savetheearth | [Audio]

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So has anyone actually gotten anything useful out of all of this? Or has it all been just one big, confusing mess that's more trouble than it's worth? It's not like this is making life better for anyone...

[Yeah, someone doesn't sound happy. And he'll say something else in some incomprehensible language. It's rather discordant, and it's full of sharp, short syllables. Definitely not a friendly language. If anyone were to understand the language of the immortals called Undead on Hajime's original world, they'd know he's just admitted to the network that his blood is green...but it's just going to sound like a garbled mess.]

Figured I'd throw mine out there since everyone else is. Not like it's going to do any good to anyone.

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Yeah, I know how the fighting thing goes...at least yours are consistent.

[There's a pause.]

Have you ever seen yourself in one of those visions? Like in a mirror or something?

[He relaxes a bit since it seems like Lyall isn't going to spontaneously combust or whatever it is vampires do when they're exposed to garlic.]

That's good. Maybe it's just sweets, then?

Perhaps. Anything with complex sugars, it seems like, actually... chocolate, cake, highly starched frozen meals....

[The third bite goes as easily as the first two.]

I'm afraid I haven't seen myself, though, no. The closest I've come is in the first wolf one, where I looked down at my own paws as I ran. Or the person I was viewing, did. Why? Have you?

Huh...something like diabetes, then? Something to do with the changes in your blood affecting your pancreas?

[Looks like Hajime paid decent attention in those biology classes.

He looks a little miserable at Lyall's question, but there's a nod. A reluctant one. He should...warn someone about himself, maybe. The possibility that he might turn into a lunatic monster. And Lyall's changing, too. Kind of. With the blood, at least.]

Yeah. Once, pretty clearly. I was in a pond. It...wasn't pleasant.

[He'll take that moment for a quick scan of the restaurant. The last thing he needs is someone he works with to overhear this. The coast is clear.]

Or something. The change in my blood had to be accommodated somehow. I can't explain it-- Doctor Strider can't even explain it.

[He shrugs, still puzzled and a little resigned that he hadn't been able to come up with a reason yet. At least he isn't turning into a vampire, it seems. The new bit of conversation seems more purposeful, and he lowered his voice a little.]

It wasn't pleasant? Is it safe to say here...?

I kind of wondered if anything like that was going to happen with mine...but so far, I haven't noticed anything. Your symptoms seem to be stacking up worse. Have you started smelling food before you eat it? So you don't accidentally eat something that'll make you sick?

[He'll do another paranoid check of the place before continuing to speak.]

So I saw monsters fighting...and I've said that before...but I never said where I was during all that. What I was doing while the monsters fought.

[For a moment, it doesn't look like he's going to go through with it.]

I was the big one that was running around defeating all the others. Monster enough to scare the other monsters. After hanging around that art gallery the other day, I saw myself turning into the same thing...I guess you could say I got a better look at myself. And I know it was me, it's not like I was just seeing it from some other point of view--I could see my own reflection as I changed.

[Lyall chews his current bite slowly, brows together as he listens. He can relate to that, in a way, since with the vampire worry pretty much allayed-- he doesn't have a problem with garlic, and he already knows someone doing the vampire thing, so he doesn't seem to be going that way-- now his next worry is werewolf.

So he puts down his chopsticks, and offers:]

Just because the person you see in these visions looks like a monster in this vision doesn't mean you are one, Hajime. You are still yourself, no matter what you're seeing and how your body might be changing.

[He also offers a little smile, and adds:]

Just like I'm going to make sure I stay me through all of this, too.

[That's exactly the sort of thing Hajime needed to hear, only he didn't realize it until just now. He returns that smile.]

Yeah...you're right. Thanks.

[He sighs.]

I guess nothing about this is supposed to be easy, but it sure feels like we got particularly screwed over...

I'm not going to argue there. I love chocolate.

[He looks a little bit playfully indignant, at that, but it doesn't last, since this is a serious conversation and all.]

I do think whoever we're seeing, it's the same person each time. And no, not all of them are human-- yours is this creature you saw, mine is some kind of wolf-shifter or werewolf, and I know someone else is afraid he's turning into a vampire and yet another thinks they are turning robotic. But not everyone seems to be actually changing much.

Dogs can't eat chocolate, right? I guess it makes sense, even if it sucks.

[Hajime makes a mental note to keep an eye out for other people afraid they're changing into things; there's stuff to be learned there.]

Robotic?

[He grimaces at that.]

I guess if I have to be a giant bug, at least I'm an organic giant bug...

[Well, at least he's admitted exactly what kind of monster he is. That is progress.]

[It is indeed progress. Lyall doesn't comment on it, though-- the last thing he wants to do is make Hajime feel bad, after all.]

I suppose even a robot who is used to being a robot wouldn't find it strange. It's just the change now that's so... jarring.

[He makes a face, then has himself another bite of the beef. It's getting colder, but he doesn't really mind. It's still good.]

Though I'm not sure whether a werewolf was always a werewolf, or if it was something done to him, this person I'm seeing....

[He shakes his head a little.]

From what I remember, I...don't think I liked that form. My natural one. I was human in some of the memories, but that last one...I knew my disguise was slipping and couldn't stop myself from changing back. I could see how it might be uncomfortable for the robots after remembering what being human was like...

[Being human is nice. Whatever he was in that memory, he knew that. He'd been clinging to that and lost it anyway.]

I thought you had to get bitten for that...that's how it's worked in most of the movies I've seen, anyway. Not like movies are the best place for that sort of information, I guess.

I'm trying not to let too much werewolf lore actually influence my understanding of these visions, just in case it's something completely different. Especially given every lore I come across is generally drastically different from the last.

[He shakes his head.]

At least here, you aren't alone in that changing. Whatever disguise you wear, the rest of us have one, too. But we still don't know where this is headed. We may never reach any full point of change, and even then, knowing it, maybe this time it will be different.

[He hopes so, anyway.]

Yeah, those stories tend to change so much over time, I guess it would be kind of hard...still, does being able to look at anything help with it any? You've at least got that option...

[Not like he knows. What's he supposed to do, go read some Kafka? That's the only "I'm becoming a giant bug" thing he can think of.]

Yeah, that's true...I've only been remembering stuff since I got that belt. There was a guy in one of my memories that was talking about sealing me or something...I wonder if the belt was it. Like if I wear it, I'm safe...

[He is so, so very far off base. So far...and it doesn't really feel right when he says that. But at least it gives him hope.]

Not so far, but maybe as I see more.

[Lyall shrugs. He's got a whole file of links and notes on his own condition and on what he's read thus far, and how it intersects. So far, not much.]

Then you will be safe for a good long while. You couldn't get it off, if I remember right? Or did you figure out how?

You know, it would be kind of sad if those romance novels the girls are all into turned out to be the most accurate sources of information.

[His sister went through a "wouldn't shut up about those books" phase. It had been highly unpleasant.]

It's still stuck, but like I've said, it feels like it's not supposed to come off. I'm a lot better at making it vanish now, so there's that.

[Lyall looks puzzled for a moment, but then he connects "romance" with "Twilight" and he winces. He has teenage girls in his classes. He's heard all about these books.]

I hope not. I'd rather not be imprinting on anyone....

[He shakes his head.]

Well, if the belt isn't causing any harm, and it's not-- well, in the way? Maybe it is going to help with this potential change. Can you wear clothes over it?

[Genuinely curious, because weird random belts that won't come off? How does one even get dressed?]

There's so much crap there, there's no way it could really happen.

[Really, that didn't sound pleasant at all.]

I can't remove it, but I can make it vanish.

[He gestures at his waist. There's no sign of the belt.]

I still feel like it's there, even if it's not. It's easy enough to will away now, so I'm not as worried about it as other things. It...kind of wants to come out at weird times, but so far, I've managed to avoid any awkward situations.

Oh, so it's not just invisible, it really is gone. I believe I misunderstood, then. And what do you mean, "wants to" come out?

[That sounds like the belt has a mind of its own, which is disconcerting, to say the least.]

It's...I'm not sure how to put it. Like part of me wants to bring it out when I'm tense. Like a reflex or something, I guess.

It must be important somehow, then. Whether as part of your self control, or something that you see as a defense or protection....

[Or part of what comes out when he's angry, whatever that is.]

Yeah...I just wish it came with some sort of instructions...

[He sighs.]

Knowing what any of this meant would be too much to hope for, I guess.

It will happen eventually. We'll get answers, either from these visions, from the invaders, or something we've come up with ourselves that fit.

[It's hope as much as anything else that makes him say it. Lyall scoops up the last bite of his beef, flavors it with the last bite of his rice, and muses,]

I'll have to come back here. That was pretty good.

Yeah. Doesn't make the now any easier.

[He'll smile at Lyall's reaction to the food, stand up, and be ready to take the plate back to the kitchen.]

Thanks. You really should; you didn't even try the sushi.

[Not much to do but agree with that.]

No, it doesn't. And, on that note, maybe next time I will try the sushi. Are you in at this time every Saturday?

[Might as well make a routine of it. It's nice and quiet, he can catch up on things with Hajime, and he can try new foods and see if they make him sick.]

Most Saturdays, yeah. And if you need me for anything, even if I'm not here, they usually have an idea of where to find me.

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professorwolf - 2013-05-26 05:02 (UTC) - Expand

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