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

[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.

[magicalwright]

I suppose that depends on if you have any in! Don't think the castle would let me wish for it, being 15 and all!

They're really good, Daddy! Mr Eldoon is a master!

[takethat]

Oh... yeah.

[He gets up again, wandering to his small kitchenette, fishing for a beer in the refrigerator. Everything reminds him painfully that he's lacking a limb; even the way he normally flings the fridge open and leans in to peer at its contents is impossible now.

Trying to keep a level voice, he calls to her from the kitchen.]

...do you want anything?

[magicalwright]

[ She follows him into the kitchen, trying to keep up the sense of normality. ] Hm, maybe just some juice! I'll get it, you shouldn't have got up. I could have fetched you a beer, just not ordered it.

[takethat]

You don't need to be bringing me beer.

[He waves his hand dismissively, then looks, forlorn, at the beer he's holding.]

...you might have to open it, though.

[magicalwright]

It's a daughter's duty to make sure her father is properly looked after in times of need!

[ She takes it from him and pulls out a bottle opener from... somewhere, before opening it with a small flourish. ]

[takethat]

...well then you're doing a fine job of upholding your "duty."

[He takes the beer and, trying to hide a heavy sigh behind it, takes a swig.]

[magicalwright]

I've got a lot of experience now! Daddy's always need looking after!

[takethat]

[He's probably even more in need of looking after than most Daddies, what with his ridiculous bad luck.

He looks over at the futon on the floor, blinking blearily at it.]

...I think I should probably lie down.

[magicalwright]

Okay! Do you want me to go or...?

[takethat]

Well...

[No. No he doesn't.]

...that's up to you, okay?

[He stumbles toward the futon and plunks down on it, giving in, for just a few seconds, to numbly staring at his de-armed shoulder.]

[magicalwright]

[ She wasn't really planning to leave anyway, but you know, she was kind of raised to be somewhat polite! ]

... [ What do you say to a man who's lost his arm??? :| ] Uh. Hm. Is there anything else I can do?

I could distract you!

[takethat]

[He laughs and shakes his head.]

Nah... thanks for the offer, though. I'm just... I'm going to lie down, and you can do whatever you like.



But if you leave, maybe you should get an escort or something...

[magicalwright]

I'd rather stay if that's okay with you.

Take advantage of the time to tidy up!