mister10below | [Video]

Entry tags:

[Video]

[The video kicks in, showing a young blond man who’s looking mildly amused.]

All right, guys, while it is pretty awesome that you’ve somehow pulled off getting me here without me knowing, this particular prank is really not funny. I’m disappointed in you, I know you guys can do much better. So just give me the kill code for this program now, and maybe you won’t have to fear retaliation. Maybe.

[There’s silence for a brief moment, as Bobby gives in and admits that, no, this isn’t the kind of thing his friends would pull. Not so soon after Alcatraz. Another prank, sure, but not one like this. His smile fades a bit, and when he speaks again, he sounds more subdued.]

If the world’s been unmade, does that mean all the people on it were, too? Cause, uh, I’ve seen people being unmade, and it didn’t look fun. Or reversible. How are you putting it right? Will everything that was unmade be back, even if it’s been a little while? And if you’re making our homes new, are they going to be the same as they were before, or can we request a few changes?

[He’s not really serious about that last part. Nice as it would be, he’s not the one who should be deciding things like that. No one should, really. This whole thing makes him nervous. He’s seen what can happen when people have that kind of power.]

Ro? Kitty? Logan, Pete?

[There are too many names that should be on that list that aren’t, but now’s not the time to think about that.]

Anyone else here?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Chloe smiles, tilting her head at him and his word choice. Maybe he was a half demon?]

Both. Everything. Real magic and abilities alike. You'd be surprised at how many different people there are here. With different abilities. [A small shrug] I even met a couple of trolls.

[She chuckles at that, offering a small thank you as she ducked into said tiny cell block room.] Well, I give you points for not freaking too badly. Do strange things happen ti you often?

[His eyes light up a little at hearing that. Different abilities always intrigue him. It's actually pretty awesome to know that a lot of people here seem to have them. Unless that meant this guy was just targeting mutants, then - no, she'd said real magic. And-]

...dude, trolls? Really? Like, actual trolls, or just people whose mutation makes them look like trolls?

[He ducks in after her, closing the door, but not all of the way. Privacy's probably a good thing, but he doesn't want to make her uncomfortable by closing her in a small room with a guy who's basically a stranger. Then he laughs at that.]

Strange things is in my job description.

[Chloe smiles at that, remembering Simon and how excited he seemed about meeting other races of supernaturals.] Definitely real trolls. [An odd expression crosses her face for a moment.] And definitely not a mutation of some kind.

[She decides to take a seat at his desk chair, angling it away from the desk so she can face him while they talk.] This okay?

[She's smiling again, widely.] Strange things have a penchant for following me, so I think you and I will get along. I know I said I'd give you the low down, but I'm curious, too. You're from New York, that much I know. Are you from the same New York I'm from, though? [Chloe winces, feeling as though she's botching this now.]

S-sorry. It's just easier knowing h-how to describe the people here, and this place, if I know where to start from.

That? Is so cool. I'm pretty sure there aren't any trolls where I'm from.

[The way she said 'mutation of some kind,' though, was definitely pinging him as odd. Still, he nodded when she sat at the desk chair.]

Works for me. And yeah, I think so, too.

[Considering how well they seemed to have been getting along so far, that seemed like a good bet. He liked her.

'The same New York'? Huh. Okay. 'Worlds,' plural, magic, trolls, her seeming nonrecognition of mutation, Bobby's starting to get a clue.]

No worries, I can understand that. I'm not sure, though. Does the word 'mutant' mean anything to you?

[And she's beaming at him, wishing so strongly that she could introduce Bobby to Simon.] There aren't any trolls where I'm from, either. ...I don't think.

[Now she's giving him an odd yet humorous expression.] Aside from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles? Nope. Sorry. [Her eyes narrow in consideration.] So the word 'supernatural' means nothing to you? Except the meaning in the word itself, I suppose...

New experience for both of us, then!

[He shakes his head.]

No, it doesn't. Except, yeah, the meaning. I'm pretty sure this means we're not from the same New York. There's no way you could not know about mutants, otherwise.

[Someone who doesn't know about mutants. He's...not sure what to think of that, honestly. There's a brief pause.]

Does that mean there's actual supernatural stuff where you're from? Ghosts and witches and stuff?

[She grins and nods.] Guess so.

Bummer. [She really pegged him for a half demon. Huh. Was is wrong to feel so sad about not going home and being able to possibly meet up with him again? Never introduce him to the others? Oh god. Tori would adore him. Maybe it was better this way.]

[At the question, Chloe coughs on her own spit, embarrassingly enough, turning bright red and clutching at her chest until she can get her coughing under control.] Are you psychic? [It's all she can breathe out as she desperately tried to inhale, eyes wide on Bobby's face. She realizes it was probably a good guess, but... that had been one heck of a guess.]

Yeah.

[It was, really. Not only was it just completely mind-blowing to be around someone who didn't know about mutants and everything going on, but someone from a world where that hadn't happened? Hard to process.

He moves to her side when she starts coughing, patting her back until the fit seems to have stopped.

And then he can't help chuckling at her question.]

Not me, but I know a few. Maybe it rubbed off on me.

[He grins at her.]

I figured you were asking about supernatural stuff for the same reason I was asking about mutants. I have mutants where I'm from, you have supernatural stuff. Which is awesome, by the way.

[Her face is still red, so he lowers his body temperature slightly, just enough for his hand to be soothingly cool, and rests it against her forehead. It's an absent movement, one he's done before, as he looks at her in a bit of concern.]

You okay?

Y-you know... huh.

[Maybe she and Bobby weren't too dissimilar after all. Maybe mutants were like supernaturals.]

Ah...thank you.

[She smiles, touched by his concern, seeing as he only just met her. She was so used to hiding what she was, even here it seemed like a defense mechanism. Denial and running. Listening to his words, finally, has her grinning.]

Supernatural stuff is pretty awesome. Well. So long as it isn't trying to kill you. [She winces.] Yes, there are supernaturals where I am from. Humans don't know about us, though. I... thought I was human until I found out otherwise. [She winces. It's kind of upsetting when family turns on you.]

[Coughing now under control, Chloe sighs and smiles, eyes slipping shut as she leans into his cool hand. Then she realizes what she's doing, blushes darker still in embarrassment, and sits back up, pointedly looking anywhere but at him until he hopefully started talking.]

No problem.

[He smiles at her, his words genuine, then his smile turns slightly wry at that.]

It's the same way with mutations. Awesome until they're deadly.

[There's a moment of silence as he thinks about her other words. He knows exactly how that last part is, but the first part? Not so much.

Bobby doesn't even notice when Chloe leans into his hand, though he does adjust automatically to keep his hand on her forehead.]

The same thing happened to me, actually. Thought I was human, until, surprise! My mutation showed up. It was an interesting manifestation. But everyone knows about mutants, where I'm from.

[He pauses to look closely at her.]

Feeling better?

[The smile is returned.]

Must be a rulebook somewhere. With great power comes great deadly potential. [Her smile is wry, but she's trying to find humor in the situation.]

What was your manifestation? [Her lips purse in bemusement over past horrors.] Bet it couldn't have been worse than mine. Are mutants... accepted... where you're from? [She hopes they are. God, she hopes so, and she waits in concern for his answer.]

Yes, actually. Thank you.

[Then, a pause.] W-wait. Was that...? Was that some part of your ability? [She's intrigued by this, and smiling, leaning forward as if she would glean more answers that way.]

[There's a small chuckle. He doesn't let any part of how hard that hit home show. Then he smiles at her comment about manifestations.]

When you say it like that, I'm hesitant to ask. But I'll tell you mine, if you'll tell me yours?

[The smile fades briefly, then returns.]

Not yet. Not completely, anyway. But we're working on it.

[When she says she's better, Bobby pulls his hand away, absently brushing a strand of hair away from her forehead as he does so, and smiles brightly at her. This, this he likes talking about.]

It was. The less flashy, more useful side. Here, watch.

[He cups his hands together for a minute, then lifts one hand up. Sitting in his palm is a small replica of the necklace around her neck, in ice. He looks up to smile at her again. Even the slight, instinctive worry over her reaction doesn't stop his love of his power.]

[A bit of a wince and a grin.] It's not th-that>/I> bad. O-once you get used to it. [It was worrying how other people would take it that was more of a concern to her, now.] Deal.

That's good to hear, at least.

[Chloe draws in a slow, awed breath, eyes widening as her hand reaches for her own necklace. She looks up at Bobby and grins, delight clearly in her eyes.] Now that is a cool power. Why can't I have a power like that? [She is teasing, but in the past she might have gladly exchanged abilities if given the opportunity.]

Uh...I'm a necromancer. I see dead people. [She looks up hesitantly, waiting for the questions and disbelief, and worries.]

It happened when I was twelve. There were these two guys who didn't like me all that much, and they started harassing me and this girl I was with. Suddenly I was icing stuff up all over the place. It was pretty surprising, but, uh, it worked! Stopped them from bugging us.

[Put them in the hospital after they'd been knocked unconscious, actually, and scared Judy from ever talking to him again, but he leaves that part out.

Their conversation turns towards powers, anyway, and Bobby can never resist showing off a little. The delight in Chloe's eyes chases away whatever small concerns he'd had, and he cheerfully offers over the ice necklace to her.]

It'll melt eventually without me around keeping it cold, but you can have it until then, if you want.

[No disbelief or worries coming from him, Chloe. This is the guy who teaches at a mutant school and dated a girl who could kill him by touching him.]

Seriously? That's awesome! Do you just, see them all the time, wandering around, like in the Sixth Sense? ...which might be less awesome for you, actually, if that means they bug a bunch like they did that kid.

[Chloe stares, gape-mouthed at Bobby's story until finally her brows shoot up in amazement and she's laughing, imagining the bullies fleeing in fear.] Yep. It must be cool to have an ability like that. [Something Simon would be envious of.]

Th-thank you. [Chloe accepts the ice necklace, unable to hide her awe at the gift and the ability it represented. She can't help the wry smile as she slants a gaze Bobby's way.] You have no idea what this amulet means to me, either, and yet you replicated it. Definitely feels like you have a sixth sense about people's abilities, here. [She was slightly teasing, but--he was like her. She felt she could trust him with all her secrets. Like he wouldn't judge. Like he'd been through similar situations himself. She couldn't shake the feeling, though Bobby reminding her of Simon might have a lot to do with it.]

[And now Chloe is grinning and shaking her head. She should have known he would have this kind of response. Still. Some people take you by surprise.] Yes, I see them all the time. When they're there. [Small shrug.] Actually, I'm still working on how to tell ghosts from living people--that's how real to me they are. Ah, Sixth Sense. I suppose it's pretty similar, though the spooks that antagonized him we're half demons poltergeists and mad sorcerer doctors. [She sends Bobby an unamused look.] At least that is over and done with. [Or so she hopes.]

[He grins at the laughter his story causes. That's why he'd left out the other parts; no need to bring that up. It's been long enough now that it can just be an amusing story.]

It comes in handy. So what was yours like?

[There's another bright smile when she takes the ice necklace, and then he chuckles at her comment.]

Nah. Just thought it was pretty, like you. But I can totally take credit for having the sixth sense thing. That'd be pretty handy, actually.

[He grimaces a bit at that last part of her explaining her powers.]

Ouch. Yeah, I can see how unfun that'd be. The worst I had to worry about with my power was pissing off my roommate by accidentally freezing things when I had a nightmare, or something.

[Chloe raises a brow at that.] You really want to know? I was a Freshman in a high school for the arts. One minute I'm minding my own business, coloring red streaks in my hair, and the next minute a creepy custodian is chasing me through the hallways, yelling and screaming at me. I thought I was in trouble, see. Skipping for the first time. Only that wasn't it. The custodian came right up to me a-and-- h-he changed. H-his face st-started melting off and was discolored and--I screamed. Ran through the halls like a lunatic, actually. Teachers--my vice principle had to restrain me. They thought I was crazy. [She winces, unable to keep an embarrassed blush from rising to her cheeks.] I-I didn't realize why no one else could see him. I thought... m-maybe I was crazy. Only I'm not. It was a ghost, trying to get my attention. [Slants a rueful glance at Bobby.] Horror story number one. They get better, believe me.

[Shakes her head and smiles, deciding to let that little comment go for now.] This amulet was given to me by my mother. B-before she died. She told me it would keep the bogey men away when I was younger, and I believed her. The amulet's color has changed over time, though. I-I think it has some kind of power that--that helps me. My abilities. [Gaze lifts to Bobby's, as if he might have some insight even though he should have no real reason to.] It's kept me safe already. Sh-she... told me not to take it off. [When she was dead. Which should have been forbidden.]

[She tries to laugh--to smile at imagining waking up in a frigid room one day--but the memories of what she had done in her sleep prevent her from enjoying the humor.] Y-yeah... [Cue: uncomfortable Chloe.]

[He leans against the desk next to her, listening to her story closely, giving her his full attention. When he speaks after she's done, his voice is genuine, filled with understanding, but no trace of pity.]

I'm sorry. That must have been horrible, all of that on top of not knowing what the hell was going on.

[Bobby gives a soft, small smile.]

If I didn't know you weren't from my world, I'd swear you were a mutant. Some of the people I know had manifestations like that. Suddenly having uncontrollable powers that no one else understands, well. It's not easy, as you obviously know.

[He looks at the necklace curiously when she explains its significance.]

Keeps the bogeymen away? Huh. Maybe it wards off evil spirits, or something. There's a lot of amulets and stuff in my world that's supposed to do that. But maybe with your powers, it's actually real.

[And he's been incredibly successful in taking this conversation to nice, depressing places, hasn't he? When she doesn't laugh at his comment about not controlling his powers during nightmares, he figures that hit home for her. Perhaps she has nightmares she'd rather not think of, or difficulty controlling her own powers during sleep. In any case, he files that away, and steers the conversation elsewhere.]

My nights tend to be spent more towards sneaking ice cream in the kitchen, now, though. Which sadly might be coming to an end. But hey! If there's milk and stuff, I can make my own.

[Chloe doesn't look at Bobby yet. Her mind is in the past, remembering what it had been like. She smiles ironically, a bit of a breathy laugh escaping her at his words. He was right, though.] That was only the beginning.

[Now she looks at him, most of the horror gone from her gaze and a genuine smile on her lips as she listens with interest.] Definitely not easy. You learn to roll with the punches, though. Makes you stronger. Despite everything, I'm glad it turned out this way. I'm proud to be who I am today. [She tilts her head questioningly at Bobby, as if asking if he was too, but Chloe thinks she already knows the answer to that.] You'd be a half-demon in my world. I only know two different kinds of half-demons, mind you, but if there are fire demons then why not ice, too? [She smiles.]

I don't know what it really is, or how it works. I just know I'm safer with it one. Supposedly it... lessens my 'glow,' so pesky poltergeists and evil spirits don't come flocking to me. [She grins ruefully at Bobby, but there is honesty intertwined with the humored sparkle to her gaze.]

...You seriously know how to make ice cream? [This from the girl who can barely fry an egg without it burning.]

[It's always only the beginning. Had been for him, too, and for every mutant he'd known.]

That's good. That's the most important thing, you know, being proud of who you are. Someone I know used to say that it means you can look back on everything you've done, own up to both your mistakes and the things you did right, and have learned from them both.

[It's a lesson he's still trying to learn, though he does a good job convincing himself he has learned it, most times. He nods at her comment about the necklace, smiling back.]

Yeah, I'd definitely call that safer. Flocking is bad.

[He beams at her, pleased to move the conversation to ice cream.]

You bet! All you need is milk or cream, sugar, and vanilla. Well, or instant pudding mix, but that seems like it'd be harder to come by in a place like this.

[Smiles softly.]

Strong and wise words, from whoever that someone was.

[She chuckles at that.]

Flocking is definitely bad.

[Shakes her head in near-disbelief.]

Really. Well, I doubt you will find instant pudding mix here. The other things, though... those should be manageable. Bet you wouldn't even need a freezer.

He was. I learned a lot from him.

[He can't keep the smallest hint of grief from his voice, though his smile doesn't slip. It's too soon for it not to be there. But it's gone with his next words.]

Wicked! We'll have ice cream before you know it, then. And I definitely don't need a freezer. Don't even need ice.

[Chloe catches that. Learned. She's been around long enough to know when someone's gone. Hello. Necromancer here.]

I'm sorry.

[She reaches toward Bobby's arm, giving it a squeeze in understanding, and a look that showed how much she understand. She would listen, if he ever wanted to talk, but she also knew not to pry. She pulls her hand away. Then she's smiling, ducking her head and chuckling at his enthusiasm.]

So if I ever find a warm can of coke around here, you can magically cool it for me in seconds?

[He doesn't say anything in reply, but he covers her hand briefly with his, squeezing lightly, and the look he gives her is grateful. Then he moves his hand away, laughing at her other comment.]

Less than seconds. That might as well have been my job description back in school. No one ever had to suffer through warm soda while I was around.

Job description? You had a job while you were still in school?

...Did you ever mind your power being used in such a way?

[Then Chloe pauses, wincing and scrunching her face up slightly.] We were supposed to be talking about the Keep, and here I am asking you all these personal questions.

[Video]

[Commentlog]

[Commentlog]

[Commentlog]

[Commentlog]

[Commentlog]

[Commentlog]

[Commentlog]

[Commentlog]

[Commentlog]

[Commentlog]

[Commentlog]

[Commentlog]

[Commentlog]

[Commentlog]

[Commentlog]

[Commentlog]

[Commentlog]

[Commentlog]

[Commentlog]

[Commentlog]

[Commentlog]

[Commentlog]

[Commentlog]

[Commentlog]

[Commentlog]

[Commentlog]

[Commentlog]

[Commentlog]

[Commentlog]

[Commentlog]

[Commentlog]

[Commentlog]

[Commentlog]

[Commentlog]

[Commentlog]