Fifteenth PSI

[a_gentle_boy]

Stop it!  Stop going!  Stop . . . !

There's   . . . There's so much blood, I -- [Lucas breaks off and seems to gasp for breath for a few moments.  He is, in fact, covered with the stuff despite not having exchanged anything at all, having just finished helping NIc.]  The sidewalk . . . Everything . . . Even on the trees.  It's just like when

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[numanstan]

[Hey, look who's completely and utterly fine physically.]

Lucas! Christ... What'd they take?!

[a_gentle_boy]

Nothing. Nothing . . . I don't want anything back. Not like that.

[numanstan]

You're covered in blood... Here, use this.

[He takes off his shirt-- a normal Mayfield collared shirt-- and hands it to him. Normally, giving up an article of clothing would be akin to giving up a kidney, but not today.

Oh, and there's what looks like the most overstuffed suitcase it in the universe behind him. Don't mind it.]

[a_gentle_boy]

[Lucas stares at the shirt blankly for a few moments. What was it for? Lucas idly begins to wipe the blood off his face with it. Probably not what Vince intended. He notices the suitcase soon after.]

. . . Where did you get . . . ?

[numanstan]

[He grins.]

I got my clothes back! All of 'em... Gonna need to open this up away from people, though. The avalanche might take somebody out.

[a_gentle_boy]

But that means you -- ! Mr. Vince! What did they take away from you?!

[numanstan]

... Nothin'. Why?

[a_gentle_boy]

But . . .

You . . . must have been lucky. [Lucas sounds intensely relieved at this.] You're sure? There's nothing missing? Not even a fingernail?

[numanstan]

Nope, nothin'! 'less they're takin' invisible stuff!

[a_gentle_boy]

. . . [Lucas remembers something he read in a book once.]

Are all your emotions still there?

[numanstan]

[A pause as he considers this.

First, he smiles.

Then, frowns.

Then, he shakes his fist a bit.]

Yep! All the important ones, anyway.

[a_gentle_boy]

I think you're probably OK, then.

[In the mundanity of trying to guess what Vince might have lost, Lucas seems to have naturally calmed himself down. He glances down at the dirtied shirt.]

. . . A-Ah! I wrecked it! . . . I'm really sorry.

[numanstan]

Brilliant!

Nah, s'alright! Won't be needin' those anymore, anyway! [He looks so excited-- finally, a topic he's an expert in!] I can't wait 'til I get this thing open! Finally, fashion!

[a_gentle_boy]

[Lucas still looks upset about this, but he lets it slide.]

Why do you like clothing so much, Mr. Vince? It's nice to wear the things you're used to, but it seems like it's more than that for you.

[Also he is now regretting getting you nothing but flowers and cake on your birthday.]

[numanstan]

... Hm, dunno. Just nice bein' a trendsetter again, I guess. Hopefully it'll make up for the hair...

[a_gentle_boy]

So no particular reason . . . ?

[Lucas frowns.]

I don't know, Mr. Vince. Maybe you should get home with that as quick as you can before they realize they forgot to take something from you.