008 [Video]

[thechoiceisyours]

[Chris smiles and gives a small wave at the camera when the feed starts, then turns his hand to show Hope's blessing on the back of it.]

So uh, who else got one? And are they all from Hope, or...?

[This is so cool you guys he wants to see who else got what. And for something else slightly less important by still cool--]

Oh, also, my iPhone was up and working for a bit thanks to Pell, and I managed to get some music off it. I'll share on the condition no one makes fun of my taste.

[The last comment is a joke--he's really not going to be too hurt by jabs about his choice in music--but the offer is serious, and attached is a download of the music he's copied off so far. It's kind of a slow process, so there's still more on the phone that he can transfer later.]

Comments

[thechoiceisyours]

Oh, that's really cool. What uh... What sort of things can you do with them? Like what effects?

[That sounds like making potions and the nerd in Chris is so interesting.]

[tongueamok]

[Using glyphcrafting to imbue teas is bordering on alchemy, but is easy enough that Carlisle can do it.]

Well, I brought it up on the thought that she could make Soothing Tea, known for doing just that to aches and pains of both the body and mind. It's not exactly for healing, but it has its uses. There are traveling alchemists who make some of the more flamboyant teas for children, though. For party tricks and such.

[thechoiceisyours]

[Well that definitely sounds useful, and Chris is quiet a moment in thought.]

That'd probably uh... Get a lot of use, yeah. Would it um, help with sleeping at all?

[tongueamok]

What you're looking for is the Breath of Night, if you want something to help with sleep. I make it quite regularly.

[He chuckles nervously to himself.] I've, er. Never slept well.

[thechoiceisyours]

Is it um... Hard to make?

[He's a little reassured that Carlisle doesn't seem to think it's weird he's asking; Chris used to have some pretty normal insomnia back at home before things happened, but since that night on the mountain and coming here sleeping has been a lot more of a struggle.]

[tongueamok]

Not at all. I could probably start describing the glyph needed to Emily, and she'd be done before I'd finished.

[She's talented, okay.]

You can imbue a tea and drink it, but I find it works better if you inscribe the glyph to turn it into a steam. I don't recommend the Breath of Night if you're looking for a sleep with any kind of dreams, but if you prefer a peaceful darkness, then it works wonders.

[thechoiceisyours]

That sounds uh... Really amazing, actually.

[He's had enough dreams for the rest of his life, he thinks, as sad as it might be to think that and mean it.]

I think that um, a lot of us at the house would get use out of that.

[tongueamok]

[He's no stranger to sleepless nights.]

I assume you do not sleep well because of where you come from? The mountain with the monsters and whatnot?

[thechoiceisyours]

[He's quiet several more seconds at that, but then gives a small shrug and glances offscreen.]

Yeah. I mean, that would've been enough, but then there's all the other shit that's happened here too.

[tongueamok]

Ah, of course.

[Not everyone is as haunted by their demons from home as he is.]

I'll draw up the proper glyph for it and leave it at your home for Emily. I recommend making it just before you sleep. The steam is rather potent.

[He may or may not have passed out on the floor the first time he made it, having never made it to the bed before it got to work.]

cw descriptions of gore/violence

[thechoiceisyours]

[Everything that happened at home definitely features most primarily in Chris' thoughts, whether awake or asleep, but some things that have occurred here--being buried alive for three days, seeing Maketh's shoulder open to the bone and her nearly bleeding to death, being impaled by Pyramid Head's sword--all have their places, sometimes more than others. It's too much to ever have a chance to work through any one of them, and so they just continue to stack up.

He's not sure if it's the same way for the others, since they mostly just try to give each other what privacy they can, but he's guessing it probably is.]

Thanks. I'll um, make sure to tell the others that too. The kitchen floor isn't too comfortable.

[He may or may not have slept on it after the energy shots during Delight's party wore off.]

[tongueamok]

I don't imagine it is.

[He pulls a piece of paper to him and starts scribbling, hesitating after a second.]

I... I know such things are often as private as they are troubling, but should you ever need to speak of your burdens, you have my ear.

[He is a clergyman, after all. Taking confessional is a part of it.]

[thechoiceisyours]

[He's quiet at that again, but then offers a small but genuine smile at the offer.]

Thanks. I just um... It feels kind of like a jerk move to whine at you about my problems when we're all stuck here together.

[It's not like Carlisle surely doesn't have his own issues; he doesn't need to be worrying about anyone else's too, clergyman or not.]

[tongueamok]

If nothing else, there is always commiseration regarding our shared circumstances.

[Worrying is just what he does, though it's unusual when it's about someone other than himself.]

[thechoiceisyours]

That would mean you had to talk too, you know.

[But it's said with a small grin, very gently teasing. If Carlisle wants to talk too then it's a different situation than just Chris complaining, and he's not totally opposed to the idea.]

[tongueamok]

[His eyes flick from the camera a moment as he bites back discomfort at that idea, but Chris does have a point.]

I... suppose I could. Though I don't know what I'd complain about.

[Said with the nervous smile of someone who absolutely has things to complain about, but would rather not admit it.]

[thechoiceisyours]

[Yeah, that's so unconvincing.]

I dunno, maybe you'll think of something.

[tongueamok]

Maybe.

[He continues his scribbling, then swaps out his pen for a paintbrush.]

I have yet to try that coffee drink you were talking about. Perhaps I could drop by the, um. Bar sometime.

[thechoiceisyours]

Yeah, definitely. I'm um, there a lot.

[It's a good distraction from everything and he drinks a lot of coffee.]

And um, thanks again.

[For what he's working on and for the offer both.]

[tongueamok]

Of course.

[One day, Carlisle will learn how to open up to people when he's neither desperate nor drunk. Today is apparently not that day.]

I shall deliver this to Emily once finished, and hopefully, you will rest easier tonight.

[thechoiceisyours]

Awesome. I'll um, see you around then.

[He gives another small smile and a wave goodbye before ending the feed.]