Slightly backdated.

[talkyourwayout]

[It's early in the morning when a new post on the BBS goes up.]

Guys, it's Louie. I want to see if anyone else knows anything about this. I mean, the weirdest thing happened last night.

I think I went home. Not just for a night, either. I mean, maybe it was some kind of dream, but it felt so real, and I had a weird dream that was definitely a dream. I think. I don't know! That felt pretty real, too.

Has something like this happened to anyone else?

Comments

[couldabeenturbo]

Get over myself? TRICK PLAY?! You really think this is honestly about me wanting to be better than you guys?

[he could feel his beak burning, and clenched his fists. he really didn't want to hit his brother back. but at the same time, he really did. because they'd known each other their whole lives ... how could he even begin to think he was capable of that? it stung, worse than the slug he'd taken to the shoulder. he isn't even thinking as he raises his voice, but some of the things he's learned in Fantastics are creeping in as he gets louder]

I DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO TELL YOU! THAT'S ALL IT WAS!

[the air around him starts to ripple, like heat leaving an open car door]

[talkyourwayout]

[Louie is a student of Valhudor, where the focus is on Fantastics. He's actually been paying attention in class, too - part of his note-taking deal with Webby. So when the distraction appears, rippling through the air, he knows what that is.

He hates to admit it even to himself, just now, but he's impressed. He'd even be a little scared, if Fantastics wasn't about illusion and generally not physical, concrete magic.

But beyond that... He believes Dewey. Dewey gets angry, sure, but not like this. And besides... He can hear traces of hurt in Dewey's tone, and it brings some regret.]

Okay! Okay, man, I believe you. Now stop doing that!

[Because the accidental aspect of the magic - that is something Louie hasn't picked up on, here.]

[couldabeenturbo]

[the ripples subside a little, but he's still angry. the energy is still there, just ... a little muddled by his sudden confusion]

Stop what, yelling? Look, it was - I didn't mean to, but ... [he tries to keep a lid on it, to keep his voice down. it's hard.] ... that was a really awful thing to say, Lou.

[talkyourwayout]

No, the - the spell stuff!

[He sighs, though. His own tension is starting to wind down. He's... Still frustrated. But it's not worth all this, not when he has so much he wants to talk with Dewey about.]

I didn't- I mean... Yeah. You're right, it was. I know how important all this stuff with her is to you, and I shouldn't have...

[He grunts, in lieu of an actual apology. Some things are just hard for him; saying sorry when he means it is one of them.]

[couldabeenturbo]

Spell stuff?? Wait, what?

[he takes closer stock of the situation, and recognizes that tingling at the tips of his feathers he always gets when he does magic properly.]

Aw, phooey. I didn't even - but now there's - how do I stop when I don't know how I started?

[talkyourwayout]

I don't know. I've never been able to do magic without trying and really thinking about it.

[He sighs.]

But let's figure it out, okay? I mean...

[If Dewey's willing, he really wants to talk about how weird everything is - was? - back home.]

[couldabeenturbo]

Right. Cool it, magic. [he takes a few deep breaths, trying to calm himself down the way he does when nightmares wake him up. the ones about the Shadow Realm, or all the what-ifs of adventures gone wrong. slowly, the tingling recedes, and he tackles Louie in a hug. just a little uncoolness to prove they're cool]

[talkyourwayout]

[Oh, he hadn't expected a hug, but he's privately really grateful for it. They're okay, then. He just pats Dewey on the back twice, at first, but then he gives him a quick one-armed squeeze.]

So... We've got a mom.

[couldabeenturbo]

[hugs are good. hugs are the best. and the realization that they can freak out about this together is even besterer. he springs backward, beaming]

I know, right?!

[talkyourwayout]

It's so weird. I have no idea how I'm going to get used to it, once we finally get back home for good, but... I'm glad she's okay. I really am.

[couldabeenturbo]

She's super cool. We went to this place in the mountains with Uncle Scrooge because you and Huey didn't wanna... It's supposed to be this big vault where they hide a bunch of seeds and stuff to grow the world over again in case something wipes out all the plants? And on the way there she actually started teaching me how to fly!

[talkyourwayout]

Huh, I'm surprised Huey wasn't into that, but I mean, it's cool that you two-

Wait, she taught you to what now?

[couldabeenturbo]

Fly. As in the plane!

[this is exciting, right? totally exciting. SAY YOU'RE EXCITED THAT AN ADULT IS TEACHING A PRE-TEEN TO FLY A LARGE VEHICLE LOUIE]

[talkyourwayout]

Dohhh boy, that's... That's something.

[couldabeenturbo]

And I did it, too! I didn't even crash as bad as Launchpad, and we got to explore this really big ice cave with slides. Slides, Lou! It was like going down Neverrest, but better.

...That reminds me. Is there winter here? I bet we could make some killer snow stuff with magic.

[talkyourwayout]

You know, I'd say anything sounds better than Neverrest, but that doesn't sound much better.

[He shrugs.]

But yeah, It was winter when I got here.