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[atoughbird]

[This is the Inbox of Zed. Leave a message and she'll get back to you.]

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Post Ent arrival | Pre- Event

[imarealistnotacynic]

[There is a lot that Richard Strand can explain away.

He can justify people turning into things as a hallucination. He can justify his own physical changes as - a change in diet, environmental effects on him mentally. Changes in Alex, the people who are here, all of it. He can justify it because it's all explainable.

He cannot justify trees that walk. He has been sitting there for hours it feels like - he stammered through cancelling his classes to just stare at nothing like a dead man. I have often entertained the idea that these things are real. It's just that...

That he knows it's real. It's a sense in his gut. It's not something he can explain away and it makes him wonder because so far he hasn't seen anyone with powers and if he didn't get them here then...then...

It's all too much to think about. His father was even crueler then he'd thought (perhaps?) denying him his abilities. He had been right about the demons threatening their family. If this was the case...

He wanted Alex, but he wanted to go to Alex with a plan. With something that wasn't pureblind panic because if this was true and he was some sort of "key" to the Order's plans, to Warren's plans, then he was dangerous...

You're overthinking it.

He feels sick, sitting at an outdoor table staring at nothing.

You're making connections that aren't there. Be rational damn it!

He's never had a panic attack before - at least in his memory - but the nearest person gets looked at and he swallows. Shoving it down so as not to disrupt Alex, he looks to the nearest person.]

...I hate to ask this but I don't think I can...I don't think I can move right now - is there anyway I could ask you to get me a glass of water?

[atoughbird]

[Zed wanders. She explores. the world is gray to her and things have been off since she got here. Aparently they have been shifting gray for half a month now. The world just looks so dull, so when she does see color it's vibrant, brilliant and beautiful. She's been looking for things in color all day.]

[It's lead her here, wandering towards a rose bush someone had added color to through appreciation or something. She was about to go admire it herself when someone spoke from a table near by.]

[She paused, looking him over, then recognizing him.]

Richard?

She ducks over to him and sits her black bag on the table. The dag the deer brought her. With the silver tree of life on the front. She unlatches it and pulls out one of her bottles of water out, cracking the cap and sitting it down in front of his hands.]

Here. you don't look so good.

[imarealistnotacynic]

[Some part of him has wished maybe that finding that little girl was an awful dream. That it had never happened even if it brought her peace.

When the woman appears and offers him water he thinks of his own bag and stares down at it, before drinking a big long swig of it.]

...No. there's a tree walking down the center of town. A walking tree.

[He laughs harshly.]

I'm surrounded by things that should not exist and if that's the case then I have to re-evaluate how I see things. Because strange and paranormal things are possible and I just-

[He looks ready to break before staring down at his hands.]

I'm trying to get my bearings.

[atoughbird]

[ah yes, she saw the tree, and her first words are simply.] isn't it beautiful?

[but as he said more she frowned softly, moving her bag to the side and leaning her arms on the table, moving to sit on the bench seat on the other side of him. She let him get some water in him before she tried to reason with him.]

If it's any consultation, this place is a bit different than home. Supernatural in it's own right. there seems to be a lot going on here that shouldn't back home. Like being magically kidnapped by a girl and deer.

I think it's reasonable to think that the strange and paranormal could be a thing.

[imarealistnotacynic]

I've known it's possible.

[He swallows.] I want to operate under the idea that magic is science we just don't understand, but the idea that a tree...a tree could walk. I can't make it work in my head.

And if I could that's ...as my college roommate would have said. Some heavy shit man.

[More water. yes. More water is good.]

[atoughbird]

[She took out a second bottle from her bag and cracked it open, ignoring the look a waitress gave her at the near by cafe. It was water, they could deal. Taking a sip she hummed softly.]

Hmm, yeah it might just be a form of science. And yes, it is some heavy shit.

The tree though, it's a thing of beauty. having trees come to life is magical, science or not. It's hard to deny, huh?

[She bent her head down a bit to try and get a good look into his eyes.]

You going to be okay?

[imarealistnotacynic]

Supernatural things, magical things, aren't beautiful. They're dangerous and easily abused. Full of darkness and malice and death. They take children, torture them, and draw in the worst of humanity to worship at their feet.

[He has seen the Pauls since hew as a child, Cheryl has seen them too and it has always been unsettling to think about but now...

It's just this place. It's just this place it's just-

He wipes at his mouth.]

I fail to see how this sort of thing can be beautiful. It...I don't trust it. Or them.

[atoughbird]

[She had never head it called out like that before. Like there was no good at all in these kind of things. that sat her down firmly on her but instead of her leg. She shifted, watching him.]

Not everything is made for bad. Not everything is dark. Some people have powers and use them for good. A moving tree is... stunning and beautiful. I see no malice in it, unless it were to attack you.

[She rubbed her neck, frowning. this hit close to home for her and her powers. Were they a gift from god, or something else.]

Look at me. I get... visions. I thought they might be bad too, but I use them to help people. Like that little girl.

[imarealistnotacynic]

[He stares down at his hands before staring at him.]

You sound like my-

[colleague, friend, platonic interest. love interest. girlfriend. omega. He rubs at his head.]

You sound like someone I know.

[He feels sick, but he looks at her profoundly uncomfortable before he runs his hands over his head and has more water.]

I was always taught that belief in things like this was wrong. Forcefully taught.

[He doesn't look at her but there's an unintentional emphasis on the word forcefully.]

Here I've been forced to confront that was wrong and that by denying that I hurt myself- and that I had a choice to not deny it and I chose to do so because I was afraid. And I let myself be manipulated...

[He wipes a hand over his eyes.]

I'm sorry. It's ...I must not be making any sense I should go. I shouldn't bother you. I-

[But he's not moving he's just going to fuss, fiddling with his glasses and staring at his feet. No tears. Just a great deal of emotion.]

[atoughbird]

[She stayed tucked in on her seat, leaning on the table and watching him. As he started to excuse himself she reached out, almost touching him, then drew back as he didn't seem to move.]

Just stay seated for a bit longer. Let you get your head about you again for a bit. It's fine.

And you're not bothering me at all, Richard. We can talk, if you feel up to it. I'm sorry you were taught to believe such things. Especially now that they all seem to be around at the moment. Improbable things. Impractical things.

[A pause, then she tilted her head.] You said you wanted proof of my visions, right? [She lifted a brow to him at that.] Maybe that will help a bit?

[imarealistnotacynic]

[He has the vaguest of vague sense that she's maybe telling the truth. Maybe. But it could be apophenia again.

So instead he looks at her and nods sincerely.]

Tell me what I need to do?

[atoughbird]

[She reached her hand out to his, pausing for a moment and steeling herself for this. To see if it would work.]

Just give me your hand. It's tactile. [She pursed her lips a moment, before reaching the last inch across to take hold of his hand. She lets both her hands take his and she closes her eyes a moment, head tilting, concentrating on him.]

[Then she blinked as the world changed around her. A chill of evening, a feeling of dark, things floating in the air. She let go of his hands, looking awe struck, as she did when this happened. She blinked, turning her head a moment, smiling.]

I see a young boy... [And she gives a soft description of him when he was about 7 or so.] He's recording something with a camera. [But what. She turned to look at where the camera was, turning enough now that she was looking the other way. A gasp and she drew back, bumping into the table now.]

Something tall. Slender. Very... dark. So tall. [She said, then flinched as she felt yelling. Felt fear. Felt someone hurting the boy. She couldn't make out what was being said though, but he was being hurt by something else. Someone else?] A man. So angry. S-stop. Stop hitting him. [She gasped, a hand coming to her chest, then she flinched, as if she were the one being hit, arm up and ducking it. She flinched again, feeling heat, a wave of something bright, like a dragon.]

[She gasped again, covering her face and snapping out of it. Sitting side ways on the bench seat, she covered her face for a moment, taking her time to take a breath. Her head spun, and maybe she shouldn't be pushing to her her powers after that last seizure, but she was okay.]

[She was okay...]

Oh, Richard...

[imarealistnotacynic]

[When she touches him he freezes. It's surprisingly warm and he feels - he doesn't see anything but it feels true and real. That's a new feeling. Knowing he's in the presence of something truly supernatural. Having it reach out and touch him.

When she describes everything however she'll note that he's gone ice cold because only Alex knows and even then...

His gaze is blank, faded a bit as he looks at her and laughs weakly.]

I owe you a million dollars.

My institute at home was supposed to give a million dollars to people who provide me proof of the...of the paranormal.

[And then his features get angry.]

Don't tell anyone. Please.

[atoughbird]

[She's drawn back, folding her hands into her jacket pockets to hide them again. She's shrugged up into herself a bit, feeling that flow of energy there. This was stronger in a way that she wasn't used to. Like he had his own powers in it.]

[She looked t him with sad eyes, brows drawn together, watchful. Searching his face.]

I won't say anything. It's all between us. But... what was that? The tall figure? And someone was hurting you? Why?

[She had a million questions really. She was trying to hold back though, catching his angry plea.] I promise. I wont say anything.

[imarealistnotacynic]

[He inhales.]

When I was about 7, something was coming through my sister's window. We're twins - and she came to me to discuss it. I figured, if we...found out who or what it was, we could show our parents. Protect our family. That was when we saw the shadows in the garden.

[The whispering shadows. It's all so clear and he puts his hands in his head before inhaling and drawing back. Slow breathes.]

My father did not take kindly to this. He became very angry.

[Read between the lines. Please. His voice slips into the stoic skeptic, the academic that is his shield. His safety net.]

When he returned from his business trip, he became very interested in me. He began to spend time with me to teach me about his work. Every time I questioned it or asked about...the nature of the objects he showed me or showed belief in any of these entities he would become angry again.

[He takes the final sip of water before staring at it.] I'm so sorry. I think I've - I'll get you some more water.

[atoughbird]

[She listened, holding her arms around herself still, watching him as he spoke. She had seen him as a young boy. Had seen him trying to record it. Like she had seen Jim pulling the trigger of a gun. Vivid in some ways and foggy in others.]

[She pursed her lips, shaking her head a moment after.] No, I'm fine. Thank you. Just a bit of a wave of cold off the vision.

But... I'm sorry you've had to go through so much. [It sounded too much like her father in some ways. She wouldn't admit that though. She never spoke about her cult leader father. No sense in giving that information up, even here where he can't get to her.]

I can see why you're so logical in thought though. But, you have proof now. Maybe the rest of this world wont seem to mind blowing now.

[imarealistnotacynic]

[His gaze is dead. Dull and angry and dead.]

...My father acted like I was being prepared for some great destiny. That I had powers. That I was...special in some way. It's perfectly...

[ridiculous he almost says, but instead he rubs his eyes and thinks of the dragon on his forearm before pulling down his sleeve to stare at it.]

I don't want it to be real. If it's real I have to face that and I don't know if I can.

[atoughbird]

[She's silent for a moment, her heart sinking, her skin crawling a bit as he says that. That his father was preparing him for a great destiny. She understands exactly how that feels. Knows exactly how that is. She looked sad, arms curled around her middle and leaning on the table a bit.]

I really am sorry you had to go through that. I... know how that feels. To have someone want you for your powers like that.

Having powers isn't a bad thing though. Not always.

[imarealistnotacynic]

Well it's hard to believe that. Looking at people here.

[He gestures, but he grimaces.] I'm thankful to have someone here who is...encouraging now. I do not understand how the rest of you can ...be so casual about it but.

Thank you for telling me. For sharing with me. I'm...sorry I doubted.

[atoughbird]

I don't know if it's casual, more then I grew up this way. And since then have found friends to encourage me with it as well. It helps. Having people who understand.

And don't apologize for doubting. I know a lot of people are in doubt. I'm used to it. [She said with a soft smile.]

You're special too. I felt that, but do you know what it is you can do?

[imarealistnotacynic]

[He's special. His back is straight.]

I'm...

[He grimaces.]

I find things. By being in multiple places at once. And I see ghosts and demons.

[God it sounds ridiculous. He runs a hand over his face and pinches the bridge of his nose.]

It's...complicated.

[atoughbird]

Find things. [She repeated, then nodded once.] That is a handy power then. Could be used for both good or bad, but if you know that you can choose what YOU want to use it form.

[She reached a hand out to rest on his forearm, on the clothing of it so not to touch skin.]

Complicated isn't always bad at least. If you ever need help, reach out to me, okay?

[imarealistnotacynic]

[Her touch makes him freeze but when he looks at her he sighs.]

I've become everything I used to ...debunk. It's ridiculous. I'm...I've been a real asshole to people like...

Me.

[Ugh it tastes like shit going down.]

[atoughbird]

[She leans in a bit to give an encouraging smile, soft and understanding.]

And you still have to remember that we're in a dream world. Anything can happen here. Don't worry about how you treated people before. Think of how you treat them now.

[imarealistnotacynic]

[Perhaps.]

You're the first person after my...my partner who knows about this. She's always believed but I'm still...skeptical.

It's starting to feel like ...like something broke in me. Not believing in these things.