Peter Kimura Whelan (itakunai) wrote in remains_rpg, @ 2016-09-28 21:17:00 |
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PETE: [It doesn't take long for him to answer the phone once he hears it ring and sees who's calling, despite his mood after finding out about Jackson's passing and his uncertainty about whether he's really up for a phone call.] Hey, Noa. How's it going out there? NOA: [Up until Pete picked up she had been wondering if she really should have called him. It had been a selfish action, and she’s not sure how to read him when he does answer.] Hey. It’s about what you’d expect, sweetheart. The walkers are getting quieter, but we’re still on lockdown. [she doesn’t give some bullshit answer, because she doesn’t think it will help.] How are you holding up? PETE: [He shrugs a shoulder before remembering she can't see him.] I'm doing okay. Got some bad news yesterday about a friend's friend, but. As far as how I'm doing I'm still Pete, so I guess that's something. NOA: [she sighs sympathetically, but doesn’t ask what the bad news was because she thinks she can guess.] I’m real sorry. I keep crossing my fingers that I ain’t going to get any of those phone calls. [she pauses, takes a breath] Especially not about you, or anyone else I care about. There’s only so much I think I could handle. PETE: You got a lot on your shoulders right now, Noa? [it's not said as any kind of accusation, more like commiseration. Pete doesn't think there's a single person in Austin who isn't feeling that right now.] NOA: No. [she falls into an automatic response.] Not any more than other people. [she sighs, changes her mind about her first answer.] Suspect I’m putting some of it on myself, trying to act like a rock for the people around me. I’m as worried as they are, but I don’t want to add to it, ‘cause they got more reasons than me, you know. PETE: I don't think they'd blame you for being worried or upset, though. As much as I know they probably appreciate you holding steady for them. NOA: I know that, but [she pauses, shrugs even though Pete can't see it] it's hard for me to be another way. Ain't ever worn my heart on my sleeve. [she goes quiet again] I don’t even feel real comfortable admitting that I'm upset to you, ‘cause you got enough people saying that already, probably. PETE: [he's silent for a moment, considering her statement about herself. Did the same thing apply to him? Was it supposed to be this hard to know?] I don't mind you being upset, for what it's worth. Pretty sure everyone is, these days. [he gives a brief chuckle, but it feels out of place and dies off quick.] NOA: I promise I ain't going to cry. [she says as a joke, to lighten her own unease] Least not on the phone. [even saying that is more than she would have said to anyone else in quarantine, except maybe Marina] It’s a little overwhelming when I think of how many people I could lose. I never was this scared about my own quarantine. PETE: I don't think I've seen it this bad since the first couple of months after all this shit started. Kind of scary to think we haven't really left those days behind, when you think about it. [he frowns then, remembering that she's been through this herself. He'd forgotten, somehow.] When did it happen for you? NOA: August 2017. I spent half a day by myself in the back of a building here in Austin... [she stops talking, not sure if she wants to dredge up the whole story, but thinks about it and continues] Jonny was so damn pissed when he found me, and angrier when he figured out I'd already resigned myself to dying. I was angrier about the ink that the bite mangled. [she laughs softly] Think I was focusing on that ‘cause it was easy. PETE: [he frowns as he listens to her, his eyes dropping down to the bandage wrapped around his left forearm and the Kimura crest that he had tattooed there back in his senior year of college.] I didn't even think about that. [it's a statement that may not even make sense, considering that Noa can't see him, but his frown deepens all the same.] NOA: I didn't think you would. [she responds, hesitant because the statement does seem out of place] Ain’t like I flaunt my bite. PETE: [he takes a deep breath, wondering for a moment about his mom's side of the family and whether any of them are even still around. Is he the last one? There's no way to really know, but he feels abandoned all the same.] It's definitely not a badge of honor anyone really asked for. But you know, for what it's worth, I'm glad you didn't die. NOA: I'm glad I didn't either, honey. [she takes a breath] I’m hoping you don't. Feels selfish, but I ain't ready to say goodbye just yet. PETE: Hell, I'm not either. [he smiles, though, even if the expression is short-lived; it's good to know that she cares.] I got bad news for you, though. If I get out, I think I'm gonna need you to clean up one of my tattoos for me. NOA: Oh, honey. [she easily puts two and two together] One of the crests, or? PETE: Yeah. My mom's, on the left. NOA: [she makes a soft, commiserating noise] I can take a look when you're out, see what I can do, sweetheart. PETE: Yeah, I'd like that. [he tries a joke:] Maybe you'll get a little spike of business in a couple of days, once people start coming out of here. NOA: [she laughs despite the fact that it's not that funny.] Maybe. We’ll see. [she pauses] I’ll mark your name in the book first, though. PETE: [he smiles to himself] I appreciate that a lot, you know. NOA: I know. [there is affection in her tone] it’s the least I owe you, sweetheart. PETE: [his laugh is genuine, though it may be quiet.] I'll take you up on that as soon as I get out of here, all right? [and it's easier to see that as a possibility just then. He hopes she can see it, too -- not just for him, but for all the others she knows. There's silence for a moment before he adds:] School's starting up again tomorrow, isn't it? NOA: [she smiles to herself; it’s good to hear him laugh.] Unless something goes real south between now and then, yeah. [she restrains herself from rapping her knuckles against the wooden lamp on the side table.] I should probably be trying to see if if there’s anything I need to read over before then. [it feels like they’ve been out of class for much longer than is the reality.] I should let you go. PETE: Yeah? [he's disappointed, but he knows that it'd be selfish to keep her on the phone just because he's bored as hell.] Keep me updated on how things go on the outside, okay? And don't forget to take care of yourself. NOA: I’ll keep you so updated you’ll be sick of me before you’re out, sweetheart. [she responds, her tone light.] Try to keep your sanity. Talk to you soon. |