23 - dictated

[takethat]

[It's late at night when Phoenix spots the cat, as he's traversing the halls of the castle, headed back to his room.]

Oh--uh, hey there?

[Although the creature is a little too deep in his uncanny valley, he still puts on a friendly smile. It's not that much stranger than meeting a lion here, after all, right? Probably just a new resident from some weird world with bizarre cat things.]

...are you new around here?

[But the cat doesn't say anything. Phoenix shrugs and is about to wander on toward his destination, when suddenly there's a heavy weight flung into the left side of his body; he's knocked over, the journal skidding some distance away and falling open, to record the full attack.]


What--aaaaggghh!!! Get off me! Get... get away! No!

[The sounds of a struggle are plainly evident for a few moments more, before a rustling as the journal is quickly retrieved, and desperate panting, running--]

GLaDOS!!

[He reaches her door, on the same floor as his own room but further down the hall, and bangs frantically, begging to be let in.]

GLaDOS, please please open the door, please...!

[But no answer comes quickly enough, and the cat is there again, and Phoenix takes off once more, already knowing the sprint to his own room is fruitless--]

H...help! Somebody, please--it's following me! It's--

[And then a scream filled with fear and agony... and then silence, for a long while before Phoenix speaks again.


This time, his voice is hollow.]

Oh my god...

Comments

Dictated

[magicalwright]

Where are you?

Dictated

[takethat]

I'm on the second floor--so please, don't come here. You don't need to see this.

Dictated

[magicalwright]

I... please?

Dictated

[takethat]

I'm just--I'm worried about you.


[He takes a breath; when he speaks again, his voice is thin and strained.]

...It took my arm off.

Dictated

[magicalwright]

It's probably left already.

[ O-Oh. Well then. ...! Performers can fake through anything. ]

The right or the objecting? [ Stiiiiill heading his way! ]

Dictated

[takethat]

...the left.

[She's being so practical about it, he's almost more worried.]

Dictated

[magicalwright]

Are you by your room? [ Not as planned. ]

Dictated

[takethat]

Y-yeah. Close to it.

[In a heap on the floor in the hallway, as a matter of fact.]

Dictated/action

[magicalwright]

[ When his room begins to get closer and closer, she leans against a wall slightly to breathe. It's fine. It's fine. He's talking. He's fine. Her steps are hesitant as she struggles to settle her breathing, but then she seems him.


Just... lying there. ] Daddy... [ She rushes over to kneel next to him. ] H-Hey, can you hear me? [ She's shaking like a leaf. ]

Action onward!

[takethat]

...I can hear you.

[He's doubled over, trying his best to hide the lack of a left arm, and frantically watching the shadows.]

It was out here, who knows where it could be now...

[magicalwright]

We should go inside. Then we can check the damage. [ She places a hand on his side and squeezes slightly. ]

You're gonna be okay, Daddy.

[takethat]

...that's right.

[He nods and looks her in the eye, although he's still quite frightened.]

...I'll be fine. Don't worry.

[And he gets to his feet and stumbles into his room nearby, propping the door open with a foot for her to follow.

Anything to get her out of potential danger.]

[magicalwright]

[ She follows closely behind, waiting for the door to close before turning on her heel to face him. ]

Please don't pretend to be okay on my account, Daddy. It's okay to show that you're upset. [ Even if she won't, if only the shaking would stop she'd feel a bit confident in that statement. ]

[takethat]

Alright... fair enough, but... I will be okay.

[He draws a shaky breath, desperate to still his own nerves so he can help Trucy, and nervously hugs her as best he can with his single arm.]

Worse... things... have happened, right?

[Is that right?]

[magicalwright]

Yeah, exactly. At least you're still here. [ She hugs him back tightly, burying her face in his chest. ]

It's just an arm.

[takethat]

...it's just an arm.

[He repeats her words and clings tighter to her, but otherwise forces back the tears he'd love to be shedding right now. Trucy needs him to be strong, and he's going to do it.]

...I'm not going anywhere.

[Figuratively and literally, at this point.]

[magicalwright]

[ His shirt might be getting a little wet now. ]

[takethat]

[When he notices, he's startled.]

H...hey, hey, it's okay! It's okay, shhh, shhh...

[He rubs her back gently, something he's done in the past when Pearl has cried on him for various reasons.]

[magicalwright]

[ When Trucy looks up at him, she's smiling. ] I know, I just... don't want to lose my Daddy. [ Again. ]

[takethat]

You won't--I promise. ...It doesn't even hurt now.

[Have a forced smile.]

And I think we're safe if we stay in here.

[Hopefully.]

[magicalwright]

You're still lying. [ But she gives a soft smile. ]

Maybe you should sleep. [ Trucy takes a quick glance around before turning back to him with a small frown. ]

... I'm gonna tidy while you sleep.

[takethat]

I'm not tired.

[That's not a lie.]

And I don't think I could sleep right now if my life depended on it.

Maybe I'll clean the toilet.

[magicalwright]

... You are not cleaning the toilet like that.

[takethat]

[He chuckles nervously.]

I'm really hyped up on adrenaline right now...! I need to do something.

[magicalwright]

You can't clean a toilet, Daddy. You'll hurt yourself.

Is there anything else you can do?