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Post by Julian on Aug 12, 2008 13:18:26 GMT -5
*Julian seemed...almost disappointed. That was it? Because...*
"Doesn't he have the capability for making something so...simple?"
*He was genuinely confused by the request at this point. Surely there was more. There had to be.*
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Post by Carlos Castro on Aug 12, 2008 13:26:02 GMT -5
Carlos shifted uncomfortably. He didn't like this... this revealing of Erik's secrets to a stranger.
But he was obviously not a stranger to Erik. Which made Carlos more than a little suspicious.
This Julian was pretty, after all.
"Not at the moment," Carlos said shortly. "The change that occurred has affected his hands, as well."
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Post by Julian on Aug 12, 2008 14:57:02 GMT -5
"Oh, that would make more sense." *Julian looked pensive, speaking more to himself than the other. If this was the charge, no matter how simple, he wanted to do well.*
"Perhaps...you might be able to tell me what sorts of things he might need of it though."
*He lifted his hand, pausing further questions until he'd elaborated.*
"Will he need it to cover just his face? Or more of his form? Does it need to be mutable? Is his skin in pain? Does it need to take comfort into account, or merely aesthetics? Will he...be singing in it? Are acoustics an issue?"
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Post by Carlos Castro on Aug 12, 2008 15:40:08 GMT -5
Carlos blinked. My, but the man was thorough. And he felt shame, not having considered any of this himself.
He was surprised Erik had not.
"I'm... I'm not sure," he said. He had been otherwise occupied. "I'm not certain what he intends; I don't believe his is in pain. But the affliction of his face is not limited to it. He seems to be increasing in strength, but I can't say whether he will gain enough to make his own arrangements at a later date." He paused, thinking. "I suppose acoustics are always an issue, with him."
He peered at Julian again.
"Look. Just what can you do? You seem to have a lot of questions--which means a lot of options."
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Post by Julian on Aug 12, 2008 15:45:06 GMT -5
"I have no restrictions."
*Julian quirked his head.*
"Of course there are many options. My mother...I have observed the construction of many masks. And I have built numerous oddities far more complex. I will meet the specifications you lay down, some will just take more time than others."
*He arched his brow.*
"What is it that you would like to see then, if he has offered no description?"
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Post by Carlos Castro on Aug 12, 2008 16:15:09 GMT -5
Carlos paused, as absurd wishes flooded through him.
He wanted it back like it was.
Even before Taylor. He'd take that. Anything but this. Anything but knowing that the man he loved was trapped inside a thing he could not bear to look at. Destler's original face paled in comparison. He still had his body, his hands, his oddly stiff smile.
"I... don't think I can have what I want," he said, swallowing. He pulled himself together, conscious of an itching in his skin. "He seems to have lost the dexterity in his hands. I do not think anything can be done for that. But if there was some way of... of providing him a sort of skin... Something that would make him feel comfortable in speaking to me. But... but I think it is impossible."
I won't be touching him again, will I?
"A new face, if such a thing were possible, that moved as he did and expressed his emotion; that would be ideal. But apart from that, something functional. That he could speak or sing through. That would not pain him to wear."
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Post by Julian on Aug 12, 2008 16:31:09 GMT -5
Now that's more like it.
*Julian slipped into an eerie grin.*
"You don't desire much, do you?" *He queried, the sarcasm dry.*
"But nothing is impossible only expensive. It merely takes time. Something temporary is easy enough. The rest...can be nogiated later."
*After all, he still had an Erik of his own that was suffering. And family came first.*
"Where would you have me deliver it?"
((I will not make Bowie!Tesla.[/random comment]))
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Post by Carlos Castro on Aug 12, 2008 16:49:31 GMT -5
"Men desire things they cannot have all the time," Carlos said, with a bitterness only recently learned. "You asked; I have no unreasonable expectations. I merely want him to be... as comfortable as I can make him."
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Post by Julian on Aug 12, 2008 16:54:31 GMT -5
*Julian's eyes grew shrewd as he took a step closer, surveying the man as he stepped around him, the words from his lips sticky with temptation.*
"That's what you know you should want. But truly...it is not your heart's desire, is it? If you knew it was in my power, you would have him beautiful, an angel would that not truly be your wish?"
*His brow lifted in genuine interest.*
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Post by Carlos Castro on Aug 12, 2008 17:22:56 GMT -5
There was something inhuman about Julian, something off-putting. It put him on edge, the way Destler used to with his shadows. Carlos' eyes tracked him with suspicion.
"I would have to know the cost," he said grimly, having learned this, at least.
But god, yes, he wished Erik beautiful. Who would not?
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Post by Julian on Aug 12, 2008 17:27:25 GMT -5
"Oh, of course." *Julian dismissed the thought quickly, as if it was nothing.*
"But that's hardly the point. The point is you want it."
*He smiled, sickeningly sweet.*
"It's much easier if I know what you want before we start. Then it's just about making concessions."
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Post by Carlos Castro on Aug 12, 2008 17:45:24 GMT -5
"That is not the point," Carlos growled, his body tensing and his skin crackling in warning. He took a deep breath; going all catlike was top of his list of things not to do at this moment. He thought perhaps it would not be possible, if he were more angry.
"What difference does it make, what I want?" he demanded with slightly more calm. "I just came to get a mask--that's all."
He spread his hands.
"I suspect that if you can do any of the things you suggest, the price will be something I am all too unwilling to pay. And I will not hope for that which I can't have."
Not in front of you, anyway.
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Post by Julian on Aug 13, 2008 7:20:23 GMT -5
*Julian shrugged it off as if it were no matter to him.*
"I was only curious since he sent you."
*He was quick to clarify.*
"I understand that he can't come himself, such things cannot be helped on occasion, but...he just sent you. No note, no sketch. Just you. That would lead me to believe that he deeply values your opinion."
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Post by Carlos Castro on Aug 13, 2008 9:27:26 GMT -5
A muscle in Carlos' jaw twitched.
"He has no one else. And I'm afraid the situation seemed... urgent, at the time."
But it was true; Erik would have sent instruction. It was not like him not to plan for eventualities, not to foresee these questions. Especially if he knew this creature.
"My opinion will not bring back what he lost," he said. "But I suppose he values my opinion of himself."
He thought of Taylor. Destler had never seemed particularly concerned about Carlos' opinion as regarded other matters.
Taylor. Was there some reason that Erik could not take over another form? If he retained the ability to... to melt into the shadows, as he seemed to.
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Post by Julian on Aug 13, 2008 10:00:33 GMT -5
"Don't be so defensive." *Julian smiled creepily.*
"I only want to help. Your Erik...is worthy of such."
*He pursed his lips in thought for a moment.*
"But if you are hesitant to decide for him, perhaps you might take me to him."
*He sounded as casual about it as Julian was capable of sounding on any subject.*
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