video;

[bearshermark]

[A wide-eyed Elliott appears on video suddenly, hair tousled like he's been running his fingers through it a lot. His voice holds a note of urgency]

Guys.

I've been looking at my notes, and there's stuff about- about all this. Like I don't fully understand everything, but I just--

The stones are- the gods-

[He reaches back for something and reads off of it]

Even the altar. Like. They're all malachite?? Malachite is 'a gift from Nevedomost'. The priest's name is Neved?? 16 recesses. But there's only 8 stones listed.. Oh, he's- he's unbalanced.

Even- even the palace guard Uspor- Usporiadat? Zmat in the market. What kind of--

The King being sick or possessed after he went out there. Anthony could sense it- the deities battling in the hills?? Are there really?

[He glances around, possessed by a growing frenetic energy]

This is- I can't- I need to do.. something with all this.


Edit:

My notes. Add stuff if you want?

Elliott N. would like to share a document with you.

Comments

[hardtoignore]

[Clarence sighs, slumping down to the floor so he can lean back against the side of Elliott's bed.]

If you say so...

[Again, he's not going to argue about this.]

So what if the gods are unbalanced? What does religion have to do with anything really?

[bearshermark]

[Elliott checks his notes again]

Well, there's a rumor that the King is possessed by one of them- Strach. Unbalanced, he's the spirit of fear. I didn't think much of it at first, but then there was a guy at the tavern that started attacking people suddenly. Anthony said he could sense that it seemed like he was possessed. I'd heard about unrest in the city, but.. that was serious.

[hardtoignore]

[Clarence nods, listening but when he mentions someone starting to attack people in a tavern, he pulls a face and his skepticism can't be hidden.]

Really, Elliott? Someone going into a rage at a bar? Attacking people? You don't say...

Drunks are drunks, man. That doesn't mean they're possessed. It just means they're stupid jerks.

[That probably means that Anthony was drunk too. How unfortunate. Well, guess that means Clarence isn't going to be talking to him for a while now, huh.]

[bearshermark]

[He sighs, deflating a bit, ipad falling into his lap]

I was there the whole time. There wasn't any lead-up. Anthony sensed it before it even happened.

[hardtoignore]

What, were you next to the guy and he just started raging out of nowhere?

[Clarence grimaces, rubbing at his face.]

You can't trust anyone who drinks, El. They just want an excuse to lose their minds so they don't remember how much they're hurting anyone else.

[bearshermark]

[Elliott's stomach pits and he goes quiet for a good minute. There are several things he wants to say, but fear keeps him silent.

There's a dark impulse to throw his ipad against the wall. Instead, he sets it down and flops back on his bed and throws an arm over his eyes. He doesn't quite manage to keep the frustration out of his voice, though]

I guess there's nothing to worry about, then. You're right, I got worked up about nothing. Sorry to worry you.

[hardtoignore]

[There's no mistaking something in Elliott's voice; it's tense and lined with anger and Clarence freezes, unsure of how to proceed. They've never really had reason to fight before, but he didn't think this was something worth arguing about. What did someone say in this situation. He isn't sure.]

[Looking down at his hands in his lap, Clarence mulls over his choices then sighs.]

... Look. If you're convinced they were possessed, sure, I'll believe you. You've never lied to me before so I don't see why you would now. I just...

[He licks his lips, mouth suddenly dry. He didn't want to talk about it so he doesn't.]

I don't really understand religious stuff. Possession and all that isn't something I'm used to hearing about.

[bearshermark]

I'm not religious, either. ..Or I wasn't.

[Elliott draws his arms up to massage his forehead]

There's a lot of stuff happening that's unusual: memories, our powers, a whole portal to another universe has popped up. None of it's theoretical anymore, but it's like I still can't talk to anyone about anything. Just everyone's gullible idiot that doesn't know what he's talking about or even what the hell he's doing. God knows I've been screwing everything else up lately.

[hardtoignore]

[In his attempt to not be a dismissive jerk Clarence managed to become... a dismissive jerk. Great.]

[Turning around, Clarence pushes himself up on his knees and crosses his arms, laying them on the bed so he can rest his chin there and look at Elliott.]

Hey, I’m... sorry. I’m just [a deep breath] I’m scared, okay?

There’s a lot of stuff we’re just playing around in. You may be making breakthroughs, but you’re not invincible even with your magic. You make it sound like it’s no big deal going out into the wilderness after stepping across space into a different world, like fighting gods or earthquakes aren’t potentially dangerous, but that doesn’t account for other things like wild animals or heat stroke or—

[He stops himself and presses his forehand against his arms, voice muffled.] Sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel like that.

[bearshermark]

[His heart softens, arms dropping and turning over to better face Clarence.]

It's not- you're fine. I know it's a lot and it's frightening, and that I'm not invincible, but I don't know what else to do. Ask someone else to join the Bureau for me? Or ask them to 'go climb that hill please and report back because I can't be bothered, thanks'?

I'm just.. trying to do the things I think I can do. If I really thought it was too dangerous, I wouldn't go. I'm not actually a reckless idiot.

[hardtoignore]

[To his credit, Clarence didn’t cry but his eyes were wet when he looked back up.]

Just.... don’t get too hurt if you do get in trouble, okay?

[bearshermark]

[Elliott shifts closer]

I'll be careful. I'll bring my sword, I think. I actually think I know how to use it, so good on the wild animals angle. And I can heal a little. I'll pack food and water and everything. But short of walking in on the two gods in the middle of their feud, I'm pretty sure the worst that might happen is twisting my ankle.

[hardtoignore]

Okay, that... [He sniffs and rubs at his face.] Okay.

I guess I understand. There isn't much I can do, not like you can. Your mom, at least she's also one of the Different. If I just didn't come home one day and I couldn't be contacted, Phil and Kris would lose their minds.

[He wasn't their kid but he recognized that they did care about him, for some reason. And he was starting to care more about them, too.]

Just... text me whenever you get back home, if you don't mind. [He grimaces, then shakes his head.] Actually, no. You don't have to. Sorry.

[bearshermark]

[Guilt wriggles at him until Elliott reaches out and touches his arm]

Nothing terrible is going to happen to me. And I'll text you as soon as I step back through the portal, I promise.

[hardtoignore]

You really don't have to. [He shrinks down a bit further.] I'm just being stupid.

[bearshermark]

[His fingers curl around Clarence's arm]

I don't mind, if it makes you feel better. It's my fault you're worried, and I'm sorry about that. I'll be happy to do it if it'll help you.

[hardtoignore]

[Jeez, now he really felt like crying. To hide it he pressed his face against his arm, his forehead coming to rest against Elliott’s fingers.]

M’kay. I’d appreciate it.

[bearshermark]

[He doesn't quite know what to do. Clarence's words are muffled and he's not looking at him]

Hey... I really am sorry for dragging you into this kind of stuff lately. I promise I don't spend hours every day thinking about how to make my friends worry about me.

[hardtoignore]

[Clarence attempts to shake his head but it just seems like he’s rubbing his forehead against Elliott’s hand.]

I know, you’re not trying to upset me. I’m just—

[Clarence pushed away from the bed, wiping at his face and sniffling. Why did he have to be so stupid?]

I need to stop being a baby about this! Every little thing is bugging me lately, I hate it.

[bearshermark]

[Elliott lets him go with concerned eyes]

There's a lot happening. Did you want to talk about any of it..?

[hardtoignore]

[Clarence takes a deep breath, then reaches into his pocket to pull out of the stones: the agate he received his first day in the market. He swipes his thumb along the stone and he speaks, keeping his eyes down.]

I... I may have seen some people acting out, like what you said happened in the tavern. Now, I don’t really stick around to see what happens when I hear yelling or see someone bumbling down the street cursing. I make my way out of there as fast as I can.

But I have felt... irate at times. Like something is pushing against my skin. I thought maybe it was just the heat or... you know, being a grouch like I am. But you don’t think whatever is affecting the townspeople... they can’t just affect us, right?

[bearshermark]

[Elliott falters. If it's true- and Goddess Above, he hopes it isn't- it's a far more serious issue than even he thought. They definitely can't afford to sit on the sidelines for something like this]

I- I don't know. I think you'd have to ask Anthony to see if it felt the same. And if it gets worse, maybe stop visiting until it settles? I- I'll definitely try to find more information.

[hardtoignore]

[Clarence grimaces. He definitely doesn’t want to talk to Anthony, not if it means dealing with someone who potentially drinks. Clarence has been in the tavern and ordered juice and tea to have with his food, but he doubts many adults have self restraint when it comes to vices...]

Maybe....

I like the place. The culture, the people, the food oh heavens, the food.... but maybe that is a better idea. I dunno. Maybe I’ll try to do a little more trading with the merchants then...

[What? Just give up on them? Who knew how long they would have to see that place, or what kind of stuff might happen if the people who could do something just left?]

If I stay... what could I possibly do to help?

[bearshermark]

[Elliott chews his lip, not sure what he could offer if it came to that, but..

His eyes did catch on his tattoo. Expression clearing, he reached out to Clarence with it]

Actually, I think I might be able to help you.

[If it works.

He tries to remember how he felt then- the fear, the desperate will for calm, and the tranquil center he found in it.

The tattoo lights up, and as before, Elliott concentrates on that tranquil feeling, of radiating that calm and peace outward in hopes it might reach his friend as it may have reached the people in the tavern]

[hardtoignore]

[Clarence looks up, seeing Elliott reaching for him, his tattoo glowing. He watches, curious and wary, unsure what’s going to happen but he doesn’t feel threatened.]

[It happens quite suddenly, a strange relaxation spreading warm throughout his body, relaxing his shoulders and the weight on his minds lifts, like before he had slowly been suffocating and now he could breathe. He swallows and takes a deep breath, then his eyes are suddenly awash with tears falling steadily but it doesn’t hurt. If anything, it’s an immense feeling of just... relief.]

Oh.

[He reaches up and wipes some of the wetness from his face, then looks back at Elliott in awe.]

What was that?