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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]

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.

[circumitus]

[At least this Rey is lacking in telekinetic powers and the ability to negate gravity, or she'd be infinitely more terrifying. Even without that, however, she remains a force not to be reckoned with, especially when it comes to those that are close to her.

[She actually listens to what Carlisle has to say, though. This time not arguing or interjecting with rhetoric on how insane that is, how he's lying and making shit up to mess with her. He doesn't really strike her as the devious sort, anyway.]

Mn. Suppose that would make sense, then.

[While Rey isn't a stranger to being controlled, supposedly that aspect of her function has been removed when she had been revived four years ago. It's somewhat good to know that it holds true in some cases. Hell if she's going to reveal that to just anyone.]

[tongueamok]

Indeed it does.

[Although...]

Are you immune to the influence of the false gods, as well?

[circumitus]

No--

Well, sort of. It's possible to shut off any emotional connection for a time, but it's only temporary and it may not always be the best solution.

[Pause.] Actually, um. That's what happened when we first met. The second time as well.

[Which would be all the times that they've met, actually.]

[tongueamok]

And that would explain your coldness, wouldn't it? It seems you're full of answers today.

[circumitus]

It wasn't without reasons. Rage was making people kill each other. Had no desire to be used for that by being forced to murder an innocent girl.

[Even if it made Miriam utterly terrified of her for some time. Better scared than dead.]

[tongueamok]

You mean Miriam, don't you?

[Miriam had described Rey as "a crazy lady who tried to kill her for no reason." He's going three-for-three on getting answers today.]