thephix | (exsilium) ic contact

( His head was swimming when he walked back into Exsilium. Partly because last time he was in this world it wasn't even existent any more, and partly because he'd been-- distracted before he arrived, and it only doubles up the shock. He's got his sheet pulled tight around his shoulders and is tucked away in an alleyway, letting warmth radiate through his skin. It's so much colder than he remembers.

He has no way of knowing for sure how long its been or what has happened, and he doesn't want to waste time scrolling through the network. Especially not when he's wrapped in a sheet. God only knows how many people his disappearance might have affected (not so many, part of him suspects by default, while another part knows better and tries to remind himself of that.)

A long slow breath before he speaks, leaves the message. )

Uh, Max? Hey. It's-- um, it's me. I just uh, just got back, so--

( A moment, closing his eyes, reminding himself to be steady. Max here wasn't from the same time as him, was she? Be steady. It'll be okay. )

I was wondering if, um, I c-could come and see you. And what your address is, now. Yeah. I'll t-talk-- talk to you soon.

[It's good timing on his part; she's at work, but just finishing up with a client so she has time to check her phone before she's due anywhere else. Normally she wouldn't check it as much, but with Lisbeth and Anne in the state they're in, well, she needs to be available in case they need her.

It's not Lisbeth, though, or Anne, or any of other - acquantainces in this world, because it's Donny and the realization steals the breath from her lungs. Part of her is scared to return the call, as if perhaps she just dreamed the message and will find there's no one really on the other end of the line, but her need to see him wins out.

She speaks as soon as the call connects.]

Adonis.

[It's a breath, shaky, before she forces herself to be steady.]

Are you alright?

[Her mind is swirling with possibilities.]

Max!

( Relieved, so relieved, and there's something lighter in his voice, now. He remembers all the grief and the pain of this world, but at least he knows how far they've come and what they have managed to achieve, and Exsilium is back. ) Yeah, I'm-- I'm fine. I mean--

( Naked... that can wait. Maybe? He shuffles a bit further down his alleyway, more out of sight. ) How are you?

[That's a relief, too, so long as he hasn't decided to lie to try to protect her, but - she doesn't think he would, not if it was something important.]

I'm quite cold, actually.

[It's a joke, easy and light because she isn't sure how to really answer that question, though she does add:]

I found a place in the city for myself, Lady Anne and Lisbeth. I'll send you the address now.

[And she does, including instructions on how to get there from the New Initiative's set up.]

Yeah?

( Quiet, a little amused, but he knows her to well to think that's really what needs to be said. Max is complicated.

If Lady Anne is with Max then he can assume she's safe, although he chews his lip pensively before he replies. )

Okay. Cool, uh-- yeah.

( A breath. He probably... hmm. ) I'll be there right away.
D-do-- do you happen to um, still have any of my um, clothes?

( He just isn't really dressed for the occasion, but they can deal with that later, he's just wondering if he should take the time to find clothes first or just concentrate on getting there. )

[She assumes he's in his Atlas uniform.]

A few things, yes. Though you'll need a few extra layers for the cold.

[Even though he doesn't need it the way someone else might, the natives here are a lot less tolerating of strangeness, and a young man walking through the snow in jeans and a t-shirt would certainly be strange.]

I'm out at the moment, but I'll start on my way back, if I don't arrive first, you can let yourself in.

C-cool. ( A breath of relief. Hopefully he can... get there fast. Really fast. He's tying the sheets around his waist to keep them in place, twisting it around himself a bit more like a toga, and there's something so stupid about this that it's sort of hilarious.

He's not sure how to explain the new tattoos, or the scars, which will be worse. )

I'll-- ( A breath, but he's more taking a moment, weighing up what to say instead of feeling tied up in knots. ) I'll see you uh, soon.

[She takes a breath herself, shaky all over again. It's hard to believe he's back.]

I look forward to it.

[There's a raw honesty in there that most people don't get, and she quickly cuts the feed there, as if that might soften it.

Anyway, she has to put her clothes back on and get home, so she can see him.]

( Jesus, Max.

Donny's eyes slip shut and there's a moment where he can't find words to reply, because he has no idea what she's been through since he left and what's changed and their relationship at home has evolved so much. Where will they stand?

It's strange to think about, when it hasn't been a concern for so long, when they're engaged and all the pieces are have felt so right.

Maybe it's just as well that she hangs up; Donny swallows, pushes his hair back and idly draws his fingertips across the scar over his throat before he starts moving the way Max's directions suggest.

They'll be okay. They always are, despite everything, no matter what they have to work through. )

(exsilium) ic contact

forward dated: 24th December, voicemail.

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