[Buddy, huh? Probably easy to achieve with this guy, even if that means sitting in a car for him for like ten minutes.]
I was a government experiment.
[He says, lightly, the weight of it contrasted with the simplicity of his smile. Clearly, this is something he's been angry about for a long, long time, but it's almost impressive how much he can couch it in a (vaguely) pleasant manner.
He listens to the rest, though. Quirks his lips a little when Emily pipes up. Just like children to comment on that.]
That makes sense. I guess you could say that happened to me, too.
[When he murdered his mom and sister and framed his dad for their deaths! But that isn't, ah. Child-friendly discussion, is it? And these strangers don't need to know that; not even Amelia knows that.]
[River frowns as he continues cruising down the road.
(And for a brief second, in the back Simon's brow twitches and Emily glances at her brother's way concerned.)
Keeping his eyes on the road, River casually mentions something of relevance. This might be one of those probing questions that Amelia told Henry in her note he doesn't have to answer.]
MKUltra?
[It's another stab in the dark but River could make some educated guesses; Henry was older than any of them and when it comes to government experiments, that one was one of the most notorious. It was brought up as an example of why espers required, no, it was their right to never be governed by anyone but themselves.
So the divergence came down to this particular experiment; MKULTRA was disrupted and all memories of the actual psychics that had suffered through it were wiped, but the information about it eventually got out (on purpose, to divert any knowledge of the real ones).]
[It's a stab in the dark that happens to be correct. Henry's age now (39) does not quite add up to a Cold War era if you do the math from this world's timeline; but back home, it added up quite perfectly.]
Not that the test subjects were ever privy to that kind of data, you know. [Most of the children understood that they were being taught, that they were supposed to learn and supposed to perform to a certain standard -- but the awareness of being part of a government program was far, far beyond their understanding. Not that anyone tried to help them comprehend it. That lab was their home. All they knew.
But not for Henry. And when he was switched over from test subject to orderly, he was privy to a little bit more; not much, but certainly enough to know about program names.]
Huh. [He's able to chalk up his age and the current timeline as... Well, timey-wimey, different universe, magic bullcrap. River doesn't stress the details when it's not needed.
The truck takes an exit and at the redlight, River replies to Henry ruefully.]
And now you're here of all places. Or universes. ESP, magic, giant lake lizards, and more.
[He decides to change to a slightly different topic.]
Lucky me. [Again, that little, hard to read smile.] But it is nice, I think, to be in a world where that isn't so strange a thing that others feel the need to experiment on unsuspecting children.
[The topic changes, though, and Henry can't help but huff out an amused sound.]
I suppose. We've had our ups and downs. I don't think she appreciated me overstepping certain boundaries, but we're past that now.
[...Probably. Only very recently past that.]
But how can I complain? She's giving me a place to stay until I can find a way back home.
[River nods in agreement regarding the immoral experimentation. Though he won't say so aloud if anything like that happened to his cousins it'd probably drive him to desperate measures. Their current lives aren't perfect but they're all doing fine right now.
He listens to Henry's state of the roommate and chuckles.]
She's a hardass, huh? A lot of the higher-ups don't look at her too kindly and she just wants to be left alone a lot of the time. But she doesn't turn away someone in need even if she grumbles about it.
[The young man grins cheekily at Henry as he veers on a road that looks less used. They're almost there!]
Here's your chance to ask us anything about her. We won't snitch to her, promise.
She is. Though I suppose that's why she's also a high school teacher.
[Because she's a hard-ass, he means. And far be it from Henry to deny this opportunity to ask questions about Amelia, even if he pretends to mostly be interested in the scenery as they make their way down a less traversed road.]
Oh, well... I don't know what to ask, really. [liar] Has she always been this way? Someone who just wants to be left alone. I thought it was because she was powerful and could get away with it, but surely she wasn't like from the start?
[River clicks his tongue trying to think of an answer. Miss Steinbeck is way older than he is and could basically be his and his cousins' grandma. They haven't known her as long as her other friends and acquaintances.]
I mean, I'd imagine that a witch of her caliber has a lot of people wanting things from her. So that can probably get annoying.
[He shrugs.]
Sorry man, I'm not too privy to her psychological state of mind. I'm not that kind of doctor.
Probably. But she doesn't seem to be the kind of person who has trouble saying "no."
[He's calling you stubborn, Amelia, sorry not sorry.
But he shrugs, still looking out the window. The lake glistens at a distance, reflecting the sunlight. It's a nice day, at least.]
I figured there was no harm in asking, at least. I'd like to get to know her a little better, but she likes to keep an arms-length, sometimes. [It's said almost off-handedly before he focuses on a new tidbit of info:] You're a doctor? What kind?
[Ohh? And now he turns his head to look at River, eyebrow hitching up. No comment on Amelia. They'll see if she opens up or otherwise; with Henry's gentle prodding, maybe sooner rather than later. (Or not. It's often hard to say.)]
As part of your... abilities, you mean?
[That's not a psychic skill any of them ever possessed back on his world, at least. How strange.]
Yeah. Honestly, my skill set pertains to healing only. I mean, I can talk to people telepathically, but only if another telepath hooks me up, y'know what I'm saying?
[As signs for Blue Moon Lake increase, River takes another turn on the road and all of them will suddenly feel a shift in the atmosphere and it washes over them and the truck like a gentle vibration across their body. It makes Emily giggle and Simon shudder slightly.]
Oh, yeah sorry I didn't warn you 'bout that. It's Miss Steinbeck's wards. Gotta keep the normies out! Or else we'd have to feed them to the Belly!
[It's a joke, honest...! As River finds a decent parking space where they don't have to walk far to the lakeshore, he speaks a little more.]
So yeah, I'm a normal doctor and a psychic doctor. If you break an arm or get mauled, as long as you've got all your parts, you'll be 100% if you see me.
[And more if you're diseased but that's a detail for him to keep.]
[The atmosphere shifts, a little jolt through his system, but at this point? He expected something like that to happen, a sort of ward to keep the "normies" away from a lake with a giant, hungry lizard living in it.]
Must be difficult for you. I can't imagine you can use your psychic abilities on "normal" people, can you?
[What's it like, knowing that you can help some people, but not always to your full capacity? He wonders if it bothers him, if that's the case.
Ah, but here they are. Time to pile out of the truck, and Henry does just that. He'll wait, though, for the "coffin" to be retrieved again. He doesn't mind carrying it to the lake.]
Well... In my case, it's a bit more complex. I can see normal people as my patients but yeah. Gotta do some workarounds.
[Like memory suppression or big payouts that mostly go back to the Collective... But yeah that's weird esper politics and River looks like he wants to focus on their task at hand. ]
Anyway, enough of the boring talk! Let's get set up.
[After Simon leaves the truck, he helps Emily out of her seat.
Simon hands the coffin-box to Henry while River opens the back of the truck to reveal boxes and boxes of foodstuffs. Amelia had tasked him with going around the local grocery stores in his area to gather extra stock, whether it was fresh or about to expire and he's gone above and beyond.
Speaking of... River looks out towards the lake (its surface is beautiful and shimmering in the late afternoon sun). There's someone in the water and River grins, calling out to the person within.]
[And suddenly, Amelia emerges from the water, dripping wet, and soaked to the bone. Someone had gone swimming while waiting for the rest of the party. She's wearing a black V-neck shirt and shorts and well, they're wet, everything is wet.
She takes a deep breath before waving to all of them and proceeding to squeeze the water from her hair.]
River! Oh, you brought Simon and Emily too?
[She gives a short nod to Henry but turns her attention to the little girl who's bounding up to her trying to decide whether to hug the soaked witch or not.]
[He doesn't think it's boring talk at all, River. But for now, they'll have to put that thought on hold.
because... ma'am???
Henry's followed River, stopping just a few paces behind him, and catching the sight of Amelia emerging from the lake. She's indeed very wet, and though the sight isn't indecent on its own, it's still not something he's sure he was prepared to see. Clothing clings when it's wet! And while he shouldn't care, he finds himself turning his head to place his gaze elsewhere, just for a moment.]
And whatever's in the coffin-shaped box, like you asked.
[Thankfully(?), when Amelia kneels to greet Emily properly the air around her shifts until she's dry again. Her hair spills across her shoulders, glowing in the late afternoon sunlight and it's as if the lake hadn't touched her to begin with. Emily grins at this simple but effective display of magic and hugs her. Amelia returns it (awkwardly) before standing back up.
It's Simon who takes the opportunity to ask a question.]
"What's in the box anyway Miss Steinbeck?"
Hm? Oh, yes. [And with her usual dry delivery...]
That's the body of the monster Henry assisted me in subduing. It was laying around my house so I figured it was better to use it as food for the Belly.
[River turns his head around squinting his eyes at the witch while the two children stare at her wide-eyed. Simon scoots away from Henry and the box.
So don't worry Henry, you are not the only one who thinks this particular witch is... Out there...]
[Ah, yes, but this is the sort of "out there" that actually has Henry's somewhat morbid sense of humor piquing, twisting his lips and making him release a soft laugh.
When he glances back, he's a little amused -- and thankfully(?) Amelia's back to being dry.]
Despite popular belief, I do have some propriety. If we're going to serve a new meal, it can be dressed up a bit.
[While the younger ones wander over to River to help him set up for what appears to be an impromptu picnic (he takes out two coolers, one for food and one for a drink, and a small grill), she gestures at the cluster of trees nearby.]
We can let the coffin rest over there. The blue moon won't appear until we're done with dinner.
And you’re not worried about a lake monster getting splinters in its teeth?
[The way he says it clearly reveals more amusement than actual concern. When Amelia indicates the copse of trees, Henry walks with her in that direction, box in tow.]
He’s a little talkative, isn’t he? But he’s friendly enough. An open book — those are particularly easy to wrench answers from.
That said, it’s odd speaking to others who have some kind of psychic abilities in this world. Their circumstances here are so different than mine. It’s enough to make a man green with envy.
When I said the Load can eat more than just food, I meant it. Splinters will not be an issue with a stomach like his.
[And she's serious as usual but that small twitch at the edge of her lips at least indicates she understands his amusement.]
River's boisterous for an esper. Many of them adopt outgoing attitudes to make up for the mental and emotional strain — [coughLienKhacoughcough] but he's particularly genuine and open-hearted.
[Amelia nods at Henry's latter observation.]
And that's why I thought it would be fine to talk with him especially. River is affiliated with the Collective but he does not strictly adhere to it; just the more benevolent functions and base philosophy.
[A pause.]
And I thought it would be good for you to see and hear a different perspective from mine.
It's still hard to wrap my mind around the fact there are enough espers for a collective to exist.
[He says mildly as they reach the trees. Henry decides to place the coffin down against one trunk, stepping back and still finding the sight comedic, now.]
There are so few of us left back home.
[(Because he killed most of them, his reasoning twisted, but it made sense in his own mind. The only way to save them.)
[She sounds oddly dubious. Though they both agreed their meeting was fortunate (poor first impressions notwithstanding ) it doesn't seem like she had particular expectations about how Henry views her.
Yes, even after he said she was interesting. To her that isn't necessarily positive. This does seem to speak of her actual self-esteem when it comes to relating to others.]
[A strange rebuttal of a question, at least to Henry's ears. But Amelia doesn't quite understand how much of a trial it is for any human to register as interesting on his scale. Misanthropy paints everyone as the same, people with masks, lying to themselves--
And maybe she's no different. But there's something to be said about someone who's powerful, with other facets lying vulnerable beneath, that entices him. Makes him want to know more.
Good, bad? Somewhere in-between? It's hard to say when one has earned Henry's attention, but this is the reality of the situation for now.]
Of course not. [Does she think she's someone to easily become tired of?] There's still plenty I'd like to know about you. River said that you're a tough one to crack, but I see that as a challenge.
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sunfloras2023-04-20 07:42 pm
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I was a government experiment.
[He says, lightly, the weight of it contrasted with the simplicity of his smile. Clearly, this is something he's been angry about for a long, long time, but it's almost impressive how much he can couch it in a (vaguely) pleasant manner.
He listens to the rest, though. Quirks his lips a little when Emily pipes up. Just like children to comment on that.]
That makes sense. I guess you could say that happened to me, too.
[When he murdered his mom and sister and framed his dad for their deaths! But that isn't, ah. Child-friendly discussion, is it? And these strangers don't need to know that; not even Amelia knows that.]
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[River frowns as he continues cruising down the road.
(And for a brief second, in the back Simon's brow twitches and Emily glances at her brother's way concerned.)
Keeping his eyes on the road, River casually mentions something of relevance. This might be one of those probing questions that Amelia told Henry in her note he doesn't have to answer.]
MKUltra?
[It's another stab in the dark but River could make some educated guesses; Henry was older than any of them and when it comes to government experiments, that one was one of the most notorious. It was brought up as an example of why espers required, no, it was their right to never be governed by anyone but themselves.
So the divergence came down to this particular experiment; MKULTRA was disrupted and all memories of the actual psychics that had suffered through it were wiped, but the information about it eventually got out (on purpose, to divert any knowledge of the real ones).]
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Not that the test subjects were ever privy to that kind of data, you know. [Most of the children understood that they were being taught, that they were supposed to learn and supposed to perform to a certain standard -- but the awareness of being part of a government program was far, far beyond their understanding. Not that anyone tried to help them comprehend it. That lab was their home. All they knew.
But not for Henry. And when he was switched over from test subject to orderly, he was privy to a little bit more; not much, but certainly enough to know about program names.]
That's right. I'm a part of history itself.
[Sorid, unethical history. But what else is new?]
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The truck takes an exit and at the redlight, River replies to Henry ruefully.]
And now you're here of all places. Or universes. ESP, magic, giant lake lizards, and more.
[He decides to change to a slightly different topic.]
Been doing alright with Miss Steinbeck though?
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[The topic changes, though, and Henry can't help but huff out an amused sound.]
I suppose. We've had our ups and downs. I don't think she appreciated me overstepping certain boundaries, but we're past that now.
[...Probably. Only very recently past that.]
But how can I complain? She's giving me a place to stay until I can find a way back home.
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He listens to Henry's state of the roommate and chuckles.]
She's a hardass, huh? A lot of the higher-ups don't look at her too kindly and she just wants to be left alone a lot of the time. But she doesn't turn away someone in need even if she grumbles about it.
[The young man grins cheekily at Henry as he veers on a road that looks less used. They're almost there!]
Here's your chance to ask us anything about her. We won't snitch to her, promise.
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[Because she's a hard-ass, he means. And far be it from Henry to deny this opportunity to ask questions about Amelia, even if he pretends to mostly be interested in the scenery as they make their way down a less traversed road.]
Oh, well... I don't know what to ask, really. [liar] Has she always been this way? Someone who just wants to be left alone. I thought it was because she was powerful and could get away with it, but surely she wasn't like from the start?
[But maybe River's too young to know.]
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[River clicks his tongue trying to think of an answer. Miss Steinbeck is way older than he is and could basically be his and his cousins' grandma. They haven't known her as long as her other friends and acquaintances.]
I mean, I'd imagine that a witch of her caliber has a lot of people wanting things from her. So that can probably get annoying.
[He shrugs.]
Sorry man, I'm not too privy to her psychological state of mind. I'm not that kind of doctor.
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[He's calling you stubborn, Amelia, sorry not sorry.
But he shrugs, still looking out the window. The lake glistens at a distance, reflecting the sunlight. It's a nice day, at least.]
I figured there was no harm in asking, at least. I'd like to get to know her a little better, but she likes to keep an arms-length, sometimes. [It's said almost off-handedly before he focuses on a new tidbit of info:] You're a doctor? What kind?
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But trust me, she's probably the kindest person you'll ever meet. She'll open up eventually.
[At Henry's question, River lights up.]
Oh yeah! I'm just a general practitioner.
[Simon remarks sardonically.]
"On paper."
[River pretends to be offended.]
Bro, don't diss me like that! I know medicine and the license is real.
[He clarifies for Henry as they near the lake.]
I'm a healer. I use my energy to patch up people and ease pain.
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As part of your... abilities, you mean?
[That's not a psychic skill any of them ever possessed back on his world, at least. How strange.]
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[As signs for Blue Moon Lake increase, River takes another turn on the road and all of them will suddenly feel a shift in the atmosphere and it washes over them and the truck like a gentle vibration across their body. It makes Emily giggle and Simon shudder slightly.]
Oh, yeah sorry I didn't warn you 'bout that. It's Miss Steinbeck's wards. Gotta keep the normies out! Or else we'd have to feed them to the Belly!
[It's a joke, honest...! As River finds a decent parking space where they don't have to walk far to the lakeshore, he speaks a little more.]
So yeah, I'm a normal doctor and a psychic doctor. If you break an arm or get mauled, as long as you've got all your parts, you'll be 100% if you see me.
[And more if you're diseased but that's a detail for him to keep.]
Anyway, we're here!
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Must be difficult for you. I can't imagine you can use your psychic abilities on "normal" people, can you?
[What's it like, knowing that you can help some people, but not always to your full capacity? He wonders if it bothers him, if that's the case.
Ah, but here they are. Time to pile out of the truck, and Henry does just that. He'll wait, though, for the "coffin" to be retrieved again. He doesn't mind carrying it to the lake.]
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[Like memory suppression or big payouts that mostly go back to the Collective... But yeah that's weird esper politics and River looks like he wants to focus on their task at hand. ]
Anyway, enough of the boring talk! Let's get set up.
[After Simon leaves the truck, he helps Emily out of her seat.
Simon hands the coffin-box to Henry while River opens the back of the truck to reveal boxes and boxes of foodstuffs. Amelia had tasked him with going around the local grocery stores in his area to gather extra stock, whether it was fresh or about to expire and he's gone above and beyond.
Speaking of... River looks out towards the lake (its surface is beautiful and shimmering in the late afternoon sun). There's someone in the water and River grins, calling out to the person within.]
Miss Steinbeck! We're here!
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She takes a deep breath before waving to all of them and proceeding to squeeze the water from her hair.]
River! Oh, you brought Simon and Emily too?
[She gives a short nod to Henry but turns her attention to the little girl who's bounding up to her trying to decide whether to hug the soaked witch or not.]
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because... ma'am???
Henry's followed River, stopping just a few paces behind him, and catching the sight of Amelia emerging from the lake. She's indeed very wet, and though the sight isn't indecent on its own, it's still not something he's sure he was prepared to see. Clothing clings when it's wet! And while he shouldn't care, he finds himself turning his head to place his gaze elsewhere, just for a moment.]
And whatever's in the coffin-shaped box, like you asked.
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It's Simon who takes the opportunity to ask a question.]
"What's in the box anyway Miss Steinbeck?"
Hm? Oh, yes. [And with her usual dry delivery...]
That's the body of the monster Henry assisted me in subduing. It was laying around my house so I figured it was better to use it as food for the Belly.
[River turns his head around squinting his eyes at the witch while the two children stare at her wide-eyed. Simon scoots away from Henry and the box.
So don't worry Henry, you are not the only one who thinks this particular witch is... Out there...]
don't perceive
When he glances back, he's a little amused -- and thankfully(?) Amelia's back to being dry.]
Oh.
That explains the coffin.
[Ha.. clever.]
👁🗨
Despite popular belief, I do have some propriety. If we're going to serve a new meal, it can be dressed up a bit.
[While the younger ones wander over to River to help him set up for what appears to be an impromptu picnic (he takes out two coolers, one for food and one for a drink, and a small grill), she gestures at the cluster of trees nearby.]
We can let the coffin rest over there. The blue moon won't appear until we're done with dinner.
[She glances between the espers and then Henry.]
Was the drive with them alright for you?
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[The way he says it clearly reveals more amusement than actual concern. When Amelia indicates the copse of trees, Henry walks with her in that direction, box in tow.]
He’s a little talkative, isn’t he? But he’s friendly enough. An open book — those are particularly easy to wrench answers from.
That said, it’s odd speaking to others who have some kind of psychic abilities in this world. Their circumstances here are so different than mine. It’s enough to make a man green with envy.
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[And she's serious as usual but that small twitch at the edge of her lips at least indicates she understands his amusement.]
River's boisterous for an esper. Many of them adopt outgoing attitudes to make up for the mental and emotional strain — [
coughLienKhacoughcough] but he's particularly genuine and open-hearted.[Amelia nods at Henry's latter observation.]
And that's why I thought it would be fine to talk with him especially. River is affiliated with the Collective but he does not strictly adhere to it; just the more benevolent functions and base philosophy.
[A pause.]
And I thought it would be good for you to see and hear a different perspective from mine.
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[He says mildly as they reach the trees. Henry decides to place the coffin down against one trunk, stepping back and still finding the sight comedic, now.]
There are so few of us left back home.
[(Because he killed most of them, his reasoning twisted, but it made sense in his own mind. The only way to save them.)
As for the last bit, he says a bit wryly:]
Why? Think I'm getting tired of you?
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You aren't?
[She sounds oddly dubious. Though they both agreed their meeting was fortunate (poor first impressions notwithstanding ) it doesn't seem like she had particular expectations about how Henry views her.
Yes, even after he said she was interesting. To her that isn't necessarily positive. This does seem to speak of her actual self-esteem when it comes to relating to others.]
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And maybe she's no different. But there's something to be said about someone who's powerful, with other facets lying vulnerable beneath, that entices him. Makes him want to know more.
Good, bad? Somewhere in-between? It's hard to say when one has earned Henry's attention, but this is the reality of the situation for now.]
Of course not. [Does she think she's someone to easily become tired of?] There's still plenty I'd like to know about you. River said that you're a tough one to crack, but I see that as a challenge.
[It's equal parts teasing but... sincere.]
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