[audio; Desert City]

[negativegate]

...I'm alive. Again.

[She's had a short time to compose herself, but her voice is still a bit thick. She really died back there...]

My blastia's still gone, so...I can't use any magic.

[She could probably use some help before more monsters find her. What's a mage to do without magic?]

Comments

voice;

[prosopopoeia]

You will give me your coordinates, immediately.

voice;

[negativegate]

Huh? You?

[Not who she was expecting, but it isn't like she's in a position to refuse. Sending her location!]

voice;

[prosopopoeia]

Yes, me. We do not want to repeat zhis little incident, surely.

[Her voice is withering.]

I 'ave secured a vehicle, and I will be zhere shortly.

voice;

[negativegate]

[Rita's scowl can nearly be heard.]

Of course I don't.

Just--fine.

voice;

[prosopopoeia]

Good. Find some cover and wait for me.

[By 'secured' Marie Delacroix very much meant she had stolen it, but the folk in question had deserved it for leaving their keys in it. They had made it safely to the fort, that was all that mattered.

She heads off in a cloud of dust to secure the wayward girl. If nothing else, Marie Delacroix was highly experienced in maneuvering vehicles of all shapes and sizes.]

voice;

[blackshadow]

[ The transmission is clear now, and so is Tyr's voice. Not that it's entirely the same: there's some coldness there. ]

Estelle and Judith went to the safe zone together.

[ And a pause, since...he's not sure if he should offer to take her to them.

But she deserves to know they're safe.

And he really wants to be with her. ]

Find some place to hide out and...I'll help you find them...

voice;

[negativegate]

[Rita grips her device a little more tightly when she hears Tyr's voice and how distant it sounds.]

Tyr--thanks. [She's relieved to know Estelle and Judith are safe, at least.]

Are you in the desert?

voice;

[blackshadow]

Yeah... I...

[ He bites back an "I'm sorry". What would that even mean now? Estelle really deserves an apology too. ]

I still have my runes, so I can get you to them at least...

voice;

[negativegate]

Thanks...I could...use the help.

[It's a little easier admitting that to Tyr.]

Just--be careful, okay? This place is crawling with monsters.

[ video ]

[a_parting_word]

A... gain?

[ video ]

[negativegate]

Like I said.

[ video ]

[a_parting_word]

...sorry. How?

[ video ]

[negativegate]

Forget it. It's over and done with.

voice;

[firstaid]

R...ita?

[She's pretty sure she's hallucinating, but lookie, the device sounds like Rita. She's going to be delusional and respond.]

voice;

[negativegate]

Estelle!

[Rita responds immediately, wanting to know how her friend is.]

It's me.

voice;

[firstaid]

Rita...!

[Her voice is weak and there's a hint of disbelief to it, but she's so happy to here Rita's voice, hallucination or not.]

You're not dead...?

voice;

[negativegate]

[Hearing how she sounds makes Rita more worried. She should go see her as soon as possible.]

No--I'm all right, Estelle. [It's only sort of a lie. Physically, she has no injuries anymore.]

Are you in the safe zone right now? Someone picked me up.

voice;

[vesperian]

[Curses the heavens and the hells and everything in between because he can still barely make out anything.]

Rita, if you can hear me-

[I'm sorry. But it isn't what he wants her to hear from him right now.]

-just let me know if you can hear me.

voice;

[negativegate]

I can hear you. Barely.

[It's a simple answer, but she's not especially talkative after everything.]

voice;

[vesperian]

[Silent.]

There has to be a way.

voice;

[negativegate]

[She doesn't follow-]

Huh? A way to what?

[Video: Desert City]

[closetpervert]

Rita...

[His face is almost dead though a part of it shows relief. Of course, the city would bring the dead back but... logic was beyond this...]

Where are you now?

[Video: Desert City]

[negativegate]

[Looks like she worried Klarth, too. Rita's pretty tired herself, but she's quick to answer.]

Someone picked me up, so I'm at the safe zone. You?

[Video: Desert City]

[closetpervert]

I'll be there in a minute. Wait there.

[Video: Desert City]

[negativegate]

Right. I'll be here.

[And she waits, as promised.]