[ His 17th-ish birthday comes and goes without incident. January 28th probably isn't accurate anymore, but with a new life comes a new start—or so it's easier to say. It was a nice get-together, so he doesn't belabor the more existential questions. Or, if he does, it's simple enough to attribute his wakeful energy to new art supplies. He breaks in some paints he'd been so graciously gifted, wiling the time away until he loses track of it altogether, only leaving his room to get more water to clean his brushes.
But their very full house is a little bit fuller tonight. (Which he doesn't mind—much as he likes his own space, there is a fine line between a private home and a lonely one, and the latter would be a shame tonight.) It does make navigating a little trickier, and he steps quietly through the space, careful not to wake anyone as he runs the tap.
—Apparently, not careful enough. He's about to apologize when he hears Richie's rumblings, but the closer he squints through the dark, the more something seems... amiss. It isn't the grumbly, murky sluggishness of someone roused to half-consciousness, and there's a sudden cry-jerk-clunk of motion and noise that has him quickly trotting over. ]
Mr. Tozier—!?
[ A harsh but low whisper, though the rest of the apartment is quiet enough that it rings clear enough. He crouches beside him, reaching out cautiously for his shoulder in the dark. ]
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But their very full house is a little bit fuller tonight. (Which he doesn't mind—much as he likes his own space, there is a fine line between a private home and a lonely one, and the latter would be a shame tonight.) It does make navigating a little trickier, and he steps quietly through the space, careful not to wake anyone as he runs the tap.
—Apparently, not careful enough. He's about to apologize when he hears Richie's rumblings, but the closer he squints through the dark, the more something seems... amiss. It isn't the grumbly, murky sluggishness of someone roused to half-consciousness, and there's a sudden cry-jerk-clunk of motion and noise that has him quickly trotting over. ]
Mr. Tozier—!?
[ A harsh but low whisper, though the rest of the apartment is quiet enough that it rings clear enough. He crouches beside him, reaching out cautiously for his shoulder in the dark. ]
Are you all right...?
[ That was a very... abrupt tumble. ]