Video: UN - Runeseeker

[onerthes]

[Vira-Lorr was seated in her shop, reclining in her chair and looking at the table, her omni set up on the other side. She had a frown on her face, her eyes narrowed. The third eye glittered a little, seeming to almost glow softly in the low light of the room. The candles that were set out flickered and gave the fortune teller's chamber a soft, almost eerie glow.

On the table in front of her were a set of three tarot cards. She steepled her fingers, looking them over before sighing and turning her gaze to the feed, shrugging.]

Well, I never said my visions were always pleasant. Just a thought for my fellow sleepers, as you get ready for the next month. The locals call February a bitter month, and the story of Doorway is not exactly a happy one, trapped and forever waiting for someone who may never return.

Next month, you may be plagued by the possibilities, the imaginings and wishes that you might have in your hearts. Unsure, you might just find yourself at a crossroads, an important decision to be made. And if you choose one way, you may find yourself... what is the saying? "Crying over spilled milk" while you do not see the cups there, full on the shelf and waiting. But a choice always has at least two possible outcomes, yes?

[She reached over and drew another card. She smirked softly.]

Perhaps you might find what it is you want. The season of the Egg Moon is supposed to be a time of Rites, after all. Follow your hearts and choose wisely.

[And with that vague smirk, she flicked the camera feed off.]

Comments

[onerthes]

Well well. Look who's back to his usual self. I'd wondered if that had been a shedding. Hello Keith.

[She smiled and rested her chin on her knuckles, grinning mildly over at him, concealing a bit of the awkwardness there. If he didn't seem too familiar, she was all too happy to let the past fade slowly into memory. It was kind of a nice fresh start in its way.]

And I suppose it might. Just vague enough that you can see some of what you want in it?

[tempredmental]

[Keith let out a weak, breathy chuckle... almost a sigh.]

Yeah... Pretty much. You uh... [He rubbed the back of his head.] Sorry, but... I'm bad with names, and the weeks where I was kind of someone else are a little blurry.

I know we met... at a bar?

[Why he'd been in a bar, even as his Galra self, he didn't know...]

[onerthes]

Vira-Lorr. [She gave him a little bow from where she was sitting.]

You were much taller and more purple when I last saw you. [A thin chuckle.] I do hope nobody's been assaulting you with carrots lately, and that they've changed to celery. It hurts less.

[tempredmental]

[Keith nodded. Still... from having met her at the Snake Den, he didn't recognize her further than that.]

Eh-heh... yeah. I've been okay. [He actually did smile just a bit.] Adam and I worked that out. [He rubbed the back of his neck a little sheepishly.]

[onerthes]

Good. I'm glad to hear it. So... forgive me, but how much do you remember about the last time we met? Just so I know what I might need to tell you again.

[She chuckled a little.]

and don't worry about it. This sort of thing is ... common around here.

[tempredmental]

Mm... [Keith worked on that.] I think... you knew me before... and like, your eye is real... and has some weird powers? [He looked apologetic.] It's pretty fuzzy. I don't even really remember the bar itself all that clearly.

[onerthes]

Yes. It can see the future, which is what I was doing just now. [She chuckled some.] Don't worry about it being fuzzy. That's how it is around here sometimes.

We met before... but it may have been another Keith. Trust me. That's happened before around here.

[tempredmental]

So... 'around here' is weird. Got it.

[He made a face.]

Okay... well... nice to meet you... again... and again?

[onerthes]

Just a teensy bit. [She giggled] I'd say you get used to it, but you don't entirely. It always confuses or stings at least a little.

And it is a pleasure, Keith. We can just get to know each other all over again, yes?

[tempredmental]

[Keith made another face, almost rolling his eyes. Great, just great. Good to know. He sighed, and then nodded.]

Yeah... I guess we can. [Though, she'd always have the advantage, he supposed... unless that whole 'alternate Keith' idea was what had happened. He wouldn't be surprised if it was. It wasn't like there were potentially infinite realities for each universe out there or something...]

[onerthes]

You know, it occurs to me... I have you at a disadvantage. I tell you what. I'm going to give you a freebie. Three free questions. Anything you want to ask of me right here and now. You already know my third eye works, so you don't even have to ask that one.

[tempredmental]

Three? Wow. I feel special.

[He did smirk a little, though.]

Okay... so fine. How long have you been in Trench and the whole nightmare thing? How did you know me from before? And... were we friends when you last saw me before I left?

[Keith had no idea what he was stepping in right now...]

[onerthes]

Mmmmm...

[And it was finally here that she had to actually make a decision. And, if she was going to start over again, to begin anew? Perhaps some things just needed to be allowed to pass. It was still a little awkward, no matter how she teased, but she could get over that... even if there were definitely going to be things she left out, like, for example, knowing that he had a nice ass.

...

Yep. this was still a little awkward. But she smiled, closing her eyes.]

About three years in the nightmare, all told, and about six months in Trench now. We met early on in my time in the nightmare, and we kept in touch throughout. I think we parted on good terms, when he... when you woke up from the nightmare. So yes, I'd say we were friends.

I've met many of your compatriots, at one time or another.

[tempredmental]

Well, if we were friends, then I'm not surprised that you've met the others.

[He nodded a little, seemingly satisfied with that for now.]

Thanks... for answering those.

[onerthes]

Your team, they are all good people. those that aren't here? I miss them to this day. And the ones who are, they're all wonderful. I'm guessing you've managed to touch base with the others by now.

[Lance would be happy to see him, as would Shiro, though she doubted Lance had a clue how to say it.]

[tempredmental]

Yeah. I have. It's uh... nice to not be alone, and have some familiar people around me.

[Keith actually did smile a little bit at that.]

We are a good team. We have our moments... but we can usually work them out.

[onerthes]

I should really bring Hunk some mushrooms. To cook with. My girlfriend doesn't like shitakes, so I've taken to sharing those ones around. He can be very quiet at times, that big lug.

Have you been settling in alright so far, barring the occasional trouble with turning purple?

[tempredmental]

[Keith nodded a little.] Hunk doesn't like to intrude unless he feels it's important. He's a good guy like that.

[Ooof... turning purple. Still, he supposed it could have been worse.]

I guess. My blood type switched for a week with the shedding, but I seem to be back to what I was when I first arrived here, at least.

[onerthes]

I'm glad that you didn't have to deal with a longer-term change. These things can be jarring, even if the memories get altered in the process... and that ends up feeling more a violation in the long run.

May I ask what blood type you are?

[tempredmental]

Heh, yeah... [He sighed, not even bothered by being asked his blood type.] Cold. It's weird... having different color blood. [He frowned a little.]

[onerthes]

It's taken getting used to. Glowing in the moonlight when I blushed was strange and now it's an odd green color. Knowing that some strange substance flows through me, and that it is tied to powers I have?

I've been here a few months. I'm still coming to terms with it.

[tempredmental]

And the change for you is permanent?

[Keith was pretty sure he didn't want to have to permanently deal with other thoughts and feelings in his head. If anything, he kind of felt bad for Lance now.]

[onerthes]

It hasn't reversed as some changes have, so at this time I believe it is. I even tried some things that I personally feel are unhygienic, but nothing coerced another shedding.

I'm getting mentally prepared to cope with it for the time being. It's unpleasant, but I can handle this. I've handled worse.

....

Ok, that's not entirely true. A paper cut causing a tile to need replacing isn't what I'd call normal. [Sigh] But I'll figure it out.

[tempredmental]

Yeah, I wouldn't call that normal, either, but I get it.

[Frankly, he was a little nervous to ask exactly what she had done that was 'unhygienic', so... he didn't.]

Either way... it sounds like this is going to be another rough month, yeah?

[onerthes]

[Mostly "go without moisturizer in he dead of winter to make her skin dry." Vira-Lorr was kind of obsessed with her self care, which made her next video even more shocking.]

There's always something each lunar cycle. But I think it will be manageable at the very least.