36.) Audio

[meinxxherz]

[Herz has never been good at hiding his emotions. He's a little more frazzled than usual, and that he's hoping you really, reeeally won't notice.Uh, W--Welcome, new--new passengers. I-I-I just, uh, wanna let you guys know there's a--the--there's a passenger run restaurant on decks nine and ten called Sergei's Bar and Grille. Feel free to stop by,

Comments

[axemeaquestion]

...

[Ro isn't bothering to hide the concern in her voice, but she's still debating on how to ask him the 'are you okay's here.]

... Guess you gotta announce that a lot, huh.

[meinxxherz]

I...y-yeah.

I-I just...y'know, hope i-it's not getting on too many pe-p-people's nerves, y'know, hearing it every week.

[axemeaquestion]

Hey, everyone's gonna need it when they show up here, right?

[meinxxherz]

I dunno, ma-maybe I should make Zeke do it. He gets the word out, too, I mean. Usually with people personally.

[And he can speak!]

[betterthanraph]

You're pretty prompt with this sort of thing.

[meinxxherz]

I-I dunno. Not always.

...But, uh, thanks, though.

[betterthanraph]

[That wasn't really a compliment so much as an observation, but okay.]

I guess it gives you something to do, too. Cooking and stuff.

[meinxxherz]

R--Right.

I'm...pretty lucky that--th-that way.

[standardpackage]

[How cute he can't complete words, just don't say it out lo-]
Nice try, Sweetheart. Never talked over a communicator before?

So, it if free? I ain't got my money.

[meinxxherz]

sssorry.

It's ff-free.

[standardpackage]

Is it still free if I don't make it?

[meinxxherz]

Still--still free.

Everything is, uh, i--i-is free. On the boat.

If--i-if it's not already claimed, I-I-I mean.

[diverged_fate]

......

[What the hell?]

Herz...?

[meinxxherz]

[F--FFFFFFFFFFFFFFfffffffffffffffff.]

hh--hhey. Keats.

[._. please just pretend you didn't see this.]

[diverged_fate]

... Hey. You alright? ... did something happen, or...?

[Because there's no way anyone would get this upset over what happened in his room. Is there?

Well, the emotionally stunted guy wouldn't really know for sure.]

[meinxxherz]

...

[Oh god, does he honestly not get it? Herz--

Jesus, Herz doesn't know what to say. Of anyone, Keats should know...but...he doesn't want to pressure the dude or...]

N--no, I--

I-I-I'm--I'm just...

I'm...sorry.

I--I'm just...anxious.