♕ |[25]| Where neither red, nor gold, nor wine, nor the rhythm of life is known.

[had_not_lived]

[Audio]

I didn't mean to go through. I was only trying to see if I could find Anne, and while I was looking in it's like it moved to swallow me up and.

[There's a pause here as Neil tries to collect himself. He's managing not to sniffle, but not even trying to hide how distraught he is.]

I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I didn't know I'd fall through.

I want to come back. Please. I don't want to be here.

Comments

voice; private

[mumbled_truth]

I know... it could be something worse. It could be nothing, and you could--

[Be gone? He won't finish that sentence, so he lets it drift away with a quiet sigh.]

It'll be okay... somehow, it will. Just... just keep talking to me. I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere.

[He's not holding the device quite as tightly as he'd like to be holding Neil-- he'd probably hurt himself if he were-- but he is clutching it close to him.]

voice; private

[had_not_lived]

I think... I think I'd rather stay here, at least for a little bit more.

[Here he can at least talk to Todd, which means that as bad as it is it could be worse. If he managed to get the door open and the real world was outside-- impossible as that seems-- he might lose that.]

I'll get back. Somehow. I promise.

voice; private

[mumbled_truth]

You will. I know you will. You have to.

voice; private

[had_not_lived]

I'm sorry I'm an idiot.

voice; private

[mumbled_truth]

You're not an idiot.

voice; private

[had_not_lived]

I fell in. I should've been more careful.

I didn't mean to leave you alone.

voice; private

[mumbled_truth]

And I went after Rosella and got my heart stolen a couple of months ago. You're not any more of an idiot than I am.

...I know you didn't.

voice; private

[had_not_lived]

I love you.

voice; private

[mumbled_truth]

I love you, too.

It will be okay. It will.