I'm young, I'll grow out of it.

So uh... Campbell's really gone.

Checked, and... yeah.

Guess he meant it.

'Least it's better than when Antimony left -- didn't even get any warning then.

Still. Sucks.

[Neil's face is seen for all of two seconds before the device is knocked to the ground, landing instead on an awkwardly-angled view of the underside of a table. A good deal of shuffling can be heard, and the clinking of pet collars.]

Stop-- No! Off the-- Okay, Nymeria, to me! And little dude, you need to-- no, no, guys! Okay, c'mere.

[There is a small crash, and an indignant-sounding meow.]

Nym-- Gods. Nya, to me I said!

[When the device is righted and set back on the table, Neil has his husky puppy in his lap, and is holding her tightly by the collar. Resident cat Little Neil is slinking away in the background, looking offended.]



Sorry 'bout that. Anyway, uhmm.

I mentioned to a couple people that I might do like a belated birthday thing? 'S not really a party, but if anyone wanted to stop by today... there's, y'know, snacks. And you could meet the new puppy. [He pats Nymeria on the head, and she tries to nip at his hand.] It'd just be like, a really informal deal, so you could come by whenever.

[Neil's face falls, and he looks somewhat forlorn.] Stephen is... not here right now. So.

[Nymeria chooses that moment to slip out of her collar and bolt. Neil shoots to his feet, and frantically turns off the device before going after her.]