ic inbox

[headjacked]

Heyyyyyyyy, kiddo, you've reached me. Me who is Rhys. Anyway, not sure why you're trying to get in contact with the king of the dweebs, but I'm sure you've got your reasons. Reasons you should probably re-examine. I'm just sayin'.

Last chance to back out.

No?

Don't say I didn't warn ya.

Comments

[headjacked]

Is that a yes?

[dr_unconscious]

I don't know, Rhys. How about you tell me what's going on? I'm very curious.

[headjacked]

If this is about Steph, and I am like 200% sure it is, the situation is resolved. Ish. By which I mean we have gone our separate ways.

Happy?

[dr_unconscious]

I don't think the situation is as resolved as you think it is. She said you were hurt?

[headjacked]

Angel took care of it.

I said I am fine because I am FINE. Why is that so hard to believe?

[dr_unconscious]

You don't sound fine, that's why.

[headjacked]

What do you want from me, doc? I'm sure Steph told you everything.

[dr_unconscious]

I want to know why you're being so cagey with me. I understand not wanting to discuss the details so soon after it happened, but from what I've gathered, Steph attacked you. I came into this assuming that you and Angel were just defending yourselves.

What are you hiding from me that's making you so anxious?

[headjacked]

It might be a little more complicated than that.

But for all intents and purposes she did start it.

[dr_unconscious]

Well it's a good thing that I have a lot of time on my hands. Please enlighten me.

[headjacked]

Okay, but consider this:

No.

[dr_unconscious]

It's about the other guy, isn't it?

[Not the meme other guy, shut up. The actual one. The Other Guy. The one living in Rhys's head that likes to punch things.]

[headjacked]

WOW you are awfully insistent on making this your business when: news flash, it isn't!

[ SWEATING AND WIBBLEWHINING IS A GO ]

[dr_unconscious]

It became my business when he hurt you so badly that you were bedridden for more than a week and I had to work tooth and nail to keep you from dying a slow, painful death to pneumonia. But if that doesn't mean anything to you, I can just ask Angel instead. She seems to trust me more for helping you.

[headjacked]

[ The frustration and anger peaks and drains, which is a weird, stomach-churny feeling. A stabby, stomach-churny feeling.

As much as he'd hate to admit it, the guilt trip is working. But he can recognize that's what it is at the same time. ]

Go ahead.

[ And he passes his tablet to Angel, who, go figure, has been next to him for the latter half of this conversation. ]

surprise, mothereffer

[phaseshifter]

Hi, Dr. Epps! ~ヾ(＾∇＾)
I would have thought that someone who knows what a rough time Rhys is having would be more gentle about trying to get information from him. (⚆ _ ⚆) I'm pretty sure that you're not TRYING to guilt him into telling you things he isn't comfortable with, but that's kind of how it seems to him right now!
Don't worry, everything is fine and you know everything you need to know already ~UwU~

!!

[dr_unconscious]

Please forgive me for being frustrated, Angel. I feel like I'm missing a lot about what's going on here. People are hurt. You two have trusted me with your safety and sensitive information in the past. I think you even scolded me once for apologizing for getting involved, didn't you?
But it's coming across now that you two don't trust me anymore, and I'm not sure what's changed. Please, if nothing else, let me know what I've done wrong between then and now so I can make it up to you.

[phaseshifter]

There's nothing to make up for! We haven't stopped trusting you ヾ(´▽｀;)ゝ It's just that there isn't much more to tell!
The things you don't know are completely irrelevant to everything, honestly ^^; Rhys and I are both fine! We've recovered the pills, are out of the tunnels safely, and we can handle ~the other guy~ UwU No fussing!

[dr_unconscious]

Then why the defensiveness? Why the ambiguity? Why would Rhys try to brush off a fight that resulted in serious injury to someone like nothing happened? Did you two really think I wasn't going to know something was going on?

The fact of the matter is, maybe you two are fine, but Steph is not fine. She painted herself as the bad guy yet she's showing far more remorse for her actions and the situation than you two are and that makes me very uncomfortable. I know you're not that cold, Angel. I told Steph that myself.

[phaseshifter]

If Steph is sorry or wants to talk, then I'll talk to Steph. A mediator would only make it seem like Rhys and I are too weaselly to deal with our own problems, I think.

As for why Rhys would brush it off - because getting other people involved will only make a thresher den out of a sandpit, of course. Especially when the topic is such a sensitive one.

[dr_unconscious]

I can understand that. I won't lie--it hurts to think that you two wouldn't trust me to keep this quiet. But I guess it's a little selfish of me to think I'm entitled to that information straight away, too. I apologize. You know how I worry.

I think I'll feel better when you two get back here and I can see you for myself. How long do you think it'll be?

[phaseshifter]

I've told you, it isn't a question of trust. Just causing as little fuss as possible. /(^w^)/

[ DON'T TRY AND GUILT ANGEL, MOTHERFUCKER, SHE GREW UP WITH JACK!!! ]

As for coming back, we're just going to do a little exploring first. There's something I need to do down here! A very important thing ^.~a
A thing that is top secret for REASONS! But you will hear all about it later, I promise. >:3c But it means it might be a few more days before we get back!

[ at the earliest

BITE HER ]

[dr_unconscious]

[But he worries

so much

and yet somehow Clayton has the self-awareness to realize that Angel is right. Guilt of his own claws at him for pressing the issue. He's not following his promise from the meeting to leave them alone. He ought to show more trust.]

I don't know if I can joke about this right now, Angel. I'm sorry.
I'll see you soon. Please let me know if you need anything.

[phaseshifter]

Who's joking 乁( . ര ʖ̯ ര . )ㄏ But alright! We'll keep in touch.

[ Except for that whole thing where they go silent halfway through day 76 until noonish day 77 BUT HEY DETAILS ]