Twenty-Fifth PSI

[a_gentle_boy]

[Here's another stranger around town, Mayfield.  Ten years later, the blue-eyed, blonde-haired boy is a twenty-four year old man of stature nearly rivaling the Netherlands.  Those who are familiar with Lucas will easily recognize his shy smile and bright eyes.

1.  Immediately after his appearance in Mayfield, the man is simply meandering, lost in thought with hands stuck into the pockets of his slacks.  He'll be a bit shy to strike up conversation with the people he comes across, although he'll readily do so if he meets anyone he remembers

2.  An odd sight you might come across in the park is a fully-grown man attempting yo-yo tricks.  The vast majority of his attempts are abysmal; he's rusty and hasn't had the opportunity to try this in years, so maybe he'll hit you by accident as you walk by.  After a while, though, he might pull off an amazing trick every now and then, instead.  Regardless of the outcome, he'll be smiling and shaking his head to himself.

3.  For someone like Lucas, the clothing he's got on is really way too fashionable.  Why does he look so spiffy?  The answer might come to those who enter the school's music wing.  Seated at the piano is a grown man, and he plays it beautifully.  This is his occupation on the side, after all, and he may have been interrupted in the middle of a performance.]

((This is the only icon of adult!Lucas I have, so pretend the rest of the icons match.  He's wearing the same outfit as in the icon.  He is not anywhere near as good at yo-yo-ing as the guy in the video; that guy is just amazing and I felt like linking it.))

Comments

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[Lucas is clutching so hard to the armrest that his nails leave heavy marks in them. After they've slowed to a stop, he takes a few moments to finish panting, after which he exhales a sharp breath.

He turns to Crowe.]

. . . That was amazing.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

I feel bad that they don't have cars where you're from. I've always been more fond of motorcycles anyway, but this is fun too!

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

It was! It was exactly the kind of thing I was thinking. Thanks, Crowe.

. . . What's a motorcycle again?

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

Ah, a motorized bicycle, pretty much. Those and scooters are much more popular where I live anyway. I remember here, Ken had one returned to him. I was so jealous.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[Something like that is a little difficult for Lucas to imagine, though if he thinks really hard, he might've remembered something like that in New Pork City. He nods, slowly.]

So they go faster than cars, even? I'd like to see that . . . Technology really isn't very -- . . .

[Looking down at his lap, he blinks in slight surprise. He can see his pants through his hands . . . ]

Huh.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

Well generally cars go faster, but they're better for-- wait, what--? Lucas, what's...? [He's not even sure how to finish that question.]

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[Lucas stares for a second or two longer before he figures it out.]

I guess . . . that's all the time I have.

[He shifts in his seat a little to face Crowe, smiling and grasping his friend's hand warmly. Or at least, attempting to.]

I . . . I'm glad I could meet you again! Take care, Crowe.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[He gives you a big smile.] It was fun, my friend. Same here. Maybe we'll see each other again someday!

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

We will. I'll always --

[Before he can finish his sentence, he pops out entirely. And there is a very confused young boy sitting in his place a few moments later, covered with what appears to be hay and dirt.]

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Um.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[Crowe's not sure what else to do.]

Well. Hi there, Lucas.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[Lucas blinks.]

Hi. Who -- . . . Crowe?

. . .

I'm so confused.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

It's been a pretty weird day all around.

[So you really DID swap with yourself. Chouno was right.]

I hate to say it, but welcome back to Mayfield.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[Lucas regards the man before him solemnly.]

. . . Um. Thanks, C -- . . . I should probably go back to calling you Mister. How much time did I spend in the future?

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

No no, no "mister" for me. That would just seem strange. And don't worry, you weren't gone long. Whatever happened to you, happened to me as well. Did you have a good trip, I hope?

[At this point he gets out of the car.] No point in staying in! The battery's dead now.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[Still somewhat dazed, Lucas follows suit after fiddling with the buttons and handle and things for a few moments. What happened to him happened to Crowe . . . ?]

. . . So you're in the future? I'm in your future? But you're older in your future so . . .

[Pause. Then, a bright smile.]

Yes, I did! I . . . I saw my friends! And my dad! A-And . . . Tazmily and the whole island and everything and it's all still there . . . !

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

I guess I was switched out from the future. Meaning younger me is in Milan with Clyde right now... just like you were at home.

[He smiles.] That's fantastic. I hope everyone was doing well.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

. . . Ohhhhhh.

[It takes another moment or two before he fully understands.]

So -- Oh! I think I got it now. So you're . . . Crowe's future. Do you know how far? Do you still remember me?

[Never mind that he had just been called by his name a few seconds ago.]

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

Of course I did. Honestly I didn't remember anything until I got here, but now it's all come back to me.

Yeah, 10 years or so I guess. Seemed about the same for you, too.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

That long . . . ? That's why Dad looked so tired, huh. W-Well, I'm glad you still remember who I am after ten years, even if you don't when you're at home. So . . . I'm sure we'll end up being even better friends.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

The people here are hard to forget, yourself included. But, if you switched back, then I'm sure I will too.

[He will too, naturally at the most awkward time. What else for Crowe?]

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

. . . That's right.

[He stares for a few moments, as if expecting Crowe to pop out of existence at any time before deciding that it probably wouldn't happen any time soon.]

Well. So you're stuck here until that happens . . . Do you have a lot of people you still want to see?

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

I've seen a few people so far. We're hardly the only people who got switched. I'm trying to see who else I remember though.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

Maybe you should just walk up and knock on people's doors. They'll probably be glad to see you.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

They'll probably be shocked. Last they saw me, I was 16, and now all of a sudden I'm 26. Maybe I will, then.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

I guess . . . I'll go clean up, then. I don't want to take up too much of the time you have left.