voicemail;

[anequal]

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[phoenix_temple]

It just seems like something we might get hit with, you know?

I don't even know her name, but I know she definitely had a weird life... but everything I've seen of this girl... everything was with people around the same age.

The first one--the boy who pushed her out of the way, he was in my latest one and it doesn't seem like any time passed. And--I don't know. I wonder why it's such a narrow timeline...

[anequal]

... It's the same for me.

I've remembered some things, and everyone I see in it are around my age. Or at the most in their twenties.

Most of Armin's friends are going to die, I think, because of the titans. They're really, really hard to kill, apparently. Maybe if I don't remember anything really beyond what I see, maybe Armin's dead.

Maybe I'll remember how all the people I met here whose past selves knew Armin died.

[phoenix_temple]

[She considers this idea.

She doesn't like this idea at all. She frowns. She doesn't want to know how Armin died--and she doesn't want Anthony to know either. Not any more than she wants to know how the curly haired blonde who could contact greying ten year olds with telepathic marshmallows and heal people died.

She takes a moment to take Anthony's hand across the table if only to remind herself that they're both solid right here right now. She brought up the topic and she likes it less and less every second.]

... But that doesn't matter now, right? No titans. And hopefully minimal monsters.

We stay alive. Until we're really, really old. And we don't have to worry about why they were young.

Right?

[anequal]

[He blinks. And he looks up ant blinks at her when she takes his hand, not expecting the gesture. Not knowing if she's trying to comfort him or get the comfort from him. But he looks at her face, and he puts a strong smile on his own.]

'Course we are! [Strong. Smiling. Assuring. That's how he is to Marzio when he's down. Maybe she needs that.] There's no use worrying about what they went through. Whatever it is, it's out of our control, so we just need to deal with it until this passes.

[phoenix_temple]

[She can't bring herself to return the smile, suddenly wondering if everyone sometimes thinks the same thing.

That this person they're learning about, slowly becoming in a way, had to die for them to exist. Why? And how?

There's another long pause as she considers what he says against her own thoughts.

And then realizes she's definitely still holding his hand and jerks back, red-faced.]

Sorry. I was thinking too much.

[anequal]

[What.

Oh.

His face turns a little red himself when she brings attention to it, but he waves his hands and gives her the same, cheery laugh.]

Don't worry about it.

And about whoever you used to be. At least not for now.

[phoenix_temple]

... Do you want to stay until my mom gets home?

[It'd be a lot easier to stop thinking if there's someone around.]

[anequal]

I plan on it, honestly. It doesn't feel right leaving you on your own.

Besides.

[he takes a bite]

Pizza.

[phoenix_temple]

Well it's not like I'm going to hurt myself or walk into a wall or anything... And the pizza's not going to last all night...

[anequal]

I don't doubt that, but you called me because you needed moral support, right?

I'll stay until I know you're not alone.

[phoenix_temple]

... Thanks. It's not easy being in the apartment alone when I'm freaked out. The cat lady's apartment makes weird noises.

[anequal]

Yeesh. Talk about horror.

I'll stay here.

[phoenix_temple]

I mean they're cat noises but weird cat noises...

Do you want to do anything? [SHE HONESTLY EXPECTED TO not ask him to stay tbch.]

[anequal]

You got anything to do? It's your house.

[phoenix_temple]

Uh... movies. I have a few games but not a lot, too...

[anequal]

Games?

[His eyes light up.] Which ones?

[phoenix_temple]

[She lists a few fairly popular games that she enjoys playing. Most of them actually have a two-player mode, too.

But she also has this universe Katamari and her first reaction is "but we're not going to play that because co-op mode is probably enough motivation to murder someone."]

[anequal]

It's probably best not to do anything like that when I know you're the one with the heal--

I need to clean up the bathroom b-r-b--

[phoenix_temple]

Huh? [Oh shit. Oh shit she forgot!!!]

What, no I have it. Stay here it's gross, it's my blood anyway it's not that bad. [She's already up. She hates blood but she doesn't want him to have to deal with it it's really really gross.]

[anequal]

Uh...

[He... sits... '-' ] Okay.

Call me if you need anything.

[phoenix_temple]

I have it, I have it. [She hates blood so much and she's really nervous handling and re-sterilizing the knife but she will eventually return with it to return to him.]

Sorry, I wasn't thinking about it...

[anequal]

It's fine. Are you okay?

[phoenix_temple]

Yeah, I'm fine. Just don't let me do it again.

[anequal]

Never again. [He hands her water?]

[phoenix_temple]

[She mumbles a thank you.] Someone has to keep me from doing dumb stuff...