[Coming from the country bumpkin-- but she had this number and she knew this man well enough to guess that this was likely part of a different conversation.]
I never took you to be so sloppy you'd not check the number you were texting.
Well, it wouldn't be investigative journalism, if I'd just told everyone what the subject of the investigation was, would it? So, I'm afraid that my lips are sealed for the moment.
But, fancy seeing you, after all these years. You're looking quite well.
How are you holding up in town this time? I don't have a bed to spare, unfortunately, but I can probably help you haggle you a deal on a hotel if you haven't already.
It's taken care of already. Given I've been here for almost a month by now, it'd be unfortunate if I wasn't able to procure a hotel. Though, the indefinite negotiations are quite difficult.
Just how long term is this job? Maybe renting a small apartment might be cheaper if you're going to be here a while, or you could talk to your employer about options.
[She'd been acquainted with Felicia before; they both frequented the gym often enough, but other than that common interest and their conflicting schedules, there hadn't been much reason to go out of her way to socialize.]
[Funny how Retrospec changed things.]
[Freya wanders up at one point during one of her cooldowns, towel over her shoulders, when she spots Felicia without a trainee.]
[Funny how Retrospec changed a lot of things. Felicia's life had gone from quiet and fairly ordinary to one where she was making jokes with strangers as if they were old friends and contemplating the relative merits of adding knives to her repitoire of training-- partly for the challenge, and partly because of the various warnings she had recieved about the monsters that she now could see.
It was a lot to process and Felicia, in the middle of tidying the equipment as the evening drew forward, was glad for the distraction Freya provided.]
Hey, [She said with a smile.] That is a familiar face! It's been a while since we've met in here.
[Give her a moment. After a beat or two, there's a little ping and suddenly his icon is a comical looking jack-o-lantern with the goofiest pair of shutter shades that the world ever did see. There's a whipped latte dancing in one corner and a few pieces of candy dancing in another.
[ he may be a punk but hes a punk who loves hideous sparkly things ]
octobers been a crazy month already with this fog bullshit
but its mostly just confusing i guess i dont want to get too deep into the weird existential crisis im sure youll figure that out soon but i like the people on it theyre cool
And I'm getting an idea about the existential problems-- but it's not so bad right now. The fog really is the worst thing going on, because of how dangerous it is. How are we supposed to defend ourselves if we don't know what we're going to even run into?
But you're right. The people are cool, and really helpful. I like everyone I've met so far.
I wanna bedazzle one of my friend's roombas, but I don't think she'll let me. She's got other things in mind for them-- oh! but I should get my own roomba to do that, shouldn't I?
I can fight okay enough, but some of these things that come out of the fog aren't any good if all you can do is regular hand to hand. I haven't got any magic or anything like some people have.
[Sometime during the 11th, Felicia will receive a delivery. In a box are 9 carefully wrapped pancakes.
True to the advertisement, the pancakes constantly sparkle even without a light source.
Thanks to the return of grains, the pancakes have taste! When warmed, they taste like a very delicious pancake you might find in a high quality restaurant!
Eating a pancake provides the following effects:
A small amount of instantaneous healing (bruises, cuts, general soreness, etc)
A feeling of extra speed in her legs. Felicia will find that her walking or running speed has increased by 50% for 5 minutes per pancake the moment she starts moving (though if she stays sitting for over an hour after eating, it will not trigger). This effect can be stacked as well depending on how many pancakes she eats in one sitting (so if she eats 3 pancakes- it'll give her 15 minutes of speed and so on, with the max amount of time being an hour if she can actually eat over 12 pancakes).
Felicia can do as she'd like with the food. The magical effects will last until it becomes unsafe to eat.
Along with the pancakes, is a small thank you card with a quick explanation of the effects closing out with "Enjoy! :)"
If interested in making more orders, they can be done so here!]
[A text comes to you in the late afternoon of February 3rd. The sender's name has been encrypted and errors out and there are no signs of who the message belongs to. Clicking on the profile of this Retrospec user brings up a picture of the Retrospec symbol.]
How would you like to help us help you out? Your observation period's up and I want you on this particular assignment. You'll be fine, you're probably not going to die, and we'll be able to monitor you from here. We need help. You've got the skills needed even if you don't know it yet. I know it and that's what counts.
You'll be working with a group (wish I could give you the names, still putting the lists together), but your assignment partner is Lillian Aust. Should you choose to accept this assignment, you will need to meet at the edge of the woods and we'll go from there.
You'll be rewarded for your success, of course, but this is only if we have an agreement. Do we have an agreement?
[No other messages will be sent from this account at this time.]
[ooc: Hello! You've been sorted into group 3. Your event log will go up at 9pm EST along with all of the other logs. We encourage you to read the main event log as well for more information about your recruiter and this note. In the meantime, head over to this thread on the latest mod post to meet your teammates. Thank you!]
2/3 - Sometime after the letters go out from Retrospec
I'm sick. It ain't nothin' anyone else can catch and I've got meds for a couple months saved up. But sometimes I get these coughin' fits or worse. So like
Yeah if I keel over coughin' I'm not dyin' or anything. But everybody might have to wait a couple minutes for me.
Also I mean I am dyin' but so's everybody else right? Hah.
[It's a few hours later after his last text that Zack ends up rolling up and knocking on Felicia's door. Knock knock!
He figures that if he can at least get the pain out of his shoulder that this would be a success. Not even Elliot's healing magic has been able to outright heal the muscle tissue but maybe Felicia's can do something different. It's worth a shot.]
[The limits to the healing staff were still unknown to Felicia, but she was eager to try it out with people who were able and willing to consent to treatment-- and not go out of their way to hurt themselves just to see how it worked.
Any small trial was a success in her eyes. Until she figured out the full extent of the staff's capabilities, Felicia was just as intrigued by what it could do as anyone else was.
Cracking the door open to see who the visitor was, Felicia beamed and stepped aside for Zack to enter.]
Hi! Light's at the library right now working on his thesis, so it's just the two of us here today.
[Felicia explained, waving for him to follow her into the living room of the simply decorated apartment. Out of respect for Light's limitations, Felicia did her best not to leave any clutter around the place.]
Like Elliot can make those awesome pancakes that can heal a little, and I'm sure others have actual healing magic...
All I have is a staff. [She smiled, and picked it up off of the table to show Zack. It was tall enough for someone her height to use as a walking stick in a pinch, and resting upon it's head was an ornate, orb-like decoration.]
The magic is in the staff itself... I think. But, not everyone can use it-- at least, not everyone could use it where Other Me is from. I don't know about here.
[Zack follows and folds his arms over his chest as he observes the staff. Looks pretty different from his cousin's orb thing. He's not sure what all the correct terms are to use.]
Yeah, healing seems pretty rare in general. I've tried a few things on my shoulder but nothing seems to get rid of the pain permanently. But at this point? I'm willing to try anything.
[He doesn't have any healing magic himself but not even Elliot's magic food works on it.]
[Felicia pursed her lips in thought, glancing at his shoulder for a moment before returning her gaze to his face as the details she had been ignoring clicked into place.]
...I've seen you at the hospital, haven't I?
[She asked quietly.]
I'm studying to be a physical therapist, and I shadow the people there sometimes as part of my schooling.
[Zack is quiet for a moment, watching her as she glances at him. He doesn't like to tell people he's injured or how he got such a bad long-term injury... It's mostly a pride thing. So, telling Felicia all this leaves him feeling slightly vulnerable. Just a bit. He shrugs it off with a smile.]
Yeah, you've seen me there. Maybe one day you'll be one of my therapists too. [He chuckles lightly.] Had some serious surgery about six months ago so I'm still recovering.
Guess that means I'll have to work even harder, since I might be helping two of my friends after I graduate.
[Her grin grew brighter at this, for now she had more fuel to add to her enthusiasm. Any other details were unnecessary at that point-- the rest of the story didn't matter as long as she knew what she was working with.
Felicia eagerly gave her staff a twirl in her hands.]
I warn you: I'm pretty sure this doesn't work on old injuries like what we're dealing with, but it might help with the pain for a little while. Is that okay?
[He has to smirk at the way she twirls her staff.]
Add me to the list. The faster I can finish my therapy the better.
[He really wants to get back to his old life on the military base.]
And hey, I'll take anything. It's been giving me a lot of griefly lately and getting even some of the pain to go away would be a damn miracle. So, how do you need me? Shirt off or something? Sitting?
[She can guarantee nothing-- only possibly a little relief, but likely not enough that would enable him to return to active duty. The details were stil somewhat fuzzy for her, but she was fairly certain this staff wouldn't work well on old wounds and scars.
That was no reason for her not to try.]
Whichever makes you most comfortable, [Felicia said, continuing to twirl the staff in her hands as if she were a magical girl.]
Other Me usually did this in the heat of the moment. Combat triage, I think? She would heal soldiers in the middle of a battle so they could keep fighting-- kind of like in a Monsters and Mazes game.
[Zack moves to sit down, then. He's not to sure how magic like this will feel and how it'll differ from his cousin's magic so probably better to sit down and try to relax through it.]
You got that baton twirl down pat. [He grins.] You know, I've noticed there's two type of people. People who talk about their past lives as if that person is a totally different person and then people who talk like they're one and the same.
[Just noting how Felicia seems to be the type to refer to her "other me" as an entirely different person. Where as Zack refers to his past life as himself.]
[She stopped twirling her staff at that point, thrown off just enough by the comment that her concentration was broken.]
It's hard to think of Other Me as being the same person that I am, [she explained quietly.] The world she's from has knights and ninjas and dragons... and she's terribly clumsy. I know I'm somewhat air headed, but I don't think I'm that bad.
It's not a bad thing. I just can't help but to think I'm the same person as that "other me" because there's so much in common there. How can I be getting that person's memories when it's not actually me?
[It's a complicated concept. But how can someone else have his face and be so much like him not actually be him?]
[Felicia sighed, and gave her staff another twirl to refocus her concentration on helping and healing Zack of his pain and injuries.]
I admit, I don't think about this stuff too much because it gets confusing. Sometimes, I'm not really sure what to think.
Except that all this is pretty cool, and the people who have the Retrospec app are all very nice.
[Stilling the staff, she held it above Zack's shoulder for a moment of silent concentration. The orb perched on it's tip glowed faintly in that moment, and Zack may even feel a warmth touching the places where he was in pain.]
[He glances at her when she sighs. He doesn't mean to drag down the mood, it was just an observation. Truth be told he's antsy as all hell about Retrospec and memories so he thinks about all that stuff all the time. His mind is over-active like that.
But then the magic comes and it's a strange feeling. He can feel some tension release and some of the pain seems to fade away. For good measure, he lifts his arm and then rolls his shoulder and stretches it. He can still feel the hurt muscles deep inside but there is a positive difference.]
Wow, that's great. This is ten times better than popping a painkiller or two.
[Felicia's mind was overactive as well-- with spur of the moment impulses and whimsical observations that may or may not be relevant to the current situation. Retrospec and the serious history it had in recent months within their fair city was something that Felicia didn't want to broach too much. She liked life, mostly, and Retrospec made everything Complicated.
And Complicated was difficult to deal with.]
You think so?
[Felicia asked, twirling her staff once again before bursting out into a grin.]
Pen and Freya thought so, too! It's nothing fancy like what some other people have, but sometimes something to help ease your pain is all you need.
[She looked up at him almost shyly, gladdened to have helped him in some way-- even if only just a little bit.]
I don't really know what to think of everything, but I'm learning a lot. And... unfortunately, I don't think this is a permanent fix. Since it's already healed, all I can really do is help you with the pain.
But, if you need help again.. feel free to call me, okay? I'll be glad to help you anytime.
Well, you did more for me in a few minutes than the doctors or my painkillers have done in weeks. So thanks, Felicia. That was pretty damn amazing.
[He stands and stretches his arms over his head, really feeling the way the muscles move a little easier and how the numbness and tension has lifted. He does a few mock air punches and then turns back to her to smile.]
Hope you don't mind if I call you a few times then. You wanna go for lunch sometime? My treat, as thanks.
[Her tone was that of gentle teasing as she spoke.]
Lunch sometime sounds great. Light has said so many good things about you that I've wanted to get to know you better, and any friend of Pen's has got to be a good person.
...I look forward to it, whenever your schedule is clear.
[He has to grin warmly at her response. He likes her sass and has to agree. Snake and Penelope are great people. He'll tease, but he appreciates them both a lot.]
I can work with that. I haven't been eating out much lately because Prompto keeps bringing me these great lunches while I'm working, but I think I got a few places in mind.
Dude set it up for me because I kept spending too much money on take-out which was really weird in the first place. Then he told me it was because of friend of his wanted to do it for me.
[Honestly, he still thinks Prompto might have been a little loopy that day.]
[Prompto is a little loopy on even good days-- but Felicia coyly smiled up at him and started to meander into the little kitchen that she liked to cook in.]
I... think I know why he might have seemed weird about it, [She confessed, a light blush gracing her cheeks as she spoke. Turning to face him, she opened up the fridge.
Inside were ingredients that may or may not be used to make the sorts of meals Zack had found in his lunches. Felicia waited, wondering how he would react.]
Gar's the worst offender with the body spray, but Bucky has his moments of being ridiculous too. Besides them, there's Leo, Lalli, Mako, Souji, Arisato, and Dante.
[There was a whole lot Pen had been kind of worried about lately, but one thing she wasn't was the apology she owed Felicia. She didn't actually have to give it, she knew that, but it was the right thing to do. What had happened was an accident and only Freya knew about it, but she owed it to her friend.
And so, she'd caught her after a workout one day, trotting up and gripping her arm tight.]
You're still free, yeah? I was thinking we could hit the park.
[Felicia hadn't jumped when Pen approached. She was friendly with everyone who came into the gym and felt no threat from any one of them-- so it could have been Pen or Prompto who grabbed her and she would have responded the same. Grabbing for a towel to clean herself off, she cast Pen a curious look while she worked.]
Yeah, I've got time. A walk in the park'll be great!
I hear you. There's a package with my name on it somewhere in the city that I just haven't caught yet. I don't know what it's doing-- it's a little scary.
[Giggling herself, Pen gathers up her bag and leads them out the door towards the park across from the gym. She's got to cut across it to get home anyway.
Small talk only goes so far, though, because there is a purpose.]
So...I owe you an apology, and I've been trying to word it for a few weeks now.
[Felicia asked airily, casting Pen a curious look but not at all worried about what the words suggested. She had known Pen for a good while now, and trusted that whatever the other girl was thinking wasn't nearly as bad as she believed it to be.]
[A vivid blush colored her cheeks as she giggled awkwardly at how intimate that was. She didn't inherently mind the fact that Freya had seen her naked, but that particular incident had been a moment of Finals-fueled restlessness and impulsiveness combined with an unbridled desire to just have fun. It wasn't a common incident that was often repeated.]
I just hope Freya didn't get any odd ideas. That was just something... fun.
[Pen, slightly stunned, looks up at her old friend. She'd been worried that Felicia would be angry. But apparently she didn't even care. That was the response she was expecting the least, if she was being honest.]
Why would I mind? It's not like you did it on purpose!
[Besides, Felicia felt she had nothing to be ashamed of. She liked her body and, while she wasn't an exhibitionist, she'd also seen enough bodies in various states of undress in the locker room. As long as you didn't let your eyes linger too long, no one really cared.]
I worry more about what she thinks of me-- and us-- than that.
[Okay, now Pen just snorts a laugh and shoulders into Felicia, catching her in a one armed hug. This really should have been much harder, but as always, this girl turns her expectations on her head.]
...I don't think she has a problem with it. Honestly? She's not the jealous type, since we've talked about rules for...inviting other people and such, and we talk about girls sometimes. Sometimes boys but there's not a straight bone in her body, so it's hard for her to relate.
[Felicia answers it-- and immediately pulls Pen into a hug before her friend can get a word in.]
Pen!
Come on inside, if that's what you want. I've got drinks and snacks for us.
[And they were alone. Light had moved back in with his family-- but that left Felicia with an open apartment and nothing to fill it with but herself and her friends.]
[Pen lets herself teeter into that hug, burying her face in Felicia's shoulder and trying not to break down again. She looks exhausted and haggard, drained of color, and almost like she's going to burst.]
Thanks. Sorry...it's short notice. But I can't keep this in anymore. I need to tell someone, but you have to keep it to yourself.
[Felicia ushered her friend inside and closed the door with a snap, locking it from the interior deadbolt as well just to ensure that they would have their privacy, and led Pen over to the sofa where they could get comfortable.]
I promise I won't tell anyone, [she swore.] And don't worry about being a bother. I told you, you're welcome any time.
[The words were like a hammer coming down to shatter the delicate glass of her reality. While Felicia couldn't say she was close to Freya in any extent of the word, she appreciated everything that Freya did for Pen and was content to live quietly with that sentiment in her heart.
The words also cracked her clean, sparkling belief that Bad Things Would Not Happen, despite Retrospec proving time and again that the game they were playing was nothing if not dangerous. The real danger was always someone else's ordeal, not one that would be faced by anyone she knew.]
...What is it? [Felicia asked quietly.] Cancer? Or Retrospec?
[Pen took another one of those deep breathes, folding her hands in her lap. It'd shaken her to hear it. And it shook her again to think it, and nearly cracked her when she said it to someone else. Her mind had become a fragile thing, so wrapped up in people, that just the thought of losing one made her skitter away in fright. But she couldn't keep it in. She needed support to make it through this, and without Vaan, she had Felicia.]
...it's neither.
[Her folded hands gripped her pants, crushing the fabric between needy fingers.]
It's a curse. Something put on her in a past life by some insane...I don't know...god? It showed up, and she's going to die unless she goes to some place that doesn't exist and destroys it.
[It was bizarre to even consider that those memories, those recollections of past lives, could have a much further reach beyond memory and the physical changes they were all receiving. The fact that something as deep and complex as a curse could be transferred was itself astonishing.]
You mean that they're able to bring something like that into the city too? More than just magic and hair color?
[Not that she had her doubts. There was something she couldn't speak of, or face a curse herself.]
I do. Well. I think it's just a side effect, more than something they are actively doing.
[Pen scrubs her hands over her face, trying to keep her voice steady and failing miserably. Tears start to leak out into her palms as she comes apart, just thinking about it bringing back scads of horrid memories.]
I should've known things...were getting too good when I got this body. Equal...good to go with equal...bad.
[Felicia rubbed her friend's shoulders, hoping to convey support and encouragement with the gesture. If tears were needed, then it was perfectly all right to cry.]
Then... we need to find another option.
[She said quietly, with an odd firmness to her words. She knew a little about lands that shouldn't exist. Even if she couldn't speak of it to anyone, it was still a commonality.]
There's got to be some way that doesn't involve destroying something that doesn't exist and becoming a monster. That's unreasonable. A curse always has a loophole, or they would be impossible to break.
[Tears were needed. she hadn't let herself cry enough lately, and had restrained herself in Freya's presence to a point. She didn't want to drive the curse to work faster, after all. Knowing she was making it worse was more than she could bear.]
I...don't know if their is one...
[She's cut off with a sudden, shuddering sob.]
Felicia...I'm sure that whatever did this...it's like Mateus. It just...it wants to hurt people...
[Pen shakes her head, holding tight to whatever cloth she can.]
It's a timer. When it runs out, if she hasn't finished her...I don't know...mission...I guess? She turns. And someone has to stop her. She might come back to life, like anyone on Retrospec might, but...I don't think there's a way to break the curse.
[To that, Felicia pressed her head against Pen's.]
Then... we just have to be there for her, as much as possible, [she said quietly.] And, when that time comes, do what you think she would want you to do.
But seriously, we're both different from what we were back then. I think I'll be strong enough to properly support you this time, if the worst happens.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
9/4
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those burritos...i can still feel them
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Or I can whip you into shape-- which do you prefer?
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09/10 misfire
I'd also like to note my displeasure with this assignment, once and for all.
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[Coming from the country bumpkin-- but she had this number and she knew this man well enough to guess that this was likely part of a different conversation.]
I never took you to be so sloppy you'd not check the number you were texting.
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Felicia, how are you?
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But, fancy seeing you, after all these years. You're looking quite well.
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At least, I won't be unreasonable in my price~
But I live here, and I still work at the gym; finding me's not hard. What are you doing back in town?
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I'm on assignment, there seems to be a story here... or so my editor says.
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Well, if you've got any questions, I can try to help. Lots of people come through the gym-- just, no funny stuff. Deal?
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I am quite capable of the utmost seriousness at all times, my dear Felicia.
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How are you holding up in town this time? I don't have a bed to spare, unfortunately,
but I can probably help you haggle you a deal on a hotel if you haven't already.
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09/10 misfire
09/10 misfire
Sometime in September
[Funny how Retrospec changed things.]
[Freya wanders up at one point during one of her cooldowns, towel over her shoulders, when she spots Felicia without a trainee.]
Hey. There's a familiar face.
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It was a lot to process and Felicia, in the middle of tidying the equipment as the evening drew forward, was glad for the distraction Freya provided.]
Hey, [She said with a smile.] That is a familiar face! It's been a while since we've met in here.
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[Freya stops to lean against one of the machines, tilting her head a bit.] How's bein' in on the conspiracy treating you?
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Not terrible so far. I introduced kale chips to someone who thought they were gonna kill him-- and he liked them!
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What kinda idiot thinks kale chips are gonna kill him?
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[The entire situation had been ridiculous, honestly-- but at least it had ended well.]
Turns out he liked them. Who would have thought?
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[...Wait.]
This guy's name isn't Prompto, is it?
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Prompto's a dork but he knows I'm not into that stuff.
[She paused for a moment, and grinned.]
It was Shuji. He's a different kind of dork, but not a bad kind.
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trick or treat
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Which one do you prefer?
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sup im majima
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[Give her a moment. After a beat or two, there's a little ping and suddenly his icon is a comical looking jack-o-lantern with the goofiest pair of shutter shades that the world ever did see. There's a whipped latte dancing in one corner and a few pieces of candy dancing in another.
Congratulations. You've been Blingie'd.]
There! How's that for you?
I'm Felicia by the way. Nice meeting you Majima.
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[ real ]
Felicia, cool, it's nice to meet you
enjoying your time on retrospec?
youre a new user, right?
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[Totally serious. He'd love it.]
You're right, I am new.
I'm liking it so far, there's lots of nice people. I mean, there are scary things too,
but there's been more good than bad for me so far.
How is it for you? More good than bad or something else?
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[ he may be a punk but hes a punk who loves hideous sparkly things ]
octobers been a crazy month already with this fog bullshit
but its mostly just confusing i guess
i dont want to get too deep into the weird existential crisis im sure youll figure that out soon
but i like the people on it
theyre cool
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And I'm getting an idea about the existential problems-- but it's not so bad right now.
The fog really is the worst thing going on, because of how dangerous it is. How are we supposed to defend ourselves if we don't know what we're going to even run into?
But you're right. The people are cool, and really helpful. I like everyone I've met so far.
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stay inside as much as you can at night, it's the best option if you cant fight
or ask someone to walk you home
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I wanna bedazzle one of my friend's roombas, but I don't think she'll let me. She's got other things in mind for them-- oh! but I should get my own roomba to do that, shouldn't I?
I can fight okay enough, but some of these things that come out of the fog aren't any good if all you can do is regular hand to hand. I haven't got any magic or anything like some people have.
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if you need someone to help you get home send me a message okay
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Are you, like, an Uber?
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i wasnt thinking about it like that
but yeah i guess so
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Do you like cookies?
Delivery - 12/11
True to the advertisement, the pancakes constantly sparkle even without a light source.
Thanks to the return of grains, the pancakes have taste! When warmed, they taste like a very delicious pancake you might find in a high quality restaurant!
Eating a pancake provides the following effects:
Felicia can do as she'd like with the food. The magical effects will last until it becomes unsafe to eat.
Along with the pancakes, is a small thank you card with a quick explanation of the effects closing out with "Enjoy! :)"
If interested in making more orders, they can be done so here!]
2/3 text
How would you like to help us help you out? Your observation period's up and I want you on this particular assignment. You'll be fine, you're probably not going to die, and we'll be able to monitor you from here. We need help. You've got the skills needed even if you don't know it yet. I know it and that's what counts.
You'll be working with a group (wish I could give you the names, still putting the lists together), but your assignment partner is Lillian Aust. Should you choose to accept this assignment, you will need to meet at the edge of the woods and we'll go from there.
You'll be rewarded for your success, of course, but this is only if we have an agreement. Do we have an agreement?
[No other messages will be sent from this account at this time.]
[ooc: Hello! You've been sorted into group 3. Your event log will go up at 9pm EST along with all of the other logs. We encourage you to read the main event log as well for more information about your recruiter and this note. In the meantime, head over to this thread on the latest mod post to meet your teammates. Thank you!]
2/3 - Sometime after the letters go out from Retrospec
Hey, Felicia right?
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So you got the letter too?
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It's a little scary to think about, don't you agree?
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But it's pretty excitin' too!
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It's a little scary, but I can't wait!
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You can't let bein' careful slow you down, you know?
You'll miss too many things!
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And don't worry. I won't slow you down, either.
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If anythin' I'm kinda nervous I'm gonna do that. Everyone's got powers and junk.
All I remember is that other people had them but I don't?
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but I can take care of you if you get hurt.
Lol. Looks like the two of us might be the ones making trouble.
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I think you might be sellin' yourself a bit short girl!
But I'll take you up on that.
Haha. Our poor group.
Speakin' of.
I guess there is somethin' you should know.
Specially if you got fancy healin' powers.
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What do I need to know?
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It ain't nothin' anyone else can catch and I've got meds for a couple months saved up.
But sometimes I get these coughin' fits or worse.
So like
Yeah if I keel over coughin' I'm not dyin' or anything.
But everybody might have to wait a couple minutes for me.
Also I mean I am dyin' but so's everybody else right? Hah.
[Just not as fast as she was, to be fair.]
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But, I will make sure to wait for you so you're not alone, even if the others go on ahead.
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But thanks
That means a lot actually.
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It's only right that we take care of eachother.
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Well I've got your back. :D
So what do ya think we should be bringing anyway?
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I'm gonna wear my best hiking shoes and definitly bring my staff. And, I think I might ask a few friends to see what they suggest.
What are you bringing?
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So far I got:
Medicine, couple changes of clothes, extra pair of sneakers, flashlight with extra batteries, a couple extra phone batteries...
Think I'm gonna go buy a big campin' backpack!
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But it's gotta have all the stuff we might need!
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We don't need to bring the whole store to be ready!
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But wouldn't it be great if we could?
We'd be super prepared.
Haha
Action; Feb/01
He figures that if he can at least get the pain out of his shoulder that this would be a success. Not even Elliot's healing magic has been able to outright heal the muscle tissue but maybe Felicia's can do something different. It's worth a shot.]
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Any small trial was a success in her eyes. Until she figured out the full extent of the staff's capabilities, Felicia was just as intrigued by what it could do as anyone else was.
Cracking the door open to see who the visitor was, Felicia beamed and stepped aside for Zack to enter.]
Hi! Light's at the library right now working on his thesis, so it's just the two of us here today.
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Hey. Thanks for having me. Hope you're not too busy.
[He steps inside when welcomed in.]
I haven't heard of a lot of people with real healing magic before. What's it like?
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[Felicia explained, waving for him to follow her into the living room of the simply decorated apartment. Out of respect for Light's limitations, Felicia did her best not to leave any clutter around the place.]
Like Elliot can make those awesome pancakes that can heal a little, and I'm sure others have actual healing magic...
All I have is a staff. [She smiled, and picked it up off of the table to show Zack. It was tall enough for someone her height to use as a walking stick in a pinch, and resting upon it's head was an ornate, orb-like decoration.]
The magic is in the staff itself... I think. But, not everyone can use it-- at least, not everyone could use it where Other Me is from. I don't know about here.
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Yeah, healing seems pretty rare in general. I've tried a few things on my shoulder but nothing seems to get rid of the pain permanently. But at this point? I'm willing to try anything.
[He doesn't have any healing magic himself but not even Elliot's magic food works on it.]
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...I've seen you at the hospital, haven't I?
[She asked quietly.]
I'm studying to be a physical therapist, and I shadow the people there sometimes as part of my schooling.
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Yeah, you've seen me there. Maybe one day you'll be one of my therapists too. [He chuckles lightly.] Had some serious surgery about six months ago so I'm still recovering.
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[Her grin grew brighter at this, for now she had more fuel to add to her enthusiasm. Any other details were unnecessary at that point-- the rest of the story didn't matter as long as she knew what she was working with.
Felicia eagerly gave her staff a twirl in her hands.]
I warn you: I'm pretty sure this doesn't work on old injuries like what we're dealing with, but it might help with the pain for a little while. Is that okay?
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Add me to the list. The faster I can finish my therapy the better.
[He really wants to get back to his old life on the military base.]
And hey, I'll take anything. It's been giving me a lot of griefly lately and getting even some of the pain to go away would be a damn miracle. So, how do you need me? Shirt off or something? Sitting?
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That was no reason for her not to try.]
Whichever makes you most comfortable, [Felicia said, continuing to twirl the staff in her hands as if she were a magical girl.]
Other Me usually did this in the heat of the moment. Combat triage, I think? She would heal soldiers in the middle of a battle so they could keep fighting-- kind of like in a Monsters and Mazes game.
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You got that baton twirl down pat. [He grins.] You know, I've noticed there's two type of people. People who talk about their past lives as if that person is a totally different person and then people who talk like they're one and the same.
[Just noting how Felicia seems to be the type to refer to her "other me" as an entirely different person. Where as Zack refers to his past life as himself.]
Alright, hit me with your best shot.
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[She stopped twirling her staff at that point, thrown off just enough by the comment that her concentration was broken.]
It's hard to think of Other Me as being the same person that I am, [she explained quietly.] The world she's from has knights and ninjas and dragons... and she's terribly clumsy. I know I'm somewhat air headed, but I don't think I'm that bad.
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It's not a bad thing. I just can't help but to think I'm the same person as that "other me" because there's so much in common there. How can I be getting that person's memories when it's not actually me?
[It's a complicated concept. But how can someone else have his face and be so much like him not actually be him?]
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[Felicia sighed, and gave her staff another twirl to refocus her concentration on helping and healing Zack of his pain and injuries.]
I admit, I don't think about this stuff too much because it gets confusing. Sometimes, I'm not really sure what to think.
Except that all this is pretty cool, and the people who have the Retrospec app are all very nice.
[Stilling the staff, she held it above Zack's shoulder for a moment of silent concentration. The orb perched on it's tip glowed faintly in that moment, and Zack may even feel a warmth touching the places where he was in pain.]
....Is that better?
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But then the magic comes and it's a strange feeling. He can feel some tension release and some of the pain seems to fade away. For good measure, he lifts his arm and then rolls his shoulder and stretches it. He can still feel the hurt muscles deep inside but there is a positive difference.]
Wow, that's great. This is ten times better than popping a painkiller or two.
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And Complicated was difficult to deal with.]
You think so?
[Felicia asked, twirling her staff once again before bursting out into a grin.]
Pen and Freya thought so, too! It's nothing fancy like what some other people have, but sometimes something to help ease your pain is all you need.
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I'd say. For the most part, my shoulder is all healed up but it gets numb sometimes so this is great.
[Some days are worse than others. Felicia really helped out. He flexes the muscles in his bicep once more just to test it.]
So, do I thank you or other you? [He's teasing.]
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[She looked up at him almost shyly, gladdened to have helped him in some way-- even if only just a little bit.]
I don't really know what to think of everything, but I'm learning a lot. And... unfortunately, I don't think this is a permanent fix. Since it's already healed, all I can really do is help you with the pain.
But, if you need help again.. feel free to call me, okay? I'll be glad to help you anytime.
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[He stands and stretches his arms over his head, really feeling the way the muscles move a little easier and how the numbness and tension has lifted. He does a few mock air punches and then turns back to her to smile.]
Hope you don't mind if I call you a few times then. You wanna go for lunch sometime? My treat, as thanks.
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[Her tone was that of gentle teasing as she spoke.]
Lunch sometime sounds great. Light has said so many good things about you that I've wanted to get to know you better, and any friend of Pen's has got to be a good person.
...I look forward to it, whenever your schedule is clear.
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[He mocks sounding really surprised about that one. That guy throws shade on him all the damn time. But they're friends. Zack laughs.]
I've known Pen a long time, don't trust all her judgements either.
[Penelope knows a lot of Zack's past. The hard stuff too.]
Great, lunch it is then. What kind of places do you like?
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[Felicia exclaimed, her voice light and teasing as she thought of the people that she considered friends. Sure, they were weird... but, who wasn't?]
They're nothing but nice. Why wouldn't I trust them?
[A giggle.]
I'm okay with most anything, no worries. I like veggies, but I'm not picky either.
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I can work with that. I haven't been eating out much lately because Prompto keeps bringing me these great lunches while I'm working, but I think I got a few places in mind.
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Oh, really?
[She asked, feigning obliviousness.]
How do you like them?
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To be honest? Great, best food I've had in a while!
[Best food he's had since his mom used to cook for him.]
Prompto's been real weird about it though.
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Weird in what way?
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Dude set it up for me because I kept spending too much money on take-out which was really weird in the first place. Then he told me it was because of friend of his wanted to do it for me.
[Honestly, he still thinks Prompto might have been a little loopy that day.]
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I... think I know why he might have seemed weird about it, [She confessed, a light blush gracing her cheeks as she spoke. Turning to face him, she opened up the fridge.
Inside were ingredients that may or may not be used to make the sorts of meals Zack had found in his lunches. Felicia waited, wondering how he would react.]
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You do? [How could she know? He only just told her now that--
Then he puts the pieces together and looks at her with surprise.]
No way, you're kidding me!
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[Felicia declared, giggling in delight at Zack's reply.
It meant that he liked the food-- and that made her happy.]
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So you're the one who was too afraid to ask me about it?
[He feels a little stupid for not noticing something like that earlier.]
Thanks, Felicia. You're really something special.
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You're something special too, you know. It's not just anyone that Light would let drive him around, you know.
[And that was just one example. She appreciated Zack for the way he helped people, and she had wanted to help him somehow in return.]
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[Zack chuckles warmly now, his hand coming to brush through his hair before he rests it on his hip.]
You didn't have to keep it a secret though.
[Because he had no idea. If she wanted to talk to him more, she should have just done it!]
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I was too shy, and we had only just met.
[It sounded like an excuse, even to her, but...]
We're talking now, aren't we? I went to Prompto for advice since it's been a little while since I last did this and it got silly... but, we're here.
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We sure are. And I'd like to get to you know you better too. Good thing we've got a lunch date planned.
[Then his grin softens into a smile.]
Thanks again.
Text 2/15
text
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but Bucky has his moments of being ridiculous too. Besides them, there's Leo, Lalli,
Mako, Souji, Arisato, and Dante.
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You got a whole mess of trouble.
Including my ex.
Arisato's the worst, though.
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Someone even sent him a scary fish. It had arms, you know!
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And seriously, yeah. Be careful around him. He's the one that tried to help Mateus last month.
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Should I warn the others? Should I just watch him???
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And no. You should just take care.
He's an idiot, but I don't think he'd harm anyone on purpose. he was trying to protect the demon.
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He must REALLY be weird.
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Extremely weird.
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4/something Action
And so, she'd caught her after a workout one day, trotting up and gripping her arm tight.]
You're still free, yeah? I was thinking we could hit the park.
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[Felicia hadn't jumped when Pen approached. She was friendly with everyone who came into the gym and felt no threat from any one of them-- so it could have been Pen or Prompto who grabbed her and she would have responded the same. Grabbing for a towel to clean herself off, she cast Pen a curious look while she worked.]
Yeah, I've got time. A walk in the park'll be great!
What's up, Pen?
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[With no nervousness in her tone, even though the matter was probably going to be awkward after she gets the purpose.]
And I don't really wanna walk home alone. Y'know, packages might take a bite out of me.
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I hear you. There's a package with my name on it somewhere in the city that I just haven't caught yet. I don't know what it's doing-- it's a little scary.
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[Giggling herself, Pen gathers up her bag and leads them out the door towards the park across from the gym. She's got to cut across it to get home anyway.
Small talk only goes so far, though, because there is a purpose.]
So...I owe you an apology, and I've been trying to word it for a few weeks now.
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[Felicia asked airily, casting Pen a curious look but not at all worried about what the words suggested. She had known Pen for a good while now, and trusted that whatever the other girl was thinking wasn't nearly as bad as she believed it to be.]
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[And here is the awkward thing.]
Remember those heartstones? In February? Where you had partners and shared thoughts that you didn't want to?
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[Lilian had been easy enough to get along with as well.]
Did something happen?
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[Hint.]
You...Remember when we experimented? You and I. I...kinda remembered that, and Freya got that mental image. Of you. With...ah...toy on.
[She sags a bit.]
I'm sorry. It just happened. It was awkward.
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[A vivid blush colored her cheeks as she giggled awkwardly at how intimate that was. She didn't inherently mind the fact that Freya had seen her naked, but that particular incident had been a moment of Finals-fueled restlessness and impulsiveness combined with an unbridled desire to just have fun. It wasn't a common incident that was often repeated.]
I just hope Freya didn't get any odd ideas. That was just something... fun.
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[Pen, slightly stunned, looks up at her old friend. She'd been worried that Felicia would be angry. But apparently she didn't even care. That was the response she was expecting the least, if she was being honest.]
...Really don't mind? That she saw you like that?
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[Besides, Felicia felt she had nothing to be ashamed of. She liked her body and, while she wasn't an exhibitionist, she'd also seen enough bodies in various states of undress in the locker room. As long as you didn't let your eyes linger too long, no one really cared.]
I worry more about what she thinks of me-- and us-- than that.
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[Okay, now Pen just snorts a laugh and shoulders into Felicia, catching her in a one armed hug. This really should have been much harder, but as always, this girl turns her expectations on her head.]
...I don't think she has a problem with it. Honestly? She's not the jealous type, since we've talked about rules for...inviting other people and such, and we talk about girls sometimes. Sometimes boys but there's not a straight bone in her body, so it's hard for her to relate.
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Open relationships can be good things. Healthy, too. I'm glad you have someone so open-minded as your partner, Pen.
...She's strong, in a lot of ways.
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[Pen laughs and teeters a little, unable to keep herself from grinning.]
she's definitely strong in more ways than one. How she handled my injury last week was something else.
Thanks again for that.
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[She grinned as well, and braced a steadying hand on Pen so she didn't teeter too far.]
You know I'm here to help you any time.
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[She flashes a grin and reaches into her collar for her necklace of crystals.]
Got a new friend, too. Want to meet him?
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[Felicia inched closer, looking at the crystals in her curiosity.]
What kind of friend is he? Another tomato?
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[A gesture and out comes White Hare...]
A bun.
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[Felicia squeaked when she saw the bun, eyes lighting up in sheer delight as she reached out to gently boop it on the nose.]
It's so cute, Pen! It's the cutest thing ever!
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[Hare squeaks and hops over to investigate Felicia's feet.]
He's a healing Yahri. His staff works like yours.
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[She knelt down to touch those ears, still giddy.]
That just means we can practice together!
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[the little hare hops up and down, happily nodding.]
And we can take care of one another if injuries happen.
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I think that'll be better for everyone, too. A little bit less for all of us to worry about.
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The more people who can act as doc, the better. Can't leave it all on you.
4/18
It's serious.
Text
What happened? I can talk right away!
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Are you home?
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I am. Come right on over.
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Pen!
Come on inside, if that's what you want. I've got drinks and snacks for us.
[And they were alone. Light had moved back in with his family-- but that left Felicia with an open apartment and nothing to fill it with but herself and her friends.]
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Thanks. Sorry...it's short notice. But I can't keep this in anymore. I need to tell someone, but you have to keep it to yourself.
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I promise I won't tell anyone, [she swore.] And don't worry about being a bother. I told you, you're welcome any time.
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...Okay...
[Deep breath.]
...Freya's dying.
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The words also cracked her clean, sparkling belief that Bad Things Would Not Happen, despite Retrospec proving time and again that the game they were playing was nothing if not dangerous. The real danger was always someone else's ordeal, not one that would be faced by anyone she knew.]
...What is it? [Felicia asked quietly.] Cancer? Or Retrospec?
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...it's neither.
[Her folded hands gripped her pants, crushing the fabric between needy fingers.]
It's a curse. Something put on her in a past life by some insane...I don't know...god? It showed up, and she's going to die unless she goes to some place that doesn't exist and destroys it.
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[It was bizarre to even consider that those memories, those recollections of past lives, could have a much further reach beyond memory and the physical changes they were all receiving. The fact that something as deep and complex as a curse could be transferred was itself astonishing.]
You mean that they're able to bring something like that into the city too? More than just magic and hair color?
[Not that she had her doubts. There was something she couldn't speak of, or face a curse herself.]
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[Pen scrubs her hands over her face, trying to keep her voice steady and failing miserably. Tears start to leak out into her palms as she comes apart, just thinking about it bringing back scads of horrid memories.]
I should've known things...were getting too good when I got this body. Equal...good to go with equal...bad.
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[Upon seeing Pen's tears, Felicia pulled the other girl into a tight embrace once again.]
Sometimes bad things just happen. It's not a price for anything.
...Besides, if it's a curse then there's got to be a way we can try to stop it. Has she mentioned anything like that?
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[Penelope sags into that hug, face buried in Felicia's shoulder, tears staining her clothes.]
It goes away if she can destroy some place that doesn't exist...but that would make her a monster all the same...
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Then... we need to find another option.
[She said quietly, with an odd firmness to her words. She knew a little about lands that shouldn't exist. Even if she couldn't speak of it to anyone, it was still a commonality.]
There's got to be some way that doesn't involve destroying something that doesn't exist and becoming a monster. That's unreasonable. A curse always has a loophole, or they would be impossible to break.
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I...don't know if their is one...
[She's cut off with a sudden, shuddering sob.]
Felicia...I'm sure that whatever did this...it's like Mateus. It just...it wants to hurt people...
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[She said with certainty, recalling the demon and it's unrelenting desire to bring pain to those that Pen cared about.]
I'm sure this one can be stopped, too.
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[Here's the sinister thing.]
This time, I'll have to fight Freya. She'll become the monster...
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...She's a strong person, Pen. I don't think she's the sort to just let something like that beat her.
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[Pen shakes her head, holding tight to whatever cloth she can.]
It's a timer. When it runs out, if she hasn't finished her...I don't know...mission...I guess? She turns. And someone has to stop her. She might come back to life, like anyone on Retrospec might, but...I don't think there's a way to break the curse.
She doesn't remember it.
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Then... we just have to be there for her, as much as possible, [she said quietly.] And, when that time comes, do what you think she would want you to do.
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[That is obvious, Pen.]
No matter what. I don't want to, but...I know that's what she'd want.
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I don't know how to help, Pen. But, if you need me anywhere at all, I'll be there.
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No matter what, I'm going to come out of this pretty battered. Physically and emotionally. And there's nobody better at fixing me up than you.
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[She nodded, and squeezed her friend tightly.]
I'll keep patching you up and stop you from falling apart again. Just... don't isolate yourself like you did before, okay?
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Now I have an audience, people that rely on me...and a tomato.
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But seriously, we're both different from what we were back then. I think I'll be strong enough to properly support you this time, if the worst happens.
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[That's why she came to you.]
backdated to 7/5ish
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you say that
but the thing is
i don’t remember being related to either you or dante