earth_367 | Late Thursday night

Manny

can i use your piano again

It is not my piano, really. But you are welcome to it.

[...]

Are you hoping to learn or to tap into your other self again?

i cannot focus on my own work with all these extra thoughts in my head. my hope is that it will be like scratching an itch

Understandable. It's worth trying if it might bring you some solace.

[...]

What 'work'?

i will let you know if i find any of that

i am putting together the shield spell for the school

Please do. I could use some tips.

[......]

~~Better late than n~~

[...]

We need it. I doubt Margali will darken our doorstep again soon, but she's still out there. And if she has interest in the Siege Perilous, others might as well.

How is it going?

so far i have learned that distracting myself does not help

it is a target painted on our backs. we let margali know too much of our plans and that was folly, but yes. others will come.

[...] i've hit a wall

It's difficult to distract yourself from something that can force its way in without warning. Without rhyme or reason.

We were desperate and she seemed to have answers. But sí. It was a mistake. [...] Are there many like her?

I would ask if I can assist you, but I think we both know I am woefully unqualified for the task.

yes. i am not used to it. i have a very disciplined mind.

magicians like margali, no. she is a rare talent.

maybe explaining it would help. [...] but i would not even know where to start. much of it is intuitive for me

[...] Sí. The lack of control sets my teeth on edge. But hopefully this will pass soon.

Small mercies, I suppose.

If it will help, I will listen and try to follow. I am diligent student.

we must take better care of ambrose now that we don't have margali's charms to rely on

yes, i know. [...] it will not freak you out too much? you aren't so fond of magic if i recall

I suppose we have no choice.

[...] I am not fond of it, no. It's too mercurial for my taste. Too detached from the logic that I understand. But there's no escaping it, so I must adapt.

no. i fear we do not.

that is funny. for me, it is a very emotional endeavor. i would think you were better suited to understanding it than most.

[...] Emotions are chemical interactions. They feel unpredictable and unruly to the person experiencing them, but they're simple to understand when you have the senses I do. Emotions are logical.

Magic is [...] something else. And I cannot read your emotions to filter it into something I can understand.

it is difficult for me to imagine emotions existing only as physical things

[...] i could show you.

I understand. Feeling them, they do not seem like physical things.

[......] But do you want to?

i am curious too

Then [...] perhaps we will both learn something.

[...] but first, the piano

But first, the piano.

Lo siento. We got a bit off track. Do not let me keep you.

no apologies. what should i try to play?

You would know your other self's preferences better than I do, presumably. But there was some familiarity with Chopin. Waltz Op. 69 No. 2 in B minor, perhaps? He wanted it burned after his death, but I've always been fond of it.

if he cared that much he should've burned it while he was still alive

I cannot argue. If you want something done right and all.

really by saying this he just guaranteed they would be remembered. but this is good for me. if i can make a man roll in his grave while i'm just going about my normal day, i'm happy

The simple pleasures.

[...]

You will let me know how it goes?

i will. but perhaps tomorrow. i should let you sleep.

I can't say I'm looking forward to the dreams. But needs must.

[...]

You should sleep too.

sleep will find me when it finds me

As you like.

Nobody in this house prioritizes sleep health.

many stubborn souls here. does it frustrate you, that no one wants your help?

Immensely. [...] I do not understand it. But I will respect it.

as far as i'm concerned it is only because i do not want to sleep, even if i know i should.

[...] Why's that?

all these thoughts and feelings that are not my own make me feel like i'm in some waking dream. [...] i'm afraid i'll wake up somewhere else, i suppose.

With your powers, that is understandable. [...] I have used my powers in my sleep. So I know that it can happen.

Have you ever woken up somewhere else?

sometimes, when i have nightmares. but i've never sent myself anywhere i couldn't get back from before.

[...] i have it in my head now that if i were dreaming of that other world i might send myself there somehow. but i don't have any reason to think i even could.

If you could get there, surely you could get back. Eventually. [...] But if you couldn't, we would find you.

that is really very sweet of you to say. but usually if i mysteriously vanish it isn't even cause for concern

~~It is not~~

[...]

It might take a few days to recognize there is a problem, admittedly. But that does not change the fact.

oh? and what would you do about it, anyway? [...] you should not make promises you can't keep.

If you could get there, presumably, so could Ambrose. So we convince him to assist us. In whatever way we need to.

Or we figure something else out. That is what we do, no?

[...] yes of course. i should know better than to tell a X-Man i don't like their odds

[...] Sí. And you should acknowledge our track record. It's quite good, all things considered.

yes, you're a big hero

Hardly. But I am stubborn.

being stubborn gets you halfway there. but you won't mind if i don't wait around to be rescued then

I wouldn't expect you to. [...] The point is, I meant what I said. On the off chance that you need assistance.

Regardless, you'll have to sleep eventually.

[...] thank you.

if i do not sleep tonight i will take your help tomorrow.

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An X-Men GPSL (IC)

Late Thursday night

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