outer_divide | [Video] Week 37

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[Video] Week 37 - Tuesday Evening

[Hi there people of Verdana. There is a man with a dog, both trying to look especially harmless. In fact the dog's main purpose on the screen is to reassure everyone that Atticus really is nothing to worry about.]

Well this has been barrels of fun, huh? [He can't hide the slightly sheepish look, he's trying really hard to though. Publicly taking the blame for the whole... altered time reality thing isn't something he's really looking to do but he's gotta know how much of this is him and how much is... anyone else.

Someone had to screw up something along the way right? It wasn't just him.]

Just out of curiosity did... anyone [And there's just enough emphasis on it that someone remarkably perceptive might catch the quiet anyone else that is faintly implied by his tone.] do anything in particular that might have caused any of... well... time shenanigans? Not the traveling bit but the arriving part of the deal.

[Private to Belle]

Hey, I know you're probably busy with all the changes but can Oberon hang out with you for a couple days? I guess the lakes are still intact but I've gotta see it for myself.

((OOC: Fari warning! Genesis might be threadjacking periodically as she is staying with Atticus now and likely hovering nearby laughing at him.))

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[Christine didn't know what they were seeing, but she stayed still until Atticus moved forward. Then her body reacted before her mind and she stiffened completely. It was better than skittering back away from him, but she didn't like how she froze.

Swallowing hard, she managed to speak.]

So I take it you finally believe me.

[Now that her fear was wearing off, her body relaxed, but there was a brief stab of annoyance that he hadn't believed her. Still, if he had any sense of all, he would have the good sense to feel guilty about scaring the daylights out of her. Sighing, she closed the distance between them and stepped into the hug.]

You've got a lot of explaining to do, Mister.

[She nodded and closed her eyes. And then, she saw green. And herself, in green. Whoa, now that was weird. It really was a bit disorienting, her body swaying a bit as she felt like she needed to get balance even though she wasn't moving. As Atticus told her about the white light around her head, she grinned a bit. Huh, that was pretty neat.

And it was so weird seeing herself grinning despite the fact that it was almost like looking at a green tinted mirror. But, regardless, she kept silent as Atticus turned to look at Christine. She didn't see anything, which... was a good thing? Hopefully? The binding was gone and Genesis opened her eyes, hearing Atticus apologize.]

He's paranoid, a lot more than I really realized. [She said, not really an explanation but she said it dryly for amusement's sake.]

[Christine steps in to meet him and he squeezes her tightly and just this once he can manage to keep his mind from wandering. The fear and anger fade and now, having her in his arms like this, he finds himself a little choked up. There had just been so much... so much had happened. Almost a year now and it felt like he hadn't had a single chance to catch his breath, never mind resting. Over ten years of peaceful Arizona sunshine and then-]

I'm sorry. [Tight and a little shaky and he has to swallow hard before he can trust himself to say more, squeeze her a little tighter briefly before he can trust his hands to be steady again. Then he's finally letting her go, giving her a bright smile that doesn't quite mask everything underneath. Too many friends in too short a space and no time to grieve for any of them either.] I'm glad you're okay...

[So glad that he didn't have to watch some malicious spirit twist and corrupt someone like Christine. Someone sweet and kind... Then he's glancing over at Genesis.] It's only paranoid when there aren't people after you.

[It's a joke, it really is. He smiles and laughs it off but she knows enough about who he is and what he's done that of all the people there she'd probably be able to see through it. It's a joke... but there's a disturbing amount of truth to it.]

[She senses the fear and relief all in this one hug, and she presses her hands to his back, assuring him that everything's all right now.

When he pulls back, she gives him a weak smile, but it fades quickly and she reaches to place a hand on his shoulder.]

So I am. But, Atticus... What was all that? Using special sight on me and thinking someone was possessing me; what happened in the past?

[Obviously, something similar had happened but Genesis chose not to comment on it. Instead, she gave Atticus a wry look.]

Yes, well, no one was after you this time, though I can see why you would think it.

[Still, it was very relieving to see that Genesis had been correct. Not for the sake of being correct but that it also meant that Kurt really was truly fine, even if she still felt guilty over what happened.]

[He shot Genesis a sheepish look. So he's paranoid. Live a few centuries and you would be too. But when he spoke he addressed Christine.]

It... it's kind of a long story and one that's not entirely mine to tell. [Which was only partly true.]

I've just got a couple little tricks up my sleeve, that's all. Reading auras isn't really that unusual, there's probably a dozen hotlines for it in any given state where I'm from. [Also not exactly true but no one needed to know that.]

[Christine pursed her lips, giving him a look that said she didn't buy it.]

Then maybe you should tell me the part that is yours to tell before I decide to give you the silent treatment for threatening me.

[Genesis sort of makes a "Oh." sound as she covers her lips with her fingers. Christine sort of got him there! But at the same time, Atticus was the type that pretty much knew how much to give in terms of information. It had taken quite a while and a lot of trust to learn what she knew about Atticus.]

You don't need to go that far, Christine. [She gives a bit of a sympathetic look] Just let him tell you what he feels comfortable in sharing.

Look... [He sighed heavily, glancing back at Genesis and giving her a look. Let him handle this.]

I had some bad shit going on awhile ago back home. A very- [He paused abruptly, pushing back the memory of sweet old Katie MacDonagh's mangled form as Hel burst from it.] Very dear friend of mine... wasn't allowed to rest. Her family wasn't allowed to bury her. Someone wanted to get to me so they used her body.

Between that and vampires... well. One can't be too careful.

[Christine lets out a sigh, looking away for a moment. His past experience meant that he'd been hurt and when he thought it was happening again he lashed out. She nods a little, satisfied.]

Okay. But if you ever have a suspicion like that again, just ask to see them in person. Don't start threatening them until you know they're not who they say they are.

[Genesis made a sound at his Look, followed by a Look of her own that said, 'Shutting up right now. Really.'

Although listening to what Atticus said had her sighing softly and wanting to hug Atticus.]

I'm sorry.

This place kind of breaks all my ideas of what should and shouldn't be possible.

[He tugs her into another brief hug.] I was trying to protect you.

[Then he's stepping back, giving both women a sheepish kind of smile and running a hand through his hair. Even Oberon, who trotted over to nuzzle Christine's hand apologetically, looked fairly sheepish.]

So... I guess maybe I overreacted a bit.

[Christine's pretty sure that using your dog to beg forgiveness is against the rules, but it's breaking her resolve to be angry nonetheless. She rubs her fingers under the dog's chin and lets out a sigh.]

You did, but I'll get over it. You wanted to help me and I appreciate it. Just give me a little time?

[Don't worry, Christine. Oberon's been used on her before. But Genesis decides that maybe it's best they go and gently lays her hand on Atticus' arm.]

Of course. Atticus? Perhaps we should get going.

I... [He gave Christine a look that was a little helpless, brief but obviously disheartened by her lack of acceptance. He knew that was stupid. She had no idea what he was going on about. But... maybe Genesis and Lyall had been spoiling him. Too many friends that knew the truth, or some part of it, here.]

Yeah... We probably should.[A glance back at Genesis and a compliant step backwards, away from the blonde.]

I'm sorry... for what it's worth, I'm really glad you're back. [And with that he makes himself turn around, to give her the time and space she needs. Oberon gives her hand one last lick before dutifully trotting off after his master.]

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[Video] Week 37 - Tuesday Evening

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