audio;

[thxforthememories]

[For a long moment, when the feed clicks on... there's nothing. Only static. Did the manic-seeming BP start fidgeting with his Link again?]

[Then, abruptly:]

I'm sorry.

[The words are soft, choked. They're rough around the edges, as if edged by jagged points. If he were human, he'd have sounded like he'd been crying.]

[Despite the tone, the plea, it's clear the old Kagerou is back in the driver's seat again.]

I'm --

I'm so sorry.

[ click ]

Comments

[mccrane]

Kagerou.

[He wants to ask where the other bot is...he wants to accept the apology, and say it isn't necessary...but those are things that are difficult in even this situation.]

Tell me what I can do to help. I will do it.

1/2

[thxforthememories]

[Silence.]

[Utter silence.]

[He doesn't even know how to start apologizing here. How does he begin... can he even begin?]

[There are several hesitant sounds before he falls quiet once more.]

locked; text

[thxforthememories]

[So he opts for the easy way out. To hide behind text.]

i dont know how anyone can help

ssh

i need him here maybe that would help something

i dont know

[Locked][Voice]

[mccrane]

[He keeps his end of the chanel open, not minding the text but wanting to offer a steady voice to Kagerou at this time.]

Shadowmaru?

I believe he would understand.

You do know that I do not blame you for your actions, as well?

[Locked][text]

[thxforthememories]

yes

i need i think i need him

[It's safe to say that whatever progress he's made, whatever confidence he'd managed to gain, since his arrival has been set back dramatically by all this.]

[There is safety and security in being a shadow and right now he craves that.]

you should

i do

[Locked][voice]

[mccrane]

[At least McCrane was able to say the name. That, if nothing else...makes McCrane extremely relieved.]

I am sorry Kagerou. He is still not here.

Would it help to talk about him?

[He doesn't want to see Kagerou hurting like this.]

I do not, and I will not. If I had suddenly changed...would you blame me?

[Locked][text]

[thxforthememories]

i dont know

it hurts so much now - it felt better but now it hurts again

i felt better and now i dont what do i DO

[Yep, when things go crazy, when everything starts crashing down, and collapsing... all he wants to do is retreat into the dependency. Into the shadow of someone who had always made sense.]

[Now he's at a loss.]

no

i dont know

[Locked][voice]

[mccrane]

You are a member of the Brave Police.

That does not change because of an incident that was beyond your control.

I...

[He hesitates for a moment, uncertain if he wants to talk about this...but also wondering if it wouldn't help Kagerou to know that he was not alone.]

Did I ever tell you about Inti?

[Locked][text]

[thxforthememories]

what if i could have stopped it

what if i could have

i dont

[He pauses.]

no

what is that