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

Video

[chenqing_player]

[this is his first time talking to other vision people over the phone but that is definitely something he did not expect to see.]

You're not just doing some sort of trick with a lighter and playing with the camera in some way? You legit just caught your finger on fire?

[bearshermark]

Yeah, no tricks. This is really happening. Not sure if it's awesome or terrifying, but right now I'm just glad I'm not hallucinating.

[chenqing_player]

I'd call that pretty damn awesome. I mean..as long as you know how to use it and don't suddenly burn your house down.

[bearshermark]

Yeah, thanks. I wasn't worried about that til just now. I can't just snap anymore.

[chenqing_player]

There is probably something you will need to do so that snapping doesn't immediately mean fire. Maybe when you practice, do it outside and away from flammable things. Just for safety sake...but see if you can't figure out the on and off switch to it. Having a super power is really cool though so you need to make sure you use it right.

[bearshermark]

Yeah. Yeah, that makes sense. Though I wouldn't really call it a- I mean, I guess it is, but it's not going to do much like this. Not that I really want to? I mean, I'm not an arsonist.

[chenqing_player]

Think of the ways it could come in handy! Like..you go camping but you forget matches to light the camp fire..or..There is a sudden black out so you need some sort of light!

[bearshermark]

Yeah, guess I'll be everyone's favorite in those very specific situations.

[He waves his hand a bit, trying to remember how the girl in his memory had done it, then sort of snaps again to get rid of the flame]

Good thing I had a memory to help with that one. ..Guess I could have stuck my hand in the sink, worst-case scenario.

[chenqing_player]

So you gained this after you had another one of those vision things?

[why did no one tell him that was a thing? getting items yes..cool abilities? Totally left out of conversation..]

[bearshermark]

Yeah, I guess? I mean, it was just something I tried because someone in my memory did it. I didn't expect it would actually work.

[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]

[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?

[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.

[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.

[bearshermark]

[Elliott mouths the name to test out the shape of it, then nods to himself]

Good to meet you. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help.

[chenqing_player]

Same to you! If you need someone to make sure you don't burn all your clothes off, just give me a call and I'll be your spotter.

[bearshermark]

[He laughs]

Yeah, thanks. I think you're right about the snapping and getting that whole thing down, so I'll work on that.

[chenqing_player]

Good luck! I'm sure we will talk again.

[bearshermark]

Definitely. Hope everything goes smoothly for you.

[chenqing_player]

thanks. Me too. As long as I don't get another of those visions too soon I'll be fine.