[A real book. The image of the Library flashes before his inner eye; rows and rows of old tomes, waiting for him to be taken out the shelf, flipped through, touched...]
Not sure where you're at right now, but we're planning on traveling across town anyway. Royce has pointed out that all of us could use some bread, so we're going to finally make a trek downtown. We could meet up with you on the way?
We're all the way in the last area, so pretty much everything's on our route. We'll pop out of the tunnels wherever you're closest. Should even have some convenience store stuff, if you're getting tired of the vending machine fare.
And you know? I've never made it there before- it always seemed like the opposite direction of where we were trying to get to. But it sort of feels like Admin's given up on us- [ He realizes his voice has lost it's cheerful edge and stops himself until he can put it back in there. He does better when he's focusing on the positive, he knows this. ] We've really gotta take breaks for ourselves every so often. I think I've earned mine now.
Sounds great. I feel like I've been living off that stuff for a decade. [He holds up an empty wrapper with a bemused expression.] Still surprised we haven't all died of scurvy yet.
[His last statement gives him pause.] Nothing wrong with a break now and then. ... You alright, Gabriel?
[ Whoops, he was too noticeable. He nods, then shrugs. At least he doesn't try to force the cheerfulness anymore. He sort of already ruined that. ]
Yeah, I'm fine. Just- I've been up in this area most of this whole time. It's always tough to admit when we haven't made any progress, y'know? I'd rather focus on other things.
-it was the wrong progress, I was really going the other way, obviously. But I've never had the chance to try and fix it, not really. And I don't think either of us are great with stagnation.
[ He stares at his feet for a second too long before looking back up again. ]
Still, there's not much else for us to do but keep moving, right?
[ Al has buoyed his spirits for so long- he'd have given up ages ago if not for him. Gabriel's eyes look back down at his hands for a moment, uncertainty flickering across his expression for just a moment. ]
I do think we have to plan a little differently, though. More long-term than most of us thought.
[He watches Gabriel for a moment, trying to come up with something comforting to say.] Well, the town hasn't defeated us yet. If anything, that speaks for us.
Yep. We're here for the long haul, whether the town likes it or not.
[ Now if it would just give them a break, that'd be great. ]
Anyway, you take it easy after all that, okay? I'll let you know when we'll be in the Industrial Area. We can have a slumber party when we're over there.
[ Because if Gabriel's taking a 'vacation', then everyone else he meets is going to have a tiny one too. And Flynn could use some company other than Peter for a bit. ]
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I... yeah.
[He clears his throat.] I'd like that.
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Okay, then.
Not sure where you're at right now, but we're planning on traveling across town anyway. Royce has pointed out that all of us could use some bread, so we're going to finally make a trek downtown. We could meet up with you on the way?
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[It's been so long it doesn't even feel like he's ever been.] Bread sounds amazing. We're in the industrial complex. That on your route?
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And you know? I've never made it there before- it always seemed like the opposite direction of where we were trying to get to. But it sort of feels like Admin's given up on us- [ He realizes his voice has lost it's cheerful edge and stops himself until he can put it back in there. He does better when he's focusing on the positive, he knows this. ] We've really gotta take breaks for ourselves every so often. I think I've earned mine now.
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[His last statement gives him pause.] Nothing wrong with a break now and then. ... You alright, Gabriel?
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[ Whoops, he was too noticeable. He nods, then shrugs. At least he doesn't try to force the cheerfulness anymore. He sort of already ruined that. ]
Yeah, I'm fine. Just- I've been up in this area most of this whole time. It's always tough to admit when we haven't made any progress, y'know? I'd rather focus on other things.
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[He exhales, flicking the wrapper away. It sticks to his fingers and it takes him two, three bemused attempts before he can fend it off. Ugh.]
I used to be all about making progress, back in my world.
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-it was the wrong progress, I was really going the other way, obviously. But I've never had the chance to try and fix it, not really. And I don't think either of us are great with stagnation.
[ He stares at his feet for a second too long before looking back up again. ]
Still, there's not much else for us to do but keep moving, right?
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[He laughs, humorlessly, but nods at his assessment. On the move, yes. Running, he used to be a runner a lifetime ago.]
You still believe we can make it out of here?
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Won't find out if we give up. Right?
[ Al has buoyed his spirits for so long- he'd have given up ages ago if not for him. Gabriel's eyes look back down at his hands for a moment, uncertainty flickering across his expression for just a moment. ]
I do think we have to plan a little differently, though. More long-term than most of us thought.
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Right.
[He watches Gabriel for a moment, trying to come up with something comforting to say.] Well, the town hasn't defeated us yet. If anything, that speaks for us.
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[ Now if it would just give them a break, that'd be great. ]
Anyway, you take it easy after all that, okay? I'll let you know when we'll be in the Industrial Area. We can have a slumber party when we're over there.
[ Because if Gabriel's taking a 'vacation', then everyone else he meets is going to have a tiny one too. And Flynn could use some company other than Peter for a bit. ]
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A slumber party. Sounds great, wouldn't miss it for the world.
Thanks, I will. Take care of yourself, alright?
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See you soon, Flynn.
[ He's smiling as he hangs up. ]