A tall man with graying ginger hair stepped off the King County Metro bus onto Broadway Ave in Capitol Hill. The streets were bustling with Seattleites rushing to catch their bus or get their morning caffeine fix. Kristian Drake, dressed in all black and covered with tattoos, seemed to blend in with the Capitol Hill crowd quite well. He'd only been in town for a couple months at this point after having been ripped from a literal different dimension, so all things considered, he'd found a way to assimilate to this new life quite easily. He even landed a job at Club Phoenix bartending part time and managing talent. That was actually why Kris came here today, to scope out the new neighborhood he'd be working in.
As he began walking down the street, a creeping feeling of uneasiness was washing over him. He'd been feeling this on and off for weeks at this point, this sneaking anxiety that seemed to have no root or cause. Kris, being an empath, was used to strange feelings with no origins, but this one had been particularly invasive. It almost felt... familiar. Kris pulled out and lit up a Marlboro, the only thing that could ground him when he felt uneasy. He breathed in the sweet relief, held it in his throat for a moment, and exhaled a large cloud of smoke. Peace.
As he began walking down the street, a creeping feeling of uneasiness was washing over him. He'd been feeling this on and off for weeks at this point, this sneaking anxiety that seemed to have no root or cause. Kris, being an empath, was used to strange feelings with no origins, but this one had been particularly invasive. It almost felt... familiar. Kris pulled out and lit up a Marlboro, the only thing that could ground him when he felt uneasy. He breathed in the sweet relief, held it in his throat for a moment, and exhaled a large cloud of smoke. Peace.
Wandering aimlessly was a thing these days. It wasn't like Jerry had anything else to do right now- he had been gently barred from the clinic for the rest of the day. Something about 'overdoing it' and 'when's the last time you took a break' and 'no seriously Jerry, you have to go'. Fine! Fine. Whatever. Coffee wasn't an option, sleep was a definite huge no, and as far as college work.. Well. College looked a lot less important these days.
Jerry, much like the black-clad stranger, picked up on all sorts of emotions around him. Over the years he'd learned not to help every sad stranger on the street, but he was restless and agitated (likely from giving too much of himself, but hello Jerry wouldn't admit that) and every tingle under his skin was tugging him this way and that. He needed to center, but Jerry didn't know how right now. Whereas he'd been better with it Before, ever since shit went topsy turvy he'd been struggling.
He was so distracted with his turmoil that he walked straight through a cloud of smoke. Eyes watered and he sneezed, covering his mouth as he did and looking around. "Ah shit, sorry- that's my bad." Jerry hated when people walked through smoke like it wasn't even there, then got all shitty.
Jerry, much like the black-clad stranger, picked up on all sorts of emotions around him. Over the years he'd learned not to help every sad stranger on the street, but he was restless and agitated (likely from giving too much of himself, but hello Jerry wouldn't admit that) and every tingle under his skin was tugging him this way and that. He needed to center, but Jerry didn't know how right now. Whereas he'd been better with it Before, ever since shit went topsy turvy he'd been struggling.
He was so distracted with his turmoil that he walked straight through a cloud of smoke. Eyes watered and he sneezed, covering his mouth as he did and looking around. "Ah shit, sorry- that's my bad." Jerry hated when people walked through smoke like it wasn't even there, then got all shitty.
As soon as Jerry passed him, Kris felt every feeling around him intensify, so much so that it almost sent Kris into a coughing fit as heart and lungs tightened, as if being squeezed from within. Kris stumbled, and then turned to see Jerry, Kris's grey sclera eyes looking directly into Jerry's.
"You uh.. You're a.." Kris started and then stopped. Kris learned a long time ago to not let people onto the fact he could sense these things. "Oh. No worries, friend. Hey, are you familiar with this area?" Kris asked, as psychic walls erected in his mind. Kris knew immediately that Jerry was an empath, & life taught Kris caution when it came to dealing with other psychics. "I'm just trying to get a feel for the land - I start work at Club Phoenix in a couple days and I don't want to have to find my way around here at 2AM, y'know?
Kris stepped to the side of the sidewalk to allow other pedestrians to pass by, hoping Jerry would join him and continue with some small talk.
"You uh.. You're a.." Kris started and then stopped. Kris learned a long time ago to not let people onto the fact he could sense these things. "Oh. No worries, friend. Hey, are you familiar with this area?" Kris asked, as psychic walls erected in his mind. Kris knew immediately that Jerry was an empath, & life taught Kris caution when it came to dealing with other psychics. "I'm just trying to get a feel for the land - I start work at Club Phoenix in a couple days and I don't want to have to find my way around here at 2AM, y'know?
Kris stepped to the side of the sidewalk to allow other pedestrians to pass by, hoping Jerry would join him and continue with some small talk.
Admittedly, Jerry figured that the stranger probably shouldn't be smoking with coughing fits like that, but he didn't realize it was him and not the cigarette. On the bright side, he wasn't near confident enough (or dicky enough for that matter) to suggest to an absolute stranger that they were making bad life choices. So hey, that's a plus right?
As Kris started to speak, Jerry paused, puzzled at what he was about to say. Jerry wasn't sure if he should be anxious or not. "Uhh... like, sort of," he replied, because Jerry felt like he was still discovering a lot around here himself. He took the invitation for what it was, though. Might as well. A distraction could be nice, and they were on a sidewalk so the chances of this dude randomly murdering him were.. lower than normal, probably. "Yeah no that doesn't sound like any fun. Lets get your route figured out. But like, names first, 'cause otherwise we'll chat and forget to tell each other and then it'll be weird to ask. I'm Jerry." And to think, he hadn't had coffee. Imagine him with it.
As Kris started to speak, Jerry paused, puzzled at what he was about to say. Jerry wasn't sure if he should be anxious or not. "Uhh... like, sort of," he replied, because Jerry felt like he was still discovering a lot around here himself. He took the invitation for what it was, though. Might as well. A distraction could be nice, and they were on a sidewalk so the chances of this dude randomly murdering him were.. lower than normal, probably. "Yeah no that doesn't sound like any fun. Lets get your route figured out. But like, names first, 'cause otherwise we'll chat and forget to tell each other and then it'll be weird to ask. I'm Jerry." And to think, he hadn't had coffee. Imagine him with it.
Kris let out a small chuckle, "Right. I'm Kris. I just... uh... moved here not too long ago, with my daughter."
Kris put his cigarette between his lips and extended his hand to Jerry to shake. A horrifically heterosexual display of respect, but one that had been trained into him since birth. The feeling in Kris's gut didn't go away, even with the psychic walls he had put up. Kris could feel it growing, & as it did it became more and more intense. Kris's eyes were darting around the street as if he was looking for someone, but Jerry wouldn't be able to tell that. To Jerry, Kris would appear perfectly normal, despite this anxiety he was choking down.
Kris put his cigarette between his lips and extended his hand to Jerry to shake. A horrifically heterosexual display of respect, but one that had been trained into him since birth. The feeling in Kris's gut didn't go away, even with the psychic walls he had put up. Kris could feel it growing, & as it did it became more and more intense. Kris's eyes were darting around the street as if he was looking for someone, but Jerry wouldn't be able to tell that. To Jerry, Kris would appear perfectly normal, despite this anxiety he was choking down.
The end of a work day was a freeing experience, but Faith couldn't help feeling the funk of the week weighing her down. Sick of busy work, she made her way into the city for a walk and a cold brew. As the two men conversed, she emerged from a Starbucks several paces ahead on the sidewalk. Though fall was in full swing, she was rocking a crop top sweater and cut-off shorts and the cutest booties. Her long hair fell to her hips, a striking feature, though not as much as the blind eyes that she turned upon the men in a passing glance.
"Oh, hey Jerry!" she called out as her cloudy gaze fell upon him, offering a wave. She didn't immediately move to interject herself into their conversation, though, lingering instead near the entrance to the cafe. She did a double-take at the sight of the ginger, though, squinting at him curiously as pressure began to build in the back of her head. Great, another migraine! She rubbed at her temple and grimaced as the discomfort washed over her.
"Oh, hey Jerry!" she called out as her cloudy gaze fell upon him, offering a wave. She didn't immediately move to interject herself into their conversation, though, lingering instead near the entrance to the cafe. She did a double-take at the sight of the ginger, though, squinting at him curiously as pressure began to build in the back of her head. Great, another migraine! She rubbed at her temple and grimaced as the discomfort washed over her.
Jerry noticed the moving eyes, but figured the guy was just getting used to the lay of the area and marking down landmarks. He'd never exactly had formal training, so even if it was possible for him to sense others like him, fuck if Jerry knew how to do that. He pressed his hand into his pocket, pulling up Maps so that he could figure out the best routes to take to get to that uh.. club. Jerry wondered if his fake ID would pass him through there. The facial hair helped sometimes.
"Well, everyone loves Seattle," Jerry said, trying to put more chipper tone to his voice. Even more exhausting than cycling emotion was trying not to appear like he had the weight of a planet crushing his spine, but hey. He had at least gotten better at that over the years! "Alright... looks like... you've got a few routes to check out, but honestly I have no idea which is the least seedy."
The smell of coffee assaulted his senses and he inhaled deeply, humming. Man oh man, maybe coffee wasn't off the table. "Hey Faith! Don't suppose you were gonna bring that to me at the clinic?" His eyes said hopeful, but his face said he knew better. "You alright?" The temple rubbing was, y'know, kinda tell-tale.
"Well, everyone loves Seattle," Jerry said, trying to put more chipper tone to his voice. Even more exhausting than cycling emotion was trying not to appear like he had the weight of a planet crushing his spine, but hey. He had at least gotten better at that over the years! "Alright... looks like... you've got a few routes to check out, but honestly I have no idea which is the least seedy."
The smell of coffee assaulted his senses and he inhaled deeply, humming. Man oh man, maybe coffee wasn't off the table. "Hey Faith! Don't suppose you were gonna bring that to me at the clinic?" His eyes said hopeful, but his face said he knew better. "You alright?" The temple rubbing was, y'know, kinda tell-tale.
Kris smiled kindly at Jerry as he examined the routes he'd brought up. "Ahh thanks, yeah that makes sense. My bus is right up here, so I don't have too far to go," he said. Kris glanced up as Faith stepped out of the Starbucks, the pull of the feeling tugging at his gut. For a moment, Kris thought he had seen a ghost. The hair, those eyes... the feeling. Evka?
No. Absolutely not. Impossible. But his insides were turning. Kris could oftentimes identify people before he even saw them simply by recognizing their emotional make-up, and he had felt this person before. Not just once, but many, many times. Kris's jaw dropped for a moment, the cigarette between his lips falling to the ground. His hand gripped his chest where his heart was. Beneath his shirt in that very spot was a tattoo of a girl swinging on a swingset Kris got many years ago in remembrance of his friend.
There were tears welling up in his eyes, though Kris was making every effort to stave off whatever the heck was happening to him. By now, his limbs were numb and he could barely see straight, but Kris continued to put on the strongest face he could. Finally, after several seconds of trying to reel himself in, Kris managed to give an awkward grin in Faith's direction, realizing that his new friend knew her.
No. Absolutely not. Impossible. But his insides were turning. Kris could oftentimes identify people before he even saw them simply by recognizing their emotional make-up, and he had felt this person before. Not just once, but many, many times. Kris's jaw dropped for a moment, the cigarette between his lips falling to the ground. His hand gripped his chest where his heart was. Beneath his shirt in that very spot was a tattoo of a girl swinging on a swingset Kris got many years ago in remembrance of his friend.
There were tears welling up in his eyes, though Kris was making every effort to stave off whatever the heck was happening to him. By now, his limbs were numb and he could barely see straight, but Kris continued to put on the strongest face he could. Finally, after several seconds of trying to reel himself in, Kris managed to give an awkward grin in Faith's direction, realizing that his new friend knew her.
Even with the piercings and the tattoo wrapping around her right ear, there was no denying that Faith was the spitting image of her former self. She gave Jerry another little wave, unsure if he'd actually seen her or not, but then she caught the way the other guy was looking at her and felt ill at ease. Why was her head pounding?
Kris's emotional distress was impossible not to pick up on, and Faith reached out to attempt a surface scan of his thoughts. It wasn't a deep probe, and a psychic mutant of his strength and training could easily deflect. Her telepathic signature was similar to Evka's, but... stronger. A lifetime of training had her skill at peak level, and if he tried to reach into her mind, he'd find it like solid teflon. Any attempt to see into her thoughts would be repelled.
She weighed her options as she took a long sip of that cold brew, praying that the caffeine would stave off the building pressure in her skull. Eventually, she relented to her curiosity, and her stride took her the few paces to meet up with the men. "Hey," she greeted Jerry more directly this time, "What's up?" A glance was sent Kris's way, and she gave him a nod of acknowledgement. "Who's your new friend?"
Kris's emotional distress was impossible not to pick up on, and Faith reached out to attempt a surface scan of his thoughts. It wasn't a deep probe, and a psychic mutant of his strength and training could easily deflect. Her telepathic signature was similar to Evka's, but... stronger. A lifetime of training had her skill at peak level, and if he tried to reach into her mind, he'd find it like solid teflon. Any attempt to see into her thoughts would be repelled.
She weighed her options as she took a long sip of that cold brew, praying that the caffeine would stave off the building pressure in her skull. Eventually, she relented to her curiosity, and her stride took her the few paces to meet up with the men. "Hey," she greeted Jerry more directly this time, "What's up?" A glance was sent Kris's way, and she gave him a nod of acknowledgement. "Who's your new friend?"
Jerry felt something brewing here, and it made him dizzy. He wasn't sure what- Kris' walls were impressive, and Jerry didn't know the first thing about walls. The feeling made him almost nauseated, if only because the last time he'd gotten a sudden wave like this Bad Things had happened. Everything seemed fine, though. Jerry realized he was likely just exhausted. Maybe they'd been right to send him away from the clinic today.
"You alright dude?" he asked Kris, because he kind of looked like... he'd just seen a ghost? Jerry had never used that term before, not in a serious way, but he looked shook for all of a moment and then fine. Huh. Well. He figured that whatever was going through his mind, it wasn't like it was Jerry's business. They were barely acquaintances. Faith was a good buffer, too. "This is Kris. I'm trying to help him find the best route from his job to the bus." He wiggled the phone in his hand, though she would see it from the back. Was that a Steven Universe case? Absofuckinglutely, this boy loved rocks and all things rock associated, so a rock show? Epic.
"You alright dude?" he asked Kris, because he kind of looked like... he'd just seen a ghost? Jerry had never used that term before, not in a serious way, but he looked shook for all of a moment and then fine. Huh. Well. He figured that whatever was going through his mind, it wasn't like it was Jerry's business. They were barely acquaintances. Faith was a good buffer, too. "This is Kris. I'm trying to help him find the best route from his job to the bus." He wiggled the phone in his hand, though she would see it from the back. Was that a Steven Universe case? Absofuckinglutely, this boy loved rocks and all things rock associated, so a rock show? Epic.
Kris looked up at Jerry, wiping the back of his hand across his forehead to rid himself of the collecting sweat. "I'm alright. Too much coffee this morning," he joked, turning his attention to Faith as she approached. Kris's eyes flashed black only briefly as he felt her mind and his collide. He pushed her out quickly, but when he did he was sure of what he was up against. There was no mistaking Evka's telepathic signature - especially considering Kris had been brought to his knees by it at least once before. The walls around his mind strengthened even further.
After Jerry introduced Kris to Faith, Kris would smile and add, "I just moved here a little bit ago, & I'll be starting at Club Phoenix in a couple days." He looked her up and down, finally having fought off a majority of the emotional wreckage he'd been sludging through. "You look extremely familiar..." he began, "Like a very close friend of mine."
He chuckled and waved his hand a little, "Did I hear your name was Faith? Love your boots by the way, I've got a pair just like 'em," he said with a wink. His chest and lungs finally seemed to lose tension, and his confidence came back. For a moment there, Kris felt like was a teenager again. Instinctively, Kris pulled out and lit another cigarette, his gaze firmly planted on Faith. He didn't dare try and read her mind, but at this point he didn't need to. The only question he had now was whether he could trust her or if some sicko was playing mind games on him.
After Jerry introduced Kris to Faith, Kris would smile and add, "I just moved here a little bit ago, & I'll be starting at Club Phoenix in a couple days." He looked her up and down, finally having fought off a majority of the emotional wreckage he'd been sludging through. "You look extremely familiar..." he began, "Like a very close friend of mine."
He chuckled and waved his hand a little, "Did I hear your name was Faith? Love your boots by the way, I've got a pair just like 'em," he said with a wink. His chest and lungs finally seemed to lose tension, and his confidence came back. For a moment there, Kris felt like was a teenager again. Instinctively, Kris pulled out and lit another cigarette, his gaze firmly planted on Faith. He didn't dare try and read her mind, but at this point he didn't need to. The only question he had now was whether he could trust her or if some sicko was playing mind games on him.
"Oh," she said to Jerry, "Cool. That's nice of you!" He was a good egg, so Faith wasn't entirely surprised to learn he was offering his assistance. It earned him a smile before the girl turned her gaze back to Kris, relaxing somewhat, even though her headache continued to rage.
"Bro, I wish I was old enough to get in there. I'm so jealous!" she swooned when he stated his new employer. "Yeah, I'm Faith, but some people call me 'Hope," she introduced herself properly as she stuck out a foot to show off her shoes. "They're so comfy, I love the chunky heels!" she concurred, continuing, "You know, it's super weird, but you look kinda familiar too. Maybe I saw you on the astral plane?" She lofted her brows before grinning to show she was kidding, then reoriented on Jerry.
"Are you working at the clinic on Sunday?" she asked him, "I've got this new friend, an EDE who has had this really bad cough for months, but she's scared to go to the hospital because of ICE. I just want to be able to tell her when to go so she sees a friendly face."
"Bro, I wish I was old enough to get in there. I'm so jealous!" she swooned when he stated his new employer. "Yeah, I'm Faith, but some people call me 'Hope," she introduced herself properly as she stuck out a foot to show off her shoes. "They're so comfy, I love the chunky heels!" she concurred, continuing, "You know, it's super weird, but you look kinda familiar too. Maybe I saw you on the astral plane?" She lofted her brows before grinning to show she was kidding, then reoriented on Jerry.
"Are you working at the clinic on Sunday?" she asked him, "I've got this new friend, an EDE who has had this really bad cough for months, but she's scared to go to the hospital because of ICE. I just want to be able to tell her when to go so she sees a friendly face."
"Wish I had too much coffee," Jerry muttered, though that wasn't entirely true. Too much was bad, and Jerry knew that! He just uh. Didn't always know when to cut himself off, which was the real problem. At any rate, he was being a good citizen right now, right? Introducing the new guy to friendly faces... sort of? Honestly Jerry didn't know how he got here, but he knew that suddenly he felt like the stranger out of place. There was something about their chatter that seemed... natural? Whatever, Jerry wasn't gonna think on it.
With Faith drawing his attention, he shifted from foot to foot. "Oh, yeah, I'll be there." Was he scheduled to be there Sunday? No. Would he be there? Duh. He'd even be on his best behavior to make sure he didn't get booted before Faith's buddy showed up. "Tell her ask for me, I'll make sure she gets all the nice docs." Jerry's nose wrinkled, thinking of one or two who were definitely not on that list. "You busy? You could walk with us."
With Faith drawing his attention, he shifted from foot to foot. "Oh, yeah, I'll be there." Was he scheduled to be there Sunday? No. Would he be there? Duh. He'd even be on his best behavior to make sure he didn't get booted before Faith's buddy showed up. "Tell her ask for me, I'll make sure she gets all the nice docs." Jerry's nose wrinkled, thinking of one or two who were definitely not on that list. "You busy? You could walk with us."
Kris smiled and ruffled his beard a little bit when Faith expressed her excitement. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Faith. I’m going to convince Steve to let us do an all ages drag night! Have your friends call and tell him you’re interested and he might just let it happen!” Kris said optimistically, but fairly unconvinced that old Steve would do anything new or exciting.
When Faith made her comment about the Astral Plane, Kris tensed up once more. Was this a joke? Was she toying with him? Kris did not see the astral plane as a joke by any means, especially having been trapped there so long ago. In fact, he was almost relieved when he lost the ability to tap into the astral plane in the first place. Kris briefly wondered if he’d be able to now in his older years. He hadn’t tried since in all honesty. All the same, the empath did not let on to his uneasiness. He laughed half-heartedly and let Jerry speak.
Kris took another drag of his cigarette as Jerry and Faith talked about the clinic. The smoke from his exhale almost seemed to stick into his beard for a moment. “Oh, please join us!” Kris added enthusiastically, mostly just interested in figuring out who the heck this girl was, why she looked so much like his old friend, why she FELT like his old friend, & where she came from.
When Faith made her comment about the Astral Plane, Kris tensed up once more. Was this a joke? Was she toying with him? Kris did not see the astral plane as a joke by any means, especially having been trapped there so long ago. In fact, he was almost relieved when he lost the ability to tap into the astral plane in the first place. Kris briefly wondered if he’d be able to now in his older years. He hadn’t tried since in all honesty. All the same, the empath did not let on to his uneasiness. He laughed half-heartedly and let Jerry speak.
Kris took another drag of his cigarette as Jerry and Faith talked about the clinic. The smoke from his exhale almost seemed to stick into his beard for a moment. “Oh, please join us!” Kris added enthusiastically, mostly just interested in figuring out who the heck this girl was, why she looked so much like his old friend, why she FELT like his old friend, & where she came from.
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