smokingtomb: (with Beth)
Richard Howell ([personal profile] smokingtomb) wrote2014-08-16 10:36 pm

[for [personal profile] boom_kaboom and [personal profile] superfluity.]

"Give Papa kiss for me," are Beth's last words to her father before he heads out the door, finally convinced that the stress of looking after his daughter won't make Smith's head explode or something. Beth thinks that's very silly; Uncle Smith feels more normal than he has for a long long time. Can't Daddy tell?

Beth runs to a window to watch her father walk down the sidewalk and waves down at him. He only looks up and waves back once, but she keeps waving until he's out of sight. Once he is, she turns to look up at Smith.

"You have ice cream?"
boom_kaboom: (small smiles)

[personal profile] boom_kaboom 2014-08-17 03:49 am (UTC)(link)
Well, he's glad someone feels like he's normal. It's sweet, actually and he'd probably need to hear that. But either way, he's trying to get himself back into normal stuff and while he's hesitant about this, he knows he has his trusty bracelet to keep things in check. He's trusting Matt and Elenore on this one.

"Do I have ice cream? Oh, Bethy. I have three flavors you can pick from." He scoops her up like he always does, heading to the kitchen. "You like my new place?"
boom_kaboom: (speaking to you)

[personal profile] boom_kaboom 2014-08-17 04:18 am (UTC)(link)
"Hmmm lets see." He opens the freezer up and pulls out a chocolate ice cream, along with a mint one and a vanilla one. "I think we can make this happen. Do you want mint, too?"

He's definitely feeling her feelings. It's one of his less controlled abilities, where emotions can transfer, but so far so good. he knows he can't keep himself locked away from the world just to keep it at bay.
boom_kaboom: (well mkay)

[personal profile] boom_kaboom 2014-08-17 04:34 am (UTC)(link)
He laughs, pulling the vanilla and chocolate out. "Well, you know, some people have different tastes. And if you ask me, I think the mint ice cream came first. Toothpaste copied it, so we'd wash our teeth."

Grabbing a spoon, he sets her down on the counter. "You wanna see something cool I can do?"
boom_kaboom: (drunk face)

[personal profile] boom_kaboom 2014-08-17 04:50 am (UTC)(link)
"Maybe that's why they didn't make it chocolate! Cause we have to do other things besides brush our teeth all day," he grins and hands her the spoon.

"Okay, here we go." He concentrates on the cabinets, opening them up with his TK. That's the easier part. The harder part is when he tries to get two bowls off the shelf. Luckily, they're both plastic, because they go crashing down against the sink. "Whoops!" He laughs. "So close!"
boom_kaboom: (super smiles)

[personal profile] boom_kaboom 2014-08-18 04:20 am (UTC)(link)
The bouncing and the most adorable shriek of laughters certainly don't help with his concentration, but it's all worth it. He definitely doesn't drop her. He giggles as well, then walks her over to the sink to lift up the bowls and inspect them. "All good!"

"You're right, though. I need practice. I'm a little rusty, it's been a while." He carries the bowls back over to the counter, setting Beth down on it as well, then picks the spoon up. "I think that's my favorite one."
boom_kaboom: (all smiles)

[personal profile] boom_kaboom 2014-08-19 03:52 am (UTC)(link)
"Hmm I don't think ice cream can go through mirrors, no. Did you want to share with the mirror lady?" He figures its a good a segue into it all as anything else would be.

He laughs lightly as he serves out the ice cream. "The floaty powers, I mean!"
boom_kaboom: (Cutey patootey)

[personal profile] boom_kaboom 2014-08-19 04:49 am (UTC)(link)
"Does she?" He scoops out equal amounts of both flavors, then hands Beth her bowl, before he does the same for himself. "Does she tell you everything she likes?"

He leans in and kisses her forehead. "No, I can't fly. That one would be cool though, right? It's cool enough that I can make other things fly, though."
boom_kaboom: (youre always so sweet)

[personal profile] boom_kaboom 2014-08-19 05:08 am (UTC)(link)
He's not really doing any better on his end, the way he's eating the ice cream too. They might as well both be four year olds. "Oh yeah! One day I'll probably be able to! But I have to practice on bowls first."

He nods, grabbing some napkins and wipes both of their mouths. "Yup. I got a big tall one. Are you gonna introduce me to her?"
boom_kaboom: (purple shirt)

[personal profile] boom_kaboom 2014-08-19 05:35 am (UTC)(link)
He's quite happy about it. It's the only uncle he'll ever get to be. "What kinda magic are you gonna be able to do?" He believes it, a hundred percent.

He cleans both sides well enough, then tosses the napkin away and goes back to eating, watching her. "She was? How did she know?"
boom_kaboom: (Part of who I am)

[personal profile] boom_kaboom 2014-08-19 06:19 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh, yes. You protect the animals," he nods. "That's a very good thing. And hey, no frowny faces. We'll both protect him. He's a strong person though, you know. You don't have to worry about that." She's too little to worry that much.

He takes a few more bites as well, then waits for her to finish. He's looking forward to meeting this mirror lady. Or, anxious, really. "Want some water to wash all that down?"
boom_kaboom: (another day)

[personal profile] boom_kaboom 2014-08-21 04:29 am (UTC)(link)
"They are definitely very strong. Stronger than me, yeah." He smiles at the thought about girls having magic longer. At least she has confidence in herself. "So what kinda magical stuff can you do?"

He kisses her head, then grabs some more napkins to wipe her hands. "Ready to introduce me to mirror lady?"
boom_kaboom: (shorter hair smiles)

[personal profile] boom_kaboom 2014-08-21 05:07 am (UTC)(link)
"It's alright. I perfectly accept that." He grins, scooping her up off the counter. "Those seem like really awesome powers. And yes, you are absolutely the prettiest." The confidence is good. He knows it'll get her through a lot.

"Alright, off we go to my room. I have the biggest mirror there cause I like checking my butt out," he chuckles, carrying her to his room.
boom_kaboom: (cuteness)

[personal profile] boom_kaboom 2014-08-21 06:15 am (UTC)(link)
"I'd say you're pretty darn cute right now, too" Hey, he can't help it. He totally thinks she is. he'll feed her ego probably as long as he's alive.

He laughs and nods, "Yup. Just like that. I'm pretty sure we have the same getting ready time." When they get to his room, he closes the door to reveal the full length mirror on the back. "Here we go. Is that big enough?"
boom_kaboom: (small smiles)

[personal profile] boom_kaboom 2014-08-21 07:01 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh, I see. So you got a few years to go, huh. You'll be a beautiful young lady by then." He sets her down and sits in front of the mirror. "Is there anything special we need to do?"

He's a little nervous. This can go well, or not, depending. He's nervous about what it'll mean in the long run too. Or if he'll have to explain any of it to Richard.
superfluity: (pic#7615550)

Aaaand mirror lady

[personal profile] superfluity 2014-08-21 04:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Through the fog, a pair of larger hands appears on the other side of the mirror directly opposite little Beth's. The rippling effect fades quickly.

The fog soon follows, revealing what appears to be a young Asian woman sitting cross-legged on a wooden floor. The room behind her is covered in greenery, plants having overgrown their pots and little trees in larger pots. There's the fabric covered corner of what might be a bed behind her, to the far left of the mirror.

She smiles, a closed-mouth expression that still manages to be warm. "Good job, Bethie. I'm so proud of you."

Lowering her hands to her lap, the young woman looks up from Beth to Smith. "Hi--Smith. Are you freaking out yet?"
boom_kaboom: (Erm okay)

[personal profile] boom_kaboom 2014-08-22 01:23 am (UTC)(link)
His eyes are definitely wide. Really wide. He scoots closer to Beth, putting his legs somewhat protectively around her, out of instinct, but nothing more than that.

"Hi.... hi." Words will find him in a moment. "Not... well... a little, yeah." But he's seen a lot of things. He knows this isn't beyond the realm of impossible. He furrows his eyebrows, leaning in a little closer. She looks familiar. He glances at Beth, then back at her. "Holy sh...whoa."
superfluity: (pic#7616283)

[personal profile] superfluity 2014-08-22 01:36 am (UTC)(link)
Little Beth beams at the praise, turning to look up at her Uncle Smith when he scoots closer. "See Uncle Smith? I told you I be the fairest when I grow up!"

The woman on the other side of the mirror smiles, showing a mouth full of sharp teeth that are nothing if not bigger versions of the ones in little Beth's mouth. "That's right honey, we're the prettiest goddesses ever."

The older Beth looks back up at Smith, her expression turning distinctly wistful. She chuckles and waves at him, eyes gleaming with amusement. "Hi hi, Uncle Smith. Do you need a few minutes?"
boom_kaboom: (all smiles)

[personal profile] boom_kaboom 2014-08-22 01:58 am (UTC)(link)
"Yeah... yes, you did." He's still blinking like whoa. But he gets it now. He totally saw it in her eyes. And that smile, he'd recognize it anywhere.

"Hi," he says again, then laughs, wrapping his arms around little Beth in front of him. "Mirror lady. It all makes so much sense now. Oh my god... hi!" He waves back. "How are you doing this? A portal or something?"
superfluity: (pic#7616283)

[personal profile] superfluity 2014-08-22 02:20 am (UTC)(link)
"I be prettiest and strongest and animals love me!"

"There's always someone stronger than you, Bethie," the older Beth corrects the little girl with her name and face. "But if you listen and practice, you'll grow up to be very strong."

The little girl nods and sits down on Smith's lap, laying back against his chest. The young woman sitting across from them both laughs softly, almost giggling. "Something like that. I wouldn't try to reach through the mirror; you might come through and I don't know what that would do to the space-time continuum. I like existing, I don't want to vanish."
boom_kaboom: (Cutey patootey)

[personal profile] boom_kaboom 2014-08-22 02:29 am (UTC)(link)
"She's right, you know. Or... you're right," he chuckles. "Oh man, this is wild. I don't even know how to put it. It's very cool, though." He snuggles Beth in his lap.

"Don't worry, I wouldn't wanna cause any paradoxes or anything." He pauses, then adds. "I wanted to make sure she was safe, you know? Especially since she asked me not to tell your dad."
superfluity: (Default)

[personal profile] superfluity 2014-08-22 03:24 am (UTC)(link)
"If it helps, you can call me something other than Beth," she offers, leaning her chin in her palm. "I've gone by almost every variation of Erzsébet there is over the years, and a lot of other names too."

She nods, leaning forward slightly. "I remember. I'm sorry I scared you, but I couldn't take the chance that Dad would find a way to shut me out. There are things she--we--had to learn as a child that Dad and Papa can't teach us."
boom_kaboom: (smexy hair)

[personal profile] boom_kaboom 2014-08-22 04:03 am (UTC)(link)
"Well, I can call you Beth and this little one Bethie. I usually do anyway," he smiles. She knows.

He nods, because that all makes sense to him now. He feels a lot better about this whole situation, and about what little Beth has been learning. "You really think he would shut you out?" He thinks about how worried Richard is about sending Beth off to school and having her go through life. "How.. um... old are you?"
superfluity: (pic#7615549)

[personal profile] superfluity 2014-08-22 04:11 am (UTC)(link)
The smile that crosses her face implies that she remembers, and quite well.

Beth glances down at her younger self who's been watching the interactions like a hawk. "He might. Neither of you have any reason to trust me, and I can't do anything to prove it without putting myself at risk." There's a faint note of chastisement to her voice, a little like a kindergarten teacher really.

"Uncle Smith! I thought you knew better than to ask a lady her age."
boom_kaboom: (Teehee)

[personal profile] boom_kaboom 2014-08-22 04:23 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh...well... yeah, you're probably right." He didn't really think about that. He just got excited. He supposes that's why he gets shit from other people, too. "But I could see it in your eyes. You have the same eyes." He tilts his head to look at little Beth, then back up at her older self. "Wonder if I can do telepathy through mirrors."

He chuckles, covering his mouth. "Sorry! Just.... you know! Extenuating circumstances?"
superfluity: (pic#7615570)

[personal profile] superfluity 2014-08-22 05:33 am (UTC)(link)
"Eyes can be faked." She leans forward, her voice taking on an urgent tone underneath the softness (which is mostly an attempt to keep her younger self from freaking out.) "Mirrors have so much more in them then your reflection, and most of them will try to trick you. You should never trust anything that tries to convince you through a mirror, no matter who it looks like or says it is."

She pauses, then flashes a smile that's as much sheepish as hopefully reassuring. "Sorry, I'm used to lecturing little Beth. She wants to come through and visit me. You probably won't ever have to know that."
boom_kaboom: (purple shirt)

[personal profile] boom_kaboom 2014-08-22 05:44 am (UTC)(link)
He twists his lip and nods. It's strange getting lectured by Beth. Older Beth. But he knows she's right. He's far too trusting. "So are you telling me not to trust you, then? Cause that kinda doesn't work out for anyone."

Smith does trust her. He can't imagine anyone wanting to make something like this up. "Well, Bethie is a good listener, then. Cause if it was me I probably would have had restraint at her age."
superfluity: (pic#7656887)

[personal profile] superfluity 2014-08-22 06:46 am (UTC)(link)
She grins, shaking her head. "I'm not trying to get you through the mirror. I can prove to you that I'm who I say I am, but only if you can promise not to act on anything. You never told me what you saw, so I can't promise that you won't see things that you want to change."

She glances down and side-eyes her younger self, who is all of a sudden very interested in the wall. "She tried, and she's very lucky I caught her."
boom_kaboom: (calm smiles)

[personal profile] boom_kaboom 2014-08-23 06:54 am (UTC)(link)
"I wont act on anything, I promise. I don't want anyone to get hurt or be in danger." That's the last thing he wants and he'll do anything to prevent it. "Okay, I got it."

He pats her little head. "It's always good to listen to your older self, kiddo."
superfluity: (pic#7656888)

[personal profile] superfluity 2014-08-24 01:47 am (UTC)(link)
The younger Beth pouts, crossing her arms stubbornly. "I strong, I kick ass."

"I said no, Bethie. Not until you're old enough to understand what you see."

The little girl hrmphs, muttering very bad words in a language older than the country they're in. The other Beth snickers, shaking her head as she looks back at Smith.

"Or worse. I don't know what would happen if you changed anything; maybe nothing. Maybe everything. I'm already changing the past, as close to what I remember my mirror lady doing."

She bites her lower lip, as though to tug at a lip ring she's never had. Then she shrugs, and raises both hands to press them against her side of the mirror. It ripples, just as it did when the little Beth called her.