IMEEJI INBOX

[mind_blown]

"This is Jason. Leave a message.

Or don't. I don't care."

Comments

[mind_blown]

... Huh.

[is that a positive memory? he glances at Talon, once it concludes, trying to get a read on him]

[iamverybadass]

[ He looks—shocked, mostly. There are flickers of fondness beneath it, but given he didn't know about any of this two seconds ago, it's a lot of shock and worry as all the unspoken context of the memory begins to sink in ]

... Do you...

[ Ugh. Takes a steadying breath ]

Do you think they're alright? While we're trapped here?

[mind_blown]

I don't know.

[he admits honestly.]

It could be they don't even know you're gone.

[iamverybadass]

I hope that they don't. I don't want them to be worried.

[mind_blown]

It's definitely possible. We don't know, otherwise.

[iamverybadass]

Mm... It's the scenario I'll have to hope for.

[ Glancing at his phone again while the last memory is buffering ]

... Talia was my mother's name.

[mind_blown]

... I don't need to tell you my opinion on your mom again, do I?

[iamverybadass]

No. I'll let you know if I ever need a reminder.

[mind_blown]

Good.

... You're gonna do another?

[iamverybadass]

Just one. I don't want to press my luck too far.

[mind_blown]

...

[he never does more than two in a sitting. and... well, he frowns.]

Doing one more would be doing exactly that, kiddo.

[iamverybadass]

Given what I know of my history so far, taking memories at all is pressing my luck.

[mind_blown]

... True.

[he pulls out his phone and considers.]

Knock out whatever one you've got left. I've got enough points for one.

[iamverybadass]

[ Mutters a vague agreement and lets the final memory play ]



[ ... ]




[ He doesn't seem to be reacting to it, only staring at his phone screen in silence ]

[mind_blown]

[well, he can't imagine this memory's going over well....]

... Guess actual hell is proving to be mostly better than home. Still.

[iamverybadass]

[ His expression twists once or twice before he regains control of it, forcing it back into carefully controlled neutrality ]

In some ways.

[mind_blown]

In some ways.

[he allows.]

[iamverybadass]

[ Takes a deep breath and stuffs his phone back into his pocket ]

Whatever. It doesn't matter. Let's see yours.

[mind_blown]

It matters. At least a little bit.

[but he has his memories queued up.]

[iamverybadass]

...A little, perhaps.

[ Still pretty doubtful about that. Maybe birthdays just aren't a thing heroes get to have! ]

[mind_blown]

[he tried.

Not like he knows the answer to that one.

But, it’s time to press play.]

[iamverybadass]

[ The good news is Talon has forgotten about birthdays

The bad news is he's staring at Talia with a stricken look of alarm ]

You knew her?

[mind_blown]

[look, this is the first time he’s seen her in his memories, but he glances at Talon. Because a few things click in to place that he doesn’t quite like.]

Yeah. I did, I guess.

She must’ve been the one paying for the teachers.

[that he was killing.

He also realized slowly— was. Was she the one giving him a direction to channel his rage...?]

[iamverybadass]

If she was behind your instruction, then she was using you.

[mind_blown]

[there's... something akin to doubt on his face when he says that, but he quickly fades into neutral confusion.]

This must have been close to when I came back to life.

[he was younger... he can tell that much.

and it doesn't force him to address Talon's statement directly.]