[I've reclaimed the use of my imagination]
We all wait for signs. That sounds spiritual. Maybe even superstitious. That's not the sentiment I'm aiming for. Because no matter who you are... Skeptic or believer... You're waiting for a sign. Where you fall on the spectrum dictates only what kind of sign you're waiting for. Detectives, for example, wait for -- and actively pursue -- clues. They steer us in a direction. Give us a lead. At their basest function, clues -- like signs -- are designed to disqualify other courses of action. And when you're the erstwhile Multiple Man... When every action, good or bad, is equally as enticing... It helps, having a little guidance every once in a while. Fortunately, the Island's big on signs... You're never waiting for long.
Jamie Madrox was standing at the bottom of the large waterfall, with a bunch of hitherto unused -- and presently discarded -- scuba diving equipment piled haphazardly on a nearby boulder. Barefoot and wearing only the bottom half of a two-piece wetsuit, he surveyed the scene in front of him with a critical eye. Nothing about the area had changed, though he hadn't been there in months, not since he'd taken Layla on a date that hadn't gone remotely according to plan. Tabula Rasa could be remarkably consistent in that regard, for all of the occasional madness. But that sameness wasn't doing Jamie any favors that afternoon. After all, this was the very spot where he'd once tried to drown himself. Change would have been welcome, though there wasn't a doubt in his mind that this was where he needed to be.
Several weeks ago, on the day all the snow had disappeared, he'd received his latest gift from the Island: all the diving gear he'd hauled out from his place in the middle of nowhere that he'd since given up on for the time being. Either he was supposed to finish what he'd started on his birthday two years ago -- which he wasn't all that inclined to do -- or to get over his self-induced issues with water once and for all. The ocean would've been the better location for a proper dive, but that wasn't the point of today's exercise. It was a new year, and that meant shedding some old habits. He'd never really bought into the notion of making resolutions, but he could appreciate the sentiment regardless of its efficacy, imagined or otherwise.
Unfortunately, he was only capable of shedding so many bad habits at one time; Jamie Madrox had been standing at the base of the large waterfall for the better part of two hours. The bridge of his nose and his shoulders were starting to turn pink from the prolonged exposure to the hot afternoon sun, but if he was experiencing any discomfort, he wasn't letting it show. Shifting his weight to his other foot, he was once again entertaining the notion of just jumping in already when his riveting inner monologue was interrupted by the sharp crack of a branch snapping.
So close to the water's edge, Jamie lost his footing on the rocks as he spun around in surprise, falling into the basin with a splash and a splutter. It wasn't all that deep where he landed -- he was barely submerged up to his waist -- but it felt like progress anyway. Too relieved to be embarrassed, he tipped back his head, and let out a bark of incredulous laughter, running one wet hand over his face.
Timed to early Wednesday afternoon. Tags accepted through Friday, January 28th only. As always, be aware of the M tattooed over his right eye. He also has faint scarring on his chest.
Jamie Madrox was standing at the bottom of the large waterfall, with a bunch of hitherto unused -- and presently discarded -- scuba diving equipment piled haphazardly on a nearby boulder. Barefoot and wearing only the bottom half of a two-piece wetsuit, he surveyed the scene in front of him with a critical eye. Nothing about the area had changed, though he hadn't been there in months, not since he'd taken Layla on a date that hadn't gone remotely according to plan. Tabula Rasa could be remarkably consistent in that regard, for all of the occasional madness. But that sameness wasn't doing Jamie any favors that afternoon. After all, this was the very spot where he'd once tried to drown himself. Change would have been welcome, though there wasn't a doubt in his mind that this was where he needed to be.
Several weeks ago, on the day all the snow had disappeared, he'd received his latest gift from the Island: all the diving gear he'd hauled out from his place in the middle of nowhere that he'd since given up on for the time being. Either he was supposed to finish what he'd started on his birthday two years ago -- which he wasn't all that inclined to do -- or to get over his self-induced issues with water once and for all. The ocean would've been the better location for a proper dive, but that wasn't the point of today's exercise. It was a new year, and that meant shedding some old habits. He'd never really bought into the notion of making resolutions, but he could appreciate the sentiment regardless of its efficacy, imagined or otherwise.
Unfortunately, he was only capable of shedding so many bad habits at one time; Jamie Madrox had been standing at the base of the large waterfall for the better part of two hours. The bridge of his nose and his shoulders were starting to turn pink from the prolonged exposure to the hot afternoon sun, but if he was experiencing any discomfort, he wasn't letting it show. Shifting his weight to his other foot, he was once again entertaining the notion of just jumping in already when his riveting inner monologue was interrupted by the sharp crack of a branch snapping.
So close to the water's edge, Jamie lost his footing on the rocks as he spun around in surprise, falling into the basin with a splash and a splutter. It wasn't all that deep where he landed -- he was barely submerged up to his waist -- but it felt like progress anyway. Too relieved to be embarrassed, he tipped back his head, and let out a bark of incredulous laughter, running one wet hand over his face.
Timed to early Wednesday afternoon. Tags accepted through Friday, January 28th only. As always, be aware of the M tattooed over his right eye. He also has faint scarring on his chest.
