video, un: j.k. [post-butterfly effect]

[aeturnus]

[ On the screen is one Cain, also known as Romulus, commonly known in the city as Jacob Kane. He looks normal. Normal as he's ever looked, really, but the confidence that he lacked during the recent event is back in full force and he's very nonchalant about it all. He's at a flimsy-ish table with a laptop off to the side where the camera is obviously his propped up phone instead. ]

Hey! Long-time no talk, Riverview Quarantine. Just a few things. If you met me over the last week and a half or so, that was... technically me but not. You know that thing that was going on? Yeah, that. Don't worry about it. Forget about all that.

Quick catch-up for those who have (or haven't!) met me, I go by Jacob Kane nowadays. [ Not Romulus. Nope. This total 180 is completely normal considering he hardly looks any older or different at all. ] My job while I'm here is designing phone apps. I've been here for about two months now and I think this is my first actual post on the network. Anything interesting happen while I wasn't looking?

to Doom; Still good for lessons?

to Shai; Thank you. For everything you did.

to Natsume; Seen anything like our colorful friend lately?

Comments

[hevenly]

I suppose it is not.

[aeturnus]

Anything else?

[ If she's got other issues to bring up, it might as well be gotten over with. ]

[hevenly]

Are you still of a mind to refuse the debt I owe you?

[aeturnus]

Well, after that show, I'm more of a mind to ask what's up with it.

[hevenly]

[ Angela doesn't understand. ]

What's up with what?

[aeturnus]

You were getting pretty upset when I didn't want you to owe me anything.

[hevenly]

You must understand, for my people-- in the culture in which I was raised-- nothing is done for nothing. Each action either creates or repays a debt. That is what I know, and that is how I live. The version of myself who spoke to you, to Romulus, even more so. It is not something that I take lightly.

[aeturnus]

[ He resists the urge to sigh, because they were doing so well not mentioning his earlier name. Better not to draw attention to it, though, so he doesn't. ]

Far be it from me to tell you to abandon your childhood ethics, but probably try not to force it so strongly on other people. Or was that more of a different-you thing?

[hevenly]

[ Be thankful she has no earthly context for the name, and so to her it's just a name. ]

Different me thing, yes possibly. I would still prefer to repay you than to have you dismiss the debt, but I will not argue the point. The other me was... harsher. Loneliness made me sharp. Strict. The arm was not the only thing I was missing.

[aeturnus]

Right, and younger me was less experienced. Much more confused. Bad mix.

[hevenly]

Fine, then we are on a better footing now that both of us are ourselves again.

[ She's still going to repay you that favor tho. ]

[aeturnus]

[ Yeah, if he ever calls it in. ]

Definitely better footing.

[hevenly]

[ Not knowing quite what else to say to that, Angela is silent for a long moment, before finally nodding curtly and saying, ] I will see you again, Jacob Kane.

[aeturnus]

Yeah. Take care, Angela.