goldencharms | FOR INFY!!!

So you're contracted to Lilia.....

[What a master to have..... He's not sure what to make of this new information, honestly. A careless, chaotic man like Lilia sounds like an absolute chore to serve. Then again, he's clearly far sharper than he lets on, and he's difficult to read, not to mention a quite capable mage and fighter..... what a dangerous man. At least he's fond of Kalim. For all his eccentricities, Lilia has probably done an adequate job of keeping Kalim safe. He hopes.]

What are you talking about?

[Idiot..... As though he'd ever be able to just stop worrying. Why does Kalim assume he would, just because he's learned how to operate a stove? And why does he think he suddenly knows him now, just because he's been forced to be a Submissive? He doesn't know a damn thing about him. How could Kalim possibly understand what he's gone through, or how he feels? The very notion is absurd. He's just.....

They're just too different. Kalim's not that kind of person, and never will be.]

[ he blinks at that response, and glances down, trying to think of what he wants to say, before settling, ]

Well, the idea of the al-Asim heir doesn't matter here, right? And Rook told me I should try to embrace being a submissive to understand everything you have to deal with...

[ so, he did.

to varying degrees of success. ]

So, here, it doesn't matter what things are like back home. You don't need to worry about me at all!

[ he says it so cheerfully, certain this will free Jamil up. Maybe he'll even be happy! Kalim hopes he'll be happy... he just wants them to be equals... but he'd take their positions switching at the very least, if it would make Jamil happy. ]

[How meddlesome. Should he be grateful that Rook tried to step in on his behalf, or just annoyed? The man is almost as hard to read as Lilia in some ways. But he can admit that maybe it would be..... useful for Kalim to get a little perspective on his job, if it means Kalim's a little more conscientious about staying out of trouble and not giving him so much extra work. Just because Rook had tried doesn't mean that Kalim had gotten the point though, does it?

He never seems to get the point, even if he's apparently suddenly trying to. Why is Kalim always so..... so..... ugh! What a damn fool! What is this fresh nonsense? As if he could ever just forget what they're going back home to..... Wouldn't it only hurt worse, pretending that none of it mattered, only to need to pick right back up where they'd left off? Just like that brief taste of an independent school life, going up in smoke in a matter of weeks..... How is it that Kalim so cavalierly asks for the moon and stars, without the slightest idea that they might be impossible to pluck out of the sky? Why can't he just be reasonable for once?]

Don't be ridiculous, we can't just forget where we come from. Or do you seriously mean to tell me you've already given up hope on making it home?

Not at all!

[ he says, oblivious to all of the internal turmoil Jamil's shifting through. ]

Just, it doesn't make sense to pretend things are like they are at home while we're here, right? It's not like I could pay you or anything, so... You don't have to worry about it.

Excuse me?!

[It feels like he's been punched in the gut. Is Kalim saying he's replacing him?! With Lilia, of all people?! Of all the reckless, irresponsible, short-sighted, brazen, arrogant, stupid--!! How does he think he's going to manage on his own without anyone helping him? Is Lilia even responsible enough to handle everything Kalim needs? What the hell does he expect to say when he gets in over his head and inevitably comes crawling back to him in utter defeat and humiliation? "Haha, sorry, my bad! Could you give me a hand with this? You always know just what to do!"

Of course he knows what to do. He has more knowledge and experience than anyone else ever has or ever will. What makes Kalim think anyone else is capable of fulfilling those duties?]

You can't just fire me, you aren't even the contract holder to begin with! Do you have any idea what kind of trouble there would be if I shirked my duties just because we got kidnapped?

Huh?

You would??

[ the answer is... no. ]

But I've been fine so far! And this isn't like normal at all! So, I don't think anyone would know.

[ and he wouldn't tell them. ]

Out of the question. Just because it's been relatively safe so far doesn't mean it will continue to be; there's no predicting the behavior of scumbags who have somehow pulled off kidnapping hundreds of people like this.

[Oh, they'll know. Anything that happens to Kalim, any injuries, any discrepancies..... He'll be the one who has to answer for them. And if he's being held accountable, that risks the rest of his family being held accountable, too. It's just going to be a mess all around, one he needs to be present for to prevent as much as possible.

He just..... can't let Kalim get hurt. That's all there is to it. It's so simple and obvious, even Kalim himself should be capable of understanding. Right?]

Ah....

[ what does he say to that? he can't help it: he's confused. Jamil should've been excited for this, shouldn't he? A chance to not have to worry about him?

Kalim's smile is a little awkward, and his posture torn between tight and fidgety, and slumping in defeat. He wants to push back, wants to tell Jamil he doesn't want him to worry. But he already has, and Jamil's already told him no.

What can he even do at this point...? ]

I-- okay...

[ he nods, acquiescing. he can't deny that there are dangers. ]

[Whew..... That takes care of their first problem. He wouldn't be able to watch over Kalim properly, if he wasn't still in a position to stay close. But that's a relatively small hurdle to clear, considering everything else they have to contend with, isn't it? There's no possible way they can rely on outside rescue in a situation like this; how would Crowley and the other professors have any idea what had happened, let alone be able to do something about this when they've apparently been brought to another dimension entirely? They have no choice but to rely on themselves, and their fellow hostages.....

If they even can organize or conspire in any meaningful way without arousing suspicion. How are they supposed to get useful information? Is it possible to insinuate himself into this "LIER" organization that had brought him here? Maybe gain enough trust to be able to search their facilities, or use Snake Charmer on someone to interrogate them without getting caught?]

We'll figure something out. In the meantime..... what have they done to you? What has life been like for you here?

[ kalim just picks himself back up once the conversation continues, his posture relaxing like they hadn't just had-- he doesn't even know what to call it. Maybe it really was just normal.

But it didn't feel normal.

Still, he wasn't going to dwell on it, or it would ruin the rest of the conversation with Jamil most likely. ]

What do you mean? It's been great!

[ he answers, impossibly chipper. ]

I get to work at a potion shop. Ruby and Lilia are a ton of fun to hang out with! Oh, and since Cater's here, we've been able to do Pop Music Club shows too! I really like it!

Great?

[Forgive him if he's a little skeptical that anything about this godsforsaken situation could possibly be great. Isn't that just like Kalim, to have unwarranted optimism about the most dangerous potential predicaments? Even so, he can't help but be a little surprised, hearing Kalim's actually employed.....]

It sounds as though you're staying busy, at least. Are--

Finished already? Here you go, boys.

.....Thank you very much.

[Jamil smiles, but there's something sharp and cold in his gaze as he stares at the waitress' retreating back. So they noticed that they weren't drinking, did they? Whoever "they" were. Why push the refreshments so hard, without giving them a chance to demur? Will they even be allowed to leave, if they don't properly partake and socialize as they're expected to?]

Thank you!

[ Kalim echoes, with sincerity. After all, that person hadn't done anything wrong. Still, he doesn't make a move to get anything to drink, instead pulling his feet up into the chair, sitting in a butterfly pattern, rocking lightly.

idly. not paying attention ]

Yeah, I'm definitely staying busy! Did you know Idia runs a cafe, too?! It's wild, I expected that from someone like Azul, but I was totally surprised when I heard he was running it. Lots of our classmates work there!

[ really... he's one of the only ones who doesn't. ]

Idia? Since when would he choose to be in charge of anything?

[Idia hates talking to people. Employees, customers--isn't dealing with that sort of thing all far beyond the tolerance levels of a shut-in like him? He's not sure if he's incredulous or impressed. Is Ortho running it all for him?

Well, that's none of his concern. Whatever Idia is doing to push outside of his comfort zone or not, maybe Idia being a business owner will come in handy somehow? Jamil pours himself a cup of tea in the meantime, looking past Kalim as he stirs in a generous spoonful of sugar--downright conservative, by Kalim's tastes, but enough that he should be able to identify the effects of whatever substances might have been added to it. It's probably in the tea, though, isn't it? Not everyone takes theirs sweetened, after all.

Now, to see if he can spot who or what may be monitoring them (and how many other pairs, throughout the restaurant?) to make sure they were drinking as they've been told to.]

Just how many classmates have been brought here? Why target Night Raven College in particular.....?

Uhh, let's see...

[ Kalim is distracted for a moment, but he still seems apprehensive about Jamil drinking the tea. But... everyone else is drinking it, and nothing's happened yet. So maybe he's overreacting...

He exhales softly. ]

A lot of people... Right now, there's Lilia, Silver, Cater, Idia, Floyd, Jade, and Rook. I don't know if they're targeting NRC or if... that's just how it is. There's a lot of people from all over here.

Nine people, now..... That's a significant amount, for a campus of our size. I can't imagine that's a coincidence, if they're capable of taking people from countless different places, even different dimensions. So why.....?

[Jamil raises his cup and takes a deep breath of steam, slow and deliberate, calculating as he keeps an eye on their surroundings. No difference in scent that he can detect. A deep, measured sip, cup lingering against his lips to blatantly show his obedience to whatever LIER agents or cameras might be watching, gaze sharp and focused as he analyzes the drink and his own bodily reactions. The taste is what he would expect, the consistency and mouthfeel are fine, the color of the tea is normal. As far as he can tell, anything they've added is colorless, odorless, able to dissolve into hot tea perfectly without leaving any telltale traces behind.

Now, how does he feel? He feels..... fine, mostly. A gentle, lingering warmth spreading through him, more than he would expect from a simple tea. A subtle..... looseness, if he had to describe it aloud? His muscles feel a little less tense, his chest a little less tight, his mind a little less dark and tumultuous. Were he not paying such intense attention, would he have even noticed? Or would he have simply chalked it up to being relieved to be able to finally relax, after such a stressful transition? Still, his head doesn't feel "funny", as Kalim had described it. His thoughts are lucid. He has full control over himself, as he sets his cup back down on its saucer.]

There's some sort of fast-acting sedative I can't identify, but even drinking in moderation, it should still only be a mild dose. An attempt to keep us complacent, no doubt.

[ so there was something in the tea... But Jamil doesn't think it's anything to worry about... Still, knowing there's something does make his heart rate spike uncomfortably for a brief moment. ]

You don't feel hot, do you?

[ he's concerned... after all, it took a minute for the first drink to work on him. But-- no, Jamil would know. He was drinking carefully. Now it was Kalim who was probably worrying too much.

But he can't help it. Conversations on "why" are forgotten as he focuses entirely on Jamil. ]

No. Or at least, not yet. We'll see if it has any slower to kick in symptoms.

[Not that he sounds particularly convinced there will be, knowing that there had been something that worked immediately..... But he'll keep an eye on it, won't he? Jamil certainly doesn't look like he intends to keep drinking just yet, at any rate. As long as Kalim knows not to partake, or at least knows the risks..... That's good enough, isn't it? Kalim will stay safe, just as he's meant to.

And him..... he can take it, easily. So far, at least, this drug is mild and benign enough to not even bat an eye over.]

[ he didn't have to do that... but Kalim furrows his eyebrows for a moment...

and then reaches out to pour himself a cup.

If it's safe enough for Jamil, it's safe enough for him. ]

Then they must not have anything too bad in it this time.

What are you doing?! We don't know if there's going to be a delayed reaction yet!

[Why is Kalim always like this?! He doesn't need to recklessly disregard his own safety when he has a poison tester, does he? Ugh! If Kalim would just wait patiently and let him do his damn job--]

[ he takes a sip, and then-- ]

Oh, there isn't enough sugar in this!

[ time to load it down. ]

I don't taste anything bad, so I think you were right! It's fine. And it isn't too bad of a blend!

[ but it isn't a great one, either. Still. now they can both enjoy tea as they talk. as he adds sugar, he continues, ]

It doesn't feel right to not drink with you! And you already said it was fine, right?

I only said it was fine so far! You can't just--

[Oh, but he can, and he will. It's too late to argue now, isn't it? Whatever will happen, will happen. Jamil can't help but sigh, shaking his head. What are they going to do if they both get hit with something stronger, more delayed, more dangerous? They don't have any family doctors on call here like they do at the palace. And there's no Professor Crewel to quickly diagnose such a poisoning, like there is on campus.....]

You idiot..... The whole point of testing it in advance is to make sure at least one of us isn't incapacitated.

[ he looks at him quite calmly, though he's smiling like they aren't talking about life or death. ]

But nothing happened. So we can keep talking like before!

Yet. That we know of.

[But there's really no convincing a guy like Kalim, is there? Any attempted scolding is just going to go in one ear and out the other, as always. So..... Fine. Fine. He has no choice but to accept it, now that Kalim is already drinking too.]

If something happens, I'll call Lilia. He'll know what to do.

[ after all, Lilia's been taking good care of him, and more importantly, Lilia's got a wealth of experience from age that there was no way Kalim and Jamil could compete with. ]

But for now, you can relax. It's not that frightening here, most of the time.

.....If you say so.

[Relaxing is the last thing he wants to do, if he's honest. Lilia hardly seems like the most reliable person to nurse anyone back to health, given the rumors he's heard.....

But it's anyone's guess if there actually will be any further effects from whatever they've been drugged with. He still doesn't feel any unnatural heat, or anything clouding his thoughts. Maybe they're just..... who even knows? Trying to forcibly pair-bond strangers for this twisted experiment they're running? It's a futile effort, if that's the case. After all, the two of them are already.....

He'd really rather not think too hard about it, when his head is hurting as it is.]

I'm not so sure we have the same definition of frightening, if everything they serve in public is tainted.

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