[ Her voice doesn’t shake, but she’s clearly upset to hear him say that. It was bad enough with Martin, likely worse considering how close they are, but Norman is even younger. He’s too responsible at his age. ]
You had nothing to do with it- literally nothing. Don’t feel guilty about it.
[It's not guilt as much as frustration with himself.
...Alright, maybe it is also guilt. But she's right - there's no point in dwelling on it. He puts a smile back in his voice.] Then I'll just say that I'm glad you're back.
Oh, I'm fine! Everything's as normal as it can be here. [Which...means no progress, so that's honestly a problem. But it definitely could be worse. And Cassandra has definitely had it worse.]
voice
Though the apology surprises him. He hadn't really expected a call - at least not right away. There's so much else to check on first.] It's alright.
[There's a pause, and his voice turns serious.] I'm sorry. About what happened. [She'd been sick and he hadn't noticed.]
voice
[ Her voice doesn’t shake, but she’s clearly upset to hear him say that. It was bad enough with Martin, likely worse considering how close they are, but Norman is even younger. He’s too responsible at his age. ]
You had nothing to do with it- literally nothing. Don’t feel guilty about it.
voice
...Alright, maybe it is also guilt. But she's right - there's no point in dwelling on it. He puts a smile back in his voice.] Then I'll just say that I'm glad you're back.
voice
Nothing's been happening with you, I hope? Or only good things? [ She doesn't much like how nervous he sounded. ]
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[ She can't help but say it, though then again, it's the best response she could hope for. ]
Nothing to report at all? [ After a pause- ] Anything good?
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Well, the reports about strange creatures haven't stopped. Though I'm not sure how many of those are real and how many are people inflating things.
[Normal conversation around here. Perhaps that's what's best right now.]
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[ A pause, and then: ]
If you even know what those are.
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They still never seem to get reliable pictures, so I wouldn't count on them as a source.
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[ For once, she actually sounds happy at that thought. She is. It's good to talk to him. ]
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Maybe Bigfoot is in the swamps in Florida.
[It's good, to be able to speculate on things with her again. Silly things as well as serious.]
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[ That's somewhat withering in tone, actually; she can't believe the world is teeming with actual cryptids. ]
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They might blend in more that way.