RO > call me out; a forever open RP post, version 2

[midvalley]

NEW OPEN RP POST

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[redoubling]

[ He takes back the glass, pouring more water from the pitcher, and presses it back into Charlie's hand. ]

I was hoping you could tell me, honestly.

I heard the commotion from the ground floor. By the time I followed the noise and climbed the fire escape to your apartment, there was a man dead, and you were bleeding quite heavily.

[animated]

[ he stops in mid-drink, eyeing Myriad over the top of the glass ]

And your first inclination wasn't to call the authorities?

[redoubling]

[ He hesitates, shifting slightly in his seat. ]

... Considering I had just finished robbing an apartment on the first floor, no, it wasn't.

[animated]

So your first inclination was kidnapping instead.

[redoubling]

[ He lowers his head slightly, gaze wandering off to one side. ]

I apologize. I thought it best not to leave you behind, considering the state you were -- are -- in.

[animated]

The fact that you just picked me up and took me away after an assassin broke into my apartment doesn't exactly scream "trustworthy".

[redoubling]

[ He nods once. ]

I don't blame you in the slightest, considering the night you've had. We can part ways after my acquaintance has seen to your injuries.

[animated]

Are your friends gonna be okay with that? [ because he's pretty sure he remembers more than one person in his apartment ]

HOVER MENUS

[redoubling]

Friends?

[ His brow wrinkles in confusion before his expression smooths out into something amused. ]

Ah, no. It's just me, actually. Those were copies of myself. Back in my home system, I'm what they would have colloquially called a Changer. Powers of illusion, ability to alter matter, things of that nature.

TURN THAT SHIT OFF

[animated]

[ That is the moment where Charlie well and truly panics, because who else would his father send to bring him home but a fellow Changer?

Charlie's eyes flare bright blue and he shoves the man in front of him against the nearest wall ]

Tell me the truth! Where are we going?

u can't tell me what to do ur not my real dad

[redoubling]

[ The air from his lungs escapes in one breath as he slams against the bulkhead, and a part of him commends Charlie for how easily he taps into his abilities.

Another part of him twists, something icy and filled raged, and thinks, How dare he?

But Myriad swallows his anger, looks Charlie directly in the eye; he at least forces himself to look nervous. ]

To see a healer, as I said. An acquaintance I met during the course of my work.

You need to calm down. You're going to aggravate your injuries.

[animated]

Give me one reason I should trust you. I won't go back there, I won't!

[redoubling]

Back where? I have no clue what you're talking about.

[animated]

Back home! I'm not an idiot, I know what a Changer is.

[redoubling]

Evidently.

[ he licks his lips. ]

I haven't been home in a long, long time, and I have no intention of returning, either.

[animated]

[ Charlie continues to glare, eyes blazing.

Of course, if this man knew who Charlie was, knew what he was, he wouldn't have mentioned being a Changer at all. It would have been the easier route. Also, if his parents had hired him to bring Charlie home, then who hired the assassin? It was almost easier to believe his family wanted him dead rather than to return.

At last, the fight drains from him, and the light in his eyes dims. ] I'm sorry.

[redoubling]

[ He breathes a sigh of relief when he feels the pressure holding him against the bulkhead disappears, but he stays tense, alert. Apparently Charlie had come to his own conclusions, for which he was glad. ]

I take it you're a Mover.

[ Although he knew that already. No need to let the ignorant front drop. ]

I'm not going to ask what your circumstances are, but for my part, I left our system a long time ago. Several decades by now, actually. I understand better than anyone the need to escape that place, and so long as you're with me, no one will force you to return.

[ He takes a wary step forward. ]

I am not asking for absolute trust. Given what seems to have happened to you tonight, I understand your caution. But I ask you to at least trust me until after your injuries have been seen to.

[animated]

[ What are the chances? He thinks. What are the fucking chances that he’d run into another runaway?? Something suspiciously like hope starts to poke its head up, and Charlie does his best to stomp it back down. It’s something of a losing battle, however. He’s been alone for so long, and he thought for sure he’d be alone out in the universe too, but against all odds, someone happens to find him who knows what it’s like in that place. Who knows what it’s like to want out.

And who has managed running away a whole lot better than Charlie has.

The Mover relaxes by degrees. Even if he was still suspicious- and a part of him keeps nagging that he ought to be, though Charlie doesn’t pay it much mind- he’s much too tired to do much about it. ]

I’m Charlie. [ It’s a start. An admission of some small sort of trust. ]

[redoubling]

Charlie.

[ He repeats it with a small, thankful smile. ]

I'm known as Myriad, now. [ He holds up a hand as if to stave off any teasing remarks. ] A little on the nose, I know, but it seems to have stuck.

[animated]

Do all thieves have code names or is that just you?

[redoubling]

Not always. Some merely maintain their given names, but when I left home, I was adamant, perhaps childishly so, about leaving behind everything my parents gave me -- name included. If it were up to me, I'd be just as happy without a code name, but I suppose I'm just that special.

[ Another step forward, and he rights the chair that was knocked over, after Charie threw him into the bulkhead. ]

The man in your apartment. [ He pauses, apparently hesitant. ] Was he trying to return you home?

[animated]

[ Charlie falls quiet again, glancing down at the bandages that adorn his chest and torso. ]

He was there to kill me.

[redoubling]

[ Myriad takes a breath, as if in surprise. ]

... I'm sorry.

[ His voice is softened, approaching gentle. He hesitates again, looking as though he'd like to ask more, but he shakes his head. ]

We don't have to discuss it, if you prefer. You ought to be resting, as it is.

[animated]

I-- can I ask why you left?

[redoubling]

[ He's quiet for a long moment, fingers rapping lightly against the chair. ]

My parents and I clashed on many things. [ The words are said slowly, carefully. ] My career. My future. My lifestyle. My--

[ Myriad pauses, brow furrowing. He decides at last on-- ]

-- interests. Eventually I saw no other recourse than to leave it all behind me.