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]

...no, it's a game... It was just a joke. Forget it.

[At least it seems to have diverted their attention from fighting, for now, anyway.]

[wheatdos]

Well... no...

[He smiled a bit.]

Y' can;t mention these things and leave us in the dark, mate.
Whats it about? I love games...
Izzit something we can wish up from the castle?

[sawadeertoday]

[ She nods, in agreement with Wheatley. ]

Mm. Tell us- what is it?

[takethat]

It... it's just a game. Where you have to twist around like a pretzel and try to reach things.

[Bitterly]

Like I said, just a joke. Couldn't possibly do it right now.

[wheatdos]

...

[He looks back and forth, and sighs. Stop being a baby, Nick.]

What, you have an arm you know.
I didn't realize humans made such big deals about those.

[sawadeertoday]

[ GLaDOS lets out a little sigh, looking notably up, away from the nub. ]

You don't really realize how nice it is to have them until they're gone.

[takethat]

It's a little shocking to suddenly be without a limb, too.

[Sigh]

Though don't get me wrong, Wheatley--I'm glad you don't have to know what this feels like.

[wheatdos]

...

[He suddenly laughs nervously, piping up into an enthusiastic voice. Happiness is contagious, right?]

Um...
Well, I know.
I'll just um, watch over you guys... make sure nothing happens to you...un-until someone figures out what's going on.

[He pushes himself up off the floor, pacing back and forth.]

D-do any of you guys need anything? I can do that. Phenomenal cook too. Just ask 'er. She can agree with that.

[sawadeertoday]

[ She tried to cheer up, giving a little nod. ]

Can I have tea? [ she asked, looking to him, before looking down- but suddenly sharply up, a little embarrassed that she had been hotheaded and dumb earlier. It didn't help that she couldn't get up and make the tea herself. ]

[takethat]

...hot cocoa. Have you got that?

[He stops short of asking for a sandwich, too. Look what you've gotten yourself into, Wheatley.]

[wheatdos]

[He rethinks this for a moment and considers this could be a mistake.]

I um...okay. Right, yeah. I do. J-just a moment...

[And so he drags himself over to the tea kettle, turning on the stove before he goes off to rummage for some things.]

[sawadeertoday]

[ She looks to Phoenix. ]

What does hot cocoa taste like?

[ She's trying to get to a better topic of conversation... ]

[takethat]

[It's an effort he appreciates, under the circumstances.]

...very chocolatey. And kind of creamy?

[wheatdos]

Aha, yep.

[Wheatley watches them both with a smile.]

You like chocolate, love. Could make you some of that.

[sawadeertoday]

It sounds good.

[ She tries to give Wheatley a tentative smile. ]

Like cake.

Could you...?