[005; audio; open]

[perceptum]

[ There's no warning as the audio starts, and it seems very likely that River isn't actually addressing the network at large at all. It cuts in mid sentence, to the rustling sound of movement and near incoherent rambling from River. ]

-but it wasn't meant to go like this. What went wrong? Something went wrong, was it her calculations? The numbers twisted and broke and now so much is lost and how are they supposed to find out why? Pushed too hard and too fast, why did he let her try? Why did I try?

[ She stops talking very abruptly, exhales slowly, and then for the first time actually sounds like she's talking to the network, like it isn't just an accidental pick up of a private conversation featuring one. ]

She's sorry. She didn't- it wasn't meant to happen. So, so sorry.

[ Without any indication of who she's apologising to, she cuts the feed. ]

Comments

audio;

[perceptum]

No. [ Her voice is smaller than she likes, quiet and a little weak as she responds, and there's a pause where she finally stops to take a break. Slumping slightly against the nearest solid object, she sighs heavily, and it's clearly audible. ]

There's a brother, so wound up in his life it hurts and yet he can't recall that face. Angels littered through the years and their vessels are gone to him. Demons, fake faces not twisted, and yet neither appear in his mind. They're gone, it's her fault.

audio;

[ofletters]

[ He frowns deeply, the question and strain present in his tone. He has no idea what she's talking about-- what everyone's talking about when they insist he should have this or that memory. Because there's nothing missing, as far as he knows, and it's all a little... alarming. Makes him feel kinda crazy. ]

I don't have a brother, River. [ He shakes his head, slowly. ] I... I guess I've met angels, but I don't--

[ And demons, too? His head is hurting, a strange throb that brings him pause. ]

... I don't know what to do.