tramitem_net | You're my only hope

[ Anthony looked frazzled as he cast a careful glance over his shoulder before slipping back under what appeared to be a blanket fort so he could stare at his phone. ]

Ok look, bad week... shit happened. Lots of shit happened, most of it was my fault. Got engaged, broke it off the next day, had to spend most of the rest of the time at the hospital looking after a sick relative. The visit from the creepy alien hunting suit was incredibly spooky... But none of that compares to this!

[ He swallowed and hushed his tone so he wouldn't be overheard. ]

Mum is here. Actually here in my flat right now, cleaning everything and making dinner because she says I look unwell even though she has done the magic heat sensing mum hand trick three times already and I don't have a fever. What do I do!? I can't tell her about even half of this stuff without--...

[ A second voice, much sweeter and calmer broke in to ask... ]

What is this?

[ And Anthony paled as he and phone broke free of the covers to see his grey haired mom holding that conspiratorial message from the mysterious MMF. Never had a man shot so quickly from a blanket tent to snag the paper, crumbled it, and chuck it into the nearest bin. ]

Nothing! Just some chain letter, probably thinks he is being funny by sending weird notes... Nothing to worry about at all! I told you everything is fine!!

[ His mum merely gave her poor highly strung son a sympathetic look and once again set her hand to his forehead. ]

Honey, you really need to calm down. I know what will help!

[ She turned and dug through one of her many bags until she found a tattered old teddy bear wearing yellow wellingtons. This was pressed into Anthony's arms as he was ushered back to the blanket covered sofa. ]

Its Mr. Yellow Boots! Now you and he can sit here all cozy until dinner is ready.

[ Anthony was sulking but he sat back on the sofa and looked helplessly after his mom until she was well out of ear shot. ]

Send help. Anything... I need her to stop worrying.

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[ Anthony drew in a long slow breath, trying to find something comforting to say about any of that but there really wasn't anything. ]

Wow... That's heavy.

[Sighing, Clarence dropped his head to the table with a light thud.]

Heavens, you don't know the half of it.

[The call of his name caused him to look up and he groaned, not really feeling like getting up when he felt this vulnerable but damn, maybe the burning sensation of chocolate and coffee would take away the sourness leeching through his system.]

[ He didn't have any idea what that was like, at all. You would think as the serpent of Eden one might feel a little guilt over the whole apple thing. Condemning humanity to suffer the original sin and force them from the garden ought to make him feel some guilt. But... it wasn't murder.

When Clarence went to retrieve his drink Anthony stared down into his cup feeling guilty about how he didn't feel guilty and moreover, upset for the kid. Murder was terrible! How could a kid murder anyone for a hat??? ]

Did you know him?

[ Anthony asked when everyone was sitting at the table again. ]

[The drink warmed his cold hands, reminding him he was here and now. Not back in that memory. Only to be brought right on back by Crowley's question.]

[He paused, unsure for a moment as he thought back.]

You know... I think I did. Sort of? I can't remember his name, but I knew he was my enemy. So I didn't care if he got hurt. [Or died.]

[He took a sip of his coffee, then waited a minute to swallow before adding one more thing.]

There was another teenager there, too. He saw the whole thing.

Another teenager? Did you know him too?

[ Anthony sipped at his long named drink and made a face as it didn't taste nearly good enough to deserve such a long name. ]

I can't imagine what the use is in that hat, beyond the oddity of it... but at least the man was an enemy. There might have been a war or something. These memories only give us a small peek into the past and many times the context is missing.

[Clarence shrugged.] Maybe? If I did, I didn't care. He actually tried to help the old guy by doing chest compressions. I just ignored them.

[He took another sip of his own, the chocolate flavor calming. Anthony's words helped to soothe further.]

... I guess that's true.

Do you know Elliott Naeuri?

That is harsh...

[ But I was plotting the murder of a child I helped to raise. There really had to be more to these memories!! Neither of them were monsters! Or so Anthony tried to tell himself as he puzzled over the name.

Elliott Naeuri. The name wasn't immediately recognized, mostly as he wasn't sure if he had ever heard the kids last name before.]

Long hair, thinks religious is actually a cool topic, into gardens?

[Honestly, the whole situation was all kinds of effed up. But Clarence was working through it in his own way. Mostly by ignoring the worst of it and breaking down at convenient intervals.]

Uhh, I haven't really talked about religion with him but it sounds like you got the right guy. He's super nice, like, probably the nicest person I've ever met in my life.

He straight up grabbed my hands while I was calling on my magic to prove I couldn't hurt just by my magic existing.

[ That does seem to be the way most people handle it. They give the details but leave the break downs until they are alone. It had been Anthony's move too... for the most part. ]

That is brave.

[ Foolish maybe since they all knew nothing about magic but Clarence seemed touched by it so all those fears were set aside. ]

Did it work? Do you feel better about having magic now?

Reckless as heck is what it is. But you're right, I did feel better after. At least I know I won't hurt anyone unintentionally.

[But was that really better? It meant whenever someone did get hurt by his magic, he really would intend for it.]

I don't fully understand it, but I have a feeling it's only just starting. I just don't know if I should try to figure out how to use it, or if I should ignore it so I don't end up hurting anyone later on. You know, in case I guess I decide it's okay to just give people heart attacks when they're doing something I don't like.

It's always good to know you won't sneeze and accidentally take out a city block.

[ And he meant that. Anthony didn't have powers and even as exciting and 'do anything you want' as they might be, hurting people with them didn't sound like any fun at all. ]

I wouldn't ignore them. I think it's better to learn as much as you can about them before they get so powerful they control you. You know... if that would happen.

Right? I'm glad Elliott was willing to try and all, but he needs to not be so self-sacrificing all the time.

[Biting his lip, he nods.]

I... think that's the best route, too. The only problem is, all I can do is glow right now. I don't know how to do anything else yet, so I might have to wait until I have more memories.

You could practice your glow, see how bright it can get?

[ Yea, that sounded stupid to him too. ]

You think they will get stronger? Maybe they won't. Since these are only 'memories' maybe any magic that returns because of them will be like a memory too, faded, a bit weak. I'm just saying, don't but surprised if glowing is all you can ever do.

[Clarence grimaces.] I mean, glorified flashlight probably wouldn't be too bad, even if everything ended up looking like a cheap 80's horror movie.

I guess it's possible nothing will come of this. But I know how much damage my magic did in the past or whatever, so I gotta do something to try and, I dunno, keep history from repeating itself.

[ A pout slowly formed as he had similar fears, not about powers so much as he didn't have any but about his old demonic nature. ]

I think its a wise idea to take precautions, see if you have any weaknesses, make a plan... just in case. Kinda rooting for flashlight though.

Weaknesses, pff. [He kinda of deadpanned it but he couldn't help the sneering huff that escaped at the end of the word.] I'm not superman. I'm pretty sure all normal human weaknesses apply. Like, getting shot or stabbed is probably bad for my health all the same. But I guess I can't be super sure; I haven't seen myself hurt in my memories yet, anyway.

Flashlight does sound more and more favorable...

You're my only hope

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