networkinthenight | Audio | @silent, @parker, @riku

[ It has been hours since the lighthouse crew returned to Beacon. You may have seen them around already - checking up on friends and strangers alike, making sure people are safe from the forest spirits and their violence. So it’s some time after that the audio file is posted to the network. ]

Riku: It’s done. The lighthouse is connected.

Peter: That’s the good news. [ a beat; frankly, peter’s tired and it’s reflected in the audible exhale of breath that follows the brief statement. ] Which means we can now communicate with the Lighthouse Keeper and she can communicate with us. I know— things didn’t exactly go as planned, at the lighthouse or — here, but Winters said there’d be a risk. [ the word’s enunciated carefully, with weight; it’s accompanied by the brief sound of movement. that they all knew there'd be the risk of death going into this doesn't change the gravity of what had happened, and though there's more to it than this, peter continues with: ]

—The spirits attacked once they figured out what we were trying to do. [ breath of a pause; amendment. ] Once they thought they figured out what we were trying to do—.

[ in person, peter's attention flickers between rosinante and riku. ]

Rosinante: They came for us immediately when they found us. We ran, but Winters was at the rear and they got him first. Five was first to try and help him, and they killed him too.

[ Said bluntly, matter-of-factly. There’s no desire to beat around the bush, though he does sound solemn as he continues. ]

I can’t speak for the others, but I’ll be here at the Invincible for now if anyone has questions, or needs somewhere to hide.

[ For now, all three are there around the tables by the bar, looking tired and covered in blood and dirt. Worse for wear, but alive. ]

((Feel free to either reply via network or come find them in person!))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

We were all being attacked at once. Five was just the first one to get there, it's not like we abandoned him. Or either of them. But there were too many, and they see a lot better than we do in the dark. He was right there, it was...

[Fast. Awful. But he steels himself, because it's not the first time he's lost a companion to combat.]

We all tried to help. But at some point you have to go before the body count climbs high and every time you lose one, it gets harder for the rest to fight back.

You don't need to tell me what they're like.

[It's a little snappy, like he's intending to cut off any further description.]

God that bitch. [And now it sounds like he's muttering to himself? Did he forget he was talking to someone?] Can't keep her goddamned dogs on a leash for one night. When did the foghorn start? What were you doing?

[Oh, guess he didn't forget after all.]

[Right, that's understandable. Will knew Winters better than any of the rest of them, he has to imagine. And mention of the Keeper, of the spirits as her 'dogs', has him sounding cautious when he replies.]

We connected up the cables, me and Five. The other three were watching our backs. And then the horn started up, and they all came at us.

[So many questions right now but he'll patiently wait to see what Will says to that.]

[Will scoffs.]

And isn't that timing awfully convenient? I suppose she didn't need you anymore. Though why she'd leave Winters to die is beyond me. Seems rather counter-intuitive. I suppose now that she's reconnected, we'll have to have a little chat.

[It's normal for him to practically spit out his emphasized words, but right now, there's a little extra venom.]

I hadn't had time to think about it until now. Barely had time to breathe.

[But it's more than suspicious, it's downright damning. Especially given Will's reaction, because Will knows more about this than he does and he respects the guy for what he knows and what he's been through.]

Sounds like she has a history of using people for her benefit. Winters knew this, didn't he?

[Will sighs.]

He did. He knew what she was like better than most. But he trusted her anyway.

[And there's definitely a bitter taste to that.]

Whole lot of good that did him.

Perhaps he'll be back soon.

[Although from what he's gathered, there's a decent chance he won't be. He doesn't speak from optimism so much as fact - there's still a possibility that a few days from now they'll find him in the church, even with the state his lantern was in. Winters had lots of knowledge he hadn't yet passed on and that information will be sorely missed if it's never received.]

I only just got to know him, but I'm sure he thought it was the right decision to make. Are you all right?

[It would seem Ignis' hunch wasn't wrong with this one. There are times when he wants to be, but his gut usually doesn't lie to him. He doesn't comment on that though- they can talk later about it.]

I see the Keeper didn't bother to warn about the foghorn. [He still thinks connecting her to the network is wrong thing to do.]

Can you gather your bearings and see where you are? I can try and come get you.

[He's pretty darn skillful.]

I think I'm close to the Church. I was never past the fence to start with.

[Which is probably a contributing factor in his still being alive. Well, such as it is, anyway.]

The foghorn— it started after, or around the same time. The spirits were already on the move, anyway. Whatever that means.

Try to reach it and stay out of sight. I will be there in less than ten minutes.

[Past the fence or no, spirits are still attacking anyone they see.]

We will try to figure it out once we get you to a safe place.

[Knowing Noct and the others are safe (for now) he can try to reach and get Will out of trouble as well. He's not sure if the guy can fight or no, but he doesn't want to risk it.]

Right. I'll meet you there.

[He doesn't argue with the rescue attempt, because now is not the time for such arguments. He can't fight whatsoever, but at least he's good at hiding and somehow slipping through the fingers of death.

He was right, he's close to the church, and he manages to make it there shortly. He doesn't go inside, because that seems like prime "spirit attack" territory, so he just stays around the side and waits.]

Audio | @silent, @parker, @riku | open

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