InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "My legs! Where are my legs?"

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.

(Read comments) - (Post a new comment)

_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."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

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!

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

_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.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

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.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

_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?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

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.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

_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.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

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?"

(Reply to this) (Parent)

(Read comments) -