what

[heartburning]

[There is a flash of bright, gaudy colors roughly ten feet in the air above one of the park's equally gaudy fountains, a downward blur, and then a loud splash and a yelp.

Evidently, people can arrive here at most any point in space. Also, the water in Heartland fountains is apparently quite cold.]

Comments

[heartburning]

[...suddenly he's a bit more intrigued.]

That well, hmm...?

[He leans in slightly, smiling.]

How very interesting.

[edasich]

But you don't seem to know me at all.

[ He tilts his head, raises an eyebrow. ]

So what are you? Some kinda weird fae copy, or...?

[heartburning]

...A copy?

[The notion doesn't seem to sit well with him, and he tuts.]

I assure you that I'm the genuine article, boy.

[edasich]

Then how come you don't know anything about me, hu~uh?

[heartburning]

[He grits his teeth for a moment. This boy certainly knows how to get under his skin, doesn't he?

Then he forces himself to smile.]

Different circumstances, I suppose.

Perhaps you should fill me in on yours?

[edasich]

Why would I tell you anything, when you're not Heartland?

[heartburning]

...excuse me.

[Huff.]

I think you'll find that I am exactly who I appear to be.

[edasich]

But if you were him, you'd know the things he does. Which you don't. So you're not him.

It's not difficult.

[heartburning]

...You are a very vexing boy.

[He doesn't let the actual extent of his irritation show through, of course.]

I may not be the one you know, but I am certainly not some kind of mimic.

[edasich]

...what does that even mean?

[ He tucks his wings in, leaning forward. ]

[heartburning]

Perhaps there are just two of us.

It would explain you, don't you think?

[edasich]

[ He contemplates it, ears twitching a little. ]

Like... other worlds?

[ Hadn't Byron done some research on that, or something? ]

[heartburning]

Something like that, yes.

[He adjusts his glasses, still flicking through cameras idly.]

Two entirely separate versions of oneself. It's an interesting situation, don't you think...?

[edasich]

Hmm.

[ Thomas contemplates Heartland for a few long moments, then spits a few sparks out in his general direction and turns to face the other way. ]

Well. If you're not the Heartland I know...

[ He shrugs a little and curls his tail. ]