InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "ARE YOU WATCHING DOOR KICKER?!"

Syd(ney) Barrett (_donttouch) wrote,
@ 2017-05-17 21:08:00

And, as they had discussed, the next day was back to work. She had gone to Cary first, the intention to find Kerry, but with a pleasant sidetrack of talking with the scientist. He did, in fact, have some poking and testing that he wanted to do --something about more theories that the journal brought up -- so Syd forced herself to stay still for the prodding. It worked, for the most part, particularly after Cary saw her trying and eased the tension with a little talk. Simple stuff, how he thought she could continue harnessing her ability and an unknown echo of
what Hank had said about part of it being psychological. The conversation also turned toward the light saber, with questions about whether she felt any after effects and if she'd like to continue working with that. Knowing all too well the stability that came with knowing the person you cared about could take care of herself, Cary saw nothing wrong in giving both Sydney and David that peace of mind. Just in case. Hope for the best, but prepare for the worse.

Syd, naturally, was pleased to continue being his guinea pig in that respect.

Afterward, it was Ptonomy she found next, which was actually perfect because she needed to bribe him into a favor soon. And what could she possibly offer the memory man? Pancakes. He loved them but couldn't cook them. Baking was apparently more his bag. So favor was exchanged for favor, and she couldn't quite help herself in innocently asking about yesterday afternoon, which had him looking at her suspiciously before she flitted away.

It all led her to Kerry, who had been heading over to Cary and her punching bag. But sparring was so much more fun. So that was exactly what they did, an hour and a half of moving and trying to best one another, moves and tips given from the younger girl as Sydney tried to get one over her. Still didn't work; the student still had much to learn from the master. They were about to switch when Kerry brought up a good point; had she tried with someone else? Other than David, because Kerry liked not having an explosion to worry about, thanks. Syd snorted, giving a shrug, but then she got to thinking about it. Maybe she should change it up. "I should find Rudy or Ptonomy and ask."

"Yeah, you should." Kerry thought that could possibly be interesting, grinning. "You get a hold on telekinesis and could toss things at me." Rudy wouldn't.

With that thought in mind, Syd wandered over to David's bedroom, figuring he wasn't there yet but would pop his head in relatively soon. She debated telling him about the newest plan, or letting him suss it out. Mostly because she was curious whether people were the same to him when they were switched. Humming, she plopped on the bed and sat cross-legged, going over various ideas in her head as she waited.

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xgene
2017-05-21 05:33 am UTC (link)

It was definitely an option. Both were definitely an option. David had an extremely biased preference for working through it with Syd, but in all honesty... he wasn't sure how he felt about trying. This was who he was, for better or for worse. "Thank you," words soft, smile rueful. "I'd do it with you, I'm just not sure it's such a good idea." It'd probably end up the same way, in a sense. "If I could still be with you--" A sudden, crippling shame hit him and David looked away, looked down. When all of Syd's hair fell in his face, it was tucked behind the ears without much thought.

If he could still be with Syd, he'd much rather be normal. If it meant still having a future, not having to be involved in this stupid war, Syd being safe from telepathic invasion due to lack of being involved? David would go for it in a heartbeat. The chance to be a better person, to actually deserve someone like Syd? Yeah. Definitely preferable.

And unsafe thinking, so best not go down that rabbit hole.

The return gesture, going for the nose, brought laughter though. This was the situation now, face poking as their bodies had swapped and they had the chance to find amusement in it. Poking each other, poking themselves. "Guess we should. For science." Something to mark down, another learning experience. They could find out if Melanie did really think that or if Oliver was just playing it cool like the Cool Cat he was.

"Well shucks, I love you too." David linked their hands together again and used it as a means to tug Syd up again. "C'mon. Let's check in on Melanie first, see how she's doing face-to-face. Maybe we'll switch back on the way." So might as well enjoy the hand-holding for just a little bit longer. If it'd almost been two hours of wandering, chatting, hugging, playing piano... my how time flew.

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_donttouch
2017-05-21 05:55 am UTC (link)

She watched him, quiet and thoughtful, and reached out without a thought to touch his shoulder, to have that connection. And gave another prod for good measure, this time fingers against cheek before leaning in to press a kiss from one set of lips to the other.

"For science," she agreed, amused at his golly-gee comment and standing up with the tug of hands. And time always flew when you were actually enjoying yourself. Once more, she experimented with the walk, not so much out of awkwardness and gendered walking, but because his legs were so long. After a tug at his fingers from her, at her own fingers from his, she let go and took a few full-stride steps. Turning around, she looked entirely too amused at the distance now between them. His full three steps were like ten of her normal ones. Okay, maybe more like seven, but still.

"C'mon slowpoke." Teased as she waited, linking arms once they were side by side again. They were off to see the wizard. The wonderful wizard of Summerland. The Birds first, so Melanie's office she walked toward. And when they reached there, this time she knocked and peeked her head in slowly. A full house might be better suited for the lab. It could handle their ridiculousness.

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xgene
2017-05-22 12:54 am UTC (link)

The connection, the poke, the kiss -- all a perfect and distracting combination that made him laugh and smile. Syd continued that trend, especially the laughing, when she took advantage of the height, of a natural walking pace for him, and proved that yes! He had long legs and could be fast when he wasn't too busy tripping over himself. That she enjoyed it, was having fun with it, was good. An understatement, but there was no better word for it, really. They had to get their enjoyment out of this somewhere, and if his body could amuse her somehow? David was all for it.

"Oh hang on, lemme slow to a saunter," was the cheeky reply, decidedly slowing his own pace for a bit, just enjoying the scenery, walking both slow and with shorter legs. Only to finally meet up and link arms, from there finding a good matching pace to begin check ins. They were still each other by the time they got to Melanie's office, but he wasn't worried. Not yet.

Inside, Melanie-as-Rudy was cradling a cup of tea, none of which had been enjoyed, but she seemed to be finding some solace in simply holding it. Oliver-as-Ptonomy seemed to be lost in thought, grinning to himself, only snapping back to reality upon hearing the knock and seeing the two at the door.

"It's incredible," that accent was still there, still striking in how bizarre it was. "I remember everything, even all my time in the astral plane. It's like the residual fog was just... lifted." David hadn't even thought of that, brows lifting at the notion. Using Ptonomy's power, yeah, he supposed Oliver's memory would come back, all of it, in a rush and a flash. And from the looks of it, Melanie seeming much calmer, there'd been some reminiscing to ease her nerves.

"Doing okay?" He asked Melanie then, stepping in and fidgeting a little. "I'm uh, David." She wasn't around for the orientation, and motioning to his own body he added, "Syd."

Melanie nodded, taking a deep breath, tone forced into something even. "I'm trying my best not to break anything. Having something in my hands seems to make it easier. Keeps the focus." Shaking Rudy's head and putting on a brave face that was more easy to recognize as one with Rudy's expressions, eyes flitted between them. "And you? Syd," specifically, eyes going to Syd-as-David in concern, "Are you feeling all right? This is quite a display of power." She wanted to make sure it hadn't exhausted, caused sickness, or otherwise negatively effected the normally shorter, blond girl who was currently fidgeting (wringing hands, arms folding, shifting weight) just next to her.

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_donttouch
2017-05-22 01:51 am UTC (link)

Mock offense was taken at the sauntering walk, mouth open in shock and eyes wide. Absolute shock, obviously. "I am not that slow." Said with a laugh, unworried at the moment as well. It was easier, simpler with just the two of them.

The accent still threw her off a little, a double take had while she got used to it. But the fact that it was helpful in the manner was..well, it was rather surprising. She tilted her head, mouth open again but this time in genuine surprise. She looked over to Melanie then -- Rudy's voice -- with the same wide eyed look that David often gave. But then smiled a little and gave a bit of a wave.

She shrugged though, fine. Fine and not really the one that people should be worried about. "I think I'm okay. Might be tired when I get back in?" Syd really didn't know until the switch-back. "It was.." Both of them were fidgeting now slightly, playing with her larger fingers. "Weird."

"But you're sure you're alright? You had the biggest change."

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xgene
2017-05-22 02:34 am UTC (link)

"Be sure to remember everything as best you can, things that may have been different today, anything of note leading up to, throughout, and after." Melanie wasn't going to let it go that easily. Okay was good, okay meant that so far there were no side effects to using power that was apparently in reserve, but there was no harm in observing everything, committing it to memory so it could potentially be replicated again. And also potentially give warning as well. Warning would be good. But she understood -- she'd been doing this for far too long to assume that anything was that easy.

Okay was good though. Syd could be exhausted now, could be feeling adverse side effects. Oliver had told her that somehow David had retained his power and nothing had gone too disastrous because of it. Melanie's own passing out had meant little breaking of things as well with Rudy's power -- not on the level of David's, but considerable nonetheless. And terrifying. Certainly terrifying.

"I'm dealing," the words started, everything around shaking a little before Rudy's eyes closed and Melanie took another deep breath. "I just need to keep calm." Nodding a little, eyes opening again, she managed a small smile. "To say I had no idea is an understatement. Unexpected as it is, I do appreciate the experience." David couldn't help but smirk a little at that, offering a quick quip of: "Welcome to the 'holy shit, I can move stuff with my mind' club. Good thing your mind knew to shut itself down rather than keep panicking and wreck the place."

Melanie managed a dry smile. "I'll have you know that is the only time in my life I have ever fainted." Oliver nodded, motioning to Melanie as he did so. "I can vouch for that. At least since I've known her, and we've known each other since we were sixteen. It was an overcast day when we met, first full day in America, I saw her out behind her school with a couple of her girlfriends, stole her away and had her cutting the rest of her classes." The memory was clear as crystal in that moment, making him grin as he recollected the moment. Melanie, for her part, rolled her eyes and shook her head. "You always were a bad influence."

David's smirk grew into a smile, easily able to picture Oliver playing that role and Melanie being the rebel girl smoking with her friends where the teachers couldn't see. It seemed the both of them were getting some benefit from the switch, which was nice. Melanie's perspective, Oliver's memory. "We're doing some rounds to check in on everyone until we switch back. We'll leave the two of you to your memory lane." Because it was adorable, and a little weird, but mostly adorable.

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_donttouch
2017-05-22 03:12 am UTC (link)

There was an inward groan, rather hoping to chalk this up to Weird Shit and carrying on. But Melanie had a point, -- and wasn't that the annoying part? she almost always had a point -- Sydney knew she would have to go through the day, both before and after, to see what triggered the bigger bang. "I'll work with Ptonomy soon. Go through the day." She replied with a nod.

The small shakes had her looking around, before focusing back on Melanie, apologetic once more. "I'm sorry." For ruining her non-fainting streak. But then, looking at Oliver, and how clearly he saw everything was...really nice. Strange, but nice. It was such a mixed bag, which was annoying as well. It was hard to curse something in the same breath that you were glad for it. "Bad influences aren't always so bad." That had her smiling at least.

Stepping out of the office, Syd looked over and sighed with a chuckle. "That's...good, right?" Oliver, she meant. "Something good, anyway." A pause, and then smiled more. "Melanie the badass rebel." Might have a bit of different respect for the woman now.

Next stop was Rudy and Ptonomy, finding them off in one of the larger rooms. Ptonomy was sitting on a couch, frowning still but idly picking up random cards from a pile of them in front of him. Rudy, chilling in a chair across from the man-as-a-woman, was focusing on the unrevealed card. "Three of clubs is what you're saying." He looked amused. "But to tell the truth.."

"Three of clubs." Rudy settled with that, New Zealand accent pretending to be American. That at least got a little smile from the solemn non-mutant, who flipped the card over to show a five of diamonds.

"Well. Damn."

Leaning on the doorframe, moved enough for David to slip through, she shook her head. How does he do that? The question projected to her companion.

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xgene
2017-05-22 04:16 am UTC (link)

Melanie seemed content at Syd's word that she'd go over it, try and figure out if there was a trigger if something else had changed about the day to cause this drastic reaction. This was why they were here, after all, to learn. To learn and experience new things, which was exactly why she calmly waved off the apology about fainting -- it was a new one on her and she felt no shame in it. What better time was there to faint then when your conscience was put into a powerful mutant's body and you've only ever known the life of a normal human? If there was ever a time, that was it.

David, for his part, thought it was great. Everyone getting their horizons expanded in a way, learning something about one another in ways they couldn't have ever known otherwise. Which was precisely why he was quick to say to Syd: "Definitely good." The married couple had their memory lane, had their experiences of power unlike anything they had ever known and might ever know again. "Definitely the rebel who turned into a flower girl at Oliver's influence." Because she was right, not all bad influences were all bad. It had him thinking all over again what it'd've been like... meeting Syd at that age. When they were both more on the bad side of things, influential and open to being influenced all at once.

It was a thought that had him linking their arms again -- a motion that would be easy to break off should they switch back, loose and comfortable, swiftly dropped, but still there. It was fun to think of the nicer What Ifs, the ones that weren't so completely life altering, that had a bit of humor to them. He could practically picture it, their paths crossing back then, catching Syd hotwiring a car, finding it fascinating and watching, hitching a ride, breaking in somewhere in a town over, loading up on junk food, then enjoying the night -- two strangers with weird paths, weird lives, appreciating the weird time together.

Finding Ptonomy and Rudy, David watched the exchange with an openly intrigued expression. Beats me. If there's two people in this world that continue to confound me... It was these two. With Syd leaning on the door-frame, he stepped through, smirking a little as the duo began another round. "Having fun?" The question asked at a good point, swiftly followed up by, "how're the brains?" A question asked of both, Ptonomy's own limited more than he was used to and Rudy's opened in a truly staggering manner.

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_donttouch
2017-05-22 04:42 am UTC (link)

A reverse Sandra Dee and...whoever John Travolta played. Grease wasn't actually high on her list of movies, but it was such a cultural zeitgeist that it popped up in Pop Culture Trivia brain often. Influences and being influenced. She had to laugh quietly, thinking about it. "Which of us would be the flower child?"

Linked in mind and body, she continued watching the other two while they gave their nods in hellos. Ptonomy rolled his eyes, the impatience funny on ever-patient Melanie's face. "It's fine. It's also not clear. How do you do it?" The memories gave him certainty, sure of who he was and what went on in the world. It was the uncertainty that bothered him. Other people were such unreliable narrators. But they were fine here, mostly. He did stare at David -- well, Sydney-as-David, and point his finger at her.

"Yes, yes. Melanie already suggested it." Syd sighed, her free hand rubbing through hair again. That elicited a grin from the currently-normal one.

"Good." There was a nod, pleased with that. "And pancakes. All the pancakes."

Rudy looked interested in the idea of breakfast foods. "Can I ask for that too?" Then he was looking at David, considering how his borrowed brain was. "Fine. Someone keeps singing oldies, though. And jazzy things."

Sydney stared again, shaking her head. "Probably Oliver?" Jazzy things, right? "We're checking in. Seeing how you're doing during the switch."

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xgene
2017-05-22 05:59 pm UTC (link)

"Wasn't the 'flower child' thing one big political statement?" An honest question, because David truly couldn't remember anything about it from the few history classes he attended. He certainly didn't pay attention to anything that he read when he finished high school at home – whatever he'd read and vomited out for a test was long gone. "If it was, then count me out. I've never made a statement in my life." He was hardly the person to do so. "So by process of elimination, you're it. I'll make you a flower crown sometime." So there.

How did they do it, Ptonomy asked. David was glad the guy didn't have to experience complete blackouts in memory, whole chunks of life that were either a haze or simply didn't exist any more. He'd long since gotten used to that in his own mind, Ptonomy would probably go completely off his rocker if a normal memory was agitating him.

Watching the exchange from the gender-swapped duo, he smirked a little when Rudy chimed in as well, tagging in to enjoy pancakes. Where that had come from, he didn't know, but if they had something to look forward to in the form of tasty breakfasts? David wasn't going to hold that against them. He had a penchant for waffles, after all (and pancakes, of course, all breakfast foods really).

Jazzy things, oldies, yeah. Probably Oliver. Especially as he was enjoying the memories, older times, reminiscing and all that. At least David was certain neither his nor Syd's minds would add to the noise at all. Two fewer brains to deal with.

Rudy, for his part, seemed as okay as he always was. The guy had been shot before and seemed mostly just annoyed by it – right now this seemed like a cakewalk considering his expression. How far that went deep down, David couldn't be sure. Check in was considered, mulled over, and a nod was offered along with a 'doing okay for now'. Ptonomy, however, seemed quick to leap to 'I just want it over with'. Understandable. Mr Memory without all his memories. No crises though, which was good.

"Keep busy. That'll keep your mind off the weirdness of it." That was all David could offer in terms of advice. Idly wandering the streets, being free in the real world for the first time in six years had helped him a little, in-between the second-guessing, the worries, all that noise. Noise without the noise, because he hadn't heard a thing at all during that time either. Which just made him all the more paranoid. Couldn't win!

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_donttouch
2017-05-22 08:35 pm UTC (link)

"Yeah," he had a point, which she was conceding. But she did bring up a counterpoint, smiling wryly. "But as a peace movement." And Mr. Pacifistic might have agreed with that. "I'd wear a crown, but it'd ruin my greaser girl look." Said with a smirk.

Breakfast foods. Making them will be a payment forever. Whatever the joke was (and nope, David wasn't invited at this very moment!) Syd was smiling and rolling her eyes about it.

"Longest it's lasted was three hours, so.." Should be soon. The other two waved them off with general 'we're fine' noises. And maybe a sound of disgruntleness considering the length of time. It wasn't exactly a fine tuned ability. If it was, this wouldn't have happened!

She looked over at David and took a breath. Okay. No tragical experiences, or anything blowing up. "The lab?" To check up on the Loudermilks.

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xgene
2017-05-22 08:55 pm UTC (link)

Yeah, a peace movement was something he could understand and get behind. The thought of ever actually making that statement though, of making oneself known, of gaining any kind of attention at all? Made him extremely uncomfortable. But in the end: "Well, if you're the greaser girl, then I guess I'm the flower child. Hold the crown though, I don't think my hair would appreciate it." Any excuse to be messier and look even more out of control...

Three hours, the count was on and they were waved off, leaving them to check on the last duo who were likely okay -- though David could imagine Kerry being a bit on the grumpy side as well. If only because Cary's body couldn't exactly keep up with her energy and her stress relief. Hopefully Cary was managing to distract her enough from that fact with his usual comedy gold.

"The lab," came with quick confirmation and smile. "And questions for science." Arms linked again, the way to the lab was spent with David mostly seeing what it would take to keep up with a natural long-legged pace and agreeing that yeah, definitely needed to keep it chill. Short legs, no good with the walking fast without it being a royal pain. Learning experience. Experiencing being in his girlfriend's body -- wow. Just another reminder of the oddity of it all.

And, in the lab, a quick peek through the glass door showed the Loudermilks in conversation, both still separate, so that was something. "Think they've tried going back together again, or do you think Kerry would flip out at being the sole driver?" For all that she was an incredibly strong and capable woman, that didn't seem like her cup of tea. The day-to-day being boring for her and all. Talk about exact opposites, himself and Kerry. Nothing would please him more than only having the day-to-day to deal with, no fights, no wars, just life.

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_donttouch
2017-05-22 10:02 pm UTC (link)

Chuckling at his attempts on her own stride, Syd was a brat too and changed the pace, purposefully going longer or shorter because she wasn't as clumsy. That seemed to be something that she could override. "Is it still weird sharing?" She asked as they walked side by side again.

"I bet they tried, but Kerry got annoyed at having to be the every day point person." Action before normal. Or at least action with the normal. "She doesn't even like to deal with eating that much." Syd was more along the normal with action line; quiet lives were slowly being taken off the Hopeful Expectation list bit by bit. But as long as she could get a mixture of both, she'd feel okay.

Into the lab proper she went, with Kerry-Cary laughing over something Cary said in her tone, looking over at the others. "Have you guys been having fun?"

Syd smiled wryly, glad to see that they'd been taking things in stride as well. "I'm taller." Both of the gender swapped girls grinned at that. It was a short person thing.

"I had to reach something off the shelf."
Kerry-Cary laughed again, in Cary's amused voice. The other half looked amused as well, but it moved to pensive easily. Thinking Science face.

"Have you attempted to switch back yet?" The question asked, Syd knitted her eyebrows and shook her head.

"It just stops. Like when I was practice with Kerry." Syd shrugged and smiled apologetically, with the scientist nodding, taking that into consideration.

He looked to David as well. "And you're doing well?"

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xgene
2017-05-22 11:19 pm UTC (link)

"Only weird thing is seeing my body move with something close to coordination." Otherwise? No big deal! This was easy. As long as Syd didn't have to deal with the chaos of his mind, the telepathy, telekinesis, or whatever the hell else, all was well. Hell, who knew what could have happened if one of his personas hadn't grabbed everything one the way out? They could have all been thrown out of time. The building could've been set on fire. Everyone could've suddenly had a hot case of amnesia.

Or the world could've been re-written.

Melodramatic much? David didn't even dignify that with an answer, instead opting to pour all focus on the outside world. It was where stuff that wasn't complete garbage was spoken about, where decent people lived, and an interesting situation was happening. Like the Loudermilks seeming to find good humor in all this. Hopefully for Kerry's sake, not being a food or 'boring stuff' person, they could get back to normal so she didn't have to deal with any of that at all. Another half hour until three hours were up. Soon.

David smirked at the height commentary. To let it sink in, he looked around and realized just how much he wouldn't be able to reach at his current height, and Syd was shorter than Kerry. He had a cheat, of course, but Syd didn't normally have that luxury. The pensiveness of Cary and his question had David's attention right back, wondering if there might ever be a conscious effort involved, or an ability to actually make a switch back happen -- or at the very least, dictate how long it would last. Maybe that could be something figured out with Ptonomy.

Or, worst came to worst, with Oliver using Ptonomy's power.

Nah, that was silly. Half an hour.

When a question was addressed to him, brows went up high and David realized he hadn't been paying attention. "Huh?" A beat. "Fine." Doing well. Yeah, why was he being asked that again? "This isn't the first time for us." Motioning between himself-as-Syd and Syd-as-himself. "No problemo. With all the uh, powers and whatever, still with me, everything seems to be fine. No big booms, no fires, no more damage to all your stuff." Which, really, wasn't that the most important thing after destroying almost everything Cary had?

Kerry-as-Cary smirked a little, that devious kind that looked all kinds of wrong on Cary's face -- probably something about the talk of destruction getting her to think about all the smashing she could be doing in a body that was more built for it.

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_donttouch
2017-05-23 01:39 am UTC (link)

Syd was thinking along the same lines, again inwardly groaning at how much more work this simple act of practice had added on. It was like asking one question in class and then getting an extra homework assignment (or five) because of it. Way to go, Nerdy Syd.

But at least it was only about a half hour more. She can work on the time stuff later. Try to. "How would I even try that, though? It's not exactly like setting a timer for a microwave." Might as well ask while they were hanging around!

Nodding firmly as David vouched for them being good kids during all of this -- no accidental or purposeful experiments in making worlds collide or whatever. Though childish chemistry projects did sound kind of fun -- she had to laugh quietly as Kerry-Carey smirked. "Much to Kerry's dismay." Kerry shrugged, not at all embarrassed by the truth. Quiet times with Cary was good, he was better at being funny when he wasn't stressed. But her part was protecting, and had to have fire to be a firefighter.

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xgene
2017-05-23 02:02 am UTC (link)

Cary-as-Kerry couldn't help but add, "Have you ever tried? Have you ever had the opportunity?" Many subjects, many situations of consciousness transference with a three-hour period. Yes, under normal circumstances, three hours was all it needed for everything to return to normal. But why take the reactive road when you could take the proactive one? Try someone, figure something out. What happened if you did Y instead of X? And what about Z?

David couldn't add much to that, knowing firmly that he had zero interest in testing the limits when said limits could irreparably harm those around him, all his power seemingly on the destructive side of things as opposed to anything good, decent, or otherwise interesting.

Yeah, so maybe he was the flower child in all this. That fact was swiftly accepted and moved on from. Syd's power wasn't inherently about destruction so much as forcibly learning a new perceptive in more ways than one. It might be worth actively trying to swap minds with bodies... if time didn't do that for her. But time was still a factor in this and he was content enough in that.

"We can worry about microwaves and time settings later. For now, I'm just glad to report that everyone seems to be okay for now." Melanie and her new powers via Rudy, Oliver and all his memories, Rudy and Ptonomy playing psychic card games, and the Loudermilks doing what they did best – be a team.

Cary-as-Kerry didn't seem too enthusiastic. Grateful, yes, that everyone was okay, but again: reactive versus proactive. "Maybe try?" Kerry's voice, unusually empathetic, "Between the two of you. Imagine swapping data, a touch-based connection making the link, then telling the devices, your brains, what data to swap, your consciousnesses. Couldn't hurt to try while the rest of us are waiting. Since this is all old hat for the two of you..."

David blinked, figuring that last part was fair enough, he simply shrugged and looked to Syd-as-himself. "Everyone seems fine. Feel like pretending we're flash drives and computers, transferring data like it's nothing to do with the soul and mind?"

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