deernet | video: un; an.observer

That's for sure. I'd like to think that things will get better, but that's a pretty big if.

[it was the least Lexi could do, be considerate. and she tended to be the peacemaker back home, but Cassie clearly had something bad going on and wouldn't trust Lexi to help her. which was equal parts frustrating and painful]

A close alternative is better than nothing at all? Besides, it's still early in the year, there might be some as we get into summer. So I guess that's a reason to be hopeful.

[when Luz turns red, Lexi felt herself turning red as well, the heat of the blush in her cheeks nearly scorching]

...um. So am I? If that helps? I had a crush on my best friend for years, but she's dating someone else. Which sucks, but her girlfriend is really nice.

[Lexi didn't have much experience, either. she went to the spring formal with some guy because he asked and she felt like she had to say yes. then practiced kissing with her best friend. but after that, nothing. she was talking to Fez on the phone a lot, but he was several years older than she was.

she had those books and a couple of others in a shoebox packed among her other shoeboxes. if Cassie had ever found them, she didn't tell Lexi.

nerds were awesome! nerds would inherit the Earth. and then have to fix all of the stupid stuff done by the equivalent of the popular kid]

That's true. The comparison makes sense when it's put that way.

[hers was about as "normal" as it got. she often felt out of her depth with people from more fantastical worlds]

It's good that you have something of your friend here with you still. That must help at least a little. Even though the part about her not being here anymore is bad. Why is it that for every good thing here, there's a bad thing?

Honestly, it's better not to hold your breath, or at least, try to be the change that you want to see happen.

[Corny, sure, but there was still some truth to it. Everyone was bound to have some bad stuff in their lives, so do what you could to try and make them easier]?

It does help. If I were to tell most people how well I do in that department, it might be pretty laughable. Being in another dimension, looking after your place and pets and avoiding the dangers of the next big thing tends to dry out your hope of finding anyone. And sorry about your friend. I had something like the reverse happen, and then I wound up here never realizing it until it was too late!

[Talk about unfortunate. Luz had no idea what kissing was even like, not really].

I wasn't trying to repeat words people just say, it does feel like that! In some ways its even a little harder since you have to account for the weather more than you would in a car.

[Normal was exactly where Luz was originally from, until she stumbled into an Iseki situation].

She was more than a friend. More like a mother figure, the one mother figure I could always count on.

Wish I had an answer for that, but I still haven't figured that out.

That's true. I think one good thing about Trench is that it doesn't have the same personal drama that home did. Not to say that there's no drama, I saw that thing where the girl apologized for killing people and one of them started shit. So it's actually drama which means something instead of who's dating whom.

[Lexi wonders how many people come from a home like her own, where they're expected to fill the role of the adult of the house, even though she's the youngest one there. if she didn't cook, they'd eat nothing but TV dinners and Chinese takeout forever. and the less said about the nagging she'd have to do to get mom to pay the bills, the better]

C'mon, you'll find someone. You're pretty, you're smart, you're fun to talk to. I bet that there's your perfect person out there, maybe they just haven't realized it yet. And it's okay. I was too nervous to try and say something for...a lot of reasons, with one of them being that I'm not out yet back home. [and she winces] Oooh. I'm sorry, that's got to be rough. Do you think she feels the same, though?

[messy, if her experience with that ninth grade boy was any indication. but Rue had been far less slobbery]

Yeah. I do have my driver's license, but I like riding my bike better.

[Alice Through the Looking Glass. that was a good summary of what it was like]

Oh. Oh, wow. I'm really sorry. But...it's hard telling who the tides might bring in.

Me, neither. I assume that as soon as we figure it out, off to home we'll go.

Oh sure, there's that kind of drama where you were put under some strange mind control and you kill someone by mistake. It's kind of weird that this is not the first time that happened!

[And at least it didn't happen to her this time!

Right, Luz was actually already stupidly trying to do that in her own house, and was likely going to get some push back for it soon enough].

Oh, come on! No one was interested in that back home! Granted, I've probably changed a lot since then, but I think people are way more interested in more traditionally pretty girls, or the cool ones with all the muscles!

[Luz had so many different types, from boys to girls, and gosh did they range].

I had the opposite problem from you. There was totally someone interested in me, and OI was so wrapped up in my own stuff and magical craziness, I missed the signs. So now I'm here, knowing that and feeling like bobo the fool.

[Forgive the meme].

No kidding! How come? You can't get air conditioning with a bike!

[Luz was kidding: she was obviously just playing up the whole luxury part].

You don't have to be sorry! Honestly, it was good she was here. She made me pay attention to things more, and tried to lift me up while protecting me. Now I try to do the same, whenever I can.

I'm not so sure about that.

Seriously? Damn. Well...maybe I should be trying harder to get used to my Darkblood stuff. One of them is supposed to be telekinesis, like something out of a comic book.

[she wants to learn, so she feels a little more like she's in the right place. at least for a while]

No, you come on! [said warmly] And who says you're not traditionally pretty? Your hair, especially, is pretty. So someone probably already has a crush, they're just working up their courage to say something.

[so did Lexi. but the main thing she was attracted to was intelligence. Rue back home actually qualified for that. when she actually tried, she was really good at school and had a degree of street-smarts Lexi knew she'd never have]

Ohhhhh. Oh, no. That sucks. Maybe they'll show up soon? I hope so, anyway.

[the meme is forgiven]

It's an easy way to exercise. I'm not exactly into sports, team sports especially. And things like exercise bikes and treadmills always seemed kind of pointless, all that effort to stay in one place. Yuck.

[and she makes a face, sticking out her tongue briefly]

Those are some great lessons to learn. Especially under these circumstances.

Really? What do you think?

Edited (html is evil) 2022-06-02 18:23 (UTC)

Ooh, no kidding?! You should definitely develop your blood abilities then! Telekinesis sounds like it could come in handy!

[She knew there were people still getting the hang of it, so if she could find someone who knew how to do that, it'd help to get them in contact with Lexi].

I mean, I'm not! You know, usually the preferred type are pretty and softer and all of that! I'm more me, and I don't mind that! I just sort of wish I was more what someone else was into, I guess?

[Luz had, in her mind, scruffy unkempt hair, which was cute, but she knew "pretty" girls tended to have longer, fluffier hair. What did she mean about someone already having a crush? On LUZ? Pfft.

She's appreciate that brains was what attracted Lexi though. More people needed to be into that]!

I've been here since the before town, and it hasn't happened yet!

[Not outside of her dreams anyway].

Heh, I'm into A sport, but its one usually done with magic. What you're talking about is probably better if you're losing weight though.

[Not that Luz loved that way herself, even if she was a ball of energy].

Exactly!

I've been here a long time, Lexi, and at least here? We start as squids and then we're part of Trench. If we die, we turn into squids, into the water and then we're ourselves again. I've seen that happen. So I don't think we'll be going home anytime soon.

Yeah, isn't that what Jean Grey started out with? Though, I don't wanna become the Dark Phoenix, that would be bad. But if I can build up what I can do, it would be great, right? Especially when things are making people act weird.

[she's too self-conscious to post asking for help. at least too much so to do it with her name attached]

Okay, maybe by some people, but some isn't all. You seem...I don't know. Kind of tomboy-ish? Which is cute in its own way.

[she'd watched her sister go after asshole jock after asshole jock, fall madly in love with all of them, and be dumped and/or betrayed by all of them]

Maybe. I hope it does, though.

[she kind of liked Fez back home. he was surprisingly kind and he listened to her. hardly anyone did that back home. but he was a drug dealer and what kind of future would that kind of relationship ever have?]

A magic sport? Like what? If it's okay to ask, it might be some secret magic thing?

[she was skin and bones and would like to gain weight in hopes that it went to certain places, but even that never seemed to work]

Okay. Okay. I'm mostly okay with that. Even though there are friends from home I really miss. [and from what she could tell about Cassie, bringing her here and away from home might actually be a good thing]

I think so, if the movies are to be believed! I think being as strong as Phoenix might take a while though, so let's settle with getting Jean's regular powers! And yes, that will definitely help.

[So scour the network and see if she could find a good teacher for Lexi. Got it].

Oh, I am. At least, I think so? Tomboys still get to like stuff animals and gush over cute things though, right? Because I do all that stuff! Maybe I'm beyond the spectrum!

[Luz demonstrated this with a mock "Captain Morgan" pose, giving Lexi a grin].

Oh no, I was just thinking of one that I played on the Boiling Isles, the first place I wound up! You get this ball through a hoop, but you're playing with mostly elemental magic to do it, most anything goes. I'll try and show it to you sometime, if you want!

[Luz would totally still be skin and bones were it not for all the flying and the deliveries. Additionally, Luz figured it would be pretty hard to gain weight in Trench in general].

I know what you mean. I actually made some pretty great friends back home that I'm missing right now. It's a good thing that I've made so many here, or I might be really lonely.

All right, let's. Those, I think I can do.

[she'd really, really, really appreciate that]

Absolutely they do! Anyone can do anything they like and it's cool. Besides, I kind of question the morals of people who don't like stuffed animals and cute things. So I think you're fine.

[that makes her giggle and grin broadly]

Sure, I'd love to see it! It sounds fun! But, elemental magic? Like earth, air, fire, water, those things?

[quite likely given that their main food source was fish. sure, you could add sauces and whatever to up the calorie intake, but even then it would only go so far]

Yeah. I already have more friends here than I did back home.

Cool! Keep me posted on how much your powers progress!

[She should really concentrate on her own blood borne powers but was a little more dedicated to the magic she could perform from the Boiling Isles.

Hmm. Maybe she could steer her Roses' way in looking for someone who was also trying their hand in brain powers]?

Exactly! What is cool anyway, but a social construct? Not that I ever identified as cool, of course: I've always thought of myself as a lovable dork myself!

[And proud of it]!

Hmm. Well, yes and no? More like plant, fire, ice and light? I know that sounds weird, but its true!

[And combining those glyphs could bring out some really interesting combinations too]!

Aw, really? I figured someone like you would be pretty popular in more bookish circles!

I will. With any luck, I'll be able to use them as something other than an OMGWTF reflex.

[well, if that was what Luz was used to, it would make sense to keep trying to develop those skills.

that could work? she'd seen Rose around the network and she seemed nice]

It's absolutely a social construct. And Rue, my best friend back home? She gave me a quote about it that I know I'm going to mangle. But her dad said that he'd never be part of a club which would have him as a member. Cool counts as a club. And you definitely pull that off to a really impressive degree.

[Lexi still worried about cool. but she knew she never would be, so she was mostly over it. really]

Yeah, I've never heard of that particular combination of elements. You can make plants grow? That's so cool. I have like the world's worst brown thumb in comparison.

No, no, not me. I technically hang out with some of the popular kids, but they're almost all my sister's friends, not mine.

Hehe, I know what you mean! I was that way when I got my blood powers here too! I tend to stick with my glyphs for that reason, but I still do try to use my Pale Blood powers when I have the chance!

[That was still a work in progress. Luz was sure Rose and Lexi would get along]!

It is! I'll admit, I'm not a part of any club, unless you count the book club I tried to start with a friend of mine. Other than that, I'm in the "sprightly, super enthusiastic witch" club!

[See. This is why Luz was sure she would never be cool, an she was fine with that].

It's not what I would have expected either. And yes, I can! Definitely helps in a place where you sometimes have to grow your own livelihood.

Really? I dunno, like I've said, maybe its just the crowd?

Yeah. It's like I don't mean for things to happen? But they somehow do and I'm stuck trying to figure out how to undo things and apologize.

[if she could get help with her Darkblood abilities, she'd go to anyone]

Book clubs count! Even if they don't get off the ground. Though, that's actually a good idea for the shop, a book club. Assuming I can find plenty of copies of a single book. And that sounds like a fun club to be in!

[fun > cool. most of the time, anyway]

So I'd imagine you've got a kick-ass garden. I'd like to see it, but. Weird flower shit going on right now.

Maybe. East Highland High isn't known for its academics. Football, yes. Academics, no.

Did I mention that I accidentally astral projected? Because I totally did that, and the only reason I wasn't properly freaked out about it was because it was in the same week I was suffering from a lack of sleep. It was a Paleblood thing.

[Luz would make sure to probe lightly, but she would look, rest assured].

That would be a bit tricky, but yes, book clubs are pretty great! I could talk about some of the best book fairs I've been to for hours!

[Luz would 100 percent agree there]!

Oh, I do. One of my best friends was a gardener, and when she left I took on the mantle to remember her.

A shame. Well, maybe you can find a better learning environment here!

[Lexi looks mortified on Luz's behalf] Oh, no. Really? That had to have been really awkward, especially if you hadn't had enough sleep to begin with.

[good. because she does want to learn how to actually use her powers and not sit on them]

Yeah, finding a book that a lot of us could read and would want to read. And could be trusted to keep the conversation civil. [and she winks playfully] So could I! I remember when book fairs were just a thing we had in grade school and junior high. I wonder why they don't do them for high school? They'd still probably get a decent turnout.

[no wonder why they get along!]

Ohhh. That's so nice! I'd like to see her garden sometime. Or at least sometime when some of the flowers aren't being jerks.

I already have. I love that learning can be a career on its own, no "oh, study business administration," because then you could be the manager of an Applebee's and who wants that? Other than people who are wearing way too much flair.

It was a thing happening to Pale Bloods at the time. I wound up visiting quite a few places that time. Just about anything to stop feeling restless. But that sure will wake you up, realizing that you're leaving your physical body behind!

[Good luck Lexi]!

I'm not sure about civil conversation! Us book nerds can get pretty defensive! But I think that's the fun part, all the discourse! And I agree, why do book fairs have to end? That was my favorite thing in school! I could stock up on my Azura merch and read what other books caught my fancy!

[Even if the internet was a great resource, it didn't beat the feeling of a story in your hand! well, unless it was fanfic, there was no comparison]!

I'll make sure to show you! Fern actually helped me after they started dying the first time! Turns out it helps to have someone made of plants teaching you how to properly care for a garden!

[Seemed obvious, but Luz had stopped thinking of Fern as plant and more just FERN].

Wait, jerks how now?

I don't see how being a manager at Applebee's would be a fulfilling life decision. More something you stumble on and take on for a bit maybe, but anything that has a company mandate is probably going to be soul sucking later.

[Luz watched and read much coming of age in her spare time in Deerington].

Oh. Like the whole summoning bugs thing is now. [a pause] Frankly, I'd rather be sleep-deprived.

[go fight win, etc!]

Well, yeah. I mean, I think Cathy and Heathcliff in "Wuthering Heights" are two assholes who just have to be assholes to everyone else in their lives because of reasons. But I know people who seriously ship them and think that they were justified in everything. And, Azura? I'm not sure I've heard of that. What's it about?

[and she chuckles] Yeah, I'd imagine it would. But I'd love to learn. I mean, I have a whole backyard that's kind of there. It would be nice to look out from my sunroom and have something pretty to see.

Oh, um. Some of the flowers are contaminated, I guess? It happened to a friend of mine.

Any kind of company mandate. Unless it involved man dates. That could be fun, playing matchmaker.

[and Lexi went back to her chicken soup comics, books, and manga. she loves going back old faves]

Are people doing that now?! Ugh. Not that I hate bugs or anything, but I do get creeped out if there's a whole lot of them in one place. I think I'd have to agree with you there.

Never read that one, but I have heard a lot about them! They do sound pretty dysfunctional.

Azura is a book series that I think is probably tailored to my world! I guess the most similar thing you have to it is Harry Pottsman, something like that? It's like that, but with more flowery language and the potential of a great girl with girl relationship built over several books!

[And Luz had always wanted to be a bit like Azura, of course. Because it wasn't Luz if she wasn't imagining herself in a role that, at the time, seemed impossible].

If you're that set on it, I can always come over and put a few glyphs up! You'd have to watch and care for them after of course, but I'm sure you'd be up for the task!

Huh. I must have missed that. Maybe when I was having my dying adventure?

[Don't call it that Luz].

"Mandates?" I figure they have plenty of those!

[Luz knew exactly what you meant Lexi, she's just being a dork and loved puns].

Yeah. Darkbloods, like me. I swear, if I was going to summon something, it would be a Golden Retriever puppy or a Munchkin kitten, not bugs.

They are! They make everyone around them miserable, especially the people they end up marrying. I was like, god, why marry people to begin with if you didn't love them and knew you'd make life worse for everyone by doing so. Don't read it, it's not worth the headache.

That sounds really cool! I'll have to keep an eye out for them when the ships arrive. What's the author's name, that might help me find them. And it would be really interesting to read something from your world. And girls in love, bonus!

[she'd wanted to be Wonder Woman. brave, beautiful, strong, respected. and she was one of those who spent most of the time during the Wonder Woman movie crying and unable to explain why since it was a third-wheel outing with Rue and Jules]

I'd appreciate that so much. It's really my backyard which needs work, the front yard has kind of been eaten by shrubbery.

Then I guess there's at least some bright spot there? My friend was covered with flowers, they were making him act really weird.

[well, maybe it's better than being morbid? she wouldn't know, though.

and she got the pun and is laughing again] Oh. Oh, wow. Yeah, most of the guys I know here have had a lot!

[nothing wrong with either of those!]

Ok, well now you made me wish I could totally do something like that! Summoning cute cats and dogs! Who could say no to that?!

See, and that's the other thing I don't get. Why do people who get married complain so much about it? I get that it made sense when it was something we were forced to do, but most of the time that's at the woman's expense, and somehow SHE is the ball and chain? So gross. If you get married, at least do it to be happy! Otherwise, what's the point?

The name is Mildred Featherwhyle! If you can find it, let me know, and then, if you want, you can read it and tell me what you think!

[Ooh, that was a good one! Luz would love to hear about that if she ever had the chance]!

No problem! Backyard garden work it is!

It's A spot, not so sure about the bright part! Ugh. Well, at least it wasn't mushrooms this time?

[They both sounded uncomfortable though].

Ha ha! Honestly, there are a lot! My brothers that left, well, they were not only not blood brothers of mine, they were also dating. Deerington actually managed to push them together!

[Context Luz, context].

Right?! If I could summon cute cats and dogs, I'd be the most popular girl here! All right, let's try it: I am summoning a Scottish Fold kitten. [minutes pass. still no kitten] Damn.

I really don't know. My parents weren't exactly shy about arguing in front of us, pretty much wherever we were. We were lucky when they kept it to the dining room table. So embarrassing, so many times. When I get married, I'd love for it to be for keeps. But even if it's not, why drag the kids into it? They didn't ask for that.

I will! I hope I find some, they sound really good!

[she'd absolutely tell Luz if the topic came up. she's a softie for the most part, she stopped being embarrassed at crying during Wonder Woman when she read and article on The Mary Sue about other women doing the same]

Okay. But I'm going to help, even if it's just carrying stuff to and fro and providing you with lemonade.

Yeah. Mushrooms sounded like they'd be just plain creepy. Like some Italian zombie movie kind of stuff.

[so many Italian zombie movies. so very many]

Aww! That's sweet, that they were able to find someone to love. It's both adorable and reassuring.

You'd be the Pied Piper of cute things!

Aw. I love their widdle ears. Oh well.

Right?! I don't get how adults are bad at realizing that marriage is an important thing, that your spouse is like your best friend, and you should understand from the start how much you want to invest in the other. That's what I think anyway, maybe it's a little corny?

[She'd been accused of that by her former Earth classmates about that, so maybe she was too idealistic there]?

Hey, maybe we can set aside a few days where I help you comb over the books you get, help you organize them and everything so its not so big of a task?

[Luz would always cry when it came to a good story, so she would absolutely not mind there]!

Should I bring my own floppy old lady hat, or are you providing one?

[She would absolutely be there]!

Having mushrooms grow out of you is pretty weird, yes. Just try not to think about it.

[Man, those Italian horror movies sounded so very scary].

It is! They were both very different and super unique in their own way, but they actually compliment each other very well!

I would! Only with no sea thing, that part always made me sad.

So do I! They look so sweet, too.

No, it's not corny at all. I feel the same way. I'm not getting married until I'm absolutely sure that the person I'd marry was it. Someone I could spend a lifetime with and have no regrets. Getting hot and bothered doesn't last. Friendship usually does.

[well. same. mostly because Lexi was the shiest and least experienced of any of them]

You'd do that? Really? I would appreciate that a lot. Like, a lot a lot.

[thank goodness. because the way she'd sit there and bawl while reading something like "Never Let Me Go" was the kind of thing she had to do while Cassie was asleep]

Bring your own, it's more fun that way! We could compare floppy old lady hats.

[good! gardening sounded fun when she had someone fun to do it with]

Trying, trying. Currently failing, but still trying.

[they were. and she'd seen far too many of them at too young an age. thanks, Rue]

That's the best kind of love. Where each is enhanced by the other.

Wait, there was a "sea" thing?!

Exactly! Hot and bothered and all of that, is that really so important to us? I mean, sure, there are probably tons of nice feeling you get from that, but can that compete with someone you could be in complete silence with, curled up and comfortable? That sounds perfect to me!

[Maybe slightly unattainable too, but Luz wasn't giving up hope yet]!

Of course! We're talking about a bookstore, and I can tell you'd want it to be perfect! Besides, we can probably use that time to also decorate the store, make a few nice book nooks, some notification cards, a list of things to obtain and maybe a decent inventory sheet going!

[Once again, they were on the same page]!

Fine, but only if I get to complete the outfit with ridiculously oversized glasses that barely filter out the sun.

[Gosh Luz, you just. Let that nerd flag high, huh].

Good luck?

[Rue, you have a stronger stomach than the both of them].

It was the craziest thing, seeing it happen. I knew the two of them separately, but seeing them slowly fall for each other was so...perfect, you know? Like, they totally knew and were shy about it, but you could tell that their love was there!

Yeah, where he leads the rats into the sea? I mean granted, they're rats, but there had to have been some abandoned pasture or farm where they'd be happy to live.

[a little shyly] You and me, both. People you're hot for, they're everywhere. People you genuinely feel comfortable with? Much less so.

[definitely unattainable, if one asked Lexi. it seemed like every marriage she knew among their friends group ended in disaster]

AAAAhhhh! Yes. Yes! You're so smart! I hadn't even thought of those, other than weekly pulls, assuming we ever get new comics in.

[or ahead of the curve, but that was nice too]

Like Jackie O glasses?! Perfect.

[she almost never got the chance to back home, so yes. here, she is]

I...will probably need it!

[Rue never seemed bothered by blood and guts and gore. Lexi never understood it and doubted Rue let Jules see it, but whatever]

Oh. Oh. That's so---I'm not sure if amazing is a strong enough word.

I've never had them! So that means I should look up a recipe!

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