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[Near the end of the carnival, Eliot briefly lost his pocket watch. Perfectly timed to a moment when he was using his 'grouchy personality' too. It's been nearly a week since he found it again, but he hasn't changed back to the ditzy personality. The music box is broken and he can't change back.]

Who here can fix pocket watches?

[He holds his silver pocket watch up to the camera and opens it, showing its unmoving clock. Before anyone gets the wrong idea, he slaps it closed again and growls with frustration.]

And I'm not talking about that damn clock. It has a music box in it. The music hasn't been able to play since I got it back from the Lost and Found. I need someone who won't break it, or damage the melody in any way. Please. I can pay money, or do favors, or whatever the hell you want. Just please, someone... Fix this thing.

If not the watch... Can anyone put me to sleep, or something? Magic, or hypnosis... I'll take anything. I haven't slept all week, and even this cursed body can't handle that kind of stress. I can't do this anymore.

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[Oh look, it's that hermit coming out of her hiding place.]

I can fix it.

And you don't need to do anything Eliot.

I have music, if that helps you sleep, otherwise you're on your own. [She pauses thoughtfully.] Or I can knock you out for a bit. [It's what friends are for.]

I don't know if I could fix a watch, but there are plenty of teas that help you feel sleepy~!

Sleep? I can.

[She bows her head solemnly, fingers grasped in front of her.]

Where do you wish to sleep? My clients do not usually make such requests, so I am willing to travel to your place of residence.

Clients..?

How do you do it? Making people sleep, I mean.

It's not an area I am specialized with, I can always try and fix it.

Oh, great. It's you.

Yeah, sure. I'd appreciate any effort.

Where can I find them? Do you know?

You say that, but I definitely owe you. I owe you so much.

But if you could fix it... Or even knock me out. I don't care at this point. I just don't want to be awake anymore.

You should just be able to find them at the store~!

Any tea with Lavender or Chamomile in it should do the trick~!

I like fixing these kinds of things Eliot. Music is something I actually enjoy.

[Yes, it's strange but Enis has hobbies... sometimes.]

I can do either.

And Eliot, I feel like I owe you.

[He's literally the only person she talks to outside of work... which he probably doesn't realize.] Anyway, we'll argue about that when you wake up. Come over and bring the music box. I'll help you sleep.

You don't have to sound so enthusiastic about it.

But might as well give it a try unless someone else has offered.

Eh... If you break it, that'll be kind of a poetic end to my sanity.

[so encouraging.

Sorry, Winry. Eliot's really tired and done with his filter.]

You at home? I'll bring it over.

Well, I'll try it... Not sure if it'll work, but I'll try it.

How much do I need to drink before it'll knock me out?

Well, you certainly don't owe this side of me anything. "I" haven't spoken to you in months. And you shouldn't owe my idiot self anything.

[But he needs the music box to work. He's absolutely desperate. The idea of crossing the city to Enis is actually quite daunting, since "this" Eliot is an absolute mess. He's paranoid and everything he sees or hears reminds him of something traumatic...

But he'll try.]

Give me a few minutes, then. See you soon.

It doesn't really knock you out right away. it's more of a tea that helps you relax enough to sleep.

[That made Enis laugh.]

Maybe I like that I barely see you and we're still friends. [It isn't as if she sees the other side of Eliot all that much either. It's not that Enis is busy but she has trouble connecting with people. There are those she bothers and Eliot is one of them but it still isn't all that often.]

Do you need me to come to you?

[She pauses thoughtfully.]

You look tense.

[She is oblivious but not that bad.]

And the odds of me breaking it are extremely slim. But I guess since you broke it already somehow, it couldn't get worse.

[At least she can deal with it easily enough.]

I'm actually at my business right now working on getting it ready.

Yeah yeah, okay. I'll admit: I took the first crack at it. But if the music box gets broken beyond repair, I'm not going to be able to switch back to my other personality anymore.

[He's packing his bag anyway, preparing to head out to Nova.] I can make it there. Probably. I'll stick to the less busy roads.

[He hates to admit that he's weak, but Eliot also cannot deny the facts: This mindset is exhausting. He hates how hard it is to function like this.]

... Yeah, that might help.

Sorry. I don't know how to live like this. Don't plan to learn either. I just need the watch to work again.

... Can I combine it with something else? Does mixing the teas help?

I promise then to not break it beyond repair then.

[She knew she really couldn't make it any worse.]

Good luck with sticking to the less busy roads when you get to Nova City.

It's fine. I'll be there in about ten minutes.

[Enis doesn't care one way or another though she's a little thankful that Eliot isn't being overly difficult when she's trying to help him.]

I'll knock when I get there.

[She flicks off the communication, gathers her things and appears at Eliots door ten minutes later. She's wearing a pair of jeans and a black shirt. Her backpack is tossed over her shoulder and for once it has more than just her laptop in it.

Enis knocks.] Open up.

It shouldn't be a problem, but you might want to grab flavors that work well together. If you just pick two random teas you might come up with an unfortunate taste.

[When Eliot comes to get the door, he's visibly exhausted and paler than usual. While he's better fed thanks to Enis, Eliot's memories bring loads of stress. It's been nothing but 24 hours of trauma, paranoia, and feeling sick from feels.

He's relieved to see her, and quickly holds out the pocket watch.]

Please. [Also, letting her into the room. But goodness, is he ever ready to disappear.]

[Enis presses her pointer finger against his forehead while taking the pocket watch with her other hand. She makes him step backwards and tests to see how tired he is.]

You're not doing well. [It's her medical opinion.] Let me take a look. Hover if you want but I'll be annoyed.

[She slips past him and takes a seat on the couch. The pocket watch is placed on the table in front of her while she starts digging through her backpack, popping the casing open and tinkering with the gears. Pocket watches are actually fairly easy to repair, as long as it isn't one of the custom parts...]

[Considering how busy Rip's been lately with the Carnival and a few other things, she's a little surprised to see a certain grouchy son of hers asking for help. With his watch.

That.. can't be good.]

A veek.

[Pause.]

I can't fix vatches, but, I can sing if you haf zhe notes written down somevhere. Perhaps, zhat vill help you sleep.

[Concerned Mom is concerned.]

Oh, lovely. A family reunion.

[He's too tired to pursue sarcasm further than that.]

You have perfect pitch, correct? Because yes. Please. I can't take another moment of this.

How'd you reach the conclusion?

[Hovering is tempting, but Eliot doesn't have the energy for it anyway. He follows her into the living room and sinks on a nearby couch. Not to be a whiny drama queen or anything, but... He pretty quickly engages in some drama queen-isc behavior: Folding his arms over a chair arm and burying his face out of sight.]

Can it be fixed, or am I going to be stuck like this? I hate it.

Flavor isn't a concern, since I can't taste anything. Just the effective.

... Even if I could taste, that's the least of my concerns right now.

Your confidence is encouraging. Thank you.

[Eliot glares at the camera as he walks out of his apartment. He's only just made it down the stairs when he stops abruptly and swings his gaze sharply. As he focuses on what he thought he saw, a figure in a crowd, he remembers how dumb he's being. The people he thinks that he sees, or rather, wants to see, are dead, and have been for hundreds of years.

He rubs his eyes and sighs, trying to will away any trembling or disappointment. Afraid that Winry could read his silent expressions, he switches to voice.]

I'll be a while, so... I'll leave you be until then. Bye.

[Winry was admittedly surprised that he switched, but could quite figure out the reason why. But in the back of her mind, she had to figure there was a reason more than anything. But the question crossing her mind was if she should ask or would it be too rude of her to do so. After a small train of thought she had reached a conclusion.]

Did something happen?

[Well he said bye, so she figured really maybe she should leave it well alone, a small frown passed her lip.]

See you when you get here then.

[She figured as much.]

Yes, I do. I used to sing opera for fun.

[Another strange and random tidbit about Rip.]

Are you at zhe apartment? I can be down in a few minutes.

Then yes, that should work... Ugh. This means I have to write out some music.

[He moves to find some note paper, since Eliot is too tired to rummage around for actual empty music sheets.]

Yes, I don’t want to leave again. I’ve been having lovely hallucinations and traffic shows no mercy.

[She's already on the move and might be picking up her pace the moment he mentions hallucinations. At least she's only two floors above him and can get there quickly.]

Vat kind of hallucinations und how frequently.

[Yes, there might be a bit of worry in her voice. She cares about him, even his grouchy half.]

[Maybe a good kid would be touched by that hint of worry in his mother figure's voice.

Not Eliot. He just clicks his tongue in time with a shrug.]

It's nothing serious. Thinking I see people I knew, mistaking shadows for Durant playmates, mistaking memories for reality. I'll be fine if I don't leave the house.

[If he was a good kid. Thankfully, Rip knows better.]

Sounds like memories more zhan hallucinations.

[Which was just as equally dangerous, something Rip knew from experience. A few moments later, Rip is at the apartment door and letting herself in. Having a key really was useful for moments like this.]

Do you haf it written down yet?

Whatever they are, I'm done with them.

[As she enters the apartment, Eliot turns to hold out the sheet of paper. He's standing with his eyes closed, near the door and waiting.]

Here. This will seal my memories. I dunno if singing it backwards will have the same effect as the pocket watch, though. [Which causes him to briefly sound hesitant. He might not be able to switch back again, which would mean being useless at his job.]

[Well, at least she didn't have to seek him out. Rip closes the door behind her and takes the sheet of paper to look it over and study the notes written on it.]

Vell, ve can attempt it to see if it vill vork after I sing zhis part to help vith your memories.

[She sighed softly.]

Haf you found anyone to fix zhe vatch yet?

I'd appreciate it... But it won't be a total loss if I can't switch back. Pretty sure the "other me" is the favorite son. I'm fine with that.

[With the paper handed off, Eliot goes back to his place on the sofa. Though he's done his best to get work done, once again working on balancing the Archive business' expenses, it's getting hard. He isn't exhausted physically, so much as mentally about to snap.]

Enis is going to take a look at it. So is Winry... I figure if she breaks it, it'll at least be a poetic ending. Be sure to laugh for me if she does.

Perhaps to Augustine, but, I zhink I'd razher your company over zhe 'ozher you'. Your other self is adorable, but, frustrating.

[She has her preferences, what can she say? Rip trailed after him, pulling up a seat across the coffee table from him as she watched him try and do some of his work.]

You know, I'm surprisingly good vith papervork if you need help. I do a good portion of Jolly Eddy's vhen I'm vorking.

[It pays to be the assistant manager and the one that does the scheduling.The only downside was answering the phones and taking complaints.]

I zhink I'd strangle her if she broke it instead of laughing at you.

[See? She cares about your health.]

Shall I start?

Pretty sure he would cry if you hurt her.

[Eliot knows himself well. Though this version of him is too stressed to be as energetic anymore. There was a time when he was the same high energy person.

He slips a pen between the pages of his book before closing it.]

It's fine. No one here asks for me to recite my memories, so this is all that I have to busy myself with. [He shrugs as he sets the book aside.] Many people died for "the Living Library." Even if he doesn't remember all of them, I think the other me feels pressured to live on in their place...

Well, I feel it too. But it destroys him to think people died so he could be useless. Book keeping is a pacifier.

[Oh dear, he's saying a lot. But this Eliot knows that keeping secrets from Rip doesn't help either of them. His other self is afraid to unload burdens, but this Eliot understands all knowledge is useful.]

Anyway. Yes. Ready.

Probably, but, he'd get over it.

[After all, she may be taking up the roll of mother, but.. Rip's always been protective of the ones she's adopted. She doesn't like seeing them hurt and breaking the watch would be hurting him now that she understood it's purpose and the need for it a bit more.

She's also noting that he's sharing more with her than before and appreciates it. Rip needed to understand more why he did this to himself and every tidbit of information helped. Rip wanted to ask more questions to clarify what he meant about people dying for 'the living library'. However, right now wasn't exactly the right time to do so.]

Zhen I'll start.

[She takes a moment, studies the written notes a bit more before sitting up straighter and drawing in a breath.. and then singing. Rip wasn't lying, she had one hell of a voice when she decided to use it.

Hopefully this will help her son get some sort of rest.]

[Maybe any other time, he would be okay with answering some questions... But right now, Eliot is too tired. He even doubts that the singing will work, since it would have to be absolutely pitch perfect in order to trick his mind. Leaning back, Eliot is expecting to be disappointed and doomed to another few days of this hell.

Instead, his mind is brought along the tune of that familiar melody. His green eyes glaze over as the self hypnosis kicks in, finally allowing him to begin switching personalities--

-- and as soon as the switch is complete, he's out. His personalities may switch, but he has the same tired mind. And the ditzy but tired Eliot leans over in his chair and collapses clumsily over the arm. Fast asleep, finally. He really couldn't stand to be awake for even another minute.]

[Rip let the song trail off once she saw the switch was successful and then quietly got up to go fetch a blanket from his bedroom to drape over him as he slept.

At least now he had a back up in times like this when the watch was broken. As it was, Rip would gently brush some of his hair out of his eyes before just.. letting him sleep.]

I'll be fine. Just seeing things. [He mumbles this confession absently, caught between telling Winry the truth and lying. Telling the truth is, in his elderly opinion, typically the best course of action... But his ditzy self really likes Winry and would be upset if she thought he was psychotic.

Honestly, 'this' Eliot doesn't want his friends thinking he's creepy either.]

Have you eaten? I'm picking you up something along the way. To repay you for taking care of me.

Oh... [She soon found herself laughing slightly. She had forgotten about the time and realised that she hadn't eaten yet.]

Not yet. Was rather focused on getting something done, which shouldn't have been that long now, so I can always eat afterwards.

You look like shit.

[At least she's honest?]

Don't worry. I can fix this. It looks like one of the pieces is bent. I'll eventually try and find a replacement for it but I can bend it back into place for now. It'll just break again if you don't find a replacement gear. Looks like a 16 to 1 ratio. I'll see about having it made. [She continues to tinker, pulling apart pieces methodically so she could put it back together again.]

You drop it or something?

[She's trying to work quickly but Enis takes her time. She doesn't believe in half-assing things.]

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