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@lyubite          [THE GIRL IS USHERED INTO THE SHADOWS THAT WERE CREATED FROM SOME OLD AND GRIMED BRICK WALL.     WHETHER IT WAS TO MAKE HERSELF APPEAR SMALLER OR SOMETHING ELSE ENTIRELY WAS LEFT UNDECIDED — PINPOINTING THE REASON PRESENTED TOO UNNECESSARY.     NONETHELESS,   SHE NESTLED FURTHER INTO HERSELF,   GAZE DOWNCAST.]     NO.     AND I CAN HANDLE MYSELF.     [IT’S STATED GRUFFLY.     ENTIRELY TOO—PROTECTIVE THAT IT HAD SEEMED AS IF SHE WERE PRETENDING TO BE OLDER THAN SHE WAS.]

THAT MUST’VE BEEN SO OUT OF THE BLUE. I HAVE NOT OFFENDED YOU, HAVE I?     [IT’S MIDNIGHT AND THE NIGHT HAS BEEN TICKLED WITH GREY CLOUDS PREGNANT WITH THUNDER OVERSEEING THE ENTIRETY OF THE CITY. EVEN THE OCCASIONAL, FORGETTABLE DINER.]     A STRANGE WOMAN SAYING A STRANGE THING THIS LATE AT NIGHT. I MIGHT HAVE BEEN A LITTLE WORRIED MYSELF, IF I WERE YOU. 

@lyubite          MY EYES?     [THE WORDS ARE REPEATED UNDER THE GUISE OF HARMLESS INQUIRY.     IT WAS AN ODD STATEMENT — OR RATHER,   PERHAPS IT WAS A COMPLIMENT,   REALLY.     NONETHELESS,   WHATEVER IT WAS,   SHE HADN’T EXPECTED SUCH AND THE CONFUSION IS EVIDENT ON HONEYED—FEATURES.     ACCOMPANYING THE TILT OF HER HEAD ARE A SET OF PINCHED BROWS.]     UM — THANK YOU.     I THINK.

☆     pls

&.   !!

[    the disciple returned the curt nod,   hoping to become familiar with her by copying her mannerisms.    he took the cloth back,    not at all disturbed by the mess of red on his ornately designed handkerchief.    he tucked the cloth right back from where he got it,    looking up to offer the girl an assuring smile.   ]     of course!   i hope you aren't too hurt?

@cokegods          THANK YOU.     [THE GIRL DUCKED THE JUT OF HER CHIN IN GRATITUDE — AN ACTION USED FREQUENTLY FROM THE CULTURE SHE GREW UP WITH THAT SHE COULDN’T QUITE SHAKE.     STAINED FINGERS REACHED FOR THE HANDKERCHIEF,   SANGUINE REFLECTED BENEATH THE RAYS OVERHEAD,   BEFORE THEY CLASPED AROUND THE MATERIAL.     IT WAS AN INTRICATELY DESIGNED THING,   SMALL YET ADORNED IN GOLDEN ACCENTS,   BUT SOON IT’D BE PAINTED RED.     SHE WIPED THE SANGUINE FROM HER FINGERS,   YET CONFUSION WAS STILL EVIDENT ON DELICATE COUNTENANCE:   PINCHED BROWS,   EYES NARROWED.     NONETHELESS,   SHE LIFTED HER GAZE TO FOCUS ON HIM AGAIN,   HAND OUTSTRETCHED WITH THE SULLIED CLOTH.]     UM — THANK YOU.     AGAIN.

i should have a handkerchief,   yes.    [   a hand would dip into the pocket of his slacks,    pulling out a white and gold cloth,   offering it to the other person.   ]

ah-    you do?    that's a relief,    i was afraid i was only annoying you.   in that case,    i'm glad to be distracting.   i am a big fan of talking.

@cokegods          WHY ARE YOU APOLOGIZING?     YOU AREN’T WASTING MY TIME — I ENJOY LISTENING TO OTHER PEOPLE TALK.    IT’S A NICE DISTRACTION,   YOU KNOW?

[    the boy would blink,    confused expression overtaken by awe,   almond eyes widening at the woman.   ]       /what/?    h...   how?

@cokegods          YOU DIDN’T INVADE MY PRIVACY.     WHAT YOU SAW...   UM — I GUESS I SHOULD JUST BE UPFRONT.     I CAN WARP REALITY.

oh.    then i suppose i'm sorry?   i didn't intend to invade your privacy... or-  or whatnot.    and you don't have to explain it to me if you don't want.    i can forget it all,   if need be.

EVERYTHING I WANT TO SAY / I SWALLOW.     ✶     An original multiverse character.     Inspired by various characters,   franchises and media,   including Everything Everywhere All At Once,   Joy Wang (and Jobu Tupaki),   Marvel,   The Spot,   and Wanda Maximoff.     Mature and triggering themes.

IS THERE ANYTHING SO UNDOING AS A DAUGHTER?   ANYTHING SO BURDENING?     YOU WITHHOLD AN INNATE NEED FOR AN OUTLET.   SOMETHING,   ANYTHING——DISTRACTION COMES IN THE FORM OF SOME TOO—LARGE UNIVERSITY BUILDING AND SOME TOO—WARPED REALITY CREATED FROM YOUR OWN HANDS.   HOWEVER,   NO MATTER THE REALITY,   EXPECTATIONS STILL WEIGH YOU DOWN.   FRACTURED MIND ACROSS THE MULTIVERSE DOES NOT CHANGE THAT——YOU WISH IT DID.