IC Inbox [Ryslig, Under Construction]

[verweiledoch]

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.

Comments

<ElizaOperieren>

[verweiledoch]

From the city center? How far East, Rick?

<C_137>

[peaceamongworlds]

very far east! It is not in the city, there is nobody else here

Why do I live here?

<ElizaOperieren>

[verweiledoch]

I want you to stay right where you are and keep sending me messages. I suspect that you may be unwell.

<C_137>

[peaceamongworlds]

No, I am well!

But I will stay here and send you more messages

<ElizaOperieren>

[verweiledoch]

Yes, of course I believe you! Why don't you tell me more about your house and its location?

<C_137>

[peaceamongworlds]

Ok!

It's like a nest, but it's smaller and it's made of lots of boxes

And it's in a big empty field with other boxes in it!

Where do you live?

<ElizaOperieren>

[verweiledoch]

Hawkeye set me up with an apartment. I thought you knew that, but... I cannot be sure if I really did tell you.

What size of nest are you comparing it to? "Lots and lots of boxes" would certainly be bigger than a bird's nest, for example.

<C_137>

[peaceamongworlds]

it's a lot bigger than a birds nest

It's like a nest for termites, but bigger and with more things in jt

<ElizaOperieren>

[verweiledoch]

[...that really does sound sort of about right, for Rick. Faust sighs.]

Am I looking for something the size of a van or a bus, perhaps?

<C_137>

[peaceamongworlds]

yes, it's like a bus but it's made of boxes and wires

Is your house like that?

<ElizaOperieren>

[verweiledoch]

I'm afraid it isn't, Rick.

Are you suffering from a headache? Dizziness, perhaps? Have you imbibed drugs or alcohol within the last few hours?

<C_137>

[peaceamongworlds]

Yes?

Why do you want to know? Is something wrong?

<ElizaOperieren>

[verweiledoch]

It is what I am trying to ascertain. We will get to the bottom of it, and I will help you, do not worry!

<C_137>

[peaceamongworlds]

I'm not worried! I'm great!

You shouldn't be worried. Everything is normal!

<ElizaOperieren>

[verweiledoch]

It may well be! I would just like to make sure.

I'm nearing what appears to be a field now.

<C_137>

[peaceamongworlds]

Is it full of trash? My field is full of trash

It's very lonely

<ElizaOperieren>

[verweiledoch]

I may need to turn around. You don't mean an actual field, do you? You mean something more like a dump?

<C_137>

[peaceamongworlds]

[There's a very long pause as he goes out to investigate.]

No, it's definitely not a dump

It's just a field with lots of trash in it

[Mostly very old carnie trash.]

<ElizaOperieren>

[verweiledoch]

It's alright. I know where you are, now. Give me just another ten minutes.

[And that's exactly as long as it takes him to finally show up. He peers around, looking for anyone resembling Rick and hoping that he's not stroking out or something.]

<C_137>

[peaceamongworlds]

[Someone who looks exactly like Rick sees him approaching and excitedly waves him over. He's currently standing in front what does appear to be a strange, asymmetrical shack made of boxes and trash. It used to have a generator, a freestanding hammock structure, a TV, and a number of space heaters---but they've all been dismantled and arranged into lopsided piles.]

[verweiledoch]

[Faust approaches apprehensively. Because while nothing about this is awesome, or reassuring... it's also not exactly completely out of the realm of possible for Rick.

Faust kneels, unpacking the medical kit he travels with.]

Would you mind if I just checked you over for a concussion, Rick? It will not take long.

[peaceamongworlds]

I don't have a concussion!

[He averts his eyes for a moment, trying to figure out if he should know what a concussion is, but he keeps smiling and he doesn't pull away.]

But... but I guess you can check.

[verweiledoch]

Mmhmm. Yes, I guess I can.

[Faust's tone is absentminded as he goes into his automatic checkup-mode, kneeling with his penlight to check Rick's pupils. Admittedly it's a little weird, considering he's a demon, and the skin on Faust's forearm's prickles unpleasantly at the proximity.]

Do you remember your name? What is the date, and what is your profession? If they seem like silly questions, just humor me and answer them.

[peaceamongworlds]

[As it happens, Faust might not mind the proximity so much this time. It's almost as though there's nothing really demonic about him at all. His pupils seem fine and he doesn't resist or question the examination, but his skin might feel stiff and unyielding.]

No, I can answer them! I have all the answers. My name is Rick. It's winter. And... [He trails off for a moment, frowning thoughtfully.] I build things! I break them and then I make them different! That's my profession!

[verweiledoch]

[That, alone, is actually some cause for alarm, if only because it's so unusual. Being close to Rick is one of those things that Faust bears because it's necessary to spend time with him, but certainly doesn't seek out because it feels so dang good. In fact, the only reason it probably doesn't bother him more is because he's usually so heavily medicated.

He frowns at the lack of give that Rick's skin seems to have.]

All of that's technically true, but... how does your face feel, Rick? Any different than usual?

[He prods at one of Rick's slightly sunken cheeks.]