[ somarium ] voicemail

[selfmotivations]

Hey, it's Alvin. Just leave a message and I'll get right back to you.

[ooc: Just label any IC/OOC stuff in the subect line o/]

Comments

[healinguilt]

I do not know.

[selfmotivations]

What, never bothered to ask? Or even a little curious?

[healinguilt]

I can hazard a guess for Kazuya and Sherlock, but ultimately I do not know. Nor would I ask. I didn't see how it was important.

[selfmotivations]

Would be good to know if we have actual traitors or if they're like you and pulling a double.

[healinguilt]

Well... I was a traitor first, too. Technically speaking.

Sherlock is not the type to answer questions directly. His latest theory about me is that I am attempting to control him. As for Kazuya, I trust him enough professionally and can ask him, I suppose.

[selfmotivations]

Technically.

Just keep up a group of allies. If you get in trouble, you can at least have someone there to fall back in. If you both get in trouble—well, still better than if you were by yourself.

[healinguilt]

Admittedly, it's a bit difficult to get in touch with any of them while there, but I'll see what I can do.

[selfmotivations]

Just keep tabs on each other. You don't want to look like you're conspiring together, either. Just the casual meet up and such. Keep it natural.

[healinguilt]

[ Um. ] Anything else you'd like to add, Mr. Expert?

[selfmotivations]

[—ah.]

Heh, sorry.

[he turns away.]

Guess it's been a while since I've had to actually think about these things so it's all just kind of flowing out.

[though what does that say about him, he wonders. knowing all of these nuances on how to trick and manipulate people.]

[healinguilt]

...Don't worry. I'll take your advice to heart. And if things don't go well, we'll know it's my fault. [ Her tone is a bit gentler just then. Perhaps in the past she would have patted him on the shoulder, but as they are now? She keeps that physical distance. ]

[selfmotivations]

Let's just make sure things go well.

[not "hope" they go well. an insistence that it will go well. because it not going well is something he doesn't want to think about.]

[healinguilt]

Agreed.

[ Well, she should leave it at that. She finishes the rest of her wine. Hopefully it won't be the last they get to share, but she keeps that thought to herself. ]

[selfmotivations]

[and he'll just stay silent, his thoughts replaying the information he heard from the beginning all the way to the end. it's a lot of stuff. a lot of risks. he takes another swig from his bottle before setting it down on top of the side of the truck bed and stares out to the vast desert around them. they had brought food, but he doesn't have much of an appetite for it. not that he expected to eat, anyway.

he stays like that for a few more moments, and then without looking at her:]

Are you scared?

[healinguilt]

[ The long silence is mirrored in her own pause. She's only thinking that there are risks but she has to take them in order for this to work. ]

...Yes.

[selfmotivations]

[he closes his eyes.]

Good.

[healinguilt]

[ Puzzled look. ] Good?

[selfmotivations]

[a slight grin as he looks at her.]

It means you won't do anything too stupid or reckless.

[healinguilt]

[ Siiiiigh. But it's good natured. ] Now, when have I never been careful?

[selfmotivations]

Oh I don't know. How about when you decided to work for Nocturne?

[burn.]

[healinguilt]

I argue that I was being extremely careful then, too. You didn't know until what happened with Jude, did you?

[selfmotivations]

Except something happened to Jude.

[healinguilt]

...Yes.

[ Looking out into the desert again. ]

That cure will be found, Alvin.

[selfmotivations]

I know.

[a small frustrated sigh.]

Just wish I could do something more than watch over him.

[he looks at her again.]

So I'm putting it all on you, Naomi.

[no pressure or anything. but it does mean a few things, such as that he's at least trusting her and believing that she'll find something that will help him.]

[healinguilt]

Mm. When I find it, I'll contact you.

[ She doesn't really have a response, and her wine glass is empty. She doesn't want anything more, either. It feels a bit silly to have come all the way out here and open a bottle, even if it's all pretense. She feels as if they should be getting back to work and doing something. ]