Tweak

InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Hey stud, want to dance?"

Username: 
Password:    
Remember Me
  • Create Account
  • IJ Login
  • OpenID Login
Search by : 
  • View
    • Create Account
    • IJ Login
    • OpenID Login
  • Journal
    • Post
    • Edit Entries
    • Customize Journal
    • Comment Settings
    • Recent Comments
    • Manage Tags
  • Account
    • Manage Account
    • Viewing Options
    • Manage Profile
    • Manage Notifications
    • Manage Pictures
    • Manage Schools
    • Account Status
  • Friends
    • Edit Friends
    • Edit Custom Groups
    • Friends Filter
    • Nudge Friends
    • Invite
    • Create RSS Feed
  • Asylums
    • Post
    • Asylum Invitations
    • Manage Asylums
    • Create Asylum
  • Site
    • Support
    • Upgrade Account
    • FAQs
    • Search By Location
    • Search By Interest
    • Search Randomly

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

Previous Entry  Add to memories!  Tell a Friend!  Next Entry


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)


[info]xgene
2017-05-24 03:52 am UTC (link)
Oliver nodded and Melanie offered to stay behind, not sure she should handle the extra sensory experience on top of the sudden powers she had. David, hoping he might be able to help in some way, if only for a friendly face to look to, was happy to tag along. Taking all this information, Ptonomy's body sat back down and... with a wave of relaxing music, echoes of all the sound and symphony that would set the soul at ease...

The stepped back. Three hours. Same room, different time.

While Syd and David still saw themselves as swapped, their personal images of themselves stuck in the now, Oliver-in-the-memory was himself. Oliver and Oliver alone. He observed the scene around them, noting the number of people and noting Syd's commentary.

"Usually one-on-one," he repeated, his own voice now matching with his accent. "Telepaths have a tendency to be more overwhelmed in a room where there's more concentrated power," he motioned to David-as-Syd. "I heard you had a difficult time when you first got to Summerland." Case in point, he looked back to Syd-as-David. "Could be a factor, but let's run with the gut reaction: crowded."

Stopping the memory where Rudy had offered his hand and Syd was about to touch it, Oliver motioned to each person in the room. "Would you say you were very aware of the scene here?" He pointed out each person, their eyes either on Syd or on the contact that was about to be made. A breakdown: Melanie looked calm but interested, eyes on Syd herself; Cary looked intrigued, eyes on the point of contact; Kerry looked to be the calmest of everyone, eyes in the general direction, but not intent; Ptonomy looked concerned, eyes on Syd; Oliver himself looked calm as well, eyes directed towards both Syd and David; and David himself had his eyes on Syd whereas just a moment before they'd been noting the entire room.

Everyone looking in the vicinity, crowded in more ways than one.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]_donttouch
2017-05-24 04:07 am UTC (link)
Looking up from the overall watching she was doing, Syd knit her eyebrows at the full-blown accent and -- hey. Telepaths and their trickiness. Amused by it, she made a motion as to say true in regards to being overwhelmed.

"Yeah, I try to be aware of my surroundings." She replied dryly. That was sort of an understatement and a half, though. Syd looked around, remembering that feeling of all eyes on her and nerves. "I'm not used to being the center of attention much, either." And, in this case, she seemed to be very much the center of attention in one way or another.

"As great as all eyes on me is, I'm more trying to figure out how to reverse it. We tried just a little bit ago," her head motioned to David, "With just Cary and Kerry, but it was still no go." She paused, taking her eyes away from everyone staring at past-her. "It was only once, but you know."

"Why were you watching both of us?" Curiosity would one day kill her, but not today.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]xgene
2017-05-24 04:28 am UTC (link)
"Basic scientific method," Oliver explained to Syd's statement. "First step? Ask a question: why did your power affect a room of people, having an area of effect, rather than merely focusing on the person you touched. Step two: background research." At that he motioned to the room of eyes on Syd. It was important to understand every single variance, every detail, everything within their power to understand and develop a workable hypothesis. Oliver was, after all, a scientist, not a psychologist. He was going at this with a rational mind, not an emotional one. A solution wouldn't come from feelings, it would come from research and understanding.

If that research and understanding pointed to an emotional cause? Then that could be targeted by someone who could better address and solve it.

That said, Oliver was happy to address Syd's question in turn. "After our discussion this morning, I made a note to watch David during every display of power -- to see if there was any psychic resonance within or around him." David himself took a moment to process that statement and asked after a moment: "Why?" Oliver shrugged and motioned to the situation around them again. "Background research. The more you know, the better suited you are to make a workable hypothesis. Until you can prove the data is irrelevant, assume everything is relevant until researched, tested, and set aside as superfluous or it has use in testing and proving your theory."

A very scientific answer and David nodded, accepting that he obviously had paid zero attention in any of his science classes. Oliver's attention returned to Syd then as he said: "Let's stick with the memory before jumping to what you've tried so far." At that he stepped up to the still-frozen Rudy and Syd, about to make contact. "Eyes on you and your discomfort in that aside, did you have any particular feelings about this switch? Any anxiety, or perhaps concern about the physical change itself?" Height difference, complete body change, drastic power change. All the above, some, none.

His tone was inquisitive, neutral. No judgement or assumptions being made, merely asking questions to gather data. It was intriguing, on David's side at least, observing a far more clear and serious Oliver, still with a cool cat attitude, swagger in his step, but all business right now -- intent on understanding.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]_donttouch
2017-05-24 04:48 am UTC (link)
"Eliminate the impossible and you get the answer, however improbable?" In a world where impossible things happened, that was a lot of elimination. But she got the gist and nodded. She glanced at David, smiling wryly. "We're just full of hypotheticals."

But the Science Talk, like when Cary did it, made Sydney grow intent on understanding, so she stuck with the present tense of the memory rather than jumping to future tense, trying to remember what she had been feeling as she reached out. "The normal amount of anxiety -- touching is..a work in progress." With the help of David. Where would she be without that man? "But nothing over that. Curiosity as to how it would work -- and a little bit of pre-emptive guilt at probably ruining your wife's comfortable pillows."

"I've been a man, so nothing about the changes themselves. Except for amusement at being tall." She rested her head on her shoulder for a moment, thinking. "But afterward, there was like..an earthquake. Which was weird and unexpected." That was when they played Musical Chairs.

"Is there just a possibility that this is how it progresses?" She asked, trying to figure out if that were the case and, if it was, why it got set off now. "Brought on by the nerves?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]xgene
2017-05-24 03:10 pm UTC (link)
"Welcome to the mutant world," Oliver said on the note of being full of hypotheticals, while David merely rolled his eyes in disgruntled agreement. How fun. All the impossibilites and complications therein.

As Syd explained in more detail, Oliver took each of it in. Touching was a work of progress, often avoided; curiosity; expectation of power backlash causing physical damage to items in the room; no issue with physical swap; earthquake; nerves. He processed all of it as he observed the situation again, expression studious and laser-focused.

"It's often the case that stress and nerves can be triggers, as is a subconscious overreaction. For example: you have to make a leap from a harbor into a row boat, you see the jump and know if you miscalculate, you could catch the edge of the wood or land in the water. Which would hurt more? Catching on the wood." Oliver motioned to the connection about to happen between Rudy and Syd's hand. "This is the leap." Then, a motion to the room. "Destruction of pillows, maybe a light or two -- the wood of the harbor." And finally, all the eyes on Syd or in the vicinity: "The stress and nerves."

From there, his eyes were back on Syd-as-David, finishing the analogy: "There's a chance your power overreacted, a capability you've had all along -- you've always been able to jump this far, but never had the need to. To avoid catching the wood of the harbor, you leapt clear over the boat and landed in the water." Causing everyone around to get just as soaked as she was. A working theory for now, but one he had a good feeling about.

"This is only the second time you've swapped with a mutant, correct?" A beat. "I'm discounting Kerry as, mutant though she is, the Loudermilks' power is very distinct." Distinct and not exactly something that would cause an earthquake like a telekinetic's power could.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]_donttouch
2017-05-24 05:20 pm UTC (link)
If this were a book or movie, all the hypotheticals would be fun! As it was their lives, less fun and more just confusing sometimes. And complicated. But there wasn’t much to be done about it; they were who they were – mutant complications on top of human ones – and dealt with it all as best as they could. Even when the complications, from either side, threw curveballs. ..Right? Right.

The analogy made sense, and vaguely reminded her of a terrible joke. A riverboat guide was taking tourists along the river in a jungle, where they see a tiger on the riverbank. ‘This kind of tiger is extremely agile and can jump over twenty feet, folks.’ But before the guide’s customers can panic, the guide reassures them. ‘But we’re perfectly fine! After all, we’re only fifteen feet away.’ In this case, apparently Sydney was the tiger that would make that joke actually work. “So I could just be learning on accident what I can do. Or it could be a fluke.” Snorting quietly and moving to stretch her shoulders, she nodded. “Another bit of homework to figure out which one.” Ever the bookish delinquent, she loved learning and hated the work that went into it. Osmosis learning would have been an amazing mutant power.

“Yeah,” if they excluded Kerry from the equation, then Rudy would have been number two. She looked over at David and then back to Oliver, bringing up idle conversation the duo had earlier. “We were guessing that maybe, since it all went sideways, at least some consciousnesses went seeking out safer grounds?” The Loudermilks, herself and David, safety in one another.

“Or maybe necessary grounds?” Oliver, who looked to be doing well after being able to access his memories thanks to Ptonomy, super science and beatnik attitude. Rudy who seemed the safest bet to deal with the craziness of having other people in his head. She wondered whether that was true, or if there’d be any later repercussions. Poor Ptonomy and Melanie, who either both got stuck by virtue of the Musical Chairs game or needed or wanted experience on the other side of the coin. But it was all just a theory, as much as anything else was.

And it still didn’t put her any closer to how to fix this.

Unless..she thought about it, particularly Cary and Kerry, and hummed a little in thought. "So, if this is mental and physical, the switching..and I think about letting people be me..then would it work opposite? Me urging them to be...them? Like a magnet." Hence the Loudermilk thoughts. "Flip the magnet and they repel."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]xgene
2017-05-24 05:57 pm UTC (link)
"Flukes can happen, though often with outside influence." But until proven otherwise, it was possible. "Don't ever assume your limits until you know for certain." He'd had years to figure himself out, and now a couple decades of setback as well. He knew his power fine, but himself? That was another question that was in progress. Oliver had plenty of time to fix that though, and with Melanie's assistance, it was happening. Right now though? Right now he had a bit of a cheat sheet thanks to Ptonomy and, inadvertently, Syd.

"The mind will often seek out the familiar of its own accord," he agreed. Out of want or necessity. It would certainly explain the Loudermilks, Syd, and David. The rest they could certainly analyze as they went. Oliver was certainly happy for the experience, glad that either by random roulette or a desire to remember sent his consciousness into Ptonomy, but that could be dealt with later.

For now, switching back. Syd's theory was certainly worth an attempt. "Combine the two, physical and mental, and test it out. But I would recommend trying somewhere where you're most comfortable. Remove that element of stress and consider the safety, the necessity, as you attempt again." The memory had been analyzed as much as it could, so Oliver withdrew them all. David blinked heavily, always a little disoriented after that, it seemed especially so when not in his own body.

The sight of Ptonomy again, Oliver-as-Ptonomy, smiling had David blinking again. Still such a bizarre sight, that bright of a smile on Ptonomy's face. Looking to Syd, he bumped their shoulders as the daze retreated from her as well. Melanie had finally moved, was cradling a new cup of tea and was looking stoically (Rudy-stoic) out the window, glancing over as everyone started coming to. "Any insights?" She asked, David shrugged -- certainly a potential, they had their review of the moment, the rest was on them to figure out how it was relevant and process it all.

Looking to Syd, he asked, second conversation style: Feel like trying again somewhere quieter? He didn't point out that it was definitely over three hours by now. Certainly worth trying now.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]_donttouch
2017-05-24 08:14 pm UTC (link)
And here she thought she got over at least the surprise part of her own ability years ago. Silly girl. She nodded at the advice, a smile flashed in silent thanks. And with the moment gone, Syd was left with that weird feeling of being pulled out of the memory, like sitting up too fast or the head rush from being upside down, and shook her head to clear it, smiling more and bumping shoulders back at the motion.

Looking to Melanie-as-Rudy, the smile turned apologetic. She knew that it must have been more than three hours. And everyone was still in their proper-improper place. She was really trying, guys. “Possible answers. More questions.” Business as usual. She shrugged, still needing and wanting to process everything. But she tried for that optimism, eyebrows lifting questioningly. “It’s a start, though? And I have a test to do the return switch.” One that she hoped would work, at least for now if not as a permanent thing.

Distracted by her own, singular noise in her borrowed head – how in the hell did telepaths, and telepaths-by-proxy, deal with more than that? – Syd looked over with wide eyes at the second conversation and then nodded. “Times like this, you’re right and winter sucks.” Because a bit of fresh air might have done well too. Alas, her coats wouldn’t fit right now. Hopefully soon, though. While she could, she snuck bigger hand over smaller one and gave a small wave with the free one. “We’ll come by again..hopefully all sorted out.” A pause, “If –“ No, another pause and shake of her head. “When it works, you guys should be fine. Bodies tend to follow consciousness.” Which was how they ended up with a Sydney instead of a David to begin with.

Once they were walking again, footsteps cruising toward the safe haven of one of their rooms on their own accord, Syd looked over with a quirk of mouth upwards. “I think I might miss this.” She tugged on his fingers, indicating what she’d miss in a bit of an understatement. “It’s nice to have the option.” But everything they did, the fabric and mind connection, little tugs on clothing and nudging of shoulders, was nice too. The fact that it was them, their things and their small rituals, made it all the better.

They reached her room first and, as she plopped on the bed, drawing longer legs up close to her chest, she peered at David with knit eyebrows and worry creeping on shared features. “What if I can’t change it all back?” She knew that there was the option, last option, of asking him to fix it, but that didn’t stop the worry that she was as over her head as he often felt. Then she scowled, annoyed with herself and the worries. “I don’t like not knowing myself.”

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]xgene
2017-05-24 08:58 pm UTC (link)
"It's a start," Melanie confirmed, reassuring as she could be with a voice that wasn't her own. David nodded, a rueful smile on the note of winter sucking. It definitely did, always did. Especially in stressful times when a good walk or wander would do the trick.

Quickly squeezing Syd's hand when they were connected again, reassuring on the note of when it worked. He was confident it would -- just like he'd had a hell of a time coping with his powers, Syd obviously, and unfairly, had to deal with the same. They just needed to take the time, now that they knew it wasn't just a matter of time fixing it for them, and let it all sink in and process. They could do that in private though, hiding out in one of their rooms for the comfort and ease that provided.

Walking again, enjoying the touch as it was for now, David nodded a little, understanding what Syd meant. It was nice having the option, definitely nice, and while he was happy to swap again to have that option... after this swap, he could understand Syd not wanting to do it again for a good, long while. "Maybe one day we'll figure it out, just like you'll figure out what happened today. For now?" He squeezed their hands again, living it up while they could.

In Syd's room, David watched Syd get worried. There were no better way of describing it -- he might not know how own features as well as he knew Syd's on her own face, but it was plain as day even seeing it on himself. On the matter of not knowing herself? Well. "I know the feeling." Understatement. He still didn't have any idea of who he was, not really. Who or what. It was a frustrating and terrifying feeling, definitely.

Which was exactly why he settled himself next to Syd, pressing their sides together because it was a simple contact, light pressure, without any tight hold or grip to make that anxiety feel worse. "You'll figure it out. It's only been a few hours and this is all new." David smiled as encouragingly as possible. "I mean, c'mon, I accidentally took us to my dad's funeral, then, what, seven years into the future? Why do you think I haven't tried setting anything on fire yet? I'll probably make a tornado."

This shit didn't come easy and Syd thought she knew her ability, that was a hell of a thing to suddenly have thrown back in your face. "For now? Forget about it. For now," at that he set his head on Syd's shoulder, "it's just us. If you wanted to build a blanket fort, I could grab everything extra we'll need from my room and raid a spare if you wanted to start setting things up? You're the expert on them." He'd yet to build one and Syd was all about that blanket fort life, as she said.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]_donttouch
2017-05-24 11:07 pm UTC (link)
What did she do to deserve him? Like, seriously? Though not a bad person, she had never been particularly good either. Just the random shades of light and dark grey that most people tended to be. Whatever it was, she hoped that she continued to do it though. Because he kept tossing out lifelines and she was so thankful for them. For her knight rescuing her again. Nodding and squeezing his hand back in return, she took a breath. For now, she would enjoy what they had.

Looking over, she rubbed her face tiredly and smiled in sympathy. “It sucks too. More for you.” Said childishly. Winters without walks and not knowing one’s self were stupid and annoying things. “Do you think you’re learning any more or is it all sort of just going around in a circle?” But she lifted her eyebrows when he mentioned their misadventures, making her poke his side softly. “You needed that. And the future seeing helped us in the end, McFly.” Syd was, however, snickering at the awful idea of a tornado passing through. “And I suppose as no houses fall on anyone..or we don’t get transported to a magical world..we’d be alright through that.”

His suggestion of burrowing in blankets and forts was met with a grateful smile. “I can tell you one thing you definitely are, though – fucking amazing.” It was meant from the bottom of her heart. She kissed the top of his head and smoothed hair before gently placing her head on top. “Though you did ruin my planned surprise for a blanket fort welcome after group session.” She tsk’ed jokingly, closing her eyes for a moment. But her nose wrinkled and she had to move slightly, rubbing her cheek. It was like when her hair got in her face normally, annoying, but there was something else on top of the brushing feeling. Less prickly and pinching, more softly tingly. Like a cat rubbing against your legs without warning. “That..tickled.” She paused, “Huh.” Weird!

“Raiding is good.” Syd continued on without thinking much more about it, instead focusing on what they’d need. “Your pillows should be good with mine, and the sheets too, please?” A blanket fort sounded excellent. It would get her mind off of the worries at least. What had Oliver said? Consider the comfort and the necessity. Wouldn’t do any good to try while she couldn’t focus properly on it.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]xgene
2017-05-24 11:29 pm UTC (link)
David shrugged about anything being worse for him. It was all subjective, they were all dealing with some pretty shitty stuff, one way or another. Did anyone here truly have it worse than the other? Really? In plenty of ways he was incredibly lucky, after all -- he'd had loving parents, still had an incredible sister. It all balanced out, at least in his case.

"I'm learning," he confirmed, knowing there was still plenty more to learn even now. He had absolutely zero mastery of anything time related Rudy was still way better at him concerning anything with telekinesis, and pyrokenesis just wasn't a thing he was dealing with right now. "The only circle I keep dealing with is in my own head." The personas, the hot/cold of arguments or consensus, the noise of himself, the threat of it happening again (because it was a very real threat). David wasn't sure what would be worse than the last persona, but who knew at this point?

But yes, the accidental time travel did help. The poke to the side had him squirming with a sad, pathetic sound of discontent. "And you don't think Oliver's having an amazing time remembering everything? And Melanie might be enthusiastic about it, but talk about gaining some perspective..." Also, they could touch right now, something else gained from the moment, something he reminded with a return poke, touch that, through clothes, didn't make the fire ants come. "We'll be all right through everything." Period.

The 'amazing' comment had him laughing softly. "Hey, you can surprise me with one of those any time. Let's just count this run as practice, yeah?" The tickling Syd experienced had David looking back up curiously. "That confirms it's not the beard coming in, because that's less tickly and more annoying as hell." Another poke for good measure, this time to the cheek before smirking. "Pillows and sheets, I'm on it."

At that, there was one more kiss to the cheek. "Anything else I should raid? Kitchen, for example? Summerland obviously needs a taste of Syd-with-teleportation abilities, so I'm happy to hit up all the stops." He'd be back armed with pillows, sheets, everything and anything.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]_donttouch
2017-05-25 01:31 am UTC (link)
"That’ll be figured out in time too.” Him and his poor head. How, or what the outcome would be, she was unsure, but it had to come to a head (haha) sometime. “And whatever you need for it or because of it, you’ve got it.” Another gentle poke because the discontented noise was cute, sorry. She had never heard herself make a sound like that. “You’re right. Still hard to fully accept right now.” She’d work on it though. And laughed quietly with the retaliatory poke, squirming a little as well. “Yeah, we will.” That, at least, she knew to be an unchanging truth.

“Practice run it is.” Agreed with a nod, but then she stared at him for a moment, not even thinking that – duh – David had to shave. “I've never even thought of you having a beard.” She brushed her cheek with her hand, humming idly and stroking an imaginary beard while now trying to imagine just that. “Have you ever grown one?” He always seemed so baby-faced in memories and current times. "Or wanted to?"

She wrinkled her nose again at the poke, laughing, and smirked back. Then it was thoughts of kitchen raiding that Syd turned to. "Hot chocolate?" If it must be winter, there must also be hot chocolate. It was one of the season's perks. "And popcorn?"

Sending off the teleporting Syd-alike with a kiss and her thanks, general and meaningful both, the David-alike stared at the room in survey. First, the bed. It was stripped of sheets and blankets then moved to lean against the wall, cushioned side out. Boom. One wall down. The bed frame was moved out of the room next to give them space, both things way easier with the height to handle mattresses!

By the time David returned fully, she had the basis of the fort set up. Her favourite blanket was on the floor, as was another for bottom cushioning, and two chairs were placed at the edge of that with sheets spread first from chair to chair for wall number two, and then from one chair to the mattress for the last wall, everything either tightly tucked in and underneath or held together by hairties.

"We need a roof," obviously. "Can you grab that big sheet and help me spread it on top?" After that, it was time to make the fort dark and cozy. "And blankets get draped over the sheets for maximum cave dwelling."

Once that was done, Syd grabbed one last sheet and placed it over the opening, long arms making it stick with a hair clip that she had but never used. She found one of her ribbons and tied it back so they could climb in and out, then motioned for him to crawl on in. "After you, babe."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]xgene
2017-05-25 01:48 am UTC (link)
They both had stuff and things to figure out. Lots of stuff, plenty of things. Much of it unfair garbage that had them full of anxiety and stress. All of it was a tough pill to swallow, but that as exactly why they were going to work now to relax, breathe, and process a little in a way that would isolate them from the world in the most childish manner ever. Blanket fort -- hell yeah.

Chuckling a little at Syd's comment, watching her touch her face, his face, and talk about beards. "Never had one, no. Gets too itchy and annoying. Maybe one day, for grins." When he thought he could handle the itchiness and was bored enough to give it a go. It'd never really been his style, and even at his laziest, he still shaved. He hadn't needed to look even more homeless than he actually was once upon a time.

List in mind: pillows, blankets, hot chocolate, and popcorn, David was off. Pillows were dropped off quickly, along with blankets and sheets, then he disappeared again to grab the much-needed snacks. By the time everything was ready and he was back, the fort was well along and David was amazed at how intricate it was. And roomy. "Wow!" Was the first chime on it, setting the snacks down to help with the last bit of assembly, fumbling a bit at stretching a sheet up and over on top, trying desperately to keep balance. The blankets set over he cheated with, using light tugs of invisible force, good ol' telekinesis, to make sure it was done well without him falling into it.

Roof done, door made, David snatched up their hot chocolate and popcorn and smirked at the invitation. "Why thank you." A kiss to the cheek was offered before he ducked in, getting tucked into a corner, popcorn set in the center, hot chocolate handed over once Syd was inside too. "I had no idea these could be so intricate. Very nice." Understatement. The closeness of it, a soft and comfortable claustrophobia, was actually quite comforting in a way he'd never expected or experienced.

"To cozy isolation," he said softly, happily, holding up his hot chocolate to cheers it.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]_donttouch
2017-05-25 02:31 am UTC (link)
She had been laughing while they worked on the roof. "I usually have an extra chair for this part." Since she had no cheats to use. "I fell through a lot of them though. Sometimes even still."

Smiling at the kiss, she crawled in after him, grabbing a pillow and using it to lean on. Hot chocolate was taken, held carefully for a minute as she looked around and nodded her approval as well. "Strangely enough, I've my mother to thank. We would sometimes build blanket forts and read quietly together." There were good moments from time to time, when Sydney wasn't so sad or angry nor her mother the same. No guys, worries set aside, just two bookworms and the worlds they got to visit.

"To cozy isolation." She clinked her cup with his, smiling happily in return. Taking a sip, Syd settled in with a wiggle. "When I wasn't reading, I'd color in here. Or kind of do whatever I wanted, away from the rest of the world." Her own little corner of the world.

"We should have a permanent blanket fort when we have our own place. Or a room for it, so that we can change it when we want." Half the fun was creating different shapes and structures.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]xgene
2017-05-25 02:54 am UTC (link)
"I can only imagine," David said with a cheeky smirk. "Even with all your grace, this isn't easy." 5'2 and going up against mattresses and sheets and blankets many times her size. Even in his own body he'd likely be tripping over everything. Thankfully this had been avoided for the first test run and there was no need for shame -- just enjoying of Syd's hard work, popcorn, and hot chocolate.

Listening to how the blanket forts came to be, he smiled a little, glad to hear that it wasn't all distance between her and her mother. It sounded like a nice experience, building something with a parent, enjoying the shared space and solitude both that could come from reading in that shared space. It was a shame it couldn't always be that way. But at least now they could enjoy it with one another -- their own cozy isolation. David knew he wouldn't be spending much time reading in one of these, but spending time? Zoning out? Hell, even just hiding and sleeping... perfection itself.

"A room dedicated to one sounds perfect." A room they could eventually expand upon, make elaborate blanket forts, filling the entire room with pillows, blankets, and the like. A blanket castle. Of course, thinking about it had David all starry-eyed. Their own place. Their own house A home that belonged solely to them, to add to the home that they made for each other.

Smiling brightly, he rested his head on Syd's shoulder again, sipping on the hot chocolate happily. "I love you so much." Voice soft, a little daydreamy, David drank it all in -- this little fort Syd had made, their junk food, everything hiding them away from the world and the cold outside. It was incredible. "You're incredible; the greatest gift this world could ever offer." To even the best of people, she was the greatest gift -- he didn't deserve her, not even remotely. But he was selfishly accepting her and all her wonder because without Syd? He was nothing.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]_donttouch
2017-05-25 03:13 am UTC (link)
He could do whatever he wanted. That was the beauty of it, building it together or for one another and then sharing the created space. Something she was so happy to share with him, the space itself and the action of creating the spaces. It wasn't as elaborate, but it was her offering of a White Room, and she was more happy and pleased (even more than she imagined she would be) that he seemed to like it so much.

"Good. Because otherwise I'd have to just commandeer a room and drag you in." Said with a grin, content and happy to think of their own house, a physical home together to go with the emotional one shared.

"I love you too." Very much. Both conversations quiet and warm with all the fuzzy emotions he made her feel. Like the best blanket ever. She laughed then, head tilting down and close to his. "I'm not sure about all that, but I'm glad that you're happy being with me. You deserve it." Free hand pushed through longer and blonder hair, taking another sip of hot chocolate and just observing everything in their hobbit hole.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]xgene
2017-05-25 03:34 am UTC (link)
That anyone would do anything for him, that anyone would ever offer such a gesture for a person like him, was absolutely incredible. Astounding. It gave him a hot case of the warm fuzzies unlike anything he'd ever experienced before. The warm fuzzies, a sense of love and belonging, everything he'd told Amy he'd never have, everything he'd called stupid because it wasn't for sick people like him.

"No commandeering necessary," he said with a smirk. "That's what a home's for, right? Mutual comforts and individual ones too." A beat. "In case any of ours didn't match up, which they seem to do anyway, so lucky us. Our home will be a hell of a place to be." A place to retreat to, a larger space just for them to hide away from the world. David was so ready for it, whether it be on that island Irene had talked about in Georgia (Genosha? something like that), or if it was somewhere else. Didn't matter. As long as it was theirs.

Both comments in both places had him smiling happily, eyes closing to let it soak in. "We both deserve it." It was the closest he'd ever be to not disrespecting himself as he felt he truly deserved. Neither of them had been saints in their lives, but they belonged together. There was no denying it, no matter how they felt about themselves. "You'll always make me happy, and I'll always work to make sure you're happy too." Simple as that.

Snatching up the popcorn then, David happily curled up and they enjoyed their hot drinks and snack with the same chatter that had filled the car on their roadtrip. Conversations that were easy and comfortable, that had no drastic importance and didn't reflect upon the here and the now. Allowing their minds to wander, allowing their spirits to ease up a little from the bizarrity of the day and accept it as completely as possible in the moment. Time passed, they finished their junk food treat that struck away any thought of snow and winter outside, and the blanket fort was filled with warmth and softness that was all squishy comfort that made David actually almost feel like a kid again -- simpler, easier. No denying the weirder of the now, but eh, he was cool with that.

"How are you feeling?" He asked after a few moments of companionable silence, taking up Syd's hand and linking their fingers together.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]_donttouch
2017-05-25 03:50 am UTC (link)
She could concede that, that they both deserved happiness and love. Because, whether the point was conceded or not, it was true. They each made it true for one another.

Conversations and quiet moments were mixed with sillier things like having David toss popcorn as she tried to catch it in her mouth, and tossing it at him whether he could catch it or not. The ability to switch back and forth from serious to childish (lingering perhaps longer in the childish than not) was greatly appreciated as well; not just because that was ultimately how she was, but also because she had been lucky enough to find (or be found by) someone who walked the same line more often than not too.

"Better." She brought his hand up and kissed his knuckles. Then Syd leaned in and kissed David gently, a last kiss for now since she was ready to try to switch back. "Any last thing you want to do as a munchkin blonde before I give you your body back?" She asked wryly, amused smile crinkling up the corners of bright eyes.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]xgene
2017-05-25 04:03 am UTC (link)
They definitely walked that line together. Happily so. When there was a big, terrifying world out there, one that had gotten exponentially bigger with issues like mutants and wars being thrown at them? David couldn't possibly imagine trying to cope it it all alone -- he also couldn't imagine trying to cope with it all pretending like he was a well-balanced adult who both comprehended and accepted all the cards he'd been dealt with. Even during the calm times it was a big ask.

Weird though it was, seeing himself while receiving affection, David was quick and happy to accept and understand that this was Syd -- this was the bright and amazing soul he loved. This was her power and whatever it took to help her understand it more and master it? He would do. Which meant that this would likely happen again, under more controlled circumstances. Eventually he'd get more used to seeing his mug like this, but hey, if it meant touching Syd? Sharing this? It'd been nice on his own, a form of connection they didn't have at Clockworks. Now? Shared.

The kiss was returned, a smile on the lips at the sweetness of it all. "Apart from feeling up your bod?" David teased, referring to the time when he admitted to doing that once before. He didn't though. This? This was really all he needed. The time shared, time spent, was more than enough. "I'm good for now. Let's give this a go, just you and me." Focused, relaxed, easy.

Shifting so they were properly facing one another, offering hands as a point of contact so, if the switch did work, there would be as little discomfort as possible elsewhere. "Remember," he said after a moment, another smirk on his face. "You got four of us taking care of any extra powers, all of us cheering you on. A legion of support." And love, of course. Always love.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]_donttouch
2017-05-25 04:28 am UTC (link)
It was really weird to give affection to herself, but that was part of the amusement she decided to derive from the experience. But it was definitely nice to stay in the same area throughout all of it.

Chuckling at his answer, she shrugged all nonchalant at the idea of it. "As long as I'm around to watch." She replied with a smirk before shifting as well to face him comfortably. Hand to hand, Syd nodded and laughed. "I genuinely appreciate my cheerleading squad." Even if they'd give her grey hairs, they were all parts of David and as such loved as well. Clueless as to how to deal with sometimes, but loved.

"And I totally took care of.." A pregnant pause as she wiggled her eyebrows, "things earlier. So you're welcome." She did no such thing, but she really really couldn't help saying things like that for his reactions. It was entirely his fault for being so damn cute and expressive.

After that, laughing quietly, she took a breath and focused. Think like a magnet. Syd did just that, imagining herself tugging David back into the body that she currently shared and away from the body that he had been in. Setting things back in their place to make the puzzles complete again. She closed her eyes easily for a moment, imagining it a bit more.

There was no earthquake, nor was there fireworks, but when her eyes opened this time, she found herself sitting in the same spot she had been in...and this time staring at David rather than herself. Waiting to make sure he got all settled in, comfortable back in his own skin, she smiled wryly. "Welcome back to us?"

"And now, for my next trick.." She had to see if that was a catalyst to put everyone else back together, or try it again on a bigger scale. "How's everyone else right now?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]xgene
2017-05-25 04:50 am UTC (link)
"Of course, any copped feels will only ever be in your presence," he teased with a grin, promising to never take such a liberty again. All in cheeky fun, but would truly be reserved for their White Room or when the physical world didn't cause discomfort -- when or if. Hopefully when, if only for the lack of worry and lack of additional grey hairs from that worry.

Because yes, the cheerleading squad would give them both grey hairs. If David did ever decide to grow a beard, it'd probably already have grey in it from all the special kind of stress his fractured mind laid on him for stupid reasons that were just so him. But they did all support Syd, all loved her, and all would do everything in their power (as four-in-one, or individually) to take care of her and do what they could.

The cheeky comment though, that had brows rising and eyes widening a little, as was his usual response. "Cheeky." So saucy, so ridiculous. But always striking all the same. Striking and amusing, because soon enough he was shaking his head and grinning again.

Grins, laughter, deep breaths. Eyes closed to keep semblance of balance, and maybe kinda do something close to praying (not quite, but enthusiastic hoping? very much yes). Then, eyes opened... there was Syd. Syd-as-Syd. Positions where they were before, but themselves again. The blanket fort suddenly seemed that little bit smaller, not unpleasantly so -- in fact, he found it even more pleasant this way. Because this was more how his brain recognized that it should be based on the body he'd lived in for so long.

"Told you you could do it." It'd almost be a sassy comment were it not for the complete and utter confidence he'd had before, much of that fitting into his tone now. As for the next trick, the minds of those around them, David reached out, looking around as well to match up to where everyone was. Their bodies. Their minds.

"Looks like they might need a helping hand still," he offered, looking back to Syd with a smile, so very glad to see the beautiful woman he loved again. To admire her and get all dopey as he often did looking at her. "Whatever you did? It worked like a charm for us. Give it another go." Maybe it didn't need proximity, maybe, as Cary said, there was more to the mind of this than they thought.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

(Read comments) -

Home | Site Map | Manage Account | TOS | Privacy | Support | FAQs