"not here right now.
leave a message. will get back to you soon.
probably."
TEXT
CALL
VIDEO
NOTE: As of 12/2016, Rey has adopted the alias "Fiona Stransky" when working with the Guard. Something to keep in mind, as Rey maintains a low profile with her involvement in the group. Other than what is mentioned in the Guard records, there is no trace of a "Fiona" identified on the network.
That is what I tried to tell him, but clearly my word is not good enough for him. What is the point of growing close to someone if that somehow renders your points invaluable due to some perceived "bias"?
[He doesn't get it, honestly--just because he would stand up for his partner doesn't mean he wouldn't be honest with him. Glacius paces again, confused and frustrated, before turning back to Rey and pinching at his temples in a plainly aggrieved fashion.] No matter, I'll discuss this with him later. At least you tried to talk some sense into him, but I think we both know he wouldn't stand up for himself where it matters... and now that Shadow has shown just how unhinged he is, I need to be sure he doesn't try to come after Carlisle.
Should he attack, I will deal with him--as his partner, it is my duty to protect him. But I cannot be with him every hour of every day. Will you help me stay abreast of enemy movements? I cannot risk giving Shadow an opening, not in something as... important as this.
[Hopefully Rey didn't just assert herself in the middle of something she shouldn't have. "People are complicated," she wants to say, but Glacius probably already knows that.
[Onto the next order of business, though:] Was thinking the same thing, too. Have already told Nick and Maketh to stop any involvement the Guard has with Shadow, but he might lash out again.
[She believed Maketh when she said she didn't specifically send Shadow after Sato, and there wasn't even anything personal between those two. Rey would hate to see another incident with someone who is.]
Should be able to deal with Shadow, though. Had to before when Carlisle's... double used that mind control thing on him. Am not at risk of that same control, it turns out.
[Which might have helped Carlisle feeling more forthcoming.]
I have shown some resistance to it too... but that is besides the point, as the only thing that could ever get me to ask Carlisle to use something that weighs on him so heavily would be if it was the only thing standing between him and the one who would end is life. As I will not allow it to come ot that, it does not matter!
[Glacius huffs, clearly feeling strongly about that particular subject, having seen the effect it can have on him both physically and emotionally. He doesn't seem to want to hear any further discussion on it; he bulls on to the next subject.] If am not around when Shadow chooses that moment to strike, then by all means, deal with him. If I am present... I will reiterate that it falls to me. It is my partner this wretch has threatened, and it is my duty to bring threats like this to justice or to their end should they force my hand, no matter what world I am in. In that case, I would prefer it if you would remain by Carlisle, could escort him away from danger until the threat has been dealt with; I will be able to fight with more confidence knowing that he is somewhere safer, and it would keep Shadow from trying to slip around me to target him, forcing a more straightforward engagement.
[Rey can take a hint on a necessary subject shift when she sees it, not wishing to cause Glacius any more undue stress than this has already caused him.]
That'd... be for the best, honestly. Was never exactly meant to be good for tag-team combat. [She's more liable to get others hurt than anything else.]
Fair enough, though. Sounded like this shit has been going on for way too long.
Any amount of time at all is too long! This is unacceptable behavior. I would have dealt with it more directly had Calrisle not asked me to try and avoid a fight. I do not understand why he would defend someone that has behaved in such a disgusting, harmful manner towards him, but Shadow is clearly taking advantage of that... and I fear he may never answer for what he's done.
[Perhaps that's another reason all of this is rankling so deeply. It pains Glacius to be kept on the sidelines, especially when it comes not only to a concept that's important to him, but to a person as well.]
Am not disagreeing with you, just noting that this has been a long time coming.
You might not have understood it then because he didn't understand before our conversation. The problem is that neither of them seemed to grasp the similarities between physical force and mental force that Shadow perpetuated all blame onto Carlisle.
How much did he tell you what happened between them? [She knows Carlisle wasn't completely charitable with the details to his partner, but a fuller history might help. Not for Shadow's sake, but Carlisle's.]
[Glacius folds his arms, his brows furrowing in concern and concentration. It still irks him that Carlisle would more readily come to an outsider than his own partner, but that's not Rey's fault. He'll find a way to tackle that issue later.] I know that things all fell apart when Shadow burned Carlisle's garden to the ground, and that the detestable wretch has been accositng him ever since--to the point that he fears for his life. Carlisle claims that he deserved it for using his compulsion on his tormentor's mind, but I know there must be more to it than that. He would never willingly turn his curse upon someone without having his hand forced.
My assumptions are correct, aren't they? It was Shadow who set all this in motion--and now Carlisle is allowing him to feel completely justified in doing so.
[Maybe it isn't Rey's place to say anything. This sounds like a subject that should be up to Carlisle whether or not he wishes to divulge the details, and that's why she didn't share his identity with Maketh when warning her of Shadow's conducts. But this is different.]
Well, you are right. He was being forced to stay at one of the temples when the city was covered in fog and going to Hell, because it was "safe" there.
[Seeing how close these two are, Rey is at least pretty sure she doesn't need to explain why this would be such an issue. Even without sharing any religious beliefs, Rey and a few others had seen not to seek refuge at the gods' temples for their own reason. That was their choice, and no one had any right to make it for them, Carlisle included.]
When things got violent, Carlisle just made Shadow leave him alone. When Shadow found out, sounds like that's when he burned down the garden.
[Rey sighs, her tone growing darker:] Being under someone's control is shitty, but as far as that situation went, Shadow was doing the same fucking thing by trying to force someone against their will. Chances are he doesn't see it that way, because Carlisle sure as hell didn't.
He was afraid when Shadow was trying to make him teach how healing works. Told him that Shadow can go fuck himself.
[She doesn't need to explain Carlisle's hesitance to retreat to the temple safe zones despite his fearful nature--both because Glacius is close enough to him to know of his religious beliefs, but also because he explained himself to the alien way back when the fog rolled in and the city went to hell and back. And unlike Shadow, the otherworldly being had respected the clergyman's agency; though Glacius stayed out with the human in the thick of it all for some time, in the end Carlisle had ultimately deferred to him, and they had retreated temporarily until things started getting back to something approaching normal.
That's how the situation should have been handled, not this treachery. The very fact that Shadow subjected Carlisle to such abuse despite being guilty of the very thing he was so angry about causes a deep disgust to roil about in the alien's guts.] Good--that is absolutely the right response in this scenario. Shadow doesn't have the right to ask anything of my partner after what he's done! Such selfishness and hypocrisy. Now Carlisle is the only one suffering guilt--when he has only wanted to set things right since--while Shadow goes on to feel perfectly justified despite his hand of all of this is not right!
I wish I could convince Carlisle to stop wasting his breath on the cur--and yet still he clings to whatever scrap of friendship they had before Shadow forefeited his right to it.
[Rey sighs. Much as the situation frustrates her, she can get where Carlisle is coming from. She has been through that road countless of times herself, justifying putting herself into precarious positions because she deserves it. Deserves to die. She is wicked.
[Stop.]
Guilt has a way of making people not think logically. It's hard to... "reprogram" yourself to see it any other way. Sometimes all you can do is just keep hammering the message in until it sticks.
[She drags a hand down her face in a tired gesture. This has been more than exhausting to have to deal with, just thinking about how long this has been going on and she had no idea. People trusted Shadow. Nick, Maketh -- he was involved with the Guard for some time. This is the opposite of what they're supposed to be about.]
[Glacius glowers for a few moments longer before his shoulders slump and he heaves a sigh.] I know. And I have been trying--but I am beginning to feel as though my advice is falling on deaf ears. What good am I to him if he will not listen to me, if I cannot help him with his burdens? He's been through enough of this sort of treatment already, and yet he still invites more of it.
[The ice alien sighs, massaging at his temples as he digests everything. He is an eternally patient being, and he doesn't mind going through the motions as many times as is needed... he just wishes he could see more results, sometimes, for all the reasons he's already stated to Rey.] Very well... I will not waver in my support. Hopefully one day, my partner can feel different about himself.
Thank you for taking time out to discuss all this with me, for helping me achieve a deeper understanding on all the facets of this... admittedly complicated issue. And thank you for agreeing to help me watch out for Carlisle, too. I... do appreciate it.
No problem. If you, um... need any help, or anything, you know how to reach me.
[She might be an outsider in this -- or, at least, very much feels like one -- Rey is also not one to sit by while letting someone be taken advantage of. It's just not right.]
Of course-- I appreciate the offer, and will likely take you up on it at some point. We cannot be too careful in this regard. And the least I can do is offer you the same in return; you have been helpful and supportive of me time and time again. Do not hesitate to ask me if you require assistance with something.
[He may not be entirely accustomed to speaking on them, but he's often better than he gives himself credit for when it comes to matters of the heart... and he's of course well-suited to dealing with external threats or problems. He trusts that Rey will know how to make use of him, should she at some point choose to.]
Of course. And you've been plenty helpful, too. Not many people could carry my dead weight like you did.
[Referring to the time she showed up at the Colosseum after her brief return trip home with a rebar run through her chest. A wound that would have undoubtedly been fatal to the average human. But she isn't average -- or human for that matter. The rules are a little different.]
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[He doesn't get it, honestly--just because he would stand up for his partner doesn't mean he wouldn't be honest with him. Glacius paces again, confused and frustrated, before turning back to Rey and pinching at his temples in a plainly aggrieved fashion.] No matter, I'll discuss this with him later. At least you tried to talk some sense into him, but I think we both know he wouldn't stand up for himself where it matters... and now that Shadow has shown just how unhinged he is, I need to be sure he doesn't try to come after Carlisle.
Should he attack, I will deal with him--as his partner, it is my duty to protect him. But I cannot be with him every hour of every day. Will you help me stay abreast of enemy movements? I cannot risk giving Shadow an opening, not in something as... important as this.
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[Onto the next order of business, though:] Was thinking the same thing, too. Have already told Nick and Maketh to stop any involvement the Guard has with Shadow, but he might lash out again.
[She believed Maketh when she said she didn't specifically send Shadow after Sato, and there wasn't even anything personal between those two. Rey would hate to see another incident with someone who is.]
Should be able to deal with Shadow, though. Had to before when Carlisle's... double used that mind control thing on him. Am not at risk of that same control, it turns out.
[Which might have helped Carlisle feeling more forthcoming.]
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[Glacius huffs, clearly feeling strongly about that particular subject, having seen the effect it can have on him both physically and emotionally. He doesn't seem to want to hear any further discussion on it; he bulls on to the next subject.] If am not around when Shadow chooses that moment to strike, then by all means, deal with him. If I am present... I will reiterate that it falls to me. It is my partner this wretch has threatened, and it is my duty to bring threats like this to justice or to their end should they force my hand, no matter what world I am in. In that case, I would prefer it if you would remain by Carlisle, could escort him away from danger until the threat has been dealt with; I will be able to fight with more confidence knowing that he is somewhere safer, and it would keep Shadow from trying to slip around me to target him, forcing a more straightforward engagement.
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That'd... be for the best, honestly. Was never exactly meant to be good for tag-team combat. [She's more liable to get others hurt than anything else.]
Fair enough, though. Sounded like this shit has been going on for way too long.
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[Perhaps that's another reason all of this is rankling so deeply. It pains Glacius to be kept on the sidelines, especially when it comes not only to a concept that's important to him, but to a person as well.]
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Am not disagreeing with you, just noting that this has been a long time coming.
You might not have understood it then because he didn't understand before our conversation. The problem is that neither of them seemed to grasp the similarities between physical force and mental force that Shadow perpetuated all blame onto Carlisle.
How much did he tell you what happened between them? [She knows Carlisle wasn't completely charitable with the details to his partner, but a fuller history might help. Not for Shadow's sake, but Carlisle's.]
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My assumptions are correct, aren't they? It was Shadow who set all this in motion--and now Carlisle is allowing him to feel completely justified in doing so.
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Well, you are right. He was being forced to stay at one of the temples when the city was covered in fog and going to Hell, because it was "safe" there.
[Seeing how close these two are, Rey is at least pretty sure she doesn't need to explain why this would be such an issue. Even without sharing any religious beliefs, Rey and a few others had seen not to seek refuge at the gods' temples for their own reason. That was their choice, and no one had any right to make it for them, Carlisle included.]
When things got violent, Carlisle just made Shadow leave him alone. When Shadow found out, sounds like that's when he burned down the garden.
[Rey sighs, her tone growing darker:] Being under someone's control is shitty, but as far as that situation went, Shadow was doing the same fucking thing by trying to force someone against their will. Chances are he doesn't see it that way, because Carlisle sure as hell didn't.
He was afraid when Shadow was trying to make him teach how healing works. Told him that Shadow can go fuck himself.
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That's how the situation should have been handled, not this treachery. The very fact that Shadow subjected Carlisle to such abuse despite being guilty of the very thing he was so angry about causes a deep disgust to roil about in the alien's guts.] Good--that is absolutely the right response in this scenario. Shadow doesn't have the right to ask anything of my partner after what he's done! Such selfishness and hypocrisy. Now Carlisle is the only one suffering guilt--when he has only wanted to set things right since--while Shadow goes on to feel perfectly justified despite his hand of all of this is not right!
I wish I could convince Carlisle to stop wasting his breath on the cur--and yet still he clings to whatever scrap of friendship they had before Shadow forefeited his right to it.
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[Stop.]
Guilt has a way of making people not think logically. It's hard to... "reprogram" yourself to see it any other way. Sometimes all you can do is just keep hammering the message in until it sticks.
[She drags a hand down her face in a tired gesture. This has been more than exhausting to have to deal with, just thinking about how long this has been going on and she had no idea. People trusted Shadow. Nick, Maketh -- he was involved with the Guard for some time. This is the opposite of what they're supposed to be about.]
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[Fuck all knows how many people have tried to do the same for her, and it still has trouble sticking. Sure does suck, being a self-loathing asshole.]
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Thank you for taking time out to discuss all this with me, for helping me achieve a deeper understanding on all the facets of this... admittedly complicated issue. And thank you for agreeing to help me watch out for Carlisle, too. I... do appreciate it.
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[She might be an outsider in this -- or, at least, very much feels like one -- Rey is also not one to sit by while letting someone be taken advantage of. It's just not right.]
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[He may not be entirely accustomed to speaking on them, but he's often better than he gives himself credit for when it comes to matters of the heart... and he's of course well-suited to dealing with external threats or problems. He trusts that Rey will know how to make use of him, should she at some point choose to.]
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[Referring to the time she showed up at the Colosseum after her brief return trip home with a rebar run through her chest. A wound that would have undoubtedly been fatal to the average human. But she isn't average -- or human for that matter. The rules are a little different.]