[ Carlisle's prayer gives Qubit some time to take a few steps back, hoping for the best, but ready to bolt if need be. Fortunately, need does not be. As Carlisle's body collapses, the decay around him expands rapidly at first, but tapers off after only a second or two, with meters to spare. Qubit waits a moment to be sure it's stabilized; another passes before he remembers to exhale.
Carlisle was already dead, he reminds himself. He's been dead since before they met. But this is the first time he's really looked it - crumpled haphazardly on the ground, utterly motionless, eyes open but seeing nothing. Even with the knowledge that it's only temporary, and before long he'll be wide awake and back to his old self (because this will work, it has to work), the sight ties Qubit's stomach in knots.
This time, he allows it. He lingers a few minutes longer to collect himself, to remember some of the other faces he's seen wearing that same haunting expression. And gradually, the mood passes.
Qubit straightens, taking one lapel in his free hand, and meets his friend's darkened eyes. ]
1/?
Carlisle was already dead, he reminds himself. He's been dead since before they met. But this is the first time he's really looked it - crumpled haphazardly on the ground, utterly motionless, eyes open but seeing nothing. Even with the knowledge that it's only temporary, and before long he'll be wide awake and back to his old self (because this will work, it has to work), the sight ties Qubit's stomach in knots.
This time, he allows it. He lingers a few minutes longer to collect himself, to remember some of the other faces he's seen wearing that same haunting expression. And gradually, the mood passes.
Qubit straightens, taking one lapel in his free hand, and meets his friend's darkened eyes. ]
... Good night, Carlisle.