futurology | ( audio ; @man of still )

[ 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! )

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[ he can't help the relief he feels when Keith talks to him — as much as he wants to tell him to go and focus on the doctor, to go in the sewers and help out there, he can handle this... he needs someone on this he can trust, and there aren't many in the team who have truly earned his trust like Keith. ]

... great, well, he neglected to mention any details about that plan. [ in other words: no. if he had any idea, he'd have searched the place already. ]

I don't want to keep you from helping out trying to find Dr. Percy... but honestly? I'd feel better knowing I've got you with me on this.

People are gonna prioritize Percy before they look for Peter. It might be the ticket to ending all of this. [That might not be true, but whatever, that's how Keith sees it.

He's a cynic.]

So, they can handle one less body among them. Besides, I know Peter. I can help with something.

I know. And they — they should. [ but goddamn if that doesn't kill him to say, because to him, nothing is more important than finding Peter. what does finding the cure matter, if he's not there to be cured?

(no, he knows it matters. of course it does... but for him, the priorities are equal.) ]

That's true. Seriously... thanks, man. You're — [ a good friend, he thinks, but just ends up shaking his head even though Keith can't see it. ] Thanks, [ he repeats again, hoping it conveys it all. ]

That's what teammates are for. [And friends. There's an amiable tone to Keith's voice, like he wants to say the right thing here and he's just decided on it. It's mostly foreign to someone like Stiles, but it's ... a show of an underlining effort that he's constantly moving toward these days.]

If he's sick, does that mean you're sick? [Keith isn't the type of guy to put those things together, but Peter and Stiles seem pretty close. The odds of infecting one another seem, well. High.]

Right, [ he responds, and finally, his tone shifts away from the borderline-panic-and-despair, taking on some warmth, sounding like he's even smiling slightly.

... though, that doesn't last long. ]

I don't have time to think of that now. [ which is practically an admission, but he can't, he can't think of that now. even if he is infected... it can't have been more than three, four weeks. he tested himself before that and the test was clean — if it has caught him, it must be after. he'll be fine. ]

It's not—look, don't take this the wrong way. And I don't blame you if you would normally. Because Lance did. And I guess it was even worse with him—

[He sounds like he's explaining in frustration, but some of that does have to do with himself.]

I need to know if you're sure to make sure I don't get sick. To make sure we don't expose more people while we find Peter. It sounds like you are. That means you don't have to do as much legwork as me.

[ when Keith finally manages to make his words obey him, to get the request out there, Stiles feels almost relieved — with the way Keith was sure to preface it, he thought it'd be... worse.

this, though? ha, like he wasn't planning on it already. ]

Why would I take it the wrong way? [ it's a legitimate concern to have, one he feels Keith has all the right to voice. ] But don't worry, I'm on it. I'll make sure even when I'm out there, looking, I won't touch anyone. I have, like, two tons of disinfectant with me — no one's getting infected because of me, I swear.

I—[He doesn't know, actually. Lance is his boyfriend (maybe?), so it makes sense that he'd be more irritated with Keith's selfishness.

Also, Stiles not being bothered does help Keith realize more why Lance was bothered. So, accidental giving himself a clue.] Forget it. It sounds like you're prepared. That's what matters.

[ even half-mad with worry, anxiety a swirling pool inside his head, a tide he can't escape — even like this, he's still not blind to the way Keith suddenly trails off, the way his voice seems to change.

the few people he truly cares about will always, always take priority, and right now this is enough to make him push away his own worries and focus on Keith, instead. ]

No, I'm not forgetting about it. Keith, what's wrong? How did Lance take it? If you were worried about saying that to me, it must've gone badly.

Can we not do this right here? [he snaps, sounding a bit more like the Keith of old. This is all rather public, after all.]

[ wow, okay then — at least he's used to Keith's temper at this point, so all he responds with is, ]

Sure. You know how to talk to me off-public channels, if you want.

[ if you want, because he's not going to push, for once. just making it clear that if it's something Keith needs to talk about, like his tone had suggested... well. he does have someone he can talk to. ]

I do know.

[That was a conversation ender if there was ever one.]

... great.

[ FLATLY, SO FLATLY. ]

Look, just — let me know if you find Peter, okay? And thanks for, you know. Offering to help.

You're welcome.

[It goes without saying, but ... he says it.]

I'll catch up with you. Keep your magitek on you. ["Don't be like Peter," basically.]

[ that gets him a laugh, tired and humorless as it is. ]

Don't worry. I don't exactly have plans to go hide somewhere.

It'd be counterproductive.

[He is not taking it so literally.]

Ha, yeah. No kidding.

[ counterproductive, and stupid. ]

... I won't, okay? I'll keep it with me. You can contact me if you need to. [ or track him... whichever. ]

( audio ; @man of still )

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