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

<C_137>

[peaceamongworlds]

I'm right outside your window oooOOoooOOooh

no, psych! I'm just in my crate house

Where are you?

<ElizaOperieren>

[verweiledoch]

Aha! You got me, for a moment. I actually stood to check if you were outside my window.

I am at work; it is, after all, that time.

[Like... always.]

<C_137>

[peaceamongworlds]

[Wow. Of course you did, Johann. And of course you're at work.]

ROFL it's 4 oclock in the morning, Johann. how much business are you going to get right now?

<ElizaOperieren>

[verweiledoch]

I understand what you are trying to say, but many monsters are nocturnal, and even if it was not so, an accident can happen at any time.

<C_137>

[peaceamongworlds]

so you're stuck pulling a night shift. tough break

who's there with you? Anyone cool, or are you stuck with Dr. eyeballs?

<ElizaOperieren>

[verweiledoch]

Not so tough; Nephilim do not need to sleep, after all.

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>

[peaceamongworlds]

[There's a long pause and then,]

alright fuck it, I'm coming over

<ElizaOperieren>

[verweiledoch]

[A hesitant, and perhaps even apprehensive, pause.]

Is it an emergency, Rick? Are you in trouble?

<C_137>

[peaceamongworlds]

Does it have to be an emergency? Maybe I just want to hang out, Johann

<ElizaOperieren>

[verweiledoch]

Of course it doesn't have to be an emergency! I enjoy your company greatly, it's just that

well

it's not something I'm used to. No one wanted to spend time with me until I met Eliza.

<C_137>

[peaceamongworlds]

TBH, that explains a few things

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>

[verweiledoch]

I don't understand. What does it explain?

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>

[peaceamongworlds]

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.

<ElizaOperieren>

[verweiledoch]

What machinery...?

[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>

[peaceamongworlds]

[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.

<ElizaOperieren>

[verweiledoch]

[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.

His smile is strained but sincere.]

Why would I be joking?

[peaceamongworlds]

[Fuck... He's going to miss Johann once he bails on this place.]

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?

[verweiledoch]

Why would I be worried about it?

[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.

[peaceamongworlds]

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.]

Where do you live?

[verweiledoch]

[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.]

[peaceamongworlds]

[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.]

[verweiledoch]

What about you?

[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.

[peaceamongworlds]

[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.

[verweiledoch]

[Faust drifts after Rick, glad that he's behind the other man, because his reaction to the revelation is... difficult to conceal, to say the least. Faust has a very expressive face as a rule, and these moments are no exception, because a very troubled look is flitting across the pale features.]

And you are happy, living that way?

[He's pretty sure that he has a much better living arrangement here in the clinic. At least there is a refrigerator.]

No one gives you trouble?

[Other vagrants? He's trying so hard to phrase this delicately. They might both be homeless, but it sounds like Rick is actually on the street.]

[peaceamongworlds]

Not since---not for a while. [He throws his head back, barking out a laugh.] Who's---who's' going to mess with a soul eating goatbat?

[Sure, a couple of people had tried to give him trouble before he transformed, but it didn't go well for them.

He shrugs, looking back up at Faust and shrugging. Maybe he doesn't have an ideal arrangement, but holy shit, Johann just stays on call all the time and everyone's just cool with it. Has anyone noticed Johann lives here? They don't think that's weird?]

I mean, it's not perfect, but it's---it's been a pretty good crash pad, and I'm getting out anyway, so it's---it's all working out.