darkart | • ic contact @ ataraxion

How's your arm?

[ Odessa hasn't been in contact since her timely rescue from Arima, so this is a little out of the blue. A second message follows after about two minutes: ]

I'd like to meet at your convenience.

Boo.

"xenobiology and genetics department"

Mr. Snape, I would request a moment of your time. With regards, M. Edgeworth

Do you know where I can get a tranquilizer gun? I'd ask on the network, but I don't want to alarm anyone. I swear I'm not planning to murder anybody. It's just a precaution.

Elena went on that thing you're helping with and now I can't find her. I don't know for how long because I sort of wasn't paying attention but when I tried to do something, she wasn't there, so can you tell me anything.

( this may be the most straightforward text she's ever sent him. )

[The mirror shard shimmers awake. Even were it not for the fact that Severus was practically selective about who he handed the network shards out to, it's fairly obvious where they are. The hallway spans out long, flying buttresses and queasy green light framing three figures who have since become familiar to Severus.

In the background, Brad and Kate are discussing something, directing and redirecting shafts of flashlight through the murk. The indistinct smudges visible across the nearby wall spark blood-red when their lights pass over. In the foreground, the edge of William's ear squeezes into view, followed shortly by the rest of it when his fingers jumble the mirror shard into a squared and centered perspective.] Hello. 'Lo?

[He looks uncomfortable because stuff that's oddly unrelated to the spoopy hallway findings.] Professor Snape?

Can I help with anything re the reconnaissance missions?

[ It's only a yes or no question because he assumes Snape already knows Shepard told him to ask. ]

Getting annoyed over text messaging compounds the whole situation. Totally unrelated I had a word to Tyke.

Professor Snape?

How do you feel about dinosaurs?

I was given this number by Charles Xavier.
My name is Tyke, head of Security.
Please confirm your identity.

[ The following is not live, but rather a recorded message. ]

Hi, Sev. If you're receiving this, it's because I went and did exactly what you told me not to do.

And I'd like you to come get me.

Please.

I'm really sorry.

[ End message. ]

I got in touch with Lily's son so she can meet him, she's all sorted & has my number to call if she needs anything. You no longer get to yell at me if I say we're friends.

Elizabeth has been- distant, lately. I can draw my own conclusions as to why - I expect I should've handled her myself, in the end - but I did wonder if you might elaborate on what happened, before I address matters with her...?

( the frustration is low-level but present, discernible, and not aimed at him. )

Theories on how and why we receive what we do every so often in the lockers at any given jump. Discuss.

You busy?

Do you think other people could be aboard the ship, somewhere else?

I lost my team.

The unmistakable sound of sneakers squeaking to a stop heralds the arrival of a visitor in the hall. Whoever's arrived must not have access to the labs, because there's pounding on the doors.

"Seeeeeeev! Sev!" The voice outside is a panicked shriek, and definitely Darcy's. Whatever it is, it's serious enough to cause her to show up in person, rather than use the network.

[Time has been less reliable to subjective measure than usual of late, but by the time the message connects through, William has been away for at least forty-eight hours. He left Severus' message unanswered for five.

The dispatch starts with a mad crescendo of static, a snowy drone of undertone and a staccato crackle overlay, but fades into a now-familiar voice, blustery from lung-burning exertion and speaking too close to the receiver.] --your message, Prof-- --thanks. Are y--? --way back. At some point I lost-- [The connection gutters in and out like a candle-flame suffocating inside of a bell jar. Not that a candle could scream for help even if it wanted to.] --ain't seen the others. But I'm awr-- ain't a clue wh-- this fucking static and this fucking labyr-- hallways but now-- pissy gutters-- --you ever been to M--?

I've g-- a better chance-a' f--nding m-- --thr-- a real live vagina.

[This may at least be some assurance that it's William on the other end.]

You have to come help, [he says, clearly. And then,] Holy shit.

[Disconnect.]

would you like another cigarette?

[The message comes so close to the jump that Severus won't see it until after he wakes from it. But it's there, a record waiting on his comm, her voice snarled in static.]

—epard. There's— —ifle in my quarters. Give it to —ax Teller. If Garrus Va— —ever shows up, make sure he— —it.

[And that's it.]

( She gave it a day, letting everything die down. Or maybe Maria just didn't want to talk to anyone yesterday. But she's back. You got those goods, Snape )

Have you gotten any further with them?

I've been meaning to apologize for what happened out in the corridors and thank you for not killing me or allowing anything else to kill me and so on. It's been added to the list of things I owe you for.

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text. guess where i am

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