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

\o/

[tongueamok]

[The plants might offer protection from the suns, but they do little to hide Atem once Carlisle arrives at his garden. Though he notes Atem is looking worse for wear, Carlisle can't say he's doing much better himself: his pale skin practically reflects the sunlight, the bags under his own, glowing eyes heavier than they were last time the two of them spoke face to face. The gods' latest machinations did neither of them any good, apparently.

Carlisle lets out an audible sigh as he spots his visitor, setting his satchel down beside the coiling vines that reach throughout much of the area: whatever is in the bag, it's heavy.]

Atem. Have you more to say that could not be expressed through written word?

[puzzlingly]

「It is not the audible sigh which rouses him, but the sound of his name.」

Carlisle.

「He tries to look alive, giving the freaking taller man a small (tired) smirk, then he raises slowly.」

Actually, I have a request for you. You're the one who provides Rey with tea, right?

[tongueamok]

[That's a question he didn't expect. He straightens his glasses before kneeling by his satchel, undoing the clasp, but otherwise leaving the bag alone. As he steps away from it, it seems to move just an inch or two in the direction of the coilers, but perhaps that was a trick of the light.]

I am. I wasn't aware she spoke of me.

[Seems a lot of people are doing that these days, much to his chagrin.]

[puzzlingly]

I asked who gave it to her. That's all. It was good tea.

「And he isn't even a tea guy! This last time it also really helped him, but he's not about to talk about that. Atem halts his speech as he notices the movement in the bag, maybe it's his imagination but he gives it a curious stare before going on.」

I was wondering if you had anything like it that could help someone have a dreamless sleep.

[tongueamok]

The Breath of Night.

[His tone is clipped, but not as rude as he could be; it's more that he's going to be doling out more tea to people. He doesn't mind what he makes for Rey, as he was the one who offered to make her a steady supply to ease her headaches as the drink has his; Emily was his student, and Chris was his friend, and both had nightmares he could stave off with a magical drink. Atem is more of a stranger, and one that hasn't particularly left a good impression upon Carlisle in their few conversations.

Still, he should respond better to a compliment, he reminds himself.]

I try to make my brew as palatable as possible. I'm aware some of the plants here used to steep tea are not very flavorful. [Or are downright bitter.]

[puzzlingly]

「Oh, that was easy. Okay, a name doesn't mean he's going to get it but it might be the first straight answer he gets from him.」

That's kind of you... Usually people don't mind much what a remedy tastes like as long as it does the job.

「He takes a deep breath, here comes the question.」

What can I do for you in exchange for some of it?

[tongueamok]

I don't need exchanges.

[He casts his eyes aside, feeling guilty for being so sharp. Sure, Atem hasn't exactly done much to get on his good side, but Carlisle knows a lot of what's eating him is stress. He shouldn't take it out on others, no matter how frustrating they may be on the network. What he said, though -- what he implied he knew... who has he been talking to?]

I mean— [He pushes out a breath, looking sheepish as he tries again.] I have made them here before, exchanges. I would rather no one be indebted to me.

[Makes it easier when he inevitably dies -- they don't feel that they have to make amends to a dead man, as he has felt since day one with the people who no longer remember him from their time in the jungles around the Tranquility.]

[puzzlingly]

「Carlisle is not so hard to read when he's seeing him, Atem can sense the resistance, see it in his movements. Though, Atem being somewhat used to his friends being less than amiable at times. It doesn't deter him.」

No one ever does.

「There are so many favors he owes, and he doubts anyone is ever going to ask him about them. It doesn't mean, by any chance, that Atem will let them pass. He'd do something for them, anything.」

[tongueamok]

[Atem is right -- no one needs them, but they make them anyway, whether for small commodities like enchanted tea, or larger, more dangerous trades like a container for a soul. He still needs to have words with Kate about that, but hasn't yet worked up the nerve. He's been busy fighting with his own affliction, which continues to be riled by the gods on a regular basis.]

Imbuing tea is not terribly taxing. I suppose if you are making regular visits to Miss Rey, I could perhaps leave it with her for you.

[He reaches into a crate near the door to the shed and gets his pruning shears, taking them back to the paw plants. As he passes toward the thorny shrubs, he passes by the abandoned satchel -- doubly abandoned now, as it lies completely empty, its cargo having wriggled out. Nibbling on one of the stray coiler vines is what appears to be some kind of hairless, spotty rabbit. No leash attached, but it definitely has the same markings as the one that was with that creature in the shops not a week ago.]

[puzzlingly]

「Atem agrees with a nod, idly wondering why he couldn't just call him for him to fetch it. The teen has met private people before but so far, maybe Carlisle takes the cake. Before he can think of bothering him with such question, his full attention shifts to the ugly rabbit.

He knows this little guy! He looks up at Carlisle, his eyes wide in anticipation and a little smile taking shape upon his lips.」

... It was you!

[tongueamok]

[Atem's exclamation and smile are met with utter confusion as Carlisle glances over his shoulder.]

It was... me who made the tea? Isn't that why you're here?

[puzzlingly]

「Well, no, of course he wouldn't know what he's talking about, but Atem goes near the ugly rabbit and gives it little scritches.」

The guy under the pelt. At the stores.

[tongueamok]

Wha— [His look goes from confused to alarmed.] What? What are you talking about?

[He might be quietly denying it, but Rabbit seems to remember as he stands on his hindquarters and leans into those scritches.]

[puzzlingly]

「Atem knows that tone, perfectly, Carlisle might not know it, but he is more than skilled at reading people, their whole bodies, the tones in their voices, it might be a thing that comes from his ancient education as a king, but not only that, as a duelist, one needs to learn how to read their opponents. Calirlse is lying, but Atem merely gives him a knowing stare and then a little smirk. It doesn't take too long to figure out people like Carlisle. He then turns his attention back to the critter.」

Ah, nothing, nothing. I must've been confusing you with this someone else. There is no way he could have been you... He was nice.

[tongueamok]

[Carlisle continues to be easy to read: his expression tightens, souring at the off-hand insult.]

I am plenty nice to those who don't just make themselves at home in my garden, spitting nonsense with every breath. Your mistaking me for a creature is not my fault.

[puzzlingly]

I'm sure you can be. And don't worry, I will not come by anymore if that's your wish. I just didn't want you to ignore my request, it's very important.

「 But regardless, Atem seems impervious to Carlisle's snottiness.」

What's its name?

「Yep, just as if the other said nothing, he picks up the ugly rabbit.」

[tongueamok]

[Though Carlisle continues to glare at Atem as though his gaze could burn a whole right through the lad, Rabbit seems nonplussed by the fact he's been scooped up. He's not much for being held, but he's docile enough when in someone's arms, his nose twitching at he sniffs at Atem's bangs.]

His name is Rabbit. Don't drop him.

[puzzlingly]

「At the request, Atem gives Carlisle a funny stare. Does he really think Heaney that dumb?」

You really don't be like me at all, do you?

「It's evident, but the absolute lack of trust of handling the little critter makes it even more so. Again, Atem doesn't wait for and answer and smiles at him instead.」

I will not drop him. I think I was just missing holding an animal like this. I used to have a bunch of cats back home.

「The ancient one. He cannot really hold and cuddle his fiery salamander.」

Rabbit is a good name.

「Not too complicated.」

[tongueamok]

[Carlisle looks to the pruning shears in his hands, clearly a little embarrassed by Atem's blunt assessment -- he hadn't warned him not to drop Rabbit out of dislike, but out of concern for his pet. He isn't warm on Atem, true, but... well, at least the lad is being kind to his companion. That much goes a long way with the clergyman.

He pushes a breath through his nose, several seconds passing before he manages an answer.]

I've been told he's not a rabbit. I suppose it isn't very appropriate.

wow sorry my dude, phone "autocorrected" things and I didn't notice

[puzzlingly]

「After all this time, Atem should have noticed that often he can be a little too full of himself, that he can be annoying, but the truth is it often goes over his head. He's spoiled at best, even if he tries not to.」

What is he, then?

「And since Carlisle doesn't shun him away, he takes the opportunity to indulge a little more in the conversation. At least answers things that are not quite directed at his person. That's good enough for Atem.」

Whoops! D:

[tongueamok]

I don't know, frankly. I thought he was merely an otherworldly rabbit of some sort. It does not seem all that out of the question one would appear here, given all of us. I have called him that for so long that I suppose I am too stubborn to change it now.

['Being too stubborn to change' is pretty much a character trait for Carlisle.]

[puzzlingly]

「To which Atem gives a little shrug.」

I still think it fits.

「The teen gives Rabbit's ears a gentle rub between his fingers before putting him back on the ground.」

Maybe it's good it is not exactly a rabbit either. Your garden wouldn't like it.

[tongueamok]

[Rabbit shakes his head upon being back on the ground before padding over toward some stray coiler vines once more, looking for another easy snack. Carlisle watches as he meanders out of sight, pruning more leaves.]

He is useful here in the garden, in truth. He helps keep the coilers tamed, as they are in constant need of pruning.

[He snips a few more leaves.]

He also keeps me company. The heat does not seem to bother him.

[He might insist otherwise, but there's little denying that Carlisle can be a lonely soul.]

[puzzlingly]

「Keeping him company, huh? Atem sends him a little inquiring stare. Did he feel lonely? He's not going to ask.」

You're lucky you found a friend in him, then. 「Or was it the other way round? Maybe, after all, little critters like those needed a protective hand in a place like this, there were so many dangers. As Rabbit gets busy, Atem goes back to leaning against the shack.」

[tongueamok]

[Whether Carlisle needs Rabbit or Rabbit needs Carlisle, it's evident the clergyman is attached to the little guy, and Atem's kindness toward him does wonders when it comes to making a better impression than he's left Carlisle with in the past. Setting the shears aside, he collects some of his clipped leaves, careful not to let their thorns dig into him, and heads for the door to the shack. He stops at the entrance, casting a sideways look toward Atem.]

I'll make you something to take with you, if you'd like to come in.