Sasha Whittaker (praelia) wrote in remains_rpg, @ 2016-10-08 12:23:00 |
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SASHA: [he’s tapping a pen against the textbook he has in front of him, schoolwork strewn around his workspace at Rendition. After staring at the information for longer than he should have, Sasha fishes his phone out of his pocket and scrolls to Maizie’s name, hitting the video chat button near it and waits for her to pick up.] C’mon Maizie, pick up. [there’s a visible relaxing of his shoulders when Maizie appears on his phone screen.] Hey Maiz, you busy? MAIZIE: Hey! [it’s obvious now that she’s answered why it took a moment before she picked up:</b> she’s at the library and had to duck into an office to take the call.] For you? Nah, never. What’s up, Sasha? SASHA: You sure? [he can see that Maizie’s in one of the offices at the lending library, which had to mean she was working. Still, she wouldn’t have answered if she didn’t have time.] Did you take notes in class today? Mine are shit and I’m remembering why school wasn’t my thing… MAIZIE: Um, yeah. I took notes. [she makes a slight face before shrugging.] I mean, they're probably not the most detailed because I was kinda zoning out a little. [thinking about Liv, but she doesn't say that.] Want me to take a picture and send it over? SASHA: [even though she didn’t say it, he can piece together why it is Maizie might have been zoning out.] Yeah, a picture would be great. Maybe between your notes and mine I’ll have something that even sort of resembles detailed notes. [sighs.] You know, I think it’s kind of stupid they expect us to concentrate while we’ve got friends and family in quarantine. MAIZIE: I know, right?! [her voice raises as she says this, and she follows it with a slightly guilty glance toward the door of the office. her next words are in a normal tone.] I guess they didn't want to end up canceling school for a whole month, but still. Have a little sympathy for those of us who are just trying to make it through the day. SASHA: [pulls a face] I think they could have handled canceling it for a month, I mean it’s not like we haven’t survived the last three years without it, you know? [shuffles his notes around in front of him, positive this stuff will never make sense to him entirely.] Have you heard from Liv lately? MAIZIE: I totally agree. [she sighs before going on to answer his question] We text throughout the day, so yeah. And we’ll probably FaceTime tonight or call or something. What about you? Have you talked to Marina and Max today? SASHA: [smiles, not the least bit surprised that she agreed with him.] Too bad we’re not the ones calling the shots. [sighs and runs his free hand through his hair.] About the same, I mean I text Max constantly and send Marina at least a couple during the day, mostly updates on Dad. Yeah, I mean only through text so far but that counts. [pauses.] Are you going nuts with Liv in there? Because I feel like sometimes I’m so close to losing it….I can’t lose Max and Marina like I lost my mom. MAIZIE: [she begins to nod before Sasha even finishes speaking. It’s like a dam breaking open and the words just spill out.] Completely nuts. It’s all I think about -- Is her cold worse today? Have the doctors been in? When’s the next time I can call her? I mean, I dream about it. When my dad was in quarantine it didn’t even feel real, but it’s like I know better now. And I’m scared. All the time. [breaking off suddenly, she blinks hard and rubs a hand across her eyes] I guess that sounds pretty familiar, huh? SASHA: [his own expression mirrors Maizie’s, along with his feelings.] About damn identical to how I’m feeling, actually. Neither Marina or Max have a cold or whatever, but I’m still terrified that I’ll lose them. [pauses to take a deep breath and calm his nerves.] I woke up last night in a panic ‘cause I had a dream that the government called dad and told him that they’d both changed. For three solid minutes I thought it was true… MAIZIE: Ugh, that's the worst. I hate the nightmares. [having experienced her own fair share of them, she can't help but send Sasha a sympathetic look through the screen] You should call me next time. I don't care if it's like 3AM or whatever. I'll pick up and I'll remind you that they're okay. Sometimes it's easier to believe it when someone else says it. SASHA: They’re so fucking vivid. [winces at the memory.] Thanks, Maiz. I kind of hope it doesn’t happen again, but if it does I promise I’ll call you. You know that road goes both ways, right? You can call me anytime day or night and I’ll answer. [pauses and offers her a small smile.] I might be groggy as hell, but I’ll always answer. MAIZIE: [her answering smile is small too, but it’s definitely there] Groggy is okay. I just appreciate that you’d answer. [sighing softly] But yeah, hopefully neither of us will need to make that call. I just keep saying over and over that we’re in home stretch or whatever, but I dunno how much it actually helps. SASHA: [there isn’t a hint of hesitation in his voice.] Of course I’d answer! Seriously, anytime day or night. [he nods.] Agreed. Three days is all Liv and Marina have left, so you're right it is the home stretch. Max’ll make it out of there just fine too, he has to. [he paused.] I just keep hoping that my family stays whole, you know? MAIZIE: I know, me too. I want both of us, and everyone we love, to be sitting on the other side of this when Halloween rolls around. [her expression has sobered again, saying these words, but now she seems to shake it off.] I’ll send you the photo of my notes, okay? And let's just keep comparing what we've each got while all this is going on. Maybe we can fill in the gaps for each other that way. SASHA: God, that’s what I want also, Maiz. [he makes every effort not to let the serious expression from earlier overtake him again.] Yeah, okay. I think that’s a good idea, between the both of us we should be able to make sure we’ve got notes on everything. [with a glance at the time Sasha’s lets out another soft sigh.] I should let you get back to work now and I should be back to studying. Thanks, you know, for everything Maizie. MAIZIE: [mustering up a smile] Thank you, too. Take care, and I’ll see you in class tomorrow. [she waves and, after only a moment of hesitation, ends the call] |