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[righthemisphere]

You've reached Raleigh Becket, please leave a message.

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[righthemisphere]

Huh.

I know Mako is a serious guy and he's going through a lot right now but that sounds odd.

How are you guys? In general? How are you? For real.

[royalfling]

We're okay now. It wasn't so great there for a little bit.

I don't know if Chuck told you but I kind of sort of shot Mako? In the leg. On accident!!! I didn't mean to. The gun scares me. He's okay now. Korra healed him.

[righthemisphere]

Yeah he told me. I'm so glad he's okay. I'm sorry I haven't checked in, I haven't been very social.

[royalfling]

It's okay!!!! We had to talk some stuff out.

Are you doing okay??? I know it's dangerous to go out right now, but I miss you guys!!

[righthemisphere]

We miss you too.

I'm okay. I'll be okay.

[He is not okay. But the most recent, most savage trigger is a direct result of Wu's death so how is he supposed to talk about it to him without making him feel bad. Wu can't help. No one can. It's not anyone's problem but Raleigh's and he just... He isn't a well man.]

[royalfling]

[ You're not getting away that easily, bud. This is Wu, he doesn't take social cues so easily over text. ]

Be okay? Did something happen? Did something else happen????

1/2

[righthemisphere]

No, nothing new.

[righthemisphere]

I guess I'm just struggling a little.

--> audio

[royalfling]

[ Well. That's concerning. Wu stares at the text for a long moment before calling Raleigh. He waits impatiently for him to pick up. ]

[righthemisphere]

[Oh boy. Exxxhale. Okay, here we go. Half of Raleigh immediately regrets saying anything. The other half is grateful but still wants to throw his Fluid down a well.]

Hey, Wu.

[royalfling]

[ Oh, good, he picked up.

He picked up.

What does Wu say? ]

Hi! Hi. Uh, thought this might be easier to talk about. Out loud.

[ Is it? Maybe it's harder. But it's better. They need to talk. They haven't really had the chance since... everything. ]

Is it about what happened with, uh, me? [ And Sam? ]

[righthemisphere]

[Ah. Well. Yes, basically but he doesn't feel like that's something he can say to Wu. It will just upset him.

Lying doesn't feel right, either. Hm.

Do they really have to talk or.. can they just ignore it forever like it never happened.

Raleigh sighs.]

Ah.. a little bit, I guess. I dunno, it's a lot of things.

[royalfling]

[ But they haven't talked about it. Wu didn't think that that night, when everything was awful and Raleigh was clearly not in a good place, was a good time to talk.

Now, though. He's quiet for a long moment. ]

We should talk about it. About what happened.

[ A beat ]

I'm not mad at you. If you were worried about that.

[righthemisphere]

[He is still not in a good place but that was the right call.

Raleigh is quiet for a moment, trying to scrape his words and thoughts together into something vaguely coherent.]

Well. Thank you for your honesty. I'm glad.

.. I spoke to Sam. I think we're square. He told me he's spoken to you, too?

[royalfling]

Yes. I don't have any issues with Sam. Just the... demon that possessed him.

[ They're two very distinct people in Wu's mind, even if they share a body.

He's quiet for a long moment ]

Why did you do it? Hurt him like that?

[righthemisphere]

[There is nothing for a moment. Just the sound of Raleigh's breathing. He isn't sure he wants to display all his crazy.]

I was angry. After you're.. With your ghost.

[A sigh]

I just don't care, anymore. Wu.

I needed to avenge you. Avenge me, I guess. It felt like it happened to me. And then I stopped thinking.

I'm not, um. I'm not doing so good. There's nothing you can do and it's not your fault.. but. There it is.

[royalfling]

Avenge you?

[ He prompts softly. He thinks maybe he knows what Raleigh means, but doesn't want to assume ]

It's been a few terrible months. More, maybe. All the time we've been here has been terrible. I think it's admirable that you made it this long, doing pretty well.

[righthemisphere]

[Raleigh laughs, though it's slightly hollow and chased by the noise of him dragging his hand over his face. When he speaks again he is just, so tired.]

Well I guess my days were numbered before I cracked, huh.

[royalfling]

Well, I don't know about cracked. But you, you and Mako, you keep doing this. You can't just keep going and keep going and thinking that you'll be fine!

You need to take a minute to just be, Raleigh. You're going to run yourself ragged, emotionally, physically.

[ A beat. ]

You should come over! A steam would do you some good. And, yes, I know it's hot out. It doesn't matter.

[righthemisphere]

[ A steam- how.. how would that even.. ]

That's a kind offer. I might take you up on it.

[ How non committal, Raleigh. ]

I think I just.

[Listening to Wu's voice rings different words through his ears. Begging to be let go. Bargaining for his life. That horrible, horrible feeling of knowing it isn't going to work. Raleigh's wrist stings with a sudden, shooting pain and he gives a small noise, holding the phone with his ear and shoulder as he frees his hand to hold himself. Oh, god.. fuck.]

[royalfling]

You should--

[ He starts, but then Raleigh sounds hurt and Wu's words die in his throat ]

Raleigh?! Raleigh, are you okay?

[righthemisphere]

[There's a small, thin hiss.]

Yeah, I'm good. I'm good, I'm good.

What- um. Steam room?

[royalfling]

Sauna, but-- Raleigh. If you want to ignore what's wrong, fine. You can for a while, but it'll catch up to you.

[righthemisphere]

[He gives a short, sharp laugh. It comes out lightly more unhinged than he'd expected.]

Wu- just. God, everything is wrong. How could I possibly ignore it!?

[royalfling]

Well you certainly seem to be trying!

[ He lets out an annoyed breath ]

Look, I'm trying really hard not to be mad at you, Raleigh. And you're making that very hard. Do you really just want to sit there and feel sorry for yourself? Fine! Wallow all you want. It's not going to do anything.