( If that guy's going to keep showing up in their lives at convenient and comedically timed moments like some kind of annoying recurring NPC, Jack should probably actually figure out what his name is sometime — a mental note that he immediately forgets directly after it occurs to him. )
Okay. Cool. I'll be there in a bit.
( It doesn't take too long. He just has to wrap up the paragraph he's working on, change clothes, and hobble along. By the time he arrives, he's made himself a hoodie and donned a scarf, which is maybe a little overdressed for what's still only barely fall weather, but he hates the cold. He's always freezing. Sue him. He's also sporting a cup of coffee — styrofoam, with a plastic lid, which he holds out in a silent question: want one? )
[ It's colder by the water anyway, where the wind whips up against the shore. Kyle is waiting where the dark, rocky cliffs give way to sand. He lifts his head to watch Jack's approach, shaking his head when he's offered coffee. He needs his hands free, or will need them free. He cants his head to one side. ]
Reading or writing? [ Which was it that he interrupted? ]
( He says, sounding faintly surprised even himself. It's a relatively new addition to the other two primary categories, ever since he started pitching in to help Istredd with his new classes. They're mostly practical, but Jack's uniquely qualified to help out with written assignments, considering his primary skill set. It's nice to actually be good at something, go figure.
Suit yourself on the coffee thing, though — he'll take a hefty swig himself before launching into it. )
What are we testing? Oh- is it, like, side-along apparition? Co-teleporting? Please be co-teleporting, that would be so cool.
[ His eyebrows raise at Jack's surprise, and smiles. He thinks it's good that Jack's continued with Istredd even after Yennefer left. Normally he'd ask more, but he finds he's a little antsy to get started with what he's asked Jack here for, selfishly. ]
No. If I took you with me you'd be torn to many, many pieces.
[ He says this without an inch of humor, as though he's likely seen such a thing happen. For all the gifts that the Singularity gives them, it's difficult for him to fathom it allowing him to let another living being 'side-along'.
He's mildly sorry to disappoint him, at least. There's a flicker of uncertainty, then: ]
Do you remember after we returned from the Singularity - when you were holed up in the library, and me and Jerry forced you back to the room? [ At first he thinks it sounds like a stupid question, though he begins to wonder if maybe that time was too much of a blur for Jack to recall many details. ]
When I first grabbed you - [ a brief flash of shame, and apology ] - I think I might've did something to you.
( Huh. Well, then. Way to absolutely and thoroughly decimate his dreams, Kyle. To shreds, you say? And how's his wife holding up? To shreds, you say? Guess he'll just... quietly tuck that concept away for the rest of forever, in favor of keeping his remaining limbs.
Anyway, he really is curious about why they had to come all the way out here to test a Singularity thing — although, now that he's thinking about it, the splintered and broken remains of Kyle's absolutely decimated bed make a compelling case for the space and distance. So. Sure, yeah, okay.
He mostly remembers that day, or the larger impressions it left behind, at least — as evidence by the way his lips press into a briefly unhappy line. )
Something besides making me kind of want to punch you in the face a little bit, you mean?
( He doesn't remember anything magical. He just remembers being sad, then mad, then Smad, then mad again, then sad again. )
[ That. He manages to look repentant, head lowering by a few degrees. They've both already apologized for this. ]
There was nothing else? [ His brow furrows as he looks up again, not sure whether to feel relieved or concerned by the non-answer so far. Was it something he imagined? That might be the best outcome, although it makes him feel a bit silly to make such a mistake. ]
( They've already apologized, and they're already both over it — it isn't said with any real lingering discontent, just a little lingering attitude. He's a petty guy, sometimes. It's fine, though — and also, not really the point they're worried about right now.
His brow furrows as he considers, trying to think back, trying to summon up memories that have, historically, always been reluctant to surface when he needs them. His shitty recall and his bad memory is partly why he started writing in the first place, so- )
Oh, wait- hang on.
( It's literally why he started writing in the first place, meaning he's got journal entries to help him with this. That whole period in his mind is kind of a blur of too many feelings, he's blocked a lot of the finer details out, but it should still be in print in his journal.
He digs around in his satchel and pulls it out, flipping back a massive chunk of pages, then a smaller section of pages, then one delicate page at a time until his eyes skim across the entry from that day. )
Uhhh... let me see. Jesus Christ, I ramble way too much. Reel it in a little, dude... ( He mutters to himself, frowning, skimming, flipping- ) Oh, here we go. I don't see anything... too crazy, although- I mean, there was a point where I went from feeling absolutely nothing to feeling- basically everything right after you touched me, but I don't know if that's... you know. Relevant, or normal. Why, what is it you think you did?
[ He peers over Jack's shoulder, recognizing his familiar scrawl and letting out a light huff at his friend's self-admonishments, although as he continues Kyle's brow begins to furrow again, his mouth settling into a frown. ]
... I'm not sure. [ That's the problem. He sighs, frustrated for a second. ] I thought I felt something when I grabbed you, and you started moving so suddenly - [ he scowls, guilt coloring his features again as he shakes his head. ]
I worried that I did more than just physically push you. [ His gaze settles on the pages again. ] The priests could do that, sometimes, to control someone in a panic.
[ Force them into a kind of trance, keep them calm and command them to do simple things, like walk somewhere they might otherwise run away from. He had worried he was manifesting something similar, but what Jack describes sounds like the opposite. He shakes his head again, this time looking down at his own hand. ]
Whatever it is, I don't want to use it by accident again.
( He chews on the inside of his cheek, considering it all. He has, in the past, demonstrated kind of a passive resistance to mind control. The compulsions of the Dark God managed to break through every now and then, but anything less strong than that has generally had a hard time controlling Jack. The Mayfly Queen, the fox lady, the shapeshifter... these beings never really managed to sink their claws into him the way they do other people.
But then again, Kyle is a friend, and whatever he'd been doing would've had different intentions. Does that matter? Does that have any impact on Jack's weird, impossible, malfunctioning brain? )
I mean, there's only one way to find out, I guess. ( He suggests, tucking his journal away and deliberately dropping his pack off to the side to free up is arms. Once his hands are clear, he holds them up and shrugs. ) Whatever you think you did before, maybe try doing it again? I'm cool with it, I trust you.
[ Jack says I trust you, and maybe two years ago a voice in the back of his mind would've countered should you?. He lets out a small breath like a light laugh, eyeing Jack's hands - then it's back to frowning. ]
Well, I grabbed you - [ he's going to telegraph that, raising his own hands for a few seconds before setting them on Jack's shoulders, seemingly with permission to do so. His brow furrows again. ]
And I wanted you to get up...
[ But, they're already standing so... he gives Jack's shoulders a slow, small shake. ]
( Sure, yeah, grab away man. His hands fall down to his sides and just kind of... hang there, passive, expectant. A totally malleable figure for whatever it is Kyle thinks he needs to do to make that happen. Grab his shoulders, apparently, which is also fine.
[ Trying, anyway. With a sigh he drops his arms to his sides. ]
Sorry. I was hoping this would be...
[ Easier. Why? He doesn't know. It seems stupid now. He doesn't usually get easily put off by a challenge, but this has him frustrated more than usual. ]
( It's a testament to his Casper Van Dien training that he instinct-dodges surprisingly gracefully and lightning-quick. The berry goes flying past him, and an opportunistic bird descends upon it. As it turns out, all those tennis balls Jerry threw at his head to cement the muscle-memory has finally paid off. )
That's definitely not how I flirt. If I wanted to flirt, you'd be, just- so seduced, it's crazy how seduced you'd be.
( Which is hilarious and also vehemently incorrect on a fundamental level, and they both know it. Jack has never in his life flirted with anyone on purpose — though he's flirted tremendously well on accident without realizing it until afterward, to his deep and profound regret. )
But I like Viktor a lot, we've Book Bonded, so you're safe from my irresistible charisma. Lucky you.
[ Kyle lets out a small snort and grins, more warm than wry despite the teasing. Having been on the wrong side of said accidental flirting yet effective earlier in their friendship, he makes no comment on that. ]
I'm glad - that you get along, I mean. [ Genuinely. He's never had to care or even think about people in his life actually having to interact, ever, mostly because there were no people in his life. Now he has so many, and these two are particularly important to him.
The birds continue to eye them expectantly, and now Kyle scowls at them, holding his palms open and then shooing them. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Okay. Cool. I'll be there in a bit.
( It doesn't take too long. He just has to wrap up the paragraph he's working on, change clothes, and hobble along. By the time he arrives, he's made himself a hoodie and donned a scarf, which is maybe a little overdressed for what's still only barely fall weather, but he hates the cold. He's always freezing. Sue him. He's also sporting a cup of coffee — styrofoam, with a plastic lid, which he holds out in a silent question: want one? )
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Reading or writing? [ Which was it that he interrupted? ]
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( He says, sounding faintly surprised even himself. It's a relatively new addition to the other two primary categories, ever since he started pitching in to help Istredd with his new classes. They're mostly practical, but Jack's uniquely qualified to help out with written assignments, considering his primary skill set. It's nice to actually be good at something, go figure.
Suit yourself on the coffee thing, though — he'll take a hefty swig himself before launching into it. )
What are we testing? Oh- is it, like, side-along apparition? Co-teleporting? Please be co-teleporting, that would be so cool.
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No. If I took you with me you'd be torn to many, many pieces.
[ He says this without an inch of humor, as though he's likely seen such a thing happen. For all the gifts that the Singularity gives them, it's difficult for him to fathom it allowing him to let another living being 'side-along'.
He's mildly sorry to disappoint him, at least. There's a flicker of uncertainty, then: ]
Do you remember after we returned from the Singularity - when you were holed up in the library, and me and Jerry forced you back to the room? [ At first he thinks it sounds like a stupid question, though he begins to wonder if maybe that time was too much of a blur for Jack to recall many details. ]
When I first grabbed you - [ a brief flash of shame, and apology ] - I think I might've did something to you.
[ Besides bodily hauling him off. ]
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Anyway, he really is curious about why they had to come all the way out here to test a Singularity thing — although, now that he's thinking about it, the splintered and broken remains of Kyle's absolutely decimated bed make a compelling case for the space and distance. So. Sure, yeah, okay.
He mostly remembers that day, or the larger impressions it left behind, at least — as evidence by the way his lips press into a briefly unhappy line. )
Something besides making me kind of want to punch you in the face a little bit, you mean?
( He doesn't remember anything magical. He just remembers being sad, then mad, then Smad, then mad again, then sad again. )
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[ That. He manages to look repentant, head lowering by a few degrees. They've both already apologized for this. ]
There was nothing else? [ His brow furrows as he looks up again, not sure whether to feel relieved or concerned by the non-answer so far. Was it something he imagined? That might be the best outcome, although it makes him feel a bit silly to make such a mistake. ]
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His brow furrows as he considers, trying to think back, trying to summon up memories that have, historically, always been reluctant to surface when he needs them. His shitty recall and his bad memory is partly why he started writing in the first place, so- )
Oh, wait- hang on.
( It's literally why he started writing in the first place, meaning he's got journal entries to help him with this. That whole period in his mind is kind of a blur of too many feelings, he's blocked a lot of the finer details out, but it should still be in print in his journal.
He digs around in his satchel and pulls it out, flipping back a massive chunk of pages, then a smaller section of pages, then one delicate page at a time until his eyes skim across the entry from that day. )
Uhhh... let me see. Jesus Christ, I ramble way too much. Reel it in a little, dude... ( He mutters to himself, frowning, skimming, flipping- ) Oh, here we go. I don't see anything... too crazy, although- I mean, there was a point where I went from feeling absolutely nothing to feeling- basically everything right after you touched me, but I don't know if that's... you know. Relevant, or normal. Why, what is it you think you did?
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... I'm not sure. [ That's the problem. He sighs, frustrated for a second. ] I thought I felt something when I grabbed you, and you started moving so suddenly - [ he scowls, guilt coloring his features again as he shakes his head. ]
I worried that I did more than just physically push you. [ His gaze settles on the pages again. ] The priests could do that, sometimes, to control someone in a panic.
[ Force them into a kind of trance, keep them calm and command them to do simple things, like walk somewhere they might otherwise run away from. He had worried he was manifesting something similar, but what Jack describes sounds like the opposite. He shakes his head again, this time looking down at his own hand. ]
Whatever it is, I don't want to use it by accident again.
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But then again, Kyle is a friend, and whatever he'd been doing would've had different intentions. Does that matter? Does that have any impact on Jack's weird, impossible, malfunctioning brain? )
I mean, there's only one way to find out, I guess. ( He suggests, tucking his journal away and deliberately dropping his pack off to the side to free up is arms. Once his hands are clear, he holds them up and shrugs. ) Whatever you think you did before, maybe try doing it again? I'm cool with it, I trust you.
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Well, I grabbed you - [ he's going to telegraph that, raising his own hands for a few seconds before setting them on Jack's shoulders, seemingly with permission to do so. His brow furrows again. ]
And I wanted you to get up...
[ But, they're already standing so... he gives Jack's shoulders a slow, small shake. ]
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Get up.
Jack raises an eyebrow at him.
Kyle shakes his shoulders.
Jack's eyebrows raise a little higher. )
So... are you gonna do something, or...?
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I am.
[ Trying, anyway. With a sigh he drops his arms to his sides. ]
Sorry. I was hoping this would be...
[ Easier. Why? He doesn't know. It seems stupid now. He doesn't usually get easily put off by a challenge, but this has him frustrated more than usual. ]
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Maybe you're just having performance anxiety?
( He volunteers with a little shrug. )
Do we need to, like, set the mood first to get you into it, or...?
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Is this how you flirt? I'm taken.
[ He pulls a berry out of thin air and chucks it at Jack's head.
Some birds picking at the sand perk up in their direction. ]
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That's definitely not how I flirt. If I wanted to flirt, you'd be, just- so seduced, it's crazy how seduced you'd be.
( Which is hilarious and also vehemently incorrect on a fundamental level, and they both know it. Jack has never in his life flirted with anyone on purpose — though he's flirted tremendously well on accident without realizing it until afterward, to his deep and profound regret. )
But I like Viktor a lot, we've Book Bonded, so you're safe from my irresistible charisma. Lucky you.
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I'm glad - that you get along, I mean. [ Genuinely. He's never had to care or even think about people in his life actually having to interact, ever, mostly because there were no people in his life. Now he has so many, and these two are particularly important to him.
The birds continue to eye them expectantly, and now Kyle scowls at them, holding his palms open and then shooing them. ]
There's no more. Go away.