[closed] I can see clearly now!

[flamberge]

Who: Banagher Links, Richard Locke
When: Oct 04, afternoon
Where: Near Starbucks
What: Banagher helps yet another Network person dealing with the effects of an echo aka Richard has the worst luck.

[What does an undercover cop posing as a school teacher get after a long day of classes? A venti Americano with an extra shot in order to get the energy necessary to grade all the tests and then do cop paperwork before passing out for the next 8 to 12 hours. Maybe a meal of cup ramen or a bagel might get tossed in there, but either way, the caffeine is necessary. Even the near lack of parking didn't deter him from feeding his caffeine needs. Walking a couple blocks couldn't be called harmful.

Not even a thought gets tossed to the Cruxis Crystal on his person (worn under his shirt on his shoulder so no to be seen) as he walks down the street. He had put it on the other day after receiving it, but none of the abilities granted by the gem had manifested themselves. Richard came to the conclusion earlier that perhaps the item simply didn't work for whatever reason.

Said conclusion suddenly gets shattered just two blocks from his destination. It happens in the blink of an eye. Everything becomes far too clear. The details in everything become far too visible; the distance he can see becomes far too great; the sounds around him become far too loud. Richard stops dead in his tracks with wide eyes. Standing doesn't continue for long as he then stumbles backward until his back meets a wall. With the wall supporting him enough to keep him standing (quite possibly the only thing keeping him standing), Richard quickly shuts his eyes to not have to deal with that now. Though the lack of sight helps, hearing so much so loudly still overwhelms him to the point of immobility. A hand flies over his mouth when his stomach begins to feel equally overwhelmed. Well, if nothing else, it seems the Cruxis Crystal functions perfectly.]

Comments

[flamberge]

[The crystal gets placed on the dash of his car so to make re-buttoning the shirt easier. Maybe the lack of commentary on the scar is appreciated, too. He knows it's difficult not to notice, but a subject matter he really doesn't want to discuss.]

Something called a Hi-Exsphere or Cruxis Crystal.

[As the final button gets buttoned, Richard glances over at Banagher. Being able to look at people without seeing every last detail so clearly to the point of pain feels wonderful.]

This would be the culprit behind my predicament just now.

[argents]

[ Hi-Exsphere, or... ]

Cruxis Crystal. [ He repeats the words, trying to get a feel for the thing that had been responsible for all of this. Which had to be true, given that Richard could look at him again, as if he hadn't just been ready to collapse under the strength of the powers it bestowed. Backing up and standing straight again, his brows knit. ]

All of that, because of that little crystal? Why didn't you take it off sooner?

[ Was Colette like that, too? ]

[flamberge]

[Banagher's expression shows that his thoughts mirror Richard's own. To think something so small and ordinary looking could grant such extreme abilities. All the pain had been worth testing the gem and realizing just how an invaluable of a tool it is.]

Aside from not thinking clearly for the first few moments, suddenly taking off my clothes in weather this cool felt as though it would draw too much attention.

[And he really didn't want to draw attention to himself taking clothes off all to take off a weird gem on his shoulder. Plus, maybe part of him wanted to determine whether or not these senses could be toughed out. Definitely doable, but just painful and something that'll take a while.]

[argents]

That's true, but still...

[ For a moment, he finds himself in just a little bit of awe. Maybe Richard had admitted he wasn't thinking clearly, but at the same time, Banagher can't entirely take it to heart. Because not only had he thought it through enough to realize he'd make a scene, but he hadn't acted on it regardless. When he had so obviously been in serious discomfort. Pain, even.

If it were him, he was absolutely sure he wouldn't have had that sort of resolve. Pressing his mouth into a thin line, he straightens and takes a step back. ]

You stuck it out that entire time, knowing you didn't have to.

[ A lesser person would have probably flung it off in an instant, if they knew. ]

[flamberge]

[Banagher's words make him feel more like a stubborn old goat than anything else, a fact not easily argued. Few could be so stubborn as to not remove something causing them THAT level of pain the instant they could.]

No, I did have to. Today helped me gauge an estimate as to the strength of this gem and what it will take to master the abilities it bestows.

[The senses it gave were unlike anything he could have imagined. A small heightening had been the exception and not suddenly being able to hear everything within the nearest few blocks.

Maybe he softly sighs as he glances over at the exsphere.]

It'll be far more difficult than I'd envisioned.

[argents]

[ While Banagher agrees with him, he feels as though it'd be adding insult to injury to say as such. Or cheapening what he'd just gone through, and by proxy, what he's willing to keep taking on. It unsettles him, but there's no place for him to argue.

Was there? The urge exists, but he carefully forces it down. ]

Good luck.

[ Which is something he means.

And now with his civic Network duty accomplished for the day, he shifts as though to leave. ]

I'm going to take off, if you're sure you're okay to drive. Take care, Mr. Locke.

[flamberge]

[The lack of arguing with him is appreciated. Between his stomach still attempting to settle and the headache the hearing had brought on, arguing now would not be fun.]

I will be fine now, you needn't be concerned. Thank you for all your help, Banagher.

[He makes to start the vehicle when it occurs to him that one needs keys to actually start a car. Said keys? Still weren't in his possession. A soft sigh leaves him as he wearily glances over at Banagher.]

My keys?

[Enhanced senses, stomach troubles and now looking like an idiot: great day is great.]

[argents]

Oh, right! Um, sorry.

[ Great, he'd nearly just walked off with someone's car keys. Which meant that he didn't exactly believe Richard, or think that he needs to worry less about it. Again, the urge to argue the point bubbles up, hits the edges of his patience, and simmers down again. No, no. Where had that gotten him in the past? No where fast.

Stepping over, he gives up the keys. ]

Here you go. ...I'll see you around.

[flamberge]

[The keys get taken from Banagher. Having in his hand feels as though a long and painful trial had finally come to an end.]

Thank you.

[He shoves them in the ignition and the car comes to life quickly enough. A nod comes from Richard's end at the 'see you around' comment. They do have an odd tendency to run into the other due to echoes so a third run in isn't outside the realm of possibility.]