Voice Mail

[ladywithnovoice]

This is Red.

Leave a message, and I'll get back to you.

Comments

[ladywithnovoice]

[She just pushes at him to go faster. Pick up the pace!]

[It's not like she can answer him right now anyway.]

[me_first]

[He's going, he's going. But not fast. He doesn't do fast.]

[ladywithnovoice]

[Whatever, so long as he's moving. Eventually she uses his back to balance her 'Gear against.]

We'll tire you out so you can go to sleep.

[me_first]

I can't turn my brain off.

[Not gonna woooooork.]

[ladywithnovoice]

You can exhaust yourself until your brain doesn't get a say in it.

[me_first]

I could try.

[ladywithnovoice]

How have you even survive this long?

[me_first]

Easily.

[Shh Red don't question it.]

[ladywithnovoice]

[Just judgmental silence, Royce. She doesn't believe you.]

[me_first]

What?

[ladywithnovoice]

Did you do anything besides work on things back in Cloudbank?

[me_first]

Not really. Not unless someone dragged me somewhere.

[ladywithnovoice]

That's what I'm talking about.

[me_first]

So... you have your answer.

[ladywithnovoice]

You can't just avoid sleep because you don't have a computer, Royce.

[me_first]

I know. But I don't do well with... things like this. Being outside. Travel. Not working on my usual kinds of projects. Being around people.

[ladywithnovoice]

You're with one person.

Maybe we should just get you sleeping medicine when we're back in town.

[me_first]

That might be the better option.

[ladywithnovoice]

[She finally stops pushing at him.]

At least try to get back to sleep. Okay?

[me_first]

... Okay. Do you... want me to help you fall asleep?

[It's hard to see in the darkness, but Royce's ears turn faintly pink.]

[ladywithnovoice]

[There's a brief pause.]

What would you do?

[me_first]

... Sing?

[ladywithnovoice]

[WELP]

You sing?

[me_first]

Not as well as you, obviously. But I've... been known to sing, yes. Music is just math.

... Well. Not 'just' math, but large parts are math. Beats and vibrations and... algorithms designed to evoke certain things.

[ladywithnovoice]

[Yeah, she was about to say, Royce.]

[But there's a moment of thoughtful pause before clicking keys fill the silence again.]

It couldn't hurt.