2019-09-27 - The Rounds

(TXT to Byron) Isabella: ((Phone call from Isabella, and whenever he answers, she sounds like death. Her voice rattles uneasily from her chest, and her voice is hoarse from coughing.)) "Hey, how are you holding up?"

(TXT to Isabella) Byron: ((It actually takes a moment for Byron to answer his phone, but when he does he keeps his tone controlled, though you can hear the effects of illness in his voice)) Could be better. Yourself? Look, I called you earlier because I'd heard word about Captain de la Vega.

(TXT to Byron) Isabella: "Yeah, I think this death flu is definitely going around. Most of us now, I think, though Hyacinth seemed fine when I talked to her. What happened with the Captain? Is he alright? Last I heard, Erin wrangled a friend to break into his hotel room to look for clues to see if they can find him. Erin was..." ((She keeps coughing for a few minutes.)) "...going to updte me."

(TXT to Isabella) Byron: ((There's this breath of frustration, hinting at some impatience)) "I don't know what happened. Miss Sutton responded from his phone. Said he was handcuffed due to him being..." ((Another annoyed sigh when the phone is lowered so he can check that txt message again)) "Slightly more volatile than usual." ((A pause)) "Heard that Erin and Joey Kelly was checking in on that."

(TXT to Byron) Isabella: "Oh, Jesus Christ." ((Isabella exhales a breath, another fit of coughing, and the sound of water being sipped before she continues.)) "Ronnie, August found something in Alexander when he examined him. There's some sort of...splinter of Gohl in him. He compared it to some kind of infection. I don't think August's checked anyone else to see if others were affected, but he thinks it's likely. I asked Erin if she'd been feeling off lately and she said she was, and now this happened with the Captain, and yesterday it...I wanted to drown children, Byron, and all they did was knock on my door."

(TXT to Isabella) Byron: "I think we're all feeling a little off. But if you wanted to drown children..." ((Another pause, then he breathes heavily.)) "Do you want us to keep an eye on you? To keep you locked up?" ((He's probably shaking his head here)) "I wish I could help you, Bella, but I'm feeling like shit right now. I'll see if I can get someone to reach out to you."

(TXT to Byron) Isabella: "No, no, I don't think that's necessary, I can barely get out of bed, I don't think I'm in any shape to go anywhere." ((Isabella coughs again.)) "I probably won't even be able to make it out my front door at the state I'm in. But we definitely need to get this bastard on the ground as soon as possible. I talked to Hyacinth yesterday, she said she's just waiting for the varnish to dry, but I think she's re-thinking the design too because she's right in that we need to do this as correctly as we can. I told her whatever she could do to expedite the process is key. I notified her about what August discovered also." ((She pauses.)) "Wait...you are home, right? You're in range of food, meds, fluids, all that good stuff?"

(TXT to Isabella) Byron: {{Byron's voice sounds heavy, weary)) "I'm at the apartments, yes. You're right though. If this thing is starting to affect people, then we need to hurry this but... Shit." (This is practically growled out)) "I don't know if--" ((Pause as he takes in a deep breath)) "I'll try to come up with something."

(TXT to Byron) Isabella: ((Isabella falls quiet for a moment or two, and when she speaks up again, it's concerned.)) "I don't know if we're in any state to return to the Archivist, or if we'd even manage to be able to do this fast enough. What about Lil? How is she doing?"

(TXT to Isabella) Byron: ((Frustration in Byron's voice rises)) "I don't have many other options here. You know that Marshall was thinking of breaking off his relationship to Bennie as a sacrifice. Would /that/ have worked? And Lilith is getting her bedrest. Or she better be."

(TXT to Byron) Isabella: ((Isabella falls quiet as she thinks.)) "I think anything that matters would work, but it needs to be buried, too, so unless he can seal the intent to break off his relationship with Bennie in something and throw it in the casket, I don't know if it would. But I'm not an occultist, I don't know if that would be even possible. And even then, I don't...like what Lil, August and Alexander said, the point is to still be able to live after this. We told him that when we told him about the sacrifices and I thought the point was made when he met with Minerva, what the hell is he doing?!"

(TXT to Isabella) Byron: "He said that it was his initial thought, but he found something else. /I/ was wondering if it were doable in case that's the route I plan to take."

(TXT to Byron) Isabella: "You mean with Vivian...?"

(TXT to Isabella) Byron: ((A long, silent pause)) Forget I asked. From what you've said it wouldn't work anyway.

(TXT to Isabella) Byron: ((Byron sounds exasperated)) "Bella, I have to go. There's things that I need to do before we get that casket and before we perform that funeral."

(TXT to Byron) Isabella: ((There's a long moment of silence, before she speaks up quietly.)) "Hey, I'm your friend. You know if you wanted to talk, even about that, I wouldn't judge you, right?"

(TXT to Isabella) Byron: ((Sounding even more exasperated)) "It would be my strongest relationship. And right now that doesn't matter. I need to /find/ something. I'll talk to you later." ((Pause)) "Take care of yourself."

(TXT to Byron) Isabella: "Yeah, okay. You too, Ronnie. Check in tonight, yeah? I'd sleep better if I knew you were at home also. Goodnight."

(TXT to Isabella) Byron: ((Sounds distracted)) "Sure. Talk to you later." ((Click))

---

Isabella thumbs the red 'End Call' button, her green-gold eyes on the screen for a few minutes; unable to read anything, but recognizing familiar icons due to prolonged and constant use of the device. And for a while, there is nothing but silence in her bedroom, broken up by several violent, coughing fits.

Hoarsely, she activates her phone's mic. "Call Minerva."

---

(TXT to Minerva) Isabella: ((Phone call from Isabella Reede's number, and when Minerva answers, she sounds like death - her voice is hoarse, rendered thready and tired from coughing.)) "Minerva? Hi, I'm just checking in. Are you doing alright?"

(TXT to Isabella) Minerva: (answers the phone with a cough), "Hey Isabella. You sound like you've got whatever is going around. I'm doing alright. How are you guys doing?" she asks.

(TXT to Minerva) Isabella: "Almost all of us did. A lot of us are sick. I wanted to update you on a couple of things, too, but first I wanted to see if you needed anything, or...anything at all. I heard the exorcism was rather harrowing. Are you sure you're alright?"

(TXT to Isabella) Minerva: "I wish we didn't have to deal with this on top of Billy." Minerva tells her. "It's taxing enough to deal with other things and now we've got all this stuff piling on." she admits. "And yeah, I'm fine for the moment. Just sick." she murmurs. "My brother is taking care of the dogs while I'm cooped up." she adds. "But they are at the apartment if you'd like to see them." she has a smile in her voice at that.

(TXT to Minerva) Isabella: ((Isabella groans.)) "Puppy cuddles are just what I need right now, but there's no way I'm going to present myself in front of your brother in the condition I'm in. I don't want to get him sick. I will though, once we're both better. I honestly should be asking you what you like to eat, so I don't feel like a coffee mooch every time I visit your place." ((She pauses.)) "I have news, though. Would you like the good news first or the bad news?"

(TXT to Isabella) Minerva: "There's a spare key under the gargoyle at the top of the stairs, feel free to snuggle away." Minerva states. "I'm guessing we can see them after everyone gets over this flu crap." she tells her. "And pastry goes well with coffee, I've not said no to many kinds." she muses. Then there's a moment of silence, "I guess give me the bad news first." she tells her.

(TXT to Minerva) Isabella: "Alexander flew off the handle in a bad way a few days ago. The victim isn't pressing charges, thankfully, but that prompted Captain de la Vega to put him under protective custody, of sorts, so he's confined in August Roen's place. Byron heard, and called me, and was worried about Gohl possessing him, being his closest next of kin in these proceedings, so I asked August to see if he can check for Gohl's presence since Alexander could sense his mind during our seance. He...found a piece. Or something. It wasn't his mind, but like an infection, and now he suspects that he might not be the only one suffering the condition. And he might be right. Erin Addington told me she was feeling extremely rageful these days, Lilith blew up a boulder in Erin's yard, though Byron swears that's normal for her, Captain de la Vega was handcuffed by his girlfriend for being 'slightly more volatile than usual' and yesterday I wanted to drown children, and all they did was knock on my door."

(TXT to Isabella) Minerva: "This does not surprise me. The Exorcist told us in the meeting that we'd all be haunted by him post exorcism until we buried him." Minerva tells Isabella. "And yes, Joey told me of Alexander's blow up. He's not upset about it. Knows we all got stuff going on." she admits. "So the rage symptoms match up with a haunting. Means we got to bury him quicker than expected." she murmurs.

(TXT to Minerva) Isabella: "Yes. And that's my good news. Hyacinth Addington is almost finished with the casket, so once we all stop dying from whatever bug this is, we can put an end to this. I thought that the three would be the only one who would be haunted but it turns out it's everyone who touched this matter, it seems. Or at the very least those who were within breathing distance of it."

(TXT to Isabella) Minerva: "Oh thank the gods for that." Minerva breathes out. "That is the best news really." she admits. "I'll come up with a sacrifice, hopefully the one that I had on hand will be good." she tells him. "And I'm guessing this is going to be a big gathering." she states.

(TXT to Minerva) Isabella: "I think the bigger it is, the more pleased he'll be." ((Isabella's hoarse voice sounds acidic there, however muted by her hoarseness.)) "So at least that part, we're doing right. Alexander's finished writing the eulogy and I think everyone's sorted out their sacrifices. You've...done enough, Minerva. I'm sorry you have to give more. And thanks to you and Easton, I'm not about to do anything stupid regarding that, also. I think I've already said this a dozen times, but I owe you immensely."

(TXT to Isabella) Minerva: "Sadly, the bigger and better it is, the less likely we are to permanently have a serial killer in us. Which sounds horrible to say, but, we do some pretty fucked up things for getting rid of them." Minvera admits. "And I will do what is needed until he is one hundred percent gone and out of all of our lives. Then I'll take a vacation." she whispers. "You guys don't owe me anything. This is what I do when it needs done." she admits quietly.

(TXT to Minerva) Isabella: "I knew you would say that, but it bears saying anyway. We couldn't have done any of this without you. So if there is anything you need, anything at all, I hope you won't hesitate to reach out to me."

(TXT to Isabella) Minerva: "I am easily predictable when it comes to things like my answers on helping in situations and things of a similar nature." Minerva admits. "And you could have done things without me, but it is nice to be needed when you least expect it." she tells her. "And I will reach out if I need anything."

(TXT to Minerva) Isabella: "Alright, I won't keep you from some much deserved rest."

(TXT to Isabella) Minerva: "You aren't bothering me in any form." Minerva tells her.

(TXT to Minerva) Isabella: "Anyway thank you again for everything, Minerva. I'll keep in touch, and if anything happens on your end, let me know?"

(TXT to Isabella) Minerva: "It's taking a lot from everyone. I'm just glad you're keeping us all posted and checking in on us. It's appreciated." she admits. "And if anything goes down on my end I promise I'll let you know." she adds.

(TXT to Minerva) Isabella: "This is all I'm good for, these days. When it comes to these things anyway." ((Isabella pauses.)) "But I'm never comfortable in the idea that a network is there just for everyone else to just call up another person's talents when they're needed, without even considering what that would cost. Maybe it's just me, though. I like people." ((She manages to smile, and it's practically heard.)) "Take care of yourself, Minerva. I'll call again soon."

(TXT to Isabella) Minerva: "I think you and I have that in common. I try to give back when people do things, but I'm not charging anyone for this situation. This is something that would have gotten much, much worse without us." she admits. "And you take care as well. I'm going to go get some sleep, night, Isabella." she tells her.

(TXT to Minerva) Isabella: "Goodnight, Minerva. Stay safe."

---

She doesn't know how much longer she can keep talking today.

Isabella scrubs her face with one hand, and gives her cheek a slap. Feverish, bloodshot eyes find her phone again in the half-dark of her room, gripping it tight.

"Call Alexander."

---

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella: ((Phone call from Isabella, through her videoconferencing app.))

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander: ((It rings so long it might be going to voicemail, but Alexander eventually answers. He is curled up somewhere inside, and looks like five kinds of death all had a brawl, killed each other, then got rolled down a hill in spiked barrels.)) "Isabella?" ((His voice is a hoarse croak.))

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella: ((Isabella looks as good as he does; her eyes are bloodshot, bundled up in her comforter and shivering on occasion. The bedside table is visible with a styrofoam container of soup, bearing the logo of one of the fancier places in town courtesy of Hyacinth Addington.)) "Hey, handsome, how are you feeling?" ((Her voice is low in an attempt to smother her exhaustion, but her attempts to soothe are marred by the fact that she barely has a voice left.)) "Sorry, I've been talking all day." ((She somehow manages to give him a cheeky wink in spite it.)) "Anything for you, though."

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander: ((Alexander just blinks at her, slow and owlish.)) "Terrible." ((Nonetheless, he rolls over with a whiny sort of groan and positions himself to something that looks vaguely sorta upright.)) "Shouldn't be talking. Should be sleeping." ((Then a confused look.)) "Did I ask for something?" ((It's not being snide. He's genuinely not really sure what's going on - it's been a rough day with the illness.))

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella: "Well, I was flirting, but you did ask for something." ((Isabella sinks into the pile of pillows behind her with a quiet groan, lifting her hand to rub her eyes.)) "I've been on the phone all day. I know you wanted me to rest, but you and I already know how terrible I actually am at that." ((Concerned eyes meet his in the screen.)) "I got an update about the Captain. Byron called his phone, but his girlfriend....Miss Sutton? She answered. He's handcuffed in his room. Apparently he was 'slightly more volatile than usual'. I think he tried something."

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander: ((Relief breaks out on Alexander's features. It makes them look almost alive again.)) "Good. Good. Thank you, Isabella. I haven't been able to reach him, and I've been..." ((Worried out of his goddamned mind) "...concerned. Thank you." ((He doesn't smile, it hurts to smile, but he does kiss the screen. And now that phone is going to have to be decontaminated.))

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella: ((She manages to smile. She's tired, but she can still do it, her thumb visibly tracing the side of his face through the screen.)) "Erin and Joey Kelly apparently tried to break into his place, but I think he was already handcuffed when that happened. I don't know what's going on there, but I think they've got the Captain well in hand. If she and Miss Sutton met up, I trust she's appraising her of the situation already. Erin I mean. I made the rounds yesterday." ((Her eyes drift shut and for a moment it looks like she might actually sleep while talking to him, but she starts coughing again and her eyes fly open.)) "Anyway I can't take the credit, thank Byron for being so diligent about telling me things." ((Something absolutely hesitant enters her features there, before she sighs.)) "Well, I have some other good news."

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander: "So Erin is also okay. Good." ((He closes his eyes for a moment, breathing harshly. Don't throw up in front of the girlfriend. Don't throw up...he manages not to, his eyes flutter open again.)) "You need to get some rest, Isabella. I am overjoyed for the news, but this flu is a sonofabitch. It doesn't...it can't be healed by a healer, you know. It might not even be from here." ((Only after this rather mumbled rant does he focus back in on her.)) "What other good news? And I will thank Byron when I have the chance."

[FS3 Rolls] <FS3> Isabella rolls Wits: Good Success (8 7 7 5 4)
[FS3 Rolls] <FS3> Isabella rolls Glimmer Lore: Good Success (8 8 6 5 3 3 2 1)

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella: "As far as I know, she's fine, but she also mentioned that she's caught whatever this is. She promised she'd update me the moment the Captain is settled." ((Isabella coughs, and she shakes her head until something Alexander says sinks into her delirious fugue. Green-gold eyes blink at him through the screen.)) "What do you mean?" ((Her voice is softer.)) "You mean August tried to heal it and he wasn't able to? Wait...we'll get back to that in a moment. I spoke to Hyacinth, who doesn't sound sick, by the way. But she told me that she was doing alright and that she's almost done with the casket. She was thinking about re-designing it since it didn't feel right to her, but I stressed the need to expedite the process as much as possible. I think she's going to get the help to do just that."

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander: "Good. Good." ((A bit of a pause.)) "Good." ((But he comes back to himself enough to nod.)) "Yeah. That's what I mean. And we don't really have time for style or beauty, Isabella." ((He takes a deep, calming breath.)) "But fine. I'm too tired to get up and shove her prosthetic down her throat at the moment, anyway."

[FS3 Rolls] <FS3> Isabella rolls Composure-2: Success (8 3 3 2)

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella: "Hey." ((Isabella sounds serious here, though at seeing the state he's in, coupled with the words he says, she looks even more tired, worry imbued in every line of her.)) "It'll get sorted, alright?" ((She looks like she's about to say more, but considering what he just said, she clearly decides to move on from what other things she might be inclined to say about their other friends.)) "Minerva's caught it...this, also. I just called her. She said she's doing alright, but she's also feeling under the weather. Tell me about..." ((She vaguely gestures to the two of them.)) "This. You said this might not be from here?"

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander: ((Bright side, Alexander really DOES seem to be too wiped out to try anything murderous. Or even really remember he said anything. He gives her a muzzy sort of smile.)) "Course it will, Isabella. You're brilliant." ((A heavy sigh.)) "Ugh. Is there anyone in the town who doesn't have it? And that's just speculation. But nothing natural has ever resisted being healed? And some people can bring things back from there. Biiiig things. But why not small things? Seems logical."

[FS3 Rolls] <FS3> Isabella rolls Wits: Success (7 7 4 2 2)

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella: ((There's a small, wan smile.)) "I'm glad you still think so. It isn't as if I haven't had any missteps." ((She winks at him.)) "Unlike a few brilliant investigators I know, anyway." ((She falls quiet, however, when she hears Alexander explain his theory.)) "...no, you're right. If bones can pass through, why not an illness. I'm guessing August did try. I can't say I blame him." ((She's visibly chewing on her bottom lip, her eyes turning to the side and frowning visibly - the look she gets, when she's trying to parse a new problem.)) "...it can't be, can it...?" ((The last is a murmur, more to herself than him.))

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander: "Everybody's broken, Isabella. Don't worry about it. You're still good." ((He paws gently at the screen.)) "But yeah. That. What you said." ((He blinks at her a few times, trying to focus.)) "You've got your thinky face on. Whatcha thinking."

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella: "...it could be nothing....but remember what you told me about coincidences in this town?" ((Isabella scrubs her face and tries to focus, her expression almost resigned when she looks at him in the screen.)) "The book in the Veil, the one I managed to read - the only goddamned thing in that library that was in any way legible to me. It was about some kind of outbreak."

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander: ((Alexander makes a mumbled murgle sound. It sort of sounds like 'go on', but only if you're incredibly generous. But he rubs at his face, tries again.)) "Go on. What sort of outbreak?" ((He peers at her.)) "Have you recovered, yet? From that?" ((Worry deepens the lines on his face.))

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella: "It had a strange name..." ((Isabella's voice is a low murmur.)) "It wasn't anything I recognized. Grab...no. Grin...no..." ((She reaches for a glass of water by her bed, but weak fingers aren't able to keep ahold of it. It vanishes in the darkness of her room, shattering unseen as she coughs, her body wracked with it as she doubles over.)) "Ugh...oh god, it hurts..." ((She squeezes her eyes shut and clenches her teeth together, but she answers the question.)) "No. I still...I still can't read anything. You're the only one I've told." ((She draws her hands over her face, slapping her cheeks sharply so she could focus.)) "Grippe. Grippe Outbreak. The book was a volume 2. It was a..." ((She licks her chapped lips.)) "A book of the dead. Deaths...from 2000 to 2999."

[FS3 Rolls] <FS3> Alexander rolls Medicine-2: Success (8 4 3 2 1)

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander: ((Alexander stares at her, glassy eyed. He's listening! Really! It just takes a while for him to process. Eventually, he blinks a couple of times, and makes a thoughtful sound.)) "The grippe is what they used to call the flu. Maybe the only reason you could read that book and none of the others, was because you were infected."

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella: "That wouldn't be a far-fetched assumption." ((Isabella says this with a murmur, though she does smile appreciatively and adoringly at what he says about the old term. She learns something new every day.)) "What, like how they used to call psychologists 'alienists' because their patients tended to be alienated from society? Why was it called Grippe?" ((Brows draw down faintly in thought.)) "If they're using the old term though, do you think this means that this outbreak is cyclical? I found a volume two, it stands to reason that there's a volume one somewhere, and if volume 2 covers a millennium, that means volume one must cover the millennium before. So...from 1000 to 1999." ((She pauses.)) "If that's true, whatever this is has been going around for a very long time."

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander: ((Alexander rubs at his face.)) "Mmm. Um. From the French, I think? Not quite sure." ((There's a weary shrug of his shoulders.)) "Why wouldn't it? We've never gotten rid of the flu over here. Why would they have over there? Couple of people die here and there every year from it." ((He pauses for a bout of coughing.)) "Whatever it is. It sucks."

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella: "Same in the Veil." ((Isabella squints at the camera, furrowing her brows a little.)) "One." ((The last is a murmur.)) "One every year. I remember the names." ((She scrubs her face.)) "It's all I can see when I try to read something."

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander: ((There's a grunt.)) "One is pretty low. I mean, usually the flu can kill a few kids or elderly pretty eas--" ((And then Alexander groans, and says some harsh words under his breath.)) "Unless it's not a casualty list. What if the only way to stop an outbreak of this stuff is for someone to die? Like a sacrifice?"

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella: "......" ((Isabella stares at him for a moment, as if unsure whether this is a legitimate theory or inspired by Gohl's spirit. But her expression softens, evident enough that she chooses to give it its due consideration.)) "Once I'm well enough, we can look into it. Once I can move again. Ugh this is the worst."

[FS3 Rolls] <FS3> Alexander rolls Composure-2: Failure (4 2)

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander: ((Alexander's eyes narrow.)) "Don't look at me like that, Isabella. I wasn't suggesting that we kill someone, just that maybe it doesn't go away until someone dies from it." ((His expression goes blank, eyes dark and empty.)) "I already know I could kill you. If I needed to. I've never tried from this sort of distance before. I wonder how hard it would be..."

[FS3 Rolls] <FS3> Isabella rolls Composure-2: Success (7 5 5 2)

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella: ((Isabella's face is alive with emotions too many to count. Her jaw sets with that defiant tilt, and when she speaks, it's low and quiet.)) "Do you need to? Kill me?"

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander: ((Alexander meets that stare for a long, long moment. There's something cold and calculating in his eyes - the worst part is that it very clearly is NOT separate from him. It's Alexander. Just calmly thinking about murdering her. Eventually, he flops back on the bed.)) "Too far for me to reach, and my head hurts. Maybe later." ((He gives her a little half smile, like he just promised her a date.))

[FS3 Rolls] <FS3> Isabella rolls Grit: Success (6 3 1)

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella: ((Their eyes lock through the screen and Isabella doesn't flinch; her pulse tics rapidly against the side of her throat at that fact that the shard or whatever it is of Gohl's is so ingrained in him that there is utterly no delineation she can find on his face between the man she loves and the killer infecting his mind. She is not fearless. Not in any stretch of the imagination, there are things and forces in this world that terrify her to the point of lock-step. But she manages to stand her ground somehow.)) "There won't be a later." ((Her voice is decisive.)) "If I have to fight you to prevent you from doing something you'll regret for the rest of your life, I will. You've suffered enough."

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander: ((Alexander lays his head down and gives her a sleepy smile.)) "That's why I like you, Isabella. So fierce. It's all right. I can't reach you right now. That's why I'm here, isn't it?" ((He yawns, and rubs at his puffy, swollen eyes.)) "Anyway. Good theory. We can look into once we can stand, again." ((A sleepy smile at her.))

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella: ((Isabella inclines her head, though she doesn't smile back, her eyelids lowered - that spill of ice-cold fear giving way to white-hot fury, and one purely her own.)) "That's not the only reason why you're there." ((Her tone is firm.)) "And quite frankly I'm certain that the fact that you happen to be out of range is probably a coincidence. But like I said earlier, that wouldn't matter. You're welcome to prove me wrong anytime."

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander: ((There's a brief flicker of confusion on Alexander's face.)) "Mmm? Why are you angry?" ((He rubs at his face.)) "I don't want you to be angry, Isabella. I'm sorry. For whatever. I just," ((A sigh.)) "want to get some rest, I think. Hopefully no one dies from this flu thing, and you'll be feeling better soon."

[FS3 Rolls] <FS3> Isabella rolls Composure-2: Success (8 4 2 1)

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella: ((She's unable to keep the relief off her face when Alexander blinks and a more familiar expression settles upon it. Isabella reaches up with a hand to scrub her face, green-gold eyes wandering away from the screen, exhaustion threatening to cave her bones in.)) "I'm not angry at you." ((It's not you, it's me?)) "I'm angry at the entire situation. But it's going to be all over soon. If we don't rub each other raw, anyway, because of all of this." ((She sighs.)) "I heard Easton was going to sacrifice his relationship with Bennie, so I don't know whether our chat with him got through with him. Thankfully he's been dissuaded. As for the flu..." ((She closes her eyes, fingers rolling slow circles over her temples.)) "We'll figure it out. I hope it isn't like what you theorized earlier, because you're right, more than just a few die of the flu every year out here. But between you and I, that wouldn't be the strangest and darkest thing we've come across in this town. Anyway..." ((She tries a small smile.)) "Get some rest."

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander: "It's Gray Harbor, my dear. We're all mad here." ((He chuckles, thickly, at his own terrible joke.)) "Easton won't do something like that. He'll make a good decision. But yes. Rest. You too, Isabella. Take care of yourself first, okay? Sleep, fluids, and no murder." ((He grins, briefly, before hanging up.))

---

[FS3 Rolls] <FS3> Isabella rolls Composure-2: Success (8 6 5 1)

[FS3 Rolls] <FS3> Isabella rolls Physical: Good Success (8 7 6 5 4 3 3 2)

The urge to throw away her phone is almost overwhelming, Isabella clutching it so tightly she can feel its edges digging into her skin. But she forces herself to relinquish her hold. One finger, two fingers, three...

The device drops on her bedspread with a quiet thud.

With a quiet grunt, she pulls at her sheet, to roll over on the bed and cocoon herself within it, staring sightlessly at the far wall and the taste of the soup that Hyacinth had delivered to her house slowly turning to ashes on her tongue.

Unbeknownst to her, somewhere past her shoulder, the mirror atop her dresser cracks. It is a small thing, insignificant and innocuous, a single crystalline vein that crawls against the corner of the frame.