neverjoinyou | lastvoyages IC Inbox

Luke, there's something I need to ask you.

It's a favor for a friend.

Luke,

I don't know if I gave you a real apology, but I believe I owe you one.

I'm so sorry about what happened. I didn't mean for any of it to occur the way it did. I tried to take your feelings into consideration, but it was selfish -- I did it for selfish reasons, because I wanted your help. I caused a lot of suffering that I didn't intend with that spell, and even if the loss of a reputation seems less heavy compared to the loss of your life, I regret that it was a casualty of my actions.

I really am glad you're back.

Stanford Pines

hey

let me know how you're doing ok

AAH, LUKE.

I LOST AN ARM AND IT'S NOT COMING BACK. THINK YOU COULD ASK THE ADMIRAL WHY I'M NOT REGENERATING? 'CAUSE I'M BETTING THIS IS HIS FAULT!

[its a power, bill. come on. we've been over this.]

Are you going to Bucky and Steve's wedding?

If not, would you like to?

HEY.

UH.

SO, WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO GET BACK MINDSCAPE ACCESS? THINK WE CAN CUT A DEAL?

Bill goes straight from Ford's room, out the door of that creepy old place like a bat out of hell, and heads for wherever Luke's most likely to be at this time of day.

The further he gets from the actual portal the less strong the feeling is. Maybe if it takes long enough to find him he can just ignore this completely. That'd be cool.

Skywalker, could I trouble you for your expertise on a matter concerning the Force?

HEY, KID.

GOT A WEIRD QUESTION FOR YOU, I GUESS. AND WE SHOULD TALK. DO YOU WANT TO MEET UP SOMEWHERE?

Hello, Luke - I need a quick word. It's not an emergency or anything. On here is fine.

[The tight little miserable coil that's been Bill's emotions for a month now now eases up very abruptly, sometime in the middle of the day. At least a third of what's been weighing on him gets lifted, all at once.

It's not all gone. Breaking up with Ford had uncorked a lot of what he'd simply been refusing to deal with in the past. But this takes it from unbearable to tolerable, lightens it enough that the rest is now going to be much easier to handle.

Is Bill going to remember to mention it? No, probably not.]

[Wherever Luke's been keeping the little triangular stone, in the evening the eye on it suddenly pops open. The pupil expands wide enough to show teeth, in a yawn, and four limbs and a hat all pop out at the same time so Bill can stretch. Yellow light slowly boots up, the stone's gray surface going translucent and smooth.]

WHAT WASSAT, A FLOOD? I HAVEN'T SLEPT IN CENTURIES.

Heads up Luke!

[Following the text message are a few photos of a giant, thirty-foot-long, snake-looking monster. It's stripy black-and-white and bigger around than a person. Out from the open mouth, a second, smaller, snake-looking creature, this time with a white body, protrudes slightly.]

I wanted you to know Bill can take down big game now in case you werent aware. He did this rescuing my inmate when he was a kid though, so at very least he has done a good thing once! Anyway I dont want to always be getting in touch about your inmate and I think I promised you a demonstration of the 3DMG once. Want to see it?