Case 232 [Audio]

[manofgnee]

[In all of his time in the City, Hanna has only sounded so heartbroken and depressed and LOW once before, and that was when his zombie best friend left the City.]

...Euphie's gone.

[And with what sounds like a barely repressed sob, the feed cuts off. He's off to go and drink away his sorrows.]

Comments

[misterblackbird]

Has she?

I'm so sorry to hear that.

[manofgnee]

...yeah. Her dog came by this morning, alone, and it had me worried...so I checked her house, and then the Hall...

[misterblackbird]

I see.

Thank you for seeing to that--and for sharing the news. I don't know what sort of world she'll return to, but I know she'll be missed in this one.

[manofgnee]

Yeah....yeah, she will.

[misterblackbird]

I'll be shorthanded at the cafe again, but that's not even the beginning of the trouble.

[manofgnee]

I wish I got to tell her goodbye...

[misterblackbird]

So do I. But I think you've more of a claim to that wish than I have.

[manofgnee]

You and her were friends, right?

[misterblackbird]

We were, yes.

[manofgnee]

I'm sorry she's gone...I need to find somebody to look after Tumbles now...

[misterblackbird]

I'm sorry for you that she's gone.

I'm sure you can find someone--I think Tumbles is the least of your sorrows, in a way.

[manofgnee]

I...it'll give me something to do...keep me busy, you know?

[misterblackbird]

That is quite true.

[manofgnee]

I...I should to ask Penny how she's doing. She and Euphie worked together...Maybe she'll look after Tumbles.

[misterblackbird]

It would be kind of you to ask how she's doing, at least. And, yes, she might very well look after the dog.

[manofgnee]

Well, I'll find somebody to look after Tumbles...

I'll go see how Penny's doing.

[misterblackbird]

I'd take him in if I didn't already have enough of a menagerie.

Do look after yourself too, of course.

[manofgnee]

It's okay, I understand. I'd take him in, but I've got a small army of his brothers and sisters already...so I guess I'll be the last resort option.

...Thanks. I'll try.

[He will! For...all of five minutes.]

[anunluckypenny]

Where are you? I think I need to give you a hug.

[manofgnee]

I was actually coming to find you. Euphie left Tumbles behind.

[anunluckypenny]

You were?

Oh--I can take Tumbles. I'm at the Youth Center, if you're out. If not, I can swing by after I figure some things out.

[manofgnee]

I just...I don't know who to leave Tumbles with...I don't have any more room, and...

[He just tried to think of something to do that was distracting and only vaguely Euphie related.]

[anunluckypenny]

I really, really don't mind taking him. Euphie and I were roomies for a while, so Tumbles is already my buddy.

It'll be okay, Hanna.

[manofgnee]

I just...

I didn't get to say goodbye. I didn't get to say a lot of things.

[anunluckypenny]

It's okay. I'm sure she knew the really important things already.

...You know, the last time someone I really like left, I went to their portrait and talked to it. I might've looked crazy, but it made me feel better just to... get everything I didn't say out there, just in case.

[manofgnee]

I hope she did.

[He still sounds so heartbroken.]

...I might do that.

[anunluckypenny]

I'm sure she did.

[It's okay to be heartbroken, Hanna. Penny will pretend to be okay enough for both of you.]

If you do, I really hope it helps.

[manofgnee]

I...I think I'm gonna go and do that now, if that's okay...

[Then go and drink until he can't feel anymore.]

[anunluckypenny]

Do what you need to. I'll be around, y'know... and I'll go get Tumbles soon, too.

[manofgnee]

Thanks, Penny.

I just...I just need some time. That's all.

[anunluckypenny]

That's one thing we have here, I guess...

Take care, okay?

[manofgnee]

I'll try to.

[He'll try not to drink until he can't feel, for her sake and Euphie's, but...]

I'll see you later, okay?

[anunluckypenny]

Good--thank you.

Yep. I plan on being around.

[manofgnee]

Good.

[If Penny left too, it'd be a bit too much.]

I'll see you later, then.