[Video | Computer]

[gobybessie]

[ When the recording starts, the only thing visible - aside from a few fingertips - is a photo that looks something like this. Blame his daughter for taking sneak pictures of him.

If anyone pays attention to voices on the network, this one is most definitely unfamiliar. ]

Remember this man? Those of you who have been here long enough. Surgeon at the universe hospital. His name is John. No doubt that to the general public he will eventually be thought of as either missing or dead, because he is nowhere to be found.

[ John finally lowers the photo.

He's managed to get his hands on a vest in red velvet, which he's wearing over a plain white shirt. He keeps his expression carefully leveled, with only the slightest crease on his brow to not give away how uncertain and worried he actually is. ]

For anyone who is of the habit to write down or memorise numbers, you may notice I'm using the same ones as him. That should be sufficient proof that I am, in fact, him. I don't know exactly what happened, but I got shot, and instead of dying I ... changed.

[ He shifts in his seat. Leans back, with a calm exhale. Trying to relax. ]

I'd like help with a few things.

One. I need new IDs. Driver's license included, if possible. And everything needed to create a complete new identity. I don't actually know how any of that works, so if anyone does, do please respond.

Two. I have to find a new place to stay as quickly as possible. Once I do, I'm going to need help to move my time machine. It can't get through doorways, and I can't move it. Danny, you don't happen to be able to make objects intangible too?

Three. I need a job. Does the clinic have any place for me?

Four.

[ And now there's a long pause, and the frown on his face deepens. This is the big one. ]

What do I tell my family? And my ex, the mother of my daughter? [ Sigh. ] I don't want them to think I'm dead. Though I suppose, with us being on the news, they might find it all easier to believe.

[ He turns his head away. Looks out the window. Now he really can't keep the concern off his face.

So he straightens back up, and reaches out to cut the feed. Before his composure breaks further. ]

((OOC: John is officially around the network again! If anyone would like to play with post-regen shenanigans I have an open log here, one and two IC days before this post.))

Comments

[video]

[gogoghostpowers]

[Hang on, give him a second to process this. He's seen Aria come back from death. He's seen himself come back from death (kind of?). But this...is the weirdest dying-but-not-dying he's seen yet. He has trouble wrapping his head around it, but then once he thinks about it as though John has possessed someone instead of dying, finds it a bit easier to grasp.

Either way, it's better than the alternative. Wait, crap, stop staring already!]

Uhhh...yeah. I can't really help with any of that other stuff, but I can turn other objects intangible.

[video]

[gobybessie]

[ Possessing is better than just having changed? Really, Danny. ]

Yes, yes, I know, it's really strange. Imagine how I feel.

[ Huff. ]

But I'm glad to hear that. Should solve one problem, at least.

[ He rubs his forehead. ]

[video]

[gogoghostpowers]

['Changed' is dyeing your hair a new color. 'Changed' is a growth spurt. Looking and sounding like an entirely different person in every imaginable way is not 'changed', dude. Besides, gotta think in terms of what he understands and has experience with--which happens to be possession.

Still, when John points out how much he's staring, he winces a little.]

S-sorry.

But yeah, uh, I can do that. Not sure how hard it will be to move this thing, though--I don't have super strength or anything like that, but intangibility does make things lighter, so it might work out somehow.

[Text]

[shiromadoushi]

So the guy who exploded and turned into someone else was you?

If Danny has no luck with the time machine, Diabound might be able to move it. Not 100% sure on that since that thing's kinda big, right?


You could try writing them. No body would be found, right? Say that something happened, you have to hide away, but you can still keep in touch. Your handwriting should still be the same, right? And then you can break it to them slowly, that way.

[Text]

[gobybessie]

The one and only. Is it spreading already?

Kind of big. Bigger than a doorway, like I said, and I have no idea how much it weighs.

I actually don't know if it is. I haven't tried writing by hand. I wouldn't be so sure, honestly. And I don't know if they'd be pleased with that.

[Video]

[originaloddcouple]

[Cue waving happily on Miria's end. Because hey, if he says he's John, he must be John. No reason to get too hung up about it.]

Hi John! So you're kind of immortal too?

I don't know if Isaac and I can help with most of that stuff...

But maybe we could set up a complicated plan with clues and treasure hunts to help your family discover what happened?

[Video]

[gobybessie]

[ He'll just. Return the wave with a small one of his own. What even? ]

I appreciate the thought, but I'm going to decline.

[ He clears his throat. ]

I don't know about immortal, but something like that, apparently.

[testsonseashells]

Can always use more help. Would be happy to have you.

[gobybessie]

Brilliant. When do I start?

text;

[sayhitobianca]

Can't help you with the rest of it, but new identity, that I can do. I know a guy.

text;

[gobybessie]

I almost didn't dare hope. That's fantastic.

voice;

[ursoreckless]

If you need help with anything on the financial end of things, I can give you that. I've got a few funds set up for emergencies caused by the pulses. As for getting the machine out, mebbe a couple of people can help with lifting it if there's a way to get it outta the door?

voice;

[gobybessie]

I have plenty of savings and I can still use the card. It should last until I manage to sort something out. But I'll keep it in mind.

As I said, it's too big for the doorway.

video

[nowi_wins]

Oh, hey! Are you the same John I talked to a couple weeks ago? When I joined the club?


[Because that's the important issue here.]

video

[gobybessie]

Maybe I am. You are ...?

voice;

[skycutter]

So instead of that thing... this happened?

[That's convenient and inconvenient at the same time. Especially when family is concerned.]

How d'you think they'd react if you died? Or even if you told them about this?

voice;

[gobybessie]

That thing?

[ He sighs. ]

I really can't fathom. I don't know what they might think of the news and this whole supernatural deal. It would be easier if they were more superstitious.

voice

[pokebonnet]

[Ivy's late to seeing this and hence her voice is a little strained. She's the only one who can vouch for him!]

He really is Doctor Smith! I saw him explode with light and turn into the new him!

voice

[gobybessie]

[ He chuckles quietly because bless. ]

Granny Curry, I presume?

[video]

[moarnomsplz]

[Even on the scale of numbers club weirdness, where Alex himself is only about half as weird as it gets, and being able to blow things up with your mind barely even registers, this is weird. He believes it, though. Using the same numbers is proof enough, and there's the time machine on top of that.]

I told my parent-zuh the truth a while ago, but... [A little shrug. He could, and can, still look like the boy they raised.] ...it was kinda less to process than this. But they handled it way better than I thought they would. Your family might surprise, pry-zuh, you?

[video]

[gobybessie]

[ Another one who's really being helpful! How nice. ]

I think they might. How did you tell them?

[ Even if this is different because he doesn't have the same face at all - not even the same height - it might be helpful to hear it. ]

[Audio]

[dead_black_eyes]

I can get you a new social security number and ID, if those are still things you need.

What kind of surgeon are you?

[Audio]

[gobybessie]

Well, I've hardly gotten my hands on new ones already, have I?

[ That's a yes. ]

General surgeon.

[Video; private]

[greenisthenewblack]

I... but...

John? Seriously? You just had to top the two-hearts thing, didn't you?

[Sheila rubs her temples.]

Look... if nobody else's offered, you can crash at my place for a while. It's big enough, but you'll have to take the pull-out. That's your number all right. I believe you.

[Video; private]

[gobybessie]

I'm more fond of the two hearts thing.

[ Of course he's glad to be alive but this is such a bother. ]

I grew a whole head taller, Sheila. It's far less brilliant than it might look or sound.

[ Sharp exhale. If only she knew all the bumps he has on his head because he forgets the cupboard doors are closer and he needs to bend down further to get into cars. And let's not talk about knees and elbows and toes. ]

I'm going to stay in my own place for a few days at least. Maybe a week. Depends how long it takes to find something new. But I'll keep it in mind.