Dominick
Variant
Jun 04, 2003 10:49 AM
((what date d'you think it should be?))

It's relatively quiet at the park and the sky overhead is quite dull and grey, threatening rain. Two people suddenly appear beside a tree near the lake although they aren't noticed by the few people in the park.

Dominick brushes a hand through his hair and then turns to his companion. "I asked Becky to meet us here. She'll probably turn up soon. Are you sure you're okay with this? I know it's a bit of a drastic method of getting away."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 04, 2003 12:27 PM
((The date is probably best decided once we see what happens Saturday and what date that is....))

The other young man is wearing baggy jeans and a Linkin Park T-shirt, which sets him off from the crowd much more than his mussed hair and otherwise plain appearance. He has a bright orange Superball in his hand, and he's squeezing it and then releasing. The ball melts to putty, and then reforms each time. He looks at the people in the park, kind of miserably. "Don't have much choice, do I? What are *they* staring at?"
 
Dominick
Variant
Jun 04, 2003 01:51 PM
Dominick looks at Toby for a moment and then chuckles. "No idea. It couldn't have anything to to do with the way you're dressed anyway," he adds wryly.
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 04, 2003 02:26 PM
"Oh, great," Toby says, shoving his hands in his pockets. "Their clothes aren't even 'retro,' either. They just suck." In a more subdued voice, he asks, "Is there anywhere I can change them?"
 
Dominick
Variant
Jun 04, 2003 03:23 PM
"I don't know 1928 too well," Dominick replies. "That's why i asked Becky to come. It's why i chose this time period."
Out of the corner of his eye he sees her walking along the path towards them, her hair pulled back in a single ponytail, wearing a pale yellow top with a dark knee-length skirt. She's looking around for them and when she sees Toby she instantly breaks into a grin.
"There she is now."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 04, 2003 03:39 PM
"Oh well." Toby leans against the nearest tree, his hands still in his pockets, watching Becky approach without expression, though he's looking rather closely at her. "Looks like she's happy to see you, anyway."
 
Dominick
Variant
Jun 04, 2003 03:54 PM
"Looks more like she's laughing, buddy," Dominick says, looking pointedly at the Linkin Park t-shirt.
Becky reaches them just then and the first thing she says is, "The least you could've done was gotten him changed into something a bit less obvious."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 04, 2003 04:03 PM
The fabric of Toby's pockets seems to quiver for a moment, though you'd have to be looking to notice. "If it's such a big deal I'll go change right now," he mumbles, glancing briefly at Becky, then looking back down.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 04, 2003 04:06 PM
"Hey, i was only joking," Becky replies, glancing at Dominick. "It's always good to be reminded what normal clothes look like."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 04, 2003 04:09 PM
"Then I'll just wear this as long as I can get away with it," Toby says, not quite smiling. "You *promise* there's no labs here? They're not just something the history books forgot to mention?" He's still looking at the ground.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 04, 2003 04:13 PM
"It's not something people tend to forget," Becky replies wryly. "Although you'll still end up in trouble if you muck about with your powers. There's a couple of freaks here like playing around with fireballs and lightning - you're not like that are you?" Then she hesitates. "No...you...probably wouldn't be."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 04, 2003 04:17 PM
"No," Toby says softly, but shortly. "I wouldn't."

((Reserved characters make lousy conversationalists, you know. ^_^; That's usually not a problem for me, 'cuz usually my characters are all straight-shooters....^^;;; ))
 
Dominick
Variant
Jun 04, 2003 04:30 PM
Dominick sighs. "If you can believe it, *she* used to be as much of a conversationalist as you." He looks over at Becky and then says to Toby. "Do you want me to stay till you're sorted? Or are you okay? Becky knows more about this place than i do."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 04, 2003 04:46 PM
Toby looks up at Dominick, a shadow of pain or sadness briefly crossing his face, though he quickly hides it. "Can you come back to this park two years from today? In case I have to leave, you can meet me?"
 
Dominick
Variant
Jun 04, 2003 04:56 PM
"I can come back whenever you want, Toby. Just send Becky to find me - you're not trapped here," Dominick replies.

"Yeah, that's me. Messenger girl," Becky replies wryly, although she smiles as she says it.
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 04, 2003 05:11 PM
"All right," Toby says, still sounding a little doubtful. "I'll see you around, then," he adds, nodding to Dominick.
 
Dominick
Variant
Jun 04, 2003 05:19 PM
Dominick seems to hesitate at leaving. "Fiona wouldn't've suggested this if she didn't think it was a good idea but...if you change your mind at all you can come back and we'll think of something else. Okay?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 04, 2003 05:24 PM
"All right. I'll be fine, though," Toby says. "Once I get settled in."
 
Dominick
Variant
Jun 04, 2003 05:39 PM
Dominick nods and then smiles at Becky. "Thanks for helping us out. I guess i'll see you round."

Becky grins. "You make it sound like it's so easy to get rid of me."

Dominick laughs and then turns to Toby. "Becky'll make sure you get settled in okay. I'll come and see you some time though - just to make sure."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 04, 2003 05:48 PM
Toby nods. "Thanks," he finally says.
 
Dominick
Variant
Jun 04, 2003 05:57 PM
Dominick shrugs. "I wish it was as easy for everyone else to get away from the labs for good."
He nods at Becky and Toby and then says, "I'll see you guys later."
Then he disappears, leaving the others on their own. Becky smiles wryly and then turns to look at Toby. "Just what you always wanted, huh? Being left alone in a foreign place with only a strange girl to keep you company."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 04, 2003 05:58 PM
"Could be worse," Toby says quietly. "What did he tell you about me?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 04, 2003 06:02 PM
"That you escaped from a lab. Needed somewhere to go," Becky shrugs. "'S a strange thing to do - come and start over back in the past. But then...that's what i did, so i guess i can see where he got the idea."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 04, 2003 06:09 PM
"I never asked him if he went to the future to see if things were better then," Toby says, shrugging. "I'm afraid I wouldn't like the answer much. Where can I change clothes?" he adds quickly, trying to change the subject.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 04, 2003 06:15 PM
"You can come round to my place if you want," Becky replies. "It isn't far and i don't think anyone'll be there except maybe Dan or Libby too. Although you'll get a few odd looks on the way."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 04, 2003 06:16 PM
"Okay," Toby says, shoving his hands further in his pockets. "Who're Dan and Libby?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 04, 2003 06:19 PM
"Libby's a variant like us...offered me a place to stay when i turned up here. Dominick said he gave you money, but she might let you crash with us if you can't find somewhere at first," Becky replies and then she adds, as if it's no big deal, "Dan's a giant cat who stays with us."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 04, 2003 06:21 PM
"What, like two feet tall?" Toby asks idly. He's eyeing the young men they walk past, trying to get ideas for clothes. His expression shows he's not particularly pleased.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 04, 2003 06:24 PM
"Like a small tiger," Becky replies, noticing Toby's expression. "It's just clothes."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 04, 2003 06:26 PM
Toby suddenly smiles, just a little. "Better than those surgical gowns they sometimes made us wear in the lab."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 04, 2003 06:27 PM
"Never could stand them," Becky replies, wrinkling her nose.
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 04, 2003 06:29 PM
"People wear underwear in the '20s, right?" Toby asks weakly; it's not quite clear if he's joking or not.

((Sigh; I gotta go. Yeah, I get to leave work, so that's not bad, but.....^_^; Though I'll sign online sometime tonight once I'm home....possibly in 45 minutes from now. ^_^;;;;; ))
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 04, 2003 06:33 PM
Becky laughs. "Yeah, they wear underwear. Well...they generally do - although i'm sure there's some people out there who's habits we wouldn't wanna go into."

((hehe, i may still be online then ^_-))
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 04, 2003 08:08 PM
Toby blushes a little. "I guess it was a stupid question. No one's gonna notice either way."

Raymond is standing outside the arcade near the Freak Show, trying to draw people inside. "Hey, Becky!" he calls.

Toby gets one look at the way the man is dressed--in particular the red suspenders--and groans slightly.

((Somehow he's winding up acting like a teenager...but since he got thrown in the labs when he was one, perhaps that's normal? ^^;;; ))
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 04, 2003 08:15 PM
Becky chuckles at Toby's groan and then turns to look at Raymond, a bit less enthusiastically. "Hi, Raymond."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 04, 2003 09:33 PM
Raymond looks Toby up and down, obviously noting the clothes, but not commenting on them. "Is that your fella? Why don't you come in and make him win you a teddy bear?"

Toby raises his eyebrows. "There's still hustlers in the '20s, I guess," he says quietly, looking a bit bemused.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 03:14 AM
"Maybe another time, Raymond," Becky says with a smile. "We've got to go. See you later."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 10:17 AM
Toby's quiet the rest of the way to the Freak Show building, looking around him, the bemused expression still on his face.

There's actually a small line at the Freak Show building, of people waiting to buy tickets to the next show of "Not in My Backyard." There's a show taking place right now; a few of the louder lines can be heard from outside, though the front door is closed.
 
Mair
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 10:20 AM
((Venura's going down occasionally for me today, so if it goes down for good, let's continue this on the main BBS, shall we? I was heartbroken at the thought of Venura being down today. ;_; ))
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 10:59 AM
"Oops," Becky sighs. "Didn't realise there was a show on just now. I should probably've been there. Come on, we'll go round the back entrance."

((venura?? Down?? Oh my heart couldn't take it! >_< All hail the bbs ^_-))
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 11:20 AM
Toby follows her. "What kind of show?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 11:38 AM
"Oh, it's a play about aliens. Used to be a freakshow for varients to show off their powers but it got shut down," Becky replies, opening the door round the back.
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 11:48 AM
Toby stops still before he enters the building. "They seriously thought they could get away with it?"

Daniel's curled up asleep on Becky's bed, and doesn't stir when the door opens.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 12:10 PM
Becky shrugs. "Most people thought it was all just tricks anyway. The bathroom's just over there - i don't think anyone'll be in there while the shows on."

((i'm just gonna assume he has a backpack or something cos i realised it was kinda weird for becky not to ask where he was getting his clothes from, if he's gonna use his powers to make them ^^;; ))
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 12:18 PM
Toby nods. He doesn't seem to notice Daniel at all, but goes to change. He comes back almost five minutes later, with a button-up shirt, the sleeves rolled up and the top sleeve unbuttoned, and a pair of khaki pants with wide cuffs. He hasn't changed his black sneakers, but he looks passable, if a little messy. "Will this be OK?" he asks quietly.

((Well, yeah, it would be kinda weird, now that you mention it. ^_^))
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 12:29 PM
"Yeah, sure," Becky says with a smile. She sits down on the bed and strokes Dan's ear. "So what now? I'm not used to helping people make new lives in funny time periods."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 12:36 PM
Daniel mrrs, opening his eyes. "Is the show over?" he asks sleepily.

Toby finally notices the cat, and just stares, more surprised than afraid. "That must be..."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 12:43 PM
"No, not yet," Becky says in reply to Dan and then turns and smiles at Toby. "Yep, this's Dan. Dan, this's Toby."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 12:56 PM
Daniel tilts one of his ears back, sniffing. "Hi."

"You didn't say he could talk," Toby says quietly. "Is he a variant or something?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 12:57 PM
"Not really sure what he is," Becky replies with a shrug. "But he's just Dan to us anyway."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 12:59 PM
"And he's safe here," Toby murmurs, sounding almost awed.

Daniel's ears both swivel back, and he looks at Toby, who can't help but step back a bit.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 01:29 PM
"Well as safe as a talking cat can be with humans about," Becky replies. "He won't hurt you."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 01:36 PM
"You know what'd happen to him in my time," Toby says quietly, a rather ominous tone in his voice. Daniel doesn't drop his gaze. "Well, it's nice to meet you," Toby continues, trying to sound more friendly.

Daniel mrrs in a non-commital tone.

They can hear shouts and applause through the wall, though it's not the end of the show--it's probably the human-martian kiss about three minutes before the end that caused it, but occasionally other performances by an actor or two will draw a similar reaction.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 01:47 PM
"Not just your time - it was mine as well once," Becky replies with a sigh. She looks over at the door. "The show's probably almost over."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 01:57 PM
Toby looks closely at Becky for a little while. "Sounds like it," he says quietly. "Then what?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 01:59 PM
Becky shrugs. "Depends. You wanna meet everyone? Or go somewhere else?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 02:08 PM
Toby raises his eyebrows. "Everyone? I thought it was just that Lizzie or whoever it was..."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 03:19 PM
"Libby. And the others in the play - i dunno who'll have shown up today. People are prone to random disappearances round here," she says wryly.
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 03:29 PM
Toby shudders involuntarily. "Sounds like the lab," he says before he can stop himself.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 03:41 PM
"Sorry, i didn't mean it to sound like that," Becky murmurs. "It's Libby's power, that's all...she makes people disappear for a while, then they come back. And there's the fact that half the time no one bothers to turn up in the first place."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 03:51 PM
Toby curses softly. "I didn't mean to freak out on you or anything." But he's startled again by some more sudden applause coming from the other side of the wall, indicating the end of the show. Libby comes in less than a minute later, in full Martian regalia, including the green skin. This does not help ease Toby's nerves, though he just stares at Libby.

Libby looks at Becky questioningly.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 03:56 PM
"Hi Libby. This's my new friend, Toby," Becky says glancing at him. "He's a friend of my, uh...brother." She hesitates at the word, as if uncertain about refering to Dominick as that and then adds, "We were just about to go out again."
 
Libby
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 04:05 PM
"Oh," Libby says, pausing to look in the mirror and adjust one of her antenna, then holding out her hand to Toby. "Pleased to meet you. Pardon my appearance; I'm becoming an actress, you know."

Toby hesitates, then finally shakes Libby's hand. Sure enough, some of the green make-up transfers, although Libby powdered it heavily. "You too," he says, not particularly enthusiastically.

"When do you expect to be back?" Libby asks Becky. "I don't want to worry."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 04:10 PM
Becky shrugs. "I dunno - in a couple of hours maybe. I was gonna show Toby around." She hesitates. "Is it alright if he stays here, at least tonight? He's kinda got nowhere else to go right now."
 
Libby
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 04:13 PM
Libby's eyes widen, and her white eyes in her green face make her look rather more surprised than she actually is. "Oh...um...there's a cot in the dressing room; he'd be welcome to use that."

"Thanks," Toby says quietly. "I'll find a place tomorrow, if not today."

Libby smiles just a little. "You're welcome. Have fun, you two."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 04:16 PM
"Thanks, Libby. See you later," Becky says, smiling, and heading for the door again. "See you, Dan."
 
Daniel
Adorable Kitten-Person
Jun 05, 2003 04:27 PM
Daniel yawns. "'Bye," he mrrs.

Libby hurries off to get back to work on the show.

Toby puts his hands in his pockets, though he can't look as cool now that he's wearing khakis. "At least they're still kinda baggy," he says. "And at least there's radios and stuff here. There *is,* right?" he adds. "I'm no good at history."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 04:32 PM
"Yeah, there are," Becky says with a smile. "And cinemas although i don't think you'd like the movies much."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 04:41 PM
"They're black-and-white, right?" Toby asks.

((On a completely random note, they actually had the occasional Technicolor *SILENT* film! I'd rather like to see one! (But then, I like silent films, so I'm not an impartial observer. ^_^;;; ) The colors were muted, but they had cameras that would record reds and greens, though not yellows. That just astounded me. ^_^ I doubt many came out, and I don't remember the years, of course, so I don't know if even Becky would know that (unless she'd asked Libby, who's quite the movie buff ^_-).))
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 04:46 PM
"Yep and mostly silent too," Becky says cheerfully.
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 04:48 PM
"You're right; I wouldn't enjoy them much," Toby says. "Are we going to go back and see your *friend* at the arcade now?" he suddenly teases.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 04:55 PM
"Oh please don't suggest that," Becky groans in mock horror. "He's already got a crush on my friend Erin - and she's only a year older than me. You'll give him ideas."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 04:58 PM
Toby suddenly stops still, looking at the mechanical racing horses circling around Steeplechase Park. "I saw that on TV once," he says, staring. "My parents went there once or twice, when they were dating."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 05:09 PM
"I bet your dad enjoyed the insanitarium afterwards," Becky says, with a smirk.
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 05:19 PM
"What?" Toby asks, confused. "I don't *think* the ride drove him insane..."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 05:22 PM
Becky chuckles. "It's a fun house thing you go into after the ride. There're blasts of air, come up and blow women's skirts up."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 05:25 PM
Toby smiles a little. "That's pretty sick--they actually let people do that?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 05:31 PM
"They even have an audience to laugh at you," Becky says, rolling her eyes.
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 05:32 PM
Toby suddenly laughs, sincerely. "Like those hidden camera shows--you ever see those? Where they pull a prank on someone and film it?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 05:37 PM
Becky chuckles. "Oh yeah - in the future we've just learned to make it less obvious when we're laughing at someone else's misfortune."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 05:40 PM
"Well, let's do *something,*" Toby suddenly says, looking longingly at a roller coaster that also runs along the Steeplechase Park wall. He shakes his head. "I guess I need a place to live, maybe someplace to work, though that might not matter so much."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 05:44 PM
Becky shakes her head. "You can sort that stuff out later - if you're gonna live on Coney Island you need to at least have a go on some of the rides."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 05:48 PM
Toby smiles, then pauses. "Still...I don't want to impose on you and Libby or anything." He sees the Thunderbolt across the way, a rather scary-looking wooden coaster. "Though that one's kinda fun," he says quietly, smiling a little.

((What year did Becky come from, anyway? 2002?))
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 05:55 PM
((yes? the specific year never occurred to me but i guess it'd just be the year i made her up, yeah ^_^))

"Hey, if worst comes to worst we'll just make you help us with the play till you get fed up with us," Becky replies cheerfully. She looks over at the Thunderbolt. "Come on then, let's go on that one."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 06:21 PM
"Ew, green skin." Toby rubs his palm, making the make-up disappear. He pulls a few dollars from his pocket. "How much is it?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 06:29 PM
"Not that much," Becky replies. "Twenty-five cents, i think - everything's a lot cheaper here as well."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 08:06 PM
"Sweet!" Toby says, grinning. He puts all the bills but one back in his pocket and goes to the ticket window. "We'll have two tickets." The prospect of riding a roller coaster has cheered him a bit.

((All right, all right, so he likely didn't ride the Thunderbolt before, as it closed down in 1983 (wasn't demolished 'til 2000, though :( ). So he's either a liar or mistaking it for the Cyclone. I guess either one could be true. ^_^))
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 08:09 PM
Becky follows after him, smiling. "'S been a while since i was on the Thunderbolt. We're usually kinda busy with the show."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 05, 2003 08:14 PM
There's a bit of a line, which surprises Toby a bit. "How'd you end up here, anyway?" he finally asks.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 06:29 AM
Becky shrugs. "Spent a while hopping about through time after i ecaped from the labs. Then i heard about Libby's show and i came to see what it was all about. And i just never left."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 11:09 AM
"I can't imagine why you'd stay," Toby murmurs, trailing off. "Well, maybe I can." He pauses for just a moment. "Listen to those screams. I like these kinds better than those fancy metal looping ones any day."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 11:12 AM
Becky chuckles. "I like most big rollercoasters. But that isn't why i stayed here - when you've got friends even the worst places don't seem so bad - i dunno what i'd do without Libby and Dan."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 11:19 AM
"Yeah," Toby says softly. He looks at Becky for a moment, but doesn't voice his thoughts.

They get to the front of the line. There's lap belts, but no bars to hold them in the car. Toby cheers a little. "Kinda dangerous."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 11:38 AM
"The time before decent safety regulations," Becky adds cheerfully. "Adds to the thrill."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 11:50 AM
Becky and Toby share a car, and a lap belt. "It's been a while," Toby says, looking out the side as the car ratchets up the hill. He stares out at the beach. "Is that the *ocean*?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 11:55 AM
"Yeah," Becky says, the smile momentarily fading from her face. "It's beautiful, isn't it?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 12:06 PM
"Yeah," Toby says. He glances back at Becky, speaking loudly to be heard over the clank of the chain lifting them to the top of the hill. "What's wrong?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 12:10 PM
"Nothing," she replies shaking her head. "It's not important." She smiles at him.
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 12:16 PM
Even if Toby had wanted to press the issue, the car suddenly heads down its first slope, knocking the wind right out of him, and sending him off his seat--only the rather flimsy seat belt keeps him from falling out of the car. He laughs a little, breathlessly.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 12:25 PM
Becky tries to stop thinking of her memories at the beach and just enjoy the ride, laughing with each slope.
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 12:36 PM
Toby isn't distracted by anything but the wind in his face throughout the ride. When it finally stops, his hair is even more mussed, and he can't really smooth it down. But he's grinning. "That was pretty good."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 12:40 PM
Becky laughs. "Yeah, it was. Now your hair's even messier than before."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 12:44 PM
"It's not *my* fault," Toby says, a little edge to his voice. He scratches a spot at the back of his neck. "What now? I'd suggest we go swimming, but I'm pretty sure I couldn't stand what the guys seem to be wearing."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 12:50 PM
"Probably not," Becky chuckles. "Although you could always dive in in your clothes. How 'bout i buy you a hotdog?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 01:01 PM
Toby looks a little surprised. "They have hot dogs? I guess that would be all right, though I like ice cream better..."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 01:08 PM
Becky grins. "A fellow ice-cream fan. Where have you been all my life?" she jokes. "I'll get us both ice-cream then."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 01:20 PM
"You could go ask Dominick to bring me a few months earlier," Toby says, smiling. "Where's there good ice cream here?"

There's a few barkers along the street, and a particularly obnoxious one is promoting a "perfectly safe" Freak Show, one you can take a child to without fear.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 01:33 PM
"There's a place i went to with Libby and the others with twenty different flavours. It wasn't far from here," Becky says, glancing over at the barker with a faintly annoyed look on her face.
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 01:41 PM
"If it's any consolation, freak shows are out of style by the time we were born," Toby says quietly, rubbing the back of his neck again.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 01:47 PM
Becky sighs. "The worst thing is they're right - there were a few people in Libby's show who could be dangerous if they lost control. I hate it when the things they say about us are right."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 01:53 PM
"But we're not all dangerous! *I'm* not," Toby says, so insistently, he might not believe it. "I never would've hurt her..."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 01:54 PM
"Hurt who?" Becky asks, pausing.
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 02:04 PM
Toby flushes a bit. "The person who wound up getting me thrown in the labs," he murmurs, putting his hands deeply into his pockets. He sees another arcade--not Raymond's--that has a rather old game in front titled "The Wonders of Electricity." His eyebrows raise. "People'll *pay* to get shocked?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 03:55 PM
"People'll pay for almost anything, you should know that from our time," Becky says wryly.
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 04:21 PM
"Well, no one from *my* lab would," Toby says quietly. He frowns, then points. "Is that the ice cream shop?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 04:35 PM
"Yeah," Becky replies softly. "I'm...sorry whoever she was let you down. Our time isn't really the best place in the world to be different from everyone else, i guess."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 04:42 PM
Toby looks rather surprised. "She was just scared...I don't think she wanted anything to happen to me or anything. Her parents..." Toby frowns, and the pockets of his pants suddenly melt, exposing his hands underneath. He quickly makes the fabric solid again, but he's sure Becky noticed.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 04:44 PM
Becky looks down at his pockets and smiles slightly. "That your power? I've never seen anyone melt clothes before."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 04:45 PM
"She hadn't either," Toby says softly, but with just a touch of a smile in his face; he hasn't lost all of his sense of humor.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 04:49 PM
Becky suddenly laughs. She tries not to but she can't help it. "You didn't melt *her* clothes, did you?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 05:05 PM
Toby's ears are red, but it looks like he's trying not to smile. "I'm thinking one scoop of chocolate and one of strawberry. How about you?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 05:11 PM
Becky's still trying to stop herself from grinning but she manages to say, "Vanilla and chocolate, definitely."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 05:15 PM
"There are ice cream cones, right?" Toby asks, looking through the window anxiously.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 05:22 PM
"Yep, there are," Becky says, heading for the door. "Come on, before i start laughing again."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 05:25 PM
"Go ahead and laugh if you want," Toby says quietly, smiling faintly. "That's one of the things I missed."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 05:28 PM
Becky smiles. "Well, you get plenty of laughter from me." She pauses. "Most of the time anyway." She enters the shop.
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 05:32 PM
Toby waits in the doorway. "Hey, Becky, don't tell anyone about me, all right?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 05:35 PM
"Which part?" Becky asks smiling. But then she adds, "I won't tell anyone anything you don't want me to. Cross my heart."
She heads over to the counter and buys the two ice-cream cones and then comes back and offers the strawberry and chocolate one to Toby.
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 05:39 PM
"Thanks," Toby says, his eyes lighting up as he looks at the ice cream. He starts eating. "This is *really* good."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 05:45 PM
"Ice-cream's always good," Becky chuckles. "Best thing i ever tasted when i got out the labs."
 
Thalia
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 05:47 PM
((picture of becky and toby - i hate drawing characters from stories i've written - i can never get them like in my head but i made an attempt ^_-
http://thaumaturgy.homestead.com/files/TOBYBECK.gif ))
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 05:57 PM
Toby speaks so quietly, it's a little hard to hear him over the noises of the crowds nearby. "I had it in the lab sometimes, but it wasn't this good."

((That, I like. Great lines and great emotion. Great! ^_^))
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 05:59 PM
Becky shrugs. "I never did."
 
Thalia
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 06:02 PM
((Thanks - i plan to colour it...i'll maybe start tomorrow if i get the time ^_^))
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 06:05 PM
"You couldn't make it yourself," Toby says, smiling slightly, and then busily eating.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 06:09 PM
"Not fair," Becky chuckles, taking a bite into the top of the ice-cream.
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 06:12 PM
"Oh, I'm not complaining about being...you know...the way I am," Toby says between licks. "And I'd be back in my time, if..." He continues to lick at the ice cream until it becomes clear he's not going to finish the sentence on his own.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 06:19 PM
"If everyone else didn't keep complaining," Becky says wryly. "It would be nice to not have to hide all the time - even here it's not like they just blindly accept it when you appear out of thin air like i do."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 06:22 PM
"I could've stayed hidden...might still be able to..." Toby's silent, licking his ice cream for a while; his thoughts are elsewhere. He only comes to himself when a bit of strawberry ice cream drips onto his fingers. He lightly draws his finger over the ice cream, and it stops melting. "But you'd better believe it would hurt."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 06:25 PM
"Hurt?" Becky repeats, looking at him. "Why would it hurt?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 06:28 PM
Toby looks up at Becky for a moment, as if he's debating. "Nothing," Toby says after a while. "I'd rather not say. Not now, anyway." He nibbles at the ice cream cone.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 06:31 PM
Becky shrugs. "Okay. Just don't go doing anything crazy - i promised Dominick i'd look out for you and i hate having to go in and rescue people from their mistakes." Her eyes are twinkling as she says it and it's obvious she's joking.
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 06, 2003 08:15 PM
Toby thinks a little too deeply about that, but quickly shakes it off and smiles back at Becky. "Don't worry about me. I doubt they'll figure out how to catch people like me for another twenty years or so, even if I *did* slip up."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 07, 2003 01:01 AM
Becky shrugs and smiles. "Bet i could escape a lot easier than you could."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 07, 2003 09:55 AM
"Oh, probably," Toby says cheerfully. "Anyway, that's something we shouldn't have to worry about for a while." He finishes the cone without another word. "Now I guess we should go apartment-hunting; riding a coaster after ice cream might not be too bright."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 07, 2003 09:58 AM
"Possibly not," Becky replies with a grin. "Although i might not be so much help with looking for a place to stay - except for leading you in the general direction of the flats."

Thalia
Variant
Jun 07, 2003 09:59 AM
((flats, apartments...she'd probably've said apartments after being in america for so long but, oh well ^^;;))
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 07, 2003 10:27 AM
Toby blinks, and Becky has to explain to him what a flat is. "Maybe just a room for rent, then. I don't want to live too far away from you or anything."

((We had a rather funny incident at work today, where the British lady said that someone called to say that we had gotten her boyfriend really angry and he busted her 'ouse. Given her accent, it sounded more like he had busted a certain part of her body--ie. beat her up--so we didn't find it too funny until she explained 'ouse was where she lived...))
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 07, 2003 10:32 AM
"Only takes a heartbeat for me to get from one place to another," Becky replies with a shrug. "Like i told Dominick, it's not that easy to get rid of me."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 07, 2003 10:37 AM
Toby smiles. "Maybe not, but I wouldn't very well be able to visit *you* if I lived in...in Manhattan or something." He laughs. "I guess I could afford that, but I'd probably wreck the whole economy."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 07, 2003 10:39 AM
"Just stick to Coney," Becky grins. "It's more fun. Plus if you get really bored there's always the added amusement of seeing me dressed up as an alien for the play," she adds wryly.
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 07, 2003 10:42 AM
"*Green*?" Toby asks, laughing a bit.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 07, 2003 10:45 AM
"Green's the new in colour, didn't you know? And don't forget the endearingly cute antennae," Becky says with a wink.
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 07, 2003 10:53 AM
"Well, as long as *I* don't have to do it, I guess it's okay," Toby says, smiling. "I don't know; the antennae might be cute."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 07, 2003 10:55 AM
Becky chuckles. "Stay for too long with Libby and you never know what you'll get roped into. I can see the antennae on you now."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 07, 2003 11:03 AM
"Oh, no," Toby says quickly, getting up--but he's smiling. "Better hurry and find a place right now." He heads to the door. "Y'know, ice cream's the perfect food. Never any dishes to do afterwards."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 07, 2003 11:10 AM
Becky nods. "Yep. But it's way too addictive for me - i should be three times my size the amount i eat."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 07, 2003 11:19 AM
"Just like a girl," Toby murmurs, smiling. "Were there any places to live near your building? I don't figure to spend much time stuck in my room anyway, and I can sleep through anything, so I don't mind if it's noisy."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 07, 2003 11:24 AM
((would there be? i just naturally say yes to questions becky gets asked so i thought i'd better check ^^;; ))
 
Mair
Variant
Jun 07, 2003 11:27 AM
((No apartments per se; maybe a hotel (I don't remember ^^;;;), but they can look for rooms that might be for rent...^_-))
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 07, 2003 11:29 AM
"There might be some rooms to rent nearby. I've never really looked before. Come on, we'll go see," Becky says.
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 07, 2003 11:38 AM
Toby heads back the way they came, keeping an eye out. Raymond's still at the front of his arcade. "Back so soon?" he jokes.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 07, 2003 11:41 AM
"He's looking for a place to stay," Becky says. "Know anywhere?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 07, 2003 11:48 AM
"Actually," Raymond says, "I have a place upstairs I've been looking to let out..."

Toby stares at the man blankly.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 07, 2003 11:49 AM
((was waiting for that...poor toby ^^;;))

"That's...lucky," Becky says, trying to hide a smirk as she looks at Toby, questioningly.
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 07, 2003 12:11 PM
Toby shrugs. "Worth a try, I guess...?" he asks weakly.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 07, 2003 12:13 PM
"Do we get to have a look at it first, Raymond?" Becky asks with a grin.
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 07, 2003 12:44 PM
"Oh, of course," Raymond says. "Er...you're not allergic to cats, are you?"

"Don't seem to be," Toby says doubtfully.

Raymond heads inside. "Good." There's a door on the first floor that has a stairway that leads up to his rooms. He unlocks the doors and heads up. The stairs are wooden, and the walls are bare, but there's a light fixture to illuminate the stairway so no one trips. It's nice enough.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 07, 2003 02:37 PM
"It's not so bad," Becky says, smirking slightly. "And hey, it's just down the road from the show."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 07, 2003 07:26 PM
The stairway opens onto a large living room, which is a little cluttered, and which has no fewer than four cats sleeping balled up together on the couch. There's a kitchenette and a dining area to one side, and a couple doors down a short hallway. Raymond motions to the one on the right. "That's the one that's open; the other one's mine. $5 a week and it's yours. It has a nice view, but since it's open onto the street, it's a little noisy."

The room's already furnished, with a bed and a dresser, a bedside table with a lamp and a dime novel on it, and a couple amateur paintings on the walls. There's a tiny closet, open a crack, as the door doesn't seem to close properly. But the floor's carpeted and everything is pretty much clean.

Toby looks at Becky questioningly. "What do you think?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 08, 2003 05:28 AM
"Seems alright," Becky says smiling. "As long as you can cope with all the cats. And you said you didn't mind noise."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 08, 2003 07:12 PM
"Well, I'll give it a try," Toby finally says.

"Good!" Raymond says, smiling. "I didn't want some weird stranger to take the place..."

Toby smirks. "Oh. Well, I'll stay here anyway."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 08, 2003 07:21 PM
Becky chuckles. "Thanks, Raymond. You've just saved us having to look around all day."
 
Thalia
Variant
Jun 08, 2003 07:24 PM
((lol, i haven't been on all day and when i do it's only ten minutes after u've replied - i must be psychic ^_-))
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 08, 2003 07:53 PM
"Anything to be of service," Raymond says, mock-bowing. He pauses. "I'd better hurry up and get downstairs again; who knows what kind of trouble some kids might've caused!" And he runs down to the games without another word.

A cat walks through the doorway of the bedroom, meowing at them.

((^_^))
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 08, 2003 07:56 PM
Becky backs away slightly from the cat, frowning at it. "Never did like cats much." She grins at Toby. "Though i am getting better since i met Dan."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 08, 2003 07:58 PM
Toby laughs. "He's a whole *lotta* cat. I guess I'd better get used to 'em." He looks down at the animal until it jumps onto his bed, and then looks back up at Becky. "I haven't been out that long, you know."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 08, 2003 08:01 PM
"Out...of the labs, you mean?" Becky asks.
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 08, 2003 08:06 PM
Toby nods, frowning. "Didn't exactly have any pets there, right?" he says quickly, smiling.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 08, 2003 08:11 PM
Becky smiles, although it's a weak and slightly sad smile. "No, i just had a scientist who was obessed with pretending to be my friend and telling me all about his cats."
She looks away. "Sorry. You probably don't wanna hear about it, do you?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 08, 2003 08:13 PM
Toby sits down on the bed, pushing the cat aside. The cat goes back to licking its stomach after an annoyed look at Toby.

"Tell me all you want," Toby says quietly. "Just don't be mad if I don't do the same."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 08, 2003 08:18 PM
"No, it's okay," Becky replies, trying to shrug the thoughts off. "I don't...tend to talk about it with anyone. The only reason my friends even know about it is cos Dominick told them." She looks at Toby. "The life in there...doesn't feel like mine...anymore."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 08, 2003 08:22 PM
Toby sighs. "I know what you mean. I try not to think about anything that happened there. But...if you need to talk, I'll try to help. At least I know what it was like."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 08, 2003 08:27 PM
Becky shakes her head. "You just got me thinking about it a bit." She smiles. "I don't *need* to remember and i don't want to either really. Except for my thing against cats i try not to think about it much at all."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 08, 2003 08:30 PM
"I just pretend it was a dream," Toby says quietly. "Just something I had to survive until I could wake up. I doubt I could've managed if I'd been born there. But I wasn't. I just wish...I hadn't had to leave everyone behind so quick."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 08, 2003 08:33 PM
"Born there?" Becky says wryly. "I could tell you a few things about being born there." Then she says, "I know it's hard, starting over again, not knowing anyone...but it gets easier. Trust me."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 08, 2003 08:36 PM
Toby sets his hand down on the bed, hard enough to startle the cat, though not enough to displace it. "I just wanted to tell them I was alive."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 08, 2003 08:41 PM
"I...can't take you with me like Dominick can," Becky says softly. "But if you wanted..." She shrugs. "Messenger girl - i'm good at it."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 08, 2003 08:44 PM
Toby quickly shakes his head. "It'd be dangerous. You can't do that."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 10, 2003 10:27 AM
((From my BBS: ))

Thalia
posted on 6-9-2003 at 05:04 PM

Becky shrugs. "If you change your mind you know where i am."

JulieBihn
posted on 6-9-2003 at 05:26 PM

Toby nods, then stands, causing the cat to meow. "Well, I guess I'd better get moved in before it gets too late, but that shouldn't take long. Is there anything else to do around here? On a full stomach?" he amends.

Thalia
posted on 6-9-2003 at 07:38 PM

"A lot of what they consider fun round here doesn't really compare to back in our time," Becky says with a shrug.

JulieBihn
posted on 6-9-2003 at 08:37 PM

"What, do they have square dances every night?" Toby asks sarcastically.

Thalia
posted on 6-10-2003 at 05:48 AM

Becky laughs. "No, but i do miss all those computer games - they don't even have the retro ones like space invaders - makes the arcade a bit boring after a while."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 10, 2003 10:30 AM
Toby shrugs, heading back downstairs. "I haven't played any of those in five years, anyway. I'm all right at ping pong--not that that's a very 'cool' game or anything."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 10, 2003 11:18 AM
Becky follows after him. "There's only so many places you can go when you're ten years old with no family, friends or home. I went to arcades when i had no where else to go and got kinda addicted for a while."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 10, 2003 11:20 AM
Toby stops in the stairway--it's narrow enough that Becky couldn't get around him, even if she wanted to. "Even if you had a family, you wouldn't want to go back to 'em. At least," he adds, "that's what I've heard."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 10, 2003 11:28 AM
"I guess it depends," Becky says softly. "Some people don't want to know their children when they find out they're variants but others don't care - i knew this boy Alex, was in the labs and when he came out he was so traumatised...his dad had to look after him all the time, all he ever wanted was for his son to get better."

Toby
Variant
Jun 10, 2003 12:59 PM
"The doctors know kids'll just go back to their parents when they escape," Toby says, leaning against the wall, looking down the stairway. "They'll meet the kids at the house, if they can. One guy's own family called the police on him...and Christa's dad tried for all the world to keep them from taking her, and just wound up dead--right in front of her eyes, too." Toby's hand melts right through the wall of the stairway, but he doesn't seem to notice.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 10, 2003 01:08 PM
"You know..." Becky begins softly, noticing the melting wall but not saying anything. "I think it's actually easier being a rat. You just grow to accept the labs as the way life's supposed to be and if you do escape...there's nowhere to run to except away...no one for you to put in danger by trying to reach them..."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 10, 2003 01:41 PM
"I didn't mean to talk about any of this with you," Toby says quietly. He looks up, only half-joking. "That's not one of your talents, is it?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 10, 2003 02:03 PM
"Nah, i'm just a friendly face," Becky says smiling. "You don't get many of those in the labs."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 10, 2003 02:18 PM
Toby smiles back, then starts back downstairs again. "How long's it been since you made it out?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 10, 2003 02:39 PM
"I escaped when i was ten," Becky says, avoiding explaining her true history. "The lab me, Dominick and Fiona were in exploded - only a handful of people even made it out alive."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 10, 2003 02:46 PM
Toby's about to say something, but cuts himself off when he opens the door of the stairway. There's an honest-to-goodness fistfight taking place in the arcade, with two female participants who seem to have had too much to drink. Raymond doesn't dare go in and separate them, and some of the people around are cheering and placing bets.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 10, 2003 03:00 PM
"Ouch," Becky murmurs. "You've got the arcade on one of the eventful days."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 10, 2003 03:09 PM
Toby watches, bemused. "Are we supposed to stop 'em?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 10, 2003 03:11 PM
"Well i'm not going to," Becky replies, looking amused. "You can try if you want but i don't think the audience'd be too happy."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 10, 2003 04:13 PM
Toby laughs. "I'm happy to watch if you are."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 10, 2003 04:17 PM
Becky rolls her eyes. "Bet you are. Right along with all the rest of the guys here."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 10, 2003 04:48 PM
Toby looks at Becky apologetically. "Sorry. Still, it doesn't seem a good way to start a life with my new roommate, to clear out when he's in some trouble, does it?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 10, 2003 04:57 PM
Becky smiles at him. "I was only teasing. And besides, he's probably getting more customers coming into the arcade cos of this, even if it is just to bet."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 10, 2003 05:09 PM
"But he's not getting a piece of the action," Toby says regretfully. "From the bets, I mean."

One of the women drops to the ground, felled by a pretty massive punch. Two-thirds of the crowd is disappointed, either because they lost their bet, or because the fight's over--probably mostly both.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 10, 2003 05:20 PM
Becky sighs. "Come on, then. You get to back me up incase the woman decides she doesn't want any help."
She heads over to the woman on the ground, kneeling in front of her. "Are you okay?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 10, 2003 05:24 PM
Toby stands behind Becky, a little defensively. The other woman pushes her way out of the crowd before anyone can catch her.

The woman on the floor has a little blood coming out of her mouth. "Lemmee at her," she murmurs, shifting her weight, but she doesn't quite make it off the ground.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 10, 2003 05:31 PM
"You wouldn't do much good against her now," Becky mutters. "Come on, let me help you up."
She puts her hand on the woman's shoulder to help her move to a sitting position.
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 10, 2003 05:35 PM
The woman says a few unlady-like things, and then complains that she has a headache.

Toby can't help but smirk.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 10, 2003 05:38 PM
"Well that'll either be the hit on the head or the alcohol," Becky replies wryly. "Either way it's gonna hurt for a while."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 10, 2003 05:40 PM
"I still say them freaks are dangerous," the woman slurs.

Toby looks briefly stunned, then shoves his hands in his pockets, acting cool.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 10, 2003 05:42 PM
"Really?" Becky asks, her expression not changing. "Was that what the fight was about?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 10, 2003 05:53 PM
"They're still in that building, even if they disguised it as a playhouse. Green skin...I wish they all had green skin so we could tell 'em apart."

Toby focuses much of his energy on not using his powers.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 10, 2003 05:54 PM
Becky glances back at Toby and then turns to the woman again. "Come on, i'll help you to your feet. Think you can make your own way home?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 10, 2003 05:59 PM
The woman's not that light, so Becky probably doesn't have the easiest time. But Toby makes no move to help.

"Poor Aggie," the woman says, struggling to her feet.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 10, 2003 06:01 PM
"Aggie?" Becky asks, as she struggles to help the woman stand. "Was that the other woman?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 10, 2003 06:06 PM
"My sister. Went an' joined a convent," the woman says.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 10, 2003 06:07 PM
"Why?" Becky asks, slightly confused. "Cos she was a freak?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 10, 2003 06:08 PM
"'Cuz that lightning freak darn near killed her. Said she had to renounce the ways of the flesh..." The woman spits a little blood onto Raymond's floor, not really caring that it's tile.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 10, 2003 06:11 PM
"Oh," Becky murmurs. "I'm...sorry she went through that but...he did just lose his wife...he couldn't help it." She only looks half convinced herself.
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 10, 2003 06:12 PM
"Well, at least she ain't dead," the woman says softly. "Just stupid."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 10, 2003 06:14 PM
Becky smiles weakly. "Will you be okay to make it home?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 10, 2003 06:18 PM
They get to the doorway. "Yeah," the woman says, rubbing her head. "Yeah. Thanks for listenin'. That other broad wouldn't."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 10, 2003 06:20 PM
"Why? Did she not agree with you?" Becky asks softly.
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 10, 2003 06:29 PM
"Somethin' like that," the woman says, laughing weakly. "She said she didn't care how dangerous they were; she'd date that freak in a second."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 10, 2003 06:35 PM
Becky laughs as well. "I think quite a lot of women would." She pauses. "Are you sure you can make it home?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 10, 2003 06:38 PM
"Yeah," the woman says good-naturedly. "Or I'll pass out in an alley. Nothin' you need to worry about, either way." She shrugs off Becky's arm and drunkenly ambles off.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 10, 2003 07:08 PM
Becky turns back to Toby and smiles wryly. "Thanks for the help - couldn't've done it without you."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 10, 2003 08:59 PM
Toby shakes his head, approaching Becky. "Why did you *help* her?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 08:06 AM
"You think it would've been better if i'd stood up, said 'I'm one of those freaks', and stormed off?" Becky replies wearily.
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 10:30 AM
"Nah, but you didn't have to help her up," Toby mumbles. "Maybe said they aren't all bad. Why'd we even bother coming here, if people still hate freaks, and we still have to hide?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 10:53 AM
"There aren't all that many people like that woman - the show's almost always packed," Becky replies. "And can you think of any time where we wouldn't have to hide our powers? I'd be more than happy to ask Dominick to take you there if you think of it."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 11:41 AM
"There's lots of times, and even places," Toby says, frowning. "The time of the cavemen, or probably with the right Native American tribes, or maybe any group that still believes in gods. And the island, of course. But most of those places don't even have running water."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 11:44 AM
"Oh, yeah, i'd just love to live with a bunch of cavemen and it sounds like so much fun masquerading as a god," Becky replies rolling her eyes. She smiles slightly. "The island isn't so bad though. As long as you're a fan of big forests."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 11:52 AM
"You've been there?" Toby asks. "Well...I guess you would've. How long?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 12:01 PM
"Not long. I went there with a friend to visit that guy Alex i mentioned," Becky replies with a shrug.
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 12:56 PM
"Hardly long enough to get bored," Toby says, smirking. "I wouldn't mind camping for a couple days, but living without light bulbs? Forget it."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 01:08 PM
"With your talent you could probably make yourself some, long as you didn't get caught that is," Becky replies.
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 01:22 PM
"They wouldn't do any good without any current," Toby says quietly. He pauses. "But I guess I could make batteries, now that you mention it..." He suddenly smiles. "No; even there, I'd have to hide my powers, huh?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 01:42 PM
Becky shrugs. "I think it'll be a long time before we don't have to hide at least sometimes."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 01:59 PM
"I could do some neat stuff, sure, but soon enough they'd probably decide I was...well, turning wooden nickels into *real* ones, stuff like that. Wouldn't be much fun once they decided I was a counterfeiter," Toby says, frowning.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 02:06 PM
"Probably not, no," Becky replies with a grin. "It's a good thing the freak show *isn't* on anymore - Libby'd think that'd make a great talent for the show."
 
Toby
Human
Jun 11, 2003 02:09 PM
"Aw, no," Toby says, smiling. "You couldn't pay me enough. I'm already a wanted fugitive in one time period; no need to add to that."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 02:16 PM
Becky chuckles. "You could always've helped me with the lights - not that it took much effort. I only got roped onto the stage when we started this play."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 02:27 PM
"Well, I'm no actor," Toby says, smirking. "So I guess I'll have to find a *real* job. What are you going to do in the winter, when everything shuts down around here?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 02:31 PM
Becky shrugs. "No idea. When i came here i had no intention of sticking around at all. I've never had to really work before - it's amazing what you can get away with when you're a cute little girl and you can teleport where ever you like."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 02:40 PM
"You're not that little," Toby says, smiling at Becky.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 02:43 PM
"I used to be," Becky replies with a shrug.
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 02:52 PM
A little admiration creeps into Toby's gaze. "I don't know how you made it."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 03:07 PM
Becky smiles. "You've got to, haven't you? Hey, i handled the labs - real world's a cinch after that."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 03:56 PM
"I'm just glad you made it out okay." Toby's quiet for a few moments. "What did she mean, 'lightning freak'?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 04:04 PM
Becky looks away. "One of my friends. He can control lightning...but when his wife was shot recently he...lost control." She sighs. "Everyone in that room should've died. I was so scared i ran away. He got lucky though - no one did die except his wife..."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 04:13 PM
"So he got through it all right?" Toby asks quietly, looking a bit troubled.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 04:25 PM
"I...haven't seen him much since, except for the funeral and he didn't talk to any of us," Becky murmurs. "But his cousin says he's doing okay or at least as well as he can be...him and Serena only just got married..."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 04:37 PM
"There was someone in the lab who could do things with electricity," Toby says, frowning. "I guess I was just hoping the best for him, like your friend..."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 04:41 PM
"Did you know them well?" Becky asks softly.
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 04:43 PM
"Well enough. He's...one of the people I told you about in the stairway. But I'm sure he's either caught again, or...gone now," Toby says, exhaling.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 04:53 PM
"Did he escape with you?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 04:55 PM
"Almost," Toby says quietly. "I don't know what happened to him--there were guards after us and he just suddenly said he was going to take care of them, and he hung back."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 05:00 PM
"He saved you from being caught," Becky says softly.
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 05:09 PM
Toby smiles sadly. "I doubt it was for *me* exactly...but yeah. He was a good guy."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 05:14 PM
"Did anyone else escape with you or...were you on your own after that?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 05:16 PM
"Christa made it out--that's why he stayed to fight, I'm sure. But two are easier to track than one, we figured." Toby has a rather sad and wistful expression on his face.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 05:20 PM
Becky notices his expression and says, "I could find her if you wanted. See if she's okay."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 05:37 PM
Toby looks very tempted for a little while. "No," he finally says, sighing. "What if she got in trouble because of it?" He shakes his head. "I'll just hope she's all right."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 05:40 PM
"I'm sorry," Becky says wearily. "None of this is very easy is it?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 05:43 PM
Toby rubs his forehead a few times, sighing. "Thanks, though. You're trying so hard, and it really means a lot to me."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 05:54 PM
Becky shrugs. "I was alone when i escaped. Dominick and Fiona had each other but i was by myself. I...hate being alone - at least now even when i'm by myself i know my friends are about." She smiles slightly. "I just...wouldn't want you to be alone like i was."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 05:57 PM
"Well, I'm not alone," Toby says, smiling widely. "I have that Raymond guy...and a dozen cats."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 05:59 PM
"Oh yeah," Becky says, rolling her eyes. "Cos cats're such great company."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 06:01 PM
"Well, *you* seem to like that one all right," Toby teases. "Then again, he can say more than 'meow.'"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 06:04 PM
"Dan's just like a lost little kid most of the time," Becky replies, tempted to stick out her tongue at Toby like she would've when she looked ten years old. "You can't help but like him - the rest of the species are mostly malevolent little furballs."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 06:07 PM
"Leave out furballs, and you have some people's description of most boys," Toby says, smiling.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 06:09 PM
Becky suddenly laughs. "Yeah, that works too."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 06:12 PM
Toby looks out at the crowds. "Are there any jobs around here where I wouldn't be standing around all day? Or *acting?*" he adds pointedly, but with a smile. "I don't know if I could stand being a ticket-taker."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 06:15 PM
"One not standing around might be a hard job to find - you're standing around most've the time in most shops and at the shows."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 06:16 PM
"That's what I was afraid of," Toby says, sighing. But he smiles again. "Maybe I'll just have to pawn some jewelry to get by."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 06:18 PM
"Gonna magic some out of thin air then?" Becky teases.
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 06:19 PM
"Oh, don't be silly. I buy it at police auctions, cheap, and sell it pretty cheap too." Toby grins.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 06:22 PM
"And where'd you learn that?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 06:25 PM
Toby blinks at Becky, then smiles. "To make up convincing lies on the spot to hide my talents? Bein' locked up for five years gives you a lot of time to think."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 06:29 PM
"True. I'm pretty good at the convincing lies myself - although it's fairly impossible to cover for my talents with them - someone sees me pop in out of no where there's not much i can say to convince them otherwise," Becky replies with a smile.
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 06:34 PM
"You don't think it's wrong, do you?" Toby asks quietly. "The stuff's real gold and jewels; they checked in the lab."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 06:41 PM
Becky shrugs. "Hey if you can make real gold out of thin air who am i to stop you? It's not like you're cheating anyone - well except for all those people who have to work for a living," she adds teasingly,
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 06:43 PM
Toby smiles. "That's what I always thought too." He pauses, looking at Becky questioningly for a moment, but he doesn't ask.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 06:49 PM
Becky notices the look and smiles curiously, "What?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 11, 2003 09:57 PM
"How do you make it?" Toby asks hesitantly. "I guess you earn money with the play...?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 12, 2003 03:00 AM
"Not much," Becky says with a shrug. "But i don't really need much. I don't spend a lot. And before...well...it's easy to convince someone to offer you something to eat or some spare change for an arcade game, long as you don't ask for too much."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 12, 2003 11:05 AM
Toby cringes, looking down for just a moment. But he suddenly looks up again, grinning at Becky. "Your stomach settled yet? Wouldn't hurt much to go on a couple more rides, would it?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 12, 2003 04:33 PM
"Now you're talking my language," Becky replies with a grin.

Toby
Variant
Jun 12, 2003 04:38 PM
"Maybe that insane-y place you mentioned?" Toby asks, smiling wickedly.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 06:39 AM
"Or maybe not," Becky replies, smiling.
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 10:30 AM
"Well, if you were *that* worried, you could go back and change into pants, couldn't you? I saw a few girls wearing 'em." Toby pauses.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 11:59 AM
Becky laughs. "Nah, i could hold onto my skirt if you really want to go. Although if i catch you spying up anyone else's skirt you're so dead."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 12:40 PM
"Jealous?" Toby asks, grinning. He suddenly scratches his arm, under his shirt, about at the elbow. "I hate mosquitoes."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 01:53 PM
"No, just don't want to be embarrassed," Becky says, jokingly. "You okay?" she asks as he scratches his arm.
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 02:13 PM
Toby scratches again. "I hope I'm not allergic to this detergent."

A drop of blood comes to the surface of his skin, halfway between the elbow and the wrist.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 02:15 PM
Becky notices the blood and looks at Toby, slightly concerned. "You aren't allergic, right?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 03:08 PM
"I guess I might be, if I hadn't made the shirt myself," Toby murmurs, looking closely at his arm. It looks like he's got a few scratches, as if from fingernails, and another line appears on his arm as they watch, as if it were drawn there by an invisible pin.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 03:24 PM
"What...?" Becky asks, looking confused.
She reaches for his arm, intending to pull it closer to look at it.
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 03:41 PM
Another of the scratches draws blood, but again, not very much. From the right angle, it looks as though the letters H and E are written on Toby's skin in scratches, though he doesn't see it.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 03:49 PM
"It almost looks like letters," Becky says softly, looking up at Toby worriedly. "What's going on?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 03:56 PM
Toby leans against a wall, frowning. "It's not me," he says. The L and P are spelled out soon after. "Christa!" Toby suddenly yells, almost panicked.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 04:18 PM
"What? You mean your friend?" Becky asks, uncertainly. "How could she...? How could she even find you here?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 04:22 PM
"I wouldn't think she could," Toby says softly, but with an edge to his voice. "Do the words 'human voodoo doll' mean anything to you?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 04:27 PM
"Voodoo doll?" Becky repeats uncertainly. "You mean she's scraping words into a wee wax figure of you somewhere?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 04:33 PM
"*Human* voodoo doll," Toby says quietly. "Whatever she does to herself can be projected onto someone she's focusing on, just much worse. She must be writing on herself, real gentle...but I don't know how they'd reach me here. We're not in the same time period...I don't think."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 04:35 PM
"How could you be?" Becky asks. "She'd've had to have met up with someone like Dominick as well. Do you...do you want me to find her now?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 04:41 PM
Toby suddenly cringes as a deeper wound appears. It's hard to make out whatever's being written, but the words HELP and DARK are decipherable.

"She must be really scared," Toby says, holding his right hand over the wound on his left arm. "If she's in a lab, you could get caught."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 04:44 PM
"If she's not...maybe i could help," Becky says, not looking at all certain at the mention of the labs. "What else can we do? Do you want her to keep lacerating your skin?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 04:50 PM
"I don't care what she does to me," Toby murmurs. "But I want her to be all right...and she's not. What can I do to help her?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 04:54 PM
"You're like seventy years too early to do anything," Becky murmurs. "But i'll go, okay?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 04:57 PM
Finally, Toby nods weakly. "Just try to figure out where she is. Once we know that we can get Dominick to take me back and I'll find her."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 05:01 PM
"I have to go there to know," Becky murmurs. "But...i won't be long - not from your perspective anyway."
She teleports away before he can stop her, focusing hard on finding Christa at the point in time when she's asking Toby for help.
 
Mair
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 05:03 PM
Becky finds herself in a completely darkened room, not very big, with no sound but a faint humming as if from an air conditioner, and some ragged breathing.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 05:06 PM
She stumbles slightly as she appears, flickering and mutters softly to herself. "That meditating is helping - i'm not as weak as i used to be."
She moves slowly towards the breathing.
"Christa? Is that you?"
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 05:08 PM
The breathing stops, as though it's being held. "Who are you?" a weak, trembling voice asks.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 05:12 PM
"I'm...a friend of Toby's. Where...where are we?"
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 05:19 PM
"Sssh," Christa whispers. "He'll hear. It's not a lab; just some...guy, keeping me in his basement or something. But he's...how did you get in here? Can you get me out?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 05:21 PM
"I...maybe. But not very far - outside the house at least. Is there somewhere we could run to hide out there?" Becky whispers.
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 05:25 PM
"I don't know," Christa murmurs. "I woke up here. I miss the sunlight. He'll make me hurt people..."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 05:28 PM
"Come on then," Becky murmurs, moving over to Christa. "I'll teleport us out - will you be okay to run once i do?"
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 05:30 PM
"I'll try," Christa says, reaching out for Becky's hand.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 05:31 PM
Becky teleports them out of the house, flickering strongly when they reappear. She looks around for somewhere to go.
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 05:41 PM
They're in a small suburban backyard, fenced, but with a gate in the section nearer to the house, and one in the back that opens onto a larger field. There's houses on either side of them.

Christa is a slightly heavy young woman about Toby's age, with short blonde hair and brown eyes. She has a couple scars on her arms, and her left arm's a bit pink, with a couple scratches, but nothing bad. She looks back at Becky, suddenly concerned. "Are you all right?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 05:44 PM
"Overusing my powers," Becky murmurs with a smile. "I tend to do that."
She looks around and then heads towards the gate leading into the field. "I would suggest we ask at the other houses for help...but i'm not all that trusting of strangers."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 05:47 PM
"I used to be," Christa murmurs. "Anyway, you'd get in trouble."

The field is just undeveloped land, though some of it at the far edge has been cleared for future houses. Christa shields her eyes, apparently not much caring where they go, as long as it's away from where she was. "It's bright, isn't it?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 05:59 PM
"How long were you down in there?" Becky asks, clenching and unclenching her hands as she tries to focus on becoming entirely solid again.
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 06:03 PM
"Dunno. Long enough. He knew he couldn't hurt *me* to make me do what he wanted, so he was going to bring someone else--a hostage or something..." Christa walks faster. "He won't get me again, though."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 06:07 PM
"Even if he did, Toby'd always try to help you," Becky says softly. "He seems to care about you a lot."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 06:17 PM
"Where is he?" Christa asks suddenly.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 06:19 PM
"My...brother...sent him to a different time period where there was no one after him," Becky replies. "I was with him when he started getting the...messages on his arm...so i said i'd come find you for him."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 06:23 PM
"A different *time*?" Christa asks incredulously. "I can't hurt people in different times. That's just...silly."

They're nearing a path in the field that leads back to the houses.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 06:24 PM
"Well, you did it somehow cos he was in 1928 when you started attacking his arm," Becky replies. "We should stay away from the path - i don't want anyone seeing us especially when i'm still flickering."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 06:26 PM
Christa nods, changing direction. "I wish I knew where we are...I was nearly to the coast when I talked a little too long and that creep hit me in the head. Who knows where he took me."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 06:28 PM
"The coast? Where were you planning on going?" Becky asks. "The island?"
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 06:29 PM
Christa nods. "Why'd you come to help me? Weren't you afraid?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 06:33 PM
Becky shrugs. "The things i do for virtual strangers," she replies wryly.
"Toby seemed worried and i knew i could find you...what else was i going to do? Afraid or not."

Christa
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 06:36 PM
"Well, thank you," Christa says softly, smiling at Becky. They get closer to a site where a house is being constructed. There's a dumpster to one side, mostly empty. Christa glances at Becky. "You said you'll be more solid if you wait a bit?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 06:38 PM
"Yeah," Becky replies, following Christa's gaze. "If we wait long enough i'll be able to teleport us further."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 06:39 PM
Christa looks a bit surprised. "Oh. I just meant we could walk around without worrying. Anyway, wanna hide in there a bit? If there's any stuff inside, I think it's just wood and stuff."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 06:42 PM
"Yeah, i know what you meant - but it'll help us if i can get us further away," Becky murmurs. She then nods. "Yeah, hiding in there sounds good."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 06:44 PM
There's a wooden crate near the dumpster, and Christa uses it as a step and gets inside, surprisingly well for someone who's spent much of her life locked in a cell in a lab.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 06:46 PM
Becky follows after her although it's not as easy for her when she's so weak. She manage it though and sits down next to Christa, rubbing her forehead tiredly.
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 13, 2003 09:23 PM
"How *is* Toby?" Christa asks quietly, looking at the dumpster wall in front of her.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 14, 2003 09:04 AM
"Alright," Becky says softly. "A lot better than some people i've met from the labs. I mean he was joking about, seemed to be having fun...until he got that message from you."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 14, 2003 09:58 AM
"That's his way...once you get to know him. I'm glad," Christa adds. "Once I get to the island, I'm going to...try to write my Mom and tell her to come..."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 14, 2003 10:02 AM
Becky smiles slightly. "It'll be good for you if she does - so you're not on your own."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 14, 2003 10:08 AM
"I wanted to go see her, more than anything..." Christa closes her eyes for a while, her hands trembling. She looks back at Becky. "Could Toby come too?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 14, 2003 10:09 AM
"To the island?" Becky asks. "If...he wanted, yeah."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 14, 2003 10:16 AM
Christa frowns. "Well, maybe it's best if he doesn't anyway...I don't think he's the outdoors-y type, and besides, he shouldn't rely on me..."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 14, 2003 10:19 AM
"Well, he did say he'd miss lightbulbs an awful lot if he went to the island," Becky replies with a smile.
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 14, 2003 10:38 AM
Christa smiles. "Will he be all right, where he is?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 14, 2003 10:39 AM
"Yeah, course," Becky replies. "Dominick wouldn't've taken him there if it wasn't safe for him...and he seems happy enough."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 14, 2003 10:41 AM
"Good," Christa says quietly. "If we lived in the same place, I'm afraid we might get...you know...codependent."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 14, 2003 10:44 AM
"What's so bad about that?" Becky asks. "Dominick and his friend Fiona stayed together when they escaped from the labs - they seem happy enough."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 14, 2003 10:47 AM
Christa smiles. "I used to hate people like that...the kind who just set their sights on one other person, and ignore the rest of the world. In the lab, that's kind of the only way you can handle it, but now...I hope I could do more than that."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 14, 2003 10:52 AM
"Having a special person in your life doesn't mean you have to ignore the rest of the world - Dominick helped Toby didn't he?" Becky replies with a smile.
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 14, 2003 10:54 AM
Christa smiles. "That's all right....I might learn to have feelings for him, but right now..." She sighs. "I only focused on him because no matter how many times I tried, Clayton didn't come..."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 14, 2003 10:58 AM
"Clayton? Was that the one who could do things with electricity?" Becky asks uncertainly.
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 14, 2003 11:12 AM
Christa looks a little surprised, and nods. "Did he tell you about him?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 14, 2003 11:16 AM
"Not...much. Just that he turned back to stop some guards when you guys were escaping," Becky says softly.
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 14, 2003 11:23 AM
"He may have made it out," Christa says doubtfully. "We'd agreed to...to split up as best we could, anyway..."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 14, 2003 11:24 AM
"Yeah," Becky murmurs. "He might've."
Although she doesn't look like she entirely believes it.
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 14, 2003 11:26 AM
Christa starts to cry, resting her head on her knees.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 14, 2003 11:27 AM
"I...I'm sorry," Becky says regretfully, reaching out to put her hand on Christa's shoulder.
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 14, 2003 11:30 AM
Christa continues to weep, and doesn't quiet for several minutes, not even when someone suddenly rattles the wall of the dumpster from the outside, making a loud noise of metal on metal.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 14, 2003 11:32 AM
Becky looks up, her eyes wide, signals for Christa to be quiet as she waits to see if the person leaves.
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 14, 2003 11:40 AM
Christa tries to quiet, but can't quite stop crying.

Whoever's outside hits the side of the dumpster again, and then Becky sees a pair of small hands gripping the edge of the dumpster, ready to pull their owner up.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 14, 2003 03:18 PM
Becky backs away from the hands, uncertainly, and then reaches over to touch Christa, prepared to teleport as far as she has the energy to if she has to.
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 14, 2003 07:58 PM
Christa still doesn't look up.

The owner of the small hands peers her little face over the edge--it's a girl, who looks rather surprised to see people in a dumpster. "Who are you?" she asks. "Are you a ghost?" she adds, looking at Becky as she flickers.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 15, 2003 06:13 AM
"Um...no, not really," Becky says uncertainly. She smiles slightly, "My name's Becky."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 15, 2003 05:17 PM
Christa's still hysterical.

The other girl smiles. "I'm Dana. Who're you hiding from?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 15, 2003 06:23 PM
"Um...we're just..." Becky glances at Christa and then smiles apologetically. "My friend Christa got all upset cos her dad died recently. We're not hiding...she just wanted somewhere to sit down where no one could see her."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 15, 2003 06:59 PM
The girl's eyes widen. "Ooooh." She disappears over the side of the dumpster for a moment, then comes back up again, holding out some rather crumpled and possibly used tissues to Becky. "Here."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 15, 2003 07:09 PM
Becky takes the tissues and smiles slightly. "Uh...thanks."
She turns to look at Christa. "How're you...feeling, Christa?"
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 15, 2003 07:25 PM
Christa wipes her reddened eyes and looks up at Becky, then the girl. "I'll be fine," she says tearfully. "Thanks."

The girl smiles, then retreats silently.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 15, 2003 07:29 PM
Becky sits watching Christa for a moment. "Are you sure? I'm sorry...i shouldn't've brought it up."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 15, 2003 07:36 PM
"I...I started it," Christa murmurs, looking at Becky. She wipes her eyes again. "I'm sorry. I get hysterical sometimes."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 15, 2003 07:39 PM
"It's okay," Becky murmurs. "I cried...sometimes...over the people in my lab. Mine...was destroyed so...nearly everyone was gone."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 15, 2003 07:54 PM
Christa looks rather shocked. "You did?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 15, 2003 07:58 PM
"They didn't deserve to die," Becky murmurs, looking away.
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 15, 2003 08:02 PM
"They have to be in heaven now," Christa says quietly. "After they'd been through so much, I can't believe they wouldn't be."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 15, 2003 08:05 PM
"I don't really believe all that stuff," Becky says softly. "But whatever there is...i bet people like them are happy now. It...wouldn't be fair if they weren't."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 15, 2003 08:09 PM
"Life's not fair," Christa says quietly. "But maybe the afterlife is." She wipes her eyes again. "Are you all right? That girl was nice, but I don't know; she might have someone to tell about us...you know?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 15, 2003 08:10 PM
"Yeah, i know," Becky sighs. "We'd better get going."
She's about stopped flickering now and she feels solid enough so she won't look like a ghost to anyone who sees them now.
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 15, 2003 08:19 PM
Christa carefully steps on a few pieces of scrap wood and manages to scramble out of the dumpster. "We should have asked her for directions...but I guess that would've been suspicious. I'm such a dolt; it's a wonder I made it this far."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 15, 2003 08:22 PM
"Don't put yourself down," Becky says, looking around for a good way to go. "You're out - it's a lot more than some others ever manage."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 15, 2003 08:40 PM
"Well, I was lucky, mostly," Christa says non-committally. "Let's just to go the street; maybe we can find a bus or someone with a cell phone or something."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 15, 2003 08:48 PM
"Who would you phone?" Becky asks. "And do you have money for a bus?"
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 15, 2003 08:54 PM
Christa checks, frowning. "Don't you?" She pulls out a $5 bill that was wedged deeply into her pocket. "I think that's it."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 15, 2003 08:59 PM
"I've been living in 1928," Becky says. "Don't have enough for anything much here. A fiver'll get us somewhere at least."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 15, 2003 09:01 PM
"I don't know who I'd call," Christa says, sighing. "I'm afraid if I called the police, they'd just haul *me* in. Isn't that awful?" she laughs bitterly.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 15, 2003 09:07 PM
"Come on," Becky says, smiling slightly. "Town centre's always a good bet - if it's big enough to have one anyway. Then at least we'll be able to find out where we are."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 15, 2003 09:07 PM
Christa blinks, confused. "What, like a mall?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 15, 2003 09:12 PM
"The centre of town. Where the shops and things are. I guess maybe a mall, yeah," Becky replies, rolling her eyes. "I really should learn to adapt to the American language one day."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 15, 2003 09:24 PM
"You're from Europe?" Christa asks.

There's a Walgreens drug store in sight of the road, and there seem to be more shops a few blocks past that.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 15, 2003 09:27 PM
"Yeah. A small country called Scotland," Becky replies with a shrug as she heads towards the shops.
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 15, 2003 09:38 PM
"Scotland. Never heard of it," Christa says, a little sarcastically. She smiles. "I thought you all talked funny over there."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 15, 2003 09:40 PM
"Talked funny?" Becky asks smiling. "You mean with an accent? Never really had one of those."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 15, 2003 09:50 PM
Christa smiles, and then laughs when she sees the name of the plaza ahead--it's named after the city nearest Kitar Island. "The port's only a few miles from here, I'll bet!"

((Not that that city has a name, mind you. ^_^))
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 15, 2003 09:56 PM
"Maybe," Becky says, smiling slightly. "But lets not go advertising that we want to get there to the whole world."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 15, 2003 10:08 PM
Christa blinks. "You'll come with me?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 16, 2003 05:26 AM
Becky shrugs. "I'll stay with you till i know you're safe."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 16, 2003 01:31 PM
Christa smiles widely. "Thanks."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 16, 2003 02:55 PM
"'S okay," Becky replies. "It can't be that hard to find the island if we're near to it now."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 16, 2003 03:39 PM
"No," Christa says, looking between two buildings. "There's the docks. But I don't think we have the money to make it over."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 16, 2003 04:00 PM
"If we wait a bit longer i can teleport you from here to the island," Becky replies softly.
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 16, 2003 04:32 PM
"Well, we can window-shop until then," Christa says cheerfully. "If you're *really* living in the past, you're missing a lot of neat stuff."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 16, 2003 05:01 PM
"I've seen a lot of the neat stuff before," Becky replies with a smile. "I figured i made an even trade, really."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 16, 2003 05:08 PM
"You just like being with *Toby,* don't you?" Christa teases.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 16, 2003 05:20 PM
Becky laughs. "I've only known him a day and there's a bit of a five year age gap anway."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 16, 2003 05:55 PM
Christa laughs too. "I've heard of stranger love stories, though," she says, grinning. "I mean, why *else* would you brave capture or worse, if you don't like him?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 16, 2003 05:59 PM
"I guess i'm just a sucker for a sad face," Becky replies, smiling. "I can't help it. And he seemed like a nice guy - figured you'd probably be a good person too."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 16, 2003 06:01 PM
"Well, I'm glad you came," Christa says softly. "He was going to make me kill people. Bad people, I'm sure, but still..." She shudders.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 16, 2003 06:05 PM
"Killing people isn't a good habit to get into," Becky says dryly. "There're a lot of cruel people in the world."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 16, 2003 06:12 PM
"Well, I could get rid of some evil dictators or something," Christa says quietly. "But Dad always said it wasn't my job to do that, and who knows--someone worse might take their place."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 16, 2003 06:15 PM
"They usually do," Becky replies with a shrug. "That tends to be the way the world works - the grass is always greener and all that."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 16, 2003 06:24 PM
"I wish I had your talent, or Toby's," Christa suddenly says. "Mine's pretty horrible. It's a wonder my parents didn't think I was possessed."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 16, 2003 06:28 PM
"My talent?" Becky asks. "I wouldn't - you saw me when i overused my powers - i start to fade in and out. If i used my powers any more i'd fade away completely."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 16, 2003 09:32 PM
"But at least you can't hurt other people on accident," Christa murmurs, sighing.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 17, 2003 06:14 AM
Becky looks away. "No, not with this power. I'm sorry, it must be hard for you."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 17, 2003 01:09 PM
Christa smiles weakly. "They taught me not to hurt anyone on accident pretty good, though...because if I did, they made sure someone else--another variant, I mean--got it even worse. So at least I'm trained now."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 17, 2003 01:15 PM
Becky smiles rather wearily. "One good thing about the labs - they're pretty good at teaching you to control your powers."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 17, 2003 01:25 PM
"Just wish they were a little nicer about it," Christa says, sighing. "Toby got a hundred times stronger there, though. If they had him in there to 'rehabilitate' him and keep him from endangering people, they did a pretty awful job of it."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 17, 2003 01:54 PM
"All i've seen him do is melt his pockets and refreeze ice-cream," Becky says softly although she could imagine what someone with a power like that could do to hurt someone they didn't like.
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 17, 2003 02:06 PM
Christa's eyes widen, and she shakes her head. "He'd *never* hurt anyone! But before he was in the lab, it was all he could do to melt someone's clothes. Now...he could probably freeze a *river* if he put his mind to it."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 17, 2003 02:10 PM
"That is pretty stong...the scientists seem to have a habit of making their variants too strong for them to handle," Becky murmurs.
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 17, 2003 02:15 PM
"Y'get strong when they try to hold you back," Christa says, a little sadly. "He knew if he could just get his powers to work while they had him restrained... And it worked," she adds, smiling weakly.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 17, 2003 02:47 PM
"They made me wear a collar," Becky murmurs. "Hurt like hell if i tried to use my powers with it on."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 17, 2003 03:41 PM
"They couldn't hurt me, 'cuz I could direct it back at any of 'em, only a lot worse," Christa says. "So I guess my talent isn't all bad. Toby had a little chip on his neck that gave him a little electric shock all the time. That works to restrain some variants' powers." She smiles sadly. "Wouldn't've worked on Clayton, of course."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 17, 2003 03:57 PM
"No, i guess it wouldn't," Becky murmurs, trying not to encourage a conversation about clayton incase Christa starts crying again.
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 17, 2003 04:02 PM
"He said it made him feel nauseous all the time," Christa says, frowning. "Toby, I mean. They shocked me once or twice, and it's an awful feeling. I guess you'd know that too, though."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 17, 2003 04:36 PM
"Yeah," Becky sighs. "They did it to me...every half hour just to keep me weak. It was...terrible."

Christa
Variant
Jun 17, 2003 04:59 PM
"And they're still doing it to people every day," Christa says softly, looking out towards the docks. "And here I am, just running, instead of trying to help."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 17, 2003 05:06 PM
"Hey, don't knock it," Becky murmurs. "That's what i did...i guess in a way that's what i'm still doing. Sometimes...you've just got to look out for yourself. There's nothing you could really do except get yourself killed or caught again...and how many people would praise you for that?"
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 17, 2003 05:17 PM
"If I *did* help anyone, I'd be a saint in their eyes, wouldn't I?" Christa says, sighing.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 17, 2003 05:20 PM
"Probably," Becky says softly. "But i think you're mother for one'd probably just be happy if you'd stay safe somewhere like the island."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 17, 2003 05:27 PM
Christa sighs. "You're right, of course. My mother..." She sighs again, then smiles a little at Becky. "I like to think I wouldn't want someone to take a risk to help me if I was in trouble, but then, I sure am glad *you* came."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 17, 2003 05:30 PM
Becky shrugs. "What else could i do?"
She looks down at her hand and then looks up at Christa. "I think i can manage to take you to the island now. Okay?"
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 17, 2003 05:48 PM
Christa's eyes widen. "If it's not dangerous for you...I wouldn't want to get halfway there and wind up reappearing over the bay..."

((My other teleporter cannot teleport onto the island itself; he has to land at the Gate and go through it the good old-fashioned way. Of course, he's not the same as Becky or anything. ^_^))
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 17, 2003 06:24 PM
((hehe, i was wondering about that anyway - i didn't think it would be a good idea for her to just skip through the entrance bit if Christa wanted to live there ^_-))

"Nah, that wouldn't happen," Becky says with a shrug. "I always get where i'm going...i just don't always get there with much energy left. But i'll be fine."
She touches Christa's shoulder and teleports away, aiming to reach the gate just outside the island.
 
Thalia
Variant
Jun 17, 2003 06:26 PM
((outside of an island? wow, she's good ^^;;
hehe, u know what i mean...my english ability's going right out the window since i finished school ^_-))
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 17, 2003 06:32 PM
They wind up exactly where Becky intended, and the guards there don't even look particularly surprised to see them. Christa stares at the glowing pink Gate, awed.

((Yay, out the window! ^____^ I'm going home; don't need much English to drive. ^_^; ))
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 18, 2003 04:12 AM
Becky's flickering again but she smiles at Christa. "Welcome to the island, i guess."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 18, 2003 12:51 PM
Christa suddenly hugs Becky as hard as she can (or tries to, if the latter isn't solid enough).
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 18, 2003 12:58 PM
At first Becky seems solid enough but when Christa's grip tightens her arms start to drift through her and Becky backs away.
"Sorry...i'm a bit insubstantial right now," Becky says with a weak smile.
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 18, 2003 01:39 PM
Christa looks up at Becky, a little frightened. "Are you all right?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 18, 2003 02:53 PM
"I'm fine," Becky says, smiling reassuringly. "Powers have drawbacks. This's mine. And this isn't so bad - i've had it worse."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 18, 2003 03:51 PM
"You be careful," Christa says, admonishing Becky. "It'd be awful if you faded away? And can you imagine how terrible whoever's fault it was would feel?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 18, 2003 04:07 PM
"I won't fade away," Becky says. "I don't overuse my energy that often. I'll be fine."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 18, 2003 04:19 PM
"Well, I couldn't stand *another* person getting killed for my sake," Christa says, sounding mildly annoyed, somehow.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 18, 2003 04:21 PM
"I'm not going to die. If this could kill me it'd've happened a long time before now," Becky replied, almost wearily.
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 18, 2003 04:25 PM
Christa sighs. "I guess you're right." She turns to the imposing glowing Gate, which is kind of like a dense pink fog--they can't see into the island from the outside. "Do we just...go in...?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 18, 2003 04:28 PM
"Yeah," Becky says softly. "You have to walk through the Gate to get into the town."
 
Mair
Variant
Jun 18, 2003 04:53 PM
"You probably don't want to take any electronic devices through there," one of the guards says cheerfully. A closer look shows that, despite his uniform, the guard looks rather like a dark brown lizard, including the tail. Christa's eyes widen, but she just looks at him and nods mutely.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 18, 2003 04:58 PM
Becky's a bit surprised by the lizard guy too but after living with Dan so long it isn't such a shocking vision for her.
"You ready to go through?" she asks. "You don't have any electronic stuff do you?"
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 18, 2003 05:05 PM
Christa smiles weakly. "Don't have a thing except my clothes."

"No pacemaker or anything, right?" the guard asks quickly.

Christa shakes her head, takes a deep breath, and steps through the Gate. It's pretty anti-climatic, and she finds herself in a place not unlike a living "ghost town" or a Renaissance Faire ground, aside from a few prominent brick buildings which spoil the setting a bit. Most of the people are in modern clothes just a bit out of style, though a few are dressed rustically.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 18, 2003 05:11 PM
Becky follows after her and looks around. "It's not a very exciting place. But it's nice enough."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 18, 2003 05:22 PM
Christa wipes her eyes. "It's really...safe here..."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 18, 2003 05:26 PM
"Yep, no labs, no evil scientists and no angry idiots trying to pass judgement," Becky says with a smile. "Although there's also no electricity and no modern technology."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 18, 2003 05:34 PM
"The only thing there was to *do* in the lab was watch TV all day," Christa murmurs. "I think I got enough of *that* to last me a while yet."

A guard points them in the direction of the registry building, since it looks like Christa's a newcomer. There's not much in the way of hand-checking for contraband at the moment; tensions are easing a bit--not that Christa or Becky have much of anywhere to hide anything anyway.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 18, 2003 05:42 PM
((did becky and michelle actually register? i remember them being sent there and then michelle asking if becky could just teleport her to alex...so does that mean they didnt? or they did?))

Becky grins. "I guess so. You're definitely not going to find a TV here, even if you wanted one."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 18, 2003 05:55 PM
((It looks like Michelle got Becky to take her out of Gate Town without registering, as she didn't want to be listed as a known variant, not even in an obscure filing cabinet on a secluded island.))

"What's registering?" Christa asks Becky, quietly.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 18, 2003 05:58 PM
"You need to prove you're a variant before you can get a passport to leave Gate Town," Becky replies. "I skipped this part last time i was here since i wasn't staying long."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 18, 2003 06:10 PM
"Why do they need to know *that*?" Christa asks sharply. "If someone ever *does* overtake this island, they'll know just who to track down and capture!"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 18, 2003 06:15 PM
"They couldn't overtake the island. Guns don't really work here and neither does most other technology," Becky sighs. "The island's for variants...they can't just let everyone through Gate Town who wants to go - if you don't want to register i guess you could just stay here in the town though."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 18, 2003 06:21 PM
"That's not fair," Christa murmurs. "Variants aren't the only people who need to run away."

((They used to let any fool who wanted straight in, but they got more than a little paranoid recently, I believe after a variant dragon came and rather destroyed the lab nearest to the island...I really ought to look up the history of that again sometime. ^^;;; ))
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 18, 2003 06:24 PM
Becky shrugs. "I don't really know how it works here. You can ask someone in the building if you want."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 18, 2003 06:27 PM
Christa shakes her head. "No...I'm not going to 'register' for something, just yet, anyway. I can stay here for a few days and get my bearings...I'll decide later."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 18, 2003 06:29 PM
"If you want," Becky says with a smile. "Although you'll have to change your money into golds to use it here i think."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 18, 2003 06:30 PM
Christa blinks, then smiles weakly. "Well, I guess it is another country..." She looks around until she sees a building marked "Exchange," and goes over there. "What are you going to do?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 18, 2003 06:34 PM
Becky shrugs. "Wait till i'm solid again. Then i guess i'll go home - Toby'll want to know you're okay."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 18, 2003 07:31 PM
"Thank you again," Christa says soberly. "You saved me from...." She pauses. "You *saved* me. I'll never forget it."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 01:36 AM
Becky smiles slightly. "It's alright. All i really did was teleport you about a bit."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 12:04 PM
Christa smiles. "Nothing for you, maybe, but it was a lot for me." She pauses, taking out the five dollar bill she has. "Is there any sense in exchanging this, anyway?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 01:27 PM
Becky shrugs. "I've no idea. I dunno what the cost of things is like here."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 01:32 PM
"Well, unless their economy's really whack, this can't be worth that much more here than it would be on the mainland, right?" She suddenly laughs for about fifteen seconds before she gets control of herself. "I'm gonna be here for the rest of my life..."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 02:34 PM
Becky smiles slightly. "It must be a kind of...daunting...thought."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 03:27 PM
"I'm tellin' you, I'd trade powers with you in a minute," Christa says, still laughing a bit.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 03:45 PM
"Nah," Becky says with a grin. "It just turns you into a drifter and the thing about drifters is they spend most of their time alone - it's not the best of lives."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 04:00 PM
Christa smiles. "Maybe." She suddenly turns serious. "I'm going to get this money changed and send a letter to my mom, right now."
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The Yarniverse > 1928: America > Becky meets Toby
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Author Post
Dominick
Variant
Jun 04, 2003 10:49 AM
((what date d'you think it should be?))

It's relatively quiet at the park and the sky overhead is quite dull and grey, threatening rain. Two people suddenly appear beside a tree near the lake although they aren't noticed by the few people in the park.

Dominick brushes a hand through his hair and then turns to his companion. "I asked Becky to meet us here. She'll probably turn up soon. Are you sure you're okay with this? I know it's a bit of a drastic method of getting away."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 04:00 PM
Christa smiles. "Maybe." She suddenly turns serious. "I'm going to get this money changed and send a letter to my mom, right now."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 04:07 PM
Becky smiles. "Sounds like a plan."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 04:13 PM
"When you go back...you'll tell Toby I said 'hi,' right?" Christa asks suddenly.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 04:20 PM
"Of course," Becky says with a smile. "He'll be glad to know you're okay."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 04:21 PM
Christa smiles weakly. "He's probably got a tourniquet on his arm right now. Clayton too, if he's alive somewhere."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 04:28 PM
"He didn't seem to mind about his arm," Becky says softly. And then she adds lightly, "It's a good thing you could do that - you wouldn't've been able to reach him any other way, where he is."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 04:30 PM
"It's still pretty absurd," Christa says, smiling a little. "But I guess it's the closest to time travel I can get."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 04:39 PM
Becky chuckles. "If you could only do it on inanimate objects...you could make yourself some cave drawings and baffle historians for years."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 04:44 PM
Christa smiles. "Or strike Hitler dead, I'll bet."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 04:48 PM
"Historians'd probably like that one too, right enough," Becky says with a smile. "The man who *could've* been a great dictator."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 04:50 PM
"Maybe I'll try it sometime," Christa says casually.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 04:54 PM
"I wouldn't bother," Becky says wryly. "I tried changing something in the past and things didn't work out all that much better. Grass is always greener, remember?"
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 04:57 PM
Christa shakes her head, then pauses. "But if they lock up variants this badly even *after* all he did...maybe things'd be twenty times worse if he *hadn't.*" More lightly, she adds, "Or maybe Germany had dozens of dictators on a waiting list behind him. I was never much on European history anyway."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 05:00 PM
Becky shrugs. "It doesn't matter. Things turn out the way they turn out. You're better off just accepting it and trying to deal with it."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 05:02 PM
"Well," Christa says slowly, "I think maybe I'll try it anyway." The end of her sentence has a tone that suggests a "So there" added to the end might not be amiss.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 05:07 PM
Becky hesitates and then she says softly, "Just remember before you do anything to Hitler - Toby'll be alive then. What if you make it worse?"
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 05:12 PM
Christa cringes, but then shakes her head. "And what if I make it better? What year did you say you came from?" She looks at her fingers, ready to count the years.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 05:16 PM
Becky sighs. "1928." And then she frowns. "If i was you...even a *slight* chance of things getting worse and hurting a friend would be enough to stop me. These're people's lives you're thinking of messing with."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 05:18 PM
Christa counts. "I think he'll be too old to be drafted... But what guarantee is there that he won't be in harm's way when the world goes to war, anyway?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 05:19 PM
"There isn't," Becky says softly. "But it isn't your choice to make."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 05:22 PM
"You're gonna tell me if one of your friends got hit by a car, you wouldn't even think about going back to push 'em out of the way?" Christa asks incredulously.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 05:30 PM
"I once went back in time to stop someone being sent to the labs," Becky murmurs. "He turned into a criminal and i had to stop him killing one of my other friends." She looks up at Christa sadly. "So, yeah, if i had to choose again i'd leave things the way they were."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 05:34 PM
Christa stares at Becky, then shakes her head. "Well, you couldn't stop me from trying."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 05:37 PM
"No," Becky sighs. "I couldn't."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 05:38 PM
Christa's silent for a while. She sighs. "I'd ask you to look for Clayton for me...but then...I don't know if I could stand it, if you took away that little bit of hope I have..."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 05:41 PM
"Come on," Becky says, trying to smile. "Weren't you going to write that letter to your mum?"
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 05:44 PM
Christa smiles a little. "Yes, I was. It'll be so good to see her again..." She goes and gets her bill exchanged without another word, and then goes to a building marked as a post office. One of the clerks inside gives her a piece of paper and an envelope, and lends her a pen, and Christa sits down to write.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 05:46 PM
Becky stands nearby as she writes, occasionally glancing down at her hand and flexing it. She's about stopped flickering now but still doesn't have enough energy to travel through time again.
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 05:48 PM
Christa signs the letter with a flourish, then gets to work addressing the envelope. "I told her to write something to Toby's folks, if she could find their address. Think that was okay?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 05:53 PM
"Yeah," Becky says with a smile. "They'd probably be glad to know he was alright."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 05:54 PM
"I just don't want anyone to get in trouble, or hurt," Christa says quietly. "But it would just be a letter."
 
Thalia
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 05:57 PM
"I'm sure it'll be alright," Becky says softly.
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 05:59 PM
More cheerfully, Christa says, "Mom's smart. She won't do it if it'll get them in trouble." She seals the envelope, and hands it to the clerk. It takes half her money to get the thing sent. "If I had any sense maybe I would've done this on the mainland," Christa murmurs, smiling.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 06:01 PM
Becky shrugs. "It'll get there just the same."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 06:08 PM
"Yeah, but it's silly to spend my last dollar..." Christa shakes her head. "Well, not silly; it *is* my mom."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 06:10 PM
"You can get stipends for living here if you register," Becky says softly. "If you need it at all."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 06:12 PM
Christa blinks. "Oh...well...we'll see how safe I feel in a few days. Guess I'm not busting with variant pride at the moment."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 06:16 PM
"I can understand that," Becky says with a weak smile. "You've got to hide it everywhere else, it's a bit hard to just show off your powers here even if it is just to register."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 06:23 PM
Christa lightly touches her first two fingers to her lips, aiming to make Becky feel the same thing, a bit stronger, but not enough to hurt.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 06:27 PM
Becky rubs at her lips, frowning slightly. "What was that for?"
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 06:30 PM
"That's what I used to do sometimes, to let Clayton and Toby know I was all right," Christa says softly.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 06:32 PM
Becky smiles. "You should be sending that to Toby then, not me."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 19, 2003 09:08 PM
"I will," Christa says softly, "but not now. Because you'll go back to see him yourself before he even has time to miss you, right?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 20, 2003 05:42 AM
"Yeah, most likely," Becky replies.
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 20, 2003 10:09 AM
"Guess I should go find a job," Christa says softly, "if I'm not going to register. Who do you think might be hiring?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 20, 2003 12:37 PM
"I've really no idea," Becky replies. "I didn't stay all that long when i was here before. We could go have a look around though."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 20, 2003 12:40 PM
Christa smiles. "There's no telephones or even telegraphs here, right? I guess I could send messages, though the recievers might not be very appreciative."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 20, 2003 12:50 PM
"No,i don't think they would be," Becky chuckles.
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 20, 2003 01:04 PM
"No, but I could tap out morse code or something..." Christa pauses, her eyes wide. "I *could,* couldn't I? You'll tell Toby to get a book and learn it, right?"

Becky
Variant
Jun 20, 2003 02:42 PM
Becky chuckles. "Sure, if you want. It'd've been a bit easier on him than having his arm scratched anyway."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 20, 2003 03:21 PM
Christa suddenly laughs. "But if I'm going to make a living using my talents, maybe I should just register after all."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 20, 2003 04:41 PM
Becky smiles. "The registry place isn't going anywhere. You can wait a bit until you've settled in if that's what you want."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 20, 2003 04:56 PM
"Have you done it yourself?" Christa asks quietly.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 20, 2003 05:01 PM
"No," Becky replies softly. "The person i came here with before was worried about having her name down anywhere as a variant too. I'll do it with you now if you want."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 20, 2003 05:17 PM
Christa's eyes widen in surprise. "Does that mean you're going to stay?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 20, 2003 05:20 PM
Becky shakes her head. "Not likely. But it's not like it'll hurt to get a passport for going past Gate Town."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 20, 2003 05:26 PM
"Well," Christa says slowly, "I don't much like the idea of sleeping on the streets another day. I guess dirt's softer than cement, but it's *dirtier* too."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 20, 2003 05:29 PM
Becky chuckles. "Kinda makes that stipend sound rather appealing, doesn't it?"
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 20, 2003 05:56 PM
"Then let's hurry, before I lose my nerve," Christa says quietly. She quickly leaves the post office and walks towards the registration center, only hesitating a little. There's no line when they get there; just a couple clerks behind a counter, chatting. They smile in a friendly manner when Christa and Becky come in, but Christa almost retreats upon seeing them.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 20, 2003 06:01 PM
Becky smiles reassuringly at Christa and then says to the clerks. "I guess we're here to register."
 
Mair
Variant
Jun 20, 2003 06:15 PM
The clerk on the left, a motherly-looking woman with gray hair and glasses, smiles warmly. "Well, you're going to have to step a bit closer to do that," she says.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 20, 2003 06:17 PM
Becky looks at Christa, urging her forward. "Come on. They won't bite."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 20, 2003 06:27 PM
Christa frowns, taking a couple steps forward.

"Don't be scared," the clerk adds, smiling.

((And you may play one if you'd like, though that would presumably involve you knowing a bit about this thing called 'registering,' unless he/she is in training ^_-))
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 20, 2003 06:34 PM
((hehe ^^;; just give me a summary of what needs done for registering and i'll play one ^_^))

Becky looks at Christa, smiling reassuringly. "If you're not ready you don't have to do it right now."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 20, 2003 08:52 PM
"No," Christa murmurs.

"Come on. You two can register together. It will be fun." The woman smiles widely, and Christa slowly comes forward, and the woman hands her and Becky each a clipboard with a form to fill out, asking for name, birthdate, "talents," etc.

((I went through it with some other folks at http://dewin.oldbattery.com/venura/board.php?realm=yarn&res=t10621&mtime=1054488590 --the main thing of any interest at all is probably the part where they test powers, and it's pretty easy with these two, so we can skip as far ahead as you like.))
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 21, 2003 04:11 AM
Becky hesitates when it comes to her birthdate.
"I don't know when i was born," she says with a shrug. "Does it matter?"
 
Mair
Variant
Jun 21, 2003 09:38 AM
The clerk looks at Becky sympathetically. "No; just put 'unknown,'" she says soberly.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 21, 2003 10:35 AM
Becky smiles, not particularly bothered. "Okay."
She looks over at Christa when she's finished. "You done?"

((we could maybe do a bit of skipping ^_^ i was gonna say we could skip ahead to when becky has energy to leave when ever you want ^_^))
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 21, 2003 11:04 AM
Christa finishes filling out the form, and then she and Becky are separated and taken to examining rooms, where they have to demonstrate their powers. Christa is relieved when the doctor promises they don't even write down what the powers are--although she doesn't entirely believe it, either. When it's all over, they're given laminated ID cards with Polaroid photographs and pointed to a building nearby where they can pick up their stipend, as well as register to move to a different town and receive their stipend then, the only rule being they have to pick it up by the 15th of each month in the city in which they're registered (though it does roll over for a few months...). It's not quite enough money to live on, unless the variant takes advantage of one of the free housing centers on the island. Christa doesn't worry about any of that, though; she gets a small room in an old but clean and quiet tavern, and says she'll stay there for a couple weeks, until her mother comes or sends word, at least.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 21, 2003 11:07 AM
When Becky has the energy to return to her own time she smiles at Christa. "I guess i'm gonna go back to Toby now. You sure you'll be okay?"
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 21, 2003 11:40 AM
"I think so," Christa says softly. She smiles weakly. "If I'm not, goodness knows I'll tell you. Or Toby, at least."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 21, 2003 11:43 AM
Becky chuckles. "Maybe not the same way you did before though - the morse code sounds like a much better idea."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 21, 2003 11:50 AM
Christa smiles. "Give 'im a hug from me, okay?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 21, 2003 11:53 AM
"A hug?" Becky asks, smiling. "I guess i could do that."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 21, 2003 11:55 AM
"You don't think he's a *little* cute?" Christa teases.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 21, 2003 11:56 AM
"Well i guess he is a *little*," Becky replies, grinning. "Not that that's got to do with anything."
 
Christa
Variant
Jun 21, 2003 11:59 AM
Christa laughs. "Guess not. Take good care of him, though. I guess you know what it was like in a lab better than any of us."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 21, 2003 12:03 PM
Becky shrugs and then smiles. "I will. Promise. See you round."
She returns to her own time after that, appearing in front of Toby maybe ten minutes after she left, flickering just as much as before.
"I wish i could make this stop happening," she grumbles.
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 21, 2003 12:08 PM
Toby had been pacing back and forth, and instantly looks up at Becky when she appears, his face full of concern. "Are you all right? Is Christa all right? What happened?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 21, 2003 12:15 PM
Becky flexes her hand wearily, tired of being so weak and then she smiles at Toby. "Christa's on the island now. She was caught by some guy but i got her out. She's fine."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 21, 2003 12:27 PM
Toby smiles slightly, then frowns again. "And you? You look like you're gonna disappear."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 21, 2003 12:28 PM
"Oh, i'll be fine," Becky shrugs. "It happens when i use too much energy. I'll be back to normal in a while."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 21, 2003 12:31 PM
"You sure?" Toby asks. "You don't look fine."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 21, 2003 12:33 PM
"This's happened so many times i've lost count. Don't worry about it," Becky says softly. She looks around to see if anyone's about and then says, "Come on, i don't want people round here seeing me like this."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 21, 2003 12:38 PM
Toby stands between Becky and the wall, blocking her from the crowd's view. "How solid are you?" he asks, trying to touch her shoulder.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 21, 2003 12:40 PM
His hand passes through her shoulder when he touches it and Becky pulls away from him, suddenly remembering his power. "Don't," she says softly.
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 21, 2003 12:43 PM
"I was going to make you a coat, but I guess no sense in that," Toby says. "C'mon; I'll walk you home. Just stick close to the walls; I'll be in front of the crowd then."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 21, 2003 02:05 PM
Becky smiles slightly. "Thanks." She pauses for a moment and then she says, "I stayed with Christa till she settled in the island - she's sent a letter to her mum. She seemed...she seemed okay. Happy, i guess."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 21, 2003 02:20 PM
"Good," Toby says, quietly. "We had a little fight about that when we got out...she wanted to go to the island, and I didn't. Though neither of us wanted to get caught again, so I guess that's why I'm here."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 21, 2003 03:22 PM
"Well...she's there now," Becky says softly. She smiles slightly. "She said to tell you to learn morse cose so she could talk to you without making you bleed."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 21, 2003 03:37 PM
"Morse code? Like a telegraph?" Toby smiles. "That's a good idea...we didn't have any books to read back in the lab, so we couldn't've learned, but now..." He shrugs simply. "I can. Raymond goes to the library often enough; I guess he can get me a book."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 21, 2003 03:41 PM
((and toby knows that...how? ^_-))

Becky chuckles. "An instant way of communicating with someone seventy years behind you. It's kinda weird really but then so're a lot of variant powers."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 21, 2003 03:45 PM
((Oh, goodness; strike that. I was thinking of the Toby we RPed today, because after literally a day of living with him he would've noticed all the library books...but not ten minutes. ^_^;;; ))

"I wish I could send messages back, though" Toby says, sighing. "Well, I think I said before, if I miss her bad enough, I can see if Dominick will take me back to when she first came to the island. She wouldn't even have time to miss me."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 21, 2003 04:18 PM
"Yep, I'm sure Dominick won't mind - he's one of those do-goodery types," Becky says with a grin.
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 21, 2003 07:34 PM
"Be careful; you seem to be turning into one yourself," Toby says, smiling back. "Is this one yours? They all kinda look the same, from the back, anyway."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 22, 2003 05:32 AM
"Yeah," Becky says, entering it quickly and then pausing to see if Libby or Dan are around.

((again demonstrating my tendancy to just say yes to anything becky's asked ^_-))
 
Libby
Variant
Jun 22, 2003 03:28 PM
Libby's sitting on her bed, still made-up, but with her shoes off, massaging her feet. Daniel is sleeping on Becky's bed. Both of them look up cheerfully when Becky comes in.

"Back so soon?" Libby asks, her smile changing to concern when she sees how faint Becky is.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 22, 2003 06:38 PM
"Uh, yeah," Becky says smiling weakly. "Overdid my powers a bit. But i'm fine really, just didn't want people to see me flickering about like a ghost."
 
Libby
Variant
Jun 23, 2003 12:07 AM
"No, they probably shouldn't," Libby says, frowning. "People might think you're dangerous. We're between shows; half the cast went out for supper, and half of those still in green." She laughs a little.

Daniel mrrs, not getting up from the bed; he knows it's no use trying to get Becky to pet him in her condition.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 23, 2003 05:26 AM
"Good advertising for the show," Becky says with a grin, turning to look at Toby for a moment as she moves further into the room.
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 23, 2003 12:25 PM
"Provided they behave, or at least don't get us in trouble," Libby says. But she's smiling.

Toby looks around uncomfortably. "I guess I should go, then."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 23, 2003 02:01 PM
"You don't have to," Becky says with a weak smile. "Libby'll have to do the show again after a while and i wouldn't mind company while i'm stuck in here playing 'caspar the friendly ghost'."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 23, 2003 02:25 PM
"Aw, no," Toby says, laughing. "Wasn't his best friend a girl, anyway? I'm sure not doing *that*!"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 23, 2003 04:04 PM
Becky grins at him. "I think i could live if you decided against the crossdressing."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 23, 2003 04:18 PM
"Besides, I guess you'd have to do it too," Toby says, laughing. "Though it wouldn't be so bad for *you;* girls always dress like guys anyway."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 23, 2003 04:27 PM
"Not so much round here," Becky says with a shrug, almost forgetting that Libby's still there.
 
Libby
Variant
Jun 23, 2003 04:40 PM
"That's another freak show entirely," Libby interjects cheerfully. "I'd better get backstage, though; who knows what kind of trouble they'll start without me?" She's still grinning. "See you in an hour or so, if you're still here."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 23, 2003 04:43 PM
"Okay," Becky says with a smile. "Bye, Libby."
Her smile fades slightly once Libby's gone and she sits down gingerly on her bed, as if forcing herself not to pass right through it.
 
Daniel
Adorable Kitten-Person
Jun 23, 2003 04:47 PM
Daniel mrrs, looking up at Becky with his big eyes, the pupils wide in the dim light. "I don't like when you look like a ghost," he murmurs sadly. "It's scary."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 23, 2003 04:53 PM
Becky smiles weakly. "I've never completely disappeared yet. Well...apart from..." She drifts off and then tries to grin at Dan. "I'm always as good as new after a while. There's no reason to be scared."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 23, 2003 05:07 PM
Daniel doesn't look particularly convinced, and he starts licking at his arm without replying.

Toby sits down on the floor, his back to Becky, not saying anything either.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 23, 2003 05:14 PM
Becky sighs and then turns to Toby and says softly, "Any particular reason you're not looking my way at all?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 23, 2003 05:17 PM
Toby starts, rather surprised. "Just tryin' to get some work done," he murmurs, not turning to face her.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 23, 2003 05:19 PM
"Some work?" Becky repeats, assuming he's using her powers, adding, "What're you making?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 23, 2003 05:34 PM
((I thought he said 'no' to the cross-dressing. ^_-))

"Trying to make a piece of jewerly, but it's a little hard to make something that looks real without something to copy," Toby says, shrugging. He turns back to face Becky, a dull-looking golden string coiled up in one of his palms.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 23, 2003 05:46 PM
Becky chuckles. "Well, it's a start i guess. Libby has some jewellery if you want to copy from it."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 23, 2003 05:57 PM
Toby smiles, then frowns. "But what'll I say if she comes in again? She'd call the cops!"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 23, 2003 06:01 PM
Becky hesitates. "I'm not sure what'd work except the truth. If you don't want her to know about you're...talent..."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 23, 2003 06:14 PM
"The less people know, the better," Toby says. With a little effort, he forms the chain into a square gold brooch, which he sets on Libby's dresser as he stands up, running his hand over his hair. "It does get kinda hot, even by the ocean, doesn't it?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 23, 2003 06:19 PM
Becky flexes her hand again and shrugs. "I'm not picking up the temperature very well right now - it could be below zero for all i noticed like this."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 23, 2003 06:32 PM
"Lucky you," Toby says, almost smirking. "It's not bad, but they kept my room pretty cold, so it's a little warm to me. Still not sure I'd dare to go swimming, though, even if you were...able to."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 23, 2003 06:37 PM
"I don't like swimming much anyway," Becky says with a weak smile.
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 23, 2003 08:51 PM
Toby smirks. "I haven't tried in so long, I guess I'd probably drown."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 24, 2003 07:22 AM
Becky looks rather sad for a moment but she quickly looks away. "It's probably not such a good idea then."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 24, 2003 09:29 AM
"Not in the ocean, anyway," Toby agrees. "There's currents and stuff. But there's gotta be a swimming pool around here, right?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 24, 2003 12:11 PM
"I've never looked before - there probably is though," Becky says, trying to smile again.
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 24, 2003 12:40 PM
Toby pauses, then smirks. "Sure you don't wanna go out and scare the normals?" he asks, laughing.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 24, 2003 12:57 PM
Becky chuckles and says smiling, "I have to live here you know - and i've already got one guy wandering around calling me 'ghost girl'."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 24, 2003 12:59 PM
"Who?" Toby asks. "Raymond?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 24, 2003 01:01 PM
"No, his name's Donald," Becky replies softly. "He's going out with one of the women who's in the play - walked me home another time i was like this."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 24, 2003 01:14 PM
"So he knows about you," Toby says, frowning. "You trust him?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 24, 2003 01:36 PM
Becky looks away and shrugs. "Not really. He...no one else knows but he...seems kind of shifty to me." she sighs. "Not that there's much i can do about it though."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 24, 2003 01:40 PM
"Why not?" Toby asks, frowning.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 24, 2003 02:10 PM
Becky shrugs. "He's not really actually done anything. It's just the way he's said things to me sometimes."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 24, 2003 02:26 PM
"How? Like--" Toby says menacingly, "I am going to get you..."--and then friendly-like--"An ice cream cone!"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 24, 2003 02:30 PM
Becky laughs. "No, it's a bit more subtle than that - just makes me feel like what he says isn't really what he means. I could just be being cynical though - i'm not all that trusting of normal people."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 24, 2003 03:33 PM
"Good policy," Toby says, frowning. "Can't promise that variants are any better, though."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 24, 2003 03:42 PM
Becky shrugs. "I trust my friends from here. That's all i need. It's more than i've had before."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 24, 2003 03:48 PM
Toby frowns, looking at the floor, lost in thought.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 24, 2003 04:03 PM
Becky smiles slightly. "I'll give you a penny for them."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 24, 2003 04:09 PM
Toby looks back at Becky, slightly startled, and he has to think a few moments to get the reference. He laughs a little. "I guess that'd buy *something* back here, right?" He pauses. "Did you ever meet anyone who thought...they *belonged* in a lab?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 24, 2003 04:18 PM
Becky hesitates for a moment and then says, rather softly, "When you're a rat...you start to think like the labs are the way life's supposed to be...but other than that..."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 24, 2003 04:32 PM
"You shouldn't call them that," Toby says in a low voice.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 24, 2003 04:45 PM
"Them?" Becky asks softly. "It's what i call *myself*. It's only a word and it's as good as any other."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 24, 2003 04:49 PM
"They acted like we were *vermin,* all of us," Toby says, scowling. "I sure don't want to be reminded of that."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 24, 2003 04:59 PM
Becky shrugs. "I was *born* to be lab rat. Even some variants think that's all people like me're worth." She sighs and then adds softly, "But if you don't want me to i'll try not to use the words."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 24, 2003 05:12 PM
Toby smiles at Becky, but before he can speak, Daniel says, "I heard a rat today, but it wouldn't come inside."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 24, 2003 05:25 PM
Becky chuckles. "I wouldn't either if i was a rat and i saw a giant cat trying to lure me into its home."
 
Daniel
Adorable Kitten-Person
Jun 24, 2003 05:33 PM
"I woulda ate him real quick," Daniel says. "Wasn't gonna hurt 'im or nothin'."

Toby stifles a smile.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 24, 2003 05:35 PM
Becky laughs. "I don't think he really wanted to be eaten, Dan. Maybe you'll be luckier next time."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 24, 2003 05:39 PM
Daniel stretches, extending his arms, and claws.

"Has he ever had c-a-t-n-i-p?" Toby suddenly asks, spelling the last word.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 24, 2003 05:55 PM
"Well we've never given it to him," Becky says, chuckling. "And i doubt he got any in the circus."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 24, 2003 05:59 PM
"What about me?" Daniel suddenly asks, looking up suspiciously at Toby. Poor Toby takes a step backwards, eyeing Daniel's claws.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 24, 2003 06:14 PM
Becky smiles at Dan and says, "There's no need to look all threatening Dan. We were talking about a kind of plant that some cats like."
 
Daniel
Adorable Kitten-Person
Jun 24, 2003 06:18 PM
Daniel doesn't look pacified. "Then why'd *he* say what the circus people said when they talked about me?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 24, 2003 06:24 PM
Becky frowns uncertainly. "What did he say that the circus people said?"
 
Daniel
Variant
Jun 24, 2003 06:28 PM
"C-A-T," Daniel says miserably. "They'd say the C-A-T needs a bath, or the C-A-T looks sick, or the C-A-T is eating too much, and they were talking about me."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 24, 2003 06:32 PM
"Yeah, that's how you spell cat," Becky says softly. "But he was saying C-A-T-N-I-P. Catnip - it's the name of the plant that cats like."
 
Daniel
Adorable Kitten-Person
Jun 24, 2003 08:35 PM
Daniel looks at Becky, his tail twitching. "What's 'spell'?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 25, 2003 04:30 AM
((weren't libby and becky going to teach him how to read? did we not bother?))

"When things are written down, all the different letters used to make the word up make up are how you spell it," Becky tries to explain.
 
Daniel
Adorable Kitten-Person
Jun 25, 2003 09:37 AM
((They were going to, but either poor Daniel has a short attention span, or they never bothered--it never came up again, so it might've been the latter. ^^;;; ))

Daniel looks briefly confused, then brightens. "Like in a book?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 25, 2003 12:08 PM
"Yeah," Becky says with a grin. "Like in a book."
 
Daniel
Variant
Jun 25, 2003 12:20 PM
"Read me one?" Daniel begs. But he pauses, his tail down and his ears back. "'Cept you can't turn the pages."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 25, 2003 01:07 PM
Becky smiles and says, "I'll read you one later when i'm back to normal, okay?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 25, 2003 01:23 PM
"Well, my hands are still solid," Toby says, smiling faintly. "If you trust me to turn the pages for her, that is."

Daniel mrrs. "I guess."

Toby looks around for the books.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 25, 2003 01:26 PM
((and does caroline know where books would be? no ^^;; ))

"There're some books i read sometimes to Dan in the cabinet by my bed," Becky says with a smile.

((u can decide what kind of books Dan would like ^_-))
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 25, 2003 01:38 PM
((Aw, that's cold, making me think about that. ^_^))

Toby pulls out the one on top, a rather thick volume for a child, with a slip of paper stuck somewhere in the middle. Daniel nods eagerly. "Read that one!"

"The Voyages of Doctor Doolittle?" Toby reads aloud. "I didn't know it was a book..."

((No, I've not read it myself (or even seen a good movie based on it! ^_^; ), but it won the Newbery award in 1923, and the full text is at http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/etext98/vdrdl10.txt ))
 
Thalia
Variant
Jun 25, 2003 01:46 PM
((hehe, i did, years ago - the last few pages were missing from the copy i had - i was rather annoyed at the time ^_-))

Becky chuckles. "It was a book before it was anything else. Dan likes it cos all the animals talk - there's even a parrot in it who can talk perfect english."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 25, 2003 02:04 PM
((Well, if I get bored enough.....^_^ Supposedly the unabridged version is a rare find, but I don't know who says that. ^_^; Oh, and Daniel's not too big on picture books; like a regular cat, motionless pictures don't entertain him much. But they actually did a study in the '20s that found that cats had some interest in moving pictures, even while dogs did not!))

Toby sits down on the bed, as near Daniel as he dares. "I guess it's a good book for him, then," he says, smiling slightly.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 25, 2003 02:59 PM
Becky smiles. "Thanks for helping me read to him, you don't have to."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 25, 2003 03:25 PM
"I might as well learn to like books, if there's no television," Toby says, smiling. He sets the book on the bed in front of Becky and Daniel and opens to the page that's marked, then looks at Becky again.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 25, 2003 03:36 PM
Becky starts to read to Dan from the page they were at, smiling her thanks to Toby as she does so and occasionally glancing at Dan to make sure he's understanding it all.
 
Daniel
Adorable Kitten-Person
Jun 25, 2003 03:56 PM
Daniel doesn't hesitate to ask questions at anything he doesn't understand, which irritates Toby a bit, as the story goes by much slower that way. Coincidentally, Becky winds up reading chapter 11, wherein the parrot Polynesia teaches the narrator to read. This prompts even more questions from Daniel, who picks up the concept of "spelling" in a flash (the second time's a charm) and immediately demands to be taught his letters.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 25, 2003 03:57 PM
Becky laughs. "You want to be taught right now?"
 
Daniel
Adorable Kitten-Person
Jun 25, 2003 04:03 PM
"Well, Tommy can learn," Daniel says firmly. "And he's only ten. How old am I?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 25, 2003 04:20 PM
"Um..." Becky hesitates. "I'm not sure. When we were at your village the cat people didn't stop to tell us your birthday."
 
Daniel
Adorable Kitten-Person
Jun 25, 2003 04:33 PM
"Oh." Daniel mrrs, disappointed.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 25, 2003 04:39 PM
Becky smiles reassuringly. "But i'm sure you're old enough to learn to read - Libby and i thought about teaching you last month but we never got round to asking you, with everything that's happened."
 
Daniel
Variant
Jun 25, 2003 04:43 PM
"Okay." Daniel looks up at Becky expectantly.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 25, 2003 04:45 PM
"Um..." Becky glances at Toby and then says, "I'm not really sure how to teach you. Do i not get time to prepare?" she adds jokingly.
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 25, 2003 04:51 PM
"Is there such a thing as flash cards here?" Toby asks, half-smirking.

Daniel's tail twitches. "I wanted to learn now. Then I could finish Dr. Doolittle."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 25, 2003 04:55 PM
"I suppose i could make some up," Becky says weakly. "If i could *write* or if we even had any paper lying about." She looks over at Daniel. "I think it'll take a bit more than just a day for you to learn to read Dr. Doolittle, Dan."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 25, 2003 05:06 PM
"Awww," Daniel says sadly.

"I'd try, but my handwriting's not so good," Toby says. "I'll make you some paper when you want, though."

Daniel looks at Toby questioningly, but he ignores the cat.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 25, 2003 05:08 PM
Becky sighs and then smiles at Dan. "How bout i just read you some more just now, Dan, and we'll sort something out once i'm better. Okay?"
 
Daniel
Variant
Jun 25, 2003 05:12 PM
Daniel mrrs. "Okay." He puts his head in Toby's lap (only because Becky's is indisposed) and listens as Becky reads. Toby keeps his hands away from Daniel's face as best he can.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 25, 2003 05:14 PM
After a while Becky flexes her hand again, focusing on it rather than the book. She's still flickering slightly but when she reaches over and tickles behind Dan's ears he can feel it.
 
Daniel
Adorable Kitten-Person
Jun 25, 2003 05:30 PM
Daniel laughs in delight, looking back at Becky, and only restraining himself from pouncing her with some extreme effort on his part.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 25, 2003 05:39 PM
Becky chuckles. "It's not that surprising. I've always become soild again before."
 
Daniel
Variant
Jun 25, 2003 05:42 PM
"But I don't like it," Daniel says quietly. "Ghosts are scary anyway."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 25, 2003 05:43 PM
"Oh thanks," Becky says, laughing. "I start flickering and i'm suddenly all scary."
 
Daniel
Variant
Jun 25, 2003 05:46 PM
"I'm not scared of *you,*" Daniel says, "but aren't other ghosts dead people?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 25, 2003 05:49 PM
Becky pales slightly and looks away, almost as if Dan's words've upset her somehow, but she says simply, "Ghosts don't really exist Dan. People's souls move on when they die, to somewhere else, ghosts're just stories."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 25, 2003 05:51 PM
Toby looks at Becky, a little concerned.

"Then what about that ghost that came for Libby?" Daniel asks. "I saw him through the door," he adds.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 25, 2003 05:55 PM
Becky notices Toby's concerned look and smiles weakly but then she turns to Dan, sighing. "He wasn't...really...a ghost. There was a woman out there who...used Libby's memories to make him real for a wee while."
 
Daniel
Adorable Kitten-Person
Jun 25, 2003 06:18 PM
"He was a ghost," Daniel says with determination.

"I don't think there's such things as ghosts," Toby says, glancing at Becky. "Maybe things that look like them. But if dead people could come back, wouldn't they have better things to do than bother us? Like..."--Toby realizes that a reference to watching women undress would be at best lost on the cat, and changes his phrasing--"...like sneaking into movies for free?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 25, 2003 06:24 PM
"The woman even admitted it wasn't really Libby's dad," Becky says softly. "It's like...it's like..." She pauses, realising that she was about to compare the apparition to herself and quickly changes what she was going to say, mumbling, "She put together all these memories of Libby's and for a few minutes that was enough to make him real. But he wasn't a ghost, i swear, Dan."
 
Daniel
Adorable Kitten-Person
Jun 25, 2003 06:26 PM
"So things that look like ghosts are people's memories?" Daniel asks doubtfully.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 25, 2003 06:28 PM
Becky shrugs. "That was what that man was. I don't know how you would explain other things that look like ghosts - i doubt that woman's to blame for them all."
 
Daniel
Variant
Jun 25, 2003 06:31 PM
Daniel still looks unconvinced. He yawns. "It's boring in here."

Toby laughs a bit at that.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 25, 2003 06:39 PM
Becky smiles, although there's something in her expression that suggests she's still rather upset by something Dan said. "Sorry, Dan, i'd take you for a walk in the park but it's maybe not a good idea."
 
Daniel
Variant
Jun 26, 2003 11:16 AM
Daniel mrrs unhappily, then jumps off the bed. "Guess I'll go backstage, then," he says, padding towards the door.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 26, 2003 11:59 AM
"Okay," Becky says with a weak smile. "See you later, Dan."
She glances at Toby, trying to keep the cheerful expression on her face.
"I'll stop flickering soon, now that i'm solid again."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 26, 2003 12:12 PM
"Good," Toby says, smiling faintly. "Give you a *nickel* for your thoughts. That's a four cent profit; you can't turn it down."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 26, 2003 12:28 PM
"I doubt they're worth that much," Becky says with a wry smile.
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 26, 2003 12:32 PM
Toby shrugs. "You looked upset. You want to talk about it?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 26, 2003 12:39 PM
Becky shrugs. "I've got a messed up past. I don't really talk about it with anyone."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 26, 2003 12:56 PM
"It's not your fault, how you were born," Toby says quietly, looking at the wall opposite the bed. "Even if they made you in a lab, those scientists can't declare who is and isn't human."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 26, 2003 02:15 PM
"With me they kinda can," Becky mutters wryly and then she stops, looking surprised, and turns away from Toby, not having meant to say anything.
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 26, 2003 04:32 PM
Toby looks rather irritated. "I don't care what they told you. That Daniel of yours is a person, and so are you."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 26, 2003 04:45 PM
"I know Dan is," Becky murmurs. "I'd argue to the death to make someone accept Dan as a person. But...it isn't what they told me about me that makes me think that...it's what i know about me."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 26, 2003 04:55 PM
"What, are you a robot?" Toby asks cynically.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 26, 2003 04:59 PM
Becky opens her mouth as if to speak and then she pauses and asks softly, "When you touch things...can you use your power and know what they're made up of? Can you do that?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 26, 2003 05:09 PM
Toby pauses. "I guess I could, kind of. I mean, if something looks like it's metal but it's really made of wood, I can tell when I try to change it..."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 26, 2003 05:12 PM
Becky holds out her hand. There's a calm expression on her face but the hand trembles slightly. "What am i?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 26, 2003 05:25 PM
Toby takes Becky's hand carefully. "Uh...I'll be careful, but it may hurt a little..."

((And do you have any ideas as to what she "is"? ^_-))
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 26, 2003 05:28 PM
((hmmm...energy given solid form...how do you explain that in terms of molecules? ^^;; But then again, maybe Toby would have no idea what she was either ^_-))

Becky smiles weakly. "That's alright. It's still better...than trying to find the words."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 26, 2003 05:43 PM
Toby looks at Becky's hand intently, trying to feel her out without actually rearranging her molecules. "I don't...I don't know that I feel much of anything," he says quietly. "Probably because you're still only half-there."

((I don't know either; last time I took science was in high school anyway. @_@))
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 26, 2003 05:48 PM
"No," Becky murmurs. "I'm mostly back to myself now. I don't get much more solid."

((i think if i asked one of my old teachers he'd just give me a funny look - i guess it isn't an entirely *scientific* idea ^^;;))
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 26, 2003 05:51 PM
Toby presses Becky's hand a bit harder. "I don't know...it feels a little like...like *moving,* if that's a feeling."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 26, 2003 05:54 PM
"I'm made up of movement," Becky says, suddenly laughing. "That's a new one. Although i'll admit it's a bit better than the way Dominick described me to my friends."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 26, 2003 06:06 PM
Toby slowly lets go of Becky's hand, smiling slightly. "What was that?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 26, 2003 06:10 PM
"Oh, something along the lines of a personification of his sister's power," Becky says weakly. "He more or less made it sound like i was some after-affect of an experiment gone wrong. Which...i guess i am in a way."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 26, 2003 06:37 PM
"Why do you think that?" Toby asks, frowning.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 26, 2003 06:44 PM
"Cos the experiment was supposed to remove her powers...and they were supposed to look like her for long enough for everyone to think she died," Becky sighs. "But instead...*i* was made. I don't have a real body because my body was hers...and she died during the experiment." She looks away, a sad expression on her face. "I've never had to explain this before...i'm beginning to understand how hard it was for Dominick to explain."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 26, 2003 10:32 PM
"You...have her memories and everything, right?" Toby asks slowly. "You're...like a story this guy Mike told me. The only part of it I remember was, the girl said she believed that whenever someone dies, then there's another parallel universe where they go on living, and when that parallel you dies, another parallel you will come up again, until you're...I don't know, I think it was 80 or something, and you die for the last time. So dying wasn't so bad, if you figure there's another you continuing on with life."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 27, 2003 01:21 AM
"Yeah, i have her memories," Becky murmurs. "The scientist who did the experiment asked her once if she could imagine herself being split in two...and one part of her escaped the labs and went on to live a normal life...but the other part died in the labs. It was supposed to happen the other way round though, until it all went wrong. And now I'm like this ghost that just doesn't know when to give up and fade away. But i hate to think of myself as being a part of Rebecca." She sighs. "It kinda makes me feel like...like that's all i can be. Like there isn't any real *me* - i mean could you imagine your powers suddenly leaving your body and becoming a real person?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 27, 2003 11:31 AM
Toby thinks for a minute, then smiles faintly. "Yeah; we'd be friends. I'd take him out for coffee sometime."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 27, 2003 12:34 PM
Becky laughs weakly. "No you wouldn't, cos he'd probably resent your existence...just like i hate being reminded of Rebecca."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 27, 2003 12:41 PM
"Well," Toby says slowly, "I wouldn't hate him, no matter how he felt about me. I'd miss my powers if I didn't have 'em, but then I could at least go back home. Maybe," he adds. "Anyway, I couldn't hate someone who's just a...who's a part of *me.*"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 27, 2003 01:29 PM
Becky flexes her hand again and mutters, "I'm not a *part* of her...i'm me - i'm not Rebecca."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 27, 2003 01:31 PM
"Right--*now* you're your own person." Toby shrugs. "I don't get why it bothers you."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 27, 2003 02:43 PM
Becky shakes her head and sighs. She looks for a moment as if she's struggling to come up with the words and then she finally says, "There's a girl called Alisha who can absorb people's talents...but when she used it on me, everything i am went into her body and after a while *i* was gone - if her power hadn't worn off then...i don't know if i would've been able to come back. It's knowing things like *that* can happen to me that bothers me. It's knowing that when my brother shows up and upsets me i could kill myself just by not wanting to *be* me."
She turns away, looking annoyed, and then sighs. "It doesn't matter. I don't even know why i'm telling you this. It's *my* problem."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 27, 2003 03:28 PM
Toby's quiet for a while. "Oh," he finally says. He pauses again. "Being you can't be *all* bad, though, can it? You can go anywhere in the world you want. You could probably make it to *Mars* if you felt like it."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 27, 2003 03:34 PM
"I've been drifting around the world all my life," Becky sighs. "There's nowhere i want to go anymore."
She covers her face in her hands for a moment and when she pulls them away she's smiling and any sadness in her face would only be noticed if Toby was paying close attention to her mood.
"Not that it matters. I've got Libby and Dan and the others here. Best friends i've ever had."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 27, 2003 03:51 PM
"And don't forget me!" Toby says, grinning.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 27, 2003 04:01 PM
Becky chuckles. "Think you'll be able to manage living in 1928 then?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 27, 2003 04:02 PM
Toby smirks. "I'll give it a try. I admit, life without television *is* slightly better than being locked in a cell in a lab."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 27, 2003 04:07 PM
"Very true," Becky smiles. "Although i do occasionally miss my saturday morning cartoons."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 27, 2003 04:19 PM
Toby smiles weakly. "They usually tested me in the mornings, even Saturdays. But I liked them when I was small. Which was your favorite?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 27, 2003 04:55 PM
"I was a Looney Tunes fan," Becky says with a slight smile. "Nothing like some mindlessly violent cartoon animals to stop you thinking about your own life."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 27, 2003 05:00 PM
Toby laughs. "They'd have me make things while they were testing me, and I *almost* managed to bonk one of 'em on the head with a mallot."

Becky
Variant
Jun 27, 2003 05:05 PM
Becky laughs as well. "Now that would've made a good episode."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 27, 2003 05:08 PM
"Makes me wish I could draw," Toby says, smiling. "Could've drawn ultra-violent underground comic books."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 27, 2003 05:09 PM
"Can't help you there," Becky replies. "I couldn't draw to save myself."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 27, 2003 05:12 PM
"You'd think I'd be a *little* better," Toby says, shrugging. He suddenly laughs. "I *am* a pretty good sculptor."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 27, 2003 05:14 PM
"I don't know if that really counts as art," Becky replies with a smile.
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 27, 2003 05:15 PM
"And probably not entertainment," Toby says, smiling. "You look pretty solid now."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 27, 2003 05:19 PM
Becky flexes her hand again and nods. "All back to normal. As normal as i can be anyway."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 27, 2003 05:47 PM
Toby laughs. "You're living with a giant cat and a woman who seems to wear green make-up all day long, and you still don't think *you're* normal?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 27, 2003 05:55 PM
Becky smiles and jokes, "Now you see why i feel so comfortable here."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 27, 2003 06:02 PM
"Wonder if I'll get used to it," Toby muses, but he doesn't seem too unhappy about it. "Should be an adventure, at least."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 27, 2003 06:04 PM
"It's always an adventure round here," Becky says, rolling her eyes. "Something seems to happen practically every day."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 27, 2003 06:11 PM
Toby stretches, then fumbles with something he's making in his hands. "Like what?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 27, 2003 06:18 PM
"Like that ghost Dan mentioned for one," Becky says with a shrug. "Turned out it was a variant like us who came for the show and ended up using them to make a projection of Libby's father."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 27, 2003 06:19 PM
((ended up using her talent - rather than 'using them' ^^;; ))
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 27, 2003 06:21 PM
Toby's eyes widen. "That *would* be kind of scary." He pauses. "Was he nice? Libby's father, I mean?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 27, 2003 06:32 PM
"Yeah, he was," Becky sighs. "But she never saw the projection cos the woman's talent knocked her out - though i guess it was probably for the best."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 27, 2003 06:33 PM
Toby ponders that. "I think I'd want to see, though...but my parents aren't dead. I don't think...."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 27, 2003 06:43 PM
"Well, right now they're not even alive," Becky replies. "So it doesn't really matter much. And besides, it wasn't real, it was just made up of Libby's memories of him."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 27, 2003 08:51 PM
Toby shrugs, then pauses. "How easy do you think it is to change the future? Some people think if you so much as swat a mosquito, you might change the world so that you were never born..."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 28, 2003 01:02 AM
"What is everyone's obsession with trying to change things before they happen?" Becky asks wryly. "You're not going to end up killing yourself just by living quietly in Coney Island if that's what you mean. And don't even *try* to ask me about killing someone like Hitler."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 28, 2003 01:27 AM
"I wouldn't try to change anything," Toby says, frowning. "That's what I was worried about; somehow accidentally making something worse. And I'll try to keep a low profile, but sometimes I lose my temper a little."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 28, 2003 12:02 PM
"As long as losing your temper doesn't involve hospitalizing anyone, you'll probably be fine," Becky replies wryly. "I think it takes a bit more than just living somewhere to drastically change anything - nothing's changed while i've been hopping around in the past that i've noticed."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 28, 2003 12:06 PM
"Maybe you wouldn't notice, though," Toby muses. He then shrugs. "Well, I won't worry, then. Want to go out again? I'll win you a teddy bear. Uh, they do have teddy bears, right?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 28, 2003 12:14 PM
Becky chuckles. "Yeah, they've got teddy bears. Although quite a few people round here're pretty good at making sure no one wins them."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 28, 2003 12:33 PM
Toby laughs. "Like the basketballs that are almost too big for the hoops, or the darts with dull points? I can fix that..."
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 28, 2003 12:51 PM
"Things like that, yeah," Becky says with a smile. "You wanna try your luck then?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 28, 2003 01:02 PM
"Let's try it," Toby says cheerfully.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 28, 2003 01:02 PM
Becky heads for the door again, not bothering to tell Libby that she's leaving.
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 28, 2003 04:46 PM
Toby's not even living there, so he certainly doesn't think to inform anyone of where he's going. They get to the Bowery and its games of chance in fairly short order. "Which one do you think?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 29, 2003 04:55 AM
"Well...i wouldn't pick anything with marbles...i once played this game, you tossed a marble onto a grid and got a prize for whatever square it landed on - twice in a row the marble bounced out the box and the guy ended up giving me a prize for my sheer bad luck," Becky says wryly.
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 29, 2003 08:35 PM
"And nothing with guns--the sights are crooked on those, and doubt I could figure out how to compensate. And I doubt I'd be good enough to straighten them," Toby adds, grinning. He can't find any dart games that don't seem to require quite a bit of skill, so he settles on a game where you have to knock the milk jars over with a ball. He takes the ball and rolls it in his hand a few times, looking at Becky as if to ask her whether to cheat or not.
 
Becky
Variant
Jun 30, 2003 10:37 AM
"Some of these games are rigged so that you can't knock them all over," Becky murmurs, softly so only Toby hears her. "Dunno about this one though."
 
Toby
Variant
Jun 30, 2003 09:13 PM
"Well, you get three tries," Toby says, shrugging. He tries his first, and hardly even glances the bottles. "Good thing, too," he adds with a smile.
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 01, 2003 12:34 AM
Becky chuckles. "The people that run these things aren't always very fair with their games."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 01, 2003 08:40 PM
The second ball hits the bottles, but they just shift backwards on their platform, the top one staying firmly on the bottom one. Toby gets a little gleam in his eye on the third ball, and after he examines it for a while, he hurls it at the bottles, which cleanly slide off the platform with such force that one breaks upon hitting the ground.

Toby jokes weakly about not knowing his own strength, but the attendant looks rather suspicious, and picks up the ball Toby throws. "It's heavy as lead! How'd you switch them?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 02, 2003 05:20 AM
"Who says he switched them?" Becky asks, grinning. "Is it so hard for you to think you've got a ball in there that can actually knock over the bottles?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 08, 2003 10:05 PM
"I sure don't have any *shotputs* out here!" the man shoots back, looking closely at the ball, which appears to be identical to the others. He holds them both out to Becky. "Feel for yourself! This must weigh ten pounds!"
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 09, 2003 12:51 PM
((hehe, i never did get a chance to mention to anyone that she had an adult's strength...did i? ^_^))

Becky takes the heavier ball and rolls it in her hands. "Doesn't seem that heavy to me."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 09, 2003 03:57 PM
"You think I'm mad, don't you?" the man suddenly asks, glaring at Becky.

Toby frowns silently.
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 09, 2003 04:12 PM
"No," Becky replies, handing the ball to Toby so he can change it back to its normal weight. "I think you're trying to get out of giving Toby the prize he won."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 09, 2003 06:16 PM
After just a moment, Toby hands the ball back to the carny, smiling a little. The man looks at the ball, lifting it in his hand, and then laughs a bit. "Well, you two are better tricksters than me." He motions to the rather cheap-looking prizes hanging from the wall and sitting on shelves. "Any of 'em's yours."

Toby's expression shows he thinks everything there is junk. "What do you want?" he asks Becky.
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 10, 2003 08:50 AM
Becky chuckles and then says with a smile, "What about that?"
She points to one of the prettier looking teddy bears.

((if there are any ^_-))
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 10, 2003 12:33 PM
The bear has curly brown fur and glass eyes, with a rather frilly pink ribbon tied around its neck. The man grudgingly hands it to Becky. As Toby steps away from the booth, none of the carnies nearby call out asking him to play, prefering to heckle the other visitors instead.
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 10, 2003 04:49 PM
"Pink," Becky says, wrinkling her nose, but still smiling. "They could've at least picked a better colour for the ribbon."
She looks around at the nearby booths and, grinning, says to Toby under her breath, "At least we're not being heckled to play anymore."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 10, 2003 05:01 PM
"But now how will we know which game to try?" Toby asks, smirking. "You don't like when a total stranger calls you a pretty lady?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 10, 2003 05:18 PM
"Are you kidding?" Becky jokes. "I just love being eyed up by strange old men."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 10, 2003 05:42 PM
"A pretty parasol for a pretty girl!" Toby mocks. "All you have to do is land this dull-tipped dart onto the metal bulls-eye. Even a child could do it...unless your boyfriend is *scared.*"
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 10, 2003 05:54 PM
"Scared? Why would he be scared when he can just fiddle about with dart's molecules so it can cut through anything?" Becky asks, chuckling. "You know, we're gonna get a reputation as a couple of swindlers if you keep doing that."

Toby
Variant
Jul 10, 2003 05:59 PM
Toby frowns, looking around suspiciously, to see if anyone heard what Becky said, especially about rearranging molecules.
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 10, 2003 06:05 PM
"Oh, don't worry, no one's close enough to hear," Becky says, smiling reassuringly. "I've had a lot more experience at keeping quiet about these things than to have some random person overhearing me."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 10, 2003 06:08 PM
"Well, I wouldn't think a so-called--"--he says the word distastefully--"*freak* show wouldn't be the best place to hide," Toby says, frowning. His expression softens a little. "But I guess you haven't been caught yet."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 10, 2003 06:17 PM
"Hiding's easy when you can just run off someplace else after a few days," Becky says with a shrug. "That's about as long as i planned on staying here - i was just curious, y'see. Wanted to know what Libby's game was, running a show like that. But i've been here nearly six months and that's the longest i've ever stayed anywhere."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 10, 2003 06:19 PM
Toby's eyes widen. "And how long ago did you escape...?"

((On a completely unrelated note, I was reading back when they first met Daniel and he was clearly a few years older...but then he reverted back into the generic kitten-person that always has to populate every yarn I do, I suppose. ^_^; ))
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 10, 2003 06:27 PM
((lol, i do remember when he was first introduced he acted old enough for me to think it might be jasmine ^^;;))

"Lost track of that a long time ago," Becky says with a shrug. "When you've not got a real body, you don't really age like a real person." She hesitates as if not sure she wants to tell him but then adds, "Dominick said he'd traced about thirty years worth but i dunno how right that is." She looks away and then adds, lightly, "Variant or not, i really am a bit of a freak."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 10, 2003 06:30 PM
Toby smiles a little at Becky. "I always wanted to travel, but I think I'd be tired of drifting too."

((Well, if he was older, I'd have to, you know, not forget about him. ^_^;;; Oh well; if we continue and skip into the future.....))
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 10, 2003 06:43 PM
"Oh, it's not so bad," Becky says with a smile. "You get to meet a lot of people at least. And i know i'll have to do it again, one day - i can't stay around here forever, always looking like this."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 10, 2003 09:30 PM
Toby frowns. "What do you mean?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 11, 2003 07:32 AM
"No real body, no real aging," Becky replies with a wry smile, trying to make a joke out of it. "I think people'd start to notice in ten years time if i still looked sixteen."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 11, 2003 10:34 AM
"Guess there's no such things as facelifts yet," Toby says, frowning. "Too bad you aren't a few years older; then you'd be stuck at the perfect age...I mean, the ones women spend hours a day trying to make themselves look like."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 11, 2003 01:57 PM
Becky chuckles. "That would be good, i guess. But at least being sixteen's better than being stuck as a ten year old forever."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 11, 2003 02:04 PM
"No kidding," Toby says, laughing a bit. He pauses. "It wouldn't be too bad, though, really, if you were a few years older. At least, *I* wouldn't mind if I were stuck this age."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 11, 2003 02:11 PM
"Well i don't really get much choice in the matter," Becky says with a smile. "And i don't know why i keep telling you about it all - i'm not really in the habit of telling people all about myself the first day i meet them." She grins at him. "Sure you haven't got some latent psychic powers of some kind?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 11, 2003 03:09 PM
"If I do, you've got 'em too," Toby says, smiling back. "I sure didn't mean to tell you everything I did, either."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 11, 2003 04:10 PM
Becky chuckles. "Maybe we're destined to be great friends and we're just both getting in there early with the confiding in each other part."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 11, 2003 04:19 PM
Toby grins. "Could be. I mean, I could *never* be friends with someone who didn't love ice cream, so we've got that covered..."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 11, 2003 04:25 PM
"Definitely," Becky says cheerfully. "The ice-cream thing's a must and i guess i can forgive you for liking cats."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 11, 2003 04:41 PM
"Well, I don't like them a *lot,*" Toby says quickly. "They're soft, though, and I'm not allergic. Guess I'll either wind up loving or hating them soon enough, though." He laughs.
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 11, 2003 04:52 PM
Becky grins. "Oh yeah, surrounded by cats day and night - you'll be desperate to get out of the house after a few days."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 11, 2003 05:19 PM
"Then I'll just have to come visit my kindred spirit, won't I?" Toby asks, laughing.
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 11, 2003 05:27 PM
Becky chuckles. "Oh yeah, you can come and admire my cute antennae and green skin."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 11, 2003 05:34 PM
"Kinky," Toby says, laughing.
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 11, 2003 05:46 PM
((lol, that's exactly what rik said when he saw what i posted ^_-))

"I think the outfits are a bit tame for that," Becky replies with a grin.
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 11, 2003 05:59 PM
((LOL!))

Toby laughs. "Be careful; I might sneak into the building some night and fix that."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 11, 2003 06:11 PM
"Then you'd have to face Libby and she might well set Maeve on you," Becky grins.
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 11, 2003 06:12 PM
"Should I be afraid?" Toby asks, smiling.
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 11, 2003 06:19 PM
Becky grins. "Maeve's got a rather fiery temper...it's not always a good idea to mess with her."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 11, 2003 06:25 PM
"I'll try to remember that name, then," Toby says, still smiling. "Think we exhausted our luck here, or do you want me to win you some more useless trash? I don't see any giant plastic combs, but those little dolls are pretty ugly..."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 11, 2003 06:41 PM
"I got one of those dolls last month," Becky says with a wry smile. "I was playing one of those marble games where you toss the marble onto a grid and get a prize, whatever square you land on - my marble bounced out twice in a row and the guy was so amazed he gave me a prize for my bad luck."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 11, 2003 07:29 PM
Toby grins. "Not much of a prize. I guess they finally made something uglier than those stupid good luck trolls."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 11, 2003 07:52 PM
"I'm not sure if those're even invented yet," Becky replies. "Maybe the trolls were their way of *improving* the look."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 11, 2003 10:24 PM
"I guess neon pink hair improves the appearance of any toy," Toby says, smirking.
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 11, 2003 10:39 PM
Becky chuckles. "Or at least distracts you from its appearance."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 11, 2003 10:51 PM
Toby smiles. "You want to stroll the boardwalk? We wouldn't have to change clothes or anything."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 11, 2003 10:59 PM
"I...suppose," Becky says hesitantly and then she quickly smiles and says, "Sure, it'll make the carnies happier anyway."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 11, 2003 11:04 PM
Toby grins. "'Til I change our hair color so we can come back and trick them again."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 11, 2003 11:07 PM
Becky chuckles. "I think they'd start to notice a pattern after a while."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 11, 2003 11:18 PM
"Yeah, and even though green skin seems to be popular here, I don't think green *hair* is." Toby smiles, walking towards the smell of the ocean.
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 11, 2003 11:23 PM
Becky's smile fades slightly as they near the ocean but she replies cheerfully, "I think you'll have to wait a few years for green hair dye to work its way into shops."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 11, 2003 11:26 PM
"Try sixty," Toby says, frowning. "I never tried it, though...probably not any fun anyway. I get stared at enough when my hair's brown."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 11, 2003 11:36 PM
"Why would you get stared at?" She smiles cheekily, "You're not *that* good looking."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 11, 2003 11:39 PM
Toby laughs. "Well, I always *imagined* them staring at me, anyway; I feel like I stand out, you know. And my hair never has straightened out from all those shocks..."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 12, 2003 12:47 PM
Becky's smile fades slightly at the mention of shocks but she quickly covers it up and says, "It looks fine to me - just a wee bit like you don't know one end of a hairbrush from the other, right enough," she adds cheerfully.
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 12, 2003 01:25 PM
"Aw, thanks," Toby says, sarcastically, but smiling. They reach the boardwalk parallel to the coastline, and Toby looks out at the ocean, mildly awed.
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 12, 2003 01:46 PM
"It's pretty isn't it?" Becky asks. "I go out onto the pier...sometimes...to think and be on my own." She chuckles. "Contemplate my existence and all that."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 12, 2003 02:54 PM
"It's a wonder any of us exist, really, if you think about it," Toby says cheerfully. "If you're just held together through force of will...I think that's cool."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 12, 2003 03:02 PM
"Cool?" Becky chuckles. "I've never really thought of it as being cool before."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 12, 2003 04:27 PM
"Well, I mean...most people, if they get shot or something, it doesn't matter how much they want to live; they won't. But that wouldn't hurt you, right?" Toby frowns. "I'm not so good at explaining things."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 13, 2003 11:41 AM
Becky smiles slightly. "I got shot once...to protect this boy i liked - when the bullets passed through me i just flickered slightly and they fell away." She chuckles wryly. "The boy didn't much appreciate the sentiment when he realised i was a variant though."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 13, 2003 11:08 PM
Toby smiles sadly. "You'd think he'd be glad to be alive, anyway. If even a...a *doctor* kept me from getting killed, I'd be at least a *little* grateful."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 13, 2003 11:56 PM
Becky shrugs. "I think he was a bit freaked by the fact that i wasn't bleeding to death. For all i know he ran back five minutes later to apologise but i was long gone by then."

((actually...he did ^^;; i wrote this story ages ago but can't remember if i ever posted it up - i just suddenly remembered one of the characters in it has the same sort of power as Toby ^_^))
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 14, 2003 12:25 PM
"He probably did," Toby says softly. "Most people aren't really bad or cruel; they just get caught off guard." He grins. "I didn't do anything for Millie except get her in trouble, and she was still sorry."

((Nah, I never saw it. ^_^))
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 14, 2003 01:15 PM
((hehe, i posted it up on the stories bit for u ^_-))

Becky smiles. "Millie? Is that the girl whose clothes you melted away then?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 14, 2003 01:27 PM
"Not all of 'em," Toby says, blushing madly. "I didn't even mean to; just got caught up, you know?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 14, 2003 01:44 PM
Becky begins to laugh. "No wonder she was a bit shocked although i suppose there're more embarrassing things that could've happened to you." She grins wickedly.
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 14, 2003 02:03 PM
Toby smirks. "Like what?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 14, 2003 02:13 PM
Becky raises an eyebrow. "Did you miss out on those little talks at school? I could go into detail if you like although you might not appreciate it." She chuckles.
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 14, 2003 02:33 PM
Toby curses quietly, his face flushed scarlet. "I...never tried...using anything but my hands to melt stuff..." He starts to laugh.
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 14, 2003 02:59 PM
Becky starts to laugh too, mainly at his red face. "Didn't mean to embarrass you," she says, although she doesn't look particularly regretful.
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 14, 2003 03:26 PM
"Never crossed my mind...to try it..." Toby adds, between laughs. He grins at Becky. "You're a hundred times worse than Christa. You're even dirtier than Clayton."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 14, 2003 03:32 PM
Becky rolls her eyes. "I've spent far too long acting like a kid just cos that's the way i look. I'm older than all of my friends and they still sometimes try to baby me." She chuckles. "I've not got that much of a dirty mind though."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 14, 2003 04:06 PM
"Well, Christa and Clayton were Catholic," Toby says lightly, as if that explains it all. "And you aren't *that* young-looking. Teenagers are the worst anyway."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 14, 2003 04:09 PM
"Oh thanks!" Becky laughs. And she adds with a smile, "I didn't always look as old as this - this's a recent thing, nearly killed myself cos i was so desperate not to be associated with Rebecca and i ended up stuck looking like this. 'S a pity i couldn't just do it again and make myself an adult, right enough."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 14, 2003 04:19 PM
"Well, you don't want to grow up too quick, anyway," Toby says, smiling faintly. "I kinda wish I was a couple years older; not sure I matured much in the lab."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 14, 2003 04:19 PM
((er, 'younger,' not older. >_< ))
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 14, 2003 04:22 PM
((lol ^_^))

Becky chuckles and then jokes, "Just stick with me and you can blame your immaturity on spending too much time with a wayward teenager."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 14, 2003 04:29 PM
"Maybe I will," Toby muses, smiling. "But I get the feeling that teenagers behave better than teenagers from our time. I mean, how do they rebel--listen to jazz music real loud on their phonographs?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 14, 2003 04:39 PM
Becky laughs. "Probably something like that - i haven't really run into any real rebels round here and i've been spending most of my time helping Libby with the show." Suddenly seems to remember something, "I don't even think the term 'teenager' exists yet."

((it was invented some time in the 1950s ^_^ my psychology notes are good for something after all even if i can't remember the exact year ^^;;))
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 14, 2003 04:40 PM
Toby blinks. "Then what are you?"

((Yeah, I was gonna mention that one, but Toby sure doesn't know, and I figured you either knew (I think I mentioned it to Cleo once...) or didn't care. ^_^))
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 14, 2003 04:52 PM
Becky shrugs. "A kid, of course. Almost makes me wish i was back in Scotland - at least then i'd considered an adult." She chuckles. "Not that i've got any identification to prove i'm any age anyway."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 14, 2003 04:58 PM
"Well, *I'm* an adult," Toby says proudly. "Old enough to drink even, right?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 14, 2003 05:20 PM
"Yeah, rub it in," Becky chuckles and then adds, "Well, it's prohibited but that doesn't make alcohol any harder to find - in fact it probably makes it easier."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 14, 2003 05:22 PM
"Oh, right," Toby says. "Then I guess you could drink too; they don't card for bootleg liquor, do they?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 14, 2003 05:30 PM
"Yeah but alcohol doesn't really affect me as much as a normal person," Becky says with a smile. "Libby took me to a speakeasy once and suggested i drink hard liquor but..." She chuckles slightly. "I don't really like being out of control, as boring as that makes me sound."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 14, 2003 05:34 PM
Toby sobers instantly (no pun intended). "No," he says quietly. "I know what you mean. People like us have to be careful. Anyone who has something to hide can't afford to lose control of themselves, right?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 14, 2003 05:40 PM
"Right, i mean i'd hate to think what'd happen if some of my friends lost control while they were drunk - i mean, Libby, i don't think anyone'd appreciate it if she suddenly made a room full of people disappear," Becky says, wryly.
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 14, 2003 05:45 PM
Toby cringes. "Guess not. But...I thought you said something about her not having good control anyway..."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 14, 2003 05:47 PM
"That's kind of my point...makes it even easier for her to just lose control completely," Becky says with a weak smile. "Although i guess it hasn't happened yet."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 14, 2003 05:56 PM
"Good," Toby says weakly. "Because if they figured out what happened, she'd be put in jail for sure."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 14, 2003 06:00 PM
Becky shrugs. "They'd all come back in a few hours. She never makes people disappear for long - and variants probably aren't common enough yet for them to think of that anyway."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 14, 2003 06:05 PM
"So she never appeared in her own show?" Toby asks quietly.
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 14, 2003 06:07 PM
"She mostly just introduced the acts," Becky replies. "She doesn't have enough control of her talent to really've used it in the show. Though all our friends...everyone round here probably knows what they can do."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 14, 2003 06:16 PM
"Why hasn't she bothered to learn?" Toby asks, frowning. "Maybe making people disappear isn't usually *useful,* but she ought to try to control it a little."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 14, 2003 06:21 PM
"It's not like she hasn't bothered," Becky replies defensively. "She's tried, she still tries. I don't think it's exactly the easiest power to practice with."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 14, 2003 06:29 PM
Toby frowns. "Maybe not...but you'd think she would've learned by now. It must be scary to just vanish."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 14, 2003 06:31 PM
"Not really," Becky chuckles. "It's the reappearing that kinda gets you - suddenly a few hours've passed and you've no idea what's happening. But to me it's kinda just like teleporting but with an extra twist."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 14, 2003 10:33 PM
"I guess worse things could happen," Toby says slowly, still a bit frightened of the prospect. "But I guess it's kinda like traveling backwards through time, only...forwards." He heads towards the pier that leads out onto the ocean, and when he finds an unused spot, sits, dangling his legs over the edge, not minding the nearby fishermen.
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 15, 2003 05:36 AM
Becky looks a bit wary when Toby goes to sit right at the edge and instead sits a bit further back, with her legs curled underneath her.
"Well," she says, keeping her eyes away from the edge. "It's better than being electrocuted or burnt to a crisp or flown round the room, i suppose."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 15, 2003 11:17 AM
Toby smiles faintly. "You're giving real-life examples, aren't you?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 15, 2003 12:41 PM
Becky chuckles. "Yep, that's three of my friends but Ethan and Alex don't come round very often anymore so you're a bit safer now."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 15, 2003 01:19 PM
"Yeah, guess I *would* be pretty good in a show," Toby says quietly. "Not dangerous, either. But even in the lab...I didn't let 'em know how good I *really* was."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 15, 2003 01:35 PM
"So how good are you *really* then?" Becky asks, smiling, although still looking rather uncertain when her gaze drifts towards the water.
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 15, 2003 01:43 PM
"I tried to make 'em believe I couldn't even make flawless gold," Toby says, shrugging. "I guess if they came in with a syringe to end it I would've told 'em pretty quick, but as it was, I'd just as soon they *not* think I'm too useful."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 15, 2003 01:47 PM
"Doesn't really matter much right now what they think," Becky replies. "They're never gonna find you here."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 15, 2003 01:48 PM
"I know," Toby says quietly. "But I'd still just as soon they not know, even if I'll be long dead before most of the people I met in the labs were even born."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 15, 2003 02:13 PM
"It's a strange thought, huh?" Becky asks softly. "I mean...all i have to do is take one step and suddenly all the people around me are gone forever. But then again...one more step and they're all just as alive as before."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 15, 2003 02:24 PM
"But if you think about it, you're really the one who's leaving; they aren't going anywhere." Toby puts his hands behind him on the pier and leans back, looking towards the sky. "How much did you tell your friends, about where you came from?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 15, 2003 02:55 PM
"*I* only told Libby - didn't tell the rest a single thing," Becky says wryly. "Then Dominick comes breezing in, surprised that i'm so upset he's there, and tells them the whole story...bout the labs and how i was created...when i run off."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 15, 2003 03:59 PM
Toby nearly laughs. "Everything? That's a little forward, isn't it?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 15, 2003 04:13 PM
Becky shrugs. "I think he was a bit annoyed with them all - see he had these big plans to take me back to our own time and give me this perfect life where i was finally happy or something." She sighs. "He's always felt guilty about Rebecca. It was an experiment with her that destroyed the lab we were in...the same experiment that created me. And he wanted to make it all up to her somehow...through me. 'Cept i didn't want to go anywhere near him - ran away completely in fact, he was sure i'd left this time period for good."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 15, 2003 04:18 PM
"So how'd he find you again?" Toby asks quietly.
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 15, 2003 04:30 PM
"Well i only went to the park," Becky chuckles. "Plus that was how i ended up looking like this - started to lose control of what i looked like and i ran right back home without even thinking."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 15, 2003 05:31 PM
"Guess things turned out well, then," Toby says, laughing. "Gotta admit, I prefer you not looking like a kid."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 15, 2003 05:36 PM
"Well, yeah, as tour guides annoying ten year olds aren't generally prefered," Becky says with a grin. "Although when you look ten people tend to offer to buy you more ice cream so i'm kinda missing out there, these days."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 15, 2003 05:39 PM
"I'll just have to buy it for you, then," Toby says, grinning. "I'll have the money soon enough."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 15, 2003 05:42 PM
"Great," Becky replies with a grin. "I was starting to miss all that sugar."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 15, 2003 05:48 PM
Toby stretches to stand up, but almost slips off of the pier, just managing to get an unnaturally strong grip on the wood beneath one of his hands.
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 15, 2003 06:56 PM
Becky suddenly yelps in fear and grabs his arm to stop him falling.
"Don't *you* end up in there too!" she snaps, without thinking, looking rather terrified.
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 15, 2003 10:27 PM
((Speaking of kinky.... ^_- ))

Toby scrambles back onto the pier, staying down on all fours, looking up at Becky. "I'm all right. You...know someone who..."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 16, 2003 07:04 AM
Becky winces, not sure whether to tell him the whole story or only part of it. She finally says softly, "Libby...jumped..."

((that was so mean to poor becky - having him fall like that! :P))
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 16, 2003 11:32 AM
((I could've made him faint instead. ^_- Though I wasn't thinking cruelty when I made him do it; I *am* that evil, but it didn't occur to me....))

"Why would she do that?" Toby asks instantly. "People normally just walk into the water from the beach, right?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 16, 2003 12:24 PM
"I think she figured it would be over quicker that way," Becky mutters darkly. "I mean what's the point in swimming out to the deeper water when you just plan on drowning anyway?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 16, 2003 12:46 PM
Toby stays silent for a few moments, letting the words sink in. "I...didn't know," he says in a subdued voice. He inches over another couple feet before standing, careful that both his feet are firmly planted and that he's far from the edge of the pier.
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 16, 2003 12:55 PM
"Why would you? I wasn't planning on telling you," Becky replies, looking out at the water as she stands up. "It can get awfully cold down there, you know, but i can't even really feel it. I don't see why anyone would choose drowning as a way to off themselves - i don't suppose it's the nicest of ways to die."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 16, 2003 01:08 PM
"And your body's a mess when they drag you out," Toby says, frowning, and missing the implication of Becky's words. "But don't worry; my mom made sure I could swim almost as soon as I could walk. Couldn't stand the thought of us drowning."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 16, 2003 01:16 PM
"I don't know how to swim," Becky shrugs. "Not that it matters...i can just teleport out if...i need to."
Her gaze inadvertantly drifts over to the point on the beach where she ended up after *she* nearly drowned.
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 16, 2003 01:26 PM
After a long pause, Toby asks, "Is Libby...better now?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 16, 2003 01:30 PM
"She swore she'd never do it again," Becky replies. "Said she couldn't stand the look on our faces when she woke up. She was just upset over money...she's dealt with it now."
Becky sighs, her eyes still on the patch of beach, although she eventually tears them away to smile weakly at Toby.
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 16, 2003 01:39 PM
"Who were you looking at?" Toby asks with a small smile, looking out at the beach, which is still populated, despite the sky's warnings. "I don't see anyone with much of a body, but it's hard to tell behind the swimsuits, and since I'm straight and all."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 16, 2003 02:09 PM
Becky laughs, although it's a tad weak. "Is that what you think of me? Eying up all the men round here as soon as they shed some of their clothes?" she jokes.
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 16, 2003 02:20 PM
"Either that or you saw something shiny," Toby says, squinting at the beach, and then grinning.
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 16, 2003 02:36 PM
"I'm not a magpie," Becky chuckles. "It's just...that's where Donald saw me all ghost-like, you know the guy i don't trust?" She shrugs. "Talking about what happened here with libby just...made me think about..that as well."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 16, 2003 03:49 PM
"Must be a great guy, if talking about suicide makes you think of him," Toby says, a little bluntly.
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 16, 2003 04:11 PM
Becky smiles slightly. "He's not that bad and i guess he seems nice enough. I just always kind of associate my ghostliness with death...i guess it's my version of it."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 16, 2003 04:38 PM
Toby smirks. "I'd keep talking, but that might be a bit too morbid. Just try *not* to die, okay? Even if there wouldn't be a mess to clean up, I wouldn't like it if you just up and vanished."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 16, 2003 04:42 PM
"No," Becky chuckles. "Then you'd be stuck here till Dominick decides to pop round to check up on you."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 16, 2003 04:58 PM
Toby grins. "You thoughtful person, always thinking of others."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 16, 2003 05:03 PM
"I know," Becky says rolling her eyes in mock fear. "I think i'm turning into Dominick...next thing you know i'll be setting off to *find* people to be thoughtful towards."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 16, 2003 05:32 PM
Toby laughs. "I don't know; that's a lot of trouble. Maybe you'd better just wait 'til someone else in trouble stumbles across you. I'll bet that'd keep you busy enough."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 16, 2003 05:40 PM
"Oh probably, although you're not so bad," she grins. "It's nice to have someone around who knows about TVs and computers and all those other things that haven't been invented yet."
 
Lenore
Variant
Jul 16, 2003 05:50 PM
Toby grins. "I don't know if I could manage it here without someone like you. I doubt I could act convincingly, anyway; they'd find me out in a second."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 16, 2003 05:53 PM
"Nah," Becky laughs. "They'd probably just think you were really strange and avoid you when they saw you in the street."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 16, 2003 05:57 PM
"Well, that would hurt my feelings a little," Toby says, grinning. "Even if most the girls here look like boys in skirts."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 16, 2003 06:05 PM
"Oh thanks," Becky replies with a chuckle. "It's not our fault fashion sense hasn't been invented yet either."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 16, 2003 06:10 PM
Toby pauses. "I guess it's better for the girls than wearing those Victorian-type dresses...but not as pretty to look at."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 16, 2003 06:17 PM
"Tight corsets and layers so thick you'd hardly believe there was skin under there," Becky replies, rolling her eyes. "No thanks especially not in the summer." She grins. "And besides, girls aren't just there to be gawked at."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 16, 2003 06:22 PM
Toby smirks. "Yeah, and I can't blame 'em for liking short hair, I guess. But they look so..." His face turns a little red, not wanting to finish his thought (in front of a female, anyway).
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 16, 2003 06:27 PM
"Do i want to know the rest of that sentence?" Becky teases. "Or am i going to end up hitting you if you do?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 16, 2003 06:31 PM
Toby laughs, blushing. "They're flatter, OK? The girls here."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 16, 2003 06:54 PM
Becky can't help but laugh. "Yeah, i know - that's the fashion. The super-model skinny look but without the breast implants or the push-up bras."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 16, 2003 09:00 PM
Toby grins. "I'm sure not complaining, but why didn't you go in for that?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 17, 2003 08:00 AM
Becky shrugs. "Fashion changes all the time but i don't really so i tend just to ignore it especially when it involves looking like some sort of beanpole."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 17, 2003 10:51 AM
"Well, you don't stand out too much," Toby says, frowning. "Not like if I wore casual clothes." He smirks a bit.
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 17, 2003 01:22 PM
Becky chuckles. "Well i always try to wear clothes that at least blend in, even if they're not the height of fashion."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 17, 2003 01:39 PM
"Well, I didn't *know,* and Dominick didn't exactly warn me," Toby says, still smirking. "You ready to try another ride?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 17, 2003 01:43 PM
"You'd think you'd at least realise they didn't have Linkin Park in the twenties," Becky replies with a grin before adding, "Sure, another ride sounds good."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 17, 2003 01:57 PM
"I thought maybe they'd just think I was a bad speller," Toby says, almost sheepishly. "There's 'Lincoln' Parks, after all."

((The first one that came up in my web search was actually in Massachusetts (not sure how close to Boston, though)-- http://www.angelfire.com/ri/lincolnpark/ ))
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 17, 2003 02:03 PM
Becky laughs. "I guess they might've but it's not a look i'd go for if i was you. So what ride d'you wanna go on now? And let's not bring up the Insanitarium."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 17, 2003 02:05 PM
Toby grins. "I thought girls liked horses, though." He pauses, snapping his fingers. "They have those merry-go-rounds where you can catch brass rings as you go around, don't they?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 17, 2003 02:12 PM
"Yeah," Becky chuckles. "You wanna go on a merry-go-round?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 17, 2003 02:43 PM
"Well, I've never been on one that encouraged reckless behavior," Toby says, shrugging. "Too many 'safety measures.'"
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 17, 2003 03:29 PM
Becky grins. "It isn't *that* dangerous...well, as long as you don't try *too* hard to grab the ring and end up falling off."

((do you win anything if u get a ring? i've never heard of this ring thing before ^^;; - i looked it up but i can't find if there's a prize or not...))
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 17, 2003 03:39 PM
"That's what I'm saying;" Toby says, laughing. "Back where we're from if one person gets killed, they'll shut the whole thing down and make it safe. Don't think things work quite like that here, do they?"

((I saw video footage of one that still worked; they were actually small rings, probably less than 2 inches in diameter, and they came out of a dispenser thing, and you tried to catch one as you went around, and then immediately throw it into this hole in the wall behind (I think it was painted like a clown and you aimed for the "mouth"). If you managed to do *that* you got a free ride. But that was a modern one; I'll see if I have better luck finding any more info.))
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 17, 2003 03:41 PM
"Well the safety rules aren't quite as strict right now, no," Becky chuckles. "You think that's a *good* thing?"
 
Mair
Variant
Jul 17, 2003 03:41 PM
(( http://carouselstore.com/product_info.php?cPath=48_60&products_id=214 pretty much sums it up, though it's a bit different from the one on PBS that I described))
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 17, 2003 04:09 PM
"People don't know how to have any *fun* in our time," Toby says, grinning. "Maybe that's why variants get away with stuff here; people aren't too busy worrying about what might go wrong and kill them."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 17, 2003 04:19 PM
Becky laughs. "Well i know a few variants round here who're the life and soul of the party...but i guess they probably wouldn't be if they came from our time. It's not the best of places to live i guess."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 17, 2003 04:37 PM
"I sure hope we come from the *worst* time to live in," Toby says, a little darkly. "If I knew things would get better sometime quick, I might not mind so much."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 17, 2003 04:40 PM
Becky shrugs. "I guess that would be nice but i've always been too afraid to go and see."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 17, 2003 04:55 PM
Toby nods. "Maybe Dominick will go and tell us cowards about it someday."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 17, 2003 05:12 PM
Becky smiles slightly. "I bet he isn't any more willing to go than i am."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 17, 2003 05:16 PM
"Well, he could go 500 years ahead and read history books." Toby pauses. "Unless someone's blown up the world by then. Then the radiation and everything would probably kill him. So maybe it's best that he doesn't."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 17, 2003 05:22 PM
"Well there is that," Becky chuckles. "I'd like to think that we don't end up that bad though."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 17, 2003 05:24 PM
"I don't think we would, but I wouldn't chance it." He grabs Becky's arm suddenly, pulling her. "Organ music means merry-go-round, right?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 17, 2003 05:27 PM
Becky laughs as she stumbles along after him. "Yeah, it does. You that determined to grab yourself a free ride?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 17, 2003 05:30 PM
"I'll *try,*" Toby says slowly, "but I don't know...I don't think I'd cheat; there'd be no honor in that."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 17, 2003 05:39 PM
"No honor? It's just a merry-go-round," Becky chuckles. "Even if it is fun risking your neck for a little brass ring."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 17, 2003 05:42 PM
"Have you tried before?" Toby asks. "Are you any good?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 17, 2003 05:47 PM
"This isn't gonna turn into a competition is it?" Becky asks grinning. "It kinda helps that i know i can always teleport away if i'm *really* gonna break my neck, anyway."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 17, 2003 05:48 PM
"And I guess I could mangle the gears if I got caught up under the platform," Toby says cheerfully. "I've never broke any bones yet, either."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 17, 2003 05:52 PM
"That's always a good sign before you try things like this," Becky chuckles. "Just don't try *too* hard alright? A free ride isn't worth that much."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 17, 2003 05:54 PM
"How's it work, anyway?" Toby asks suddenly. "I've only seen 'em in the movies."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 17, 2003 05:59 PM
"You've got to go on the outside row and there's this dispenser you have to try and grab the ring from...there's only usually about one brass one per ride," Becky explains.
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 17, 2003 06:02 PM
"So I'd *better* not cheat," Toby says, looking at the carousel thoughtfully. "Might look a little suspicious if I had five 'brass' rings by the end of the ride."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 17, 2003 06:05 PM
Becky chuckles. "Not that that ball wasn't suspicious before. If i wasn't stronger than i looked i probably wouldn't have been able to toss it like i did."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 17, 2003 06:11 PM
Toby grins. "I don't mind cheating cheaters, but if they play by the rules, I feel like I should, too. I mean, I like a challenge, but there's no fun in playing a game where it's impossible to win."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 17, 2003 06:15 PM
"That's true," Becky replies with a smile. "But then it's no fun having a broken neck either."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 17, 2003 06:20 PM
"I've been on merry-go-rounds faster than this, though," Toby says, appraising the ride, then buying a couple tickets. "Ever been on those racing ones? Of course, they don't encourage you to let go with one hand on those."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 17, 2003 06:30 PM
"A racing one sounds more fun than this," Becky chuckles. "But the closest we've got to that here leads to the Insanitarium...why do i keep going back to talking about that?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 17, 2003 08:36 PM
Toby laughs. "I think *someone* has a fetish. How long *is* this line? It's just a merry-go-round."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 18, 2003 12:58 AM
"Well it is the summer," Becky replies with a smile. "And where would you find better family fun than right here in Coney?"
She chuckles.
 
Thalia
Variant
Jul 18, 2003 01:01 AM
((yay! A picture of Toby ^_^ he looks a bit apprehensive though...becky isn't that scary is she? ^_-))
 
Lenore
Variant
Jul 18, 2003 12:56 PM
Toby considers. "'Cuz I guess Disneyland isn't around, so this is the best they can do." He yawns, stretching. "I used to not be able to *stand* waiting, but I guess bein' locked up made me able to tolerate it at least."

((Apprehensive, really? I didn't think so, but what do I know? ^_^ (Not how to draw men with necks larger than women's, anyway; that was the toughest part. ^^; ) I just drew it by copying your drawing; if I had much sense I would've just colored his face and used that instead, but I'm vain and insist on drawing all my own icons. ^_^; ))
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 18, 2003 01:11 PM
((i have trouble with men's faces :P toby took me ages when i drew him - i can never get the eyes or the face shape like i want...which is why i still don't have a decent icon for Kane ^^;; ))

"I don't mind waiting, long as i've got someone to distract me from the fact that i'm wasting so much time for a few minutes on rides that're so much better in our time," Becky says with a grin.
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 18, 2003 01:47 PM
"So you're *not* a fan of wooden rollercoasters," Toby says, smirking. "Is it true that they used to have looping roller coasters here but they broke people's necks so they finally shut 'em down?"

((I just draw my menfolk rather like my women folk. Hundreds of Japanese manga artists can't be wrong! ^_-))
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 18, 2003 02:22 PM
"It sounds like something that'd happen," Becky says with a smile. "But i'm not a walking Coney Island history book, y'know," she adds with a grin.
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 18, 2003 04:20 PM
"Well, you're more fun than a book," Toby says, laughing. "Not much of a compliment, though."

They finally reach the front of the line, and Toby grabs a horse on the outside.
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 18, 2003 04:25 PM
Becky takes one on the outside as well, a bit behind Toby.
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 18, 2003 04:52 PM
Toby laughs. "If I was just a couple years younger that might be dangerous; I might've chuck the metal rings back at you."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 18, 2003 04:57 PM
"You better not dare," Becky replies with a grin. "I'd have to get you back and you seem such a nice guy too...i'd hate to have to do that," she says teasingly.
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 18, 2003 05:01 PM
"Well, I'm grown-up now," Toby yells behind him. "It's only when I was little that I was kind of a jerk." He looks forward again when the carousel starts to move, the tinny "organ" music recording getting lost behind the creak of the platform.

Becky
Variant
Jul 18, 2003 05:10 PM
Becky turns to look out at the surroundings as the carousel turns, occasionally glancing back at Toby for a moment.
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 18, 2003 05:27 PM
While the merry-go-round is traveling at a snail's pace, Toby leans out, holding the pole with his left hand and using leaning out, trying to gauge how far he'll have to reach to catch a ring.
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 18, 2003 05:28 PM
"Just don't fall off," Becky calls over to him, not sounding overly concerned. "I'd hate to have to explain that one to Dominick."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 18, 2003 05:42 PM
"No worries about that, unless I start showing off!" Toby shouts. He has to stand on the metal stirrup to get far out enough, but he nearly catches a ring on the second or third revolution.
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 18, 2003 05:53 PM
Becky tries to grab the ring a couple of times but her arm isn't long enough so she gives up and just watches Toby trying.
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 18, 2003 06:00 PM
Toby just misses a couple times, and then catches a ring, looking as pleased as a child about it. He swiftly slips it over his little finger, keeping that finger bent as he tries to catch another one. By the time the carousel slows again, he's got three, which he seems to think is more than respectable, judging from how his face is lit up.
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 18, 2003 06:03 PM
When Becky gets off the carousel and sees his expression she can't help but smile warmly. "I take it you had fun then?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 18, 2003 06:09 PM
"None bronze...but yeah. You catch *any*?" Toby reluctantly drops the rings into a receptacle provided for them at the ride's exit.
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 18, 2003 06:16 PM
"No," Becky chuckles. "I gave up."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 18, 2003 06:23 PM
"But you had fun, right?" Toby asks cheerfully, his hands back in his pockets.
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 18, 2003 06:29 PM
"Sure," Becky smiles, adding teasingly, "Wanna keep going till you catch a brass ring? Or were three normal ones enough for you?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 18, 2003 09:32 PM
"Well, it doesn't seem right to go again, when you can't even catch any..." Toby pulls his hand out of his pocket, and with it, a dull silver-colored ring, about the same size as the ones on the ride (that is, maybe two inches in diameter). He hands it to Becky, grinning. "So you don't feel left out."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 19, 2003 01:10 AM
"I didn't say i couldn't," Becky chuckles as she takes the ring. "But hey, being given one's so much less effort, thanks." She twirls it on her finger.

((the first day they meet and he's already giving her a ring... ^_-))
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 19, 2003 09:48 AM
"Woulda made it out of brass, but that'd be cheating, right?" Toby laughs.

((Heehee, no symbolism there, no, not at all. ^_-))
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 19, 2003 10:03 AM
Becky chuckles. "Only if i tried to get a free ride out of it."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 19, 2003 10:24 AM
"Well, I'll make it any fool color you want, if you ask," Toby says cheerfully, looking around for another ride.
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 19, 2003 10:37 AM
"Well if you're offering...you could always rid this teddy bear of its horrible pink ribbon," Becky says with a grin.

((was it a ribbon...or a bow...?))
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 19, 2003 10:54 AM
Toby wickedly runs his fingers over the ribbon, turning it a ghastly shade of purple instead. "That better?"

((I use the words interchangably, though that may be a Phoenix or American dialect. OK, so it would probably be more of an Ohio dialect, as that's where my parents came from and where I got most of my bizarre simple phrases.))
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 19, 2003 10:59 AM
Becky wrinkles her nose and says, with a smile, "And here was me thinking you couldn't pick a colour any worse than pink."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 19, 2003 11:05 AM
"Well, what does a guy know about fashion, anyway? Besides more than every single person on Coney Island, I mean?" He changes the bow to be made of navy blue velveteen, mumbling something about rainbow suspenders.
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 19, 2003 11:14 AM
"Well, i don't think the people on Coney Island'd agree with that statement," Becky chuckles. "And what's that about suspenders?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 19, 2003 11:28 AM
"That guy over there." Toby looks. "Why do people *wear* those things? Aren't belts better?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 19, 2003 11:34 AM
"I wouldn't know," Becky chuckles. "I don't tend to wear either although belts do look a bit better, yeah."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 19, 2003 11:36 AM
"Well, *someday* you might decide to wear a pair of pants," Toby says, smirking. "Then you'll see which you like best. I've never needed either, though."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 19, 2003 11:50 AM
"Hey, it's not like i've lived my life in skirts and dresses," Becky chuckles. "But jeans don't really fit in here much."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 19, 2003 11:58 AM
"I noticed. Maybe we'll have to go become miners," Toby suggests. "That's why jeans were invented, right?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 19, 2003 12:02 PM
"I don't really see myself as a miner," Becky grins. "Although *you* probably wouldn't have to do much work anyway."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 19, 2003 12:10 PM
"Nah, but I'd probably get beat up once everyone started wondering how *I* could find gold or jewels or whatever five feet into the shaft when everyone else had to get all dirty. At least with you, they'd only wonder how you got down to the bottom of the shaft in three seconds when it took everyone else an hour." Toby smirks. "Maybe not a great job after all."
 
Thalia
Variant
Jul 19, 2003 12:16 PM
Becky chuckles. "Probably not. Plus...you don't get all the fun Coney Island rides when you're stuck at a mine all the time."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 19, 2003 12:28 PM
"Isn't that what the weekends are for?" Toby laughs. "I'd just as soon be a man of leisure, though. Who needs college, anyway?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 19, 2003 12:32 PM
"'Specially when your talents give you a ready made career," Becky chuckles.
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 19, 2003 12:57 PM
"Yeah, but it's just in the field of manufacturing. Doesn't sound too exciting, does it?" Toby grins. "My parents were a little afraid I'd turn into a criminal or at least a drifter."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 19, 2003 01:01 PM
"Hey, being a drifter ain't so bad," Becky says with a grin. "Should i be worrying about the criminal part though? Were you really that bad?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 19, 2003 01:27 PM
"I didn't generally break the law or anything, but you might say I grew up spoiled. I couldn't make video games or anything, but if I wanted anything else, I could just *make* it. And no use sending me to bed without supper; I still can't make stuff as good as *real* food, but I couldn't starve, either."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 19, 2003 02:41 PM
"Ah, the spoiled teenage troublemaker," Becky grins. "I've known a few of those before, though i end up tempted to punch them after a while."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 19, 2003 10:25 PM
"Well, I think I turned out all right," Toby says, grinning. "I know sometimes if a kid gets everything he wants he grows up into a brat, but I like to think I avoided *that.*"

Becky
Variant
Jul 20, 2003 08:22 AM
"Well that's one thing about the labs," Becky says wryly. "You're never spoiled while you're there."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 20, 2003 09:27 PM
"No, but you'd think it'd turn otherwise good people into monsters sometimes," Toby says, frowning. "That's how prisons work, anyway. But I only knew one person the lab really turned evil...and maybe he was that way from the getgo; I don't know."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 21, 2003 01:03 AM
Becky shrugs. "It's probably easier being born there - there's nothing to be bitter about losing. Only problem is, when you escape...even some variants don't like who you are." She pauses. "So who was this guy you knew?
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 21, 2003 11:51 AM
"I escaped with him, the first time," Toby says, an edge to his voice.
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 21, 2003 12:08 PM
"Evil guys are good for some things after all," Becky replies wryly. "What happened to him?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 21, 2003 01:13 PM
"He saw me working on escaping and asked to come with. Didn't help me a bit on the way out, and when we stopped at a McDonald's to rest..." Toby's expression darkens. "He called the cops. Both of us got caught again."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 21, 2003 01:17 PM
"Why did he do that?" Becky asks uncertainly.
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 21, 2003 01:29 PM
"He said he was sorry, but he didn't mean it," Toby says, glaring at some faraway point. "Said his sister had cancer, and maybe people like us could help her someday." He curses. "If he'd have just taken me to her, I'd've tried to melt that tumor out of her!"
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 21, 2003 01:33 PM
"And there's people out there...with healing talents...they could help without being thrown in labs for experiments," Becky murmurs. "I mean, *I* was created to see if they *could* make a person who could travel through space and time...i mean, who really cares anyway?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 21, 2003 01:37 PM
"But think of everything they could've *done* with you," Toby says softly. "Everything from being a courier, to making stock picks, to changing history, if they'd just made you do it."

((There was an article in one of the tabloid magazines about a fellow who was caught for "insider trading" (I dunno if that's a big deal over there, but it's trading stocks when you have inside information about the company--not allowed here), because all his stock picks did so well without explanation, and he claimed to have come from the future with his time machine. I think he managed to escape jail or prison, too, so I was happy for him. ^_^))
 
Thalia
Variant
Jul 21, 2003 01:45 PM
"Cept they couldn't," Becky replies with a shrug. "They had this *thing* round my neck the whole time to electrocute me and weaken me so i couldn't use my powers - cos if i went through time their gizmos wouldn't work, would they?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 21, 2003 01:50 PM
"So they grab Dominick and put a knife to his neck and say if you don't come back, that'll be the end of him," Toby says coldly. "But I guess you *could* try a daring rescue," he adds softly.
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 21, 2003 02:01 PM
"We tried not to let them know we cared about each other in there, so that never happened," Becky shrugs. "It's not like we were *really* related...we were just both part of the same experiment and that was what we always wanted them to think we felt too."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 21, 2003 02:20 PM
"They didn't notice you *talking* to him?" Toby pauses. "Maybe in your labs, they figured since you didn't really have a family, you didn't have feelings, either. But they knew we did, where I was, and used it for everything they could."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 21, 2003 02:55 PM
"You never talk to one person more than another; you never act upset when someone disappears...those're the kinda things i grew up knowing...though i don't think anyone really *told* them to me," Becky shrugs. "The ones who were brought in were never as good at it. And sometimes, when it was someone you *really* cared about...well...it wasn't so easy to hide it." She pauses. "I remember...Fiona used to cry every time me and Dominick were tested...every day i was just *waiting* for them to use it against her."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 21, 2003 03:29 PM
Toby shrugs. "Even the ones born in the labs...sometimes they were even worse, because they might just have one person who meant the world to them, and if that person got hurt..." He shakes his head. "I don't know when it dawned on them that people would go through tests better if they even threatened to harm a *stranger* if you resisted. But it worked."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 21, 2003 03:44 PM
"That's what Fiona was like. Fiona broke down as soon as someone was even hurt a little by the scientists...i think she'd've fallen apart without Dominick." Becky shrugs. "I just did what they wanted. Even if it hurt it was better than them trying to work out who i cared about. It was just the way life was...and if you tried to change it...they just made life harder - i mean so what if you can't walk at the end of the day? At least you can sleep knowing that you haven't done anything to put your friends at risk."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 21, 2003 04:14 PM
Toby looks a little shaky. "I didn't try to keep 'em from testing me or anything, but if the opportunity came up where I might be able to get out... That was kind of the unwritten rule we had. If there was even a little chance of escape, take it, no matter who might get hurt because of it."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 21, 2003 04:29 PM
"I guess our way of thinking was a little different," Becky replies softly. "But then, i never expected to be able to escape. I always wanted to but...only Fiona really thought it might happen one day but i just thought she was a romantic idiot."

((if toby feels like saying anything about fiona...she's more realistic these days and a bit more pessimistic about things being able to change, although she's a friendly and cheerful enough person on the outside...since i never really described her and he did meet her after all ^_-))
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 21, 2003 04:39 PM
Toby smiles weakly. "That's what made us Americans, I guess. We're pretty fond of freedom. And that's the funny thing about hoping for the best...sometimes it happens that way after all." He pauses, frowning slightly. "'Romantic idiot,' huh?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 21, 2003 04:43 PM
"Well that's the way she seemed in the labs," Becky says with a shrug. "I haven't met her since so i guess you know more about what she's like now than i do."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 21, 2003 04:45 PM
"I wouldn't call her romantic anymore, anyway," Toby says weakly. "And I don't think she was ever an idiot, but you met her before I did, so maybe she was." He's smiling a little more.
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 21, 2003 04:48 PM
"Well...she wasn't really stupid, i just...thought it was stupid to have all this false hope when someone you know disappears everyday and doesn't come back," Becky shrugs. "I was rather cynical as a child...or...Rebecca was cynical anyway."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 21, 2003 04:54 PM
"Clayton felt the same way about me," Toby says softly. "But he hardly saw any point to escaping anyway, except not having to be tested. He couldn't go home."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 21, 2003 05:06 PM
"I think Clayton and i kinda thought the same way then. The lab was my life, i didn't have anywhere else to be," Becky says softly. "But Fiona had this dream about finding some sanctuary somewhere...then she heard about the island and you couldn't shut her up about it."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 21, 2003 05:12 PM
Toby smiles. "You'd think she'd spend more time there, then."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 21, 2003 05:16 PM
"Yeah, well, a telepath on an island full of people running away from something," Becky says with a shrug. "Guess she didn't like it much after all."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 21, 2003 05:31 PM
"A lot of people are running away from stuff," Toby says, shrugging. "Though maybe the island has more than its share. Have I thoroughly depressed you yet?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 21, 2003 05:32 PM
"No more than i've probably thoroughly depressed you," Becky says, smiling.
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 21, 2003 06:07 PM
"It almost seems like a dream to me," Toby says quietly. "I can't imagine how I lived through it...so it seems like it wasn't me."
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 21, 2003 06:10 PM
"Now you see how i got through it," Becky says, cheerfully. "Most've the time i just pass it off as Rebecca's life and try not to think about it."
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 21, 2003 06:15 PM
Toby blinks; he hadn't considered it that way. "Now I think I can see how you *can* separate yourself like that," he says thoughtfully. "And it seems like you had it worse than me, anyway. But we're not going to worry about any of that anymore, right?"
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 21, 2003 06:18 PM
"Right," Becky says with a grin. "We're gonna go on loads of rides and have fun. Sound good?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 21, 2003 06:23 PM
"And then eat enough candy to make us sick?" Toby suggests hopefully.
 
Becky
Variant
Jul 21, 2003 06:29 PM
"Of course," Becky chuckles. "What else would you eat after all those rides?"
 
Toby
Variant
Jul 21, 2003 10:28 PM
Toby grins. "Yeah, I guess we'll get along well enough." And he heads towards another ride.

((Unless you had any major revalations Becky was planning on making, or were going to do something else terrible to them "today," I'm afraid this one might be spent, though we could do another one taking place later, I suppose. ^_^))
 
Thalia
Variant
Jul 22, 2003 12:51 AM
((nah, i think i'll survive if we finish it now ^_^ although we could always do one with libby...possibly veering on to the topic of relationships if you wanted ^_-))
 
Mair
Variant
Jul 22, 2003 11:05 AM
((Libby, having a functional relationship? What the deuce? ^_- She's actually kind of playing the field right now (between the rich playwright/Hollywood guy she at least was seeing (though since Cleo's playing him, maybe he moved back to Hollywood) and still missing Ethan, but I'll try to think of some kind of adventure she might have...whether she winds up finding a man or not. ^_^))
 
Thalia
Variant
Jul 22, 2003 12:16 PM
((hehe, well look at becky - what sort of functional relationship could she ever've had with an adult mind and a ten year old body - maybe we can sort them both out and make them happy - yay ^_^))
 
Mair
Variant
Jul 22, 2003 12:33 PM
((Nah, Libby might get to be one of my few characters that finds relative happiness *without* a mate (for a while, anyway ^_^; ). But she would probably enjoy having a little fling. ^_^;;; (It's the incredible adventures of Rebound Man!) ))
 
Thalia
Variant
Jul 22, 2003 12:35 PM
((well, she always has becky and dan ^_^ who needs a boyfriend when you've got a giant kitten and a forty year old living the life of a teenager ^_-))
 
Mair
Variant
Jul 22, 2003 02:29 PM
((Yeah, that's why she might be able to find happiness after all. ^_^ And the play is good too. Anyway, I've been making phone calls all this afternoon and I'm going to the mall at lunch, so I haven't exactly had time to think of plots yet. ^^; ))
 
Thalia
Variant
Jul 22, 2003 02:34 PM
((ah, that's okay ^_^ no rush - i won't force u to give up ur time at work to be thinking up plots ^_-))
 
Mair
Variant
Jul 22, 2003 03:38 PM
((Though it would be pretty sweet, spending all my time at work RPing...wait a minute... ^_^;;; I'll try thinking tonight, though I also need to plan next week's yarn, although I might seriously have the Happy Fun Time Dice Rolls for Jail Time Variety Show next time. ^_-))

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