superposition: ((talk to me))
Qubit ([personal profile] superposition) wrote2019-09-06 02:00 am

IC Inbox (Redshift)

"You've reached Qubit. Leave a message."

abheirrant: (❧ it only hid so much)

[personal profile] abheirrant 2021-08-11 01:49 am (UTC)(link)
[Carlisle eyes Qubit's latest creation as he meanders toward the door. He has no idea if the text on the screen is referring to the odd little shape that's being constructed nearby, and as such, has absolutely no hope of guessing what said device's intended purpose could be. That doesn't stop Carlisle from trying to figure it out, though: perhaps it's a device that can monitor his status remotely, he considers, saving Qubit the trouble of watching him for three solid days the next time he (unfortunately, inevitably) has to sleep.

That's being optimistic, and Carlisle isn't sure he's feeling that well. Qubit is ever thinking ahead, while the clergyman is still grappling with the moral scruples involved in simply maintaining his existence. At least the results look 'very promising.']


Lower. Substantially. That's good. Not perfect, not deemed wholly unnecessary, but encouraging nonetheless.

[He realizes he should probably sound happier about that about halfway through his assessment.]

It- it is encouraging, truly. Especially when it's uncertain how long this place and its resources could reasonably sustain me, enough to keep what risk there would be to others minimal.

[And they both agreed that him contemplating whether or not he even had a reason to keep existing when he's clearly a danger to those around him was out of the question, so he'll take what hope he can get. Qubit is good at inspiring that, whether he believes it or not.]
abheirrant: (❧ he tried (& failed) to hide his mirth)

[personal profile] abheirrant 2021-09-05 03:24 am (UTC)(link)
[Carlisle is about to note that Qubit is right — after all, he doesn't have to eat, drink, or even breathe if he doesn't want to, saving those resources for the rest of Anchor — but is instead drawn to the clutter in Qubit's private quarters. Not that his lab isn't cluttered, but this is a different kind of clutter: there are devices plugged into the wall, cylinders topped with what he recognizes as spray nozzles, and then —

Ah. A smile creeps under Carlisle's mask as eyes the combs and the stray, black hairs adoring them, his mind piecing together what all this is.]


It's not all that different from your usual mess, admittedly. [He says that with a hint of fondness.] Is this how you keep that mane of yours in place?
Edited 2021-09-05 03:24 (UTC)
abheirrant: (❧ an unexpected emotion)

[personal profile] abheirrant 2021-09-06 06:34 am (UTC)(link)
[While he has only a vague idea of what biodegradable means, Carlisle is so charmed by how proud Qubit is of his accomplishment that the cleric can't help but nod in approval, as if to say, 'Yes yes, that is impressive.' His eyes trail over the various canisters and devices one more time, and though he appreciates the demonstration of how to use said devices, he's not eager to try them for himself. He'll stick to his own methods.]

I'll admit I'm relieved I still have my hair. Far greyer than it once was, but I'm in better shape — relatively speaking, of course — than most aberrations.

[Case in point: the reindire, complete with the dreadful filth of decay.]

It took quite a bit of work to get it like this when I was alive. That it stands this way almost naturally now is no doubt thanks to what magic preserves me. A rare blessing of this form, I suppose.
abheirrant: (❧ troubling times)

[personal profile] abheirrant 2021-10-13 01:32 am (UTC)(link)
[As Qubit steps closer and gets on his toes, Carlisle dips his head without a second thought about his personal space being so utterly invaded. It comes so naturally between them, after all, more so than it has for anyone else in his entire life —

Nope, he's not sparing a second thought about that, either. He runs a gloved hand through the hairs at his temple idly, as though he could feel the texture through the fabric, and ponders just how far he's willing to let Qubit test hair products on him. He would really not like to lose it.]


I assume not. My leg is held on with but stitches and binding. Why would it be any different for my hair?
abheirrant: (❧ was it what you believed?)

[personal profile] abheirrant 2021-10-13 04:47 am (UTC)(link)
[Carlisle lets Qubit step away and straightens his coat idly, despite it not needing any straightening at all. His hands feel too idle suddenly, his mind almost too clear after months and months of dealing with the maddening hum of his own energies. He picks up one of the spray canisters, examining it as an additional distraction.]

Well enough that I've not had to complain about it. [Which he's sure Qubit has noticed.] It's still attached, and that's honestly all I ask of it.
abheirrant: (❧ he hesitated,as usual)

[personal profile] abheirrant 2021-10-13 05:08 pm (UTC)(link)
[Cursing the can and its utter inability to hold his attention for long, Carlisle sets it aside and places himself near the wall, trying to stay out of Qubit's way as he tidies up. He's been back here before, but he's never quite noticed how their familiarity with one another has changed until now. He recalls the first time he walked into Qubit's lab and saw the technology surrounding him: he'd stayed as far from all of it as he could, not wanting to touch anything for fear it might explode. Its very presence made him nervous beyond all measure.

And here he is now in Qubit's private quarters, considering examining his 'blow dryer' in the hopes of distracting himself from emotions he ought not be able to feel, ones that make him even more nervous. How times change. He keeps his hands to himself, fiddling with the fabric of his scarf.]


Yes, perfectly well. Or as well as expected, given my physical condition. [He means the fact he's dead and, in some places, skeletal.] I am grateful for that, admittedly. The end of my life was unpleasant, to say the very least. Perpetually sore, tired, and stiff.

[He almost feels more alive than he did then, and that's truly something.]
Edited 2021-10-13 17:09 (UTC)
abheirrant: (❧ he felt that (how unusual))

[personal profile] abheirrant 2021-11-12 06:28 am (UTC)(link)
[Carlisle meets Qubit's eyes as he glances over; though he looks distinctly uncomfortable with the suggestion, he doesn't appear to be surprised, his brow furrowing.]

They say the twice-cursed are both dead and alive. I've always wondered how much validity the old superstitions held.

[His hands find themselves, his fingers twisting one another.]

What evidence have you? Or is it just an inkling you had?
abheirrant: (♛ felt nothing but bitterness)

[personal profile] abheirrant 2021-11-13 09:34 am (UTC)(link)
[Despite the grim topic, Carlisle can't help but smile as Qubit uses the kettle he made for him, glyph and all. It does his heart good to see his handiwork appreciated, particularly when it was a gift. Were those paw plants on the side an intentional nod to how Qubit should seek a full night's sleep more often? Perish the thought.

His grin is subtle, largely hidden behind his mask; it remains as his eyes go from the kettle back to Qubit. Yes, what he said is true, but—]


Dissociation?
abheirrant: (❧ the sound was soothing)

[personal profile] abheirrant 2021-11-26 04:10 am (UTC)(link)
[Carlisle nods at Qubit's explanation -- yes, he does know that feeling, even if he never knew the proper name for it. Between the dreams he had in life and the struggle he's had since his revival to even recognize who himself for who he used to be, he's sure Qubit is right with his hunch, however terrible that truth may be.

His eyes flick from Qubit to the glyph -- he'll save his additional thoughts on how dead he's been all along for a moment.]


Of course.

[He assumes this is some part of Qubit's observations, as he'd be keen to do something similar were he not the one whose energy had just been renewed. He barely gets a finger on the activation point for the glyph before it lights up, his gloves doing absolutely nothing at all to deter the transfer. His fingers curl back to his hand once the glyph finishes illuminating, the water steaming.]

I didn't even feel that. [Not that he ever feels anything, but his point stands.] It seems I have energy in abundance, for now.
abheirrant: (❧ it only hid so much)

[personal profile] abheirrant 2021-11-30 05:19 am (UTC)(link)
[Carlisle remains seated on the daybed for a second longer, his eyes flicking from Qubit to his mug on the glyph and back before he gets to his feet, unsure if he should follow. Yes, he's here for the data, here to hear about the data and Qubit's findings, but he was looking forward to just sitting with Qubit for a bit, conversing and simply enjoying his company. In due time, he reminds himself. Qubit seemed optimistic about the data, so there's nothing to worry about, surely.

But Carlisle worries all the same. It's his natural state of being.]


Should I come in there? Or did you want to bring it in here? [Could he? Or was the data on one of those many screens in his lab?]
abheirrant: (❧ he tried (& failed) to hide his mirth)

[personal profile] abheirrant 2022-01-15 09:15 am (UTC)(link)
[Qubit is barely done speaking before Carlisle meanders back into the lab. Their dynamic has indeed changed; but a year ago, he'd have preferred to wait in the smaller space that serves as Qubit's private quarters, hiding from the copious amounts of technology littering the lab. Nowadays, he doesn't worry as much about the machinery, even actively trying to discern its purpose rather than fretting over its existence and proximity to him. The trust Carlisle has in Qubit to handle things in his lab — and to make sure nothing there would prove dangerous to him — bolsters his courage more than the clergyman has fully realized.

And so, he follows Qubit into the lab proper, bringing his mug with him. His eyes trail to the screen he passed on the way in.]


Let's hear it out here, then. What good news have you about what you found?
abheirrant: (❧ it only hid so much)

[personal profile] abheirrant 2022-02-16 03:19 am (UTC)(link)
[Carlisle accepts Qubit's abbreviated explanation, genuinely marveling at the model as it begins to form the environment. As the trees come into being, he thinks he recognizes their arrangement, then—

Oh, and there's his teacup. And him. Carlisle is not quite as warm on those models, but understands this image is a part of Qubit's observational methods. It's merely a record of what transpired put into visual form, like a painting... sort of. He assumes they'll be seeing the rest of what happened as well, reindire and all — that still leaves him distinctly uncomfortable. It likely always will.

As Qubit rotates the view around the model of Carlisle, the clergyman himself straightens his scarf.]


Do I really look like that?
Edited 2022-02-16 03:38 (UTC)
abheirrant: (❧ allow me to explain)

[personal profile] abheirrant 2022-02-28 11:36 pm (UTC)(link)
Ah.

[Qubit's comment, however unintentional his flattery may have been, only makes Carlisle fidget more. He adjusts the scarf around his face as though it would help hide his reaction, only to belatedly remember that in his undead state, there's nothing to hide. Still, he does his best to bury that emotion, to hide it just as he hides himself beneath his clothes.]

That your technology could produce such, er... lifelike depictions is still beyond me. Lifelike to the point of discomfort.

[Yes, that was him just an hour or so days ago, curled into a ball as he tried to keep himself together, utterly terrified his abilities would lash out at Qubit at any moment. One wrong move, and his friend would be dead... and then a moment longer, likely undead. He steels himself with a breath, wondering if stewing over how Qubit's remark made him feel was preferable to his renewed anxiety. Maybe he shouldn't have tried to stifle that feeling so quickly.]

Marvelous as this is, I think I'd prefer to be past this part, if you don't mind.

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