[It's actually a few days after Piers' call for aid that Thane gets back to him--the 6th day, to be precise, after the mayhem starts. It's given him the exact leverage he's needed to pilfer a good deal of supplies, some of which he'd promised to find for this man. Most of the items on the first list are among them-- sans the oxygen tanks... and the etch-a-sketch. But more importantly, several handyman tools he'd slipped out of the construction zone: a handheld drill, a hammer, a couple of different screwdrivers and an assortment of nails and screws. It would have been the only day he actually showed up for "work", and obviously would have required multiple trips.]

I'm not exactly what you might call an expert in thievery, but I've found some of the things you need. One package will be under a blanket in the alleyway behind the brothel. The other is behind the gym. I apologize for all the smoke and mirrors, but one can never be too careful with the exchange of stolen goods... and I am already trying to keep as low a profile as possible.

By the way, what is an etch-a-sketch?

[ It's probably one of the worst times to call, not that he has the right to complain about help-- but Piers is all sorts of scrambled, pulled apart form the inside and when he hears a voice in his head it actually makes him groan. The low, guttural sound is cut off as soon as he realizes he's making it, and he has to straighten himself up as if that will fix his tone. ]

Thanks I-- [ He sucks in a breath, brows furrowing. ] Just thanks.

[ The question, however, earns Thane a dry sort of chuckle. ] Kid's toy, for drawing, pretty uh... simple thing. Filled with shaved aluminum.

[The sound he hears in response to his message leaves concern twisting inside him-- and, perhaps, a twinge of something else. Fortunately for himself, Thane still has not taken to addressing anyone on the network beyond text. Tying his appearance to his name is something he's trying to avoid, and his voice would be entirely too obvious if someone were ever to meet him.]

A child using aluminium to draw? That's not exactly something I would have pictured. It doesn't sound very safe at all, although I understand now your request for one.

Are you all right?

It's.. ah better than it sounds. [ Is all he can offer in explanation. Perhaps he could tell more at another time, but with the way his body was taunting him he wasn't able to think of a better answer for him. His reply is still voice, if only because he didn't have the capacity to text at the moment. ]

Oh, I'm just peachy. [ A slow, pitiful sigh, that he tries to muffle. ] You know-- just another day in Ariel. [ He tries to laugh but it sends a pulse of pain through his ribs and rips another groan from him. ]

[It's difficult to offer comfort over written word--so to speak--and he wishes he could do more. But beyond the packages, Thane has little else to offer through this particular medium of his.]

Another day that's taken a rather harsh turn. Please take care of yourself, Nivans.

Yeah... [ He's quiet for a moment, because it means something that people at least attempt to give a shit in this place, sometimes. ] Thanks. You too.

[Scribbles make it evident that he edited this a lot before finally posting it.]

I'm sorry for last night. I can't imagine what a burden this must be on you, and I wish I could do something more to help you.

I meant everything I said though. Please don't lose hope. I believe you're stronger than you know, and I've always thought so. I'm grateful for the help you've given me and I wouldn't trust anyone else to have my back here like you do. I owe you my life.

If you really want me to leave, I will, but I will not stop being available for you and I will not stop being your friend. You can trust me with anything you need. If it's in my power, I'll do anything I can to lift some weight off your chest.

I won't bring this up again unless you do. I'm sorry.


Chris

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[ It's painful to think about, but Wesker is right. He has seen others loose their minds, loose themselves to the virus-- the same could happen to him too couldn't it? ]

I know that. [ He just doesn't know what to do. ]

[ A long pause, ]
What would you need?