[Video]

[copper_loved]

[For a moment, the redheaded girl looks surprised.]

Oh, wow, I didn't expect that to actually work. ANYWAY. Hello.

Look, this... is going to sound probably a little weird, but, see, not too long ago... something happened to me and I was wondering if anyone might be able to explain it in a way that isn't likely to get me into the tabloids?

I used to be like most other girls, but now... [She tucks her hair back behind her ears. Pointed ears.]

They are not supposed to look like that. And I can hear everything, I swear, and it's almost kind of annoying, because there are things in this world I could do without hearing.

Anyway... Advice? Guidance? Explanations? I'd appreciate it. Thank you.

Comments

[Text]

[prismaticdestruction]

[Because someone is still a little too shy with meeting new people..of course 9 year old as well so not much help.]

a lot of us have that type of thing happen. wings and teeth and other stuff.

[Text]

[copper_loved]

...you too?

[Text]

[prismaticdestruction]

yup! i have been in this a lot longer so i have a lot more odd things. but it is okay. there are a lot of us!

[Text]

[copper_loved]

Does that mean you have the teeth and wings, and who knows what else? Am I going to get more?

[Text]

[prismaticdestruction]

uh huh! i am a vampire like my cousin.

maybe. depends on what you were in the life before this one.

Re: [Text]

[copper_loved]

Vampire? Wow. So... What's true about the stories and what isn't?

I... don't know anything about being someone else before now. I've heard of the idea. Just... never put it with myself.

[Text]

[prismaticdestruction]

uh..depends i guess. blood to survive is a big on i can say is true. i do not think i have it all back though.

yeah..i never thought it would happen but then it hit me and my sister..and then my sister lost everything..and then my cousin got echos. it is....kinda odd but it works!

[alderaanda]

Aubri...? Huh. Wow, guess I should've expected this. Hey!

[copper_loved]

Nat! Nat, what's going on? I'm glad you're here, but this is weird, big sis.

[alderaanda]

One word: Numbered. You are now a superhero. Or just a mutant, whichever.

[copper_loved]

...is it something we got from our mother?

[alderaanda]

Not following the news, huh?

Nope, probably not. I can't quite say this is random. Most Numbered live or lived in Locke in the States, a lot have Japanese ancestry, quite a lot of them have been rich, most are in their mid-twenties and there are more people younger than that than a whole lot older.

[copper_loved]

So what do we do now?

[bythewaves]

Hello young miss!

[ Arnold has his hair tied back to reveal his own ears and pain smudged on his fingers and a little smear on his cheek ]

You too, huh? You'll get used to the noise, and if it gets too bad there are ways around it. Apart from that... ahh, it's a pity but it seems whoever it is that plans these things aren't terribly picky about things like age. First thing first, I guess - are you safe right now? No one coming after you or anything like that?

[copper_loved]

[Her eyes get big and round when she sees him.]

Oh!

Um, I think so. I think it's safe. [She peers at him, as if trying to judge if he's a safe adult to ask. Apparently, she finds him trustworthy.] ...if it changes, should I call you?

Gosh, um. Can... I call you Mack? You seem like a Mack to me. And... I feel like I've seen you before. I don't know where, but.... Um... Were you a teacher ever, maybe? I mean, you're an artist too, looks like..

[bythewaves]

[ He blinks at her in confusion ]

Um??? Yeah? I guess? My name is Arnold though. I've never taught anyone formally though I've given private classes yeah - maybe you saw me on TV? I own an art gallery in downtown New York. Benedict Studios. I do paint a bit myself yeah.

[ He absently pushes a strand of hair back from his face and smears the paint a little further ]

[copper_loved]

You own a gallery? Oh wow! Do you ever show things from other artists? Is it just paintings, or sculptures too?

[Oh, right. The nice man introduced himself. She should tell him her name too.]

I'm Aubriana. Kinda a mouthful, I know. Some people call me by my middle name, Amelia, because it's easier. Sometimes Ame for extra short. My sister calls me Aubri.

[bythewaves]

Aubri. Or Ame. I like Aubri better, if you don't mind. And yeah. [ He grins bashfully ] Mostly painting, but only coz that's where I got my start. I try and have a showing of local artists on a regular basis - trying to give people a foot up, you know?

Why'd you think my name was Mack?

[copper_loved]

[She looks a little crestfallen.]

...oh, they have to be local? I see. Still, that's really nice of you.

[She snaps her fingers at his question.]

Oh! I remember why now! Is it OK if I show you something? Just... hang on, hang on, OK? [She starts rummaging through papers and drawings. Most are of what look like fantasy drawings, Elves and fairy or godly figures.] Where is it, where is it...? A ha! Here, see?

[She presents a surprisingly good drawing of what appears to be an Elven boy playing a harp.]

I called this one Maka. I just made him up in drawing class a couple years ago. But you look a little like him.

[highly_gifted]

[This video shows a ceiling. Well, mostly. There is a bit of a bookcase to one side of the feed, too.]

It's an echo, or two. They occur usually when you encounter something reminiscent of them.

[copper_loved]

Tell me more.

And... Wait. I know your voice. I'm sure I've heard it before. What's your name?

[highly_gifted]

Fe.

[It takes a moment before the answer comes, and even then he sounds a bit distracted.

A moment after he did, there's a loud BZZZZZZ sound and a quiet curse.]

[copper_loved]

Fe? That's an odd name. Wait, wait, wait. What's your last name?

What happened? Are you OK?

[highly_gifted]

Too much power.

Shortcut.

[He leans back and picks up the phone to show an electric experimental contraption.]

And why do you want my last name?

[copper_loved]

Oh, wow, that's cool!

And, because... I have heard of one person with that name. My half-sister's little brother. Well, adopted brother, anyway.