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[thumbsdown]

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code by barbarycoast

Comments

[marcato]

I was with my watches, Boone. My beautiful, sweet, ticking watches. I was learning how to craft them with my own two hands.

Did you miss me?

[thumbsdown]

yeah i did, i wondered where you went off to. for a while i thought maybe you'd left. why didn't you tell me you'd be gone?

[marcato]

[Why didn't you tell him?

His jaw tightens. Ever since he was a young boy, Aunamee's mind would get stuck on certain things, focusing so intensely that the rest of the world fell away. Never before, however, has the sensation been this strong. For the last two months, Aunamee knew watches and only watches. He barely slept. He barely left his house. When he fed on his victims, a thunderous tick tock tock echoed in his mind.

But he can't share that with Boone. He shouldn't.]

You flatter me. I'm not usually missed.

[thumbsdown]

[He notices that Aunamee doesn't answer his question, and wonders if there's a reason for that. He decides not to push it.]

well, as long as you're okay. i'm glad you messaged me. we should meet up sometime soon if you want.

[marcato]

Oh, yes. I'd like that.

After the holidays, perhaps?

[thumbsdown]

sounds good. let me know when you're free, yeah?

[marcato]

[On January 2nd, the message comes.]

I'm free, dear Boone.

May I see your home? I'm terribly curious about where you're staying.

[thumbsdown]

sure. you know where the lucky 38 is, yeah? or should i drop by your store and come get you?

[marcato]

Are you a gambling man, Boone? I wouldn't have guessed.

[thumbsdown]

no, not really. i just live in the suite above the casino. it was where i ended up living back home, so i brought it here. trying to get the casino fixed up so i can open it to the public, though.

[marcato]

You brought it from home?

Then I'm especially excited to see it. I'll be there soon.

[And he is. He peers up at the building with equal parts skepticism and appreciation. As always, he wears all white.]

[thumbsdown]

[Boone exits through the double doors of the Lucky 38 and spots Aunamee almost immediately, given his outfit. He walks over, hand raised in greeting.]

Hey, good to see you again.

[He gestures behind himself, towards the building.]

Wanna come in? I can show you around.

[marcato]

[Good to see you again. It sounds genuine, but without his telepathy, Aunamee can only trust it halfway. Nevertheless, he keeps a smile in his voice.]

Hello, Boone. I would love a tour.

[He steps inside, his movements as precise as always. He takes in the entranceway like a glass of wine.]

Where shall we begin?

[thumbsdown]

We can start with the casino, since it's right here.

[He steps inside the dimly lit casino, nodding towards the two large robots guarding the elevator up to the other floors.]

Those are securitrons. If you ever wanna come and see me, let me know first so I can come and get you. They might get hostile if you try to go up alone.

[marcato]

[He watches the securitrons with muted wonder. There's something so magnificent about robots, something so perfect and clean. He likes their predictability. Their strength.]

Did you build them?

[thumbsdown]

[Boone shakes his head with an amused smile.]

No. Not even sure how they work. Just know I wouldn't wanna piss them off.

[He couldn't even begin to build a robot.]

They were guarding this place back home, too. They just came with the casino.