[Audio]

[sociopathicwolf]

Alex, Toph, Shepard, Kevas.

[There's a brief pause.]

Chloe's asking after Sollux, even though I already saw you post, and Jack, Talia, Bobby, Xanth, and Kairi.

You okay?

[There's a muffled voice that sounds like Chloe protesting, then the audio clicks off. Derek's still watching the journals, though, and will answer.]

Comments

[Audio]

[stillseecracks]

I--

I-I'm Xanth. I-- I'm fine, s--so far, b-but I haven't h--heard from... a-anyone else y-yet...

[Namely, he hasn't heard from Kairi.]

Is Ch-- um-- a-are you g-guys safe?

[Audio]

[sociopathicwolf]

Hey Xanth. Derek.

Good to hear. I'll tell her.

[He catches that slip, and knows who Xanth is really asking after, but it doesn't bother him. He wouldn't expect otherwise.]

We're good. No symptoms, and we're going to hide out until this crap is over.

[Audio]

[stillseecracks]

O--Okay. S--Stay safe, b...both of you. If-- i-if you need help, you-- y-you can-- call.

[He'll try his best, but he can't make promises.]

[Audio]

[sociopathicwolf]

We'll be fine.

[There's a pause.]

But, uh. Thanks.

[Audio]

[ghostly_stutter]

Thanks, Xanth.

[There is much warmth in her tone.]

[Audio] th-th-th-THREADJACK!

[lightyourway]

Xanth! You're okay!

[She teeters on the edge of asking, momentarily undecided.]

Have you seen Riku? Or Makoto?

[Audio]

[stillseecracks]

[Just hearing Kairi's voice is incredibly relieving. She doesn't even sound sick!

But the fact that Riku hasn't been heard from... it doesn't worry Xanth, exactly, but it unsettles him.]

I-- n-no, I, I-I thought... h-he'd be with-- w-with you. And I... h-haven't seen M--Makoto, e-either...

[In fact, he's not even sure who that is.]

[Audio]

[lightyourway]

He's not in his room.

I need to go looking for him.

Where are you?

[Audio]

[stillseecracks]

I'm-- o-outside. I'm at the, uh, the s--stables.

Wh-- where should w-we meet?

[Audio]

[lightyourway]

Meet...? Oh!

[He was going to help her look. But she hadn't asked him too.]

I'll come and find you.

[It wouldn't take her long.]

And Xanth? Thanks.

[And true to her word, it isn't long before she's loitering around the entrance to the stables, looking for any sign of silver hair, or any sudden movements.]

[Audio] -> [Commentlog]

[stillseecracks]

N--No problem.

[He couldn't leave her alone to look for Riku. Even if a disease wasn't something he could fight, he still felt better knowing that she was nearby.

The sign of silver hair comes when Xanth pokes his head out of the stables. He smiles, relieved, and fully walks out.]

H--Hey. I'm-- I'm glad-- y-you're okay.