Snowblind Inbox

[averytinyparticle]

This is Quark! Please leave me a message and I'll read it as soon as I can!

Comments

Day 49, Early Morning, Text

[rattlingthestars]

Hey,

I don't think we've talked before but my name's Jim. A while back I found a program that you could use on the tablet to break filters on private posts. When I used it I could tell that @admin had some stuff that was private, but the program I had wasn't strong enough.

I think the thing you found the other day might help us out.

Do you want to try it?

[averytinyparticle]

Hi Jim its nice to meet you! That all sounds really super cool! I'd like to try, yeah! What should I do?

[Text doesn't adequately portray exactly how determined he feels right now.]

Day 052; text; @starspangledhero

[fifty]

[Attached is one photograph of Quark's snowman joined with a fellow snowman. They're snowman friends. They're the same size, too.]

Kept my snowman promise. :)

[averytinyparticle]

They look so happy together! Thanks so much, Mister!

text, @totheark, Day 62 evening

[0thingsonmymind]

ilooked hospital base ment morgue
no NIMA
no MN

body draw ers locked but no other lock ed

[averytinyparticle]

nothing?
oh well

[It sucks, but they can't change what isn't there.]

thanks for checking
and for letting me know!

Morning, Day 71, voice

[despiteeverything]

[Their voice is a little bit shaky. Reliving their memories was... rough. And even after they'd stabilized, they'd had really bad nightmares that night.]

Quark? Are you okay? [Deep breath] Where are you? We couldn't find you. I'm... I'm sorry we didn't notice that you were gone.

[Just... be okay, all right?]

Night 71, voice

[averytinyparticle]

[Frisk doesn't get an answer until after lockdown. Quark had put down his tablet to have both of his hands for searching Shelley's house...and completely forgot about it. Well, that's half true. He forgot because he was distracted, but he distracted himself on purpose. He doesn't want to think about what just happened to them.]

Sorry, I didn't see your message sooner. I'm fine, I'm okay. [He sounds exhausted, winded, like he hasn't stopped moving for hours.] I don't...remember leaving. I'm sorry for worrying you. How are you and Sans?

Morning 71, voice @Enoch

[warriorscribe]

Quark? Are you all right? Did Frisk's message reach you?

[Enoch sounds far more shaken and disturbed than he did when they last spoke. His voice is hoarse and his sentences are choppier. Of course, all it would take would be a glance at the network to learn why...]

Night 71, voice

[averytinyparticle]

[When Quark notices he (deliberately) missed another message, he goes from feeling guilty to feeling like he wants to kick himself. How many people did he worry? He just...he just wants to help, and forget all of this horrible things in his head. So why? Why is everything turning out so...so rotten? His voice isn't in a bad shape like Enoch's, but it goes from sounding tired to sounding tearful the longer his response goes on.]

I'm sorry, Mr. Enoch. I'm really sorry, I got the message, I just saw it, I put the tablet down when I woke up and I don't know what I was thinking, I shouldn't have done it, I didn't mean to worry anybody. Please don't be mad.

93, shortly after Quark's thread with Angel

[despiteeverything]

Don't... you don't have to listen to her. She's wrong. What they're doing is wrong. All of them are wrong. Sometimes grown-ups act like just because we're kids we can't really understand things, when it's them that are making stuff complicated.

[They're upset and frustrated and it all comes out very flat and devoid of emotion. Because this is hitting way too personally in many, many ways. So much of the Underground's story is tied up in revenge gone wrong.

But there's something a bit more important than that. A friend who Frisk wishes they could hug right now.]

Are you okay?

[averytinyparticle]

I know...why is it so hard for them to see it? I don't understand. It's so obvious. None of this...none of this makes any sense! Why can't everybody just be nice to each other? It's so stupid...

[He takes a deep breath. His throat's starting to hurt for how much he's been talking. But, talking makes it easier not to listen to House getting hurt. Not much easier, but a little.]

I'm okay. I just wish I was able to do something. I'm going to see if the admin will help.

Day 101, Early Morning; text ; @milkevoli

[brokethefirst]

Quark? This is Luna.

If you can read this, let me know where you are. I'm going to try and find you as soon as I can, okay?

text;

[averytinyparticle]

Im really close to where we were before, just closer to the eastern ice wall.
I've been traveling southwest, but I'm still around the same area.
Where are you? Are you okay? :(

Morning 101, shortly after that thing that happened

[despiteeverything]

Quark? Have you seen my mom? I gotta find her. I have to-

[By this point their facade of calm is cracking badly. They stop, trying to take slower breaths so they don't panic.]

What about you? Where are you?

[Please don't say downtown.]

video;

[averytinyparticle]

No, I haven't, I'm sorry.

[It's a struggle for Quark to even give Frisk a gentle response. His tone may be a bit clipped as a result, but of course it isn't their fault. He knows they're worried about their mom, and they deserve to hear something nice. He wants to try. He really, really does. It's just so hard. He thinks about House screaming as Beckett breaks his bones and he can't stop feeling so cheated somehow. That was supposed to be the end.]

I'm nowhere close to downtown. If--If I was--

[Maybe he could have done something to stop it? No. There's nothing he would've be able to do. But maybe, just maybe...he could do something else to make himself feel better. Something stupid. He doesn't care about logic right now.]

Morning 101; @lockhart; video

[powersouls]

Quark?

[She's worried about him after seeing his reaction to Al's video, but "sorry" seems inadequate. "Are you okay?" is very obviously a stupid question, so she pauses, letting out a breath.]

Is there anyone with you? Are you somewhere safe?

video;

[averytinyparticle]

No. I'm alone.

[He spent the night--he spent two nights in a house that had nothing left but a coat closet. He's tired and sore and cramped and miserable and everything is just horrible. Quark wants to scream at nothing, but Tifa doesn't deserve that. She probably just wants to help.]

There's nowhere safe here.

Night 102; @hotstud_xxx; text

[rubikscomplex]

[He'd seen Quark's response to all of this and... well, he owes the kid something, even if it's brief.]

i'm alive
saw you found something for me
at the chapel
heading toward the school tomorrow

text;

[averytinyparticle]

[The message makes Quark's heart leap up into his throat. It's the most intense sort of mood whiplash he's felt in as long as he can remember. He's still upset, of course, because House never should've been murdered--he never should've been beat up, either. But he's alive again. He...he didn't disappear. He came back just like he did before.

Quark breathes a sigh of relief and rubs his face. That's one thing to stop worrying about.]

good!
i found you some binoculars
you can use those right?

im just south of that frozen pond.
do you want me to meet you there?

@SceptredIsle; text; night 102

[keepscalm]

Good evening, Quark.

I realise you're an exceptionally clever lad, and you likely don't need much help, if any, so I apologise if I'm being presumptuous. But I wanted to see if you were all right.

[England is laying it on thick, but he hopes if he's kind enough, Quark won't have any reason to suspect that Luna is involved here.]

text;

[averytinyparticle]

[Flattery will get you everywhere, England. And House coming back from the grave, as well, has done wonders to ease some of his tension.]

Yeah im ok.
Sorry if i scared you.

[But then, there is something. Probably the opposite sort of thing England's hoping to talk about.]

Miss Luna hasnt been responding to my messages though and im getting kinda worried
she told me she would check up with me since shes downtown where the bad guy is.

@SceptredIsle; voice; morning 104

[keepscalm]

[It's a lot easier when he's not doing it over video, so England's tone is rather self-assured as it comes through the tablet.] Good morning, Quark. I wanted to wish you a merry Christmas.

I know it's been a difficult few days for all of us, but you've been very brave in spite of all the chaos. If there's anything I can do for you, let me know.

@milkevoli; text; after lockdown 103

[brokethefirst]

Quark?

It's Luna. I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to be so quiet for this long, but I'm okay! I hope you'll forgive me.

If you're still awake when you get this, just let me know, okay?

text;

[averytinyparticle]

Miss Luna! Im so happy to hear from you! Of course I forgive you. Im just glad your okay. I was really worried.

are we going to be far away for a really long time? :(

[The weather's getting bad...]

@starspangledhero; voice; night 110/morning 111, a little after midnight

[fifty]

[America may be up late but you'd better answer this in the morning!] Happy New Year, kiddo! Hope things are going okay for you if you don't count the being stuck in Norfinbury part.

DAY 110 - sometime after the Winter post, audio

[brokethefirst]

...Are you okay, Quark? Are you feeling any better today?

[She only sounds a little worried. She can't help it. But at least she's trying to keep it toned down to something gentler.]

voice;

[averytinyparticle]

[Quark is really, really glad to hear from Luna. He wouldn't have been posting to the Winter stuff if he was still feeling super rotten, of course...but hearing her voice really puts him at ease. And there's a stab of guilt, as well, but who can really help that?]

Miss Luna! Yeah, I'm feeling a lot better. I'm sorry if I scared you...I don't really know what happened or why I was seeing those things again. Are you okay?

@milkevoli, text, Night 114

[brokethefirst]

The weather's finally better downtown, Quark! I'm going to be heading through the tunnels starting tomorrow, okay?

Where are you right now?

voice;

[averytinyparticle]

Hooray! That's great news, Miss Luna! I'm up at the school! I've been staying here the past few days because me and Kesara are working together to look for clues. I'm really excited to see you again! Are you doing okay?

@determination, video when do you think

[despiteeverything]

Quark...

[They hesitate. They don't think they've ever heard him that angry. But they wouldn't be them if they let a little thing like that stop them. Toriel'd faced them down with flames and they'd kept going.]

You won't ever be alone, okay? Where are you? We... we can come find you.

[They haven't even had a chance to talk to Toriel yet, but they're sure she'll agree. She has to.]

video;

[averytinyparticle]

It's okay.

[Quark almost doesn't respond--mostly because he doesn't know how. But ultimately, he decides he cares too much about Frisk to do anything that could seem so impersonal. Even if he doesn't really feel like talking, he'll talk to them. They deserve better than a text response, even.

He turns on the camera and replies, though it isn't till a bit later in the afternoon. He looks and sounds like he's been crying for days. He probably has. He can barely even look straight at the tablet screen.]

I can go to you, maybe...after I give Mr. Rhys and Miss Angel their friend Dumpy back. I was looking at the pond with Miss Luna. Where are you?

@hsiaoke; voice; day 124 post-obits

[heavensreader]

Quark?

[Kesara is cold, very cold, and her voice shivers a little. She sounds thoughtful, subdued, in a strange way. Almost like a new respect.]

I saw about Dr. Luna. Are you - going to do anything?

@milkevoli, voice, Morning 130

[brokethefirst]

Quark? Quark, please, let me know where you are. Are you okay?

[It's an exhausted, concerned rush of words. She'd seen him down in those tunnels, but now that the screens were blank... she doesn't want to assume the worst.]

voice;

[averytinyparticle]

Luna!

[He saw her on the feed when they were all running away from that big monster thing, so he knows by now she's alive and back but...it's still kind of hard to believe. After a few days, it was easy to believe she'd be gone for good--only a couple people ever came back after more than that time had passed. But she's here, and he already feels so much better knowing.]

I'm okay! I'm with Miss Fiona. [And then, because it's pretty self explanatory but deserves being said out loud:] I missed you so much! I'm so glad you're back!

@ketximq; audio; Night 142

[mightyratslayer]

Hey, dude. How're you doin'? I, uh, just wanted to check in after that whole thing yesterday. [A pause.] You caught a lot of shit for stickin' up for us, and like, that's not right, y'know? Sorry it came down to that, and sorry about the pricks that jumped down your throat.

Anyway, I hope you're alright. And, thanks.

audio;

[averytinyparticle]

Oh, hey Mister. I'm doing okay. I didn't think I'd get yelled at by so many people, but...I dunno. People are weird here like that. They stick up for people who don't deserve it. I'm sorry that you were getting yelled at too even though you're the one that got hurt.

[He hesitates--mostly because of a coughing fit.]

Are you okay, though? Does it hurt really badly? I hope not...it really means a lot to me that you listened. Most people don't listen to me.

@starspangledhero; text; night 149

[fifty]

[England said he was out looking for Quark, so of course America has to send him a message.]

Hey, kiddo.

text;

[averytinyparticle]

hi

[It's not much, but it's easier to keep it short when he feels so cold and he doesn't know how long he's going to have to talk for.]

did somebody tell you

@SceptredIsle; text; night 149

[keepscalm]

Are you somewhere safe?

[It's not too long until lockdown when England messages Quark. There's something a little off about the brevity of the message.]

text;

[averytinyparticle]

no
outside

[And because just leaving it at that seems somehow even more wrong than the fact that it's the truth...]

im sorry

@SceptredIsle; text; morning 151

[keepscalm]

[Quark is back. He sounded so scared in that post, but he's alive, and England feels incredible relief.

Quark deserves to be contacted privately about this, but England can't bring himself to use anything but text when he feels so shaken about what he's lost. He doesn't want to burden Quark any further.]

Hello, Quark. I'm back.

I saw your post. Unfortunately, I won't be able to get to you in time, as I appear to have woken in the hospital. I'm sorry I can't be of more help. Please let me know once you've safely found shelter.

text;

[averytinyparticle]

[Quark doesn’t get much of a chance to even look at his messages until after lockdown, anyway, so by the time he replies to England’s message, he’s already at least...relatively calm. If fairly depressed. And frustrated.]

hi mr england
I’m sorry about what happened and i’m glad your back.
I got help from mr watson and mr alfie and miss fiona so I’m safe now.
Thank you for your message. I’m sorry that i couldnt reply sooner.

@dickcheese, voice; day 152

[headjacked]

-- uh, hey there. Shorty.

[ how do you child... ]

Iiii'm sorry for blowing up at you, and getting into nasty, totally irrelevant details.

voice;

[averytinyparticle]

You can just call me Quark.

[And he's still in a pretty bad mood with the whole...lack of ability to walk situation, but he's recovered himself enough emotionally that he's able to take an even and understanding tone in his reply.]

You don't need to apologize about that, I wasn't really mad...but thanks. I'm sorry if I brought up bad memories for you. I didn't mean to offend anyone or start an argument.

@snailfan98, text - Day 154

[inruins]

Quark.

I nearly did not send you this letter, but I feel it is worth both our times for me to be honest. You are Frisk's closest friend in this place. I know I can depend on you to keep an eye on Frisk for me if I do die again in the future. My illness is progressing in a worrying manner that I felt the need to send this to you.

I am getting medicine from Dr. Watson, so it should help. Please indulge this silly old woman in continuing to help Frisk. I doubt anything will happen, but a mother always worries.

Please take care of yourself, young one. Remember I care for you dearly as I do Frisk.

- Toriel

[averytinyparticle]

hi miss toriel!
I don’t think your silly at all. :)
Thank you for trusting me...I know I’ve made things really hard for you and Frisk lately with my reckless behavior.

[Because, you know, absolutely dying while you were disoriented is the definite indicator of a reckless and irresponsible child.]

I definitely think that you’ll be all better soon! Mr. Watson is a great doctor!
But I still promise that I’d always look after Frisk and keep them safe whenever I can.