video; un - usernamehere

[narcolepsy]

[ the video flickers online on before two wide red eyes fill most of the screen. ]

Oh! My apologies...

[ the camera pans back so a face is visible instead, showing a faint strawberry blonde wearing a fancy, high collared white shirt with a fluffy cravat. he looks a little pale, brows set into a vague frown, and with his bottom lip caught between his front teeth in thought. it looks reddish and like he's been nibbling on it for a while without thinking about it, and here and there there's a flash of small but sharp fangs. ]

Hello, my name is Baein. I was wondering if anyone knows whether people close to you would also get stuck in the time loop and come with you, or if you've found you always arrive alone? If it's possible to meet people you know here?

[ there's a distinct noise of his stomach grumbling and baein curls his arm around it, eyes widening even more before he looks up at the camera again before he takes a breath and straightens as if nothing happened. ]

Anyway, I'm looking for two people like that. They're of faery court and werewolf clan.

Comments

audio; un: lennon

[privatechat]

[ Jesus fucking christ. Why this? He knows that name. ]

Don't know about werewolf but there's a fae named Daeshim that's going to want to see you.

[ insert deep sigh. ]

And there's this guy named Jasper too. He just has electric fingers like a weirdo though.

[narcolepsy]

[ baein pauses before he replies, not only because something in the voice speaking sounds off and weirdly familiar and unfamiliar at the same time, but also because the person just says daeshim just like that, without preamble. it has to be a coincidence, right? baein didn't even mention their names, and yet— he looks taken off guard, genuine confusion over his face as he blinks at the camera. ]

What? No, no Daeshim is a werewolf...

[ his voice trails off because if it was a coincidence before, now it isn't, not now, when jasper is brought into the mix and baein doesn't know what to think. he inhales sharply and brings the video a little closer to his face, as if that would help him see the person on the other side. ]

There are? Do you know them?

[privatechat]

[ Lennon can hear the confusion even as he sees it. He flips on the video option and settles it on his face. ]

Name is Lennon. Daeshim is some fae that mistook me for Jasper. I don't know anything about werewolves or whatever. But he's obnoxiously persistent and he misses you.

[ And Lennon hates it, thanks. But mostly because he can feel what he has slipping away right before his eyes. This guy is cute. hot even. And well, with Jasper and Baein why would Daeshim even think twice about him? And they'd had the conversation multiple times but Lennon doesn't really trust it.

Strangely enough, he's trying not to take his dark mood out on Baein, though. ]

Yeah. I know both of them.

[ He glances at the screen before he switches back to audio. ]

So. they're here. And they'll be happy to see you I'm sure.

[ Seems like there's a lot of weird alternate universes shit going on with these three and Lennon's brain fucking hurts already. ]

[narcolepsy]

[ again the prince is about to reply but he goes completely silent as the video turns on to show him jasper.

no.

no not jasper. this looks like jasper, identical down to every facial feature. but there it stops, with the way the person is holding himself and the expression on his face. baein's eyes are still wide as saucers, and he opens his mouth and closes it a few times, weakly trying to find his voice: ]

You're— you look like— [ of course he does, and he probably knows it too, and baein snaps his mouth shut, swallows hard. ] But how? How is that possible?

[ the video cuts off and baein can't help but make a protesting noise at that. everything is wrong like some odd fever dream, and maybe baein is actually having one with how his jaw has been hurting lately, and the sleep he's been getting that really isn't sleep at all, not when his razor sharp senses keep screaming at him with every possible detail it can snatch up. okay. okay he can probably figure this out. right? he takes a breath (the action is so ingrained in him and for a moment he has to forcibly not focus on that air just doesn't come to him anymore) and looks back to the screen, unsure if the other is still there. ]

Lennon. That's your name?

[privatechat]

[ Lennon sort of wishes he wasn't there. There's something kind of relieving in that Baein doesn't actually finish the thought about who he looks like. He is well aware and he kind of hates the fact. He knows he's being ridiculous and petty. He sighs quietly and there are not a lot of answers that he has. ]

I don't know. I was born this way. And I didn't steal his face or anything.

[ That's what Daeshim had accused him of at first. He feels a little better not keeping the video on, not wanting to be scrutinized, and not wanting to give away more than he has to. ]

So yeah, my name is Lennon.

[narcolepsy]

[ perhaps... perhaps there's someone else in the universe who looks like baein too. he doesn't know, but the thought itself is difficult to wrap his head around, as well as this, glaringly obvious right in this moment. and he feels bad, because even if he can't see Lennon's face, he can hear the bone tired resignation in the voice, and he quickly shakes his head. ]

I didn't— My apologies, I did not mean to imply you stole anything.

[ baein wets his lips and tries a small smile into the camera. in one thought, he feels a little mournful over that Lennon turned his off, and in the same he mentally berates himself for it. this isn't jasper, and baein can't think along those lines at all.

somehow, it still feels familiar, though. ]

It's nice to meet you, Lennon. Even if it's a little unconventional.

[privatechat]

I know you didn't.

[ Lennon rubs his face but he manages not to sigh into the device again. He needs a good drink and a fae proofed place to hide except he doesn't know how to fae proof a place.

It's frustrating that Baein is so. Nice. And. Polite. At least Jasper is rough around the edges. This encounter is different in every way. ]

Nice to meet you too.

[ He doesn't know if he means it. But if he doesn't it has nothing at all to do with Baein himself. ]

I can make sure they get ahold of you quickly.

[narcolepsy]

[ if the voice doesn't sound quite sincere, baein doesn't show he noticed it. he looks grateful either way. ]

Oh. I would like that. Thank you very much.

[ even if... even if he's not sure they're the people he knows. their names are right, and it must mean something. ]

You said you know them, did you meet them here?

video | un: me

[faeshim]

[this is all daeshim reveals at first: a mess of unruly purple curls, bright brown eyes. he's about to say that his hair is dirty; a test to see if this baein will whisk him away to a bath and comb his soapy fingers through them.

but he's mentioned something quite alarming, and so daeshim's entire face comes into frame.]

You must stay away from werewolves! They're perverts!

Re: video | un: me

[narcolepsy]

[ it's the eyes that has baein blink several times in short succession. he knows those eyes, could pick them out anywhere. he sits up straighter, something like endless relief coursing through him. ]

Daeshim?

[ and it drains out of him just as fast because he can only gape in confusion at the others' words. and the way he looks. there are no ears, no scars or anything. and it takes him a moment to realize this is what Lennon mentioned, and baein's heart squeezes in his chest. this is daeshim, right?

it's just not his daeshim, especially with the way he speaks, and baein even manages to frown. he doesn't allow the daeshim he knows to speak badly of himself, why would he let another version of him do it? ]

I— what? They're not. Absolutely not! Please don't say that.

[faeshim]

They are! They are they are! Would've taken you from the woods if they could've. Done all sorts of things to you under the full moon!

[don't ask him what sorts of things. daeshim knows what he knows, but he's still fairly vanilla. somewhat. mostly.

he settles then, and tries not to fidget as baein inspects him through the video. he must look...different somehow.]

You look pale. Are you sick? Jasper's here, one who knows how to cook and bake! He can make you some nice soup, I bet.

[narcolepsy]

Daeshim would never— you... you're Daeshim. Would you do it?

[ the prince bites his bottom lip again before he swallows down the tinge of protectiveness he feels over daeshim. this is daeshim too.

the question takes him off guard and baein falters a little before he even thinks to reply. hungry. he knows he's hungry, and his head aches with how his teeth are bothering him. but if this daeshim has such an apprehension towards werewolves, won't he have the same to baein? because he's a monster too. suddenly his tongue grows a little too thick in his mouth and baein averts his eyes. ]

I'm fine. I'm just... [ he looks up again. ] Jasper is really here too? I talked to someone who knew both of you. But... you're obviously not the Daeshim I know.

[ it stings. he can't help it, how a burn sits behind his eyes but baein quickly blinks it away. ]

[faeshim]

Would I what?

[he tilts his head, obviously not making the connection. there is something...well, a feeling that's not entirely new when baein asks after jasper so quickly. the fae had always accepted that he was baein's favorite - or at least told himself that he accepted it. it couldn't be helped. they were the lovers first, understood each other in ways that daeshim couldn't because of what he is.

he glances away, pursing his lips for a moment.]

...My Bae spent time in the sun. Wasn't pale like you.

[he tries to sound impartial, but. his bae would be holding his hand by now.]

Don't think he's your Jasper either, but he's nice.

[narcolepsy]

Do all those things you just said about werewolves. Just because Daeshim is a werewolf, it does not mean he's worth less. Or is just like them.

[ the way daeshim talks about "my bae" makes something in baein's silent heart sting and suddenly he realizes he's done the exact same thing just a few moments ago, and he instantly feels bad about it. because it hurts a little bit, to know neither of them are really his. ]

The sun... ah. It would probably not be wise for me to go outside in it.

[ it's a bright day outside right now, and it's the only reason he hasn't gone out to explore or look for them himself. but it certainly doesn't help how seeing daeshim's face, regardless of it's the daeshim he knows or not, makes him almost want to get up and challenge it. it would be a very dumb decision. but he wants to see him, even if just a moment. even if daeshim would decide he doesn't really want to know him if he's not the right baein. if he finds out baein's true nature. ]

Mm... is it, ah— [ he's back to worrying his lower lip between his teeth before the prince goes to rub at the back of his neck, feeling apprehensive and nervous about potentially being turned down. ] Could we meet up? I would really really like to see you. I know I'm not the Baein you know, but... please.

[faeshim]

...The me you know is a werewolf?

[now, daeshim doesn't have any particular pride in being what he is. in fact, he's an outcast in his own kind. he's "muddy", he accepts it.

but a werewolf? large and muscular and...and with that between his legs?? he can't imagine it.

there's a feeling in his chest that daeshim has only experienced here, an ache that also chokes him. he felt it when he first met lennon, and when he first talked with jasper too. he feels it again now talking with baein. sadness, loneliness. a particular brand of both that baein - his baein- called "homesickness".

much of it is chased away when baein makes his request. his breath catches, and he almost chokes - literally coughs a time or two - in his haste to respond.]

Yes!

un; young.mistress

[jinlingers]

Greetings. I'm Jin Ling. It's very possible for that to happen. There were people from my home here and some that have come and gone since my arrival.

I do not know anyone of that sort, though.

[ A pause. ]

Are you alright?

Re: un; young.mistress

[narcolepsy]

...oh. Thank you, that's a little more relieving to hear.

[ baein blinks a little at the question. ]

I'm all right. Why do you ask?

[jinlingers]

Oftentimes there's things that aren't okay when one first arrives. I just wanted to offer help if any is needed.

video; un:electricboogaloo

[fulldark]

[ what.

the.

fuck.

look, jasper likes to think that he is more or less prepared for anything after walking through the door and getting told that he is now stuck away from his world and some bullshit about timeloops. even more so prepared for shit when he meets a violet haired fae that claims to know another version of him (and baein).

but, as it turns out, jasper is not in fact prepared to see with his own two eyes his long since dead bestfriend-boyfriend-whatever popping up on the network looking unfairly beautiful and soft and-- jasper probably stares at the image of baein for far too long, heart in his throat and sparks arcing along the lines of his arms. that is baein.

alive.

and --looking for someone else.

right, many universes. the bubbling euphoria that jasper could feel climbing in his throat pops behind his teeth and leave a linger taste of bitterness behind. this isn't his baein. but still.... it's a baein.

jasper's hand is shaking when he responds, voice quiet.] ...Baebae?

Re: video; un:electricboogaloo

[narcolepsy]

[ baein freezes for a moment at the voice, eyes widening more, settling on the face in the frame of the video. there's a hint of relief in his voice, elation. ]

Jasper—!

[ his expression soon turns into concern because jasper looks like he's seen a ghost, when the video has a tremor to it that could only come from a shaking hand, and baein realizes it's not the jasper he knows. it's still jasper, though, and baein might want to cry. they're both here, jasper and daeshim. only jasper and daeshim would give him that nickname, across universes. it feels... it's a lot.

he cradles his communicator between both hands, eyes darting over the screen. something is wrong. ]

Are you all right?

[fulldark]

[ the laughter that spills from his lips is shaky and a little wet, but he still smiles warmly at baein. because its been so long since he has heard his name from those lips, and it even sounds the same.

jasper wipes at his eyes with the back of his hand before answering.]

Yeah, yeah I'm-- fuck, I'm great now.

[ it's painful yes, but also not. jasper doesn't care how rushed he sounds when he asks:] Where are you?

[narcolepsy]

You're... crying.

[ baein is so taken off guard it takes him a moment to register he's been asked a question, and by then he rushes to reply, sounds as out of breath as he can, even when he doesn't need to breathe. the apprehensiveness of jasper finding out what he is is overshadowed by baein's desire to see him. ]

An inn! It's in, ah... Tokyo? The names are strange, I don't know them. But the inn is called [NAME HERE].

video >> action

[fulldark]

Ah yeah, happy tears I swear!

[ mostly. there is a pang of something hollow that rests in his chest, but at the same time the fact that he gets to hear his name from baein's lips, gets to see the same familiar face (older, but not by much).

jasper nods.]

Okay that-- I'll be there in a minute? I'm not far.

[ since he also arrived not too long ago.

and maybe jasper runs, maybe he speed-walks, only those who see him will know. it isn't long before he is at baein's door, a little breathless and wild eyed.]

Bae?

[ sorry, that's all the warning you get before jasper just forgoes all restraint and throws himself at you. around you. whatever, he is just there.]

Re: video >> action

[narcolepsy]

All right.

[ baein's voice wavers a little. he misses baein and jasper from his world, so it's an odd situation. but also because jasper sounds so... there's something fragile in his voice and baein would like to smooth it over, help him feel better. anything.

and then jasper is there. and baein barely has time to see him open the door before he's wrapped in jasper's arms and oh. somewhere at the back of his mind, a small voice is shrieking at the way he's cold, cold cold cold, a corpse to the touch, and he's soaking up jasper's warmth by just holding him. ]

Jas...

[ his voice is a little muffled, pressed against jasper's jacket before he turns to face outward, away from his throat and neck. ]

[fulldark]

[ if jasper notices the cold, he doesn't seem to care about it. just holds baein all the tighter and makes a muffled noise against the other's shoulder. it takes him a little longer than he would like to pull back, and his eyes are still looking a little red when he does despite his best attempts to keep it together.

he is smiling though. and maybe not letting go of baein at all.

oops.]

I've missed you. [ only... not this baein. not really. but right now he doesn't care, he is being a little indulgent.] Sorry, I'm not-- not your Jasper.