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

[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?

[takethat]

...I could help you "tidy up"?

[The nervous energy is a small part of it, but in reality, he just wants to get his mind off of what just happened and the desperate fear of what in the world he's going to do now that he's down one limb.]

[magicalwright]

You really must be desperate! Tidying up would be good, you can make this place livable again!

[takethat]

I just cleaned it last week, you know.

[As he speaks, he's going about locking the door and window tightly and turning on all the lights.]

[magicalwright]

... Oh.

Some things never change. Although I'll admit, you're better than you used to be! ... Or will be. [ Timelines are hard. ]

[takethat]

You mean I'm even messier in the future?

[Just peering out the window now to make sure there's nothing hanging out there or something.]

[magicalwright]

[ Stop that. She sighs, before grabbing onto his remaining arm to pull him away. ]

I think you get too used to being tidied up after! [ She's not going to let the Agency get too messy, it's not a good impression for clients! ]

[takethat]

[He reluctantly stumbles away from the window at her urging.]

Y-you know, maybe I should learn how to clean more than just the toilet... you and Miles both seem picky about it.

[magicalwright]

You do it well! You're a toilet expert, Daddy!

[takethat]

[He smiles, though he's clearly tired and beyond frazzled at the moment.]

Ace Toilet Cleaner, huh?

[magicalwright]

It's better than nothing! We can't all be Ace Magicians or Ace Frill Wearers, after all!

[takethat]

"Ace Frill..." ...you know what, never mind.

[He shakes his head and plunks down into his office chair, eyes still darting frantically about; he's certain they aren't safe here.]

[magicalwright]

[ This is all terribly seven years ago for her, so she's just going to power through. ]

Do you need anything? A drink or something? I bet we could wish for something really tasty! Ooh, wonder if we could get Mr. Eldoon's noodles!

[takethat]

...probably a drink.

[Just don't let him into his "grape juice".]

...Mr. Eldoon? Who's that?

[magicalwright]

Okay, coming up! What do you want?

He runs a noodle stand by the agency! His noodles are super salty but that's how you know they are quality!

[takethat]

Is "beer" an option?

...salty noodles, huh? That doesn't sound half bad.