duel 5. ( anon text. )

[puzzlingly]

You know what fucking sucks?
The Speakeasy
The owner is never around.
Just Who Does SHE Think She Is?!?!?!
She can't do shit right around here.
WE HAVE NEEDS!
HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO STAND THIS HEAT WITHOUT MY BOOZE?!

「Hey, hey, Rey's friends... yeah, he's calling you out, come defend your friend, come show you care about her! He needs you... She needs you. Please.
The clock is ticking.

Yep, this is ruse. It WAS HARD, OK?! He feels terrible. It had to be done.」

Comments

[tongueamok]

[The worry in Atem's voice gives Carlisle just a bit of pause.]

She's fine now, lad. From past troubles, at least. The aforementioned monsters and what have you.

[puzzlingly]

「Because that's not worrisome at all.」

... Maybe she was never fine from that.

「Because the magnitude of her unwellness can't possibly come from one thing alone.」

My name is Atem. Do you think we can meet now? I don't trust the network.

[tongueamok]

[Carlisle also doesn't trust the network, but he also doesn't trust people he was yelling at not five minutes before. This is potentially for Miss Rey, though, and she hasn't answered her phone lately -- that seems to be enough to convince him to leave his home for a moment.]

Fine. Where?

[And then, on second thought—]

Actually, you know the park? Or whatever of it manages to survive in this awful weather?

[puzzlingly]

「Atem, for as young and crazy as he might seem (after this whole thing) is a people person, he's just good at reading them, he likes them, and he doesn't need to read his mind to see he did not make this guy happy. He will oblige, for a change.

...awful weather, huh... It's not for everyone, he must admit. He knows he loves it. Reminds him of home. Except the freezing pseudo nights they had now.」

Yeah, I do. I'll meet you there, hmm... And you are...?

[tongueamok]

Carlisle Longinmouth.

[Whose very name is a mouthful.]

Toward the river is my garden. I will meet you there shortly.

[And with all the lack of manners in the world, he hangs up. Well.]

[puzzlingly]

「It really is... But he also can't blame him for the attitude, he had it coming. As soon as he hangs up, Atem makes his way to the park, walking along the river until he finds a small different place. So, this is the garden. Never seen it. The small teen — covering his head for protection from the sun — looks around for Carlisle.」

[action from here on out!]

[tongueamok]

[Given the heat, the garden itself is surprisingly green, the vines of the coilers and fanged ivy still lush and fresh. That might be due to the fact that the whole area seems to have a faint mist of water surrounding it, an almost dewey atmosphere conjured again and again by the glyphs etched into the various pots and trees. Some the of lines surround entire plots; others are smaller, more focused in their use. The keen eye will notice that the sigils and arrangement of each one, big or small, is the same.

Apparently, he wasn't interested in the irrigation efforts going on at Sorrow's orchard, preferring to keep to himself and his own plants.

As for the master of the garden, Atem needn't look far: there's a small cottage, not much larger than a shed, within the center of the area. The door opens, and there is the man from the other end of the call: he's tall, kempt, and appears as peevish as before. Regardless of his temperament, he steps aside, motioning for Atem to come in.]

[puzzlingly]

「There is something in there that feels different from the whole place, though at the moment, Atem cannot tell what it is. Maybe when he's not awfully worried about Rey, he'll ask about this wonderful place.

Why he never noticed the little shack before? It doesn't really matter, he steps inside, welcoming the shade, once there he takes the hoodie off revealing that haphazard hair of his, and (probably, if Carlisle wishes to notice as Atem looks around) a fake golden eye in his left socket.」

You live here?

「It seems so small.」

[tongueamok]

Sometimes.

[He likely has done just that before, on occasion: though one half of the building has a worktable covered in gardening implements, the other is a bit of a home, complete with a bed, table, a couple of chairs, and chest for his possessions. The walls and bed are decorated with furs and skins, most belonging to creatures that look far more challenging than the clergyman himself could ever hope to be.

Carlisle gestures toward the chairs, taking note of his golden eye and his... unusual hair. Given the company he keeps -- his partner included -- he can't say much for the appearances of others.]

[puzzlingly]

「Only after the offer is made, Atem goes sit down. Right, there is a thing he came to discuss.」

I'm not... very familiar with Rey, I must admit. But I've been trying. I grew worried when she wouldn't answer her messages. I gave it a few days but she didn't come around. I contacted someone who seems to be close to her and he confirmed it. She's not okay.

「He gives a little shrug.」

I went to her home and... She needs help. I've tried for the past days but I, 「Saying this shouldn't be so hard, but for someone so prideful it still is.」 I'm over my head. Someone suggested I should tell her friends what is going on, so, here I am.

[tongueamok]

[For as annoyed as Carlisle was by Atem's methods, his look does soften when he hears Rey isn't doing well.]

Exactly what kind of help is it you're looking for, lad? What is it you believe she needs in this troubling time? What so ails her that she cannot handle it?

[puzzlingly]

I don't know, something is hurting her deeply, she's taking that pain on herself.

「His shoulders drop when he says that, he doesn't look up at Carlisle, but at the floor instead, as if it was some indication of what she might be doing. It breaks his heart.」

But, I think she needs to know there are people who care about her. That she has friends who will send a million of angry texts to someone who said something horrible about her.

「As he says that, he glances over Carlisle with a little broken smile. Come on dude, you know what you did.」

[tongueamok]

[Have another irritated look, Atem. Good intentions or not, Carlisle loathes being used. He keeps any and all remarks about it to himself for the time being, pondering over what he's being told. Rey doesn't seem like the sort who pines for the emotional support that friendship and camaraderie can bring; from what he's known of her, in this world and in others, Carlisle would assume she's the sort to bury any and all feelings regarding such commodities.

Which, of course, isn't healthy at all, and he knows it. No man is an island, nor woman, nor half-construct pyromancer. More than that, Carlisle owes Rey a great deal for having watched out for his own physical well-being within the city.]

Admittedly, you should be appealing to those who know her best rather than anyone who would answer your call on the network. Furthermore, she has to want help before she will accept it. Pride and guilt can be more dangerous to a person than any weapon.

[puzzlingly]

It seemed like a good idea at the time, I thought that people who would get mad or... I don't know, that the people who would really care about her would be those willing to help her. I know I do. If I see one of my friends being bullied or being hurt, I will do everything in my power to defend them, to keep them safe.

「He had done it before, he had chosen death just to keep them alive and well. But, had he chosen wrong now? Is this person not her friend? Does he not care enough? Or is he just afraid? But afraid of what...?

Atem knows, better than some how is it to be prideful, how much one can lose to it; how it is to hold so much guilt that asking for help is out of the question, because one is supposed to deal with everything alone and keep people safe, not the other way. But he's also learned, with time and effort, that not even him can do everything alone, everyone needs others. Even Rey.」

I know what you mean but, I don't know for how long she can go on like this.

「He cannot force Carlisle at all to do what he wants, but at the very least he let him know what is going on, it's up to him now.

If Atem himself has to pull her from hell, whether she considers him a friend or not, then, he will. He will not turn her back on her while she kills herself, but the help would be appreciated.」

[tongueamok]

[Carlisle lets out a quiet sigh, wondering why it is that so many in this cave are unwilling to ask for help when they need it. As clergy, he's dealth with many a person who wanted answers from him, only to refuse to find the solution within themselves.

Atem isn't looking for answers, though. He wants action, something Carlisle isn't sure he can -- or if he's comfortable trying to -- provide.]

I know not where she lives, or I suppose I could stop by for a visit to see if there is anything I could do to ease her burdens.

[puzzlingly]

「Atem will not lie, when he made that post, he expected to find the best squad there is to help Rey in some way, this is a little disappointing, but just a little. Apparently, he still believes too much in people, in that perfect world where they help each other without hesitation, in a world without sadness and without the darkness in their hearts. He knows himself a little delusional, so that's why it's not that disappointing. He's not giving up. At least Carlisle is not saying no, so that must count for something.」

The spiral houses, number 1401. She might not answer the door, so let yourself in.

「He stands as he says that, he's not sure where else this conversation might go and he's got a lot of things to do before checking up on her again.」

If you don't feel you're up to the task, that is alright too, Carlisle. I'm sorry... about all of this.

「He's in truth, sorry he's not strong enough to handle it alone as he's supposed to, that he brought a dark cloud over other people when surely they had a lot to deal with too, but, he's just one kid.」

[tongueamok]

I never said I wasn't up to the task.

[Guilt, amends, or otherwise, that remark does come out a bit sharp; he seems to realize it and looks downward, a hair embarrassed by his own fervor, especially toward someone who, despite his unconventional methods, seems genuine in his sentiment.]

I will see what I can do. It is my duty in service to the Camisou to tend to those who would need me, but I cannot promise it will help. That is the nature of such self-afflicted wounds.

[puzzlingly]

「The Camisou? He would love to stay and chat but look at that, it is time to duel! for him to take his leave.」

Whatever you choose to do, Carlisle, I wish you luck. Just be prepared and... keep an open mind.

「He means it, the luck part anyway.」

If you need anything, call me.

[tongueamok]

[Carlisle stands to politely see Atem out, as a good host should do.]

Of course.

[He won't, as calling anyone for help is just not Carlisle's way -- frankly, he's lucky to be able to use the communicators as it is -- bu the appreciates the offer nonetheless.]