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

[puzzlingly]

Yeah, I don't believe you.

「You cannot help me. Mind your own business. You understand nothing. He's been hearing that ever since he got here and he's more than done with it. It is not Carlisle's call to tell him not to speak to his friend about something that's bothering him anyway, he made that promise, and he'd rather tell her instead of her just finding out with her powers anyway. It's not up to him in the end what Ravine might or not do anyway, but she had the decency to ask him if he'd be okay with it, that's the very least he can do now, to tell her it's her call now and that he supports whatever decision she makes. Atem is pretty sure that Ravine might do anything in her power to help Carlisle anyway, with or without his consent, that's who she is and it's part of who she is, and he would do the same.

That said, Atem goes back to the table and grabs a sheet of paper, quickly scribbling the appropriate glyph on a empty space — from memory, nonetheless —  without much consideration he gets Carlisle's tea and places it on top; a quite obvious activation later, the tea is steaming again and left in front of the priest once more. Then he opts to collect the items they enchanted, keeping the card he enchanted in his duelist belt and wearing both his cartouche and Rey's dogtags for safekeeping. The little seed is left untouched for Carlisle to deal with it. He does his best to clean the mess that they may have left on the table, he puts together paper and notes and leaves them neatly (or not) in a corner, he cleans, once more, whatever ink that Carlisle might have spit up on the floor, he just, busies himself a little and gives Carlisle whatever space he may need without nagging him anymore — Atem's dealt with stubborn people before, and even he seems to understand when enough is enough.」

We are done for today, right?

[tongueamok]

[Carlisle lets Atem busy himself, using the silence between them to simmer in his own guilt. He accepted his impending demise long ago: he has had years to do so, after all, having been cursed since he was 14. However, he cannot help but feel the weight of what it means for those around him, for those he has damned to watch him die just by association. Every time that guilt presses upon him anew, he wonders if it was worth it -- if connections and friendships with him, of all people, are worth the suffering they endure from his loss.

He knows a couple of individuals who would say that the impact he has left upon them was worth the trouble; for others, he is not so sure. As someone who has lost those closest to him, he knows he wouldn't envy their positions.

Accepting the tea with a quiet word of gratitude, he says nothing else until Atem speaks again, knowing he cannot change the lad's mind. As always, he feels powerless, out of control of his own life and choices. He has no choice in them even in death -- a pathetic fate for a pathetic man.]

We are.

[He pulls in a breath, inhaling the steam of the drink before him.]

Thank you... for all you've done today. Let us hope our efforts were not in vain.

[puzzlingly]

「Despite the tension in the air, Atem gives a sigh and a small smile at the older man. His frustration only shows how much he cares about him, he's not about to stay mad at his stubbornness. His hopes are his as well after all, they worked so hard — if only Carlisle allowed him to work that hard for him.」

They won't be.

「He's got faith in themselves, for a change. In Carlisle and his abilities, that much he had been able to hopefully show all over these days, following his instructions to the letter, studying with passion and dedication. This was not a hobby or a game, there would be time for that...

He can only hope.

Atem gives his mentor a less sour glance, wondering if he should stay longer, but decides against it. It'd be harder on Carlisle than it'd be on himself.」

How lucky am I, no homework today.

「He taunts him, mildly, as he goes get whatever he brought with him (his notes, his sword, presumably) and walks quietly to the door.」