[ 004 ] [ Audio ]

[gotyourwallet]

[The first sound to grace the airwaves was a yawn, moments later followed by a voice.]

I wake to find a storm on the borders, on the approach, it would seem. It might be in our best interests to not wander outside too much. A sandstorm is worse, but a dust storm, assuming that's what this even is, can be near choking.

[She might have lived through a

Comments

[audio]

[stillseecracks]

[This is a familiar voice. Vie is here. At first, Xanth is over the moon, but then he comes crashing back down.

Kevas said there were familiar faces here who were not from the Elegante. Kairi was one of them.

What if Vie was, too?

So, instead of elation, he responds with caution.]

A-A... Are... y-you o--okay?

[Please, let it be her.

Please.]

[audio]

[gotyourwallet]

[Another unfamiliar voice.]

Oh? I think so. Startled, really.

[Sorry Xanth. :(]

[audio]

[stillseecracks]

[If Xanth's heart were porcelain, it would have cracks and chips. It's been dropped and broken so many times that it's little more than a patchwork of glue. First K'lai and Grams. Then his new family. Then Kairi. Now, Vie.

He can't keep doing this. It's just too much.

Time to pick up the pieces.

His response is delayed, and when it does come, he sounds a little choked up.]

O--

O-Okay.

I-- that-- th-that's-- good.

Not-- th-the startled, but-- you-- y-you know.

[audio]

[gotyourwallet]

[...]

Are you alright?

[audio]

[stillseecracks]

Y-Yeah-- I-I'm, I'm sorry, you-- you just--

Y-You sound a-- a lot l-like someone I-I-- I used to kn-know. I'm-- sorry.

[audio]

[gotyourwallet]

[Vie stiffens.]

Not again...

[Her next words are quiet.]

You knew her, didn't you. Vie from the boat.

[She feels like crap already.]

[audio]

[stillseecracks]

I-- y--

H... h-how did... y-you know?

[audio]

[gotyourwallet]

You're... not the first to recognize me as her, or as someone else.

[Kevas had a breakdown when she wasn't who he'd thought. Jack continues to call her Elizabeth and insist that she's 'playing along'.]

[audio]

[stillseecracks]

[Xanth might have gone the same way if Vie was the first one he'd seen. As it was, Kevas and Kairi had prepared him for this, but it still hurt.

But how bizarre it is to have a stranger know you.]

I-I'm... s--sorry.

[audio]

[gotyourwallet]

[She's not surprised by it anymore. Bothered? Certainly, but Vie has had enough people know her without her knowing them to react to it other than how she is.]

It's not your fault, or mine. I wish I could say what was happening, but I don't know.

[audio]

[stillseecracks]

D-du-- dupl-- dup--

[He sighs, aggravated, then tries again:]

I-I mean, I-- I-I think-- th-there are... d-different versions of p--people. O--

One of m-me was... h-here, b--before.

[audio]

[gotyourwallet]

[Vie pauses.]

That... would make a lot of sense. I mean, it seems impossible but it's the best explanation to what's happening here, I think.

[And falls silent.]

I ah... I wouldn't have minded getting to meet her.

[audio]

[stillseecracks]

Sh-she was... r-really smart, and-- a-and curious, b-but, in a-- a g-good way, and sh-she helped me, a-a lot...

[And Xanth wishes very much that you were her. But if this is any version of Vie he's talking to, then she most likely shares the qualities of the woman he knew. To wish for that Vie would be to wish death upon this one.

He never wanted to do such a thing.

Xanth breathes. In, out. Keep talking.]

I-I think... m--maybe sh-she would've... l-liked to meet y-you, too.