001. (v2) [audio + commentlog/open]

[stillseecracks]

A...Again?

[Xanth lets out a hollow, bitter laugh.]

I... n-no, you, you have to be k--kidding. I-I already d--did this. M-My world was... a-already gone. Th--The End took it. K-K'lai, a-and Grams, they... th-they were... already gone.

[He takes in a shuddering breath. His chest tightens, his voice cracks.]N--Now you say it... it's all g-gone?

Comments

text

[thii2ii22tupiid]

aren't you already here?

Audio

[stillseecracks]

Wh--what? No! I mean-- I-- I'm h-here now, b-but, what?

text

[thii2ii22tupiid]

you WERE at lea2t, ii remember you freakiing out about the tattoo2.

2o eiither there are two of you here or they traded out for a diiferent model.

Audio

[stillseecracks]

T--

Um. O--Okay.

[This sounds familiar. Didn't something like this happen on the Elegante? All the time?

In any case, doppelgangers and recurring versions are a little much to think about right now. Xanth focuses on something else.]

W-What... tattoos?

text

[thii2ii22tupiid]

everyone ha2 a tattoo, we get iit when they briing u2 iin or 2omethiing.

Audio

[stillseecracks]

[Xanth scoffs.]

G--Great. I-I bet mine is s--somewhere s-stupid.

text

[thii2ii22tupiid]

the other you never found hii2

Audio

[stillseecracks]

[Other Xanth couldn't have been very perceptive, then. This one can even figure out Sollux's ridiculous writing patterns!]

H...How long had th--the other me b-been he--here?

text

[thii2ii22tupiid]

not very, unle22 he wa2 really quiiet for a long tiime.

Audio

[stillseecracks]

...w-what was... h--he like?

[Xanth can't help his curiosity.]

text

[thii2ii22tupiid]

ii only talked two hiim once and he wa2 freakiing out about the tattoo2.

Audio

[stillseecracks]

O--Okay.

Th-thanks.

[He guesses.]