[The first few backlogged messages tell the story of someone baffled by the sudden failure of technology, trying to brute-force it back into working. There's a first attempt, from when Dearka first wakes up to see Yzak is already out of the room. Twice he tries to send it:]
[The scariest thing about this is the fact that he can still message other outsiders. The reception is weak, and sometimes it takes a few tries to get through, but he CAN still contact them.
What does that mean for the missing people, then? Are they unconscious? Somewhere utterly without reception? Maybe they've had their oculars... Damaged, or removed somehow?? Or worse...
...
He's not used to all this uncertainty and anxiety. It's not the same as being in battle, either in a command position or being out there in the thick of it himself. This is a different kind of stress, a different flavor.]
I'm just gonna keep trying periodically until you answer, or we find you. Whichever comes first.
Lucy and Ereshkigal are also both missing. And a whole bunch of others as well.
I guess I should probably try them too.
Just so you know the only two ways you're allowed to die are either on the battlefield or in your sleep at age 200, and if you go out any other way I'm going to be PISSED.
[The 8th through the 9th, Dearka sends messages every few hours, but they aren't particularly interesting in content; usually just 'Yzak?' or 'test', just to see if anything goes through.
Nothing ever does.
Beyond that, he's largely focusing on the search... And growing increasingly frustrated by the lack of results.]
[at some point in the usual periodic attempts, he loses it a bit and has to let himself be a little silly, just for a second:]
you should know the only reason you're not getting a goddamn hyena from me every 20 minutes is because i'm pretty sure pictures have less of a chance of going through than text
you need to hurry up and let me know you're okay already because i'm stressed out and it's really fucking up the cool and suave image i've managed to cultivate around this team
[by the 12th, it's been 6 whole days since an entire third of their group went missing, and the remainder are no closer to figuring out where the hell they are than they were at the start.
that night, after skimming through some of their older conversations, Dearka breaks and tries to send a single hyena.]
[...there's a realization that only hits him after he hits send, and the sticker comes up with the little 'failed' marker next to it. It's the same as with every other message he's tried to get through since Yzak first disappeared... But this one comes with a moment of clear and painful understanding, struck dumb by just how sincere and accurate that single stupid, cutesy image is.
Those hyenas have always been kind of a silly joke. Semi-ironic, something playful Dearka uses to tease Yzak with... Now the weight of their separation, of the possibility that he might not ever send one of those stupid little stickers to his best friend ever again, hits him like a ton of bricks.
He's so agitated by this, he barely sleeps for the rest of the night.]
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Throughout the Oct. 2024 event
Morning, Oct. 7th
You get up for an early morning jog or something?
You get up for an early morning jog or something?
Morning, Oct. 7th (con't)
The hell is wrong with this thing?
Testing
Testing
Testing
Guess I shouldn't be surprised the reception is shit out here
If you get this you better contact me right away, OK?
Late morning/Early afternoon, Oct. 7th
Trying to keep his cool, Dearka sends two more desperate but ultimately futile messages:]
You'd better be alright old man
Fucking.... Answer me. Please.
Oct. 7th, evening
What does that mean for the missing people, then? Are they unconscious? Somewhere utterly without reception? Maybe they've had their oculars... Damaged, or removed somehow?? Or worse...
...
He's not used to all this uncertainty and anxiety. It's not the same as being in battle, either in a command position or being out there in the thick of it himself. This is a different kind of stress, a different flavor.]
I'm just gonna keep trying periodically until you answer, or we find you. Whichever comes first.
Lucy and Ereshkigal are also both missing. And a whole bunch of others as well.
I guess I should probably try them too.
Just so you know the only two ways you're allowed to die are either on the battlefield or in your sleep at age 200, and if you go out any other way I'm going to be PISSED.
Oct. 8th-9th
Nothing ever does.
Beyond that, he's largely focusing on the search... And growing increasingly frustrated by the lack of results.]
Still oct. 7-9, at some point
you should know the only reason you're not getting a goddamn hyena from me every 20 minutes is because i'm pretty sure pictures have less of a chance of going through than text
Oct. 10th
embarrassed myself in front of miss lacus
i think she's really disappointed
you need to hurry up and let me know you're okay already because i'm stressed out and it's really fucking up the cool and suave image i've managed to cultivate around this team
Oct. 12th (in the right place this time)
that night, after skimming through some of their older conversations, Dearka breaks and tries to send a single hyena.]
[...there's a realization that only hits him after he hits send, and the sticker comes up with the little 'failed' marker next to it. It's the same as with every other message he's tried to get through since Yzak first disappeared... But this one comes with a moment of clear and painful understanding, struck dumb by just how sincere and accurate that single stupid, cutesy image is.
Those hyenas have always been kind of a silly joke. Semi-ironic, something playful Dearka uses to tease Yzak with... Now the weight of their separation, of the possibility that he might not ever send one of those stupid little stickers to his best friend ever again, hits him like a ton of bricks.
He's so agitated by this, he barely sleeps for the rest of the night.]
Oct. 13th
we're breaking skulls and doing everything we can to get to you guys as fast as possible
i noticed none of the messages that got through had your handle, though
you'd better still be alive, you bastard