( audio ; @man of still )

[figureitout]

[ it has taken him three days to convince himself to talk to all of Audentes about this — three days that he now wishes he hadn't waited, because with the information from Jason and Lucina, and their numbers already depleted because of the virus... all he's doing is taking people's attention away from finding Dr. Percy.

if it was about anyone else, he wouldn't be doing this. but right now, he couldn't care less if they find the doctor or not. finding someone else takes priority for him. ]

Hey guys... it's Stiles. [ not a great start, as far as speeches go, but maybe some of that can be attributed to the fact he sounds roughly like he's forgotten what sleep is supposed to even be. ]

Look, I know we've got a lot going on right now, finding the fake doctor, all that. But, just listen for a second, okay? Peter's missing. [ a pause as he swallows before powering on; he gives no further explanations about who exactly he's talking about: anyone who has been following Team Science should know Peter, after all. ] And not in the "he was probably transferred" way, the "he's totally infected and ran away after leaving his magitek behind" way. It's been three days, I've searched the city, like, a thousand and ten times but he's —

I don't know where he is. So if you can spare some time to help me look for him... that'd be great. [ the fact that he's actually asking for help with this tells just how dire the situation has gotten.

another pause — it almost seems like he's going to end it there, but he continues, voice tight, ] But be careful if you actually find him. He's — [ god, how does he warn people and still keep Peter's secret identity? is that even something he should be worrying about right now?? ]

He's going to be more dangerous than your usual infected person. [ there, that'll have to do. ]

Just, if you have any news about him, any leads... let me know. Please. [ with that not-at-all-desperate-sounding closing statement, he ends the post. ]

( ooc: so peter is infected and needs to be found, if you'd like to volunteer for actual threads w the infected party comment to the ooc post and/or hit up katy, or if you want to thread out actual searching hit me up here! )

Comments

[figureitout]

[ that. actually gets him to cough a laugh, brief though it is. ]

Yeah, and one of them is going to judge you really hard for thinking he needs a support group. [ spoilers: he doesn't mean Peter. ]

... honestly? Yes. [ and nothing, nothing so far has pained him more to admit out loud. maybe the super strength and all won't be a match for those with magic... but he'd rather not take any chances. ]

[fateality]

No, he'll love it. Just wait. [He knows. At the very least, the laugh he earns, brief as it is, is satisfying.]

...Hm. [While he suspects that there's something unspoken here, he doesn't pry. Instead:] I'll just make sure to keep my distance, then. If I can catch 'im, good. If not, I'll let you know.

[figureitout]

If you say so. [ honestly though, sometimes it feels half of Audentes could benefit from a support group... ]

Sounds like a good plan. I just... don't want anyone to get hurt. [ which is ridiculous and naive and probably not going to happen, but shouldn't he at least try for that, instead of being resigned to casualties right from the start? ]

[fateality]

I sure do.

That's a nice hope. [He won't talk down on Stiles on that one. People are probably going to get hurt, though.] Maybe we'll get him in time.

[figureitout]

A nice hope, huh?

[ this time, the laugh he breathes out is entirely devoid of humor. ]

You can say it, you know. That that's just a naive fantasy and I'm stupid for thinking it'd be that easy.

[fateality]

I don't think it's stupid, Stiles.

But I also hope you're ready for whatever might happen at the end of this.

[figureitout]

No, it is. I don't know why I keep thinking it'll be fine, it's not like any of this has been fine until now, anyway. [ Peter already broke his arm, and if he can lash out at him like that... no one else is safe, either. ]

... I'll try, okay? As long as we find Peter and he's [ alive ] okay... I don't care about the rest.

[fateality]

It's a best case scenario. No reason to not wish for it.

That's fair. He means a lot to you, doesn't he?

[figureitout]

Would be the first time something went according to the best case scenario.

[ at the question, he very nearly breaks down laughing, because that's about the biggest understatement anyone's made so far... but after a pause he manages, ]

He's the closest friend I've got, here.

[fateality]

One could hope.

[Nothing wrong with making a vague statement to ensure the truth of things in the other party. It gives him a good picture.]

I can see that.

[figureitout]

... then you get why I have to find him.

[ why he's willing to distract some of the team from the overall goal... why he thinks it's worth it. ]

[fateality]

Yeah, I really do.

I'll keep you posted.

[figureitout]

... thanks.

[ it's not much, as far as declarations of gratitude go, but his tone probably says it all. ]