004 ;; [ VISUAL ] not all that it seems

[notthatnormal]

Usually Ashley could find herself a rooftop to sit upon and think, to work through whatever was bothering her or to calm from her mental beating if something had gone wrong. Here, despite their being plenty of rooftops to choose from it didn't quite seem appropriate. The situation was different, wildly different from anything that they,

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[visual]

[redeemedripper]

John had not felt much like reaching out. What place was it for him? Even talking sense into Helen wasn't working lately. He was painfully obvious as to how much he didn't belong. He left the Sanctuary and took to the streets of Taxon, in search of enlightenment or peace, or some other, unattainable goal that he had no choice but to search for. Nothing was sacred. Even the good were targeted, while he roamed free. What sort of sick and twisted fate was that? As he walked, he thought about the brief moments he'd had with Ashley and Helen, ones he'd never have again - when she was small and Helen had opened her heart to give him something he could never have again. It had been beautiful, but unrealistic

[ visual ]

[notthatnormal]

Ashley was unaware that the tablet was broadcasting, so hearing the low but familiar voice caught her attention. With what had been happening Ashley didn't know how she felt. Usually she'd be pissed or in the least mildly annoyed, but now? Part of this she'd gotten from him, but the rest was a mix of both of her parents; yet he knew more of it personally than her mother. Ashley didn't know what that meant, whether it was good or not but she wasn't filled with irritation, just the confusion that seemed to be following her. She gave a small nod, an acknowledgment at him; a somewhat more pleasant greeting than she'd ever given. Perhaps this was putting certain things in perspective for her: he'd tried to kill her once, but he'd saved her mothers life and had searched desperately to find her. He wasn't a killer now, and she'd fallen into the same fate or path that he'd once been on

[ visual ]

[redeemedripper]

"We have spoken, yes." It was the simplest answer. John didn't really need to converse with Helen, since he was aware of all the same memories that they had both gained, seemingly overnight. He was not quite sure how this was all happening, or what danger they were in because of it.

He was silent for a very long time, studying her. It was strange for her to be so cordial. Normally, he'd be deflecting sarcastic quips left and right, but now she was calm. It unnerved him.

"Are you well?" To anyone else, the question might have seemed passive, but John didn't know of any other way to find out the physical, mental, and emotional state of his daughter.

[ visual ]

[notthatnormal]

Ashley took that to mean that he also had the same knowledge, which was most likely fortunate; it saved an explanation at least. His question though was not one which Ashley was confident that she could answer. Physically... well she wasn't sick, but she also knew that wasn't what he meant.

"If you mean 'am I going to go vampire killer on your ass', then I'm fine." For now anyway. Would that change? She found that in anger it did, but permanently? Henry had needed help to control his changes and the Cabal had tried to make it permanent. Had it not been for her mom it could have been for Ashley too.

[visual]

[thecheerleader]

Claire hadn't talked to Ashley since she'd spent time with the child version of her, but she had heard a few things at the Sanctuary. Not much, just enough to know that something was wrong. When the image of her popped up on her tablet, Claire wanted to respond. She thought Ashley might want a chance to talk to someone who was removed from the situation. Sometimes it helped to be around someone who was clueless about the things you wanted to avoid talking about.

But sometimes, people who tried to lend an ear looked more nosy than concerned. She closed the book she had been reading and picked up her tablet, deciding to risk that on the off chance that she could help. "Hey," Claire greeted quietly, shifting the tablet in her hand.

[ visual ]

[notthatnormal]

In a way Ashley supposed that she should have expected someone to talk to her; nothing in Taxon had ever seemed to be quiet, least of in regards to her. Tentatively, at first, Ashley lifted the tablet, unsure of who it was until she saw the face. It took a second or two to put a name with it; she'd only met her when she'd been a child, but she'd been nice enough.

"Hey." Ashley took a look around her. Using the map would easily tell her where she was, but right now she wasn't interested in knowing.

[ visual ]

[thecheerleader]

"There's nothing wrong with the name 'Clementine'," Claire started, using that to break the ice. If Ashley didn't remember being a little girl, then she was pretty sure she was going to turn the tablet off before she could ask her how she was doing. She wouldn't be especially offended by that, given the fact that she had at least two enemies in the Sanctuary already. Sylar didn't remember now, but he would sooner or later. One more wouldn't be that big a deal.

[ visual ]

[notthatnormal]

That had the ability to bring a hint of a smile, which Ashley silently thanked Claire for. "It's still silly."

Ashley wondered how the bear had been given that name. She hadn't asked as a child, it not being something that she thought of but it was curious. Ashley hadn't been creative so when James had been suggested, by her godfather no less, she'd taken it; though she hadn't really had many bears since to improve her naming.

[visual]

[gammapulsed]

Bruce saw the transmission, but didn't answer it right away. He had a hard time finding the right words in the best of situations, and this was far from best.

'You okay?' Of course she wasn't. 'How you feeling?' He knew there were no words to really talk about that. He didn't even know if she'd want to talk at all. So he opted for just checking before getting all deep.

"...Ashley?"

[ visual ]

[notthatnormal]

After the last few people popping up on her, Ashley had kept the tablet in her sight so when the next person said something, she was quick to answer.

"Expecting someone else?"

[visual]

[gammapulsed]

"Huh? Wha- no. I knew it was you, but." Bruce shook his head, trying to get his thoughts straight.

"Wasn't sure if you were wanting to, you know. Talk. Or not. After everything that's happened."

[ visual ]

[notthatnormal]

Did she? That was a good question all on it's own, though mostly depended on the topic: it seemed more people knew of her 'condition' than she'd expected so soon, though her mother had said that all of Taxon would want to help her.

"Depends what you want to talk about."

[visual]

[makeshisownway]

"Everything okay, Ash?"

Peter rubbed his eyes as he sat in the chair next to Max's bed. She had fallen asleep again, and seemed to be doing better with the treatment Magnus was giving her. Thank God. That at least calmed something in his nerves. Not that a lot did lately.

[ visual ]

[notthatnormal]

"Could be worse." But it could also be a hell of a lot better. Ashley didn't miss where Peter was and felt bad for not having yet checked on her, and for leaving her but at the minute she needed a little bit of space; even from the Sanctuary.

"How is she?"

[ visual ]

[makeshisownway]

He blinked a few times and looked over at Max before looking back at the screen. "Fine. I mean, she could be a lot better... but, all things considered? At least the seizures have calmed down. Your Mom knows her stuff."

[ visual ]

[notthatnormal]

"She's been doing it long enough." She gave him a brief smile but it didn't last long; not a lot of things were going right lately.