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Post by ianharris on Nov 27, 2009 22:14:50 GMT -5
Ian's first impression, his first feeling upon waking up from the horrible dream he had just seen, was of wetness. His whole body was covered in some sort of fluid. Gradually, Ian realized that the body that his brain was currently occupying was much smaller and less developed than it usually was. The other thing that Ian realized was that his arms were moving without his brain telling them too. Ian tried to open his eyes, but they didn't open. It was as if Ian wasn't in control of his body any more.
Then his legs shifted and Ian suddenly realized that one of two things had happened. Either he wasn't in his body any more, or he had suddenly changed genders.
Oh, shit.
His eyes finally opened and he realized he was in the body of a newborn baby. The baby was in a brightly-lit hospital room, being held by a smiling doctor. Ian's heart sank. What was going on? "It's a girl." The doctor said, turning Ian to face the parents who were not Ian's parents. "What do you want to name her?"
The woman smiled. "Natalie Renee." She said. The man took her hand, also smiling. Ian felt like passing out. Oh shit indeed.
NATALIE! He tried to shout, but his brain processed it as a thought. Ian didn't care. He just kept shouting. Natalie! Can you hear me?
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Post by natalieburns on Nov 28, 2009 22:24:10 GMT -5
Natalie was watching as her small hands grasped out at the doctor holding the body she had just discovered was not hers. It seemed surreal, unnatural. The parents had said the name, two names, names that were very familiar to Natalie, but it had seemed too much to believe. Could this really be happening? One moment, she was threading her way through backstage, looking for Ian and Vincent, and the next moment, she was waking up inside the body of a newborn baby boy. A newborn baby boy named Ian Jonathan Harris.
Ian's voice suddenly cut into her thoughts, calling out for her. She tried to shout back at him, but her lips made no sound. However, he thoughts rang out loud and clear.
Ian? Is that you? What's going on? I think I'm in your body.
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Post by ianharris on Nov 28, 2009 22:41:07 GMT -5
Ian - or rather, Natalie's body - was handed off to Natalie's parents. He was only half paying attention to the scene unfolding before him, focusing completely on his thoughts to Natalie. I'm in yours. He said. Or thought. Or whatever. Right at birth. I think we might be reliving each other's lives.
Personally, Ian hoped that, if that theory was true, then they wouldn't have to live the entire lives. That would take a really long time, and he didn't want Natalie to have to...
...oh shit. Wendy Caldwell. Natalie was going to have to relive that entire episode.
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Post by natalieburns on Nov 28, 2009 23:11:13 GMT -5
NO! Natalie's response was sudden and shrill. Ian's body even reacted a little, starting to cry, although that was probably a coincidence. No, please. Not the whole life. It's impossible. She was covering, and she knew it. Her response was going to arouse suspicion from Ian. He was going to wonder what objection she would have to him going through her life.
And then he was going to find out.
Someone's playing with our minds. They'll get bored eventually. We won't get all the way to the end. Right? She didn't want Ian to see the end. She just wanted him to think of her like everyone else thought of her; a girl with nothing distinctive about her. Nothing to set her apart, except for the obvious changing-into-a-wolf thing.
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Post by ianharris on Nov 28, 2009 23:52:45 GMT -5
Eventually. Ian thought to Natalie, but his brain was thinking about a completely different topic. Grasping, claw-like hands... a hissing voice... the wild look in the woman's eyes... all of these things were things that Ian did not want Natalie to have any part of. It wasn't chivalry, as Ian didn't think that Natalie couldn't handle Wendy Caldwell because she was a girl. He thought she couldn't handle Wendy Caldwell because the woman in question was utterly terrifying, and Ian had nearly wet himself when he had been forced to live through that horrifying five minutes.
I'm so sorry, Natalie... Ian thought softly as Natalie's hands grasped at her father's finger. I should have warned you... I should have told you...
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Post by natalieburns on Nov 28, 2009 23:58:37 GMT -5
Told me what? Natalie wanted to cry, to curl up in a corner and wait this entire horrible dream out with a carton of ice cream and some nice, cheery chick flicks. It doesn't even matter. It's you I'm concerned for. She willed herself not to think about what awaited Ian. The things she had seen, and done...
I have to be honest... She told Ian, thankful that Ian's body was crying. There was an outlet, at least. ...what I told you about me sounded almost too plain. The whole story about hiding my powers for years before Vincent reappeared to convince my parents to send me to Dunehelden. It's not true. I'm sorry you had to find out this way, but... everything you know about me is a lie.
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Post by ianharris on Dec 1, 2009 5:49:10 GMT -5
Ian didn't know whether the fact that he was in Natalie's body, the last hour of his life, or what Natalie had just said confused him more. Above him, Natalie's parents were talking. He could hear what they were saying, but he tuned it out. He needed to focus on the problem at hand.
Look, I'm sure we'll get out of here before we have to deal with any of that. He tried to reassure Natalie. No, we won't. Who am I kidding? Whoever is doing this is probably having way too much fun. He tried to remain calm. It wasn't working. There's this woman... listen, I didn't tell you because I didn't want to make you worried...
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Post by natalieburns on Dec 1, 2009 6:05:13 GMT -5
Stop it. Natalie snapped. Just stop it. You're supposed to be smart. I'm... mildly intelligent. We should be able to figure out what's going on and get out of it.
Of course, she was buying time, trying to sort out her thoughts. Whatever awaited her in Ian's past, this woman he spoke of, couldn't be as bad as what would await Ian in hers. There was a reason that Natalie repressed anything that would make her stand out. And it was a reason that she didn't really feel like sharing with the rest of the world.
Her school file was a lie, which had to be some sort of crime. Of course, the staff probably knew, but if they didn't, it wouldn't particularly surprise Natalie. After all, who would want to allow a murderer in their school?
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Post by ianharris on Dec 2, 2009 4:17:42 GMT -5
Alright. Ian agreed. Let's think about this. I suspect it has something to do with us passing out. Right now, I think our bodies are lying in the stage. This is just our minds playing tricks on us... He realized he was rambling and stopped talking, staring up at Natalie's father.
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Post by natalieburns on Dec 7, 2009 5:00:32 GMT -5
But they didn't manage to "get out of it". Natalie relived Ian's childhood, seeing every lonely memory. Time seemed to pass differently in here - memories of days seemed to be crammed into seconds, and yet Natalie saw, heard, and experienced everything. Ian's entire childhood in southern California was played out before her eyes.
She found herself on a beach. Ian's body was ten years old, sitting in the sand near the public restrooms, playing with a few rocks and a twig that it had found nearby. The other kids were down by the surf, but Ian's body didn't want to play with them. They all thought he was too weird. So he kept building his castle of rocks and twigs and sand, staring idly at the people going in and out of the restrooms, and wondering whether or not the day was real.
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Seth Larisha
Kitty Kat
University Senior: Werewolf
Posts: 139
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Post by Seth Larisha on Dec 8, 2009 20:03:04 GMT -5
A young man, about fourteen with blue eyes and black hair that fell in his face, knelt in front of Ian's body. He looked at the boy, smiling in an honestly friendly way. "That's a very nice castle. Why are you building it up here? The sand by the water works better. Holds its shape better. I bet you could make a much better one down there."
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Post by natalieburns on Dec 8, 2009 20:12:15 GMT -5
I know this person! Natalie thought excitedly to Ian. I know who this is!
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Post by ianharris on Dec 8, 2009 20:14:51 GMT -5
Great. I never found out myself. Ian thought to Natalie as her body practiced the violin.
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Post by natalieburns on Dec 8, 2009 20:22:26 GMT -5
His name is Seth. He's a werewolf, like me. But he's a lot older now...
About this time, Ian's body looked up and opened it's mouth. "I don't want to... um... play by the... uh... water." It said. "...the kids there don't... er... like me. Besides, I like it... er... up here." Ian's body looked at the new arrival, confused. "Who are you? Are you... um... real?"
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Seth Larisha
Kitty Kat
University Senior: Werewolf
Posts: 139
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Post by Seth Larisha on Dec 8, 2009 20:31:30 GMT -5
Seth blinked in surprise. "Of course I'm real..."
He moved to sit in front of Ian, raking his hair out of his face. "Well, the sand is damp enough here to hold its shape fairly well. What's your name? I'm Seth."
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Post by natalieburns on Dec 9, 2009 9:02:36 GMT -5
Ian's body shrugged. "I'm... uh... I'm Ian, I guess." It looked awkwardly up at the sky. "I'm not... um... crazy. That's what you're... er... thinking. But I'm... uh... I'm not, honestly..."
You were an awkward kid... Natalie mused. This is too weird. I wonder if Seth remembers this.
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Post by ianharris on Dec 9, 2009 9:04:58 GMT -5
I know. I'm still awkward. I've just gotten comfortable around you... and everyone else! Ian thought back quickly. And I don't know... it's worth asking. I'll try to track him down when we get out of this... dream or vision or whatever it is.
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Seth Larisha
Kitty Kat
University Senior: Werewolf
Posts: 139
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Post by Seth Larisha on Dec 9, 2009 12:09:15 GMT -5
Seth just smiled, "I never thought you were."
He helped Ian's body shape the sand a little, though Ian did most of the work as it was Ian's game. Behind him, two irritated voices called and Seth sighed, rolling his eyes. Standing and brushing off sand, he ruffled Ian's hair a little. "I'm sorry, I have to go. Maybe I'll see you around. Have fun with your sand, Ian. I hope you do make some friends."
He smiled again and walked over to what had to be his parents with his hands shoved into his pockets and a sullen cast to his step. Waving at Ian one last time, he was dragged off the beach, already getting yelled at.
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Post by natalieburns on Dec 10, 2009 23:08:59 GMT -5
Natalie watched as Seth walked away. I didn't know that you knew Seth.
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Post by ianharris on Dec 10, 2009 23:33:15 GMT -5
I didn't. I just met him that once. With that, Ian settled into listening to Natalie practice her violin. Even at her young age, she was very talented.
That night was the first night that Natalie changed into a werewolf.
It was the strangest thing Ian had ever experienced.
The next morning, the entire Burns household was in an uproar. Natalie's body, with Ian inside, sat on the couch, shivering. Esther sat next to Natalie, her arm placed protectively around her. Paul paced the floor, hands behind his back, irritated. Esther looked up at Paul, her hands holding tightly to Natalie's.
"Don't be so anxious." Esther told Paul. "He'll be here soon."
Paul just kept pacing. "That's why I'm anxious..."
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Dec 10, 2009 23:47:33 GMT -5
Vincent walked quickly up the sidewalk toward the Burnses' house, mentally rehearsing what he was going to say to his ex-brother-in-law and his wife and daughter. Paul had sounded frantic when he had phoned Vincent, telling him that Natalie had turned into a wolf in the middle of their living room. Vincent had immediately called a babysitter for Ariel, then left Leeds for London as soon as possible. Now he approached the front door and knocked, knowing they would be expecting him.
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Post by natalieburns on Dec 11, 2009 10:37:12 GMT -5
I remember this. Natalie thought quickly as Ian described the situation to her. But it was a long time ago... don't be too weirded out by what you see... we've all changed...
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Post by ianharris on Dec 11, 2009 10:46:24 GMT -5
I'll keep that in mind... Ian thought back.
Paul shot Esther a look and headed for the door. Esther pulled Natalie close and held her there. Natalie's body trembled. Ian watched as Paul took a deep breath, composed himself, and pulled the door open.
"Vincent." He said completely flatly. "Come in."
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Dec 11, 2009 12:25:29 GMT -5
If Vincent was perturbed by Paul's lack of emotion, he didn't show it. "Thank you," he replied softly, stepping into the house and slipping off his shoes before approaching Esther and Natalie. He paused briefly, looking around the living room in silence, trying to ignore the flood of images in his mind's eye. This place... even six years later it still held memories of Christine.
He composed himself, meeting the eyes of his niece and former in-laws. "Good morning," he greeted them, then cut to the chase. "I'm sure this has been quite a shock to you all, and I'm afraid that what I'm about to tell you isn't going to make it much easier. It would seem that Natalie has become a werewolf."
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Post by ianharris on Dec 11, 2009 13:00:39 GMT -5
Ian felt Esther's hands tighten around Natalie's body. Natalie's face was buried in her mother's shoulder and starting to sob, but Ian could hear Paul's response to Vincent's statement.
"Couldn't have eased into that, could you?" He growled. "She's nine, for mercy's sake. You could have been gentler. Would you have done that to your own daughter?"
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