You can't hide from your problems | Calibrations

[wearingthestars]

WHO: Billy Kaplan, OPEN
WHERE: Billy's Calibration Room
WHAT: Calibrations
WHEN: 3 June - 10 June
WARNINGS: Potential Warnings for Violence, Depression, Death and Suicide, but also some happy things



The room you step into isn't all that different from Billy's actually room back home, for those that know it. It looks like the room of a typical nerdy teenager, walls adorned with posters of his favourite heroes, and a desk cluttered with unfinished homework. There's shelves with books, and assorted action figures, as well as a few old games- like operation, which don't seem to have gotten much attention lately, covered in a layer of dust.

Billy lays on his bed with an assortment of comics, reading through them, though when he glances up you might note that his eyes are wrong. All black with fields of stars, like you can see the depths of universe in them.

He curls a finger, and a box beneath the bed scoots further back into the darkness.

Comments

[plate_builder]

"Is there a problem with the watching?" Reeve says, but he turns his head toward the boy with the stars in his eyes.

"Was this something you suffered through?"

[wearingthestars]

"...You can if you want to," he allows, looking a little uncertain, and he nods. "...It was a long time ago. It doesn't matter."

[plate_builder]

"We are the results of that which we have lived through," Reeve counters.

Clearly it matters, if this was someone's dream. if this lingered in the mind. It was important. His attention turns to what is happening.

"This is a school, correct?"

[wearingthestars]

That seems to give him pause, and he nods, looking back to the scene.

There's a few other stragglers in the hall, but they barely even glance towards what's happening. He may as well be invisible as they jeer, and a blow connects with his eye, sending him toppling over.

"Typical school," he agrees belatedly, "Not my favourite place."

[plate_builder]

This is not okay. Reeve moves to the confrontation, reaching out, clearly intending to put himself into the situation, to stop the conflict.

"I've never seen a school before, not really. And I can't imagine why it should be like this."

[wearingthestars]

"You can't stop it-" Billy warns. Literally and figuratively. They aren't here, not really.

He shrugs a shoulder. "I was different. People don't like that." He tries to look as though it doesn't bother him. It's just part of life. Inescapable.

[plate_builder]

"Neither was I. That doesn't justify this behavior," Reeve grumbles. HE doesn't care that Billy says he can't help. That won't stop him from trying, from trying to reach out and grab the bully and pull him away.

[wearingthestars]

His hand will phase through, unable to truly interact with what's playing out, and a moment later the younger Billy gets a knee to the face, before the bullies scatter. They leave with parting laughter and a hissed 'later fag', seeming quite pleased with themselves while Billy tries to stop the blood pouring from his nose.

"It's okay-" Billy assures him, and they're back in his room, "...Thank you for trying."

[plate_builder]

"Do people... on your world really judge others for something as simple and foolish as something you can't control?"

Sorry, the distinguished Bi is very distressed to have seen this. And looks to the boy with the stars in his eyes with something like sorrow.

[wearingthestars]

Billy looks apologetic, wanting to be able to give a better answer, sorry for subjecting him to the knowledge that a place like that existed if his world wasn't like that.

"Some people. It's...it's better than it used to be. It's getting better..."

[plate_builder]

That didn't absolve that young man's decision, and Reeve sighs, shaking his head.

"You deserved better. I am sorry you did not get as much. Especially given you are a generous young man. I only have Mini thanks to you."

[wearingthestars]

"Highschool's rough for a lot of kids. It really does get better," he tries to assure, but he smiles softly, "...thanks though. I would've liked to hear that then."

He shrugs off the thanks, though that does remind him- "You got him from the carnival? My magic- this place messes with it sometimes. The storms- I think the caves should have strengthened it, but- I haven't been able to test if what I make there stays. If my magic fades can you still save him?"

[plate_builder]

"If the storm is strong enough to break your magic, then it doesn't matter," Reeve answers, his voice soft and distant. "Because my magic would fade with it as well. If he is destroyed otherwise, or I call it back, the spark of his soul would return to me. I..."

He doesn't know if the storm will destroy that spark.

[wearingthestars]

Billy's brow creases with distress, but there's very little they can do. The only way to test is to see what happens when it happens.

"...I guess we'll find out," he murmurs apologetically.

[plate_builder]

"I fear we shall," Reeve agrees, his voice soft and sad. "I hope we find that this place is safe."

[wearingthestars]

He tries to put on a researching smile, though it may be harder to read with his eyes blacked out like that.

"The good tends to win out, no matter how bad things get."

[plate_builder]

"And yet bad keeps returning," Reeve counters, and the weight of the statement says he's seen it far too often. On a very deep, and personal level.

[wearingthestars]

"It does..." The light of the room seems to dim a little, those stars in his eyes a little less bright, and Billy frowns, trying to divert his attention back to his comics.

[plate_builder]

Reeve's eyes cast about for a door, but then return to Billy.

"Do you... need someone to talk to?"

[wearingthestars]

There doesn't seem to be any obvious way out yet.

"..." Billy hesitates, and for a sort moment when he looks up his normal eyes are back, looking uncertain before the stars return and he smile again.

"About what?" he asks, as though he has no idea what Reeve could be talking about.

[plate_builder]

The man moves to sit on the edge of the bed, watching the young man.

"Anything. I've been through a lot. Seen a lot. It's not that unreasonable for a man of my age and experience to offer an ear to someone younger who needs it."

[wearingthestars]

"...I'm fine," Billy insists, giving a smile, and the room gives a low rumble, making him start and look around anxiously.

[plate_builder]

"Or perhaps your heart says you are not," Reeve counters, but he doesn't push. Instead he stands. No door yet. He should find some other way to pass the time.

[wearingthestars]

Billy looks a little guilty, but still won't speak his truth, not yet, turning the page in his comic.

"You really are a lot like Tony."

[plate_builder]

"I believe I shall take that as a compliment," Reeve answers as he moves around the room to look around. His fingers touch shelves but not figures, desks but not computers, walls but not posters.

"I may need to see another memory before I can leave. I ask forgiveness."