[Video]

[chenqing_player]

[There are dark circles under his eyes as he turns on the phone, looking like he is ready to punch something.]

Okay...so...I know we are all kind of getting used to the fact that we have these powers. And I admit I was kind of hoping I would be left out of getting too many of them.

[He sighs and pokes at a stuffed animal that has decided to jump up on the bed beside him. Yes...that teddy bear is moving by itself.]

Well...is there anyone out there that isn't afraid of ghosts and might be willing to be a chaperone while I make sure I don't summon a 100 foot marshmallow man?

[That teddy bear suddenly smacks the phone out of his hand and there is a black out for a moment and a small scuffle while he tosses the bear off the bed and reaches down to get the phone. His face comes back into view.]

Yeah, I'm definitely going to need some help before my whole apartment gets overrun by angry stuffed animals. So if there are any takers...let me know.

Comments

[scotch_egg]

That sounds like absolute bullshit. [not that he disbelieves him but that's what it sounds like. He hisses as those fingers find the bruise.]

Fine...so long as you don't put on the outfit. [a weak attempt at a joke]

[chenqing_player]

[He pouts playfully and gives a little wink as he goes to head to the kitchen to get the ice.]

That's too bad. I look really cute in a nurse outfit. It shows off my legs.

[And as a dancer he has nice strong legs. whether the part about the design is bullshit or not...well he is hoping it works that way at least. It seemed to in his memories.]

[scotch_egg]

Save it for someone you like.

[he is a little uncomfortable being left in the dark bedroom so he stumbles his way out into the sitting room, flopping ungracefully into a chair and wincing]

Christ, what a night.

[chenqing_player]

[He shakes his head at him stumbling out of the bedroom. So much for not moving the wounded. He brings the ice pack over and hands it to him. He then goes back and brings some bottled water for both of them as well before sitting down.]

Thanks for all the help with that thing. I'd probably still be chasing it around.

[scotch_egg]

It's nothing. [he sips from the water] We have to stick together in this bloody place.

[chenqing_player]

Yeah...This place and every other place that seems to be opening up to us lately.

[Since it seems new worlds are going to be a regular occurrence or at least have been lately.]

[scotch_egg]

Don't remind me.

[he doesn't want to think about it-- only he has to.

After a moment's pause he asks]

Which... do you think is real? [this life or that one?]

[chenqing_player]

Why can't all of it be real?

[he tilts his head as he thinks of everything that has happened over the past nine months.]

That other life...took place hundreds of years ago probably. Not entirely sure I believed in reincarnation until now but I don't see why it can't be possible. You always hear about people and their past lives...just they don't usually gain weird powers and things. The more I see of his life, the harder it is to deny it wasn't real.

And these other worlds popping up...I don't know how it relates to those lives but maybe there is a Different around that it does belong to. Or maybe what we are seeing isn't a past life...but the life of someone living in a parallel universe then ours and it's happening right now. Maybe he is seeing what my life is like in his dreams....though admittedly not as exciting as his has been.

[Has he spent a little too much time thinking about the possibilities? Yes...but he has a lot more time on his hands then he used to.]

I'd prefer to think they are real and not just some mind trick of a big company that is using us for some crazy experiment.

[scotch_egg]

Yours did. Mine didn't. It took place... I don't know. Yesterday maybe. Today. It feels like it's running side by side. It doesn't make sense. [he shakes his head] I don't understand it. I don't even know why it's happening. Why us?

I don't know what I think... I don't know what to believe anymore... But I ... Almost want to believe they're real...for my cousin. He seems happier that it exists, barmy as that is. He's met...someone...

[he sighs]

I don't know...

[chenqing_player]

[He rests his head back against the couch and stares up at the ceiling.]

Maybe all of this is meant to make things better. Clearly it's working out for some people so, maybe eventually we all find that one memory that changes everything.

[He turns his head slightly to look at Alec.]

We maybe not have all met our soulmates or something like he did...but we've all at least made some new friends and acquaintances because of this. That also makes it worthwhile in a way, right?

[scotch_egg]

[he gives the lad a wry look]

Are you saying the real benefit to this is the friends we've made along the way?

[chenqing_player]

[He makes a tsking noise and looks back up at the ceiling with an amused smile on his lips.]

Don't make it sound so cliche but maybe it is true. I know my life has changed a lot because of it.

[He lifts his hand and waves it around at the apartment.] I sure as hell wouldn't be living in a place like this without your cousin's help.

[scotch_egg]

[he makes a face]

I don't even want to think about how he managed to get it. He's lucky I'm not a cop in this life.

[and what did it say that he just went along with it? Nothing good. But things were complicated enough]

You also have Satanic teddy bears in the bath, don't forget about that.

[chenqing_player]

Well the Satanic bear is a problem but it looks like I've also made friends that are willing to come over and help me dispose of those soooo...

[He looks at him again with a grin. It means his point it still valid that he has made friends because of this whole mess.]

I just need to get better at my ghost busting skills.

[scotch_egg]

Or maybe stop mucking about with it. [he sighs] Someone's not always going to be there to pull your arse out of the fire.

[chenqing_player]

True enough I guess. Be grateful you don't have to deal with this kind of thing. I was much happier when I was powerless.

[He can't imagine how any of these abilities he gained would be good for anyone in this city. Maybe when he was alive before they made sense but here..and now...not so much.]

[scotch_egg]

I am grateful... But I wonder why... And if something should happen to someone who has powers...

[he wasn't sure what he could do other than...flail around as he just had]

[chenqing_player]

You helped me just fine. I think those of us with the abilities are grateful to have those without around.

[Holding onto a little piece of normality amidst the crazy.]

[scotch_egg]

Then... I might as well stick around. For as long as I can anyway.

[chenqing_player]

Good. I'd be disappointed if you suddenly ran away.

[Whether he means today or in general.]

And I'll try not to have too many magical emergencies.

[scotch_egg]

See that you don't.

[a faint smile but then he sighs and hauls himself to his feet]

I'd better get going.

[chenqing_player]

[He hops to his feet so he can get the door.]

If you are ever bored, you can come visit whenever you want. It's not like I live that far away.

[scotch_egg]

[a faint smirk]

Don't count on it. [and with that he makes his way back to his own...shared flat to take a nice hot shower and collapse in bed]