Voicemail

[nice_pipes]

Hey, you've reached Piper McLean. I can't take your call right now, but leave me a message and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. Thanks!

Comments

[zombiedude]

[This is going to be very awkward but Nico feels... it's just something she should know, because she's Jason's girlfriend and he feels guilty about it.]

Hey, Piper.

[He is so so glad for being able to just think-text someone. It makes it a little more easier.]

[nice_pipes]

[Piper jumps when the text enters her head. First time thought-texting for her, oops. It takes her a moment to respond, mostly because she's both getting herself comfortable and concentrating on the whole process.]

Nico? What's up?

[zombiedude]

Have you had time to speak with Jason about things yet?

[nice_pipes]

Oh yeah. Like, we didn't get into the nitty gritty, but...he basically confirmed what I already knew. Along with everyone else I've spoken with. It's...an idea I'm not yet used to, but I know that I have to if our relationship is going to survive.

[zombiedude]

Did he mention anything about us? I mean, me.

[nice_pipes]

No. I take it you were one of his partners? I didn't ask him to tell me their names or anything.

[zombiedude]

[Partners, she says. He runs his hands over his face, wishing something would come and swallow him up.]

I'm sorry.

[nice_pipes]

Nico, I'm not going to be angry at you for trusting Jason enough for something like that! But I do appreciate you telling me. Honestly, I probably would've done the same thing if our roles were reversed.

[zombiedude]

He's the only-

[Nico cuts himself off, not finishing that thought.]

It won't happen again.

[He's not entirely sure what she means by she would have done the same thing. Tell him? Or sleep with Jason? He's not sure he wants to know the answer.]

[zombiedude]

[Nico is so nervous that he actually slips up and uses voice instead of think texting like he usually does.]

Piper.

[... What does he even say, oh gods, he doesn't know what to do, but Piper's the only one around who he thinks might be able to help on such short notice because Masaki's away on her excursion and he can't go to her for help.]

... Hey.

[You can practically hear the nervousness rolling off his words.]

[nice_pipes]

[Piper's starting to get used to this, but she still jumps when there's a voice that sounds like Nico in her head. The nervousness is immediately apparent.]

Hey, Nico. What's up?

[Concerned? A little, but since Nico's not freaking out, she's not going to freak out, either.]

[zombiedude]

I need... help. With something. Uh... I'd... I'd ask Masaki but she's away for a few days.

[nice_pipes]

[Well. Piper seriously doubts that this is girl trouble, but she'll keep her mind open. She won't rule out some girl forming a crush on Nico and him not knowing how to let her down. Or if she's persistent, how to get her to stop.]

I've got free time. You wanna talk about it like this or do you want me to go find you?

[zombiedude]

It doesn't matter. [So so hesitant.] I just. Wanted to ask about. Uhm. ... Clothes.

[nice_pipes]

[Definitely not what she's expecting. Piper blinks and considers that.]

Okay. What kind of occasion is it for? Or what specifically do you want my help with?

[zombiedude]

A... [Okay, Nico, you can say the word, it's okay, it's not going to kill you.] A date? [He sounds a little strangled.]

I have a really nice suit that Masaki made me get for the masquerade and my regular clothes but - I don't - I've never been to a club before, what do you wear to a club?

[Oh my gods, why is he talking about what he's going to wear, what is happening to his life, why does he even care about what to wear, it's just a simple date, Nico, Edmund probably doesn't even care what he wears, and Nico really has to resist the urge to start tearing his hair out.]

[nice_pipes]

[OH NO THIS IS ADORABLE. SHE NEVER THOUGHT NICO WOULD BE ADORABLE, BUT HERE HE IS. BEING ADORABLE. ALL UP IN HER FACE HEAD.

Nico has gained the full Jason-Piper set as a friendship. Congratulations!]

Um....

[Yeah, in all seriousness, she thinks about it.]

Mostly casual clothes work. Since you're going to a club, I'd wear a short sleeve shirt and no jacket. It's going to get hot in there since there's typically a lotta people and dancing going on.

[Okay, she's only been in one once and not again. It's not a good feeling to get kicked out by bouncers and have her dad called to pick her up.]

For what's comfortable for you, I'd guess skinny jeans, black shirt, no jacket. The skull ring would still work, if you've got that. I can help you look for other accessories to give it more personality.

[zombiedude]

Hi, Piper.

I heard you were back?

[He's found out by now that Jason doesn't remember being here before, but he's not sure if Piper does or not.]

[nice_pipes]

[This is definitely a voice she's been hoping to hear. She smiles, glad to know that he hasn't forgotten this place. Or, at least, it doesn't sound like he had.]

Hey, Nico! Please tell me you remember Ariel or this is going to be an awkward conversation.

[zombiedude]

[He smiles wryly and gives a light dry chuckle.] I never left. It's been about four months since I first arrived.

[nice_pipes]

Half praise to the gods, then.

[The other half isn't deserved since they're here in the first place.]

Edmund still here, too?

[zombiedude]

[Oh boy. Here we go.]

Yeah, he is.

[nice_pipes]

[She hears that fondness, di Angelo, don't think she doesn't!!]

Spill! Or do I have to ask Edmund myself?

[zombiedude]

We started dating. I live with him now. And... he proposed to me a couple weeks ago.

[nice_pipes]

[Processing that last part....

Piper sounds like she's choking on water. Which she is because she totally doesn't expect the proposal part when she's having a drink of water.]

OH MY GODS!

[She blushes slightly at her shouting. Piper tries again, quieter this time, but no less happy and excited for him. From her brief time of knowing Nico, she trusts him to know when he's ready for things like this. She believes his judgment is sound, so....]

Oh my gods! Details, di Angelo! Where's the ring? How did it happen? Any plans? Anything I can help with?