inbox — diadem

[kidproof]

Inbox

634 – 5789

Voice — Text

"Hi, you've reached Joel. Don't leave a message. Better yet, don't call back."

Code Source

Comments

610 - 2077, text

[imperatour]

[ A week or so after the... let's call it incident. ]

It's Furiosa.

Didn't mean to run off on you.
There's

[ Ugh spit it out. Why is this so hard? ]

Someone else.

[ That's what she meant by bad timing. ]

text -

[kidproof]

[Joel's been spending what free time he has assisting Ororo in the renovation of the "community center," and staying as far away from the motel and communal living as he can. The inconsistent peace of mind was already a factor, and there was no need to double down on that.

So the text goes unanswered for a while with a read marker, while Joel, camped on a roof with nails in his mouth, keeps himself busy and his focus on the things that he can control. ]

I'll stop you right there, Furi. You don't owe me any explanations.

[imperatour]

[ That almost makes her laugh. The only man she owes anything to is a set of bleached bones in the desert. Still. ]

I know that. You get one anyway.

[kidproof]

I reckon it don't make much of a difference, but I'll throw you a bone and thank you for the gesture.

[imperatour]

And now I have an answer on whether you were avoiding me or dead.

[ This is a joke. ]

[kidproof]

Neither.

and unfortunately for everybody involved, I don't die easy. I've just been preoccupied.

[imperatour]

Yeah, you don't seem like the type to sit around. Still, just making sure.

[kidproof]

Aw, look at you checking in on my delicate sensibilities.

Consider it water under the bridge. You doing ok?

i pretend i do not see it

[imperatour]

Car still runs. Haven't lost any more limbs. Can't complain.

[kidproof]

If complaining got us anywhere, I'd be back home, but I'm glad it's all in order over there. Limbs and all.