IC Contact - Duplicity

[understood]

username: Cst.B.Fraser

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[understood]

And I, you. It'll be alright, Andy.

[scarrystories]

Yeah... I think it just might suck for a bit.

[understood]

Well, such is life.

[scarrystories]

Yeah, you're right.

[ He's feeling better, which is great because it means he'll be able to tell Ben things without having a meltdown. ]

[understood]

[ They can hold hands while they make their way to the Back Door and find an out-of-the-way table where they won't be overhears. ]

[scarrystories]

[ By the time they're sitting, Andy's nervous again. He orders a glass of water and looks at Ben, hesitating about how to start. He takes Ben's hand across the table because he's easier, and looks at him as he finally manages to get some words out. ]

So the— the everything, it's because Andy died— and then he was brought back. Ky didn't really know the details.

[ Andy has a guess, and he doesn't like his guess but that's not the issue right now. ]

[understood]

... you mean he was resuscitated?

[ Because that's what it sounds like Andy means, but that actually doesn't explain anything at all. ]

[scarrystories]

No. Uh— reanimated. As in zombies? Ky told me his body is healing itself slowly, and also there's some magic, which is why we can't see he's a... well. Zombie.

[ Zombie sounds better than corpse. ]

His friend Elliot brought him back.

[understood]

[ First of all, what the actual fuck?

Fraser is going to take a moment to process this before he says anything at all. ]

I see.

[ It comes out flat, not quite skeptical, but... ]

And you believe Ky knows what he's talking about?

[scarrystories]

About that part, yeah. [ Which means there's more, sorry dear. ] But, apparently, the reanimation process involved or invited or whatever, an entity or monster or something, which is what might be healing Andy? Ky wasn't very clear and parts of my brain shut down after the zombie part.

[ He just wants to let it all out, so he doesn't actually stop long enough for Ben to interject. ]

So, point one, Andy's concerned the whatever will lash out if Andy becomes aware it's there, I think? And also he says Elliot may have cursed him and the curse will activate if Andy finds out. The latter might be bullshit, the former might be inevitable, either way I don't think it's safe to tell him until— well, until we understand what's happening. I promised Ky I wouldn't do anything stupid and that I wouldn't tell Andy before telling him first.

[understood]

[ Fraser listens to all of that very carefully. ]

Well.

I think you're absolutely right that the first thing we need is a second opinion.

[scarrystories]

Yeah, I don't want to keep it from him, but I don't want to tell him and make it worse— or tell him and for something to happen to Ky.

... but I can't go to the Theater kids because they know Andy and most of the wizards who've been here for a bit are connected to the Theater so, I figure I can ask this newer guy?

[understood]

Do you know much about him aside from "arrogant and competent"?

[scarrystories]

Not much beyond his finder. I'll go back to it and read his conversations, make sure he's not creepy. And I can contact him about it, see what he says.

[understood]

I think it's a good place to start. Your reasoning seems sound to me.

[scarrystories]

Okay, good. Thank you... Are you okay? I've had a solid hour to get my mind around it.

[understood]

Yes, Andy. I'm fine.

[ It occurs to him belatedly that sometimes Andy doesn't like it when he just says he's fine, even if he is, and Andy is already upset, so he hastily tries to elaborate. ]

I really am. It seems clear to me that we need to know more, and I don't think young Andy urgently needs to know the cause of his troubles, quite aside from the extraneous problems his self knowledge could bring about, so, startling as the situation is, we have our first steps. And, as in any investigative situation, it's important to first assemble our facts before drawing any conclusions. Theories would merely be premature conjecture at this point. So I'm putting such thoughts firmly out of my mind.

[scarrystories]

[ Okay, but does that mean Andy can have his breakdown now? He doesn't have Ben's compartmentalization abilities and this has been a lot.

He huffs out a laugh then just lets his head drop on the table ]

I love you.

[ It's a very tired mumble. He feels like he's aged ten years ]

[understood]

[ Fraser hesitates for just a moment and then reaches out to gloss a hand gently over Andy's hair. ]

And I, you.

[scarrystories]

I love that kid.

[ He'll be fine, he just needs a minute. ]

I knew there was something, but I wasn't expecting this.

[understood]

... do you want to go up to the roof so I can hold you?

[scarrystories]

[ He turns to look at him. ]

Can we stay there forever?

[ There's an attempt to inject some humor into his tone but it's not very successful. ]

[understood]

We can stay there until you're ready to go.

[scarrystories]

Forever it is.

[ He lifts his head, and stands up, reaching for Ben's hand immediately. ]

[understood]

[ Ben takes it and leads him up to the friends only area Faith made up on the roof, bee lining for a comfy spot where they can cuddle. ]