charlie-s-illusions

[charlie-s-illusions]

Charles: I woke up on the beach. Charles: She has been through something before she disappeared, so she seems a bit different to me. I am not sure you mean that. Charles: Only time will tell, I will deal with it when it happens. Charles: That doesn't sound too good. How long are the build-ups for? Do you have ample time to get somewhere safe? And just before it happens, are there any other things you notice? Charles: Environmental triggers perhaps? Is there a similarity in time of day?

Zaid: only a week. so you're new. how did you arrive? Zaid: if you don't glean 'like this' then I can't explain it. I assumed others have asked the same of Akhila out in the world, but perhaps I'm in the minority Zaid: You likely do mate. perhaps its subtle innit. some people are so lucky Zaid: No not exactly outburst but like a release. like ridding one's body of things what make the body feel badly. excrement, sick, snot, that sort of thing. my body wants to be rid of it to feel better Zaid: I considered emotional triggers but it's not that either

[charlie-s-illusions]

ZODIAC BINGO! templ

[charlie-s-illusions]

Charlie chuckled. He decided he very much liked Una, she sounded a whole lot like his mother, with wisdom that he should've listened to more when he was a child, but which he'd often forgotten as he grew older. Though, his mother would say it while a whole lot more attitude and scold him throughout. But her words weren't lost on him, she clealry was the type he'd conjure up in his dreams because of things he needed to hear. Because the last thing he did was solve his own problems, he found the problems of others - at least when it came to the hear - were much easier to solve.

"You are not wrong, I'm ever the doctor, I fear. Solving the problems of others is my job description after all. Though, I don't think doing any kind of open heart surgery in a place like this would be wise, and it might be the last thing to solve anyone's problems." What people needed here was a bit of a nudge, someone who would listen to them, someone who was willing to help out, be a mirror. In that sense: he'd help people to solve things, but it was up to themselves in the end. "I will think on it, I promise," he said.

"Ah yes, I've met Lindiwe. Having a meeting with more than five people will always end in chaos one way or another. Do you recall any decisions or agreements having come out of that?" He nodded. "I did mean some kind of schedule, a way to know if all important aspects of surviving have been filled. I wouldn't want to fill a spot as doctor if there are already five of those amongst the population."

Una just blinks slowly before smiling. It's a slightly wry turn of lips. Even though she likes this mans attitude and his inquisitiveness, she's also met men like him before... Strong and stalwart for the most part, the solid foundation to their surrounding gaggle of friends and family... but at the heart of it, everyone was just human... (and at that thought she grins slightly wider, given her own ability in which sometimes she most certainly was - not - human).

"Mr Gano. In my personal experience, the only problems you can solve are your own. Yes, you can help others with theirs... And if you have ambition to do so, then I think it would be very much appreciated. But at the end of the day, people need to solve their own problems. And...self-care is a thing too. If you can't be the best person for yourself, then you can't be the best person for anyone else... Maybe just something for the problem solver in you to think on."

Thinking on his next words, Una just gives a slight shake of her head.

"Lindi tried to organise something not long after we arrived."

She remembers the meeting with a slightly bitter taste. Professing to the danger she posed had made her feel exposed and vulnerable. And not everyones reaction had been particularly - helpful.

"But I'm afraid the meeting devolved into something rather more chaotic than organised. I'm not sure how successful it was."

"We don't have rotas or assignments if that's what you mean?"

[charlie-s-illusions]

"Ah, then a whole different type of gamer than I was expecting," he admitted. "My children are very much into those streamers who game and talk about life at the same time, perhaps a little too much. But perhaps I presume these are profesional gamers when they aren't." Or maybe not all of them.

"The body and the mind are always connected in more ways than we tend to realise. It's not such a stretch to say that any ability that is physical is also related to the mind and the other way around. But yes, I will contact these people myself, I would like to get a better idea of it all, and I do appreciate everything you've already shared with me about your ability."

He smiled, finding Chance's ability very intriguining, while not thinking too much of him as a person: helpful, talkative, perhaps a bit on the shy side or the scared side.

His smiled turned into laughter. "Ah apologies, I think I might be experiencing my own caffeine redrawal." He nodded at the suggestion that whomever had placed those on them wanted to make sure they wouldn't take them off. "That seems like a very logical conclusion. I suppose switching bracelets is also out of the question? If so, they could be especially connected to these abilities as well, or some other genetic cause. Food for thought." He made another mental note. "I am sure I'll have plenty to discover and test while I'm here. Would it be alright, if in future, I contact you for your help again, Chance?" he asked.

The 'might be a doc' keeps on with the questions... and while he might have hinted at being on the right track for the briefest of moments, he's now spiralling into obscurity.

"Not unless it was a tournament, no."

Generally, Chance despised the streamers. Sure there were a few that didn't make him want to topple their precious little 'popularity-palaces', but they were few and far between. And the ones he couldn't stomach were now so far beneath his ambitions as to be unworthy of the effort. If it was too easy, then really what was the point. A trivial and trite little victory. Not exactly what Chance was about.

"Nope. But - I do find it helps to loosen up physically... Even though my ability isn't specifically physical. I mean, some of them are. One person can change their size. One person can turn into a wolf. One can teleport through space... But y'know - I think those people should be the ones to talk to you about their abilities direct. Plus... imparitality might give you a unique perspective on things. For your.... Uh... Research."

Have you used it in any other situation?

Yes. Yes he has. But for now, Chance is keeping those cards closer to his chest. He's offered quite enough to Charlie without getting much in return. And other than being a potential information gatherer and self-professed doctor (moderate but limited use so far), Chance isn't exactly sure how much it's worth investing in this guy just yet. How much fruit would that research bear? And if he did manage to glean anything from it, would he be willing to share? Or would he (like most academics) also keep those discoveries close to his chest. And with an unknown ability lingering - there's only so much he'll do to be the friendly cooperative guy... And Chance has just about reached his sharing limit...

"Uh... It's kinda hard to tell really. Like, I could tell you what hand you held your bracelet in, but those choices were wholly yours to make. I didn't influence your choice. I just understood the probabilities."

He does, however, visibly relax as Charles pops the bracelet back onto his wrist. Unstable and unknown powers weren't something to be taken lightly... Even to sate Chance's curiosity. There's a nod at the thanks, Chance raising his brow at the next question...

Ahhh... He's hearing what Chance has to say, but is he really listening.

"Nah man. It feels like caffeine withdrawal when I take the bracelet off. Piercing headache. Like someone is taking an ice pick to my sinuses. Putting it back on is immediate relief. Other people have experienced different things. Whoever made these things made sure to dissuade people from removing them sure enough."

[charlie-s-illusions]

Charles: Of course! Charles: A while after Akhila, indeed, a few days ago in fact, perhaps a week by now. Charles: Can you specify what you mean by "like this"? Charles: I do not possess any abilities yet. Charles: What makes you think they have anything to do with being clean? Perhaps it's more about an outburst of some kind. Have you ever experienced emotional outbursts of some kind, or found there is a lot you are keeping 'in', in a sense?

Zaid: can I ask you things about yourself too, then? Zaid: when did you get here? a while after Akhila, I'm assuming Zaid: Is Akhila always like this, in the past too? Zaid: I'm still trying to figure out how it works, I don't know. Zaid: side effects happen before the explosion happens. I get flu-like symptoms and feel like me insides are being rearranged Zaid: explosion usually lasts about 5 or 10 seconds, I suppose. Zaid: it didn't start until a few days in. now I've got to release the pressure at least every day or two Zaid: what is your powers, are they connected to you somehow? mine aren't, I can't see how. I'm a very clean man.

[charlie-s-illusions]

The other doctor, and given Akhila's power, he was very much needed. Thought, Charlie liked to pretend that he wasn't: that she could do well enough without him. He would've smiled, but the place was far too jarring to smile about. He really wondered how he'd made this up, which tv show or movie or book had given him the idea to fill a tower with servers and monitors and strange chambers.

He'd walked into yet another room, trying to find the reason behind all of it. Something familiar, something that would fit into his mother's stories.

Instead he got things that fitted in his own nightmares.

His face contorted at the sight. "Yes, I'm Charlie. I'm sorry, I haven't caught your name yet." There were plenty of people still unfamiliar to him. "Have you found anything?" he asked, as he absent-mindedly traced the cupboards around the place. Wondering what he might find behind the closed doors.

"It just... conjure up a very clear image, and not one I'd like to retrain as I go to sleep tonight." Sleeping within a dream was still a strange given, but he'd accepted it, along with many other things. It was his dream, so he was the main character, but the side characters also got up to a lot, it was a lot to keep up with. Clearly more like Lost than Scandal.

Status: closed for @charlie-s-illusions Location: The Tower (med center? room)

As far as she knew, it looked like a sort of medical room. Something akin to a doctors or nurses office with the cabinets lining the walls, possibly filled with different medications if she had to guess from first glance. As well as the examination table and the desk, no sign of a rush to abandon the place at a moments notice. The thing the really freaked Selin out was why there were these leather arm bands attached to the examination table. It sent a shiver down her spine just looking at it. There was no telling what this was used for.

She brought her fingers up to the restraints, wondering if, in a sort of movie-like fashion, coming in contact with something like this might trigger some hidden memory. They already were given crazy powers, forcing herself to remember something she might have been made to forget wasn't too out of the question. But, even as she stood there, trying to determine whether this might have been somewhere they had all experienced before without realizing, nothing came back to her.

"This is so creepy..." she muttered to herself, wrapping her arms around herself just as she heard footsteps entering the room. "Oh, hi. You're...Charlie, right? The other doctor." She had seen him a few times but especially since her little chat with Akhila, she felt strange going to the med center, and like seeking Charlie's help might have been seen as a spiteful action. "I just thought I'd check this place out. See if there's anything important laying around. But...man it makes me feel uneasy."

[charlie-s-illusions]

Charlie nodded, he’d heard of twitch, his youngest liked watching streams during the day when she was eating her breakfast. “Those are a lot of abbreviations I cannot make sense of,” he admitted with a slight laugh. “But you must be good at them. Do you also do those live streams?” Or did it have to be “did”, afterall, there was now on the island and a before out in the real world. 

Alas, they were different games. Not games of chance, he suspected. Perhaps something else in Chance’s life that connected to such a thing. Or perhaps it wasn’t chance at all, Chance simply knew how to win his games.

Ever the doctor, Charlie noted the stretching. “Does your neck hurt after using your abilities?” he asked. The explanation was still vague enough, but of course he believed Chance blindly, what reason would anyone have to lie. “I think that already is a good way to explain it, the just knowing. More than a feeling. Perhaps it goes much further than simply guessing games. Have you used it in any other situation?” 

“I will, thank you for your concern and warning,” Charlie said, warmly. He took the bracelet back and put it on his wrist. Chance was right, better he try it out when he was on his own. He did not wish to harm anyone. Though he did not think his power would be anything harmful. Though if it was connected to his job, perhaps? He wouldn’t want to be able to stop someone’s heart on command. “Caffeine withdrawal, interesting. That doesn’t seem to be connected to your ability at all.” 

"Uh... pretty much everything. First person shooters, COD, PUBG... Some of the MMORPGs like Skyrim and Fallout... Bit of RDR, Witcher, DBD.... Believe it or not, y'can make a decent enough living through tournaments and stuff if you can get into the right tier."

There were also the online poker tournaments, blackjack, standard gambling fayre, but they leaned too easily into Chance's power - he'd like to see what Charlie made of the generic gamer charade. That and he wonders just how many of the acronyms he just spat out might be recognisable to the other.

When the 'test' is over, Chance just rolls his neck again, loosening out those slightly taut muscles. While it didn't feel like any kind of stretch of this abilities, there was still anough focus there to feel a difference when he let loose those threads, stopped following their paths and let them stream freely once more. It wasn't the thump to his chest that he'd felt when battling the Bobs with Selin. It wasn't the incredibly unlikely shade from a flock of startled birds as it had been with Darcy. This was the small fry stuff. The tetering on the edge stuff. The low probability, low effort, basic gambit stuff.

"Yeah, more than guessing. It's not a certainty, but I think, somehow the likelihood of it being one thing or the other is something I kinda just know? I... Honestly don't know how to explain it."

He honestly does - he's just not gonna. He really does want to see what conclusions the doc comes to via his own observations. At least that way, he'd have a gauge of how accurate his 'survey' of the other powers might be. Or not.

"Aye, well. Be careful. If y'don't know what your ability is... Taking off the bracelet can cause them to become... uh... unstable. So like, if you can vapourise people with a thought, I'd rather not be a target? Maybe find out what you can do before you risk turning someone inside out by accident?"

As if to prove a point, Chance is currently scooting his chair backwards, trying to create a little space, in case of another 'Maria' blunder.

"When I take mine off, feels like I'm having a caffeine withdrawal. Headaches.... Dizzy spells..."

[charlie-s-illusions]

It should trouble him, she was correct. It really should. But perhaps it was his line of occupation that made it that nothing really surprised him anymore, or at least that he never went in with surprise, he wanted to solve things. 

Though really it was because he thought this was a dream.

He didn’t actually think he could die in a dream, all he could do was eventually wake up. When he’d learned his lesson. He offered a smile. “I’m probably going to have a quiet moment to freak out later,” he admitted - even though he wouldn’t. “I’ve never been the type to focus on my own feelings first. I’m a problem solver.” Often enough with his two children he’d been the voice of reason. Best way after all, to avoid confrontation. Figure out what had happened first, then have the most diplomatic approach. And if that didn’t work, he send his wife. Ex-wife. 

“Of course, I do imagine the amount of challenges could bring people closer together.” 

He nodded at the two new names. There were plenty of people on the beach. “Is there… a division of tasks among the people here?” he asked. He wondered where he could fit in. Doing anything medical of course would be his preference, but if there were already several doctors, he’d just be in the way. 

"I don't wish to sound like the harbinger of doom, but this Island should trouble you. So many strange things. These new abilities. New threats, new discoveries... It all feels like one huge puzzle that we're really no closer to figuring out."

Una offers a sigh, then seems to pull herself together again, fingers fiddling with the cloth on the table, sitting there half mended. Probably someone with a more eloquent mind than hers might have been able to make a poetic comparison. But Una simply turns once more, offering Charles a gentle smile... One that was definitely without any sense of the wolf that lingered beneath her skin.

"But I'm sure we will. With time, and persistence and a little help from each other."

Considering his question for a moment, Una shakes her head slightly.

"Not that I know of. I think a few people tried, but they couldn't find a way in from the outside. I think Darcy and the skinny fellow... Chance... Tried to. I haven't spoken to them about it, but I think they were unsuccessful."

[charlie-s-illusions]

Charles: She did not, but your patient did.  Charles: Ah, it is no matter, through text will be easier for me to later on note everything down.  Charles: I’ve known Akhila for years, we worked together as surgeons, though in different fields. I do not know how I got here, same as everyone else, I fear. Charles: I’d like to know the following: how it works. Side effects. Duration. How long you’ve had it. Any additional facts about it, such as if you think there is a reason you’ve received this particular ability. 

Zaid: Akhila told you about that? [long pause] Zaid: meeting would be easiest but I'm somewhat indisposed atm Zaid: did you meet Akhila here? how did you get here? Zaid: what do you want to know about my ability?

[charlie-s-illusions]

Charlie was not surprised to find a lot of the residents in his dream to be well versed, helpful, and practical. He could ask them things like he’d ask nurses and interns back at the hospital and they’d follow his orders. Not always to the letter, but he was not one to get annoyed about such a fact. 

He was going over notes of people’s powers when his phone made the familiar sound of a message coming in. 

Nothing worked, no internet, no mobile connection to anyone off the island, but its residents were able to contact each other. He could not imagine why this was an important detail, but to him it was. He searched for the wifi signal daily however. There was a certain sadness to the idea that he could not get caught up on his favourite tv series. 

Charles: Preferably pills, but I would not mind the liquid if there is no other option. Both would be great too, but I do not wish to overload your burdens.  Charles: A good question.  Charles: Have you attempted to send pictures over text? If I could have a look I can see what needs restocking and what we have nothing of yet. 

He stood up from behind his desk and went to the supplies, these were closed off against general use. To avoid being out of anything, to avoid anyone hoarding medication or making off with them. He had a list of everything with numbers behind them, which were crossed out and filled in again once anything was used. 

He went down the list to see if there was anything currently running out, but found that instead of anyone on the beach, it might be himself and Akhila that were hoarding. It was hard not to when you had no idea how long you would be on the island for and when you had a person who could heal people.

Status: Closed for @charlie-s-illusions Location: The Odyssey

The doors to the medical wing swung open easily, a cloud of sand and dust kicked up by the disturbance. The place had been visited a couple times before, but they couldn't possibly take everything. This medical wing was stocked with enough supplies to care for hundreds of guests, it'd be some time before this cache ran dry. Lokni scanned the shelves, squinting to read Charlie's neat handwriting in the dim light. Imodium, Ibuprophin, Orifice Spray (Lokni raised an eyebrow at that one), rubbing alcohol packets, syringes, gauze, and suture needles. Seemed like Lokni had his work cut out for him. He began opening up cabinets and spreading out the supplies that he found within. On a shelf off to the side, he found two different things called Imodium, but one was a liquid while the other one was a capsule. Did it matter which he grabbed? Lokni's backpack was already weighed down by some stuff that he had swiped on his way over to the medical wing, he didn't know how much more would physically fit in the bag; an error in his judgement. He flipped open his cellphone, pressing the irritatingly small buttons, opening up the contacts. He used the arrow keys to scroll down until the highlighted bar shone upon 'Charlie,' clear as day. He began the new message: Lokni: hey Charlie, about the Imodium, you want pills or liquid? Lokni: since I'm here is there anything else you'd like me to look for? Lokni: the medical wing has been passed through a few times, but a lot of supplies are still here.

He hit the 'send' button, continuing to search through the bins of supplies on the shelves. Charlie was usually punctual with communication, unlike some folks on the island. Well, to be fair, Lokni wasn't either, but it took him a good amount of time to write out even a basic text. A lot of people had smartphones that seemed to operate pretty well despite the fact that they were on a remote island far from actual civilization.

[charlie-s-illusions]

Charles: I fear for now it will be ‘not yet’, yet being the key word. As I’ve heard everyone gets one sooner or later, some don’t realise they have one until it is being put to practice.  Charles: I am a professional medical person, correct. Specifically a heart surgeon.  Charles: This does not make me at all the right person to conduct such research, but I think it’s important to have more knowledge than simply knowing what everyone is capable of. Some powers do not lend themselves to simply being given a name as a descriptor.  Charles: If not a power, have you noticed any other changes to your person since arrival?

Steve: Darling you can message me anytime, but I'm going to have to disappoint you I DON'T have a freaky superpower. I'm normal thank you! x Steve: Also...are you a professional medical person? Nurse? Doctor? Asking for a friend

[charlie-s-illusions]

“A gamer? What kind of games did you play?” Could it be something related to probability? If a power was connected to the person, it might settle more in Charlie’s knowledge that this was all a dream, and powers were connected with good reason. A reflection of something about the person who received them.

In his mother’s stories all the actors were animals, perhaps the powers were a link in such a way. And he’d simply watched too much Heroes with his kids.

They played the game of chance for a few turns, and Chance guessed correct every single time. Not even guessed, therr was some way about him as he answered that seemed more certainty than guess. But it wasn’t manipulation. 

When he shoved it into his back pocket with barely an additional move, Chance caught it too. 

He retrieved the bracelet and let out a laugh. “You’re doing more than guessing, correct? You know which hand, or pocket in the case of the last. Mon dieu, remind me to never play cards with you.” Could Chance thus be the fox character, or the monkey? Perhaps even the spider. As long as he was not against Charlie, he did not worry.

“It does?” The surgeon asked, looking at the bracelet with newfound interest. He hadn’t given it any attention or thought before. It held a stone that looked more like mashed together glass, than a mineral. He put it in his pocket. “No time like the present to figure out what it does for me.” He wasn’t a scientist, but he was most certainly interested in experimantation.

"I don't think any vocations have been particularly 'taken'. People are just doing what they can to help out. Me? I'm a gamer... Haven't been able to put that to much use so far. So... I'm kinda just doing... Stuff that needs doing."

Give a little, get a little... Usually people enoyed a little altruism to their connections. Or at least, what they liked to presume was altruism.

Oooh, but here's Charlie, asking all the RIGHT questions.

If he managed to keep this up with the rest of the islanders, probing about their abilities, he may be less of a plank and of potential use after all. His demeanour and non challenging manner would likely have most of the chumps on side. And his professed profession would also probably encourage a certain level of trust from most too... Suddenly Charles here was positively glimmering with possibilities.

Because yep - he sure as hell can manipulate it. And Charles here is the only one who's managed to dig that far now. And more... A test. Chance watches as the bracelet is removed and disappears behind his back. Chance, for his part, nods, understanding, then rolls his head, loosening out the muscles in his neck, gives those bony shoulders a shrug, shaking his arms out.

"Left."

It's not a guess. As he focusses on the little white plastic item, those threads almost seem to appear, the strongest one looping around and over Charles' left shoulder. Of course, to Charlie, it might just seem like a good guess...

Follow the threads...

"Right."

Spinning out - possibility and potential, not just simple probability. All of those things combined to give one outcome or another. Finer threads now, not quite as certain... But still there to pull on... To observe. Seeing those outcomes, maybe before Charles had even made a conscious choice in his actions. But the point is... He would make them.

"Left. Left..."

A pause, and a grin.

"....Then you tuck it into the back of your pants."

"Careful. People taking their bracelets off does... Weird shit too."

[charlie-s-illusions]

Charles: That is correct, I have heard about you though. You helped Akhila with a surgical procedure. Charles: How would you? Charles: That is a good question. Charles: What could I do to convince you I'm another human being and not part of this place's schemes?

Zaid: I don't believe we've met. How do I know you are who you say you are?

[charlie-s-illusions]

Charlie nodded with great movement. He had not considered that yet, but now it was a thought that did not leave him. He wasn’t a suspicious person by nature, but he was someone who kept his eye on different variables. He wouldn’t suddenly grow more cautious, but he would ensure his observations included this new piece of information. “That does seem possible,” he agreed.

He offered a smile as she waved away her own troubles. Clearly she had warned others before, but had not become the monster again. She lived her life with the possibility that it would, which he could only imagine was rather stressful. However, he didn’t wish to burden her with further speculation, as he suspected she had plenty of that on her own. “Then I will be cautious in your company regardless,” he promised. Perhaps the person with the probability power would know how big the chances were that this would happen.

“I do, there is so much about this island that confuses and troubles me,” he said. “Has anyone been inside the tower yet?”

"No, no one in particular. I'm just trying to consider the possibilities. And as we are both later arrivals here, there is the chance that there were earlier ones also."

The question that comes from Charles next is a little surprising, and a gentler one than she might have anticipated. He seemed more sympathetic than cautious. And it came across as a genuine thing.

"I do remember. I remember... Struggling... For control. Of which, there was very little. Though I do tend to avoid crowded places. I don't accept 'collateral damage', Mr Gano. And I'm still unsure as to what may trigger the beast, as opposed to the wolf. But..."

She pauses and takes a deep breath, considering him adequately warned. Unfortunately, those who she has warned previously also seem to accept her words, without having actually seen the creature. Or experienced the danger it posed. Una honestly hopes that - should it ever come down to it - that they take her warnings to heart. Lest it get eaten.

"...You didn't come here to talk about my personal problems. And everyone here is struggling with their new abilities in one way or another. At best. We can try to manage them until we know more about them."

A brief pause.

"Yourself included."

She doesn't know if Charles has encountered any kind of ability yet. But undoubtedly, it would come.

"Now, I have no doubt you have many more questions. Please, go ahead and ask and I'll try to answer to the best of my ability."

[charlie-s-illusions]

Day two. It had to be some kind of quick infection then. If, as he supposed, nobody had gotten injected with anything when they got here. Perhaps an aerial disease that everyone came into contact with. It would explain how it might work differently for different people. After all, their genetic makeup was different as well. 

Chance clearly had some lingering feelings about his own power, despite it having manifested around day ⅘. 

Charlie had always liked House, it was often very inaccurate and played up for dramatics, but he had liked the side of it where people were discussing symptoms and trying to come up with solutions.

Chance had no idea how eager Charlie was to grasp the opportunity to do a survey, a study. To find out answers. It would give him a better understanding of the people, and also help him figure out who fitted the roles his mother always spoke about in her stories.

“That isn’t such a bad idea. Especially as a newcomer, I suppose most needed vocations have already been taken.” Though he figured he could help at the medicentre. 

“A coin toss,” Charlie repeated. “Probability. But you can’t manipulate it… more than take the correct guess.” He smiled, took the bracelet - yet another of the island’s mysteries - off of his wrist and took it in his hand, then held both hands behind his back and nodded at Chance. “Just coins?” He asked.

"Nope. Day two in the big brother house and most people were doing weird shit. So could happen at any momento..."

Chance eases back in his deckchair slightly, as though Charlie-boy here might just spontaneously combust at any moment. Which, in the grand scheme of the Island and all it's little foibles... Was entirely possible.

"Figured mine out about day four... Five maybe. They're not all physically manifesting or immediately obvious."

Chance tries very hard to look at plank-man as though he doesn't have two heads, but he's not entirely sure how convincing it is this time. Apparently the guy thought everyone here had some ind of encyclopedic knowledge about all things island (oh, if only that were the case).

"Look, everyone got something different as far as we can tell - just like the groovy swimming band there... Every one of them works differently. So any limitations would be within the scope of that individual and that individual alone to measure... And any side effects would be for them to personally disclose."

He shrugs again, bony shoulders and noodle arms as lax as ever.

"Maybe you should take a survey? People might be willing to talk to a doctor y'know? Y'might be able to suss out something."

Chance very much doubts it, but he's going to give Charlie here a little encouragement. And - perhaps - a little job to do. After all, if Charles was willing to do the leg-work, then it would save Chance from doing the same.

"And - seeing as you're here and all, why not make a start now, huh?"

He's being freindly, intersted and helpful... Because why not. If someone else wanted to go poking into other peoples powers (and potentially getting their face seared off, or turned into a condiment like Maria... Then it'd be great if it wasn't Chance).

"I can predict the outcome of a coin toss. Like... 99% accuracy. Statistically, it should only be around 50% - ish... So, yeah. And I don't seem to be any the worse for wear afterwards."

At least not noticably so. Not on a change in probability of something so smal, with even odds. It was the longer odds that took more out of him. That punch in the chest was harder... The ache in his bones in the aftermath. Something he's only noticed once so far... Not that he's expanding on his capacity to Charlie right now.

Baby steps and all...

"Can't see or predict the future before you ask."

[charlie-s-illusions]

OPEN STARTER -- the super superpower survey Charles: Apologies for the intrusion and sudden message. Charles: My name is Charles Gano, I work with Akhila Asthana at the medicentre. Charles: Would you be available to answer a few questions about your ability - should it already have manifested? I'm attempting to map them.

[charlie-s-illusions]

Charlie nodded. Perhaps he was doing himself a disservice. He was getting lost in the details, in the hunt, the mystery. But sadly it wasn’t - or shouldn’t be - at the forefront of his mind. Or well, he shouldn't show that it was in fact there. Akhila might tell him it wasn't a dream, but he knew it was. It had to be, there was simply no other explanation that fit in his world view, that fit into his reality. Well, maybe one other, but he didn't want to think about that yet. His mother also wouldn't approve.

"Yes, you're right," he said, because while he was convinced he also knew there were a lot of details to take in, and like his most challenging surgeries, he needed some time to let the details sink in before he came up with a plan of action. He didn't have other minds in his field - except for Akhila - to help him with the matter. He'd have to do a lot more on his mind alone, and for that he needed rest. "I'm in need of sleep, and a bed sounds nice. We can discuss more in the morning." He tried to offer her a smile, until he remembered all he'd done.

Would his dream make him work for it? Or would it set it all aside so they could focus on this mystery? And if that mystery was solved, would he wake up?  

end.

Oh Charlie. There’d been many a time that Akhila had quietly admired his impressive ability to remain a stalwart anchor. Now however, now she thought him ludicrous. How could she really blame him? They’d all had the benefit of a little time to be slowly drip fed insanity, and here she was serving it up for him in one great dish. Hrrrmph…she wasn’t going to think of food right now. “Yes in the basement.” She had his attention now, he was practically erect with excitement, now there’s a thought. Akhila huffed.

“There’s some remains of clothing, they’re all branded the same, as if they’re uniforms.” She answered his questions as quickly as he’d fired them off. “They’re all wearing the bracelets Charlie, and I presume they’re all adults.” 

She placed both hands to his shoulders, squeezing. “This is no dream.” Akhila ran her tongue over her teeth, deliberating but the words came anyway. Lips tight and voice uniformly curt. “I need you, and I need you present, here.”

Perhaps he was not everything she’d thought him to be, Akhila keenly studied his face as if there’d be telltale signs there. She knew him well, or well enough, but perhaps there was more to him. “Listen to me. This place is not as it seems…and there’s been one too many morbid twists of coincidence. I’ll take you to the heart but I need you fully with it. And you are not. I understand there’s much to take in.” Akhila settled into the notion she was doing him a favour by letting him stew in it.

“Go find somewhere to rest, if you haven’t already.” She let him go, and paced back behind her desk to the alcove she called home. “Everyone’s been finding a bungalow to call their own. There is another office here.” She’d been using that one for actual work. Thus far it had only been her here, and occasionally others (most often Lokni), but now it seemed pertinent she found somewhere else to sleep. “But I recommend you find a good bed to sleep in. We can talk in the morning.” And, from there they could figure this out. Surely?