video;

[bearshermark]

[It's an unusually frazzled Elliott that greets the feed. Maybe extra unusual as his normal medium of choice is text]

S-so uh! Something happened.

[There's some unpleasant rattling around noises and weird close-ups as he sets the phone down, rambling as he does so] And I need everyone to see so I'm sure it's not just a hallucination or something? I just had a memory while I was dozing off during my commute home and I just thought I'd try it you know, because it'd be cool, but then-

[Elliott retreats to a distance that he thinks is good for a video and holds up a hand, thumb and middle finger pressed together. He breathes, then follows the motion through with a snap. A flame bursts to life on the tip of his forefinger, hovering like a fireball in miniature. It follows the motion of his hand as it shakes.

Anyone not focused on the flame might see that he looks dangerously close to tears]

I uh- I think.. I think magic might actually be real? Maybe? If this is actually happening?

Comments

[darkforcerising]

Specifically, the degree of disorder or randomness in a system. All systems, left to themselves tend towards a greater state of disorder. The process of decomposition, the breakdown of atomic structures - which is necessary for life - is entropy.

[chenqing_player]

Thats..wild.

Out of curiosity..how many of those memories have you had?

[bearshermark]

Um.. somewhere around ten, I wanna say? I only started writing them down recently. Somewhere around there, though.

[chenqing_player]

TEN??

[oh gawd..he barely got over having one.]

I guess I need to buckle down and be ready for the long haul..

[bearshermark]

Okay. So, you're saying if the apocalypse happened, I'd be useful?

[And suddenly, he doesn't like that thought at all. He doesn't need to be the Luminary in this world, and he doesn't really want to be]

[bearshermark]

[Elliott moves for his phone and carries it back with him to settle more comfortably on the couch. He pays closer attention to who he's talking to. He hasn't met him yet.]

Yeah, seems like it. Did you just start having memories recently?

[darkforcerising]

What? Decomposition is how we get amazing food.

[bearshermark]

I'm just saying it's not wildly useful and I don't plan on using it for anything, but it is kind of cool.

[traceofeffort]

Battling your grandfather? Elliott, your memories keep getting crazier the more I hear. And this is with the reincarnation thing! But at least it worked, kinda sorta?

[bearshermark]

Yeah, that's not even half of it even, but I haven't been able to process everything. I've started a journal to try and piece it together because a lot of it doesn't make sense. I'll have to sit down and really try to figure this out at some point, but right now, I.. magic!

[traceofeffort]

Magic! I'm sorry, I'm over here trying to make sense of it and. Oh, just it's so exciting! Hey, maybe you need a magic studies journal too.

[bearshermark]

Yeah, maybe. I guess I should try out everything I see in my memories.

I still can't believe it, though. It feels like I'm in a dream and I'm going to be so disappointed when I wake up.

[traceofeffort]

[Lisa's smile turns a little more indulgent.]

Then keep dreaming. Until your dreams become reality. It makes me happy to see you so excited about this, so keep pushing.

[bearshermark]

[He colors a bit]

It's pretty stupid though, isn't it? To wish magic was real. ..I think I need to dunk my head under some cold water or something to be sure I'm not still asleep on the train.

[traceofeffort]

Why is that so wrong? Dreams take a lot of shapes, and you're in a unique place. If anyone can make magic real, it's got to be you. I'm watching it. Believe in yourself.

[bearshermark]

[He grins, a bit rueful]

You're starting to sound like a cat poster or something. I mean it's wild, right? Crazy, even. I know Anakin has that empathy thing, but I can see this. I'm so glad it's the weekend, cause I think this is going to take some time to get over. God, how am I going to back to school like this?? Just.. acting like it isn't a thing.

[traceofeffort]

Are you calling me a meme, sir? [Lisa puts on a mock offended face, which promptly blanks a little.] Then again, if I'm actually being encouraging, then I guess it was working?

But, uh. Sure, you have magic now, but nothing you've shown me changes your day. You'll have to keep it a secret, but I can't imagine you told that many people about your sword, right?

[bearshermark]

Well no, of course not. I mean I'm not going tell anyone, but it's just going to be really weird, I think.

[chenqing_player]

Yeah..I just went to my first support meeting about a week ago. I was told i was going to have more..but I didn't know I was going to have a lot more.

[bearshermark]

Yeah, probably. It can be a lot to handle, but you're not alone, okay? This network is good for that. Or you know, if you need someone to talk to sometime, I don't mind.

[traceofeffort]

Knowing that you're the only person there that can suddenly bust out a fireball, you mean? I get that. All this has kinda been a little polarizing. And I haven't even gotten the crazy stuff like you have.

[bearshermark]

Yeah.

It's crazy enough with memories and stuff showing up out of nowhere. Everything's going so fast. ..I think I'm going to do some hardcore chilling this weekend.

[chenqing_player]

Thanks. It's good to have friends that share a similar condition. [he laughs] I don't even know what to call it but I guess that word is as good as any.

[bearshermark]

Yeah, I guess so.

My name's Elliott, by the way. It's nice to meet you.

[chenqing_player]

It's nice to meet you Elliott! I'm Wei Wuxian.