thoughtformed | [Video]

[Well, someone's finally figured out that camera option. The video whips about, smoothly, but too fast to be handled by an experienced cameraman. And it moves in strange ways - one moment three or four feet off the ground, then shooting straight up into the branches of a tree, weaving about at dizzying speed in and out of the long leaves and vines. Then it somersaults to mere inches above the soil and snakes through the underbrush, focusing on the glitter of a beetle, a shimmering spider's web, a moth blending into the bark of the nearest tree. This wild, stomach-churning ride is accompanied by a soundtrack of high, girlish laughter that fades in and out depending on how fascinated the cameraman is on any particular subject. The roller coaster finally stops at the crown of an enormous deciduous tree and pans slowly across the vista of heavily wooded mountain slopes. An arrogant young girl's voice, with a very clear Irish accent, comes from someone off-screen.]

This is nothing like my forest. It's younger. And wetter. The air's all thick with water, and there's no guardian! Not one as good as me, anyway. The animals were frightened of me, at first, and that's a sure sign. Comes of letting all these people ruin the forest. They'll learn better. Till I can find my way home, I'll take care of this place. It will be MINE.

[The last word comes out in an intense, sing-song whisper, and leaves a sort of odd ringing in the ears of the watcher. The camera promptly dives straight for the ground and shuts off just before impact.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Jack watched with great curiosity as she sat on the rock. He wondered for a moment what it was that she was doing, until he saw the slight shifting of the earth and the birth of a small set of flowers that stretched and reached toward the sun. Jack stared in wonder. There may have been technology that could produce such a result, but to do it purely by nature... surely that was more magic than anything he could have done with his vortex manipulator.]

That is... Absolutely amazing. [Jack laughs softly and shakes his head in wonder.] Incredible. You are incredible, Aisling.

[There was no denying that she preened a little. It had been a while since Aisling had someone to share her talents with. But she had to return the appreciation.]

You're very talented. Do you know other spells?

A few. But if I showed them all to you now, there wouldn't be any surprises for next time, would there?

[Jack winked playfully and pulled up his sleeve again, opening up the vortex manipulator and holding it out for her to look at.]

I wouldn't call it a spell exactly, but this has a lot of fun little tricks it can do. Go ahead and touch it. You won't hurt it.

[The leather strap was big, and heavier than it looked. Aisling ran careful fingers over the metal surface with all its bumps and oddities. Oh! The bumps moved! She almost dropped it as light shone up out of it to form a detailed picture of a woman with long, dark hair laughing at her. She held the device out at arm's length, wide-eyed, as the picture shifted to display a pale-haired woman, and then a narrow-faced woman with tilted eyed. Aisling's curiosity overcame her surprise, and she brought it back close, cocking her head and reaching tentative fingers to try and touch the face morphing into a man with dark skin and very short-cropped hair.]

They're pictures! But, they're not drawn on anything. And they change.

[Jack stared at the holograms at they appeared one by one, slowly morphing into the next familiar face that was so far away. His smile saddened a bit as the faces changed. It was nice to see how fascinated she was by his friends, though he couldn't help the ache he felt in his chest as he saw Tosh and Gwen pass by, remembering Tosh's bravery as she died, and the moment he found out that Gwen was pregnant. And there was Rose and good old Mickey Mouse. Jack had to take a breath to steady his voice before he was able to speak again.]

Those are my friends. They all mean a lot to me. Some of them have passed on, so I keep their pictures in here so that I never forget what they look like.

[Aisling just watched face after face cycle through, quiet and completely still for once.]

There are a lot of them.

[Jack nodded slowly, thinking of all the lives he'd lived and all of the people who had come into and exited. The list was a long one.]

Yes. Yes there are. I've been alive a long time and been around a lot of people. Loved a lot of people. Lost a lot of people. But thanks to this, I can remember them always.

[Aisling considered. If she had one of these magical things, what would she see in it? Her family... Her clan... Brenden, of course. A few children over time. But compared to this extensive catalog, she had so few people. Captain looked sad, though she only sort of understood why. He was sad that they were gone, she thought, but he must make friends easily, so he shouldn't be lonely. She held the wristband out to him.]

How do you dispel it?

Ah, like this.

[Jack took the Vortex Manipulator back from Aisling and shut it, effectively hiding the holograms from view. He took a moment to buckle it back on and pull his sleeve down over it.]

You've shown me a lot of interesting things today, Aisling, and welcomed me into your beautiful home.. but I think it's time that I returned to mine. But might I come see you again?

[Aisling smiled and turned to stalk back down the treeline toward the city. Any trees in her way just became part of the path, going up and over and around and through, but she always kept Captain in sight. This had been an interesting and productive afternoon, and... She thought she might call him a friend in future. She dropped back to the ground and opened a tiny hand to offer a fresh snowdrop.]

You can come visit my forest again, if you like. If you look for me, I'll find you.

[Jack rose to his feet, brushed himself off, and followed Aisling's path back toward where the trees thinned and marked the edge of the forest. He did jump back a little when she dropped down in front of him. He was going to have to learn to expect that sort of thing. She did, however, offer him a tiny flower, which he smiled at and gently took.]

Thank you, Aisling. It's beautiful. Is there anything that I can give you in return for your kindness?

[She shook her head.]

Not right now. Come and visit. Maybe bring a friend with you. I'll be here.

I will. I promise.

[Jack smiled down at Aisling and bent to one knee. He gently took her hand and placed a chaste kiss upon the top of it and rose back to his feet. He opened his coat and tucked the flower on the inside pocket where it would be safe and sound.]

Take care of yourself, Aisling. I promise that I'll return someday soon.

[And with a wave, Jack walked from the forest, smiling pleasantly at Aisling and her forest as he left it behind for now.]

[Video]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject