video; un egyptologist - evening of 19 October

[egyptologist]

[ Oh hello, it's your friendly neighborhood egyptologist slash mummy hunter tuning in. Evelyn's hair is windswept and framing her face, cheeks pink from what is prooobably either whiskey or wine. She's tired of visions and migraines and soul crushing loneliness and has thrown herself into re-establishing her shop.

She's sat at one of the little tables in the back by the fireplace, the culprit of her pink cheeked, rosy glow sat on the table next to her. She's got her little device propped up against a book to properly frame her. ]

Hello, fellow residents. I just wanted to let you know that my bookshop, Spellbound Book Co., is open once more. By all means, please come in any time, have a look around.

[ She leans back in her chair, a little roughly, picks up her tumbler - the question is answered, it's whatever passes for whiskey - and smiles. ]

Who else has a business here? Let's all discuss our business endeavors, feel free to chat amongst yourselves.

[ Is she drunk? Maybe a little. ]

Comments

( video | un: burton )

[rocinantes]

I don't have a business.

( how sad, right? )

Does that mean I can't chat?

[egyptologist]

No, of course not. You are welcome here anytime, you know that.

Now, if you'd like.

[rocinantes]

Oh yeah? You inviting me over for a drink?

( he's okay with that. )

[egyptologist]

Why yes, I suppose I am. Won't you come?

[ Come along then. ]

[rocinantes]

( what's the magic word? )

You want me to bring anything?

[egyptologist]

[ pleeeease ]

Just your lovely self.

[rocinantes]

Wow, someone's in a good mood. Where's your store again?

( no one needs to get lost. )

[egyptologist]

Something like that.

[ a good mood, or just tipsy? ]

Willful Machine, I'll leave the door open for you.

[rocinantes]

All right, I'll be there.

( it's taken him some time to get the lay of this place but he doesn't get lost this time and thus, ends up at evelyn's shop a few minutes later.

he knocks on the door and looks over the building while he waits for evelyn to find her way to the door. )

[egyptologist]

[ Perfect - she'll toss her little device aside, fluff her hair, wander the shop before venturing over to open the door when she hears the knock, two glasses in hand - one presented to Amos as she finagles the door open. ]

Make it alright? No beasties in the night?

[rocinantes]

No. I think they're afraid of me.

( he was very intimidating. )

Having fun?

[egyptologist]

I bet they are.

[ She takes a sip of the drink, locking the door behind Amos when he comes in. ]

Oh, something like that. Drinking away my sorrows, you know. What everyone here does, I suppose. [ Certainly seems to be that way. ]

Fire's back here - it's a bit warmer than sitting by the door.

[rocinantes]

Got any particular sorrows you're drinking away?

( or is it just generalized sorrows because he can get with that.

he follows her back, closing the door behind him and looking around. )

[egyptologist]

Oh, just the usual. Strange blood, weird people.

[ among other things, like crushing loneliness, blabbity blah. ]

What about you? Anything specific you'd like to drink away this evening?

[rocinantes]

Everything.

( he can be just as maudlin and melancholy and awful as her right now. they can be depressed together. )

Let's start with the fact that I'm here and not home where I want to be.

[egyptologist]

That sounds about as good of a reason as any. Cheers.

[ She'll lead him right to her set of chairs in front of the fireplace and gesture. Drink up, bitch. ]

It's funny - being here. I know there's...another version of me, back home. But that doesn't mean I like it. I feel like she's an imposter, living my life, even if that...is somehow the dream.

Or something.

[rocinantes]

Never thought of it that way.

( but now he was. he sits down and makes a face before shaking his head. )

You think she's living your life and that if you get home, they're gonna want her back or some shit?

[egyptologist]

Something like that, yes. I'm...I don't know. I went home, thought all of this was a dream and now I find it wasn't. It isn't.

[ She huffs, taking a long swig of her drink, then pulls a face. ]

Eight years passed for me. I had a husband, a son. And now I'm here, and she's there, and I'm not quite sure what I'm supposed to do with that information.

[rocinantes]

( amos doesn't say this often and he means it even less but right now, it's sincere. )

I'm sorry.

( he'd been yanked away from a few things himself but nothing like she was enduring. )

I'm sure they'll be there and waiting when you get back. And you will get back.