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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]

Well, assuming you came in on the first jump. It'd be a little less than three years if you came in shortly after.

[NOT HELPING, CARLISLE.]

[circumitus]

[NOT HELPING ONE BIT, CARLISLE.]

...

[She falls silent for a good moment, taking all of this information in. It's several seconds before she speaks up again:]

And this "other Rey" had been around long enough to take someone else's name and let some kid call her his mother.

Great.

[Now it's her problem. THANKS, OTHER!REYBAMA.]

[tongueamok]

That's right.

[A pause on his end.]

I... did tell you about that, didn't I? I know I mentioned thinking you were related to Mr. Prochainezo, but I can't recall if I told you about the lad you two lived with in that treehouse outside of the camp. I mean, I suppose I must have, if you know about them.

[He knows he mentioned Firo, but did he mention the kid? He doesn't think he did, but he must have. Surely.]

[circumitus]

You didn't.

He did, right after claiming he was m... her son. [And, of course, mistaking this Rey for the other Rey. Ugh.]

[tongueamok]

[There's a lengthy pause on his end of the line.]

I'm sorry, but what?

[circumitus]

That kid. You know. Calls himself "Muscovy".

[Who the hell would name their kid after a long-dead principality, anyway? IT IS A MYSTERY.]

[tongueamok]

... What.

[That was less of a question and more of a statement that time.]

[circumitus]

Didn't stutter.

[Smartass.]

[tongueamok]

I know that, but— the lad is here? Here? Of all the people who could've been pulled from there into this place, why him?

[Why not someone he likes?]

Are these false gods looking for people associated with you and Mr. Prochainezo or something?

[circumitus]

Is that a problem?

[She's not being accusatory or anything -- she really is genuinely curious. Whatever information she can get on Muscovy, the better.]

Are you really looking for a valid answer to that? [But no, in all seriousness:] He did have something to do with her, though? And Firo as well?

[tongueamok]

I— I mean, no. No, yes, he had something to do with you and Firo, but no, it's not a problem, and no, I don't want to know the answer to that.

[That'd be frustration eking into his voice. He sighs, trying to quell it.]

I know you lived with the lad, though. You all stayed together outside the camp after the ship crashed, so I can only assume you must've thought well enough of him.

[The way he says that implies his opinion of Muscovy is not terribly high.]

[circumitus]

[Perhaps she should slow down with the queries before she makes Carlisle explode or something. How unfortunate would that be?]

Must've been a crazy three or so years for her to have thought that that would be even remotely all right.

[Because, where Rey is standing, she is simply not parent material. None of her previous selves were. She wouldn't wish that fate on any child, even one as... strange as Muscovy is.]

[tongueamok]

Some of us are not fit to handle children, Miss Rey. I never questioned why you did it. I was just happy he was out of sight and out of mind.

[circumitus]

Take it you're not a fan of the boy?

[tongueamok]

It's a little hazy, but I'm pretty sure he pulled a knife on me for no reason not five minutes after my arrival on the Tranquility. Who gives a lad that young knives? And lets him creep around as he did, silent as the grave, doing whatever he pleased in the camp?

[circumitus]

It happens.

[The knife-pulling, that is. Rey isn't even one to talk because she's pulled knives on strangers before. Even on someone who tried to help her. She shrugs, even if Carlisle can't see it.]

Either way, looks like he was still armed with a knife. [And a gun, but let's not introduce one shock factor so soon after another, thank you very much.]

If he had no one before and things were as dangerous as they seem like they were, it probably would benefit a kid more knowing how to use one of those things.

[Just saying.]

[tongueamok]

Perhaps, though he ought not pull them on strangers so blindly. One never knows what the other guy will be armed with, and whether or not they'll have scruples about maiming a child.

[Just saying.]

[circumitus]

[Fair enough.]

Well, if it's still an issue, can talk to him about not drawing knives on random people. May not be the person he knew, but he sort of seems to pay attention.

[You mean Rey? Take advantage of her mistaken identity? NAW.]

[tongueamok]

Good.

[Carlisle doesn't care how you get results, Rey. Just get them.]

I assume he will seek out Mr. Prochainezo as well, if he hasn't done so already. Probably resume living with the two of you if he can. He always struck me as the sort who never knew when to leave.

[circumitus]

[Rey is all about results. All. About. Them.]

Well, that's going to be a bit of a problem, seeing as we don't live together. We're just neighbors now.

[Seriously why would Rey, in any universe, think it would be a good idea to move in with someo--

[Oh.]

You're not wrong, though. He's persistent. Seems to think am from the past and not some other person altogether.

[tongueamok]

[Yeah, Rey. Roommates aren't so bad, but don't ask Carlisle's opinion on them.]

To be fair, I also through that when I first saw you. It never occurred to me that someone could be in two places simultaneously, but I suppose I should stop doubting anything at this point, shouldn't I?

[circumitus]

[Never.]

Never been in two places at the same time, but have been different people before. Unless this person you knew brought up Hadriel to anyone where you're from, doubt that she is from the future.

[Or at least, the same future that the current Rey is from.]

[tongueamok]

She didn't, but— you've been different people? A crisis of identity, or body possession? Or do I really want to be asking this question?

[circumitus]

[So either her other self never told him, she wasn't aware, or she really was someone else. Either way, she doubts that she'll be getting an answer to that anytime soon, if ever.]

Have possessed other bodies over the last century, all of them built similar to this one. Though "crisis of identity" isn't too inaccurate.

[Considering that she has other people's memories.]

[tongueamok]

[There's more silence on his end -- that's probably him giving the phone a horrified look.]

I don't believe you ever told me you were some kind of a construct. It's no wonder certain, ah.

[Shouldn't have said that, but now that it's mostly out—]

That, er. Certain abilities didn't work on you.