savetheearth | o3. → audio / video

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o3. → audio / video

[Luci's voice comes on over the network, and she sounds pretty excited.]

I got something back! Not just some vague feeling or a maybe memory, but an actual power! This is completely unexpected! I didn't think in my wildest dreams that I'd be able to use magic or anything like that, especially like this!

It started earlier, and since then, through lots of experimentation, I've been able to figure out the following: I can make things brighter, and I mean REALLY bright, but not darker; I can make little balls of light in my hands, but I'm not sure if they just stay there or if I can do anything with them--I really don't want to accidentally break something in my room; also, this--

[The video turns on to a bright, glowing blond's face. And arms. And yeah everything. It's almost like there are dancing lights underneath her skin. Meet Luci, resident goody two-shoes, overachiever, and now human disco ball.]

Which is really cool, but I haven't actually figured out how to turn it off yet. So, um, help? Anyone?

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...I feel like I should be blasting some Tiësto or Avicii or something. Oontz oontz.

...What?

DJs. Dance music. You know, like. [she begins beatboxing embarrassingly badly.]

Oh my god, am I really that old?

Oh. Sorry, that's not your fault, I don't get out much.

Hey, no worries. Thanks for not judging me on my beatboxing skills. I'd call myself the whitest girl in the room, but it looks like you've stolen that title from me.

And I'd say that that hurts, but it's kind of true.

Any ideas on how I can turn out this weirdo lights show? I've tried thinking dark thoughts, but I'm not actually good at that. I've also tried telling it to go away, but apparently these lights aren't good listeners either.

You're talking to the wrong person if you're looking for power control. I haven't even gotten any powers yet. Maybe try... I don't know. Turning off all the lights in your house?

Nah, that's an awful idea. I seriously have nothing to go on here.

I'm gonna try it anyway. You never know until you try?

[The video cuts out for a few minutes, then comes back. Nope, still glowing, now she's just sitting in a dark room lighting up the whole place.]

Hmm. Well, bright side [Gonna try not to snicker at that, that was good Luci.]] this happened when I was at home. I'm not sure what I would have done if it happened somewhere more public. Like school.

...Right. Um. [Brooke sighs quietly and suddenly sounds very serious.]

Remember how the cops are on high alert for suspicious behavior? Because this would definitely count. If there's anybody else who could help you with this, I really hope they can do it fast.

[She shrinks a little bit.]

I've been trying, really! My parents aren't home for a couple of hours, so I have time, but...

Hey, hey, I'm not blaming you for it! Come on, we all get saddled with a bunch of awful crap from our past lives. I just wish I had something I could work with here to help keep you safe.

I mean, you're my friend, Luci.

I know, I'm sorry! I'm just a little panicked. Maybe if I just calm down...

Yeah, me screaming in your ear about the cops probably isn't helping much. Just... think about peaceful things. Puppies. And kittens and bunnies.

It's okay. Like you said, you're my friend so you're concerned. It just bothers me that I can't figure it out. Although, I guess if I were to be outsmarted, it would be something having to do with me, huh?

Nobody knows us worse than we know ourselves, I guess. Though I don't exactly think "special powers from somebody you used to be" gets covered in any self-help manuals.

The important thing is that we try to remember it's not our fault. And god knows that's easier said than done.

I wish it did. I'm completely clueless on what to do. Now I'm just trying to wrap my head around what past me would have done with a power that lit her up brighter than a Christmas tree. I'm coming up blank.

Maybe she was a being made entirely of light. I mean, no rules saying that the people we used to be had to be human, right?

That still doesn't answer why you were a being made entirely of light, but it's a start! Maybe. Call it a thought experiment.

A being made of light. A lady of luminosity...

[There's that dizzying feeling again. Luci blinks a few times before the screen slowly darkens. Looks like someone figured out how to turn the lights off finally.]

I just remembered something! Brooke, you're a genius! Unintentionally, but still!

Hey, unintentional or not, I'll take it. [now she's the one beaming, though it's slightly more metaphorical.]

I didn't give you an echo, did I? I recognize that look.

I did! I feel like it's a really important one, too!

If it got the lights to turn out? I'll say. Crisis averted! For now. Can you turn them back on?

No, wait, don't test that. Not yet, at least.

Well, it kind of did. It's hard to explain. It's more that I remembered what I needed to be doing in order to turn them off.

[She lights up again.]

And on.

Oh, cool. Crisis seriously averted. Wait, I'm the one who gave you control over it? That's... okay, that's kind of awesome. I like helping people, even inadvertently. And vicariously.

All right, so this was probably mostly you, but if you want me to take any credit for it, I'd be happy to.

No, see I remembered something about myself. Well, my former self. And that helped me figure out how to control it, at least somewhat.

[Lights out.]

But you did help. You've been very helpful!

Awesome. I'll call it a victory.

Sorry, I've never had an echo come up in casual conversation. I don't know how they work. I mean, even less than I understand regular echoes.

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