping tabs on everything… I’ve been… busy with other things.
Tim is…. I don’t know. I had thought you and Sasha were looking for Martin, Jon has been in and out, acting. Stranger, than normal.
I don’t know what happened. For once, I don’t even have a point of reference.
tim, martin, jon.
i
remember those names
we were
yes
Sasha and i
were looking for martin
he was
found
not by us
I’m around 30 minutes away.
what. Do you mean? Who found him?
thirty minutes...
ae was
found
by
.
.
.
by...
aer
sister?
pandora
i think
it's hard
to think
Martin has a sister? Suddenly everyone has a sibling an-
It’s alright. You. Don’t have to?
Or if it helps you stay present then…
ah…
20 minutes now. New car. Technically. It’s.
complicated.
adopted
i'm pretty sure
shared the same
patron
the
the Web.
they're
siblings
in that aspect
oh- right, yeah. I- kinda. Thought? But. I don’t know, it’s.
web, mother… I guess that makes sense….
don’t know what I’m saying.
yes
the
the Web
Mother of Puppets
they
had a heartfelt
reunion
i
think
i wasn't
there for it
i don't know what happened
something about
an "angelboy"
Angelboy? Is that a nickname?
I’m just around the corner now, hold on. I’ll meet you at the front desk? Like. Old times…?
yes
i don't know
who gave him
that nickname
but he
hated it
.
.
.
like old times
i'm
looking forward
to it
…
yeah.
yeah I am too.
—
*A few minutes later, Rosie unlocks the back door of the institute. Call her paranoid, but it. Felt too weird to go through the front door this time.*
*she makes a quick beeline for the front desk, scanning the dark with her phone’s flashlight to see if she can spot Elias.*
i'm
at reception
this is
where you work
right
is it
called
reception?
i can't
really
remember
you are? I can’t see you…
-
*she walks behind the desk, reaches a hand out to try and feel any colder than normal air, still looking with her flashlight.*
“Elias?”
"Rosie,"
Rosie can hear the smile in her old friend's voice. The air is cold and still. No fog, though.
*Relief floods through her, though the tension in her shoulders doesn’t loosen. She whips her head around, trying to find him.*
“Elias-! Where are you, I- dear, I- I can’t see you…” *a sort of fear - not That kind - starts to claw at her throat.*
"I'm..."
He looks around. He's at reception, yes, but he's...not at reception.
Hm.
"I'm here. But not here. Are...are you..."
He hesitates.
"Are you...alright?"
“I- I don’t- I can’t- Elias I- no. Nononono please not you not this time please not you too-“ *her gaze is far, full of confusion and regret and tears.*
“Can you see—? Are you- fuck i- can— hear, feel the-the cold but-” *no please not again please not him please—*
"Rosie, please-"
He tries to reach out, to see if he can somehow feel where his friend is.
"It's-- it's okay. I'm...here."
*She flinches, seems to snap out of her spiraling, shuddering at the cold feeling of some phantom hand*
“Elias? You- I think-“ *she isn’t sure what she thinks, and can only see a hazy outline of her friend, an outline that blurs even further in the light.*
“It’s- is it you? Really, this time? Or is it- am I-“ *she forced herself to take a deep breath.*
"It's...it's me."
He hesitates again. He mimics taking a deep breath.
"I feel...hazy. But I'm here. I...I promise."
”promise…”
*she reaches blindly behind her, pulling her chair closer. She slumps into the seat, like a puppet with its strings cut.*
“I’m- I’m sorry I- I should’ve- you don’t need to see- I’m sorry, de- Elias.”
"It's okay. I missed you."
He places his hand on where he thinks Rosie's is.
"I'm...sorry."
“I- I missed you too. So much” *she leans into the “touch”* “don’t- don’t be sorry it’s- it’s not your f- you’re okay. I. Its not your fault.”
“I’m sorry for- coming such a- a wreck.”
A small laugh escapes him.
"We're both wrecks...aren't we? It's not your fault, either."
He sounds a lot more present, now.
”we are, aren’t we…”
*a small, sad smile fights its way to Rosie’s lips. It looses the battle quickly after.*
“It. Might…. Not exactl be my fault, but I still could’ve. Tried more. To keep in touch. Then we wouldn’t have had this scare…”
He- ...Elias hums.
"Maybe. I still don't blame you, though. So don't...blame yourself, yeah?"
”…. Okay…”
*she wipes at the corners of her eyes, putting on a(n admittedly fake) smile.* “sorry I- I forgot what I was. Going to talk to you about…”
"Oh."
Elias taps his feet against the floor. It doesn't make a sound.
"To be fair, I came to you."
“Oh- w-well, yes, but-… I did also. Offer to come down here. To talk.”
*his hazy form seems a bit more present. Not too much, but enough for Rosie to feel more at peace.*
"You did, yeah."
He tries leaning against the desk. He phases through it and falls.
"...I hope I'm still invisible."
*she snorts.* “were you leaning on the desk again?” *she can almost picture it, in her head, a faint memory of the first time he tried. That was… so long ago….*
"What... do you last remember...?"
Elias groans in embarrassment. He stiffens when Rosie asks her question.
"Uh..."
He blinks at the space he can vaguely see her in. He's not sure what expression he's wearing, but he could feel how his face scrunched up.
"I was with Sasha, I think..."
“Hm…. Has she… been around…?”
"I...think so? You might have to go and search for her. We- we can look for them together. Maybe they were taken by the table again, somehow..."
He trails off, a guilty expression on his face. How could he not remember one of the two people he'd been such good friends with? It's almost like Shel aga-
“I… don’t know how much help I’ll be. Whatever… connection with whatever Entity I had is…. I can’t feel it…” *she hasn’t felt much of… anything, really, recently. Not in the way the Lonely felt. Just. A numbness. If she did, maybe she’d have had an easier time finding Elias…*
“Do you remember where you two were? Or what you were doing?”
Elias shakes his head to get himself to focus.
"Uh-- I think...we were looking for Martin, yeah, then he was found, and then...I...can't remember? I know we did something after that but I just-- can't...remember."
“It’s alright dear, dont push yourself. We’ll… we’ll find her.” *she takes a deep breath, trying to think of one problem to focus on at a time.”
He blinks. Once. Twice.
" 'Dear'? "
“Hm?” *rosie tilts her head, then it clicks. She is quiet for a while.*
Elias jolts with the realization that she might've taken that as a sign to stop calling him 'dear'.
"I was just- curious? To why you were calling me that? I don't want you to stop, just-- curious."
How. long has it been?
-@original-elias-bouchard
Elias?
Oh- I-
oh dear, how long has it been?
…
I.
months.
I’m sorry, I hadn’t.
I don’t-
I’m sorry.
no no it's fine
i just. didn't.
hm. nevermind.
how've you been? the um.
the kids. are they. okay?
The kids-
ive.
it’s been. A lot. I’m not sure where to start, really, haha.
…maybe it would be easier in person-?
if you’re up for it, if you aren’t that’s fine by me.
just. Been too long since I’ve heard y
But, you? How have you been? And. Sasha, is she okay?
in person. ?
i.
i think i could
try
maybe.
this place. feels weird.
maybe the End's finally claimed us.
maybe it hasn't.
i can't
tell.
oh f-
I’m.
I’m at my apartment, living room. Might have to clean up a bit…
If that isn’t too far. I can head back down to the institute if you think that’ll be easier, though? No one else should be there around this time.
hm
maybe
i don't know.
where
is everyone?
this isn't the lonely.
I’ll head down.
I. Don’t know.
honestly I. I haven’t been keeping tabs on everything… I’ve been… busy with other things.
Tim is…. I don’t know. I had thought you and Sasha were looking for Martin, Jon has been in and out, acting. Stranger, than normal.
I don’t know what happened. For once, I don’t even have a point of reference.
tim, martin, jon.
i
remember those names
we were
yes
Sasha and i
were looking for martin
he was
found
not by us
I’m around 30 minutes away.
what. Do you mean? Who found him?
thirty minutes...
ae was
found
by
.
.
.
by...
aer
sister?
pandora
i think
it's hard
to think
Martin has a sister? Suddenly everyone has a sibling an-
It’s alright. You. Don’t have to?
Or if it helps you stay present then…
ah…
20 minutes now. New car. Technically. It’s.
complicated.
adopted
i'm pretty sure
shared the same
patron
the
the Web.
they're
siblings
in that aspect
oh- right, yeah. I- kinda. Thought? But. I don’t know, it’s.
web, mother… I guess that makes sense….
don’t know what I’m saying.
yes
the
the Web
Mother of Puppets
they
had a heartfelt
reunion
i
think
i wasn't
there for it
i don't know what happened
something about
an "angelboy"
Angelboy? Is that a nickname?
I’m just around the corner now, hold on. I’ll meet you at the front desk? Like. Old times…?
yes
i don't know
who gave him
that nickname
but he
hated it
.
.
.
like old times
i'm
looking forward
to it
…
yeah.
yeah I am too.
—
*A few minutes later, Rosie unlocks the back door of the institute. Call her paranoid, but it. Felt too weird to go through the front door this time.*
*she makes a quick beeline for the front desk, scanning the dark with her phone’s flashlight to see if she can spot Elias.*
i'm
at reception
this is
where you work
right
is it
called
reception?
i can't
really
remember
you are? I can’t see you…
-
*she walks behind the desk, reaches a hand out to try and feel any colder than normal air, still looking with her flashlight.*
“Elias?”
"Rosie,"
Rosie can hear the smile in her old friend's voice. The air is cold and still. No fog, though.
*Relief floods through her, though the tension in her shoulders doesn’t loosen. She whips her head around, trying to find him.*
“Elias-! Where are you, I- dear, I- I can’t see you…” *a sort of fear - not That kind - starts to claw at her throat.*
"I'm..."
He looks around. He's at reception, yes, but he's...not at reception.
Hm.
"I'm here. But not here. Are...are you..."
He hesitates.
"Are you...alright?"
“I- I don’t- I can’t- Elias I- no. Nononono please not you not this time please not you too-“ *her gaze is far, full of confusion and regret and tears.*
“Can you see—? Are you- fuck i- can— hear, feel the-the cold but-” *no please not again please not him please—*
"Rosie, please-"
He tries to reach out, to see if he can somehow feel where his friend is.
"It's-- it's okay. I'm...here."
*She flinches, seems to snap out of her spiraling, shuddering at the cold feeling of some phantom hand*
“Elias? You- I think-“ *she isn’t sure what she thinks, and can only see a hazy outline of her friend, an outline that blurs even further in the light.*
“It’s- is it you? Really, this time? Or is it- am I-“ *she forced herself to take a deep breath.*
"It's...it's me."
He hesitates again. He mimics taking a deep breath.
"I feel...hazy. But I'm here. I...I promise."
”promise…”
*she reaches blindly behind her, pulling her chair closer. She slumps into the seat, like a puppet with its strings cut.*
“I’m- I’m sorry I- I should’ve- you don’t need to see- I’m sorry, de- Elias.”
"It's okay. I missed you."
He places his hand on where he thinks Rosie's is.
"I'm...sorry."
“I- I missed you too. So much” *she leans into the “touch”* “don’t- don’t be sorry it’s- it’s not your f- you’re okay. I. Its not your fault.”
“I’m sorry for- coming such a- a wreck.”
A small laugh escapes him.
"We're both wrecks...aren't we? It's not your fault, either."
He sounds a lot more present, now.
”we are, aren’t we…”
*a small, sad smile fights its way to Rosie’s lips. It looses the battle quickly after.*
“It. Might…. Not exactl be my fault, but I still could’ve. Tried more. To keep in touch. Then we wouldn’t have had this scare…”
He- ...Elias hums.
"Maybe. I still don't blame you, though. So don't...blame yourself, yeah?"
”…. Okay…”
*she wipes at the corners of her eyes, putting on a(n admittedly fake) smile.* “sorry I- I forgot what I was. Going to talk to you about…”
"Oh."
Elias taps his feet against the floor. It doesn't make a sound.
"To be fair, I came to you."
“Oh- w-well, yes, but-… I did also. Offer to come down here. To talk.”
*his hazy form seems a bit more present. Not too much, but enough for Rosie to feel more at peace.*
"You did, yeah."
He tries leaning against the desk. He phases through it and falls.
"...I hope I'm still invisible."
*she snorts.* “were you leaning on the desk again?” *she can almost picture it, in her head, a faint memory of the first time he tried. That was… so long ago….*
"What... do you last remember...?"
Elias groans in embarrassment. He stiffens when Rosie asks her question.
"Uh..."
He blinks at the space he can vaguely see her in. He's not sure what expression he's wearing, but he could feel how his face scrunched up.
"I was with Sasha, I think..."
“Hm…. Has she… been around…?”
"I...think so? You might have to go and search for her. We- we can look for them together. Maybe they were taken by the table again, somehow..."
He trails off, a guilty expression on his face. How could he not remember one of the two people he'd been such good friends with? It's almost like Shel aga-
“I… don’t know how much help I’ll be. Whatever… connection with whatever Entity I had is…. I can’t feel it…” *she hasn’t felt much of… anything, really, recently. Not in the way the Lonely felt. Just. A numbness. If she did, maybe she’d have had an easier time finding Elias…*
“Do you remember where you two were? Or what you were doing?”
Elias shakes his head to get himself to focus.
"Uh-- I think...we were looking for Martin, yeah, then he was found, and then...I...can't remember? I know we did something after that but I just-- can't...remember."
“It’s alright dear, dont push yourself. We’ll… we’ll find her.” *she takes a deep breath, trying to think of one problem to focus on at a time.”
He blinks. Once. Twice.
" 'Dear'? "
How. long has it been?
-@original-elias-bouchard
Elias?
Oh- I-
oh dear, how long has it been?
…
I.
months.
I’m sorry, I hadn’t.
I don’t-
I’m sorry.
no no it's fine
i just. didn't.
hm. nevermind.
how've you been? the um.
the kids. are they. okay?
The kids-
ive.
it’s been. A lot. I’m not sure where to start, really, haha.
…maybe it would be easier in person-?
if you’re up for it, if you aren’t that’s fine by me.
just. Been too long since I’ve heard y
But, you? How have you been? And. Sasha, is she okay?
in person. ?
i.
i think i could
try
maybe.
this place. feels weird.
maybe the End's finally claimed us.
maybe it hasn't.
i can't
tell.
oh f-
I’m.
I’m at my apartment, living room. Might have to clean up a bit…
If that isn’t too far. I can head back down to the institute if you think that’ll be easier, though? No one else should be there around this time.
hm
maybe
i don't know.
where
is everyone?
this isn't the lonely.
I’ll head down.
I. Don’t know.
honestly I. I haven’t been keeping tabs on everything… I’ve been… busy with other things.
Tim is…. I don’t know. I had thought you and Sasha were looking for Martin, Jon has been in and out, acting. Stranger, than normal.
I don’t know what happened. For once, I don’t even have a point of reference.
tim, martin, jon.
i
remember those names
we were
yes
Sasha and i
were looking for martin
he was
found
not by us
I’m around 30 minutes away.
what. Do you mean? Who found him?
thirty minutes...
ae was
found
by
.
.
.
by...
aer
sister?
pandora
i think
it's hard
to think
Martin has a sister? Suddenly everyone has a sibling an-
It’s alright. You. Don’t have to?
Or if it helps you stay present then…
ah…
20 minutes now. New car. Technically. It’s.
complicated.
adopted
i'm pretty sure
shared the same
patron
the
the Web.
they're
siblings
in that aspect
oh- right, yeah. I- kinda. Thought? But. I don’t know, it’s.
web, mother… I guess that makes sense….
don’t know what I’m saying.
yes
the
the Web
Mother of Puppets
they
had a heartfelt
reunion
i
think
i wasn't
there for it
i don't know what happened
something about
an "angelboy"
Angelboy? Is that a nickname?
I’m just around the corner now, hold on. I’ll meet you at the front desk? Like. Old times…?
yes
i don't know
who gave him
that nickname
but he
hated it
.
.
.
like old times
i'm
looking forward
to it
…
yeah.
yeah I am too.
—
*A few minutes later, Rosie unlocks the back door of the institute. Call her paranoid, but it. Felt too weird to go through the front door this time.*
*she makes a quick beeline for the front desk, scanning the dark with her phone’s flashlight to see if she can spot Elias.*
i'm
at reception
this is
where you work
right
is it
called
reception?
i can't
really
remember
you are? I can’t see you…
-
*she walks behind the desk, reaches a hand out to try and feel any colder than normal air, still looking with her flashlight.*
“Elias?”
"Rosie,"
Rosie can hear the smile in her old friend's voice. The air is cold and still. No fog, though.
*Relief floods through her, though the tension in her shoulders doesn’t loosen. She whips her head around, trying to find him.*
“Elias-! Where are you, I- dear, I- I can’t see you…” *a sort of fear - not That kind - starts to claw at her throat.*
"I'm..."
He looks around. He's at reception, yes, but he's...not at reception.
Hm.
"I'm here. But not here. Are...are you..."
He hesitates.
"Are you...alright?"
“I- I don’t- I can’t- Elias I- no. Nononono please not you not this time please not you too-“ *her gaze is far, full of confusion and regret and tears.*
“Can you see—? Are you- fuck i- can— hear, feel the-the cold but-” *no please not again please not him please—*
"Rosie, please-"
He tries to reach out, to see if he can somehow feel where his friend is.
"It's-- it's okay. I'm...here."
*She flinches, seems to snap out of her spiraling, shuddering at the cold feeling of some phantom hand*
“Elias? You- I think-“ *she isn’t sure what she thinks, and can only see a hazy outline of her friend, an outline that blurs even further in the light.*
“It’s- is it you? Really, this time? Or is it- am I-“ *she forced herself to take a deep breath.*
"It's...it's me."
He hesitates again. He mimics taking a deep breath.
"I feel...hazy. But I'm here. I...I promise."
”promise…”
*she reaches blindly behind her, pulling her chair closer. She slumps into the seat, like a puppet with its strings cut.*
“I’m- I’m sorry I- I should’ve- you don’t need to see- I’m sorry, de- Elias.”
"It's okay. I missed you."
He places his hand on where he thinks Rosie's is.
"I'm...sorry."
“I- I missed you too. So much” *she leans into the “touch”* “don’t- don’t be sorry it’s- it’s not your f- you’re okay. I. Its not your fault.”
“I’m sorry for- coming such a- a wreck.”
A small laugh escapes him.
"We're both wrecks...aren't we? It's not your fault, either."
He sounds a lot more present, now.
”we are, aren’t we…”
*a small, sad smile fights its way to Rosie’s lips. It looses the battle quickly after.*
“It. Might…. Not exactl be my fault, but I still could’ve. Tried more. To keep in touch. Then we wouldn’t have had this scare…”
He- ...Elias hums.
"Maybe. I still don't blame you, though. So don't...blame yourself, yeah?"
”…. Okay…”
*she wipes at the corners of her eyes, putting on a(n admittedly fake) smile.* “sorry I- I forgot what I was. Going to talk to you about…”
"Oh."
Elias taps his feet against the floor. It doesn't make a sound.
"To be fair, I came to you."
“Oh- w-well, yes, but-… I did also. Offer to come down here. To talk.”
*his hazy form seems a bit more present. Not too much, but enough for Rosie to feel more at peace.*
"You did, yeah."
He tries leaning against the desk. He phases through it and falls.
"...I hope I'm still invisible."
*she snorts.* “were you leaning on the desk again?” *she can almost picture it, in her head, a faint memory of the first time he tried. That was… so long ago….*
"What... do you last remember...?"
Elias groans in embarrassment. He stiffens when Rosie asks her question.
"Uh..."
He blinks at the space he can vaguely see her in. He's not sure what expression he's wearing, but he could feel how his face scrunched up.
"I was with Sasha, I think..."
“Hm…. Has she… been around…?”
"I...think so? You might have to go and search for her. We- we can look for them together. Maybe they were taken by the table again, somehow..."
He trails off, a guilty expression on his face. How could he not remember one of the two people he'd been such good friends with? It's almost like Shel aga-
“I… don’t know how much help I’ll be. Whatever… connection with whatever Entity I had is…. I can’t feel it…” *she hasn’t felt much of… anything, really, recently. Not in the way the Lonely felt. Just. A numbness. If she did, maybe she’d have had an easier time finding Elias…*
“Do you remember where you two were? Or what you were doing?”
Elias shakes his head to get himself to focus.
"Uh-- I think...we were looking for Martin, yeah, then he was found, and then...I...can't remember? I know we did something after that but I just-- can't...remember."
How. long has it been?
-@original-elias-bouchard
Elias?
Oh- I-
oh dear, how long has it been?
…
I.
months.
I’m sorry, I hadn’t.
I don’t-
I’m sorry.
no no it's fine
i just. didn't.
hm. nevermind.
how've you been? the um.
the kids. are they. okay?
The kids-
ive.
it’s been. A lot. I’m not sure where to start, really, haha.
…maybe it would be easier in person-?
if you’re up for it, if you aren’t that’s fine by me.
just. Been too long since I’ve heard y
But, you? How have you been? And. Sasha, is she okay?
in person. ?
i.
i think i could
try
maybe.
this place. feels weird.
maybe the End's finally claimed us.
maybe it hasn't.
i can't
tell.
oh f-
I’m.
I’m at my apartment, living room. Might have to clean up a bit…
If that isn’t too far. I can head back down to the institute if you think that’ll be easier, though? No one else should be there around this time.
hm
maybe
i don't know.
where
is everyone?
this isn't the lonely.
I’ll head down.
I. Don’t know.
honestly I. I haven’t been keeping tabs on everything… I’ve been… busy with other things.
Tim is…. I don’t know. I had thought you and Sasha were looking for Martin, Jon has been in and out, acting. Stranger, than normal.
I don’t know what happened. For once, I don’t even have a point of reference.
tim, martin, jon.
i
remember those names
we were
yes
Sasha and i
were looking for martin
he was
found
not by us
I’m around 30 minutes away.
what. Do you mean? Who found him?
thirty minutes...
ae was
found
by
.
.
.
by...
aer
sister?
pandora
i think
it's hard
to think
Martin has a sister? Suddenly everyone has a sibling an-
It’s alright. You. Don’t have to?
Or if it helps you stay present then…
ah…
20 minutes now. New car. Technically. It’s.
complicated.
adopted
i'm pretty sure
shared the same
patron
the
the Web.
they're
siblings
in that aspect
oh- right, yeah. I- kinda. Thought? But. I don’t know, it’s.
web, mother… I guess that makes sense….
don’t know what I’m saying.
yes
the
the Web
Mother of Puppets
they
had a heartfelt
reunion
i
think
i wasn't
there for it
i don't know what happened
something about
an "angelboy"
Angelboy? Is that a nickname?
I’m just around the corner now, hold on. I’ll meet you at the front desk? Like. Old times…?
yes
i don't know
who gave him
that nickname
but he
hated it
.
.
.
like old times
i'm
looking forward
to it
…
yeah.
yeah I am too.
—
*A few minutes later, Rosie unlocks the back door of the institute. Call her paranoid, but it. Felt too weird to go through the front door this time.*
*she makes a quick beeline for the front desk, scanning the dark with her phone’s flashlight to see if she can spot Elias.*
i'm
at reception
this is
where you work
right
is it
called
reception?
i can't
really
remember
you are? I can’t see you…
-
*she walks behind the desk, reaches a hand out to try and feel any colder than normal air, still looking with her flashlight.*
“Elias?”
"Rosie,"
Rosie can hear the smile in her old friend's voice. The air is cold and still. No fog, though.
*Relief floods through her, though the tension in her shoulders doesn’t loosen. She whips her head around, trying to find him.*
“Elias-! Where are you, I- dear, I- I can’t see you…” *a sort of fear - not That kind - starts to claw at her throat.*
"I'm..."
He looks around. He's at reception, yes, but he's...not at reception.
Hm.
"I'm here. But not here. Are...are you..."
He hesitates.
"Are you...alright?"
“I- I don’t- I can’t- Elias I- no. Nononono please not you not this time please not you too-“ *her gaze is far, full of confusion and regret and tears.*
“Can you see—? Are you- fuck i- can— hear, feel the-the cold but-” *no please not again please not him please—*
"Rosie, please-"
He tries to reach out, to see if he can somehow feel where his friend is.
"It's-- it's okay. I'm...here."
*She flinches, seems to snap out of her spiraling, shuddering at the cold feeling of some phantom hand*
“Elias? You- I think-“ *she isn’t sure what she thinks, and can only see a hazy outline of her friend, an outline that blurs even further in the light.*
“It’s- is it you? Really, this time? Or is it- am I-“ *she forced herself to take a deep breath.*
"It's...it's me."
He hesitates again. He mimics taking a deep breath.
"I feel...hazy. But I'm here. I...I promise."
”promise…”
*she reaches blindly behind her, pulling her chair closer. She slumps into the seat, like a puppet with its strings cut.*
“I’m- I’m sorry I- I should’ve- you don’t need to see- I’m sorry, de- Elias.”
"It's okay. I missed you."
He places his hand on where he thinks Rosie's is.
"I'm...sorry."
“I- I missed you too. So much” *she leans into the “touch”* “don’t- don’t be sorry it’s- it’s not your f- you’re okay. I. Its not your fault.”
“I’m sorry for- coming such a- a wreck.”
A small laugh escapes him.
"We're both wrecks...aren't we? It's not your fault, either."
He sounds a lot more present, now.
”we are, aren’t we…”
*a small, sad smile fights its way to Rosie’s lips. It looses the battle quickly after.*
“It. Might…. Not exactl be my fault, but I still could’ve. Tried more. To keep in touch. Then we wouldn’t have had this scare…”
He- ...Elias hums.
"Maybe. I still don't blame you, though. So don't...blame yourself, yeah?"
”…. Okay…”
*she wipes at the corners of her eyes, putting on a(n admittedly fake) smile.* “sorry I- I forgot what I was. Going to talk to you about…”
"Oh."
Elias taps his feet against the floor. It doesn't make a sound.
"To be fair, I came to you."
“Oh- w-well, yes, but-… I did also. Offer to come down here. To talk.”
*his hazy form seems a bit more present. Not too much, but enough for Rosie to feel more at peace.*
"You did, yeah."
He tries leaning against the desk. He phases through it and falls.
"...I hope I'm still invisible."
*she snorts.* “were you leaning on the desk again?” *she can almost picture it, in her head, a faint memory of the first time he tried. That was… so long ago….*
"What... do you last remember...?"
Elias groans in embarrassment. He stiffens when Rosie asks her question.
"Uh..."
He blinks at the space he can vaguely see her in. He's not sure what expression he's wearing, but he could feel how his face scrunched up.
"I was with Sasha, I think..."
“Hm…. Has she… been around…?”
"I...think so? You might have to go and search for her. We- we can look for them together. Maybe they were taken by the table again, somehow..."
He trails off, a guilty expression on his face. How could he not remember one of the two people he'd been such good friends with? It's almost like Shel aga-
How. long has it been?
-@original-elias-bouchard
Elias?
Oh- I-
oh dear, how long has it been?
…
I.
months.
I’m sorry, I hadn’t.
I don’t-
I’m sorry.
no no it's fine
i just. didn't.
hm. nevermind.
how've you been? the um.
the kids. are they. okay?
The kids-
ive.
it’s been. A lot. I’m not sure where to start, really, haha.
…maybe it would be easier in person-?
if you’re up for it, if you aren’t that’s fine by me.
just. Been too long since I’ve heard y
But, you? How have you been? And. Sasha, is she okay?
in person. ?
i.
i think i could
try
maybe.
this place. feels weird.
maybe the End's finally claimed us.
maybe it hasn't.
i can't
tell.
oh f-
I’m.
I’m at my apartment, living room. Might have to clean up a bit…
If that isn’t too far. I can head back down to the institute if you think that’ll be easier, though? No one else should be there around this time.
hm
maybe
i don't know.
where
is everyone?
this isn't the lonely.
I’ll head down.
I. Don’t know.
honestly I. I haven’t been keeping tabs on everything… I’ve been… busy with other things.
Tim is…. I don’t know. I had thought you and Sasha were looking for Martin, Jon has been in and out, acting. Stranger, than normal.
I don’t know what happened. For once, I don’t even have a point of reference.
tim, martin, jon.
i
remember those names
we were
yes
Sasha and i
were looking for martin
he was
found
not by us
I’m around 30 minutes away.
what. Do you mean? Who found him?
thirty minutes...
ae was
found
by
.
.
.
by...
aer
sister?
pandora
i think
it's hard
to think
Martin has a sister? Suddenly everyone has a sibling an-
It’s alright. You. Don’t have to?
Or if it helps you stay present then…
ah…
20 minutes now. New car. Technically. It’s.
complicated.
adopted
i'm pretty sure
shared the same
patron
the
the Web.
they're
siblings
in that aspect
oh- right, yeah. I- kinda. Thought? But. I don’t know, it’s.
web, mother… I guess that makes sense….
don’t know what I’m saying.
yes
the
the Web
Mother of Puppets
they
had a heartfelt
reunion
i
think
i wasn't
there for it
i don't know what happened
something about
an "angelboy"
Angelboy? Is that a nickname?
I’m just around the corner now, hold on. I’ll meet you at the front desk? Like. Old times…?
yes
i don't know
who gave him
that nickname
but he
hated it
.
.
.
like old times
i'm
looking forward
to it
…
yeah.
yeah I am too.
—
*A few minutes later, Rosie unlocks the back door of the institute. Call her paranoid, but it. Felt too weird to go through the front door this time.*
*she makes a quick beeline for the front desk, scanning the dark with her phone’s flashlight to see if she can spot Elias.*
i'm
at reception
this is
where you work
right
is it
called
reception?
i can't
really
remember
you are? I can’t see you…
-
*she walks behind the desk, reaches a hand out to try and feel any colder than normal air, still looking with her flashlight.*
“Elias?”
"Rosie,"
Rosie can hear the smile in her old friend's voice. The air is cold and still. No fog, though.
*Relief floods through her, though the tension in her shoulders doesn’t loosen. She whips her head around, trying to find him.*
“Elias-! Where are you, I- dear, I- I can’t see you…” *a sort of fear - not That kind - starts to claw at her throat.*
"I'm..."
He looks around. He's at reception, yes, but he's...not at reception.
Hm.
"I'm here. But not here. Are...are you..."
He hesitates.
"Are you...alright?"
“I- I don’t- I can’t- Elias I- no. Nononono please not you not this time please not you too-“ *her gaze is far, full of confusion and regret and tears.*
“Can you see—? Are you- fuck i- can— hear, feel the-the cold but-” *no please not again please not him please—*
"Rosie, please-"
He tries to reach out, to see if he can somehow feel where his friend is.
"It's-- it's okay. I'm...here."
*She flinches, seems to snap out of her spiraling, shuddering at the cold feeling of some phantom hand*
“Elias? You- I think-“ *she isn’t sure what she thinks, and can only see a hazy outline of her friend, an outline that blurs even further in the light.*
“It’s- is it you? Really, this time? Or is it- am I-“ *she forced herself to take a deep breath.*
"It's...it's me."
He hesitates again. He mimics taking a deep breath.
"I feel...hazy. But I'm here. I...I promise."
”promise…”
*she reaches blindly behind her, pulling her chair closer. She slumps into the seat, like a puppet with its strings cut.*
“I’m- I’m sorry I- I should’ve- you don’t need to see- I’m sorry, de- Elias.”
"It's okay. I missed you."
He places his hand on where he thinks Rosie's is.
"I'm...sorry."
“I- I missed you too. So much” *she leans into the “touch”* “don’t- don’t be sorry it’s- it’s not your f- you’re okay. I. Its not your fault.”
“I’m sorry for- coming such a- a wreck.”
A small laugh escapes him.
"We're both wrecks...aren't we? It's not your fault, either."
He sounds a lot more present, now.
”we are, aren’t we…”
*a small, sad smile fights its way to Rosie’s lips. It looses the battle quickly after.*
“It. Might…. Not exactl be my fault, but I still could’ve. Tried more. To keep in touch. Then we wouldn’t have had this scare…”
He- ...Elias hums.
"Maybe. I still don't blame you, though. So don't...blame yourself, yeah?"
”…. Okay…”
*she wipes at the corners of her eyes, putting on a(n admittedly fake) smile.* “sorry I- I forgot what I was. Going to talk to you about…”
"Oh."
Elias taps his feet against the floor. It doesn't make a sound.
"To be fair, I came to you."
“Oh- w-well, yes, but-… I did also. Offer to come down here. To talk.”
*his hazy form seems a bit more present. Not too much, but enough for Rosie to feel more at peace.*
"You did, yeah."
He tries leaning against the desk. He phases through it and falls.
"...I hope I'm still invisible."
*she snorts.* “were you leaning on the desk again?” *she can almost picture it, in her head, a faint memory of the first time he tried. That was… so long ago….*
"What... do you last remember...?"
Elias groans in embarrassment. He stiffens when Rosie asks her question.
"Uh..."
He blinks at the space he can vaguely see her in. He's not sure what expression he's wearing, but he could feel how his face scrunched up.
"I was with Sasha, I think..."
How. long has it been?
-@original-elias-bouchard
Elias?
Oh- I-
oh dear, how long has it been?
…
I.
months.
I’m sorry, I hadn’t.
I don’t-
I’m sorry.
no no it's fine
i just. didn't.
hm. nevermind.
how've you been? the um.
the kids. are they. okay?
The kids-
ive.
it’s been. A lot. I’m not sure where to start, really, haha.
…maybe it would be easier in person-?
if you’re up for it, if you aren’t that’s fine by me.
just. Been too long since I’ve heard y
But, you? How have you been? And. Sasha, is she okay?
in person. ?
i.
i think i could
try
maybe.
this place. feels weird.
maybe the End's finally claimed us.
maybe it hasn't.
i can't
tell.
oh f-
I’m.
I’m at my apartment, living room. Might have to clean up a bit…
If that isn’t too far. I can head back down to the institute if you think that’ll be easier, though? No one else should be there around this time.
hm
maybe
i don't know.
where
is everyone?
this isn't the lonely.
I’ll head down.
I. Don’t know.
honestly I. I haven’t been keeping tabs on everything… I’ve been… busy with other things.
Tim is…. I don’t know. I had thought you and Sasha were looking for Martin, Jon has been in and out, acting. Stranger, than normal.
I don’t know what happened. For once, I don’t even have a point of reference.
tim, martin, jon.
i
remember those names
we were
yes
Sasha and i
were looking for martin
he was
found
not by us
I’m around 30 minutes away.
what. Do you mean? Who found him?
thirty minutes...
ae was
found
by
.
.
.
by...
aer
sister?
pandora
i think
it's hard
to think
Martin has a sister? Suddenly everyone has a sibling an-
It’s alright. You. Don’t have to?
Or if it helps you stay present then…
ah…
20 minutes now. New car. Technically. It’s.
complicated.
adopted
i'm pretty sure
shared the same
patron
the
the Web.
they're
siblings
in that aspect
oh- right, yeah. I- kinda. Thought? But. I don’t know, it’s.
web, mother… I guess that makes sense….
don’t know what I’m saying.
yes
the
the Web
Mother of Puppets
they
had a heartfelt
reunion
i
think
i wasn't
there for it
i don't know what happened
something about
an "angelboy"
Angelboy? Is that a nickname?
I’m just around the corner now, hold on. I’ll meet you at the front desk? Like. Old times…?
yes
i don't know
who gave him
that nickname
but he
hated it
.
.
.
like old times
i'm
looking forward
to it
…
yeah.
yeah I am too.
—
*A few minutes later, Rosie unlocks the back door of the institute. Call her paranoid, but it. Felt too weird to go through the front door this time.*
*she makes a quick beeline for the front desk, scanning the dark with her phone’s flashlight to see if she can spot Elias.*
i'm
at reception
this is
where you work
right
is it
called
reception?
i can't
really
remember
you are? I can’t see you…
-
*she walks behind the desk, reaches a hand out to try and feel any colder than normal air, still looking with her flashlight.*
“Elias?”
"Rosie,"
Rosie can hear the smile in her old friend's voice. The air is cold and still. No fog, though.
*Relief floods through her, though the tension in her shoulders doesn’t loosen. She whips her head around, trying to find him.*
“Elias-! Where are you, I- dear, I- I can’t see you…” *a sort of fear - not That kind - starts to claw at her throat.*
"I'm..."
He looks around. He's at reception, yes, but he's...not at reception.
Hm.
"I'm here. But not here. Are...are you..."
He hesitates.
"Are you...alright?"
“I- I don’t- I can’t- Elias I- no. Nononono please not you not this time please not you too-“ *her gaze is far, full of confusion and regret and tears.*
“Can you see—? Are you- fuck i- can— hear, feel the-the cold but-” *no please not again please not him please—*
"Rosie, please-"
He tries to reach out, to see if he can somehow feel where his friend is.
"It's-- it's okay. I'm...here."
*She flinches, seems to snap out of her spiraling, shuddering at the cold feeling of some phantom hand*
“Elias? You- I think-“ *she isn’t sure what she thinks, and can only see a hazy outline of her friend, an outline that blurs even further in the light.*
“It’s- is it you? Really, this time? Or is it- am I-“ *she forced herself to take a deep breath.*
"It's...it's me."
He hesitates again. He mimics taking a deep breath.
"I feel...hazy. But I'm here. I...I promise."
”promise…”
*she reaches blindly behind her, pulling her chair closer. She slumps into the seat, like a puppet with its strings cut.*
“I’m- I’m sorry I- I should’ve- you don’t need to see- I’m sorry, de- Elias.”
"It's okay. I missed you."
He places his hand on where he thinks Rosie's is.
"I'm...sorry."
“I- I missed you too. So much” *she leans into the “touch”* “don’t- don’t be sorry it’s- it’s not your f- you’re okay. I. Its not your fault.”
“I’m sorry for- coming such a- a wreck.”
A small laugh escapes him.
"We're both wrecks...aren't we? It's not your fault, either."
He sounds a lot more present, now.
”we are, aren’t we…”
*a small, sad smile fights its way to Rosie’s lips. It looses the battle quickly after.*
“It. Might…. Not exactl be my fault, but I still could’ve. Tried more. To keep in touch. Then we wouldn’t have had this scare…”
He- ...Elias hums.
"Maybe. I still don't blame you, though. So don't...blame yourself, yeah?"
”…. Okay…”
*she wipes at the corners of her eyes, putting on a(n admittedly fake) smile.* “sorry I- I forgot what I was. Going to talk to you about…”
"Oh."
Elias taps his feet against the floor. It doesn't make a sound.
"To be fair, I came to you."
“Oh- w-well, yes, but-… I did also. Offer to come down here. To talk.”
*his hazy form seems a bit more present. Not too much, but enough for Rosie to feel more at peace.*
"You did, yeah."
He tries leaning against the desk. He phases through it and falls.
"...I hope I'm still invisible."
How. long has it been?
-@original-elias-bouchard
Elias?
Oh- I-
oh dear, how long has it been?
…
I.
months.
I’m sorry, I hadn’t.
I don’t-
I’m sorry.
no no it's fine
i just. didn't.
hm. nevermind.
how've you been? the um.
the kids. are they. okay?
The kids-
ive.
it’s been. A lot. I’m not sure where to start, really, haha.
…maybe it would be easier in person-?
if you’re up for it, if you aren’t that’s fine by me.
just. Been too long since I’ve heard y
But, you? How have you been? And. Sasha, is she okay?
in person. ?
i.
i think i could
try
maybe.
this place. feels weird.
maybe the End's finally claimed us.
maybe it hasn't.
i can't
tell.
oh f-
I’m.
I’m at my apartment, living room. Might have to clean up a bit…
If that isn’t too far. I can head back down to the institute if you think that’ll be easier, though? No one else should be there around this time.
hm
maybe
i don't know.
where
is everyone?
this isn't the lonely.
I’ll head down.
I. Don’t know.
honestly I. I haven’t been keeping tabs on everything… I’ve been… busy with other things.
Tim is…. I don’t know. I had thought you and Sasha were looking for Martin, Jon has been in and out, acting. Stranger, than normal.
I don’t know what happened. For once, I don’t even have a point of reference.
tim, martin, jon.
i
remember those names
we were
yes
Sasha and i
were looking for martin
he was
found
not by us
I’m around 30 minutes away.
what. Do you mean? Who found him?
thirty minutes...
ae was
found
by
.
.
.
by...
aer
sister?
pandora
i think
it's hard
to think
Martin has a sister? Suddenly everyone has a sibling an-
It’s alright. You. Don’t have to?
Or if it helps you stay present then…
ah…
20 minutes now. New car. Technically. It’s.
complicated.
adopted
i'm pretty sure
shared the same
patron
the
the Web.
they're
siblings
in that aspect
oh- right, yeah. I- kinda. Thought? But. I don’t know, it’s.
web, mother… I guess that makes sense….
don’t know what I’m saying.
yes
the
the Web
Mother of Puppets
they
had a heartfelt
reunion
i
think
i wasn't
there for it
i don't know what happened
something about
an "angelboy"
Angelboy? Is that a nickname?
I’m just around the corner now, hold on. I’ll meet you at the front desk? Like. Old times…?
yes
i don't know
who gave him
that nickname
but he
hated it
.
.
.
like old times
i'm
looking forward
to it
…
yeah.
yeah I am too.
—
*A few minutes later, Rosie unlocks the back door of the institute. Call her paranoid, but it. Felt too weird to go through the front door this time.*
*she makes a quick beeline for the front desk, scanning the dark with her phone’s flashlight to see if she can spot Elias.*
i'm
at reception
this is
where you work
right
is it
called
reception?
i can't
really
remember
you are? I can’t see you…
-
*she walks behind the desk, reaches a hand out to try and feel any colder than normal air, still looking with her flashlight.*
“Elias?”
"Rosie,"
Rosie can hear the smile in her old friend's voice. The air is cold and still. No fog, though.
*Relief floods through her, though the tension in her shoulders doesn’t loosen. She whips her head around, trying to find him.*
“Elias-! Where are you, I- dear, I- I can’t see you…” *a sort of fear - not That kind - starts to claw at her throat.*
"I'm..."
He looks around. He's at reception, yes, but he's...not at reception.
Hm.
"I'm here. But not here. Are...are you..."
He hesitates.
"Are you...alright?"
“I- I don’t- I can’t- Elias I- no. Nononono please not you not this time please not you too-“ *her gaze is far, full of confusion and regret and tears.*
“Can you see—? Are you- fuck i- can— hear, feel the-the cold but-” *no please not again please not him please—*
"Rosie, please-"
He tries to reach out, to see if he can somehow feel where his friend is.
"It's-- it's okay. I'm...here."
*She flinches, seems to snap out of her spiraling, shuddering at the cold feeling of some phantom hand*
“Elias? You- I think-“ *she isn’t sure what she thinks, and can only see a hazy outline of her friend, an outline that blurs even further in the light.*
“It’s- is it you? Really, this time? Or is it- am I-“ *she forced herself to take a deep breath.*
"It's...it's me."
He hesitates again. He mimics taking a deep breath.
"I feel...hazy. But I'm here. I...I promise."
”promise…”
*she reaches blindly behind her, pulling her chair closer. She slumps into the seat, like a puppet with its strings cut.*
“I’m- I’m sorry I- I should’ve- you don’t need to see- I’m sorry, de- Elias.”
"It's okay. I missed you."
He places his hand on where he thinks Rosie's is.
"I'm...sorry."
“I- I missed you too. So much” *she leans into the “touch”* “don’t- don’t be sorry it’s- it’s not your f- you’re okay. I. Its not your fault.”
“I’m sorry for- coming such a- a wreck.”
A small laugh escapes him.
"We're both wrecks...aren't we? It's not your fault, either."
He sounds a lot more present, now.
”we are, aren’t we…”
*a small, sad smile fights its way to Rosie’s lips. It looses the battle quickly after.*
“It. Might…. Not exactl be my fault, but I still could’ve. Tried more. To keep in touch. Then we wouldn’t have had this scare…”
He- ...Elias hums.
"Maybe. I still don't blame you, though. So don't...blame yourself, yeah?"
”…. Okay…”
*she wipes at the corners of her eyes, putting on a(n admittedly fake) smile.* “sorry I- I forgot what I was. Going to talk to you about…”
"Oh."
Elias taps his feet against the floor. It doesn't make a sound.
"To be fair, I came to you."
How. long has it been?
-@original-elias-bouchard
Elias?
Oh- I-
oh dear, how long has it been?
…
I.
months.
I’m sorry, I hadn’t.
I don’t-
I’m sorry.
no no it's fine
i just. didn't.
hm. nevermind.
how've you been? the um.
the kids. are they. okay?
The kids-
ive.
it’s been. A lot. I’m not sure where to start, really, haha.
…maybe it would be easier in person-?
if you’re up for it, if you aren’t that’s fine by me.
just. Been too long since I’ve heard y
But, you? How have you been? And. Sasha, is she okay?
in person. ?
i.
i think i could
try
maybe.
this place. feels weird.
maybe the End's finally claimed us.
maybe it hasn't.
i can't
tell.
oh f-
I’m.
I’m at my apartment, living room. Might have to clean up a bit…
If that isn’t too far. I can head back down to the institute if you think that’ll be easier, though? No one else should be there around this time.
hm
maybe
i don't know.
where
is everyone?
this isn't the lonely.
I’ll head down.
I. Don’t know.
honestly I. I haven’t been keeping tabs on everything… I’ve been… busy with other things.
Tim is…. I don’t know. I had thought you and Sasha were looking for Martin, Jon has been in and out, acting. Stranger, than normal.
I don’t know what happened. For once, I don’t even have a point of reference.
tim, martin, jon.
i
remember those names
we were
yes
Sasha and i
were looking for martin
he was
found
not by us
I’m around 30 minutes away.
what. Do you mean? Who found him?
thirty minutes...
ae was
found
by
.
.
.
by...
aer
sister?
pandora
i think
it's hard
to think
Martin has a sister? Suddenly everyone has a sibling an-
It’s alright. You. Don’t have to?
Or if it helps you stay present then…
ah…
20 minutes now. New car. Technically. It’s.
complicated.
adopted
i'm pretty sure
shared the same
patron
the
the Web.
they're
siblings
in that aspect
oh- right, yeah. I- kinda. Thought? But. I don’t know, it’s.
web, mother… I guess that makes sense….
don’t know what I’m saying.
yes
the
the Web
Mother of Puppets
they
had a heartfelt
reunion
i
think
i wasn't
there for it
i don't know what happened
something about
an "angelboy"
Angelboy? Is that a nickname?
I’m just around the corner now, hold on. I’ll meet you at the front desk? Like. Old times…?
yes
i don't know
who gave him
that nickname
but he
hated it
.
.
.
like old times
i'm
looking forward
to it
…
yeah.
yeah I am too.
—
*A few minutes later, Rosie unlocks the back door of the institute. Call her paranoid, but it. Felt too weird to go through the front door this time.*
*she makes a quick beeline for the front desk, scanning the dark with her phone’s flashlight to see if she can spot Elias.*
i'm
at reception
this is
where you work
right
is it
called
reception?
i can't
really
remember
you are? I can’t see you…
-
*she walks behind the desk, reaches a hand out to try and feel any colder than normal air, still looking with her flashlight.*
“Elias?”
"Rosie,"
Rosie can hear the smile in her old friend's voice. The air is cold and still. No fog, though.
*Relief floods through her, though the tension in her shoulders doesn’t loosen. She whips her head around, trying to find him.*
“Elias-! Where are you, I- dear, I- I can’t see you…” *a sort of fear - not That kind - starts to claw at her throat.*
"I'm..."
He looks around. He's at reception, yes, but he's...not at reception.
Hm.
"I'm here. But not here. Are...are you..."
He hesitates.
"Are you...alright?"
“I- I don’t- I can’t- Elias I- no. Nononono please not you not this time please not you too-“ *her gaze is far, full of confusion and regret and tears.*
“Can you see—? Are you- fuck i- can— hear, feel the-the cold but-” *no please not again please not him please—*
"Rosie, please-"
He tries to reach out, to see if he can somehow feel where his friend is.
"It's-- it's okay. I'm...here."
*She flinches, seems to snap out of her spiraling, shuddering at the cold feeling of some phantom hand*
“Elias? You- I think-“ *she isn’t sure what she thinks, and can only see a hazy outline of her friend, an outline that blurs even further in the light.*
“It’s- is it you? Really, this time? Or is it- am I-“ *she forced herself to take a deep breath.*
"It's...it's me."
He hesitates again. He mimics taking a deep breath.
"I feel...hazy. But I'm here. I...I promise."
”promise…”
*she reaches blindly behind her, pulling her chair closer. She slumps into the seat, like a puppet with its strings cut.*
“I’m- I’m sorry I- I should’ve- you don’t need to see- I’m sorry, de- Elias.”
"It's okay. I missed you."
He places his hand on where he thinks Rosie's is.
"I'm...sorry."
“I- I missed you too. So much” *she leans into the “touch”* “don’t- don’t be sorry it’s- it’s not your f- you’re okay. I. Its not your fault.”
“I’m sorry for- coming such a- a wreck.”
A small laugh escapes him.
"We're both wrecks...aren't we? It's not your fault, either."
He sounds a lot more present, now.
”we are, aren’t we…”
*a small, sad smile fights its way to Rosie’s lips. It looses the battle quickly after.*
“It. Might…. Not exactl be my fault, but I still could’ve. Tried more. To keep in touch. Then we wouldn’t have had this scare…”
He- ...Elias hums.
"Maybe. I still don't blame you, though. So don't...blame yourself, yeah?"
How. long has it been?
-@original-elias-bouchard
Elias?
Oh- I-
oh dear, how long has it been?
…
I.
months.
I’m sorry, I hadn’t.
I don’t-
I’m sorry.
no no it's fine
i just. didn't.
hm. nevermind.
how've you been? the um.
the kids. are they. okay?
The kids-
ive.
it’s been. A lot. I’m not sure where to start, really, haha.
…maybe it would be easier in person-?
if you’re up for it, if you aren’t that’s fine by me.
just. Been too long since I’ve heard y
But, you? How have you been? And. Sasha, is she okay?
in person. ?
i.
i think i could
try
maybe.
this place. feels weird.
maybe the End's finally claimed us.
maybe it hasn't.
i can't
tell.
oh f-
I’m.
I’m at my apartment, living room. Might have to clean up a bit…
If that isn’t too far. I can head back down to the institute if you think that’ll be easier, though? No one else should be there around this time.
hm
maybe
i don't know.
where
is everyone?
this isn't the lonely.
I’ll head down.
I. Don’t know.
honestly I. I haven’t been keeping tabs on everything… I’ve been… busy with other things.
Tim is…. I don’t know. I had thought you and Sasha were looking for Martin, Jon has been in and out, acting. Stranger, than normal.
I don’t know what happened. For once, I don’t even have a point of reference.
tim, martin, jon.
i
remember those names
we were
yes
Sasha and i
were looking for martin
he was
found
not by us
I’m around 30 minutes away.
what. Do you mean? Who found him?
thirty minutes...
ae was
found
by
.
.
.
by...
aer
sister?
pandora
i think
it's hard
to think
Martin has a sister? Suddenly everyone has a sibling an-
It’s alright. You. Don’t have to?
Or if it helps you stay present then…
ah…
20 minutes now. New car. Technically. It’s.
complicated.
adopted
i'm pretty sure
shared the same
patron
the
the Web.
they're
siblings
in that aspect
oh- right, yeah. I- kinda. Thought? But. I don’t know, it’s.
web, mother… I guess that makes sense….
don’t know what I’m saying.
yes
the
the Web
Mother of Puppets
they
had a heartfelt
reunion
i
think
i wasn't
there for it
i don't know what happened
something about
an "angelboy"
Angelboy? Is that a nickname?
I’m just around the corner now, hold on. I’ll meet you at the front desk? Like. Old times…?
yes
i don't know
who gave him
that nickname
but he
hated it
.
.
.
like old times
i'm
looking forward
to it
…
yeah.
yeah I am too.
—
*A few minutes later, Rosie unlocks the back door of the institute. Call her paranoid, but it. Felt too weird to go through the front door this time.*
*she makes a quick beeline for the front desk, scanning the dark with her phone’s flashlight to see if she can spot Elias.*
i'm
at reception
this is
where you work
right
is it
called
reception?
i can't
really
remember
you are? I can’t see you…
-
*she walks behind the desk, reaches a hand out to try and feel any colder than normal air, still looking with her flashlight.*
“Elias?”
"Rosie,"
Rosie can hear the smile in her old friend's voice. The air is cold and still. No fog, though.
*Relief floods through her, though the tension in her shoulders doesn’t loosen. She whips her head around, trying to find him.*
“Elias-! Where are you, I- dear, I- I can’t see you…” *a sort of fear - not That kind - starts to claw at her throat.*
"I'm..."
He looks around. He's at reception, yes, but he's...not at reception.
Hm.
"I'm here. But not here. Are...are you..."
He hesitates.
"Are you...alright?"
“I- I don’t- I can’t- Elias I- no. Nononono please not you not this time please not you too-“ *her gaze is far, full of confusion and regret and tears.*
“Can you see—? Are you- fuck i- can— hear, feel the-the cold but-” *no please not again please not him please—*
"Rosie, please-"
He tries to reach out, to see if he can somehow feel where his friend is.
"It's-- it's okay. I'm...here."
*She flinches, seems to snap out of her spiraling, shuddering at the cold feeling of some phantom hand*
“Elias? You- I think-“ *she isn’t sure what she thinks, and can only see a hazy outline of her friend, an outline that blurs even further in the light.*
“It’s- is it you? Really, this time? Or is it- am I-“ *she forced herself to take a deep breath.*
"It's...it's me."
He hesitates again. He mimics taking a deep breath.
"I feel...hazy. But I'm here. I...I promise."
”promise…”
*she reaches blindly behind her, pulling her chair closer. She slumps into the seat, like a puppet with its strings cut.*
“I’m- I’m sorry I- I should’ve- you don’t need to see- I’m sorry, de- Elias.”
"It's okay. I missed you."
He places his hand on where he thinks Rosie's is.
"I'm...sorry."
“I- I missed you too. So much” *she leans into the “touch”* “don’t- don’t be sorry it’s- it’s not your f- you’re okay. I. Its not your fault.”
“I’m sorry for- coming such a- a wreck.”
A small laugh escapes him.
"We're both wrecks...aren't we? It's not your fault, either."
He sounds a lot more present, now.
How. long has it been?
-@original-elias-bouchard
Elias?
Oh- I-
oh dear, how long has it been?
…
I.
months.
I’m sorry, I hadn’t.
I don’t-
I’m sorry.
no no it's fine
i just. didn't.
hm. nevermind.
how've you been? the um.
the kids. are they. okay?
The kids-
ive.
it’s been. A lot. I’m not sure where to start, really, haha.
…maybe it would be easier in person-?
if you’re up for it, if you aren’t that’s fine by me.
just. Been too long since I’ve heard y
But, you? How have you been? And. Sasha, is she okay?
in person. ?
i.
i think i could
try
maybe.
this place. feels weird.
maybe the End's finally claimed us.
maybe it hasn't.
i can't
tell.
oh f-
I’m.
I’m at my apartment, living room. Might have to clean up a bit…
If that isn’t too far. I can head back down to the institute if you think that’ll be easier, though? No one else should be there around this time.
hm
maybe
i don't know.
where
is everyone?
this isn't the lonely.
I’ll head down.
I. Don’t know.
honestly I. I haven’t been keeping tabs on everything… I’ve been… busy with other things.
Tim is…. I don’t know. I had thought you and Sasha were looking for Martin, Jon has been in and out, acting. Stranger, than normal.
I don’t know what happened. For once, I don’t even have a point of reference.
tim, martin, jon.
i
remember those names
we were
yes
Sasha and i
were looking for martin
he was
found
not by us
I’m around 30 minutes away.
what. Do you mean? Who found him?
thirty minutes...
ae was
found
by
.
.
.
by...
aer
sister?
pandora
i think
it's hard
to think
Martin has a sister? Suddenly everyone has a sibling an-
It’s alright. You. Don’t have to?
Or if it helps you stay present then…
ah…
20 minutes now. New car. Technically. It’s.
complicated.
adopted
i'm pretty sure
shared the same
patron
the
the Web.
they're
siblings
in that aspect
oh- right, yeah. I- kinda. Thought? But. I don’t know, it’s.
web, mother… I guess that makes sense….
don’t know what I’m saying.
yes
the
the Web
Mother of Puppets
they
had a heartfelt
reunion
i
think
i wasn't
there for it
i don't know what happened
something about
an "angelboy"
Angelboy? Is that a nickname?
I’m just around the corner now, hold on. I’ll meet you at the front desk? Like. Old times…?
yes
i don't know
who gave him
that nickname
but he
hated it
.
.
.
like old times
i'm
looking forward
to it
…
yeah.
yeah I am too.
—
*A few minutes later, Rosie unlocks the back door of the institute. Call her paranoid, but it. Felt too weird to go through the front door this time.*
*she makes a quick beeline for the front desk, scanning the dark with her phone’s flashlight to see if she can spot Elias.*
i'm
at reception
this is
where you work
right
is it
called
reception?
i can't
really
remember
you are? I can’t see you…
-
*she walks behind the desk, reaches a hand out to try and feel any colder than normal air, still looking with her flashlight.*
“Elias?”
"Rosie,"
Rosie can hear the smile in her old friend's voice. The air is cold and still. No fog, though.
*Relief floods through her, though the tension in her shoulders doesn’t loosen. She whips her head around, trying to find him.*
“Elias-! Where are you, I- dear, I- I can’t see you…” *a sort of fear - not That kind - starts to claw at her throat.*
"I'm..."
He looks around. He's at reception, yes, but he's...not at reception.
Hm.
"I'm here. But not here. Are...are you..."
He hesitates.
"Are you...alright?"
“I- I don’t- I can’t- Elias I- no. Nononono please not you not this time please not you too-“ *her gaze is far, full of confusion and regret and tears.*
“Can you see—? Are you- fuck i- can— hear, feel the-the cold but-” *no please not again please not him please—*
"Rosie, please-"
He tries to reach out, to see if he can somehow feel where his friend is.
"It's-- it's okay. I'm...here."
*She flinches, seems to snap out of her spiraling, shuddering at the cold feeling of some phantom hand*
“Elias? You- I think-“ *she isn’t sure what she thinks, and can only see a hazy outline of her friend, an outline that blurs even further in the light.*
“It’s- is it you? Really, this time? Or is it- am I-“ *she forced herself to take a deep breath.*
"It's...it's me."
He hesitates again. He mimics taking a deep breath.
"I feel...hazy. But I'm here. I...I promise."
”promise…”
*she reaches blindly behind her, pulling her chair closer. She slumps into the seat, like a puppet with its strings cut.*
“I’m- I’m sorry I- I should’ve- you don’t need to see- I’m sorry, de- Elias.”
"It's okay. I missed you."
He places his hand on where he thinks Rosie's is.
"I'm...sorry."
How. long has it been?
-@original-elias-bouchard
Elias?
Oh- I-
oh dear, how long has it been?
…
I.
months.
I’m sorry, I hadn’t.
I don’t-
I’m sorry.
no no it's fine
i just. didn't.
hm. nevermind.
how've you been? the um.
the kids. are they. okay?
The kids-
ive.
it’s been. A lot. I’m not sure where to start, really, haha.
…maybe it would be easier in person-?
if you’re up for it, if you aren’t that’s fine by me.
just. Been too long since I’ve heard y
But, you? How have you been? And. Sasha, is she okay?
in person. ?
i.
i think i could
try
maybe.
this place. feels weird.
maybe the End's finally claimed us.
maybe it hasn't.
i can't
tell.
oh f-
I’m.
I’m at my apartment, living room. Might have to clean up a bit…
If that isn’t too far. I can head back down to the institute if you think that’ll be easier, though? No one else should be there around this time.
hm
maybe
i don't know.
where
is everyone?
this isn't the lonely.
I’ll head down.
I. Don’t know.
honestly I. I haven’t been keeping tabs on everything… I’ve been… busy with other things.
Tim is…. I don’t know. I had thought you and Sasha were looking for Martin, Jon has been in and out, acting. Stranger, than normal.
I don’t know what happened. For once, I don’t even have a point of reference.
tim, martin, jon.
i
remember those names
we were
yes
Sasha and i
were looking for martin
he was
found
not by us
I’m around 30 minutes away.
what. Do you mean? Who found him?
thirty minutes...
ae was
found
by
.
.
.
by...
aer
sister?
pandora
i think
it's hard
to think
Martin has a sister? Suddenly everyone has a sibling an-
It’s alright. You. Don’t have to?
Or if it helps you stay present then…
ah…
20 minutes now. New car. Technically. It’s.
complicated.
adopted
i'm pretty sure
shared the same
patron
the
the Web.
they're
siblings
in that aspect
oh- right, yeah. I- kinda. Thought? But. I don’t know, it’s.
web, mother… I guess that makes sense….
don’t know what I’m saying.
yes
the
the Web
Mother of Puppets
they
had a heartfelt
reunion
i
think
i wasn't
there for it
i don't know what happened
something about
an "angelboy"
Angelboy? Is that a nickname?
I’m just around the corner now, hold on. I’ll meet you at the front desk? Like. Old times…?
yes
i don't know
who gave him
that nickname
but he
hated it
.
.
.
like old times
i'm
looking forward
to it
…
yeah.
yeah I am too.
—
*A few minutes later, Rosie unlocks the back door of the institute. Call her paranoid, but it. Felt too weird to go through the front door this time.*
*she makes a quick beeline for the front desk, scanning the dark with her phone’s flashlight to see if she can spot Elias.*
i'm
at reception
this is
where you work
right
is it
called
reception?
i can't
really
remember
you are? I can’t see you…
-
*she walks behind the desk, reaches a hand out to try and feel any colder than normal air, still looking with her flashlight.*
“Elias?”
"Rosie,"
Rosie can hear the smile in her old friend's voice. The air is cold and still. No fog, though.
*Relief floods through her, though the tension in her shoulders doesn’t loosen. She whips her head around, trying to find him.*
“Elias-! Where are you, I- dear, I- I can’t see you…” *a sort of fear - not That kind - starts to claw at her throat.*
"I'm..."
He looks around. He's at reception, yes, but he's...not at reception.
Hm.
"I'm here. But not here. Are...are you..."
He hesitates.
"Are you...alright?"
“I- I don’t- I can’t- Elias I- no. Nononono please not you not this time please not you too-“ *her gaze is far, full of confusion and regret and tears.*
“Can you see—? Are you- fuck i- can— hear, feel the-the cold but-” *no please not again please not him please—*
"Rosie, please-"
He tries to reach out, to see if he can somehow feel where his friend is.
"It's-- it's okay. I'm...here."
*She flinches, seems to snap out of her spiraling, shuddering at the cold feeling of some phantom hand*
“Elias? You- I think-“ *she isn’t sure what she thinks, and can only see a hazy outline of her friend, an outline that blurs even further in the light.*
“It’s- is it you? Really, this time? Or is it- am I-“ *she forced herself to take a deep breath.*
"It's...it's me."
He hesitates again. He mimics taking a deep breath.
"I feel...hazy. But I'm here. I...I promise."
