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[righthemisphere]

You've reached Raleigh Becket, please leave a message.

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[righthemisphere]

[Completely fair enough. You do you, Arthur. Enjoy Raleigh's sunflower crop that are still managing to sprout despite the desert world shift. In a few months they'll be beautiful. Assuming they're all around that long.]

[specifiercity]

[As Arthur inhales that sweet, sweet tobacco he wonders to himself what it is about reckless people that he's so drawn to. Or whether the reverse is true. He doesn't really know how much of this he should even take on — his urge is to swoop in and fix it all but that never works out.]

[Anyway a few minutes later he's coming in and heading to Raleigh's kitchen to pour them each a glass of water. He's so helpful.]

[righthemisphere]

[What a helpful friend!!

He will appreciate that, take it and sip with a nod of thanks.

Man what is that- wow the nostalgia of cigarette smoke.

Don't say anything Raleigh, it isn't your business. He's being nice and isn't yelling at you for fighting, don't be an asshole.

Mmmmmmmm medicateo impulse control though.]

I didn't know you smoke.

[specifiercity]

I haven't in a few years, but the dogs brought me a pack.

[Or two. This is pack number two. That's neither here nor there.]

Guess it goes with the whole aesthetic.

[Said with a gesture to his clothes.]

[righthemisphere]

[Raleigh snorts softly. Always an excuse, huh. Sorry, Arthur, he isn't the best company right now.]

You're gonna regret that later when you run out.

[specifiercity]

[Arthur doesn't expect Raleigh to be the greatest host right now, judging by his face. He just sips his water and shrugs.]

I've quit before.

[righthemisphere]

Mm.. my mom used to say that all the time. She never did. I hope you do.

[specifiercity]

[Arthur senses some judgement and some reactionary defensiveness pricks up on the back of his neck.]

We're in hell anyway, so what does it matter?

[His tone implies he's not really interested in the answer, fingers itching to go for another cigarette, just craving the distraction and solitude of it rather than anything chemical.]

[righthemisphere]

You've got a point there. Not like it'll kill you here, huh.

[A shrug.]

Didn't consider that.

[specifiercity]

[Arthur's hackles lower and he sighs, staring down at a spot of dirt on his knee.]

I usually quit after a few months anyway.

[righthemisphere]

Mmf, you do you, brother.

[lazily slouching down into his couch, knees wide.]

That sounded judgy. I didn't mean it like that. Reflex from harpin' on my brother.

[specifiercity]

[Arthur raises an eyebrow at Raleigh.]

Pretty impressive you can even get judgmental with all those painkillers you're clearly on.

[righthemisphere]

Oh my god, I'm so high, man.

[smoothing his hand down his face. It barely even hurts! Amazing!

Raleigh snorts.]

Hey, you wanna hear something fucked up?

[specifiercity]

[Arthur shrugs and sighs.]

Sure.

[righthemisphere]

[Well gee don't let him twist your arm, Jesus.]

So there's this guy here, right. Owen Harper. He's a doctor.. he's the doctor who-

[Raleigh gestures to himself. Made the body good feel nice no hurt.]

Anyway he looks... Exactly like this guy I know from home. I thought it was him. I've been calling him Hermann for weeks now and the kicker is! This asshole! He let me do it!

[specifiercity]

[Arthur laughs, brow furrowing in mild confusion.]

But he's not a different version of this Hermann guy? He just looks like him?

[righthemisphere]

Totally different guy.

And the kicker is, he just went with it. It's not like he just never corrected me, he actively started pretending to be Hermann. Who he literally knows nothing about. What a dick move.

[specifiercity]

[Arthur laughs. What a silly situation.]

That is a dick move. You couldn't tell the difference?

[righthemisphere]

Not at all. But in my defense I'd only met the guy once for like a minute in an elevator.

[specifiercity]

[Arthur rubs his forehead, shaking his head and laughing softly.]

That is fucked up.

[righthemisphere]

Right? What a dick..

He's got good drugs, though.

[specifiercity]

[Arthur nods.]

That's good.

[righthemisphere]

[Raleigh takes a slow, heavy breath.]

I'm sorry man... I gotta lay down.

[specifiercity]

Yeah.

[He can't say he's surprised. He sighs and pauses before he stands, debating with himself on one last thing. Ultimately, he decides to ask.]

Raleigh, is this over?

[righthemisphere]

Over..

[Is what- Oh.]

I mean, pff... Yeah. Probably.