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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]

... 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.

[circumitus]

Sort of. Am made up of both organic and synthetic compositions, in any case.

[She stops to think about the last part that he just said.]

And what do you mean by "certain abilities"?

[tongueamok]

In the other world, I mean. There were, ah. Some people with morally questionable abilities to influence the wills of others.

[Some people. Not him. Definitely not him. Not that he's entirely sure this Rey of the other world was immune, but the fact she hadn't come immediately to his aid when he'd so easily reached to Firo and Harris -- not unless she'd turned around, found a beast to ride in on, then come back -- hadn't gone unnoticed.

He has no way to test his hypothesis now, and nor does he really want to, but it is worth noting, especially now that a potential answer for an oddity he'd noticed long ago has been found.]

[circumitus]

Like mind control, you mean?

[Actually, she's seen something similar back in her world. Though it was less "mind control" and more like a method a cult leader had used to make his followers malleable to his suggestions, insane that they had been.]

[tongueamok]

Compulsion, yes.

[Got it in one, Rey.]

[circumitus]

What happened?

[As much as Rey wants to disassociate herself from this other version of her, she can't help but be curious. Especially now that she knows Carlisle isn't completely full of shit. Well done, Carlisle.]

[tongueamok]

I, er... believe that someone tried to use some of the people in camp, compelling them to protect him. There were fires and a stampede of creatures threatening to tear down the walls. He was not in the camp when it occurred, so he pulled who he could to him, forcing them to protect him.

[It had been an accident at first, but Carlisle is not about to say that. Too personal. Too close. It wasn't him. He isn't ready to admit it was him just yet, not when he has a chance to start over... that, and Rey can be truly terrifying.]

As I recall, you were in the area, but were somehow unaffected by his tricks. Where I come from, such abilities would have no dominion over constructs. I assume it to be the same for him. Either that, or perhaps he simply could not exert himself over your will while dominating others.