[Video]

[actingstorm]

[Anyone who pays any sort of attention to American football is going to recognize the guy who's showing up on the network tonight. He's Ronnie "the Rocket" Stein, star quarterback for the Gateway City Guardians. Judging by the size and angle of the picture, he's accessing the network from a mobile phone.]

So...this is the Numbered network thing, huh? I've looked around a little, can't say I've actually posted to this thing before. It's a little too weird for me, you know? But if it's going to keep getting weirder, if I'm reading this thing right.

[Because he's gone back and looked at things. You people are all strange.]

Not like I've found any answers to my particular brand of weirdness, I gotta say.

[He leans back a little bit.]

Can anyone tell me if it's normal to be getting the same...things...as someone else?

Comments

[thinkingfire]

[And he's got to adjust his glasses at that little display, because he's never seen anything quite like it, and it is fascinating.]

That does help, indeed...and I'm pretty sure that's not quite what we're dealing with now. That would have set off something for one or the other of us if that were the case, correct?

And that's right, I'm the one he's sharing pulses with--I'm his father, Martin.

[peacefulwinter]

Someone's done his homework. I appreciate that. [A soft giggle; she kind of misses having to explain to every poor soul that got numbers. But it's definitely easier this way.] Yes, that's a fair assumption, although as you say, the Heartcatch Mirage is kind of a special case. It mostly just proves you don't transform with a jewelry box summoned freely from anywhere in the world.

Father, huh? I'm not sure what to make of that. It's one thing when it's people roughly the same age and social standing. It's another when it's... well, father and son. Or whatever the two of your past selves were. Still, pleased to meet you, Mr. Stein. [Polite to a fault. That's Winter.]

[thinkingfire]

I'm a teacher. Not doing my homework just wouldn't be proper. And that does sound like a special case indeed--I'd be a little concerned if it became very common.

[He laughs.]

For what it's worth, I don't think Ronald knows what to make of it, either.

And it's nice to meet you, as well!

[peacefulwinter]

My team means the world to me, particularly after marrying my partner not that long ago. But I agree that there's a certain limit to how many of us there really needs to be. We'll keep our magic, you can have... whatever your gift turns out to be.

I'm gathering that he's about as lost as the rest of us, which is fine. Usually, the picture never comes across in clear pieces. It's murky, until one pulse hits you and ties everything together. And then you just plop down somewhere and wonder what your past self was doing to leave you with what you have. [She remembers that feeling vividly, even now, and her voice is soft as it all comes rushing back from her own memories. She thought Rikka was insane, until she saw the moment the girl committed to the life Winter had inherited. And... she still wonders about Rikka sometimes, but it makes a lot more sense, now.]

[thinkingfire]

Well, this conversation's given me a bit of a clearer picture of what might be going on...even if having that clarity raises more questions even as it's answered others. It's a place to start.