[What? What even--why is her phone going at o'balls thirty in the morning? She glances at it, siiiiiiighs and then answers] Wh--[No, hang on. She has sleep in her throat. She's going to be clearing it for a moment or two here.] What?
[That didn't sound much better, either. coughcoughahem.] Bucky, what's wrong?
[Still crap but she gives up on trying to sound normal. It's half past balls in the morning.]
[Some time later, he will have a box of home made red velvet cupcakes delivered to him. Stuffed with a piece of chocolate and a note saying;] Did you know you're the first person to 1: give me anything for Valentines day and 2: Get anything from me for Valentines day? Enjoy the cupcakes. Love you! -Charlie.
[He sends it (or variations; one's "rammalammadingdong" and the last one's "ding dong ditch?"), but when none seem to go through, or more accurately none get a response, Ed climbs out onto the fire escape and makes his way to the roof. He figures it's as good a place to start as any, and the smell of fire and Her tends to be a giveaway not long after.]
[She's been ignoring everyone's texts for the past two hours, weirdly enough. She usually texts back immediately or calls. But currently? She doesn't exactly feel like it. She's sitting on one of the lawn chairs, near the fire pit and she has a book that she's opening, closing, opening again...glancing at words but not processing. She'll just pretend to be reading when he gets there. The device will be in her hand and a half-typed on the ro will be on the screen. That's as big an effort as she can give when she's upset.]
[Ed's hearing will probably pick up a few less sounds from Charlie than usual. Her movements are the same, if a bit more cautious but there's a distinct lack of breathing. There's the faint fwssssh of her holding fire but that fades the second she peeks out the view-hole.]
Shoulda guessed.
[But the doors unlocked and she steps away from it. Heads to the nearest couch to curl up on.] It's not my place. You can come in without an invite.
[That's okay. She has the week off so she answers the door a moment later. There's a small white and gray fox kit following her, trying to attack the cuffs of her jeans. Charlie smiles slightly when she sees Howard and steps back.] Hi. Come on in. What brings you by?
[After the weekend has run its course and Wilson is back to life and on dry land, he sends something to Charlie. It comes with a note:]
He's probably better for squeezing than throwing, but I have it on good authority that he's fine with either. Sadly, he's not much for conversation - but any time you do need an ear, I've got a couple I can spare.
[After giving the bird a hug, and grinning at how perfect it was, she decides to give Wilson a call. Ring, ring. Hope you're not too busy for a quick thank you.]
[Ed woke feeling...off, somehow. He couldn't say how, or what exactly it was, but it was almost as if his skin were too tight, or too loose, or like his veins were burning with hydrofluoric acid. Or acetic, at least. It was unsettling, whatever it was. He was restless, more so than usual, and so it was that when McGee got back from work she'd find him already pacing in front of her door, waiting for her to get back, like a large game cat shrunk down to half the size.]
[And here is one Charlie, stepping out of the elevator. She has a grocery bag in her arms, full of stuff for the pets and dinner for herself. She'd already stopped to pick up food for Ed earlier. When she saw his pacing, she immediately grew concerned and wary.] Ed? What's wrong?
[Oh look, there is an awkward Kiwi giant in line at The Jasmine Dragon, attempted to buy a cup of tea. He's dug out a few handfuls of change out of the pockets of his skinny jeans, piling them all on the counter as he sorts through them and everyone becomes impatient behind him.]
[Charlie's only just back from a break so she's in a good mood. The impatient customers hardly get a blink from her, to be honest. She's focused on Axl, a smile on her face. Well, once she gets past the moment of 'DEAR JESUS IT'S A MOUNTAIN!' This guy is taller than her by a good 13 inches.]
You just arrived, right? I saw you on the device. Newbie discount. Don't worry about it. And don't tell anyone about the discount, either.
Hi charlie. Its david. Can you possibly come by my flat today and feed chew? Luke and I got stuck in the bathroom and the door wont open. Curse I guess. Thanks
This ain't funny, Charlie. It's not like you to not respond. What's going on?
Later:
Charlie, what the fuck is going on? You and Merlin can't be that busy, can you? It's okay if you need me to stay a little longer, but I'd like to know.
Even more later:
[Voice getting very concerned now.] No, seriously. Answer.
Friday:
[Sounding like he might be on the verge of tears.] Charlie.... Where are you? You didn't go home, did you? Please be okay.
[He doesn't bother with the device again. When he learns where Charlie is, Setsuna meets up with Kira - practically holding his hand, wrist or shirt sleeve the entire way - and heads straight to the hospital. In the least, he slows down outside of Charlie's room and enters quietly, looking first.]
'action at the hospital' ...that sounds so much more interesting than it is.
[He raps his knuckles against the door lightly as he walks in, since he figures that even if Charlie is asleep, she'd want to be awake to talk to Setsuna.
He stays close to his friend, offering quiet support.]
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