21 May 2023

Middler Blaydow	Gabriel	Eric McMurran	Elijah McMurran	John Crowley	Bridget McMurran	Feemerson McMurran	Katen Tanek	Adam McMurran	Celena McMurran	Renasi Reium

Middler: Finally spots Gabriel, after some searching. Hello.
Gabriel: It's a guy… with feathers for hair… and a purple suit and top hat. Hello. Looks pretty much exactly like Julius, expect with lighter hair and blue eyes, down to the inflection in his voice.
Middler: This would be easier if they didn't look so much alike. I don't think I introduced myself earlier… I'm Middler. Holds out a hand to him.
Gabriel: Takes his hand. Gabriel. A pleasure to meet you. You were one of the people in the room before, no?
Middler: Shakes the hand lightly. Yes, I was.
Gabriel: Julius' friend then, I assume?
Middler: Yes, I was a friend of Julius.
Gabriel: Looks a bit uncomfortable. I apologize.
Middler: Smiles a bit. You don't have to apologize to me, but I appreciate you doing so. From what Julius said, it was inevitable.
Gabriel: Yes… though… reincarnating myself was illegal… well… Trails off.
Middler: I just wanted to say that I don't hold what happened with Julius against you.
Gabriel: Oh… Well… I um… appreciate that. Smiles a bit… The smile looks very awkward as though he is extremely out of practice. Pretty much looks like a grimace of pain.
Middler: …Are you okay?
Gabriel: Stops trying to smile. Yes. Changes the subject! Where are you from?
Middler: Frowns a bit at the question. I don't really know. Jessica says my mother is from… Halia, I think she said.
Gabriel: Haliah?
Middler: That could have been it.. I know it was an H place.
Gabriel: Are you some sort of… Harpy?
Middler: Partially. My mother is a Harpy and it's been speculated that my father was a shape shifter.
Gabriel: Nods, mulling this over.
Middler: On account of my ability to shift… shapes.
Gabriel: Is that your um… primary form?
Middler: I'm not sure, really. I don't remember a whole lot, honestly.
Gabriel: Nods and doesn't press him about it.
Middler: I just feel most comfortable in this shape. Pulls a feather on his forehead. And these remind me of my mom.
Gabriel: …Have you met Michael?
Middler: Yes, he was there in the room too.
Gabriel: Nods. He had a son who was half Harpy…
Middler: How is the son doing?
Gabriel: …Dead, I think… Sounds sad about it.
Middler: …Oh. I'm sorry to hear that. Sounds genuinely sympathetic, too.
Gabriel: …It was a long time ago.

Eric: Comes in to check on Elijah. Well, you're awake… Gives him his medicine.
Elijah: Is Mr. John here?
Eric: Nope. He went to work. You were dead asleep for the better part of the day anyway.
Elijah: Oh… Takes his medicine and then allows Eric to shove a thermometer in his mouth.
Eric: Takes the thermometer out and doesn't look pleased. Sighs. Can I get you anything?
Elijah: …I'm fine… Thank you… Closes his eyes and pretends to go back to sleep.
Eric: Leaves the room.
Elijah: Phone vibrates. Answers it. Hello?
J.N.: Hello Elijah.
Elijah: Hello Mr. John.
J.N.: Are you feeling any better?
Elijah: …Not very… As though he's sorry to say.
J.N.: I see… It'll take some time to get better… Do you think you'd want company?
Elijah: If you wouldn't mind.
J.N.: I don't. I was concerned all day.
Elijah: Really? Sounds unhappier.
J.N.: You weren't in good shape, Elijah. Now on his way to Eric's house.
Elijah: …I just didn't mean to concern you all day…
J.N.: …Well… Sounds a bit more glum. Than usual, that is. …I should have stayed there.
Elijah: I was just sleeping… Don't worry about it… You're the assistant manager…

J.N.: Pulls into the McMurran's driveway. Knocks on the door.
Bridget: Answers. Hello John. Sweetly.
J.N.: Smells strongly of meat. Hello Bridget.
Bridget: What brings you here?
J.N.: Looks at her as though she might be joking. To see Elijah.
Bridget: Just doesn't want to let him barge into her house with no explanation. Well, come in then. Lets him in.
J.N.: Enters. In his room, I take it?
Bridget: Nods.
Eric: Hello John.
J.N.: Hello Eric. Much more casually than when he spoke to Bridget.
Eric: Nods to him and turns his attention back to helping Jennifer with her homework.
J.N.: Proceeds upstairs and knocks on Elijah's door.
Elijah: Barely audible. Come in…
J.N.: Enters. Hey Elijah.
Elijah: Hello Mr. John.
J.N.: You know… If you want, you can just call me John… or J.N.
Elijah: Just looks at him and nods.
Elijah's Room: A strange mixture of teenager stuff and preschooler stuff. There is a tall Lego tower in a place that's very easy to trip over and a half-completed 200 piece puzzle.
J.N.: There is stuff all over the floor. Tries his best not to destroy anything on his voyage to the bed.
Elijah: Looks very unhappy.
J.N.: …Still having bad dreams?
Elijah: I slept alright, actually…
Elijah's Side of the Room: Is relatively clean. Except for a few books and bad action movie DVDs scattered around.
J.N.: Looks at the bad action movie DVDs and chuckles. Just remembered something. …Never did get around to lending you all those tapes, did I?
Elijah: …No, because I dropped them on the floor…
J.N.: Do you still want to watch them sometime?
Elijah: …With you?
J.N.: Would you rather by yourself?
Elijah: Shakes his head "no".
J.N.: Glad to hear.
Elijah: …Sorry about Adam's stuff.
J.N.: It's alright. You guys share a room. It gets messy.
Elijah: …He always starts building stuff and leaves it half finished and starts something else.
J.N.: Why does he do that?
Elijah: Because he's four, I guess… Stares at the ceiling.
J.N.: …Something wrong?
Elijah: Just not feeling very well.
J.N.: I see… Anything I can do to help?
Elijah: …I don't know what you could do…
J.N.: That makes two of us.
Elijah: I just feel trapped. Trapped inside myself… Trapped in these memories. I can't find relief in anything.
J.N.: What do you mean by trapped?
Elijah: …Trapped in my body, I guess.
J.N.: There is a lot on your shoulders these days, isn't there?
Elijah: Nods.
J.N.: Never really had to deal with as much as you have… So I don't know what to tell you.
Elijah: I'm grateful that you stay with me… I just want to sleep forever… and not have to feel anything.
J.N.: That's kind of frightening to hear.
Elijah: Sighs. …Forget I said that.
J.N.: Well, I want to hear what's actually on your mind, the good and the bad.
Elijah: …I just have to kill Lonan…
J.N.: So he really is going to fight. I hope that is it…
Elijah: …I'm sorry, Mr. John…
J.N.: It's fine. You're a man, you make your own decisions now.
Elijah: I just… know I've probably disappointed you.
J.N.: You haven't, Elijah.
Elijah: …I'm disappointed in myself, but… I feel like I'll never have any peace of mind otherwise.
J.N.: Then I guess you have to take care of Lonan then.
Elijah: …Do you really want me to call you John?
J.N.: I never treated you like I was superior to you… I think. I just don't want you to feel like you have to address me like… you would a teacher or some authority figure, but you can just call me what you want. I won't mind.
Elijah: I don't want to call you something that bothers you.
J.N.: It doesn't bother me… I thought that you felt like you had to.
Elijah: I kind of… like to…?
J.N.: That sounds odd. Then I'm Mr. John.
Elijah: Nods and laughs sort of nervously.
Bridget: Pokes her head in the room. John…?
J.N.: Yeah?
Bridget: We're having dinner… Care to join us? Saccharine.
J.N.: If it's all the same, I'd rather stay here.
Bridget: Raises her eyebrows. Well, I'll leave you boys alone. Leaves.
J.N.: …I guess I could have said that a bit more politely.
Elijah: …She doesn't like you…
J.N.: I figured.
Elijah: Frowns. …Sorry…
J.N.: Doesn't bother me.
Elijah: How's Ernest?
J.N.: He's doing alright. I actually haven't seen him at all this week.
Elijah: …I guess I'm taking most of your time lately… You probably want to hang out with your friends.
J.N.: You are my friend.
Elijah: …Your other friends?
J.N.: I hang out with most of them at work and Ernest usually wants to go to the bar.
Elijah: He drinks a lot? …Isn't that bad?
J.N.: I'm getting sick of being his designated driver when he feels like getting hammered at a bar.
Elijah: But you're best friends, right?
J.N.: Aside from you, yes. I still don't have to like his habits.
Elijah: Stares at J.N. I-I can't be your best friend.
J.N.: Why not?
Elijah: Well… I've never done anything for you, is all.
J.N.: Why should that matter?
Elijah: I don't know… I don't know why you like me… or consider me your best friend… I mean, I consider you to be like an older brother or something, but… well, you'd understand why I would… You're always looking out for me and I've explained why I like you, too… So… I-I dunno. I'm so much younger than you, too… Not that I'm not… really, really flattered… I mean… Guesses he should stop talking now.
J.N.: Ernest doesn't know that I have a box of tapes I keep in my room. He hasn't stopped by unless he felt like going out. …What I'm trying to say is that I may have known Ernest longer than I've known you, but that doesn't mean he's a better or worse friend. What matters is what happens in the time spent, not the amount spent.
Elijah: I know… I guess I feel like I haven't… reciprocated much to our friendship, though.
J.N.: You have your own life, Elijah. You did whenever you visited.
Elijah: Just by talking to you?
J.N.: Yeah.
Elijah: Still feels J.N. has outdone him, but smiles at him. I-I'm sorry… Suddenly ashamed.
J.N.: For what?
Elijah: …When I go back to Atlantis… I hope we can still see each other as often.
J.N.: I'll try to visit when I can.
Elijah: So will I. Smiles.

Gabriel: Looks at the sheepy boy leaving Katen's classroom.
Feemy: Yawns a bit and stretches.
Katen: Why, Lord Gabriel. Bows.
Feemy: Halts. I thought Mom said Julius was dead.
Gabriel: Has no idea who Katen is, so just nods and bows back a bit.
Feemy: Is soon attached to Gabriel's legs. Mom said you were dead!
Gabriel: Quite uncomfortable. Doesn't have the slightest inkling of how to deal with children. Um…
Feemy: Hugs his legs tight. I don't know why Mom said you were gone, Julius. Smiles up at him.
Gabriel: Stares down at Feemy. You have the wrong guy.
Feemy: …Middler?
Gabriel: No… I'm Gabriel.
Feemy: Not processing this very well. No you're not. You're Julius.
Gabriel: I was Julius. Now I'm Gabriel.
Feemy: Frowns. You're too old to play pretend.
Gabriel: Sighs. Kneels down. Stares at him with very blue eyes. I'm not Julius. I am Gabriel. Julius' consciousness was taken over by mine. He is no longer with us. I'm sorry.
Feemy: This isn't funny. Is beginning to believe Gabriel though, since he doesn't think Julius would act this way.
Gabriel: I guess it's not, but I only speak the truth.
Feemy: Backs away from Gabriel. You're not Julius?
Gabriel: No. Stands.
Feemy: This is a very scary thought and that man is also frightening. Backs away more.
Katen: You might try to be polite, Feemy.
Feemy: Hearing Katen, he stops in his tracks. I'm sorry, Sir. Bows to Gabriel.
Gabriel: Nods. I… apologize for not being Julius.
Feemy: Remembers his manners, something much easier to do with Katen nearby. No apology is needed, Sir. It was my mistake.
Gabriel: Stares at him and nods.
Feemy: If you will excuse me. Bows and hurries off to his room.
Katen: My apologies for him, Lord Gabriel. Bows again. Good evening. Nods to him and Middler and walks away.
Middler: Bows back. …Feemy was not present in the room when the change occurred.
Gabriel: Nods. Is he related to me in some fashion?
Middler: Not that I know of. I don't think I could tell you the relationship that Feemy and Julius had. Feemy did seem to quite enjoy spending time with Elijah.
Gabriel: …Who is Elijah?
Middler: Elijah is Jessica's first son, sent away until he recently visited.
Gabriel: Not even positive who Jessica is… This is all very confusing.
Middler: If you would like, I could show you around the castle. I'm not sure if you have been here before.
Gabriel: Only once when it was… much smaller. I would appreciate that, though.
Middler: I wasn't around when it was smaller… I would appreciate it if you avoided some halls, though.
Gabriel: Avoid some halls?
Middler: Particularly the one that adjoins to Gwendolyn and Demitrius' rooms. Julius' first son and wife.
Gabriel: Oh… Indeed…

Eric: Comes in with plates of food.
J.N.: Hey Eric.
Eric: Hey John… Hands him a plate of food and one for Elijah and medicine and a thermometer in his mouth.
J.N.: Thank you.
Eric: Presently removes thermometer and frowns.
Adam: Wanders in too.
Eric: Sighs and looks at Elijah. How are you feeling?
Elijah: …Not so good…
Eric: Any worse?
Elijah: Not really…
J.N.: Hi Adam.
Adam: Hi Mr. John. Smiles at him a bit shyly. Goes over and takes his hand.
J.N.: Blinks.
Adam: D'yoo see the castle I made? Points at the Lego tower. Like at home with Mommy? Smiles.
J.N.: It's very nice. Smiles a bit so Adam doesn't get the wrong idea, since he always looks grumpy.
Adam: Smiles up at him genuinely and looks a lot like his father when he does so.
J.N.: The resemblance is uncanny. Eerily so. …Going to build any more castles?
Adam: I dunno… I wanna finish my puzzle… Points to it.
Eric: Putting another blanket around Elijah.
Adam: It's hard, though… Little hand still clasping J.N.'s fingers.
J.N.: You could get your brother to help…
Adam: I wanna do it myself… 'Lijah's trying to teach me to read, though… I really want to…
J.N.: You'll get it sometime. It takes work. Actually admires Adam wanting to do the puzzle alone.
Adam: Blurts out. You need a girlfriend.
J.N.: Raises an eyebrow at that.
Adam: Stares, wondering why in the world he said that.
J.N.: That phrase sounds very familiar, but can't quite place where he's heard it. Perhaps.
Adam: Like my mom.
J.N.: Raises his other eyebrow. Am I the only one here who heard this? Or is weirded out?
Eric: Talking softly with Elijah and not really paying attention to them.
J.N.: Where did you get that idea?
Adam: I don't know.
J.N.: Speaks quietly. …Elijah didn't say anything to you at all about it?
Adam: Shakes his head "no."
J.N.: Alright.
Adam: Thank you for looking after my brother.
J.N.: Scruffs up Adam's hair with his other hand. You're welcome… it… uh… was a pleasure. Hard talking to kids, too.
Adam: Has no idea why he's saying these things. Just nods.
Elijah: Wiping his eyes.
Adam: Gets down off the bed to mess with his puzzle.
Eric: Laughing a bit with Elijah now… Weird conversation. It lulls. Looks over at John. Oh, John!
J.N.: Tries not to look like he was just brought out of a reverie. Yeah Eric?
Eric: Um… Do you see Julius at all regularly?
J.N.: Used to.
Eric: Frowns. If you have any chance of seeing him sometime soon… could you tell him, um… His father passed away.
J.N.: …Julius is dead, too.
Eric: Stares at him. Shocked. When?
J.N.: Yesterday, I believe. I found out before I came back.
Eric: Nods. Bites his lip. Is there going to be a service for him?
J.N.: No. I don't think so. …Do you know about Gabriel?
Eric: Gabriel? No…
J.N.: …You might want to hear this from someone who knows more about it.
Eric: …What am I supposed to tell his mother?
J.N.: That he's dead. …Do you know of any death that would leave the body unusable?
Eric: …Isn't that the nature of death?
J.N.: I mean for a service. Since… Maybe there should be a service… At least a tombstone.
Eric: Well, any sort of… violent accident.
J.N.: Car accident?
Eric: Nods.
J.N.: I don't know if a service is planned, honestly… but I could contact Jessica… get more information, maybe arrange something at least.
Eric: Nods. Thank you, John.
Elijah: Julius is the reincarnation of the Archangel Gabriel. Gabriel's powers began to manifest in him and destroy his body. He would have died if Gabriel hadn't taken over his consciousness. so now it's Gabriel's mind within Julius' body.
J.N.: That's what happened…
Eric: …The Archangel Gabriel?
Elijah: Nods.
J.N.: His brother is Michael. The Angel of Death.
Eric: I've known Julius since he was… 12-years-old. Then again… I didn't know Daniel was a "High Riser". I hope to God I don't turn out to be… the reincarnation of Napoleon or something and die because of it.
J.N.: I think you're a few inches above Napoleon.
Elijah: Adam's a High Riser, too.
Eric: Shakes his head.
J.N.: …Hm. Did you know that Adam and Elijah are going to be taken back to Atlantis?
Eric: Nods.
J.N.: Soon, I think. They think it's going to be safer at the castle.
Eric: Frowns and looks at Elijah. Sighs. Well, I'm going to miss you… I got started kind of thinking I had two other sons. Smiles a bit.
J.N.: Keeps quiet.
Elijah: Smiles at Eric. I feel really lucky to have so many people who care for me.
Bridget: Calls up the stairs. Eriiic… It's Marit on the phone! He wants to talk to you!
Eric: Sighs. Rubs Elijah's arm and picks his way through Adam's toys. You might consider cleaning this up a bit, Adam? Heads downstairs.

Middler: Begins his tour. And this is the dining room… We, uh… eat here.
Gabriel: Nods. Is there a Glinter hangar?
Middler: Glinter? …I don't think so, but I could be wrong.
Gabriel: A kind of flying machine?
Middler: Sits there with his finger in a steeple and thinks. I'm sorry, but I don't know.
Gabriel: It's alright.
Middler: Jessica's office is nearby. We could ask her. She knows much more about the castle than myself. I didn't even know where Julius' room was until he passed.
Gabriel: Wonders why Middler is trying to be a tour guide then. Keeps his comments to himself since Middler seems to be a kind sort of person and he does appreciate that.
Middler: Jessica is a queen and is usually pretty busy with paper work, otherwise, I'm sure she would have given you a tour.
Gabriel: Nods. I understand.
Middler: Actually thinks he's doing kinda well! Leads him to Jessica's office.
Jessica: Looking through a photo album.
Middler: Lightly knocks on the door.
Jessica: Come in… Puts the book away and dries her eyes.
Middler: Enters the room, offering her a smile. Hello Jessica… I hope I'm not intruding on paperwork.
Jessica: Not at all. Puts on a smile. I'm done for the night…
Middler: …Jessica, Gabriel wants to know if there is a Glinter hangar in the castle. Looks very uncomfortable, not wanting to depress Jessica.

Feemy: Knocks on Celena's door.
Celena: Answers. Sees who it is! Has more Middler paraphernalia on her walls and put a little a cross on the poster Julius did for her. What?
Feemy: Quietly. Can I come in Celena?
Celena: Yes… Lets him in. There are two cats on her bed.
Feemy: Comes in. Wonders where she got all that Middler paraphernalia. …I saw Julius, but he wasn't Julius.
Celena: Well, yeah, he was Gabriel.
Feemy: Shuffles his feet. Where's Julius?
Celena: …Gone.
Feemy: Like Dad?
Celena: Not exactly… Daddy has a grave and his soul is in Heaven.
Feemy: Why isn't Julius in Heaven?
Celena: Because Julius' soul is Gabriel's.
Feemy: Knits his brow, trying to understand that.
Celena: They're the same person.
Feemy: No they're not. I don't think Gabriel even know who I was.
Celena: They're the same person with different memories.
Feemy: So Julius has amkneesia?
Celena: No. His memories got erased and replaced with Gabriel's. It's not like he died. He just ceased to exist.
Feemy: So… Julius is just gone forever?
Celena: Yes. There's not anything left of him.
Feemy: Looks crushed at this. …But he was a good person. Good people go to Heaven.
Celena: He was Gabriel. You can't send memories to Heaven without a soul to contain them.
Feemy: Nods his head, since he's grasped that Julius is just memories. I miss Julius.
Celena: Hugs Feemy. I'm sorry…
Feemy: Hugs back. Was kind of expecting Celena just to tell to go away. I'm really, really sorry…
Celena: Sorry for what?
Feemy: For being mean to you all those times… Sincere.
Celena: Yeah… You're kind of a brat.
Feemy: I am…
Celena: …That doesn't mean I don't love you.
Feemy: I know… but I am a brat and I don't know why I said all those mean things.
Celena: 'Cause you're an annoying boy.
Feemy: Nods. I aaam. Feeling very self-deprecating.
Celena: You're not that bad, I guess… I'm sorry you feel bad about Julius.
Feemy: Thanks Celena…
Celena: Nods and lets him go.
Feemy: …Um… Celena?
Celena: Yes?
Feemy: …Do you think Mom likes you and Adam and Elijah better because you're not adopted?
Celena: Frowns. Why would you think that?
Feemy: Well… You all look like Dad… and I kind of look nothing like him.
Celena: Stubbornly. I look like Mom… and I don't see why it matters whether you look like Dad or not.
Feemy: Because then people know I'm adopted.
Celena: So? It doesn't mean Mom loves you any less. She chose to adopt you just like she chose to have us.
Feemy: That does make sense. Tugs at one of his horns absentmindedly.
Celena: I mean, she wouldn't adopt you if she didn't love you.
Feemy: Nods again. I guess… Hey, why do you love Middler? Out of nowhere.
Celena: Frowns at him.
Feemy: I'm serious, not kidding or making fun, really.
Celena: Because Middler is the nicest and kindest and most gentlemanly man I know and he serves a good wife to take care of him and love him back.
Feemy: Middler is pretty nice. Nods.
Celena: Sighs.
Feemy: Blinks. What's the matter?
Celena: You shouldn't worry about not looking like Daddy. Mom's just being sentimental. Besides, Elijah's being bad or something, I heard and she doesn't even know Adam, so I think you have an edge on them.
Feemy: An edge?
Celena: Yeah… In the love department.
Feemy: …You're saying Mom loves me more? This is confusing.
Celena: I'm saying she loves you the same as us and she doesn't have any reason to love Elijah and Adam more.

Adam: Wanders downstairs.
Elijah: What're you thinking about?
J.N.: A lot of things. You?
Elijah: Smiles. I always go on and on about that… You never tell me what's on your mind… Well… You don't have to…
J.N.: Thinking about Atlantis, really. I think Jessica offered for me to stay in Atlantis.
Elijah: Blinks. Really?
J.N.: …I think. We spoke about it… I asked how she chose between this world and Atlantis.
Elijah: Would you want to stay in Atlantis?
J.N: That's what I'm thinking about…
Elijah: Would like J.N. to, but… Isn't going to try to persuade him.
J.N: I could be around you, and Jessica, and the others more if I did stay.
Elijah: Nods. But what about your job? And your friends? And your parents?
J.N: I know… I don't think I have a plausible career in Atlantis and I couldn't tell Ernest, or Curtis, or Eugene that I decided to go to Atlantis, nor my parents.
Elijah: Why couldn't you tell them?
J.N: They wouldn't believe me.
Elijah: Oh… There's also the war and everything… Looks kind of disappointed, despite himself.
J.N: Yeah… I don't know how to sword fight, so it's not like I could fight either.
Elijah: They don't really have guns there…
J.N: Nods a bit. I figured.
Elijah: They have bows and arrows.
J.N: Not sure how good of a shot I'd be.
Elijah: You're a good shot with a gun, aren't you?
J.N: Yeah… That's a bit different though. Wonders if he's seriously thinking about staying in Atlantis to fight. Hm…
Elijah: You don't really have to fight in the war if you come to Atlantis…
J.N: Where would I go?
Elijah: Just stay in the castle.
J.N: Sighs and runs his hands through his hair. Simple as that.
Elijah: Shrugs. Why did Mom say she wanted you to stay?
J.N: She didn't say.
Elijah: You didn't ask? Sorry…
J.N: …I never thought to ask.
Elijah: Finds this sort of strange, but says nothing. Um, well… Never mind.
J.N: …What?
Elijah: Shakes his head 'no'. It'd be selfish of me to say it.
J.N: To say what?
Elijah: …I don't want to say it… You've done a lot for me… It's your own decision… I don't want to try to influence you about it.
J.N: Nods his head a bit. I think I know what you mean. It doesn't matter what is said though, this is still a decision that's going to take a lot more thinking than just a few hours.
Elijah: I understand that… Bites his lip. Did you mean it about a service for Julius?
J.N: Yeah, I did.
Elijah: I thought there was some…. animosity between you.
J.N: We had our disagreements. I never hated him. I respected him.
Elijah: Oh.
J.N: …Would you rather there not be some sort of service for him? I think his mother at least deserves that much. At least so she doesn't wonder why there isn't one.
Elijah: A service here or in Atlantis? It's not at all my decision whether he has a service or not… I liked him well enough, though I didn't know him very well… Demi is my best friend.
J.N: Not my decision either.

Feemy: So when are you and Middler getting married?
Celena: Frowns. Probably never…. He doesn't ever notice me. I might as well be a gust of wind.
Feemy: Oh… I'll ask him about you then if you want!
Celena: …If you're tactful about it.
Feemy: What do you mean?
Celena: Knows Feemy doesn't know the meaning of 'tact'. Never mind… Ask him about if you like, just don't act as though I sent you fishing for information, hm?
A Familiar Voice: Feemy?
Feemy: Turns to the voice!
Renasi: Pokes his head in, not thinking it polite to enter a girl's room.
Feemy: Ren!
Celena: You can come in, Renasi.
Renasi: Enters! Taller than Feemy, but shorter than Celena. Slender, with silky black hair, pale skin, and hazel eyes.
Feemy: Sudden hug!
Renasi: Hugs Feemy back!
Feemy: How are you?!
Renasi: Good, how are you? Smiles. I haven't seen you in awhile.
Feemy: I've been doing… okay. How are you? Doesn't want to talk about the ordeal with Julius.
Renasi: Still good five seconds later. Smiles at him.
Feemy: Flushes a bit. Sorry… I just haven't seen you for awhile. I can't believe I asked him twice. Now I look stupid.
Renasi: Yes… I was hoping you'd come visit, but I guess you've been busy.
Feemy: Katen is like that. Frowns.
Renasi: Makes a face. Sorry he's my cousin.
Feemy: It's okay. If I skipped I wouldn't get smarter. Does this mean Thana is here too?
Renasi: Nods. Yes, but she went to bed.
Feemy: Blinks. Did you just get here? Or did she get tired out from the trip?
Renasi: Blinks. Both…
Feemy: Bites back a comment about girls not being as tough as boys.
Celena: Well, I wanna go to bed, too… So you two need to go somewhere else for your tearful reunion.
Feemy: Boys don't have tearful reunions. Night Sister!
Celena: Good night… Closes her door on them.

Elijah: …You seem to like my uncle Eric more. Smiles a bit.
J.N: …I can kind of relate to him a bit better, now that I think about it.
Elijah: You've known him for four years… Amiably.
J.N: I've seen him around for four years. I don't think I really spoke to him very much.
Elijah: Because of me?
J.N: No. I just didn't have an interest in getting to know him.
Elijah: Curious. Why not?
J.N: Shrugs. Nothing against him in particular… You know how I was… am.
Elijah: Nods. I was just wondering if I was your common interest… Laughs a bit nervously.
J.N: In a way, yes… but there is something else, you know? Something I realized a bit ago.
Elijah: What's that?
J.N: Being just a normal guy who doesn't know how to sort out Atlantis and how it changes things. The mere existence of Atlantis must have been shock to him. I know it was to me.
Elijah: Really? I mean… I don't think I was around when you first came to Atlantis…
J.N: I didn't meet you for quite awhile after I first came to Atlantis.
Elijah: I was born there so… I guess it was kind of the opposite for me…
J.N: I can empathize with you there…
Elijah: Uncle Eric's usually pretty calm about everything, though.

Feemy: She's upset about Middler.
Renasi: Middler? Why?
Feemy: She likes Middler, but she says he doesn't notice her. So I'm going to ask him about it.
Renasi: She still likes him? Frowns.
Feemy: Nods. Because he's a kind and nice gentlemanly gentleman. That's what she told me. Want to come with me? I'm gonna find him and ask.
Renasi: Sure… Doesn't sound terribly excited about this.
Feemy: Notices this and nudges him lightly with his elbow. I know it's boring, but I have to look out for my sister like Dad told me to.
Renasi: Yeah, okay…
Feemy: And so, Fearless Feemerson drags a reluctant Ren on the search for the Mysterious Middler.

Elijah: A question that's been strangely nagging on his mind. …Does it hurt?
J.N: Does what hurt?
Elijah: …My dad's lung…
J.N: Does it hurt me…?
Elijah: Yes… Like all the time?
J.N: …That's a question to ask… Why do you ask?
Elijah: I dunno… It's not your organ so your body's constantly trying to fight it…
J.N: …It hurts sometimes, yes
Elijah: Frowns and hugs him.
J.N: Hugs him back. Would have rather not told him that, but he's not going to lie to him.
Elijah: Does it hurt more than not having a lung? Hugs back tightly.
J.N: Honesty sucks. …Sometimes, yes.
Elijah: Would you rather only have one…?
J.N: No… I can do more with two lungs.
Elijah: Like exercise? You look a lot better than you did, I think.
J.N: Yeah, exercise… Breathing was also harder back then, but I also smoked.
Elijah: Why did you smoke?
J.N: Got hooked when I was younger.
Elijah: Did you have friends like Isaac?
J.N: No. I didn't have very many friends at school. Or any at all, really.
Elijah: Keeps hugging him. Quite surprised by this. Why not?
J.N: Because I was a jerk. Snide, rude and cynical… I cut down people and their ideas for no reason.
Elijah: Not completely terribly surprised by this.
J.N: When I did get invited to social events, I'd do the same thing.
Elijah: …You're not like that anymore, though.
J.N: Maybe not as much. Or as vocal.
Elijah: Wonders if J.N. is snidely, rudely, and cynically cutting him down in his mind for no reason. What made you change?
J.N: Now or then?
Elijah: Um… both?
J.N: Frowns. It's hard to explain why then.
Elijah: Nods. What about now?

Jessica: Showing Middler her photo album!
Middler: That's a nice picture.
Picture: Daniel holding baby Elijah… Who did indeed have one brown eye and one blue eye.
Middler: He was cute when he was younger.
Jessica: Smiles. He's very handsome now.
Middler: He is indeed. Smiles and nods.
Picture Daniel: Looks, though not all that different from how Middler remembers him… younger…. In the easy look about him, as though he has much less on his shoulders. Simply a proud new father.
Middler: He looks very happy…

J.N: I think I may have found out that things aren't so bad.
Elijah: Smiles at J.N.
J.N: Smiles a bit back to him. … I don't think I ever really appreciated how good I had it.
Elijah: …When?
J.N: When I was young.
Elijah: Oh… Nods.
J.N: Sorry if it doesn't make any sense.
Elijah: I don't know what happened when you were young or a teenager… or whatever… You don't have to tell me… But it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me. Shrugs.
J.N: I lost my lung. It sounds stupid, but I blamed it on my parents.
Elijah: …Your dad smoked?
J.N: No. Radon poisoning.
Elijah: …What's that?
J.N: Scentless, colorless gas that gave me severe breathing problems and deteriorated my lungs.
Elijah: …That sounds scary… Why was it your parent's fault, though?
J.N: Always thought it was. Houses usually have to be checked, but they didn't check and I suffered for it. That's what I reasoned.
Elijah: Oh… How old were you? Hugs J.N. again.
J.N: Hugs. When it happened…? Sighs. Twelve. It had to build up awhile though.
Elijah: What about your parent's lungs?
J.N: The gas came from the basement and I spent a lot of time down there. We didn't have a lot of rooms, so I made it a personal project to ineffectually clean it up so I could use it. Shrugs. I wanted to do it all by myself, so neither of them pushed their assistance on me.
Elijah: Nods. Why'd you start smoking if you only had one lung?
J.N: I got addicted to nicotine. Heard it was calming, so I tried it.
Elijah: So you'd be less… mean and cynical?
J.N: Yeah. Didn't work though.
Elijah: Smiles. I thought you were friends with Ernest in high school?
J.N: Shakes his head a bit. Not really friends… I knew him, he knew me. Said "hi" in the halls. Not much more than that.
Elijah: Nods. You made friends when you became a butcher?
J.N: Nods. I worked with him. Got to know him better. Found out that he was a good, honest worker. Even if he tries too hard to get people to like him.
Elijah: You made other friends too… Did you get less… cynical or something?
J.N: I don't think so. I just ended up making friends that either didn't care or thought my cynicism was amusing… but I think I did get less cynical. At least, when I think about it. On the surface it didn't look like it. One could probably tell he hasn't really talked about this part of him, seeing as how awkwardly he's speaking.
Elijah: Nods. Can somewhat tell. How'd you make friends with my dad?
J.N: He invited me to a pool party. Just out of nowhere.
Elijah: And you went?
J.N: Not at first. I went later.
Elijah: Why'd you go?
J.N: Bored. Wanted to see if he was mental.
Elijah: Laughs.
J.N: I think I just ended up stopping by, insulting him, and I played some pinball.
Elijah: Insulting him?
J.N: …Yeah… and popping his balloons with my cigarette.
Elijah: Blinks. And you became friends with him…?
J.N: He really worked at it.
Elijah: …I guess that's my dad…
J.N: Yeah…
Elijah: …Are you glad he gave you his lung? Or would you rather he didn't?
J.N: I am glad he did… Kind of gave me a reason to stop smoking. Let me do some of the things I enjoy again.
Elijah: Hopefully. And you'll live longer, right?
J.N: I should… Unless I get hit by a bus. Laughs.
Elijah: Just stares at him.
J.N: …Sorry.
Elijah: …I'm sorry about what happened to you.
J.N: It's in the past.
Elijah: Are you still mad at your parents?
J.N: …Yes and no. I still love my parents, but there's always this thought in my head… tells me that it's all their fault. To blame them.
Elijah: Nods. Now at least kind of gets why J.N. never says much when his parents are around.
J.N: …I know it wasn't their fault. They should have checked… but they wouldn't have let it happen to me on purpose… Sighs.
Elijah: I know… I mean… sort of… I've always felt like it was my fault for what happened to me… But… it is really hard to pinpoint fault like that… Like, whose fault is it when you get robbed? The criminals? Or is it your fault because you decided to go walking then… It just seems very ambiguous, is all.
J.N: I know what you mean.
Elijah: …Thank you for telling me about it, though
J.N: No problem… Looks a bit uncomfortable, but also a little relieved.
Elijah: I like getting to know you better… You're kinda mysterious. Puts his head on J.N.'s shoulder. Which is no longer warm! His fever has broken. …Love you…
J.N: Gives him an awkward smile. Does look like he's trying to say that too, but…
Elijah: Doesn't mind J.N.'s awkwardness.
J.N: Hugs him.
Elijah: And… I wouldn't mind you coming to stay in Atlantis.
J.N: …I think you tried to say that earlier… but it's still something I have to think about… it's a big choice.
Elijah: I know….And it's not like I want my opinion to influence your decision one way or another…
J.N: I understand.
Elijah: Smiles. Secret agent.
J.N: Chuckles.

Feemy: Finally tries his mother's office.
Jessica: Boring Middler to death with pictures.
Middler: Looks quite interested actually! Likes pictures.
Feemy: There he is!
Renasi: Shuffles in.
Middler: Hello Renasi, Feemy.
Feemy: Hey Middler, do you notice Celena? Blurt.
Renasi: Stares at Feemy.
Feemy: …What?
Middler: Not sure how to answer. Celena is a very nice, pretty girl, and I think she's very lovely. Complimentary!
Jessica: Smiles.

Feemy: Well, Middler notices Celena. I'll tell her tomorrow. Smiling, glad that he's fulfilling his promise to Imposter Dad and he also wants to help Celena, since she listened and didn't just shut him out when he wanted to talk to her. Celena's going to be happy to hear.
Renasi: Frowning.
Feemy: Frowns as well. What's wrong? Tired?
Renasi: Yeah…
Feemy: Oh, well, I don't want to keep you up if you need to sleep. We can hang out tomorrow! …And maybe Katen will let me get out of class early so we can sooner.
Renasi: I bet Maman could make him… She is his aunt.
Feemy: …Do you think you could ask her to?
Renasi: I will…
Feemy: A bit let down that Ren doesn't seem so anxious to be around him. Thanks… See you tomorrow Ren.
Renasi: Night… Is pretty tired from the journey.