[ For the first moments, Qubit can only stand immobile, helplessly watching as his friend collapses to the floor and writhes in agony. His mind goes on without him, coldly weighing his options. There are still weapons here that could subdue Carlisle, but he's said that being destroyed would turn him into a wraith, make things even worse. Containment, then - trap him here until the Shift clears, and hope it takes him with it -
But then, abruptly, Carlisle stills - and speaks. The bottom of Qubit's stomach drops out. No. He's not lost, it's not too late, Carlisle's still fighting-!
It's only a faint hope, but Qubit latches onto it like it's his only lifeline. He did mess up, he did let his emotions get the best of him, again - (and that's something else they have in common, isn't it, that when they lose their heads it's everyone else who suffers) - but all is not lost. Not yet. ]
I know. I know. So was I. [ He's still very visibly distressed, but it's given him some focus, too. ] I shouldn't have snapped, I - I wasn't thinking -
[ - and thinking is his entire thing, he's supposed to be the smart one, the one who finds solutions, failing to think is unthinkable -
But even now, he's got no ideas! What can he do? What can he possibly say that won't just make things worse? He wants to calm him down, reassure him it's not his fault, but he can't make Carlisle believe that, and anyway, it just makes his situation feel all the more awful and unfair -
Carlisle staggers back, and Qubit goes to step forward, only to find something tugging on his sleeve - one of the children's skeletons, looking up at him almost plaintively. He starts to jerk his arm away, but - these are only extensions of Carlisle's will, after all, and he can't quite bring himself to do it. He meets Carlisle's eyes, imploring, torn. ]
How do I help you, Carlisle? Tell me how to help you!
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But then, abruptly, Carlisle stills - and speaks. The bottom of Qubit's stomach drops out. No. He's not lost, it's not too late, Carlisle's still fighting-!
It's only a faint hope, but Qubit latches onto it like it's his only lifeline. He did mess up, he did let his emotions get the best of him, again - (and that's something else they have in common, isn't it, that when they lose their heads it's everyone else who suffers) - but all is not lost. Not yet. ]
I know. I know. So was I. [ He's still very visibly distressed, but it's given him some focus, too. ] I shouldn't have snapped, I - I wasn't thinking -
[ - and thinking is his entire thing, he's supposed to be the smart one, the one who finds solutions, failing to think is unthinkable -
But even now, he's got no ideas! What can he do? What can he possibly say that won't just make things worse? He wants to calm him down, reassure him it's not his fault, but he can't make Carlisle believe that, and anyway, it just makes his situation feel all the more awful and unfair -
Carlisle staggers back, and Qubit goes to step forward, only to find something tugging on his sleeve - one of the children's skeletons, looking up at him almost plaintively. He starts to jerk his arm away, but - these are only extensions of Carlisle's will, after all, and he can't quite bring himself to do it. He meets Carlisle's eyes, imploring, torn. ]
How do I help you, Carlisle? Tell me how to help you!