Hallo, you have reached Dr. Faust. If this is an emergency, go to the nearest clinic, but if it is not and I can still help you, please leave a message.
ROFL, I've been working with machinery all night, Johann
srsly, I'm fine, I'll be right there
[It's really more like 30 minutes because he underestimated how long it would take him to walk from the abandoned fairgrounds to the clinic, but hey! He's here. He's a little unsteady and more than a little wan and disheveled as he staggers into the empty clinic and calls out to Faust.]
Hey, Johann? Are you---are you still around? This place is a ghost town.
[Because seriously, Faust didn't know Rick did that on the regular. Or irregular. He's not quite certain if it's a joke or not, even now.]
Here!
[Faust is quick to appear when Rick announces himself, although there was the slight sound of something dry and clattery being shuffled around before that point.]
Nheh... a ghost town, perhaps, but I am not uneasy around death. Fortunately.
[Oh, it's not a joke, but they can discuss machinery later.]
[Anyway.. Was that a skeleton, Johann? Were you messing around with a skeleton just now? Is that---You know what? He's not going to think about that! You... do you, Johann.
In any case, he throws out a hand to brace himself against a nearby wall as he flashes Faust a sloppy grin.]
I don't---I don't know if that's a joke, Johann. All bets are off with you.
[That grin gets an immediate quirked brow from the nephilim, because yeah, it's a little concerning. Then again, it isn't exactly the first time he's seen Rick seeming kind of off-kilter.
In fact, he can't think of a time he has seen Rick on-kilter.
[A blank, slightly glassy stare. Then slight, neurotic laughter in response to Rick's. He watches as Rick wilts into the wall, hovering in case his services are necessary. As always. One could practically accuse of him of existing in the hopes that someone, sometime is going to need a doctor.]
I don't consider it getting stuck. It's a privilege to serve my community.
So---You're really all in there, Johann. Just---just reveling in the privilege of working the night shift. And the day shift, and...
[He trails off, slumping over a little and frowning contmpatively. Now that he's thinking about it, how often has he seen Faust ousude of the clinic over the past eight months? Suddenly, his head snaps back up and he blurts out a question that he probably should have asked long before now.]
[Faust nods, without any kind of irony. He's so earnest it practically hurts. At Rick's question, however, he glances aside, seeming troubled and awkward about answering. Because...]
I don't... really have any possessions, or any need to sleep. I spend most of my time here...
[It's the mildest possible way to say that he's effectively homeless, in other words.]
[Holy shit, Johann's been homeless the whole time. Is he shocked? Can anything about Johann shock him at this point? He is honestly not sure. He sighs, dragging a hand down his face.]
So what, you live in your office? That's---And you're just cool with that. Alright.
[He lives in a renovated crate on the abandoned carnival grounds.]
[A not-so-stealthy subject change. Faust is from a world where being homeless does carry a certain stigma; it seems that's the case in most worlds, including this one.]
I don't think I know where you live, come to think of it.
[He shrugs, glancing around for a place to sit and hey! There's a waiting area over there. He's just going to shuffle over in that direction.]
Oh shit, I never---I've been living in a---[He makes a vague gesture, slumping into a chair.]--I built it out of the crates, Johann. There was---there were a--[belch]--whole lot of crates when we got shipped here. I built a house; it's over by the old fairgrounds.
<C_137>
the issue is you're cool and it's been really cool hanging out with you
you're sure you're all in on starting a new life here with your skeleton wife?
<ElizaOperieren>
<C_137>
no, psych! I'm just in my crate house
Where are you?
<ElizaOperieren>
I am at work; it is, after all, that time.
[Like... always.]
<C_137>
ROFL it's 4 oclock in the morning, Johann. how much business are you going to get right now?
<ElizaOperieren>
<C_137>
who's there with you? Anyone cool, or are you stuck with Dr. eyeballs?
<ElizaOperieren>
It's just me at this time. Another doctor may join me later, but they can count on me to hold down the fort. Not to worry!
<C_137>
alright fuck it, I'm coming over
<ElizaOperieren>
Is it an emergency, Rick? Are you in trouble?
<C_137>
<ElizaOperieren>
well
it's not something I'm used to. No one wanted to spend time with me until I met Eliza.
<C_137>
Just forget about your abandonment issues or w/e. Trust me, I want to hang out. I enjoy your company.
Just give me 15--20 minutes, Johann
<ElizaOperieren>
Take as much time as you need... please be careful and do not operate any machinery or vehicles if you have been drinking, Rick.
<C_137>
srsly, I'm fine, I'll be right there
[It's really more like 30 minutes because he underestimated how long it would take him to walk from the abandoned fairgrounds to the clinic, but hey! He's here. He's a little unsteady and more than a little wan and disheveled as he staggers into the empty clinic and calls out to Faust.]
Hey, Johann? Are you---are you still around? This place is a ghost town.
<ElizaOperieren>
[Because seriously, Faust didn't know Rick did that on the regular. Or irregular. He's not quite certain if it's a joke or not, even now.]
Here!
[Faust is quick to appear when Rick announces himself, although there was the slight sound of something dry and clattery being shuffled around before that point.]
Nheh... a ghost town, perhaps, but I am not uneasy around death. Fortunately.
<C_137>
[Anyway.. Was that a skeleton, Johann? Were you messing around with a skeleton just now? Is that---You know what? He's not going to think about that! You... do you, Johann.
In any case, he throws out a hand to brace himself against a nearby wall as he flashes Faust a sloppy grin.]
I don't---I don't know if that's a joke, Johann. All bets are off with you.
<ElizaOperieren>
In fact, he can't think of a time he has seen Rick on-kilter.
His smile is strained but sincere.]
Why would I be joking?
no subject
You know---'ghost town,' you don't fear death---- i--it's a pun, Johann. Don't worry about it.
[He barks out a laugh, slumping against the wall and peering around the room.]
So what's the deal here, you don't sleep, so you getstuck with the night shift?
no subject
[A blank, slightly glassy stare. Then slight, neurotic laughter in response to Rick's. He watches as Rick wilts into the wall, hovering in case his services are necessary. As always. One could practically accuse of him of existing in the hopes that someone, sometime is going to need a doctor.]
I don't consider it getting stuck. It's a privilege to serve my community.
no subject
[He trails off, slumping over a little and frowning contmpatively. Now that he's thinking about it, how often has he seen Faust ousude of the clinic over the past eight months? Suddenly, his head snaps back up and he blurts out a question that he probably should have asked long before now.]
Where do you live?
no subject
I don't... really have any possessions, or any need to sleep. I spend most of my time here...
[It's the mildest possible way to say that he's effectively homeless, in other words.]
no subject
So what, you live in your office? That's---And you're just cool with that. Alright.
[He lives in a renovated crate on the abandoned carnival grounds.]
no subject
[A not-so-stealthy subject change. Faust is from a world where being homeless does carry a certain stigma; it seems that's the case in most worlds, including this one.]
I don't think I know where you live, come to think of it.
no subject
Oh shit, I never---I've been living in a---[He makes a vague gesture, slumping into a chair.]--I built it out of the crates, Johann. There was---there were a--[belch]--whole lot of crates when we got shipped here. I built a house; it's over by the old fairgrounds.
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