voicemail;

[anequal]

VOICE | TEXT | VIDEO | ACTION | ETC.

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[anequal]

The innovative ones, you mean?

Sounds like fun. Let's watch that one after we wash dishes.

[phoenix_temple]

You sure? I feel bad that I keep dragging you into movies...

[anequal]

Movies are safe and inside and no snakes.

[phoenix_temple]

I don't know. I'm starting to think I'm just a magnet for trouble.

[anequal]

... What, have stuff been happening?

[phoenix_temple]

In the last four months, I almost got hit by a car, stabbed by a gang member and killed by snakes in the subway. If you and Marina weren't with me those times, I'd be done for.

[anequal]

-- Oh.

Yeah... I thought you meant like outside of that for a second.

[phoenix_temple]

Aside from dealing with a giant sword, that's it. But isn't that enough?

[anequal]

I can deal with our swords more than the... rest.

But hm. It's okay. I got a friend out of it.

[phoenix_temple]

[She smiles sincerely at that.] It's about the only good thing there is to all of this. Even if I'm always going to say you're contagious, right?

[She hasn't called him contagious in weeks.]

[anequal]

Oh, always. You're going to show up in fifty years and say I'm contagious and make me relive this all again.

[phoenix_temple]

Of course. [She giggles a little bit.] If I don't, you might forget about me at all in fifty years.

[anequal]

[He pauses, fork halfway to his mouth. Then he puts it down, getting to his feet with an "excuse me." He disappears into the other room where his bag is and comes back in a few seconds to sink down into the chair next to her and holds up a camera in one hand, facing toward them, other hand tugging her close.]

Say cheese.

[phoenix_temple]

[Anais blinks after him and smiles long enough for the picture to be taken.]

What was that for?

[anequal]

[He smiles and shows her. It's a picture with them both.]

I don't forget people easily. But now there's a record. Definitely, today, you were here and I was here and I have this to remember you by.

[phoenix_temple]

[She turns a little red.] I was only teasing...

[anequal]

I know.

But I promise. Now you're here.

... Sometimes, people forget about the network. Everything after their first Echo. We met with our Echo, so I'm going to leave this proof that you and I knew each other.

[phoenix_temple]

[She pauses and stares at him, blankly. She didn't even think about it. She knows him now, and they're friends and that's something new and she likes it and she can't imagine that forgetting about echoes would be forgetting their friendship entirely.

And the idea hurts.]

Hey, Anthony? Can you do me a favor?

[anequal]

I can hear you out. What is it?

[phoenix_temple]

I don't have any windows in my room. It faces the hallway.

Can you take a picture for me to put up? It can be of anything you want.

[anequal]

... You want me to take photos? For you?

[phoenix_temple]

Only if you want! I know it's a lot to ask, but I--

[She wants something, too. Just in case someday he forgets. Or she forgets, and she goes back to being a friendless nobody.]

[anequal]

... [He smiles, happily.]

I'd be happy to.

[phoenix_temple]

Really? [She looks surprised for a second. And then elated.] I know it's kind of dumb to ask... thank you.

[anequal]

No, it's--

It's nice, for me, to have someone ask me to do something like that.

[He smiles, now to himself, looking away a little.]