∞ [ audio]

[fatespoken]

[ There's a sharp breath, unsteady as it's drawn in— ]

Anyone... know how to get rid of the smell of smoke?

From drapes.

Comments

audio; private

[fatespoken]

It's none of your business.

[ It's only because he's unhinged and feeling the effects of the alcohol that it all comes tumbling out. Funny how this does a better job than a curse that makes you speak your mind. ]

Nearly killed someone once, until my roommate pushed me out of the way. [ A rest, separating events. ] I've seen a lot of people die.

audio; private

[adamantined]

That's a common theme around here.

[And because it doesn't feel right asking questions when his wits aren't exactly at their best, she tries not to press.]

I've seen enough people die for one lifetime. I don't think it ever gets easier no matter the circumstances.

audio; private

[fatespoken]

[ Even if she pressed, going as far to talk about that will probably meet steel walls.

Sometimes when things are stifled to the point of ignorance, they become inaccessible even to those who experienced them. If not inaccessible, at least hard to reach. ]

I think about it all the time. Again and again, imaging all the routes I could take to that one end.

audio; private

[adamantined]

Do you think about what you would've done -

[That's still asking too personal a question for the kind of situation that she's finding herself in. Claire exhales through her nose.]

They say that hindsight is twenty-twenty.

audio; private

[fatespoken]

Of course it is.

It's also something you can learn from.

audio; private

[adamantined]

Obsessing over it won't get you anywhere, though.

audio; private

[fatespoken]

I'm not obsessing over anything. I'm not-

[ I'm reacting. ]

I think this conversation is done.

audio; private

[adamantined]

Alright.

Get a glass of water before you fall asleep.