retrospec | forward-dated to 2/5

Yes, I can do that.

[the little thing in her lap chirps and leans down, nuzzling her belly or something. Wherever it can reach, twitching it's little nose.]

Can leave you with a few dozen enchantments to make life easier out there too.

Don't magic and technology not play nice together?

[it's a weak joke, something she's only ever heard from urban fantasy (not that she's ever read any), and she's definitely not going to say no. especially when Anna's attention is split between Pen and her pet, who she... okay, yeah. she starts stroking its fur gently while it rubs up against her. she's weak to animals sometimes.]

What kind of enchantments were you even thinking? I don't know if I like the idea of being loaded up on magic just to get by.

Only in fiction. Magic combined with technology is the foundation of my other self's world. Hello, airship powered by magic.

[White Hare is very soft, and very nice. He even chirps and nuzzles the hand for maximum fuzz to skin contact.]

And I was thinking spells to make you move faster, avoid traps, and give you a bubble that absorbs kintetic energy. A shield.

[Anna's very happy that the warmth in her chest at being around White Hare isn't visible. maybe she should get a pet. they make emotional support animals, right? ha. maybe she qualifies for a service animal now.]

I don't know if those spells would've helped here, but... it's not the worst idea in the world. One way to get buff, I guess. [please let her have that pun while she fixes Pen with a wry look.] You got anything that works against supernatural disfigurement?

I wish I did. [Because that's the one thing she can't really do.]

My other self was more a...boom! zap! [she wiggles her fingers, faint sparks dancing between them.] sort of wizard. I haven't learned any healing magic. Just...what White Hare can do.

You're talking to someone with two swords. A2 was a walking salad shooter. [you know, like those bladed aliens from those books she definitely didn't read as a kid.] I get it. Trust me.

[sigh.] White Hare's good at it. It won't bring my eye back, but... I don't know. Maybe I should get a pet. Can't take one of yours, obviously. [her eye looks over to one side, away from all three of them.] I'm just thinking out loud. Ignore me.

[White Hare trills and nuzzles at her, happy as can be.]

No, you can't. As much as Freya may want you to take away part of the zoo.

[She huffs...]

But a pet would do you good. An affectionate cat. Maybe a dog.

Never thought of myself like much of a pet person, but, I mean.

[she thinks, briefly, about what it would be like for her to be responsible for something else. it's such an obvious answer to keep her own shit together that she's shocked she hadn't thought of it sooner. Nic didn't like pets as far as she knew, but Nic hadn't lived here in a fucking year.]

It's probably not the worst idea in the world, getting a cat. I'd have to talk to the landlord about it, but I think I can play some sympathy cards. [a weak laugh.] Haven't been half-blind for a day yet and I'm already using it like this.

Hey, use all the skills you got to get by.

[And if that includes batting one set of eyelashes, then by all means!]

Anything else I need to know? Or...should I catch you up on my shit?

Oh, shit, right. Sorry, I got caught up in all my own bullshit.

[she extends the hand that's not occupied petting White Hare and offers the floor to Pen.]

By all means. Go for it. Might know some of it already from Frey, but give me as much as you need to.

Alright. Well. Were you...around when a monster from other me's world kinda...started roaming the city and attacking people?

[Mateus, back last January.]

The one that wrecked your car?

[Freya told her all about Ragnarok, and as far as Anna can really remember, that's the only one she knew about. even if she never encountered it herself.]

Frey gave me a pretty good rundown of that one.

Ah no. That was Freya's deal, not mine.

[Pen digs in her pocket and pulls out her phone, flipping it to a picture.]

Did you ever run into this?

[the image doesn't look as clear as it could until she remembers to turn her head so she's got her right eye more staring directly at it.]

Nope. Doesn't ring any bells. Feels like it definitely would.

Yeah it's only twelve feet tall. It's...one of three demonic...I dunno, I guess they're demigods? that my other self controlled. I sorta...regained them.

[She awkwardly turns around and lets her hoodie drop a little lower, revealing the crest of three tattoos across her upper back.]

They kinda live in tattoos?

[well, if it weren't made of demons, it'd be some pretty sick ink. she's quiet for a second; clearly it went on a rampage. but that was months ago. she should be able to control it by now. right?]

Damn. So you and Frey are some of the best people we have if this goes even deeper into war than it already has.

[Rampage is a strong word...even if it's what she said. Most of it's anger was direct at her, and it had tried to turn her friends against her. Minato had been taken in enough that he'd attacked her...and then gone off the app before the relationship could ever be fixed. You don't just get over someone pointing a bow at you in earnest, less so because of the influence of a demon.]

If you really, really want something taken down, I guess so? Mateus gave me, Minako, and Freya a hard time of it in January. Cu-Chulainn, the next one...well, it held Ragnarok back when Freya transformed.

Ultima, the other one, didn't even fight me. It...agrees with me, I think? And the other two are scared of it. [A pause.] Sorry, her.

[damn, this was back with Operator and his sister, or whoever she was to him. she misses Minato. but she recognizes the name Cú Chulainn even if it does take her a second to realize that's what Pen said—Gaelic, man—and that sounds like exactly what the Hound of Ulster would do.]

Didn't think these were the kinds of things that did much thinking on their own. [shows what she knows, though.] So what's Ultima agree with you about? Just your whole thing in general? Like, who you are as a person.

Oh, no. They are. They're a gajillion years old. And they are kinda like...fallen angels? I guess? Rebelled against the gods.

[Which, that's a whole weird thing.]

But anyway, she just seems to like me? She didn't fight, she just gave up. Said our goals align. She's kinda like an angel, and I think maybe I sit well with her because I'm not going out being evil.

But I'm willing to bet she's got a long game planned, and not having to fight me probably serves her interests. [Inside, the spirit rumbles a laugh, because yeah...Pen has her pegged, but unfortunately only Pen can hear.]

They obey me though. And they're really, really powerful. Plus they can't die? so, if a fight breaks out, yeah I can just let them loose, and if they die they just reform inside my tattoos. Like...shock troops, but mostly pretty ugly.

Damn, Pen.

[it's all she can think to say, really, after a moment's contemplation. what else is there to say? her friend's got warriors inside her, and she wasn't much of a slouch on the warring side to begin with.]

If this is what you were bringing to the table against Ragnarok, I'm not surprised it backed down. Looks like I wasn't the only one getting better. [a pause, and a wry grin.] Guess you missed the chance to fight me when I was all ready to be a real swordswoman. Now I'll be missing shit left and right all over again.

Should've seen me down against the brain. That thing never stood a chance.

Honestly, Anna? I don't wanna fight anyone. But I understand the sentiment, at least. I just...hell, this is all a lot, since I'm just a nerd with a computer at heart.

[But, she grins.]

Doesn't mean I'm less proud of you for beating up that brain though.

Well, at least we've both got computers at heart.

[Anna cannot help but grin back. it's more of that dark humor, but it's what she's got to work with right now.]

I just did what I had to do. Same as you, yeah? We're all just fighting to keep the people and places we care about safe. Guess you... missed that little revelation I had, too, huh. [and the grin gets a lot weaker.] It's nice feeling like I have a purpose, I guess. Takes some of the weight off when shit like this happens.

Yeah. Purpose is important. But don't let that be your only thing. Find time for enjoying yourself, even if you have to seek out new hobbies.

[Is this a subtle way of saying drink less?]

What, like not getting fucked up anymore? [she gives Pen a knowing look, or at least as much of one as she can give.]

I don't have blood. No alcohol, no THC. I can still do them, but they don't do anything for me anymore. I was going to the gym more, but... [sigh. she really doesn't want to say what's on the tip of her tongue about going out in public.]

I get you. Maybe...try something new, for real. And I don't mean dreaming of electric sheep.

[Heh...]

Maybe it's dorky, but I got a spot in one of my tabletop games.

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