[Needless to say that someone has a lot on his mind. Dramatic reveals and faint memories replaced by another of his inconvenient visions left him in an unfamiliar place with blood still drying on his shirt and in his mouth. He can't be sure if Teagan saw him and he can't figure out what she might have seen, and going over it again and again has proved to be fruitless.
Maybe all that worry and distraction is what led him to this spot. Maybe it was something else, that same thing that he can never explain and never thought he would have to, now confronted with the strong possibility that it was somehow done for him.
Children must be at school and their elders at work, leaving the boy to himself between lines of buildings that surround a public park.]
[That same thing that Jerry doesn't remember ever actually explaining and that he always regretted revealing is what leads him to the park, fingers wrapped around a paperback at his side. The man stops when he sees the shadow of his past that has grown into something just a little different, into a life full of new possibilities, all thanks to this bizarre, terrible and wonderful place. Jerry knew that he was around, hoped that it would never pose a problem and wondered if they'd ever be prompted to meet.
Well, there he was. Both of him. Jerry could leave him alone and he probably would have, if not for the air of tension and anxiety in the way the boy slouched away from the park bench and the sensation that he was brought here to stay.
After a considerable and considerate moment to contemplate on how he'd approach and what he'd say, he took brave steps towards him, stopping at a safe distance to give both of them space and time.]
[Maybe the fact that they were essentially the same silenced out the warnings about another presence, maybe it was just Jeremy's distraction, but Jerry definitely caught him off guard.
The following moments were spent staring with a frown, both bemused and cautiously knowing, hand hovering over his knee.]
I trust that you know who I am. [An obvious remark, considering, but it can never hurt to make sure, to let both of them take this novelty in. Jerry has to appreciate how familiar and estranged he feels about looking at his younger face and stature, his demeanor.
It beats looking at the old pictures that got lost in all those disasters and travels, doesn't it.
He proceeds and points at the bench after Jeremy's quiet nod, hopefully a little more welcoming to the idea of letting himself relax sometime soon.]
[And he still isn't getting much from him because Jeremy answers with another nod, eyes lowering as soon as Jerry takes a seat, hands dropping on his legs with the book resting flatly under his palm.
Jeremy feels he should initiate the rest of the conversation. It doesn't seem right to remain so quiet and reserved, not when he's seen and answered to weirder things. Maybe.
It's still weird and he's still got a lot on his mind, pardon his uselessness.]
[Truth be told, Jerry isn't entirely sure he knows what to begin with either. He wonders how much Jeremy knows, how much he can learn just by being next to him, doesn't blame him for avoiding any kind of eye contact. They're still strangers, in a way.
So he eases both of them into the conversation; asks how Jeremy is doing, gets a neutral answer, asks what he's capable of and how he's been handling it, tells him he's free to ask questions and to order him to go away. It leads them nowhere, to some relief and further concern, seeing as they're still seated minutes after the smalltalk.
He clears his throat after another pause, finally ready to inquire, an air of heavy concern adding to his tone:]
[There's something very much his age about the way he's trying not to let his face show any signs of an answer as his heart speeds up, eyes focused on his hands.]
[Naming names doesn't make him feel any more comfortable about it, but it does take a bit of the weight off. Something still tells him to keep it to himself, that it's not his place to share what it was.]
[There's a strange feeling that comes with being reminded that the Teagan he knows has met Jerry, and he's still not entirely ready to reveal anything.
Words suddenly come to mind through the same sensation in his chest that precedes acquired knowledge. His jaw tenses.
[He understands what Jeremy means, with or without the poor choice of words. There's something immediate but still careful about the way he replies, creasing his brows to make sure he's understood.]
There's nothing wrong with her, Jeremy. It's... part of who she is. It's part of her.
Maybe all that worry and distraction is what led him to this spot. Maybe it was something else, that same thing that he can never explain and never thought he would have to, now confronted with the strong possibility that it was somehow done for him.
Children must be at school and their elders at work, leaving the boy to himself between lines of buildings that surround a public park.]
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Well, there he was. Both of him. Jerry could leave him alone and he probably would have, if not for the air of tension and anxiety in the way the boy slouched away from the park bench and the sensation that he was brought here to stay.
After a considerable and considerate moment to contemplate on how he'd approach and what he'd say, he took brave steps towards him, stopping at a safe distance to give both of them space and time.]
Hello. I hope I'm not interrupting anything.
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The following moments were spent staring with a frown, both bemused and cautiously knowing, hand hovering over his knee.]
... It's okay.
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It beats looking at the old pictures that got lost in all those disasters and travels, doesn't it.
He proceeds and points at the bench after Jeremy's quiet nod, hopefully a little more welcoming to the idea of letting himself relax sometime soon.]
May I?
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Jeremy feels he should initiate the rest of the conversation. It doesn't seem right to remain so quiet and reserved, not when he's seen and answered to weirder things. Maybe.
It's still weird and he's still got a lot on his mind, pardon his uselessness.]
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So he eases both of them into the conversation; asks how Jeremy is doing, gets a neutral answer, asks what he's capable of and how he's been handling it, tells him he's free to ask questions and to order him to go away. It leads them nowhere, to some relief and further concern, seeing as they're still seated minutes after the smalltalk.
He clears his throat after another pause, finally ready to inquire, an air of heavy concern adding to his tone:]
What happened?
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How come?
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I don't need to have [a beat, arching his eyebrows to somehow describe what he means] this to know that something happened.
[But he's still faced with a heavy reluctance to answer.]
It was Teagan, wasn't it.
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Yes. Sort of.
... Yes.
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You can tell me.
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How much do you know?
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[Another nod from Jeremy. Jerry presses his lips, considering the right words.]
... More than it is my place to tell you, I'd say.
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About her world. Where she comes from.
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... She told me, yes.
[Not entirely true, but it will do.]
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Words suddenly come to mind through the same sensation in his chest that precedes acquired knowledge. His jaw tenses.
Jerry Redmond is a liar. But is he lying?]
What's wrong with her, then?
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There's nothing wrong with her, Jeremy. It's... part of who she is. It's part of her.
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