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[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

[tongueamok]

[He nods.]

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

[circumitus]

[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.

[tongueamok]

[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?]

[circumitus]

[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.]

[tongueamok]

[Vessel? Like a ship?]

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

[circumitus]

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".

[tongueamok]

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

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

Are you cursed, then?

[circumitus]

[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.

[tongueamok]

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

[circumitus]

[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.]

[tongueamok]

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.

[circumitus]

[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?

[tongueamok]

[He shakes his head.]

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

[circumitus]

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?

[tongueamok]

[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.

[circumitus]

[Having not experienced what AJ and the other Rey had, not being on the receiving to end of this "curse" of his, the animosity potentially harbored by what Carlisle can do just isn't there. Sure, he could be dangerous with it. But then, so can she, with what she is capable of.

[In the end, it's what they do that matters. Not what they can do.]

Well. Would be getting a lot of shit if not for this "curse" of yours. So thank you. Again.

[Because that so makes it better. Right.]

[tongueamok]

[He glances toward her, then back to his numb hands as he ponders her words. True, he'd been trying to help her since he discovered her presence in Hadriel because of what happened with the other Rey back in the jungle, but would he have left her to die if he hadn't owed her amends?

Maybe. Of course, she might not have known he was a healer at all if he hadn't thrown himself at her to repay his debts. He might have said he was too tired to come out and left her to another healer or to the clinic. The situation could have gone very differently if he hadn't had something to make up to her, to prove to her, himself, and his goddess. The corner of his mouth turns up in the barest of smiles.]

It was my pleasure and duty, Miss Rey.

[One down, one to go. Two if AJ Harris ever returns.]

Will you be all right to get home? Should- should I call someone for you?

[circumitus]

[How much of what he says is genuine, she isn't sure. There aren't a lot of people who would consider puking up black ink to be a "pleasure", even if it's to the benefit of someone else. But she nods and goes along. Which is the least she can do.]

Am fine enough. Will stay with you until you're well enough, or someone can pick you up.

[Either way, she isn't leaving him alone. He's here because of her, so that's her responsibility.]

[tongueamok]

I will be fine, I assure you.

[He says that with a disingenuous smile and a vague sort of gesture with his hand, numb and trembling.]

[circumitus]

[It's obvious just from his shaky gesture that he isn't as "fine" as he says he is.]

Don't bullshit a bullshitter. [Because that line of reasoning is one she uses all the time. Even if it rarely works.] You look about as fine as a Chihuahua in New Brunswick.

[Not that. Carlisle will get what she just said, fff.]

[tongueamok]

[Absolutely not, if the confused look he gives her says anything.]

As fine as... I'm sorry, a what?

[circumitus]

[Bluntly:] You look like shit.

[To say the least.]

[tongueamok]

[He rolls his eyes. He should have known.]

Says someone who had her organs nearly falling out of her not half an hour ago.

[Knowing she's not going to just let him sit there and not wanting to seem entirely helpless, he sighs and pushes himself to his feet again. His legs are functioning, but still mostly numb, with every step like a thousand needles running through his veins. He grits his teeth and leans against a nearby desk, trying not to look as shit as she indicated.

He's not doing so great.]

[circumitus]

[He definitely is not doing so great, from where Rey is standing.

[And she stands when he does, able to determine that neither of them should be on their feet at this time. But Carlisle seems more indignant about that fact as she is stubborn about it.

[Which is why Rey makes her way towards him, reaching out from under the blanket to place a hand on his shoulder. Push him back down.]

Didn't mean any offense. Just worried, is all.

[tongueamok]

[His legs offer no resistance as she puts pressure on his shoulder, and down he goes back into the chair. His face screws up as he grinds his teeth together, his fingers curling as he spits out words.]

Stop stop stop stop! I'm not offe— [Another hiss.] —ffended, just not- not wanting to ssssssssssuffer the indignity of having Glacius come and 'pick me up.'

[And he means that literally.]