XOqNI

[tongueamok]

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]

Comments

[voice]

[tongueamok]

I might as well be.

[Yep. 'Not doing spectacular' sums it up.]

[voice]

[circumitus]

[That doesn't sound promising.]

Did she hurt you?

[voice]

[tongueamok]

What do you think?

[Yeah, that was super dooper defensive.]

[voice]

[circumitus]

[He does have a pretty valid reason, though.]

Didn't tell her where you were. For the record.

[Rey may not have a close attachment to Carlisle, but she doesn't care to see him harmed. Or be the one responsible for it.]

[voice]

[tongueamok]

[There's a shaky sigh on his end.]

Thank you. I suppose if nothing else, you have delayed the inevitable.

[voice]

[circumitus]

[It takes a moment before she speaks again:]

She said that you tried to kill us. And that you use people.

Is that true?

[The "accusation" comes so sudden that she doubts Carlisle could make a cover story up fast enough if it isn't.]

[voice]

[tongueamok]

[There is a long, uncomfortable silence on his end. When he speaks again, his voice is quiet, unsteady.]

I didn't try to kill you.

[voice]

[circumitus]

[Regardless of what Carlisle has and will say, Rey sounds more impartial to the whole situation. She has no reason to take anyone's side just yet, if ever, though it might not seem that way right now.]

She seemed to think different. Sounded like she was forced to put herself in danger against her will -- and not in the typical "held up at gunpoint" way.

[voice]

[tongueamok]

It—

[She might not be judging him, but he's clearly judged himself for this long ago.]

It wasn't on purpose, I swear it.

[voice]

[circumitus]

[Rey's got a track record of her own to contend with, so she has no room to lecture anyone on hurting others.]

Can you at least control it? This isn't going to be something that'll be a problem down the road, will it?

[If it hasn't caused any problems already.]

[voice]

[tongueamok]

[More silence. Prooooobably your answer right there, Rey.]

If I could control it, it would not have happened in the jungle, with you before.

[voice]

[circumitus]

Have you ever at least tried?

[voice]

[tongueamok]

Tried? What, you want me to use it on purpose?

[voice]

[circumitus]

If it can help prevent incidents like the one that girl wants to kill you over now, then yes.

[tongueamok]

[Sigh.]

It is a sin in the eyes of my goddess. A gift belonging to abominations.

[circumitus]

[Oh yeah, she's heard shit along those lines before.]

You're not an abomination. Just a guy with a very dangerous gun who doesn't seem to know how to operate the trigger.

...

What causes it, anyway? Is it self-preservation?

[AJ did mention that he used her to fight some monsters for him, so it sounds like his life was being threatened in some way.]

[tongueamok]

[Her apt description is not much better than being labeled an abomination, but he doesn't want to argue and risk angering her. He's certain his life is probably on the line here.]

Yes. I lose grip on it sometimes as my fears get the better of me.

[And for a guy with a lot of fears, that spells trouble.]

[circumitus]

[And that's exactly why Rey is certain that Carlisle needs to get a goddamn grip of himself. The guy is shaky as fuck.]

What are you so afraid of?

[tongueamok]

What is there not to be afraid of?

[With answers like that, yep. 'Shaky as fuck' is right.]

[circumitus]

And that is exactly your problem.

[tongueamok]

I am aware of my shortcomings, Miss Rey.

[circumitus]

Not that you intend to do anything about that, it would seem.

[tongueamok]

I am not a fighter.

[circumitus]

Am not suggesting that you be one. You'd probably just get yourself killed, anyway.

[Rey is so good at being comforting yes she is.]

But you should get a handle on your fears. Last thing anyone needs is to hurl themselves into danger because something got you spooked.

[tongueamok]

[Sigh. As blunt as ever, Rey.]

You make it sound so easy.