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[notsolomon]

This is William Twining. I shall reply to your message at my earliest convenience. Thank you. ***BEEP***

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[notsolomon]

It is. And it's probably just as weird as anything else I have told you about me.

[But he's going to take a swig of that beer before continuing on.]

...what do you know about reincarnation?

[babermetrics]

Uh . . . not a lot? I never really thought about it before.

[Well, this isn't what he expected. He sips his beer, watching William attentively. Hmm . . . ]

[notsolomon]

[That could either be a good or a bad thing he thought to himself.]

Well, you know that ancestor I told you about? The one that is the cause of all the trouble?

[babermetrics]

Yeah . . . ?

[Wait, there's really only one place this can be going. Leon sits up even more, frowning thoughtfully.]

So, what, you're his reincarnation? Is that it?

[notsolomon]

Yes it is. I even have memories and reams that surface from that time. And as far as many demons are concerned, I am him.

[It's a complicated thing, because in some ways he's not as vexed by this as he was a year ago, though the annoyance still surfaces.]

[babermetrics]

Man, that's crazy . . . I never thought a lot about this kinda thing. Memories, huh? Of the past? That's totally freaky! I gotta say, if some rando told me this, I wouldn't even believe them!

[But he knows William better.

And he's not bothered; it's weird, yeah, but not weird in a way that affects him, that he knows of. It's just interesting. He leans forward a little, his attention got.]

That's why you can summon demons or whatever?

[notsolomon]

Yes. He died before he could undo the contracts, so they still exist. It doesn't make me very popular with some of them. Some of them really hated him and other demons loved him deeply.

Having those feelings projected at me all the time, it's troubling.

[Because how do you respond to that? At all?]

[babermetrics]

Yeah . . .

[He hadn't thought about that aspect before, and as it sinks in, he frowns, looking a bit offended on William's behalf.]

What the hell, you're you! Even if you used to be someone else, you're you now! Tell those guys to screw off! You don't need any ancestor to be cool, man.

[notsolomon]

I've told them that often enough. Some of them are better about it than others. It's just hard... when his memories are floating around in my head too.

[Sometimes as dreams and sometimes like childhood memories that had been forgotten until recently.]

Hah, but did you know that when I smell herbs, those memories sometimes come forward? And his personality does as well. Though Kevin tells me it hasn't really happened here. But I tend not remember much. So if I ever seem like I am acting off and it isn't because of this place, that might be why.

[babermetrics]

Wait, are you saying he, like, possesses you?

[Okay, now he's getting why this might be a big deal, or something he'd want to know. That's pretty freaky to think about—both from William's perspective and Leon's. He blinks, trying to fit this into his head.]

. . . What's he like? I mean, I've gotta know what to look out for!

[notsolomon]

I have only spoke with him once in a dream, and based on the memories we share...

[There was only one way to say this. And there is some venom there.]

He's a trouble making old man. An air head. Who is somehow the wisest man around.

[babermetrics]

[That sounds . . .

Kind of perfect for William, actually. And hilarious, judging by that tone, by the look on his face. Leon can't help but laugh, sorry bro. It's not that he enjoys William's pain or anything . . . but in this context? It sounds like this old man might be good for him.]

Ha ha! So in other words,if you ever loosen up some, I'll know you're possessed?

[notsolomon]

Hey! It is hardly a laughing matter! I usually don't even remember what he's doing!

[Leon, he trusted you...]

But I think, if matters ever become dangerous enough, you can rely on him. He's much better at magic than I am.

[babermetrics]

Ha ha, sorry, sorry! I get it, man . . . that sounds freaky. If it was me I'd go crazy thinking someone else could just take my body, y'know? But the way you said it was kinda funny!

[Wait a sec. He gets over his laughing fit and considers William. Hmm.]

So are you saying he takes over if you're, like, in danger?

[notsolomon]

He did once. But he usually still needs the scent of herbs to help him. He likes herbal tea a lot and I use it for help with magic, so that's probably why. I feel like it doesn't happen much here though. Probably because something about this place gets in the way.

[it was weird though, because his dreams of the past life were still as lucid as ever. But he hadn't been blacking out like before.]

The last time, was too late though. Someone died, regardless of my efforts.

[And that's where everything started going wrong.]

[babermetrics]

Uh . . . oh.

[Leon opens his mouth to answer, and that's all that comes out. He hadn't really thought—no, obviously William's had a tragic life, he'd seen that himself in those mirrors, but . . .

He's not sure what to say or where to look, for a moment. But then he clears his throat:]

Sorry.

[And, after a beat, shifts to lean just a little against his side.]

[notsolomon]

[William sighs and closes his eyes. Because really, he kind of hates doing this. Because, really it does make his life sound sort of pathetically sad.]

I do this to you a lot, don't I? Talk about awful things like that.

[He leaned against Leon though and relaxed after a moment.]

It's all such a mess sometimes. Though it is hardly that bad either.

[babermetrics]

Heh, I dunno about that. I don't think of you as that guy, so don't worry! I mean "the awful depressing one." It's cool, man . . . I mean, there's stuff, ah, I was gonna tell you some stuff too, but it ain't any better . . .

[He sighs and picks up his beer. What a great time for some more of this.]

Your life sounds crazy, but you still came out pretty cool.

[notsolomon]

Well remember what I said before on my birthday. I will listen when you want to talk about it.

[HE smiles though, because whatever.]

I was going to become 'cool' regardless of what happened to me. And like I said, it hasn't been all bad. I have friends. My parents did love me. And when he's around, my Uncle is a good guardian. And I like my school life. for the most part. So it's nothing to worry about.

So it's not so sad. Just... a little more complicated than most people's lives.

[babermetrics]

. . . Yeah?

[That's a relief to hear. The idea of William being miserable, or having to go back to something terrible, wasn't sitting right with him. Hearing him describe it in such positive terms makes Leon feel a little warm. He smiles back at him, leaning forward onto his own knees.]

Good! That's good! That's what I like to hear! My life was pretty awesome too, y'know?

[Up until the end. He can't force that part out of his mouth, but he leaves it there unspoken and present anyway.]

[notsolomon]

Oh it is? Then I would like hear about it sometime. Goodness knows I have jabbered enough about myself to you. And even for me, that's embarrassing.

[He might be self absorbed, but not to that extent.

And he can tell that something is being held back, more and more. But what's the good in forcing it out? A person has to want to talk.

So he'll just leave the invitation there.]

Really you know more about me than most people unfortunately, thanks to the stupid mirror. Which is weird to say.

[babermetrics]

[Well, that subject is at least a good way to approach near the subject. Leon hadn't thought of just bringing up that moment, even though it was a big part of why this started bothering him in the first place.]

Ah, yeah . . .

Look, those mirrors—I ended up in there too, and all kinds of people saw some stuff about me. And I feel kinda messed up over it, and like, this is gonna sound weird, but it started buggin' me that all these people I barely know knew that crap and—you didn't. Even though you're like one o' my best friends . . .

[notsolomon]

['One o' my best friends.'

William can't help but be touched by that. Especially considering the rough start the two of them had gotten off to. But he feels the same way.

But onto the main subject.]

Is it something you want me to know? Or need me to know? Because don't tell me just because you feel guilty over it. I will tell you this now. I had enough of that back home.

[Okay that probably sounded harsh.]

But like I said, I will listen. Just don't feel obligated to me. Everyone has a door they don't want opened.

[babermetrics]

Hey, it ain't like that, I promise!

[And it's true. His own feelings have been complicated and difficult to pinpoint, but he's pretty confident that he's never felt guilty, like he owes it to William to tell him. It's more just that it feels strange and unbalanced—maybe it's that there are plenty of people who know, now, but none that Leon has decided to tell himself, and that's not a great thought, either. Who's in control here, himself or CERES?

But there's still the issue of how to even bring it up.

What do you do? Just blurt out, by the way, I'm—]

Look—when I said my life was pretty awesome, I meant it, except then everything about all of it got totally screwed up, and now it's—I don't have it anymore. It's over! I . . . you know what I mean, right?

[notsolomon]

[William listen to what Leon says and puzzles over it, because that's totally vague.]

Leon what are you...

[Wait is he saying that he's...

No, that couldn't be?]

...are you saying you are dead back home? Or something to that effect?