thejakeisalie | IC Voicemail

Oi, Bunny. Are you doing anything on Saturday?

[No, he's not asking you out. ~~What do you mean, it's perfectly normal to ask one's partner if they're free on a Saturday evening~~]

[Have a raised eyebrow, partner.]

I was considering spending time at the library.

[The 'why' rings loud, even if he doesn't say it.]

[And Kotetsu can hear it loud and clear.]

Well, uh. I kind of...[Did a dumb thing. That I don't exactly regret but should've thought through better? ~~Par for the course, right, aibou?~~]

...said I'd go to the birthday party of someone I don't, um. Know.

[...]

Well, I. Know her brother, since he. Gave me a job, but...

[The unfinished part of the sentence: Will you go with me and save me from making a complete ass of myself?]

[...really, Kotetsu? aljeljre why do you do these things.

Barnaby bites back an exasperated sigh. Honestly, he should be used to you by now... yet somehow, you continue to do things that come out of left field.]

And I suppose you want me to go with you to this... party.

[There are a couple of voicemails left for Barnaby, each a few seconds long. Each a couple of minutes apart. They're filled with heavy static, as if the Forge is being intentionally shaken.

The truth is, Kotetsu can't hold his hand steady long enough to speak into the microphone, and is afraid to let the silence stretch long enough for Bunny to worry.

Ten more minutes, and he tries again. The Forge is on the table. He's still trembling slightly, but he's steady enough to speak, he thinks.]

Bunny?

[--god, is that what his voice sounds like right now? It's hoarse and cracked, and Kotetsu tries to swallow, but his mouth is too dry, and his throat hurts too much to try to clear it. So much for trying to sound casual.]

...A-are you busy?

Edited (idek what happened with icons there) 2012-01-23 01:35 (UTC)

[Kotetsu sounds awful. Barnaby responds without bothering to wonder just what could have affected his partner so badly--he's so used to cheerful Kotetsu, the man who would rather do anything than admit anything was wrong with him, that this is downright alarming.]

What's wrong, Kotetsu?

[His voice is just a little sharp with concern that he doesn't bother to hide.]

Nn?

[There's a sound of somewhat muted surprise. He didn't expect Bunny to call him on it so soon.]

No...I'm...fine.

[It's an obvious lie to both parties involved, but perhaps it might be comforting that whatever has shaken Kotetsu has not shaken him to the point that he's let go of his need to pretend that he's alright.]

Are you busy?

[It might sound a little more insistent, this time, though Kotetsu doesn't intend it.]

[...it's oddly comforting that Kotetsu is sticking to the lie, even if it's painfully obvious. Barnaby thinks about it for a moment--he does have a few things he could be doing, but it's nothing dire... and that slight insistence in his partner's voice, coupled with how out of character Kotetsu is acting, easily convinces him that this is more important right now. So after a moment he shakes his head.]

No, I'm free at the moment. Would you like to come over to the apartment I'm staying in?

[If Kotetsu thinks that was easier than usual... well, it was. Barnaby still hasn't shaken his insecurity about being all but alone here. Therefore, seeing Kotetsu in this crazy place is reassuring.]

[...Ah, there's the catch, isn't it? Normally this wouldn't be an issue at all, but if this were a normal circumstance, he wouldn't be freaking out, either. He doesn't particularly mind as such, either, but Kotetsu is a bit unsure of his capacity to think straight, much less venture outside of his apartment with as shaky as he is right now.]

Naa, Bunny...[hesitation hesitation here it is.]

...Could you come over, instead?

[Wow he probably looks and sounds so pathetic, this is ridiculous.]

[...and his worry just went up to eleven. Whatever's wrong, it must be really bad.

He hesitates too, thinking it over.]

...you're not drunk, are you?

[Worry or not, he's still Barnaby.]

Edited 2012-01-25 23:12 (UTC)

--I'll make it up to you!

[...Somehow.]

[Really, Bunny. Really. :| He's silent a moment after the question.]

No.

[Considering that... a lot... and then he says, slowly,]

I suppose it would be a good idea to get an idea of the sorts of people trapped here with us.

[A little more pause.]

...very well. [It can't possibly be worse than what he's used to back home, anyway.]

[...ok, that went over about as well as could be expected. But at least whatever it is, it's not that bad, not yet, and there's really no tactful way to ask that question. He moves to grab his jacket as he replies.]

Just checking. You're in 'your' apartment now, correct?

Barnaby Brooks? Can-mean, May we talk?

Want to understand something. And am..very confused. About what I've heard.

[He's been avoiding looking at the Forge, but he does still check his voicemails. Just in case Kotetsu wants to talk to him again.

He almost doesn't answer this, but... well, he can't ignore people forever, as much as he wants to.]

Yes, I suppose so. What is it?

[He sounds tired, and he's not really trying to be courteous. He can't seem to put forth the effort, lately.]

Fai got drunk, and...he read out a letter. That Kotetsu wrote him. And...he said you were angry at him.

And that made Kotetsu so angry that he can't be friends with him anymore. But it doesn't make sense. Even with love.

[His voice sounds blank with surprise, because... Kotetsu getting angry? Wtf.]

Ahh... just a moment, Miata.

[Brb, finding this ridiculousness.]

[His first reaction upon hearing Fai's accidental broadcast is pure relief. His partner is cutting ties with that bastard, though it sounds like a conditional thing. What promise? Not that he really cares...

The second feeling is surprise. Fai... had liked Kotetsu in that way? He can't help feeling a little glad that his actions helped to drive Fai away, no matter how small that help might have been. Kotetsu is his partner, dammit.

...he won't dwell on that last part too much. Instead he bites back a sigh, glad she can't see him rubbing at his temple.]

Kotetsu isn't angry, Miata. I'm not certain what that promise is about [though he has a few guesses] but whatever it is, if Fai ever made it... Kotetsu would welcome him back. It's the sort of person he is.

I hope he doesn't, though. I am angry with Fai. [Also kind of terrified, but he won't say that.]

Did he do something to you? Could go to scare him for you. If you want.

[She sighed, and rubbed at her eyes. She had been sleeping when the broadcast woke her up, and she's yet to go to sleep since.]

Did he hurt you? Don't want you being like Kotetsu. Don't cover the hurts. Not here or now.

No... no. He didn't hurt me. I'm quite sure he could have, but he didn't.

[He falls silent for a few moments before continuing.]

I do not intend to hide when I'm hurt. It would just lead to complications later, not to mention being extremely painful for me.

[She sighed in relief. Good, no one was getting hurt right now.]

And it would hurt everyone you care for. And hurt those who care for you. Even a little bit. Is....is about trust. Yes? And not being scared that others will hurt you when you are wounded.

[Well, Fai was. But he'll avoid mentioning that.]

Yes, I suppose it is. [Now if he could only get Kotetsu to realize that.]

[The first time he calls, Kotetsu will leave the following message. And then he'll continue to call over and over until Barnaby picks up the Forge.]

Oi, Bunny! Pick up! I found out a little about Priscilla's memory loss.

It's not connected to Maverick, or Ouroboros. And the guy who did do it's not here anymore.

[SO PLEASE DON'T HAVE A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN ON HIM AGAIN, HE CAN'T EVEN TRY TO HELP FROM THE CLINIC ;A;]

[He picks up almost immediately, replying as soon as he's sure it's Kotetsu. And because he's too distraught, for the first time in ages he doesn't switch over to voice. Kotetsu gets to see how his partner is holding up--pretty well, actually, as it turns out. He's pale, and he doesn't look like he's been sleeping much, but he's still outwardly together. Being forced to get up and go to work every day he's supposed to helped a lot with him keeping his calm, as it happens. As little as he liked that, it was infinitely preferable to having a breakdown.

...besides, he's discovered that working takes his mind off his troubles, for a little while at least.

His eyes widen as the implications of what Kotetsu is saying sink in.]

He isn't? You're certain?

...how can you be certain?

IC Voicemail

[ video ] dated to Byakuya's post! >.> I might spam you again re: carnival idk

[ video ] lololol, sounds good

[ video ] \o/!

[ video ]

[ voice ] /botherbothers c:

[ voice ] /pokes

[ voice ] /wiggles

[ voice ] /rolls around the floor

[ voice ] /tosses blanket over c:

[ voice ] /flails

[ video ] feel free to ignore!

[ voice ] also feel free to ignore xD;

[ video ] <3~

[ voice ] /ignores forever

[voice, after Fai's call is posted]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice] 1/2

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[ video ] After Isley's post!

[video]