Kalim al-Asim (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
goldencharms) wrote2025-01-01 07:24 pm
goldencharms) wrote2025-01-01 07:24 pm
Entry tags:
FOR INFY!!!
a post of voicetesting of JAMIL!!!!!!!! for infy
Okay!!
[ Kalim backs away, clearly intending on following him. ]
Let's check.
[ Kalim backs away, clearly intending on following him. ]
Let's check.
Right.....
[Maybe he can just..... will himself to stop being red. Or blame it on the chill. Honestly, for someone so concerned about watching inappropriate material on television, Kalim certainly doesn't seem to have any qualms about kissing a friend out of the blue..... Anyone would be shocked, right?
Just..... pretend nothing out of the ordinary happened. It's the simplest way to preserve his dignity. Jamil leads the way back into the kitchen, fishing a spoon out of the drawer to sample soup straight from the pot. No need to worry about poison here, hmmm?]
A little more lemon juice ought to do the trick.
[Maybe he can just..... will himself to stop being red. Or blame it on the chill. Honestly, for someone so concerned about watching inappropriate material on television, Kalim certainly doesn't seem to have any qualms about kissing a friend out of the blue..... Anyone would be shocked, right?
Just..... pretend nothing out of the ordinary happened. It's the simplest way to preserve his dignity. Jamil leads the way back into the kitchen, fishing a spoon out of the drawer to sample soup straight from the pot. No need to worry about poison here, hmmm?]
A little more lemon juice ought to do the trick.
[ he absolutely has not registered what he did. And, indeed, he leans against the counter so he can get a better look at what Jamil is doing—
And of the smells. He really does miss home, sometimes. Nothing’s as delicious as scalding sands cuisine. ]
So, almost ready?
[ he seems to start looking in the general direction he thinks Jamil would’ve put the lemon juice. ]
And of the smells. He really does miss home, sometimes. Nothing’s as delicious as scalding sands cuisine. ]
So, almost ready?
[ he seems to start looking in the general direction he thinks Jamil would’ve put the lemon juice. ]
[It's fine. Everything is fine. This is just..... something Kalim does now, apparently. He's really going to give him a heart attack, one of these days..... How is anyone supposed to just get used to something like this??
Jamil pulls a bottle out of the fridge, carefully pouring and stirring. Should he portion out three servings? Hmmm, probably not; it'll stay hotter longer if he just leaves the rest in the pot. His Submissive will just come get some when he's hungry, right?]
There, it should be ready now. We'll just need to set the table.
Jamil pulls a bottle out of the fridge, carefully pouring and stirring. Should he portion out three servings? Hmmm, probably not; it'll stay hotter longer if he just leaves the rest in the pot. His Submissive will just come get some when he's hungry, right?]
There, it should be ready now. We'll just need to set the table.
I can do that!
[ and he's off, before Jamil can get a protest in edgewise. but if he isn't stopped, he'll set out three placemats.
... even if he does look at the third a little too long. ]
[ and he's off, before Jamil can get a protest in edgewise. but if he isn't stopped, he'll set out three placemats.
... even if he does look at the third a little too long. ]
You--
[--really don't have to do that. Sigh. Kalim is already off and away before he can even finish his thought. Even if he wasn't though, would Kalim actually listen? Well, at least he can't hurt himself with silverware and placemats.....
Whatever. He'll just..... ladle out two bowls for them, and set the empty one down once Kalim is donecontemplating Jamil's poor life choices. ]
[--really don't have to do that. Sigh. Kalim is already off and away before he can even finish his thought. Even if he wasn't though, would Kalim actually listen? Well, at least he can't hurt himself with silverware and placemats.....
Whatever. He'll just..... ladle out two bowls for them, and set the empty one down once Kalim is done
Huh...? Is your submissive not gonna join us...?
[ when he notices the two, versus the three settings he put out. and it's more curious than anything else... At least, for now. ]
[ when he notices the two, versus the three settings he put out. and it's more curious than anything else... At least, for now. ]
That's up to him, isn't it? He'll come when he's ready.
[Dinner was practically already ready by the time Kalim showed up to begin with, after all; nothing's stopping the guy. If he prefers to eat alone, that's fine, isn't it?Or far more likely, he'd immediately cottoned onto the fact that they needed a little space to talk. You can't exactly become a thief worth your salt without having a talent for reading people, can you?]
[Dinner was practically already ready by the time Kalim showed up to begin with, after all; nothing's stopping the guy. If he prefers to eat alone, that's fine, isn't it?
I guess...
[ he tilts his head though, unsure about that. And maybe torn between feeling a little happy, and sad.
because he's like jamil's family here in Duplicity, right...? ]
Ahahaha, yeah, okay. You're definitely right.
[ he tilts his head though, unsure about that. And maybe torn between feeling a little happy, and sad.
because he's like jamil's family here in Duplicity, right...? ]
Ahahaha, yeah, okay. You're definitely right.
Was there ever any doubt? I'm not going to insist he lives on a schedule while we're not being watched.
[Outside of these walls, he'll play the role he's been forced into, however reluctantly it may be. Here, though..... Jamil just wants to be free. He doesn't want to control the Submissive he was forced to hire any more than strictly necessary. How could he consider a stranger family, just because they decided to live together out of convenience? They've barely even known each other a day. A city like this, a system like this..... it doesn't exactly give you much time or opportunity to form a meaningful connection with someone.
Unlike Kalim, he hadn't had the luxury of someone conveniently free to sign a contract with him immediately. All the familiar faces here had prior commitments to honor, Kalim included--and even if they hadn't, most of them he wouldn't want to live with anyway.]
[Outside of these walls, he'll play the role he's been forced into, however reluctantly it may be. Here, though..... Jamil just wants to be free. He doesn't want to control the Submissive he was forced to hire any more than strictly necessary. How could he consider a stranger family, just because they decided to live together out of convenience? They've barely even known each other a day. A city like this, a system like this..... it doesn't exactly give you much time or opportunity to form a meaningful connection with someone.
Unlike Kalim, he hadn't had the luxury of someone conveniently free to sign a contract with him immediately. All the familiar faces here had prior commitments to honor, Kalim included--and even if they hadn't, most of them he wouldn't want to live with anyway.]
[ Kalim just laughs, and in the meantime, takes his first sip of the soup. his face brightens in an instant-- while it had been fun to get to practice cooking so much... he really missed Jamil's cooking.
It almost felt like home, again, where they could share a meal, and all of his troubles would fade away ]
Ahhh, it's perfect as usual! I really missed eating your cooking...!!
It almost felt like home, again, where they could share a meal, and all of his troubles would fade away ]
Ahhh, it's perfect as usual! I really missed eating your cooking...!!
I'm glad to hear it. You won't need to anymore, will you?
[Now that he's here, he'll actually be able to keep an eye on Kalim and his diet again. He'll be able to bring things over, if Kalim doesn't decide to come by on his own initiative--even if it's going to be a real headache, routinely hauling food through a security checkpoint and down an elevator. What good would complaining do, though?
He'll manage. He always does.]
They allowed me to order groceries instead of prepared meals, so I should be able to bring down anything you need, as well.
[Now that he's here, he'll actually be able to keep an eye on Kalim and his diet again. He'll be able to bring things over, if Kalim doesn't decide to come by on his own initiative--even if it's going to be a real headache, routinely hauling food through a security checkpoint and down an elevator. What good would complaining do, though?
He'll manage. He always does.]
They allowed me to order groceries instead of prepared meals, so I should be able to bring down anything you need, as well.
Eh? Really?? But wouldn't that be really hard for you?
[ he says, another spoonful halfway to his mouth. Jamil cooking again, though... that does sound really tempting.
But he wants to make Jamil something too... ]
Don't worry, I've been getting good deals on ingredients already!!
[ he says, another spoonful halfway to his mouth. Jamil cooking again, though... that does sound really tempting.
But he wants to make Jamil something too... ]
Don't worry, I've been getting good deals on ingredients already!!
It's fine. Besides, you three could be using that money for other things, couldn't you? Or at least saving it for emergencies, in case someone gets hurt.
[None of them asked to be here, after all. Why shouldn't they milk this """generosity""" for all it's worth, if they're going to be forcibly held here against their will? If they don't need to worry about the basic necessities of survival, their money can go towards safety and comfort--or, if they're really unlucky, bail or bribes.]
[None of them asked to be here, after all. Why shouldn't they milk this """generosity""" for all it's worth, if they're going to be forcibly held here against their will? If they don't need to worry about the basic necessities of survival, their money can go towards safety and comfort--or, if they're really unlucky, bail or bribes.]
Wouldn't that also apply to you??
[ he doesn't get it, Jamil. you might need to spell it out for him ]
[ he doesn't get it, Jamil. you might need to spell it out for him ]
As long as I stay in this building, I don't need to pay for rent or food--and I don't intend to go anywhere, for now. Who am I to refuse such hospitality?
[Is it taking advantage of a charitable offer? Oh, shamelessly. But if they have the money to run this kind of interdimensional kidnapping business, then he doesn't feel even the slightest bit of remorse over letting them bankroll an extra household. If they bankrupt themselves trying to support their captives, and can't sustain their own operations, so much the better!]
[Is it taking advantage of a charitable offer? Oh, shamelessly. But if they have the money to run this kind of interdimensional kidnapping business, then he doesn't feel even the slightest bit of remorse over letting them bankroll an extra household. If they bankrupt themselves trying to support their captives, and can't sustain their own operations, so much the better!]
Wow! That's so generous of them!
[ Kalim's eyes light up, and then he laughs, the "why" being mostly forgotten for how he can do it. ]
I'm really glad they're treating you that nicely.
[ Kalim's eyes light up, and then he laughs, the "why" being mostly forgotten for how he can do it. ]
I'm really glad they're treating you that nicely.
[It's a pleasant drive from the airport. Good music, good snacks, barely any traffic--Jamil really couldn't ask for a smoother arrival. There isn't even any need to fight for a parking space, even though this should by rights be prime vacation season. A refreshingly easy load to bring inside, too--traveling by himself means he can travel light, with only one person's needs to worry about. It's strange how quiet and empty the lobby is, though--the Seven Jeweled Hills is so scenic it does a bustling tourism business, doesn't it? He'd researched his whole trip extensively, after all.
And yet, ringing the bell on the desk repeatedly doesn't summon any staff to help him, doesn't even bring anyone to scold him for making a racket. Nobody appears even when he lets himself behind the desk and tries opening the employees only door. A completely empty manager's office, silent and still as the grave. The keyboard behind the desk is even a little dusty, in a way that makes his hackles raise without quite knowing why. It's not hard to figure out how to use, (isn't this illegal? Who's even going to know, if there's nobody to check the security cameras?) or to realize that there's nobody booked in at all. Why, though?
Well, if there's nobody to help him, he'll just..... have to help himself. He's perfectly capable of taking care of himself, after all. If anything, it'll be a welcome change to figure things out without needing to worry about watching over anyone else. A moment of hesitation, and Jamil pockets an entire keyring, grabbing his suitcase and heading off. May as well make sure he can go wherever he wants if there's nobody to stop him, hmmm? Nobody to tell him what to do, or what he can't do..... Until he finds someone else, or determines for certain that he is completely alone, this entire place is his to do with as he pleases.
How..... "fun". He has to admit, this isn't exactly the kind of freedom he'd been envisioning this trip would give him. Is this just some sort of abandoned branch that was mistakenly still listed on the website, yet hadn't been locked up and condemned? Is he really allowed to be here? Should he call the police?]
And yet, ringing the bell on the desk repeatedly doesn't summon any staff to help him, doesn't even bring anyone to scold him for making a racket. Nobody appears even when he lets himself behind the desk and tries opening the employees only door. A completely empty manager's office, silent and still as the grave. The keyboard behind the desk is even a little dusty, in a way that makes his hackles raise without quite knowing why. It's not hard to figure out how to use, (isn't this illegal? Who's even going to know, if there's nobody to check the security cameras?) or to realize that there's nobody booked in at all. Why, though?
Well, if there's nobody to help him, he'll just..... have to help himself. He's perfectly capable of taking care of himself, after all. If anything, it'll be a welcome change to figure things out without needing to worry about watching over anyone else. A moment of hesitation, and Jamil pockets an entire keyring, grabbing his suitcase and heading off. May as well make sure he can go wherever he wants if there's nobody to stop him, hmmm? Nobody to tell him what to do, or what he can't do..... Until he finds someone else, or determines for certain that he is completely alone, this entire place is his to do with as he pleases.
How..... "fun". He has to admit, this isn't exactly the kind of freedom he'd been envisioning this trip would give him. Is this just some sort of abandoned branch that was mistakenly still listed on the website, yet hadn't been locked up and condemned? Is he really allowed to be here? Should he call the police?]
[ kalim feels a sort of freedom as he wanders around, knowing that he could go anywhere he wants, though he doesn't remember... why. But that freedom is very quickly overwhelmed with a growing sense of panic. He walks from room to room, calling out the names of his siblings, his parents, the servants.
It doesn't even occur to him that the scenery is changing, that this isn't the al-Asim mansion, the Scarabia dorm, or the little cottage in the Down. The difference doesn't stand out to him so much as the overwhelming fear of being alone.
Finally, he calls out in a frightened voice, ]
Jamil??
[ someone, anyone, please... there has to be someone here, or else... or else... ]
It doesn't even occur to him that the scenery is changing, that this isn't the al-Asim mansion, the Scarabia dorm, or the little cottage in the Down. The difference doesn't stand out to him so much as the overwhelming fear of being alone.
Finally, he calls out in a frightened voice, ]
Jamil??
[ someone, anyone, please... there has to be someone here, or else... or else... ]
[It's unnervingly peaceful here. The lights and air conditioning are on, and the sun is high in the sky. The doors open easily, and the elevator works, though Jamil decides it's probably unwise to actually use it. The beds are all neatly made, the rooms clean, awaiting their next guest. He still has cell reception and internet access. There's not a single trace of disaster here--no forcible entry, no burnt marks, no bodies, no blood. Not even in the service areas can he find anything actually wrong. So why does it all feel so wrong? This solitude is only making his skin crawl and heart race as though he's in some sort of horror movie.
Maybe he should just leave. He still has plenty of gas--he can just..... find some local to ask, and probably end up feeling completely absurd for making such a massive mistake in booking his lodgings. It isn't as though--]
Who's there?!
[Was that a voice? Jamil flattens himself against the nearest wall, drawing his magical pen--but his eyes glaze over Kalim without the slightest hint of recognition, even as he scans the hall for movement.]
Maybe he should just leave. He still has plenty of gas--he can just..... find some local to ask, and probably end up feeling completely absurd for making such a massive mistake in booking his lodgings. It isn't as though--]
Who's there?!
[Was that a voice? Jamil flattens himself against the nearest wall, drawing his magical pen--but his eyes glaze over Kalim without the slightest hint of recognition, even as he scans the hall for movement.]
[ he hears Jamil response, and the relief he feels...
he isn't alone. It was just a misunderstanding. And he puts the feeling he had just nearly been consumed with out of his mind entirely, running towards Jamil's voice.
Walls, space, they don't stop him. He almost feels like he passes through them, and sure enough when he finally does appear in front of Jamil, when he goes to hug him, he goes straight through him ]
-- Uwah! Huh?
But you're here! It's so quiet, huh! I was a little worried, ahahaha! What are you doing??
he isn't alone. It was just a misunderstanding. And he puts the feeling he had just nearly been consumed with out of his mind entirely, running towards Jamil's voice.
Walls, space, they don't stop him. He almost feels like he passes through them, and sure enough when he finally does appear in front of Jamil, when he goes to hug him, he goes straight through him ]
-- Uwah! Huh?
But you're here! It's so quiet, huh! I was a little worried, ahahaha! What are you doing??
Hahaha..... Hearing things already, huh? Just my luck..... I'm going to end up needing a vacation from my vacation, at this rate.
[Jamil huffs in equal measures annoyance and relief, smile sardonic. Of all the times to let paranoia get to him..... This isn't some movie, it's real life. Even if this place is haunted, the odds that the ghost is actually hostile are pretty low. More to the point, even if there's a hostile ghost here, it's probably nothing he can't handle. He's fought ghosts before, after all, hasn't he?]
Is there even any point in checking the rest of the rooms? There's no way I'll actually find anyone in a place like this..... This is just a waste of time.
[Jamil shakes his head, turning away from Kalim and tucking his pen back into his pocket in favor of pulling his phone out.]
[Jamil huffs in equal measures annoyance and relief, smile sardonic. Of all the times to let paranoia get to him..... This isn't some movie, it's real life. Even if this place is haunted, the odds that the ghost is actually hostile are pretty low. More to the point, even if there's a hostile ghost here, it's probably nothing he can't handle. He's fought ghosts before, after all, hasn't he?]
Is there even any point in checking the rest of the rooms? There's no way I'll actually find anyone in a place like this..... This is just a waste of time.
[Jamil shakes his head, turning away from Kalim and tucking his pen back into his pocket in favor of pulling his phone out.]
Eh...?
[ Kalim watches him turn and walk away, and he's frozen for a moment, his heart seizing in his throat. He has to force himself to be very still. Jamil is right there, but Jamil doesn't see him?
Ah... Is that how it is right now? ]
W...
[ he wants to say something, but his mouth isn't working, and when he finishes, it comes out more like a croak ]
Wait...!
[ and he follows behind him in a daze.
jamil is right there. but he's still alone. but jamil looks happy, so, it's fine?
it's fine. he'll just follow. He can watch, for now, til it makes sense to do something else. If it ever makes sense to do something else. ]
[ Kalim watches him turn and walk away, and he's frozen for a moment, his heart seizing in his throat. He has to force himself to be very still. Jamil is right there, but Jamil doesn't see him?
Ah... Is that how it is right now? ]
W...
[ he wants to say something, but his mouth isn't working, and when he finishes, it comes out more like a croak ]
Wait...!
[ and he follows behind him in a daze.
jamil is right there. but he's still alone. but jamil looks happy, so, it's fine?
it's fine. he'll just follow. He can watch, for now, til it makes sense to do something else. If it ever makes sense to do something else. ]
What the.....?
[Jamil pauses and peers over his shoulder, eyes narrowed suspiciously as he stares straight through Kalim. Had he heard footsteps? Seven, he's definitely letting his imagination run away with him, now. Being all alone in a place like this, that should be full of people and life..... It must just be getting under his skin. He'll just tap a few buttons, listen to the phone ring, and--no, that's definitely Kalim's voicemail. Jamil mutters a few exceptionally vulgar words under his breath.]
Kalim did say not to check in too often, didn't he? He's probably trying not to answer my number. Najima doesn't even answer her phone normally if you don't text ahead of time.....
Ugh, forget it. I'll just get a room somewhere else; I can always come back if they're booked up. Or maybe just sleep in the car?
[Jamil pauses and peers over his shoulder, eyes narrowed suspiciously as he stares straight through Kalim. Had he heard footsteps? Seven, he's definitely letting his imagination run away with him, now. Being all alone in a place like this, that should be full of people and life..... It must just be getting under his skin. He'll just tap a few buttons, listen to the phone ring, and--no, that's definitely Kalim's voicemail. Jamil mutters a few exceptionally vulgar words under his breath.]
Kalim did say not to check in too often, didn't he? He's probably trying not to answer my number. Najima doesn't even answer her phone normally if you don't text ahead of time.....
Ugh, forget it. I'll just get a room somewhere else; I can always come back if they're booked up. Or maybe just sleep in the car?
No, I want to hear from you!
[ he protests, following after him in confusion. why is this happening?? he rubs at his eyes... what is going on??
another attempt to touch him simply ends with his hand going through again, leaving his body shaking from the lack of impact. He lets out a small, frightened cry, and then presses his hands to his temples.
and just trying to not freak out. as his mind supplies what has happened. that he's a ghost. that they won't interact again. that Jamil thinks he doesn't want to hear from him. ]
No...
[ he ends up falling back and sliding down a wall.
and tries to calm down, tries not to panic. ]
[ he protests, following after him in confusion. why is this happening?? he rubs at his eyes... what is going on??
another attempt to touch him simply ends with his hand going through again, leaving his body shaking from the lack of impact. He lets out a small, frightened cry, and then presses his hands to his temples.
and just trying to not freak out. as his mind supplies what has happened. that he's a ghost. that they won't interact again. that Jamil thinks he doesn't want to hear from him. ]
No...
[ he ends up falling back and sliding down a wall.
and tries to calm down, tries not to panic. ]
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