002 | video

[mrbackwards]

 [ When the feed clicks on.. Curtis is soaked.  He looks pretty pissed about it, too, as his eyes focus to the dark cloud above him. Rain continues to fall down on him as his glare hardens. Some people were going to find this so funny; he probably should have chosen audio. ]

I don't know what the fuck it is, but if anyone can tell me how to make it stop I'd appreciate it.  [ And he continues to stare up, almost hopefully, before shaking his head and running his hand down his face.

His wet hand. Down his wet face.

It isn't as productive as he'd hoped it would be. ]

I wanted to ask about jobs in this place.  Is there a bar or... anything.. that's hiring?

[ It's  d i s t r a c t i n g. ]

[[ ooc; find a rainbow event! ]]

Comments

[likeboudica]

In that sense, it is helpful to have time here, in the City, that one might not otherwise have, is it not?

[mrbackwards]

Yeah I guess.

[ .... ]

My girlfriend's going to die.

[likeboudica]

Oh. [ For a moment, she doesn't react, doesn't quite know how to, then she reaches out — slowly, unsure — to cover one of his hands with hers. ] I am sorry.

[mrbackwards]

[ His brows go up, and he flinches a little until he sees what she's doing and extends his arm across the table so her hand (and his hand) are mostly away from his rain. ]

I want to try to fix it when I go back.. to stop it. If I don't do something really fucking stupid..

[likeboudica]

[ she almost draws back again at the flinch. that is not at all what she intended. but then, he does not seem to mind so much, so she leaves her hand where it is. ]

How could you fix it?

[mrbackwards]

[ He lowers his gaze to focus on their hands, subconsciously taking her palm in his. ]

I-- [ wait. ] Don't think you'd believe me if I told you.

[likeboudica]

I have learnt to believe a great many things. [ There's a story behind those words, too, but this is not the moment to tell it, so she simply leaves it at that. ]

[mrbackwards]

My shit's pretty unreal. [ Seriously. But he looks up to meet her gaze, to see if she still wants to hear. Or thinks he's crazy. ]

[likeboudica]

I learnt that monsters exist in my world, and aliens in others. It cannot be much stranger than that. [ Returning his gaze, earnestly. ]

[mrbackwards]

.. I have the power to turn back time.

[likeboudica]

[ Again, a hesitation, not because she doesn't believe him, but because powers, in her experience, always come at a price.

Finally, very slowly: ] Are you human? [ It shouldn't matter, it shouldn't but part of her still believes that it does. ]

[mrbackwards]

Yeah I-- there was this storm, gave us all powers. I just need to keep it when I go home.. and learn to control it.

[likeboudica]

Can you learn to control it while you are here? [] pause. ] No, I suppose that would not do much good, if we truly forget what we have learnt here when we return.

[mrbackwards]

I'm not sure. I can only go back and fix shit when something really bad happens and I freak out.

.. you think its true?

[likeboudica]

Maybe you could try, at least, while you are here. See if it is at all possible.

[ a pause. ] I have not returned to my world myself, so I cannot say for certain, but it is what everyone says who has. I see no reason why they should lie.

[mrbackwards]

My friend's from my future. She told me we sell our powers and it's after that that my girlfriend dies.

You don't think I could remember any of this to help me when I go back home?

[likeboudica]

[ Shaking her head slowly, eyebrows drawn together, and squeezing his hand a little. ] I'm sorry.

[mrbackwards]

[ He looks up at the squeeze but other than that, Curtis is pretty withdrawn. He bites at his lip and gives a solemn nod. ]

It's all right. [ & going to eat at him. Forever. Helllllllo rain shower. ]

[likeboudica]

It is not. [ but there is nothing she can do to help him, either.

a long pause. ] If you would like, I can try to help you. Control it.

[mrbackwards]

[ He's not arguing. ]

Not sure you could.

[likeboudica]

I have learnt to control my ability. [ Biting her lip for a moment, before continuing. ] It is very different, but still. If it can be of any help, it may be worth a try.

[mrbackwards]

What's your power? [ He's trying not to sound disinterested, but his mind is kind of everywhere right now. ]

[likeboudica]

I can Change into another person.

[mrbackwards]

Like a shape shifter?

[likeboudica]

It is more than that. [ A little sigh. She hates it, no matter how often she tells herself that she has nothing to be ashamed of. ] I can become another person. Thoughts, memories and all.