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[casuistic]

What did the bee say to the flower?

[ ooc: Duplo ppl, please mark the game in the top of the thread to avoid confusion. Thank you! ]

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[oversight]

No kidding. Seems crazy that maybe this place is keeping us on file, so to speak.

[casuistic]

Yes.

So, how have you been fairing for the past year?

[oversight]

Not all that great, if I'm being honest. But I'm a survivor. I'm more worried about Arthur than anything. We found ourselves on the Titanic a while back and I swear I'd lived a whole life where we were actual brothers and now I can't let it go. He was the guy who went and bailed out our fake family and that feels very much like a part of Arthur, but someone we don't see every day or even occasionally.

You know him so much better than I do. Please, Eames, will you keep an eye out for him? I'd owe you the favor.

[casuistic]

He doesn't tell me anything. What happened? I knew something was wrong. All I have from him is explanations what happened to other people basically.

Which isn't at all unlike Arthur to be completely honest. He'll insist everything is fine until he's choking on blood.

Do you know what he's been up to?

[oversight]

I know some of it, yeah, and you're right about him: He doesn't want to share with anyone if it means him looking anything but 100% self sufficient. But he got skinned alive at the end of last month, basically. By kids. I haven't had a chance to catch up with him because I was dead, too.

[casuistic]

So, that was the scar on his chin. It obviously bothers him, he absolutely refuses to talk about it.

And Titanic? What happened there? You were brothers and he had to do...?

[oversight]

The family business was failing due to some outstanding debt, so he left home to clear it. We got money from him all the time until it was paid down. I tried to go looking for him, but he'd changed his name and didn't think he was wanted back at home to help after dad died.

He's so vague on details, but I get the feeling you were stuck in there somewhere in that fake life he had.

[casuistic]

Right. Probably doing something unspeakable (to him) to earn the money, which would mean he doesn't deserve the love and happiness.

Anything else you can think of?

[oversight]

Well, he got his arm cut off during all of that and went MIA after the sinking. Didn't really see him for a month, but he's got all of his limbs, so he's recovered from that, at least.

[casuistic]

So, a lot of stress in a nutshell. I'll see what I can do about that.

What about you, Blake? You said you aren't that well.

[oversight]

Recovering from another death. It's twice as bad as last time, if you ask me. I'm not usually one to complain, but I really feel like this place is doing its best to make it obvious it doesn't like me very much.

[casuistic]

It's a high stress situation for sure. Have you figured out how to manage that stress? This place easily gives you a PTSD if you aren't careful about it.

I'm not a licensed therapist but I can keep a secret better than one if you would like someone to talk with. Think about it, at least.

[oversight]

Why, Eames, I thought you only wanted in my pants. Now you're trying to get into my head, too?

[casuistic]

You didn't even think about it.

Also, maybe I want both. Isn't that the human condition?

[oversight]

I didn't think about it, no. No offense. We all have issues with people getting into our heads, I think.

[casuistic]

Some people actually get some help from therapy.

None taken, though. It was a shot in the dark.

And besides, I thought your pants were quite well secured from all entrances but one. Or do you and Bruce have an open relationship?

[oversight]

It depends on my mood, apparently. He doesn't tie me down, but he doesn't go exploring himself, either. I want to talk about this even less, especially over the phone. Can we go back to the psychoanalysis?

[casuistic]

Okay. What do you want to talk about, Blake?

[oversight]

At least you took the bait. Why don't we get together soon and talk then? Probably about Arthur.

[casuistic]

I live in the same address I used to live in. I have a bottle of pretty good scotch and a comfortable couch.

And more over, I'm free right now.

[oversight]

Okay, I'll bite. But no comments on how I look like shit or else. Should I bring a housewarming gift?

[casuistic]

I make no promises. And no gifts necessary unless you object to scotch as the drink of choice.

text; -> action;

[oversight]

I'll bring coffee just in case.

[ But true to his word, Blake shows up not long later, knocking on the door and then waiting for it to open. He's got some whole bean coffee in a brown paper bag dangling from his hand, and the other's being used to scrub at his face. He looks like shit, as he warned Eames, but at the very least he's recovering. Every day that passes is a day closer to feeling a bit more like normal again. ]

[casuistic]

[ Eames opens the door in a pair of fainted blue jeans and a tee that stretches over his chest, making the Rolling Stones logo grin just a little bit. His expression mellows into a fond smile and he steps aside to let Blake in.

The apartment is already styled a little bit in true Eames fashion, eclectic and colour mismatched in a way that should be unpleasing but actually fits rather nice together when you give it a chance. There's no couch but a big hammock couch hanging at one side of a curiously shaped coffee table and a couple of mismatched armchairs. A soft rug on the floor and pillows thrown around.

Where the bed is at? Should be right there in the studio apartment. But it's not. Maybe he sleeps in the hammock? ]

You... look a little worn out, sweetheart, [ Eames comments with a small smile. ] What happened?

[oversight]

[ Knowing Eames, the bed's tucked away in some secret place utterly undetectable without his help. Blake's cottoned on to the way Arthur can manipulate the dream world and like hell is he going to believe Eames doesn't have the same powers of dream persuasion at his behest.

The thoughts leave his mind quickly after he gives the place a good once over, his attention turning back to the other man. ]

Good to see you, too. [ It sounds like sarcasm except he means it. ] Two years in this place happened. Or are you looking for specifics already?

[ Setting aside the bag of coffee on the nearest flat surface, he goes about wandering a little to investigate the unfamiliar layout. ]