Chapter Text
It had been months since Carlos had shown his face anywhere, let alone a desert community. Ever since he had another failed experiment, he kept himself hidden. He didn’t want any suspicious thoughts going around and questioning him. This time he was going by his first name, Carlos. In this small desert town, he was dubbed two different names. ‘Carlos the Scientist’ and interloper. He wasn’t asked his surname which was nice, but everyone here just believed it was ‘Scientist’ due to the radio host that called out to the town.
Carlos had moved in the abandon science lab next to Big Rico's. It wasn’t something someone would call a home, but to Carlos it was nice. His sleeping quarters were just up a flight of stairs from the lab. It worked well just for one person. A few other scientists did come by, but no one was allowed up the stairs. He had a small kitchenette and a small living room connected, a full bath, and a bedroom. It wasn’t much, but it worked perfectly to Carlos.
He enjoyed this silence as he worked on unpacking his things in the lab. The first thing he pulled out was the small portable radio and hooked it up. A few memories came to him, but it wasn’t something he needed to dwell on. The peaceful quiet helped him unpack quicker, well until the doorbell rang. He stopped unwrapping the test tubes from the bubble wrap and went to open the door.
To his surprise was the local radio host. He had dropped by and gave him a warm welcome to the town. Cecil was his name. Annoying and very clingy. He was worse than his old test subject, but something about it reminded him about his past. His failed subject. He tried to avoid thinking on that subject. That was the past.
Cecil had interrupted Carlos from his thoughts when he spoke. His voice wasn’t as high as his failed test subject, but it had that tone of a radio host. It was deep and very broad. It had the tone to congratulate you on your winning goal, but also to send regards about your dog that just passed.
"Hi!” Cecil rang out. It was a bright and cheerful tone. Nothing like what he heard before. “You’re the interloper? I was curious if you wanted uh... Needed a tour!" Cecil wasn't that great at talking with someone new, but he will soon. He always got better. Topics were stronger, bonds were common.
Carlos knew better than to be a recluse and say no, but he was in the middle of unpacking a few of his test tubes. "Actually. I can't. Still unpacking and I have a few tests to collect data from." It was an excuse to say no. It was partly true anyway.
A sigh and a disappointed expression came from the radio host. "Oh... Alright. I... I totally understand. Well if you ever want a tour," Cecil paused and pulled out a piece of paper that had burn marks of his phone number. Was there something wrong with writing utensils in this town? "Or anything else. Contact me." He smiled. He was just trying to be a good host to this interloper.
The door to the lab closed and Carlos was once again alone. It was nice. Peace and quiet once again. Thoughts ran through his head that he tried to block away. "What if they were related?" "Same species of human?" Carlos couldn’t block all of them out. It was impossible. The one that was screaming was ‘Use him.’. It made sense. He could continue where he left off months ago. He could. It was just an idea, but he kept it pinned. It was too soon.
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It had been weeks since the scientist had the unexpected guest pop by and say hello. That thought was still eating at him. "Use him." It echoed as Carlos paced his lab. "Use him like you did your ex." Science was needed and there was that itch he couldn't help, but scratch. Soon the scientist was digging through his old notebooks and pulling out everything on his previous test subject. Then he stopped and stared. No. He couldn't. He killed him because he let his emotions get to him. They were in a relationship. This could be different.
With that bubbling up, he called up Cecil. They haven’t said anything to each other since the radio host dropped by. He waited and waited until there was a voice. Not the answering machine voice. No this was the present voice of Cecil.
"Oh Carlos! You called! I’m actually about to go on air, but what's up?" He seemed cheery. His radio show was his life. It was pretty much the only thing he talked about when he wasn't on air.
"Well in that case, I'll make it quick. I was wondering, for science purposes here, if you wished to stop by the lab today." Science purposes. Of course. It was the only reason he could think of.
There was a few seconds of silence before the radio host answered. "That'll be great! Yeah! Well after the show anyway. Listen if you have time. I must go. But I'll see you later, Scientist." His voice seemed calm and sped up. He must have been rushing against the clock.
There was a click then nothing. Cecil had hung up on the call to work on his show. Perfect. Carlos had time to tidy up the lab and get everything in order. Of course, today he wouldn’t do anything. It was just going to be a small chat. Maybe over frozen yogurt? Did this town have that? He will have to ask Cecil when he finished up his show later. As of right now, Carlos was putting things away in the cabinets of the lab.
To keep up with the time, Carlos had put on Cecil’s show. He compared notes on what Cecil’s show was like compared to his ex’s. It wasn’t that different. There was this odd quote, the welcoming to the town, and the news. It wasn’t in the same order, but each topic of the news seemed to be comparable the other town. Weird. At least he was somewhat use to this. The length of the show was the same. A good half hour. Enough time for Carlos to finish up. He had about ten minutes more if Cecil was walking from the radio station to the lab. He timed it when he took a tour himself.
Soon there was a knock on the door. When Carlos opened it, it revealed Cecil in the more ridiculous outfit. It made Carlos just stare for a moment, before he noticed what he was doing. Imagine a small toddler having the freedom to pick their own outfit, it was something around that. He wore orange converses, with pants that one leg was black and the other was white, and his shirt was a lovely plaid purple button up. Was thing for his show? He couldn’t tell. He swore that Cecil dressed normally when he first saw him.
“Hi there Cecil. I listened to your show.” Carlos greeted.
That had made Cecil smile. Hearing that people listen to his show made him just feel great. “Really? Did you like it? I kind of messed up on the weather. Turned it on a bit too early.” He gave a sigh at his mistake. It wasn’t something Carlos would be able to point out.
“Oh? I didn’t notice. I am glad that you were able to come over. I just wanted to talk really.” Was that a good excuse? Carlos wasn’t good at these excuses. All he wanted to do was gather information right now about Cecil. He was similar to his last test subject.
Cecil of course nods. He didn’t have anything else planned, plus he did reschedule his bloodstone circle ritual to later tonight. He enjoyed talking and the fact he was talking to the interloper, he could use this on his radio show next time.
The two talked for hours in Carlos’s lab. Cecil talked about his family, his job at the radio station, and everything in-between. He asked about Carlos on the same topics. Carlos skimmed over about his family and his past. He wasn’t the type to linger on that. He focused on gathering information on Cecil and asked about the town.
“Oh! Carlos, I would love you to one day stop by the station. I have this segment called ‘Children’s Fun Fact Science Corner’ if you ever want to share your science knowledge.” Cecil gave the scientist a bright grin. Nothing that was painful. “And you can meet Khoshekh!” He added before leaving the lab.
“I’ll think about it. Thanks, Cecil for stopping by. And maybe.” He was faking a smile by now. So much talking about Cecil was giving him a headache. He was glad he was able to get rid of him.