Childe "I Can Make Her Worse" Tartaglia (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
monoceroscaeli) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
insurmountable2023-10-29 11:43 am
monoceroscaeli) wrote in insurmountable2023-10-29 11:43 am
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how could i ever forget // outside the morning was cool and wet
[It's not often Ajax finds himself getting his head slammed down onto the hood of a car, least of all a cop car. Usually it's him doing the slamming.
But today the young man finds himself denting the hood, the sound of metal caving in under his head ringing in his ears. Not exactly the ideal situation he was hoping for, but he figured sooner or later he'd have a run in with the cops due to the sensitive nature of his profession, but that doesn't mean he has to like how inconsiderate they are with him as they cuff him and throw him in the back of the paddy wagon. Not that he was considerate to them when he was discovered, as evidenced by the blood all over his clothing and knuckles from the fight he'd gotten into with them. How he managed to avoid getting shot is beyond him- plenty of shots were fired, but that hadn't stopped him from knocking a few of them out.
It's just too bad he'd been instructed that he couldn't kill anyone, or else he'd of gotten out of there without being caught.
The lights of the police station are bright, almost too bright from the contrast of how dark it was outside. Ajax squints as he's dragged inside, held tightly by two cops who hurry him through the station, but not fast enough that he doesn't catch a glimpse of the secretary behind the desk as they come in. Pretty, blonde, looking like she'd rather be anywhere else. Gorgeous eyes, ones that catch his attention almost immediately as he's being shoved towards the back, shining with a radiance that captures him instantly. His eyes lock with hers, feeling something silent yet powerful surge through him from this tiny, insignificant interaction. He doesn't even have a moment to think further on it, before he's so rudely interrupted.
Get moving.
The curt voice of the bigger cop on his right cuts through the moment, anger welling up in Ajax's chest and something dark stirs in his core. If he wasn't cuffed and being restrained, he'd turn that guy's face into a new work of art, something so abstract some insane art collector would gladly pay millions for it.
No sooner had Ajax been ushered in, he disappears from sight as he's taken back into an interrogation room, the mysterious blonde no longer in his sights, now getting shoved into a corner of a room.]
What's with this? Don't you even have the courtesy of giving me a chair to sit in, at least?
[From outside of the room, muffled noises of a scuffle as the cops lay into Ajax can be heard, the loudest of which is a thud of a body slamming into a wall, accompanied by a groan from the ginger kid. Though little do any of them know, their real problems haven't arrived just yet, waking from their slumber right outside of the city...]
But today the young man finds himself denting the hood, the sound of metal caving in under his head ringing in his ears. Not exactly the ideal situation he was hoping for, but he figured sooner or later he'd have a run in with the cops due to the sensitive nature of his profession, but that doesn't mean he has to like how inconsiderate they are with him as they cuff him and throw him in the back of the paddy wagon. Not that he was considerate to them when he was discovered, as evidenced by the blood all over his clothing and knuckles from the fight he'd gotten into with them. How he managed to avoid getting shot is beyond him- plenty of shots were fired, but that hadn't stopped him from knocking a few of them out.
It's just too bad he'd been instructed that he couldn't kill anyone, or else he'd of gotten out of there without being caught.
The lights of the police station are bright, almost too bright from the contrast of how dark it was outside. Ajax squints as he's dragged inside, held tightly by two cops who hurry him through the station, but not fast enough that he doesn't catch a glimpse of the secretary behind the desk as they come in. Pretty, blonde, looking like she'd rather be anywhere else. Gorgeous eyes, ones that catch his attention almost immediately as he's being shoved towards the back, shining with a radiance that captures him instantly. His eyes lock with hers, feeling something silent yet powerful surge through him from this tiny, insignificant interaction. He doesn't even have a moment to think further on it, before he's so rudely interrupted.
Get moving.
The curt voice of the bigger cop on his right cuts through the moment, anger welling up in Ajax's chest and something dark stirs in his core. If he wasn't cuffed and being restrained, he'd turn that guy's face into a new work of art, something so abstract some insane art collector would gladly pay millions for it.
No sooner had Ajax been ushered in, he disappears from sight as he's taken back into an interrogation room, the mysterious blonde no longer in his sights, now getting shoved into a corner of a room.]
What's with this? Don't you even have the courtesy of giving me a chair to sit in, at least?
[From outside of the room, muffled noises of a scuffle as the cops lay into Ajax can be heard, the loudest of which is a thud of a body slamming into a wall, accompanied by a groan from the ginger kid. Though little do any of them know, their real problems haven't arrived just yet, waking from their slumber right outside of the city...]
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Mm... me too. The food is so comforting I could fall asleep right here.
[ The soup is halfway consumed when Yoimiya feels a wave of sleepiness hitting her. Each bite makes her feel groggier than the last and she can't stop her eyes from closing. Ajax's sleepy voice isn't helping matters, he sounds like he's about ready to pass out any second. ]
...A..jax...
[ His name is the last word uttered before she succumbs to the sudden exhaustion. She leans over and passes out on the table. ]
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The food was drugged, he finally realizes. Not good...
Too sleepy to fight, Ajax's eyes finally close completely as he dozes off, into a sleep so heavy that he doesn't feel himself getting picked up and tossed over the shoulder of one of the men sent to retrieve the two of them. Yoimiya is also picked up, and they're both taken away in the blink of an eye by their mysterious kidnappers.]
---
[Cold is the first thing he feels when he starts to come to. The bed beneath him is hardly comfortable, and he feels like his back is all askew from however he was dumped down upon it. Ajax finds he's lying on top of the thin blanket provided with the bed, as his captors hadn't bothered to cover him with it. There's a bandage on his arm, covering the spot that looks like a needle hole when lifted. It's only a small amount of blood- whoever stuck him did an okay job- but it's a little sore regardless.
He groans, sitting up and holding his head, fighting off the grogginess that comes with waking up gradually from a deep sleep. With no idea where he is, he takes a look around. This room is a cell of sorts, and there's no way out of it that he can see. Nothing else is provided in the room but the bed, which makes him think that it was never something made for holding someone for very long.
Suddenly, he remembers the threatening letter Yoimiya got. It's possible that's who's responsible for this...but how on earth could they have gotten to their lunch so quickly? Were they followed?
It's too much to think about having just woke up. He sits on the bed, fuming that they'd gotten caught, but knows he needs to focus in order to escape. Where's Yoimiya...he needs to figure that one out too.]
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Ah.
That's when it hits her. They were most definitely drugged. Now the behavior of the restaurant workers finally makes sense, they were probably plotting something nefarious from the moment they stepped foot into the establishment. Ugh, Yoimiya can't help but curse her carelessness as she rises from the cold, hard bed she was placed on. They barely even covered her with the blanket, the jerks...
There's only one logical conclusion to make from this, and it's that the people who kidnapped them have to be connected to the culprits who sent that threatening letter. How long did they know? What did they drug them with and how? Questions begin to pile up but there's only so much brain power she has in her until she's hit by another sharp pain. Looking down, she notices a bandage tightly wrapped around her upper arm. If she had to surmise, it feels like she got poked with a needle but gods, she doesn't even want to think about what they did to her while she was out. So instead, Yoimiya surveys her surroundings, noticing that she's held up in a cell.
Great... all she wanted was to enjoy a nice lunch with Ajax but seems like the universe has other plans for them. It's then, Yoimiya realizes that Ajax is nowhere in sight. ]
Ajax...?
[ Once her eyes are adjusted, she slowly lurches her way towards the bars. She squints her eyes, peering through the gaps to see if there's any sign of Ajax anywhere. ]
Ajax...!!!
[ Try as she might, there's no response. Looks like she's completely and totally alone. ]
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After checking the room thoroughly, he can definitely say there's really no way out of here. Ajax isn't about to give up, but for now there seems like there's nothing he can really do. Walking over to his bed, he sits down and slumps against the wall, sighing and running a hand through his hair. His head's a mess, wondering how on earth they could of possibly targeted them at the restaurant so quickly. No one knew- they'd just decided on an impulse to go the night before. Was the apartment bugged?
Yoimiya...she drifts back into his thoughts while trying to make sense of the situation. Where is she? Is she okay? Did they do anything terrible to her? Anger boils deep down in him thinking about it, knowing that that letter was addressed to her. They were after him, but he wouldn't put it past them to hurt Yoimiya too. Maybe doing the worst thing imaginable, hurting her just to get to him eventually.]
Yoimiya...
[He says her name softly to himself, cursing everything. He couldn't keep her safe, and now who knows what's happening to her. Shifting to make himself more comfortable, he feels the soreness in his arm, wondering what that was all about too. They either took a blood sample from him or they injected him with something...and there's no way to tell which right now.
He can't stop his thoughts from going a hundred miles a minute, going from trying to parse the restaurant to his arm and back to Yoimiya, worried sick about her. And all he can do is sit here until someone comes to get him.
Please let her be okay. I don't know what I'll do if she's hurt, or worse. Please...]
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Sighing, Yoimiya gives up on calling for Ajax. She hangs her head and trudges her way back to the cold, hard bed, sitting down while burying her face into her hands. Ajax... thoughts of him come to the forefront of her mind. Where are they holding him? Is he safe? Are the kidnappers torturing him? She can feel the start of hot tears threatening to spill down her cheeks until a familiar voice enters her mind.
"Please let her be okay. I don't know what I'll do if she's hurt, or worse. Please..."
There's no doubt in her mind, that's definitely Ajax's voice. He sounds like he's nearby but at the same time... it sounds different, almost as if his voice has entered her mind. She doesn't have the faintest idea of what the heck is going on but at this point, she's desperate to try anything. So, without further delay, she closes her eyes, concentrating on sending a message to him through her mind.
Ajax...! It's me, Yoimiya! Can you hear me?
...
A few minutes pass and still nothing. Maybe she was hearing things...? No, that was definitely Ajax's voice, she's sure of it. But how can she reach him? It's then, she's struck with an idea that makes her feel silly for not trying earlier. With a snap of her fingers, her fire familiar goldfish manifests into the air. ]
Go find Ajax. Try to help him escape if you can.
[ The goldfish does a little flip in the air and gives her best salute with her small fin. The little thing is so small that slips out of the bars with minimal ease and begins the search for her king! She swims through the air, peering at each and every cell but no ginger in sight. Of course, she does her best to dodge anyone patrolling the halls, the moment a guard is even in her vicinity, she makes a beeline to the cell to hide under the bed. This goes on for a little while until finally, a familiar ball of light slowly creeps over to Ajax's cell. ]
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Ajax doesn't move from the bed, wondering how long it would be until someone came and got him for whatever nefarious scheme they were planning. He'd make them pay for this, and when he's done he'll find Yoimiya and get them out of here. Anger boils down deep within him, and he can't wait for the first opportunity to get out of here. Shifting, he closes his eyes for a moment, trying to calm himself, not realizing that a tiny friend had finally found him and come in through the bars of his cell. It drifts inwards, finally having found its target, and Ajax suddenly feels a presence in the room with him as his eyes snap open.
It's Yoimiya's goldfish!
Ajax sits up with a snap, letting it come over to him. Seeing this thing means that she's alive and hopefully well, at least strong enough to summon her little familiar. Relief paints his face, and he can't help but smile as the goldfish comes up to him.]
Boy, am I glad to see you. Can you tell Yoimiya I'm just fine? I'm stuck in this cell, but I think I can get us out of here once a guard comes to fetch me.
[If he remembers correctly, the goldfish should be able to understand him, right? He hopes so. He also hopes that this one won't treat him like Hanabi does...]
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But there's no time for idle chit-chat! As happy as this reunion is, the goldfish knows she's on a serious mission. After giving him one last affectionate rub, she pulls away to listen to his command. Thankfully, she.... somehow understands. It's truly a miracle the goldfish can nod like she's listening.
Now that her king has issued orders, the goldfish begins its descent out of the cell to report back to Yoimiya. However... it suddenly stops, turning to look at Ajax with a sudden realization.
Out of nowhere, the goldfish picks up speed and swims right at him, making a beeline straight for his chest. She dives into him, merging with his soul and enveloping him in a warmth that surges through his body, connecting his spirit, heart, and mind with his queen. Soon, Ajax will hear a familiar voice calling out to him. It sounds distorted at first but the more he hones on it, the voice will become clearer.
A...ja....x
Aj...ax....
Ajax...?
Ajax? Can you hear me? ]
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He looks back at it with a questioning look, not quite understanding what's going on, and before he knows it its coming at him full speed. He only manages to get out a quiet huh? before it swims directly inside of him, connecting with him on every conceivable level of existence.
The warmth that fills his body is comforting, soothing his worries and centering him in a way he's never felt before. It feels like a light has settled into his very soul, bright and shining like the very fireworks that paint the night sky, a presence that he kneels to with unwavering devotion and absolute obedience. It feels like his queen has finally taken her place on the throne in his mind, and happiness surges through him like a flame that lights his soul anew.
Faintly, he can hear a voice in his head, and he concentrates on it until he can finally hear her. It's Yoimiya...it can't be anyone else.
Yoimiya? I can hear you, are you okay? Where are you?]
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It's like... she's claiming what's hers and is taking her rightful place on the throne as his matriarch.
Weird sensation aside, she finally hears Ajax's voice filtering through her hazy mind. Though she can't see him, hearing his voice is a comfort like no other. She's over the moon to know that he's still alive and fairly well.
Ajax?! You can hear me?! Oh, thank goodness. I was beginning to think I was losing my marbles.
There's a brief pause on her end as she takes the time to study her surroundings.
I'm... not entirely sure. All I know is that I'm in some kind of jail cell. I tried calling out to you but didn't get a response. So I assume those awful people are keeping you somewhere far away. Where are you? ]
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I don't know. I'm in a cell too with absolutely no idea where in the building I am. I don't even know where we are in the city, if we're in the city at all.
Even with telepathy, it doesn't help them get out of here. He sighs, realizing now that they're still at square one. His head droops downward, but that helps him catch the sight of something strange going on with the mark on his chest.
Yoimiya, has your mark taken on another star? Mine's glowing...
That makes two stars on their chest, as if they were starting to make a design of their own. Like it's a constellation.]
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But there's one silver lining. Just as Ajax points it out, her eyes catches a glimpse of that blue glow shining on her chest. She lifts her shirt to inspect it and sure enough, the whale's tail grows more prominent. Now they're at two stars...
Yeah! It just now formed on my chest. I guess this means we unlocked a new power. Telepathy is nice and all but... we're still stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Once again, she sighs. It's so loud that Ajax might be able to hear it...
Hey... did they do anything strange to you? ]
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Still, being able to hear her thoughts is still wild. It'll take some getting used to...just like how he can practically hear her sigh on her end.
They did. I've got a bandage around my arm, like they stuck a needle in it. I can't tell if they simply drew blood, or injected me with something.
Another thing to consider. Who knows what they did, but they definitely can't really do anything about it now. Best case scenario, they just drew blood. Having a DNA print of them isn't great, but he'd rather have that than being injected with something that's going to have an adverse affect on them later.
I don't feel strange, however. At least, not yet...
Hopefully he didn't jinx it.
I'm guessing they did the same to you?]
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What if... they were injected with a harmful substance? Just the though is enough to rise her temper to the surface, feeling concerned and aggravated that they might have committed an atrocity on their bodies.
Yeah, I woke up with a pounding headache and the nexg thing I noticed was this bandage around my arm. I like to think if they injected us with a substance, we'd be feeling the effects by now but...after they drugged us, there's no telling what they have in their arsenal.
And she hates it. The idea this company can rival Nizhnii is beyond unsettling.
One thing is for certain and it's that we gotta figure out a way to get out of here. Fast. I assume the people who did this to us are the same ones who sent that letter. So, do you recognize anything in relation to Pouce in here?]
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I don't. Honestly, I don't know that much about them other than what I told you before. And even then...things may have changed.
Maybe that's something they're going to find out while they're here. There's no reason, he realizes now, for Poucé to stick a needle in them at all.
But we're stuck here until someone comes to get us. Just be ready when they do- it'll be your once chance to escape. If they manage to drag you to another room, who knows if you'll be able to get out.
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Right! I'll definitely do my best to get out if they take me elsewhere. Since we have acquired the power of telepathy, we can utilize it to our advantage and help each other. Because no matter what happens, I'm not leaving without you.
Ajax has done so much to help her. She'd rather risk her life than throw him to the wolves.
Since we're talking to each other, why don't we take the time to familiarize ourselves with the surroundings? Is there anything notable in your area? I sent my goldfish to help you out and I assume you've already come into contact with her. She might be small but she's mighty and willing to assist you any way her tiny body can. ]
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About that...your goldfish is the reason why I can communicate with you now. She...well...
How does he put this...
She swam inside of me, and when she did, I connected directly to you. The feeling was indescribable...I'm not sure what to make of it. It's like she connected our souls together. I don't know if I can use her to do anything. I can't see anything that far past my own cell, so it's hard to tell if there's anything notable.
He wonders what Yoimiya's reaction was like. Was she always able to do this? Again, more questions with no answers.]
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Oh dear god. When he words it like that Yoimiya briefly wonders if something terrible happened to her cute firey friend. She'd be beside herself, unable to forgive the person who hurt her little sweetie. Just as she's getting ready to throw hands with the evil person who potentially did her in, she's hit with a revelation she did not expect.
The goldfish swam... inside him????? And it's thanks to her, that they're now able to communicate. She falls silent for a few minutes, unsure of what to say.
Oh...! So that's how we can talk to each other now. Huh... I didn't expect her to do that. I sent her to you in hopes that she'd be able to help you escape.
Who would have thought that the goldfish would take her mission that seriously and actually roll with it? Now, she's not sure if the goldfish will be able to get out of Ajax but that's a problem for another day.
It's no wonder why I suddenly felt like our hearts were beating as one. I had no idea she could do something like that!! How cool...
Focus, Yoimiya, focus back on the task at hand.
Ahem! Well, I don't know if you'll be able to use her light now that she's inside of you but at least we can communicate with each other. I can't see anything from my cell either so I guess waiting for a guard to pass by sounds like our best bet. ]
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Hahahahaha....
Nervous laughter forms its own thought in his head, involuntarily broadcasting that to Yoimiya. He doesn't really realize it, but he'll have a much harder time concealing all his inner thoughts and worries from her now.
Yeah, I think it's best we wait as well. If they come for me, they better be prepared. There's no way they aren't going to try to move me from this cell without a fight. I hate to say it, but perhaps it's in our best interest to rest before then. Even though we were both knocked out, I don't feel like I rested at all...
He feels kind of horrible in comparison to normal. Maybe because of whatever they did to them and the fact that they didn't have a truly restful sleep.]
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Great. Lovely even.
Oops. No doubt he heard that one. This is gonna take some getting used to.
I think you're right. It blows to be a sitting duck but doesn't seem like we have much of a choice at this point. We're not gonna be in any good condition to fight back if we don't get some semblance of rest.
He's also right about another matter; she too didn't get much sleep throughout their transfer from the restaurant.
I guess the only thing we can to is try to stay vigilant until then. Don't be a stranger and feel free to start a conversation with me even if it's just small talk. ]
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Starting a conversation with you might not allow me to sleep...you have professional-level conversational skills.
That wasn't supposed to be broadcast whoops haha aljsflfj;aljf;j
...I promise to stay in touch after I've taken a little nap. Get some sleep too, and when we wake we'll get out of here.
...somehow.
He hopes...]
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Yeah, he should have kept that one in the drafts. This telepathy will probably be their undoing. If a guard were to pass by, they'd be confused as to why their captive is just standing there with her hands on her hips and indignance plastered all over her face.
Yeah, get some sleep while you can. Wouldn't want me using my "professional-level conversational skills" on you.
Rude ass mofo throwing strays at her when she's just trying to be nice. ]
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Please. You know I enjoy our conversations. How many times now have I sat down to talk with you at the end of a long day? Do you think I'd do that if I didn't want to hear your voice? It's one of the more enjoyable parts of my day.
Just not when I'm trying to sleep.
He'd boop her nose if he could. He wonders if he can do it telepathically, but when he tries, nothing happens.
I promise you can talk my ear off once we're out of here.]
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Hmmm. I suppose I can accept your sweet talk for now. But you better get your ears ready when we're free. 'Cause I'm gonna make sure I talk your ears off.
That is absolutely a threat and a promise.......
Anyways, Yoimiya's yawn could probably be heard through their link.
Night, Ajax.
With no further words, she retires to the stiff, uncomfortable bed in their cell to try and get some sleep. The task is already proving to be insurmountable, just resting her back on the "mattress" feels like she's laying on a bunch of bricks. Oh, wells, the least she can do is close her eyes and keep her ears open for anyone passing by. ]
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He'll have to mentally prepare for Yoimiya's endless yap session later.
Goodnight.]
---
[Ajax's rest is uninterrupted, only waking up to the unchanging stillness of the cell around him. He has no idea how long he'd been asleep, and he rubs his eyes to wipe the sleep away as he slowly sits up in bed. It was a rough sleep, based off of how his back doesn't feel entirely great, but at least he'd been able to get some rest. Yawning, he stretches his back out, but something hits his senses right in the middle of it that gets him to stop dead in his tracks.
Something's very wrong. He can't see it, but there's a presence in the building that makes every bit of his fight or flight instincts go off. Ajax's attention is drawn to the bars of his cell, glazed now with the dark, galaxyesque substance that he's grown all too familiar with. It makes his blood freeze in his veins, and the first thing he does is try to reach out to Yoimiya.
Yoimiya. Yoimiya. Please be alright, please. Answer me...
Worry immediately hits him like a sack of bricks, as he gets up to examine the bars and the door. A key is shoved into the door of his cell, but it was never turned to unlock it, and he easily sticks his arm through and unlocks the cell himself. Streaks of the abyssal substance run right down the corridor, with no one else in sight.
This is bad, he thinks to himself, which is broadcast to her as well.
Yoimiya!]
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She had been sleeping like a baby when Ajax's shouting cuts through her sleep like a sharp blade. Immediately, she stirs, needing a moment to get her bearings together and oblivious to the galactic substance all over the bars of her cell. It's clear she's been out like a rock this whole time.
Ajax...?
Her voice is laced with grogginess as she tries to fight back a yawn only to lose. She's still in the process of coming to, blinking her bleary eyes to focus her vision. But even in the midst of her hazy mind, she can recognize something isn't right and Ajax sounds like he's seen a ghost.
Sorry about that, I just woke up. What's going on? You sound frantic.]
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