thephix | (exsilium) ic contact

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. )

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