drharvey | ᴘᴜᴍᴘᴋɪɴ ʜᴏʟʟᴏᴡ﹕ ɪɴʙᴏx

In that case, I'd love to pick up a sample of your work. ( Though unseen, the smile in his voice might bleed through — enthusiastic to the idea, and he laughs. ) With some nice cologne, maybe I'll start being Mr. Fancy again.

( James... you're very lame )

Oh yeah, I've heard a couple people mention this Givingstide thing, ( he offers thoughtfully. The question takes him by some surprise and he's quiet for a moment as he considers it. Finally, the truth comes— )

I ah, haven't made any plans for anything like that, no. I was just going to learn a bit about it from the locals here, but probably not actually partake. Since I'm new and all.

( He knows that's not that real reason. The real reason is that the thought of celebrating any holiday is painful. But there's a reason Namu asked, so James continues. )

Are you thinking about checking it out?

[Marik smiles, not finding the comment lame at all. It'll help Mr. James with his confidence...!]

I'll make you a sample box then!

[There's a long bit of silence, the boy chewing on his lip as he debates on what to say.]

I'm thinking of checking it out. I was also planning... on cleaning the headstones in the graveyard on the 23rd, in honor of Ra's journey through Duat.

[... Like the journey he finds himself here in Pumpkin Hollow.]

Not exactly exciting, I know, but... it feels weird not to do something for it, even here.

[Another pause.]

... You're welcome to join me on either, if you'd like, Dr. James.

Ohhhh, that sounds great. I'll look forward to it! ( He smiles again before falling into the silence that follows, waiting. Then he's sobering again as he listens to the teenager's words, his heart doing a fluttery thing as he realises what Namu's asking.

James takes time to reply, too. Time to think, his words carefully considered, thoughtful. It's true that he has no plans of his own, and it's also true that a part of his wounded heart wants to keep it that way.

But when it comes to someone else's plans... someone who needs some company, needs some help, maybe needs to not be alone during a holiday season from his own culture.... How in the world could James say anything other than yes? He's finding himself so touched to be asked that it almost has him unable to answer for a moment or two before he clears his throat. )

I'd be honoured to go to the graveyard with you. I'd like to help you clean them — and maybe you can teach me more about it. That journey of Ra's. ( He's sure that Namu has very few people here, if any at all, who know of his world's customs. It's important to learn about them and he'd be glad to. )

And I might have to check out this Givingstide thing too, if you're gonna be there. It'd be nice to have a familiar face around. Admittedly I'm a little nervous about it. ( He chuckles, trying to keep it light even as he opens up a bit more of his genuine feelings. )

[He could use more people in his life in general. People to help him on the right track.

Marik feels at ease when James answers, happy to not be utterly alone this holiday. Even when he'd left home, Odion, his brother, always made sure they kept up on the various ancient holidays. Doing it by himself... makes him realize how utterly powerless and alone he is in this place. And tough as Marik tries to act, he's still just a sheltered teenager that needs normal people in his life.]

Thank you, Dr. James. It... will be an honor to have you along. I'd be happy to tell you the tale.

Once I find out a bit more on where and when Givingstide is held, I'll let you know. Then we can plan for that.

Sure! Thank you for the invite.

( He's glad for the chance to see the kid again, check in on him in person. But until then, he can't help asking— )

How've you been doing, by the way? Is there anything I can help you with?

( Non-specific, open, vague: the offer could be for anything. Groceries, chores, a sounding board to listen, just— anything. )

Of course.

[He should have expected the question. Marik realizes he could answer vaguely himself.

But Dr. Harvey deserves some of the truth.

The teen's voice is soft but still somewhat guarded.]

... Just... trying to figure things out, is all. October was... rather eye opening.

( James sighs through the device he holds in his palm, softly. )

Yeah. I've learned a bit more about what other people went through, down there. Sounds like it... tested people right in their sorest spots.

( Like it was specifically targeted at people's upsets, their traumas. )

Have you figured any of that out yet?

I'm not sure.

[Marik frowns.]

... Sort of... realizing why I wound up here though.

[A test from the Gods, clearly. To see if he's worthy of getting his body back.]

And... what I might need to do... to get back.

( James hesitates, mind spinning. He's wondered much the same, gone over so many possibilities and reasons and he's come up with his own thoughts on the matter. Why he was brought here. ...Or at least, he thought he might know. He's not so sure, now. )

Do you think it's something you can do?

( Whatever this thing is that Namu thinks might be the key to getting back. James can't help feeling a twist of worry, though. He doesn't know what the boy might be alluding to, but none of it seems simple. He's met people who've been in this place for years. )

[Marik sounds a bit muffled in his response, his stone resting next to him as he hugs his knees.]

... I don't know. That would mean... fundamentally changing... who I've become and what I want in life.

Sounds like a lot of pressure on someone your age, ( James smiles into his words, though he's definitely worried now. What could that be? What could constitute the poor kid feeling as though he needs to change who he's become, what he wants? )

If you ever need help figuring all that out, I've— I've got your back. I think that's how my daughter would say it. ( A soft chuckle. )

[If he needs help...

What would James even think about everything? The tomb keeper chews on his bottom lip, debating what to say, what to do.

But if he's to return home, he needs to... better himself. Even if that's not what he wants. He wants the power of the Pharaoh, to get back at him for making his family suffer for millennia, for causing his father's death, and to become Pharaoh himself.

Maybe he doesn't deserve that though.

James is the closest thing he's got to a friend here besides Sephiroth, but he's barely opened up to the latter. James on the other hand... There's something... safe about him. Similar to how he felt towards his adopted brother when he was a child, before everything happened.

Marik looks down at his stone for a few moments in silence before finally speaking:]

... I could use your help. I'd rather speak in person though, if... that's alright with you.

Sure! That's just fine. Anytime that's best for you, I'll make it happen.

( It's said earnestly; there's no question about it. )

You're always welcome to come by my place. Or I can meet you somewhere in town if that's better.

[He takes a moment to consider when the best time would be.

Perhaps his birthday. A year older, a new life? It seems symbolic enough.]

... The 23rd. The Sun's Rebirth. After Givingstide. I'll stop by your place in the morning and we can talk before I set out to pay my respects to Ra.

Hey, that works perfect. I'll make it on my calendar, make sure I've got some snacks around the place.

( Someone'll definitely be making a run to the winter market to grab some goodies to have for Marik by the time he comes over. Actually on that note— )

Is there anything special you like to eat for this Sun's Rebirth? I know there's probably nothing much from your world around, but maybe I can find something similar.

Koshari.

[... He blurbs that out almost automatically. Odion always makes it for him for his birthday. It'll be his first birthday without that.]

... If you can find it, that is. Otherwise there aren't any particular dishes I can think of off the top of my head. I'm not a huge fan of red meat or fish though.

( James Harvey is not a cook. He can barely pour cereal without some kind of clumsy incident. What he says next is very dangerous.

...But earnest. He will try this, if he's able to find the ingredients! )

Koshari... If you send me the recipe for it, I'll see what I can do.

[That gets a small chuckle out of Marik.]

I would but... I doubt they have the correct spices for it. I never cooked it myself either so I don't know the exact recipe.

I'd be fine with some baklava, if that's easier.

Ahhh, baklava, I have heard of. I'll see what I can do.

It seems like a pretty special day where you come from, so it'd be nice to have some kind of special treat to go along with it.

Yeah...

[A special day, indeed.]

... I'd be happy with just the baklava though. With some warm tea.

Warm tea I can definitely do. I've been meaning to pick up a new teapot somewhere. The one I have here is uh........

....kinda haunted.

( This is fine. )

[There's a pause.]

... Kind of haunted.

How?

There's a sort of little.... well, I think it's a ghost, living in it. Some kind of little purple guy? He's really gooey.

[You said the magic word, James.]

... Is it... a slime?

( James casts a cautious, sideways look at the possessed teapot in question, where it sits on the kitchen countertop for now, the entity inside seemingly sleeping. ...Or lurking. )

It does look like something that could be called a slime, yeah. Is that some kind of species, where you're from?

No. But it's an archetype I use in the trading card game I play. Jam Tokens, God Slime, Metal Slime, Slime Breeding Machine...

[Yeah that last one is. Uh. The name is weirder than the actual concept.]

If you're alright with it, I'd like to try and interact with it. I never thought slime would actually exist.

( James understands hardly any of this! But that's how his life goes. )

Sure! It can be kind of... er... mischievous, but I don't think it'd actually hurt anyone.

( He does not 100% know this )

I'll introduce you when you come over here. I've been calling the little guy Casper, after someone I know back home.

[Alas, if he had his deck with him, he could should James.

Marik sounds a lot more chipper than he did at the beginning of the "call."]

I look forward to meeting him and getting to see your new place then.

ᴘᴜᴍᴘᴋɪɴ ʜᴏʟʟᴏᴡ﹕ ɪɴʙᴏx

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