savetheearth | [open]

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Who: George Wolfe and YOU!
When: April 24
Where: At the McDonald's near the library
What: Someone's working at the Ol' McDonald's today. Whether he's the drive through clerk, or the guy taking your order inside. He also has a confrontation from a girl he pissed off over the network.

This job is painful, the forced smiling, the "have a nice day"s, it's kind of too much for this jerk, but he puts up with it. In this world, you need to wear that facade to keep your job, especially a job that George has somehow worked his way up in. Outside of his job, he's pretty unreliable, but inside, he greets customers with a (fake) smile, seems like he actually means it and all that crap.

Today is no different, with high school lunch crowd coming, the college crowd, and the after school crowd... Rush hour really sucks, but it's also the only time that keeps him from looking at the clock the entire time, then BAM! He's off...

But until then, he's a slave at the ol' Mickey D's. He's in his uniform with the usual hat, his hair pulled back into a ponytail that actually nicely goes through his hat. A complete opposite of what a waste he looks over the network. It's amazing what you do when you need the money, how nice you make yourself look, and how much you hide how much you want to cuss out those damn high school kids trashing his restaurant. Then again, he used to be one of those kids.

So, welcome to McDonald's. Would you like fries with your order?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Listen, I don't know. It sounded like I just didn't like studying spells."

It's vague, but he does know that much. Still, she can heal, yeah? He honestly still calls BS on this super hero stunt and even though it's on the news, it's not that hard to fabricate stuff. Even if he did echo the fact he can use magic. Call him a cynic in regards to it all, he really doesn't care.

Still, healing, huh? Looking at the cigarette in his hand, he gets an idea. A very bad one, but one he decides to try.

It's without any prompting or warning that he takes his lit cigarette and rubs the hot end into the back of his hand. 400 degrees of heat hurts like fucking hell, but also something he can heal with some neosporin and bandages. This was a good time as any to test her 'magic'.

"Here, heal this."

He wants to see if she's just insane or if this is the real thing.

"Well, not everyone is academic. And I'm sure there is some theory and ethics to learn around spells, like anything."

Stella muses, curious about the process herself but pausing in her wonder about such magic and the like when she notices him smother the cigarette with his hand. Her green eyes widen in concern and almost anger when she realizes he did it on purpose.

"Don't...get into the habit of this. And don't....freak out, okay?"

She tries to reassure herself and him, taking a deep breath and closing her eyes as she places her hands out over his own. Focusing on the memory of her echo. The healing light and warmth it provoked. She can't very well ignore this. Even if the idiot did this to himself.

There's a pause before anything happens. A warmth and a sudden light as she heals him. It's not much. But it temporarily eases the pain. Enough that he should be fine until he gets home to properly look at it.

It was almost instantaneous... that stupid pulsating headache that accompanied an echo when she healed him like she had. To be honest, he had been half expecting this, even if he was cynical about it all. But... he recalls a scene, something he had done before exactly like this.

A girl with pink hair who looked eerily like Stella. A girl who he recalls as 'important'. That right there made him know that this was real, because aside from his roommate that he's been kind of off and on bickering with, he didn't have anyone he considered 'important'. Yet, this came to him as a 'fact'. Damn, if Stella dyed her hair pink, she'd look exactly like the girl in his memory.

In fact, she probably is that girl, who is he kidding.

Estelle...

...Stella.

Even George knows it's not a coincidence.

"Well, that settles it. If I knew you, you were named 'Estelle' or something."

His tone almost immediately changes, and even he catches it. That girl really must have meant something to him.

He rubs his hand where he had burnt himself, still feeling a bit of the heat from his burn, but it's definitely healed up a bit. He'll take care of it when it gets home.

"Estelle?"

Well, it's pretty close to Stella. The admission takes her by surprise, her brows furrowing in initial confusion before she realizes what must have happened. Notes the change in his tone of voice as he says that.

"Another echo? Are you okay?"

She knows how the echoes can be. The headache. She's not sure if the healing specified the burn at his hand or would help with that as well, since she is still figuring out this whole healing thing. She reaches towards his hand, wanting to check if he's all right. Sure, he can be a bit of a jerk sometimes, but that doesn't necessarily mean she would ignore this.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

He shakes his head, trying to make it all go away, but... the way he cut himself like that in his memory... was something wrong with this 'Estelle'? Did she have doubts about herself with her healing abilities? A cigarette burn is something he could heal himself with time and care... that cut probably would have had him in the hospital with stitches and getting blood for the blood he lost.

Still, when she reaches for his hand this time, he pulls it back.

"Listen, I'll take care of it. You don't need to worry about it, and I sure as hell don't need another echo."

Of course, he's going to hide the fact that he harmed himself in his past life like this too.

God, was he an idiot?

Then again, these echoes sure love to come without context.

Stella paused, withdrawing her hand when he pulls his back. Her lips purse as she looks to him through her blonde bangs, almost about to say something but refraining from doing so.

"If you're sure you're okay..."

Because he doesn't entirely seem like it. Then again, when she's talked to him before he hasn't really been all right then either, usually drinking to deal with all of this.

"I didn't mean to give you one like that. You just--what were you thinking?"

Or was he just not thinking at all when he did that. Okay, so he could have hurt himself far worse than a cigarette burn, but even so. She frowns, still confused and worried in spite of his attempted reassurance. Her hand shrinks back, arms half hugging herself as she watches him.

"I just wanted to see if this was all real. This hero bullshi-- crap."

Echoes were one thing, but this, actually seeing, actually connecting it to a memory, that was another. It affirmed to George that this was real. Sure, he thought he had this before with a second echo, but this time...

...this time made him understand that this wasn't a game. That he really was in some past life with magic and crap. And that he's getting that all back here. Who was he, who was she, what kind of relationship did they have?

"Just... you were right. We probably are from the same world." He pauses, sighs, and shakes his head. "No, I know this now. The girl that I saw looked exactly like you and she healed me. Just... she had pink hair."

He honestly believes the hair color thing because he's seen it a few times.

"So you wanted to know if the healing was real."

Okay, that much made sense. She could understand being skeptical about it all. But there were easier ways to go about that that wouldn't hurt so much or scare her like that. Stella's too lost in thought to register how he is starting to try and tone down his language. She's used to it, has heard it before anyway.

"I was? I am. We did both echo back the tree. Pink hair? There was a lot of pink with the tree. I guess if that happens, there's always hair dye here."

She's heard of the weirder echoes. Strange hair colour seems like a pretty minor one to deal with in comparison, if and when that does end up happening for her.

Should he mention that she was probably someone important to him in their past life? Nah, it's best to keep that to himself for now, especially now that he's confused. This one did a number on him, that's for sure. And he doesn't exactly feel like getting this girl involved -- after all, she's still kind of annoying. Or maybe he doesn't want to be the annoying one. Oh well, he gave her somewhat of an answer and now they have something...

"Listen, just... don't think too hard on this. I'll let you know if something else comes up."

Ha, he can hear the lies already he's saying.

Why can't he tell her the whole truth?

"You have a ride home?"

"All right. I will do. If I get another echo."

At the very least, if they knew each other they could pass on what they do figure out to each other. It wouldn't make sense not to. And hiding things could only end up making it worse when the other does echo back whatever the other might be anxious about them finding out, at least so Stella figures.

"I...no. I was just going to take the bus back. Why?"

She looks up from checking her phone, ensuring her parents aren't trying to get hold of her and wondering where she is, out this late.

"I can give you a ride. I'll drop you off the corner of the street so you're not seen with someone like me."

Really, it's not a burst of compassion, but rather taking responsibility for keeping her late. He doesn't need her mommy and daddy worried and then end up in jail for false charges. Given his track record, it would happen pretty easily.

"What? Why? I doubt many would even be out that late anyway."

Stella frowns, confused. But she doesn't seem to mind, gratefully accepting the offer for the ride home. There's a shrug, a small smile. She figures he seems better from the cigarette at least, even if he still appears to be confused by the echo, whatever it was.

"But...um, okay. If you don't mind dropping me home that would be great!"

"It's not a problem."

Said as he relights the cigarette he had dug into his skin earlier. There's still a good amount left, so why waste a good thing? And still, it gives him time to speak with her, maybe... it will probably all end up in awkward silence. And know that things are more 'official' now, maybe this is a good chance to not be an asshole to her anymore... though that's going to take time.

Motioning her to follow him, he leads her to a beat up blue '94 Honda Accord.

"Hope you don't mind the trashy ride."

The inside is littered with trash, though he does at least clear the passenger seat of empty McDonald's wrappings and cigarette wrappings.

"Oh. Thanks!"

She is grateful, and isn't about to pass up a ride. Even if his car is a bit of a mess and he continues to smoke. Really, she shouldn't, and wouldn't complain. She follows, getting into the car after he clears the passenger seat, clicking in the seatbelt as she waits for him to go around to the drivers seat. It's later than she thought, she realizes as she looks out the window.

"It's not so bad. As long as it gets you from a to b, right?"

She has her bag in her lap, giving a small smile to him when he gets in.

"Oh! Directions. I'm down Washington Ave. Number 12.

He gets in on his side and puts his seatbelt on (only to avoid the fine. Yes, he's had that once, too). Starting the car, he rolls down the window as his left hand with the cigarette hangs out of it just a bit. He's at least somewhat considerate when he smokes around others.

"Ah, there, okay."

It's a bit of a ways away from his apartment, but he shouldn't complain. Except when he has to get gas, then he might.

"Be honest, how did you really feel when you found out you were a 'Numbered'?"

"It's not too far for you to go, I hope."

She didn't want him going too far to drop her off, after all. But she's distracted by that consideration at his question. She pauses, biting her lip as she considers it. The honest answer. It makes her shift, almost squirming in her seat a little.]

I...I'm still kind of scared about all of this. Terrified, if I am honest. It's all way over my head and nothing I really want to get involved in, but we don't really have any choice in the matter. So I'm just trying to figure this out and deal with it as best I can considering everything. But if I can help somehow, then I'd like to.

He already made the offer, so he's not going to back down now. He may be an asshole, a jerk, other names people have called him, but he's not downright heartless. Though he does watch her after he asked his question. It seems her happy little facade was just that -- a happy little facade.

"You do have a choice. Just because you've got some special power doesn't mean you need to run off and help people. Some people might find it awesome that you have this power and helping others, but how's it gonna help you? What's it to you when you get attacked and can't do a fucking thing because all you can do is heal people?

Listen, it's admirable and shit, but use your head."

Goddammit, why is he lecturing her like he cares?

Fucking echoes.

Stella looks to him, uncertain and hesitant through her bangs. Considering what he says.

"It's just...if I have this power and I can help with it, then I should. I can't hurt anyone with it. I can help heal though. In the aftermath at least. If people do get attacked, I mean. I know I'm basically defenseless if I myself get attacked. I have no intention of getting involved in any fighting. I know my limits. And of course I use my head."

She definitely notices the change here though. It's almost as if he....actually cares about her now. Of course, he's still perhaps a bit blunt, but even so, the general gist of what he says seems to convey that. Which isn't something she really thinks too much on or would bring up aloud.

"Sounds like a bunch of excuses to me."

George still doesn't want to get involved, and he chooses not to at this point. Yeah, he's curious and yes, he understands that this probably won't stop just because he wants it to. Still, he has no intention on going into a fight he doesn't even know how to fight. Where's this magic he supposedly knows? If he was a knight, then he had a sword, yeah? Where's that?

Taking a puff of his cigarette, he does his best to exhale out his open window to not suffocate the girl with his habits.

"Listen, I don't want to be involved with this. I know it goes against everything with me contacting you, but maybe it's best we end this charade here."

"I'm not sure anyone wants to be involved in this. But we are whether we want to be or not. We'll still get more of these echoes, we'll still be changing and possibly look or act different as a result. We can't ignore this."

She wanted to. Tried to, initially. Probably everyone did at some point, she figures. Probably repeating herself yet again to him. There's a small frown as she ignores the tickle at her throat with the smoking as she listens to him.

"What do you mean? Even if you don't contact me to help, this is still going to keep happening. You know that as well as I do."

"I just get the feeling it's better that way."

He doesn't want to deal with her. He doesn't want to deal with people being important to him. It was five years ago, but he still remembers the pain of losing Nate, the one man who he considered like a father. The echos will still come, but at least he can deal with them this way. Maybe with this confirmation, it's all he really needed to know, all he really wanted to know, and now he's done... he just... wants to be left alone. He can't be hurt that way.

"So you don't want to know if I get an echo involving you then? Even if it is something important?"

She knows this is tough. But this still doesn't quite seem like outright denial. Just stubbornness and fear, somehow, as far as she can tell. Which she understands. She's scared too, of what the echoes might bring. If he weren't driving, she might reach for his hand.

"That won't stop this happening. We're still caught up in all of this. Whether you let me help or not."

"Goddammit, I know we're all caught up in this? I've been told millions of fucking times over, I get the message."

Maybe if he was 16 and still striving to be something, being a superhero would have been an honor and pretty awesome. But he's 21, and rotten to the core because of how he believes his life went... how life treated him. Maybe if he were better he wouldn't be in this condition or whatever, but now he gets these echos like they're some sort of joke?

"I can't stop them from happening, but I can choose to ignore what they mean. It's my choice. I'm not going to let these echoes ruin my already shitty life."

"But what if the echoes help? They could make things better for you. I mean, once we get used to it....you don't know that they'll ruin things. Maybe they will help. Help you figure things out here."

Because even if she is scared, perhaps even a little upset or angry, she still tries to think positively. Her lips purse and there's a frown at her features. She knows he probably considers her some silly naive rich girl. If not for the echoes he probably wouldn't really have anything to do with her beyond serving her at work and reminding her when they close up. But for some reason she can't help shaking that feeling, the desire to try and reassure him somehow. Even if he is being a jerk and pushing her away. Again.

"Stella, I'm a guy with a police record who's been in jail more times that I can count. Nothing is going to help me figure things out."

He's ruined his life, he admits that, but seeing a girl telling him to 'turn his life around'? Ha! If he didn't have an ounce of care, he would have kicked her out of the car this instant, but he isn't that heartless. His hand on the wheel was gripping it hard to the point the whites of his knuckles could be seen. Maybe his past life was all happiness and daisies being a knight, but his current life was fucked up.

Maybe going clean would help him, but who was going to help him on the way when he's going through withdrawals and shit? No one, because the world abandoned him.

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