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[his phone rings]

[He picks up immediately.]

Dan Heng. [He sounds as distraught and deranged as his texting.] Dan Heng. I can't. [He inhales, breath rattling.]

I'm here. Breathe.

[voice low and even, not conveying his own tension.]

[Ragged breathing noises.]

Tell me something. Anything. I need to stop thinking.

[a little hum, and he starts talking.]

I've begun keeping my own records here. On the Express, I manage the data bank, you see. It's the kind of work I took up to make myself useful when fleeing Blade.

There are the community efforts to keep records in place, of course, and I'm not so people-minded that I'm willing to coordinate, though I am making an effort to keep a backup of their work just in case. My own, though, I've been continuing in my notebook from home.

[He lets the words wash over him, curling up at the foot of his bed.]

What is the most interesting so far, that you have found?

I'm intrigued by the manner through which new things are introduced to our confinement. We aren't under a curfew, and so theoretically we are, collectively, present to notice such things being installed, but things like, say, the snowmen, or those energy drinks nonetheless manage to appear. It isn't as though they can go through the usual shipping channels or anything, either.

Magic, perhaps. Time dilation technology. It would take very advanced means to seal all of our abilities, varied as they are.

[He hums, his breathing slowing.] You have a calming voice.

I did consider something like that. It is possible, given what you mentioned, that we are simply compelled away from areas being changed, as well.

I'm glad I'm able to help.

I would not have blamed you if you just ignored me. Thank you.

You're trying. I will support you how I can, when you are trying.

You are not the first to do this. You will not be the last. It is useless.

It is not. Temporary relief is still relief, and time I can spend with you.

You want to...?

[brain dial up noises]

Huh?

...Yes. Yes, I do actually want to spend time with you.

[petulant toddler voice]

Why?

Because I enjoy your company, when it's not harrowing.

[Dan Feng does not remember the last time anyone has told him that.]

Oh. [There is a long, awkward silence from his end.] I... do not know what to say. To that.

You don't need to say anything. Or if you figure out what to say, it doesn't have to be right now.

[What do you Mean he doesn't need to say anything? He's always needed to say something. Always had to counter with an offer or a threat for attention because how else would Jing Yuan look at him.

Bewildered:] All right. Tell me what to do, then.

Just... talk to me?

[He inhales audibly. Then, quiet:]

I don't understand why Jing Yuan is angry at me.

Which part is confusing?

If I hurt him, isn't it enough for him to hurt me back?

But he doesn't want to hurt you.

inbox | video/voice/text/action | midwesternmayhem

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