IC Inbox

[solar_flare]

"You've reached the voicemail of Yang Xiao Long. But don't YANG up! Just leave a message after the beep, and we'll get in touch!"

Beeeeeeeeeeeeep!

Comments

[Voice]

[rando_dork]

[She'd tell the Terminator to go easy on the poor stylus but it's time to get serious.]

Yeah... Another one of them showed up here the other day.

[Just go into it nice and slow, Gwen. She can do this.]

But well. This one was different from the other ones that have been around.

I knew the one from my world. Talked to them.

[She feels her fingers start to clench. She's glad this phone is durable because a normal phone probably would have snapped.]

I-I... They were a friend of mine and they...

[Yeah her voice starts to crack up a bit. She wasn't ready for this.]

[Voice]

[solar_flare]

[Died. They died. Yang can read between the lines easily enough, and her gaze drifts briefly toward Gwen's room, where Pyrrha is now living with them. It's...rough. Rougher for Gwen, because while she might match the name or face, it's not the friend she had, who really mattered to her.]

Hey...it's okay. Let it out if you have to, put it on mute if it makes you feel better. I'm still here.

[Voice]

[rando_dork]

I just don't-!

This is so fucked up.

[Her voice is shaky. She's got tears in her eyes and she is so glad Yang can't see her right now.

This wasn't her first run with an alternate version of Peter, but this is the first time that he had been the same age. The first time they had sounded so alike.]

I was there when he...

And now there's someone here with the exact same face. How am I supposed to look at them?

[It was about as close as she could get to being honest about the situation. At least if she wanted to keep the secret about her abilities going for now. The secret that she had killed her friend. She thought she had escaped this tangle of lies when she got here, but apparently it had come back to bite her in the ass once again.]

[Voice]

[solar_flare]

It'll definitely take some time.

[Yang's voice is gentle. It's hard for her, listening to her friend cry like this, and being unable to reach out and hug her tight. Gwen's a good person. Kind. Funny. And it kills her to think she's been carrying something like this inside of her all this time while Yang was completely clueless.]

And you don't need to push yourself to deal with it, Gwen, not until you're ready. That just... It really sucks. And it's okay if you think so, believe me. Anyone would be shaken in your shoes.

[Voice]

[rando_dork]

[Honestly. She wasn't the master of hiding secrets like this. She just thought she had escaped most of the drama she had back at home. She had enough distractions to keep her from thinking about it, no reason to bring it up.]

I know, I know.

But...

I just don't know what to do. Like at all.

[Voice]

[solar_flare]

Well...I don't think it's really something that action can solve, so you don't have to do anything. It's just going to feel bad until you see enough differences to make it seem like they're not actually the same person.

But hey, if you need to work out some stress, or eat things you shouldn't, I'm up for that. I just think maybe you shouldn't be all alone with these feelings right now.

[Voice]

[rando_dork]

[She's quiet for a little. Well save for some ragged breathing and the occasional sniffle.]

Just take it... a day at a time then?

[That made enough sense to her.]

Yeah. Give me a little, then I'll go be home.

[Voice]

[solar_flare]

Pretty much, yeah. It does get easier, but...that's not really much comfort right now when you're hurting, I know.

Want me to come pick you up? My motorcycle can drive up the side of a building.

[Voice]

[rando_dork]

I know. It's just an old hurt back in a really freaky way.

[She considers that for a moment.]

Sure but I'll pass on the going driving up buildings bit.

My heads killing enough as is.

[Voice]

[solar_flare]

You're probably dehydrated. I'll bring you some water. Then we'll hit the store on the way back, pick up loads of junk food, and then head back for movies or video games. I'll even let you play the stupid dating sim Mercury and I played. It's hilarious.

[Voice]

[rando_dork]

I could probably wring out this pillow and have enough water to last a week.

Do I even want to ask what kind of dating sim you two have been playing?

[Voice]

[solar_flare]

It's actually kind of crazy. There's a girl in there named Yin who acts an awful lot like me, except she's got black hair. And there's one who looks like Mercury...also with black hair...named Mars.

And I got the herpes ending on my first attempt so...I dunno, the game has its charms.

[Voice]

[rando_dork]

For some reason this doesn't surprise me.

Yeah. We're binge playing this game when we get home.

...And thanks. For being around, you know?

[Voice]

[solar_flare]

Ha ha...! There is nothing to thank me for. You're a super fun, cool, funny girl, and you bring a lot of personality to our apartment. We love you, Gwen.

Be there soon!

[Voice]

[rando_dork]

More like I bring a lot of mess to our apartment. Literal. The not so literal is a new thing.

But I appreciate it. You all are great too.

I'm waiting outside.

[Voice -> Action]

[solar_flare]

Yeah, might wanna work on that. I know Pyrrha will keep cleaning it up if you don't, and she's too nice to say something about it. Maybe...set a timer for ten minutes, pick stuff up until the bell rings, and bam! Easy.

[The sound of a motorcycle engine revs up.]

Gotta go. I try not to chat and drive if I can help it. Hang tight!

[She disconnects, and once the garage is closed securely behind her, Yang pulls out of the drive and veers into the street.]

[It isn't too much longer before she pulls up, tilting enough that she can put her boot down. She flicks her shades up at Gwen and grins, then reaches behind her to unhook the spare helmet and toss it to her friend.]

Catch! Ready to roll?