tongueamok | XOqNI

Entry tags:

g[hadriel],
ic

XOqNI

Hello, this is Carlisle.

I mean, it's not Carlisle as in I'm actually answering you right now, so if you're trying to reply to me at the second, you should probably save your breath because I'm not really here. This is some kind of a recording of my voice, but this is my communicator. I'm going to assume these devices are as common here as they are in other places — not my world, but others, ones more technologically advanced than where I come from— so if you'd like to leave me a message, then you may do so here, or er...

Right. Here is fine. So just leave yo—

[beep]

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[He looks at the blackened mess that ruins the handkerchief. At least his face is relatively clean, even if the rest of him still isn't.]

Both. I will do what I must to repay my debt.

[Yes, even to this other Rey.]

[A pang shoots through her ribs, but it's easy enough to ignore. Rey grits her teeth through it as she stares at Carlisle. His bizarre devotion to this guilt complex is confounding, even to her, who feels the gravity of actions caused by people who weren't even her.]

Yes, well. Consider your debt or whatever repaid. [Her fingers clasp at her side, as she reminds herself for all it truly is: Pain.

[It's only pain.]

[The weary part of him that is tired of dealing with his own guilt wants to accept that; the other part, which doesn't know what to do if he's not dealing with guilt, cannot. He stripped her friends of their free will -- some healing, no matter how complicated, does not equal a sin like that.

Unfortunately, he's not sure what could. Her acceptance of his work as a debt repaid may have to do. He dodges the subject for the second, folding the fabric in his hands.]

What happened, if I may ask?

[Even after being healed, the fatigue kicks in all over again. She scoops up the blanket she dropped, wrapping it around her once more. Not because she's coy, or that she's cold, but it makes her feel more secure. Safer? Samandrine is not a pretty sight for most people, just like the Salamander itself that wore the stuff like some sort of flaming armor. It isn't skin she is happy wearing, and is more eager to shed it.]

Attack on the HQ. Wasn't going to intervene, but the guy has an invisible friend that runs around for him. Seen it tear into a bunch of androids in the tunnels. It would've mowed down certain people on the Guard.

[He lets out a shaky breath, flexing his fingers to fight the numbness that's quickly spreading through his limbs.]

The Guard?

[Yes, the Guard. The City Guard. The people who protect the city. The Guard that Glacius is a part of. That Guard. He's out of that chair in an instant.]

Is that where Gla—

[And the next instant, he stops himself from collapsing entirely by clinging to a nearby desk. The numbness is well into his legs, and he wasn't prepared to stand on them. He hisses and bites back some pain of his own.]

Glacius! Is he all right? Was he here?

[Glacius?

[Oh, right. Rey did see him hanging out in the Guard Headquarters before Sato decided he wanted to throw a "party" there. She blinks as Carlisle shoots up from his seat.]

Noticed some of the defenses that looked like his handiwork, but didn't see him there when everything was happening. Haven't heard of there being any casualties.

[Other than Sato, but he doesn't count. Which is about as much consolation that Rey can give at the moment.]

[Carlisle manages to steady his legs as his immediate fears seem allayed for the moment.]

Okay, good. Good good. He's fine then. Probably.

[Was he worried? Of course.]

He seems like the type who can handle his own.

[It's the most reassurance that she is at liberty to give at the moment.]

[More than Kate, at least.]

Of course. I was just... concerned, I suppose.

[He eases back down and rubs at his neck, his legs still feeling pretty flimsy. He'll ask Armand to take it easier next month -- not that he expects the vampire actually will.]

[She watches him for a moment, remembering his mentions of being worn but also something about "feeding". Whatever that means. The mystery doesn't nag at her as much as other things.]

Will you be well enough to walk?

[It would suck if he got himself hurt on his way back to his place on account of his coming to her.]

[He nods.]

I simply need a few moments to recover, but I appreciate your concern. I do, uh. Apologize for all the ink.

[Good. She could probably carry him. Probably. It just might exacerbate her injuries while she's still recovering. Wouldn't want to put Carlisle's work to waste.]

No worries. Am not that much better at the moment. [She indicates the samandrine still on her skin. Between that and the black bile, it isn't like many would even be able to tell the difference.] Need a shower anyway.

[He says a 'few moments,' but he means an hour. Maybe two. He might have to call Glacius to come get him.]

What is that, exactly? That black substance?

[Is she cursed, too?]

[Welp. Not like Rey is going anywhere anytime soon, either. And since Carlisle answered her similar question so kindly...]

Samandrine. [She lifts a hand, black marks still splotched over the surface of her skin.] It's a substance that this vessel secretes to protect itself from extremely high temperatures, though it can also be utilized for other purposes.

[Like protecting her identity when getting too close to a psycho.]

[Vessel? Like a ship?]

Is that a trait all pyromancers share where you're from?

No, am the only one that can do anything like this. [She doesn't say this as if she's special, though. The fact that she is different is why she is about to be cut apart by IV back home.]

And it isn't "pyromancy".

[He huffs, uttering, "So you've said," under his breath.

Better just ask what's on his mind, then.]

Are you cursed, then?

[That gets a snort out of her. And then a cough. Because ow, ribs...]

Depends on your definition of "cursed". [Another cough. She sounds maybe a little (a lot) bitter when she speaks.] Was never known to be good luck. Just got a whole lot of people hurt and killed.

I mean literally cursed. Why else would you secrete such a thing?

[Shrug.]

Maybe. Come from a place where curses are just superstition, so we didn't really take stuff like that seriously. [Not her past selves, or the Rey that she is now.]

I see.

[Carlisle, on the other hand, comes from a place where their existence is an absolute fact, one that dictates how life will be, should a person be unfortunate enough to be cursed.

He flexes his fingers again -- they are far stiffer than they were a moment ago, but he knows the soreness will ease out with a night's rest or so... hopefully. At least he didn't sear himself from the inside, like last time he pushed himself too far.]

I... thought you might like to know I have been working on, um. What we spoke about last time.

[Just because it is how things are on Rey's world, she at least isn't going to shoot down what others have deemed factual on theirs. If there's magic in place of science for so many here, then that is what it is. She's been here long enough to accept that, at least.

[She doesn't need to ask what Carlisle means when he speaks.]

Made any progress?

[He shakes his head.]

I cannot say. It's not a skill so easily practiced, as one would work with magic or a sword.

Well, at least no one can accuse you of not trying.

[She falls into a brief quiet, reflecting on the question he just asked her about the samandrine.]

Is that supposed to be a curse, where you're from?

[He frowns, knowing he shouldn't have spoken of that so candidly.]

Yes. It is something I have had for a long time, and something that will afflict me for the rest of my existence.

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