Here lies Scalene Cipher

Basically Bill's mom but she's a ghost

[rip-scalene]

...Hello?

What is this strange place?

What are these strange shapes?

Where am I?

▲

Basically, this is Bill's mom as a ghost. After the Euclydian Massacre, she ended up becoming a ghost, but also gained the ability to see into the third dimension in order to watch over her son. She also has three eyes because I thought it'd be cool.

[ivxliwh]

...So, fun fact: Some ghosts can eat guns.

(@rip-scalene)

w h a t

[rip-scalene]

[GHOST-SCALENE spits out the gun CAFFEINATED-FORD was threatening NESTLET with, showing it to WILHELM.]

...I'm still a bit confused about it myself.

[ivxliwh]

oh my god???

[rip-scalene]

I... That's... I agree.

[ivxliwh]

girl is you evolving

[rip-scalene]

I'm... not sure... can I evolve even though I'm dead?

[ivxliwh]

...So, fun fact: Some ghosts can eat guns.

(@rip-scalene)

w h a t

[rip-scalene]

[GHOST-SCALENE spits out the gun CAFFEINATED-FORD was threatening NESTLET with, showing it to WILHELM.]

...I'm still a bit confused about it myself.

[ivxliwh]

oh my god???

[rip-scalene]

I... That's... I agree.

[ivxliwh]

...So, fun fact: Some ghosts can eat guns.

(@rip-scalene)

w h a t

[rip-scalene]

[GHOST-SCALENE spits out the gun CAFFEINATED-FORD was threatening NESTLET with, showing it to WILHELM.]

...I'm still a bit confused about it myself.

[theburningeyeofdawn-deactivated]

...

I just did something strange...

(@rip-scalene)

STRANGE IS FUN! (-(

WHAT’D YA DO?

[rip-scalene]

Is... is it normal for ghosts to eat things?

[theburningeyeofdawn-deactivated]

I THINK IT DEPENDS ON THE KIND OF GHOST … I THINK SOME CAN

[rip-scalene]

...I guess that makes sense.

[GHOST-SCALENE spits out a GUN.]

What do I do with this?

[theburningeyeofdawn-deactivated]

USUALLY SHOOT PEOPLE WITH IT.

[rip-scalene]

Billy, I know what it does, I meant... I was wondering if I should throw it out or not. I think I might keep it, actually.

[theburningeyeofdawn-deactivated]

...

I just did something strange...

(@rip-scalene)

STRANGE IS FUN! (-(

WHAT’D YA DO?

[rip-scalene]

Is... is it normal for ghosts to eat things?

[theburningeyeofdawn-deactivated]

I THINK IT DEPENDS ON THE KIND OF GHOST … I THINK SOME CAN

[rip-scalene]

...I guess that makes sense.

[GHOST-SCALENE spits out a GUN.]

What do I do with this?

[theburningeyeofdawn-deactivated]

...

I just did something strange...

(@rip-scalene)

STRANGE IS FUN! (-(

WHAT’D YA DO?

[rip-scalene]

Is... is it normal for ghosts to eat things?

[askcaffeinatedstanfordpines]

[The air near CAFFEINATED-FORD shimmers, GHOST-SCALENE appearing moments later.]

Excuse me, may I inquire about why you're aiming a gun at a child? Your answer better be exceptional, or else.

(@rip-scalene)

*he panics and shoots the ghost. You read that correctly*

HOW THE FUCK ARE YOU-?! As you can see, the child has started fires over me not wishing to become his new toy. In short, I don’t want to end up like you.

[rip-scalene]

[GHOST-SCALENE's form flickers, and she narrows all three of her eyes.]

Now, it could be the fact that the child is clearly having a panic attack rather than going into a rage, but something tells me that you're not telling the full story here. Now, I'll ask again: what. Did. You. Do.

[askcaffeinatedstanfordpines]

As I said, I told him I don’t want to become his newest plaything. He insisted it sounded fun. I kept refusing. The conversation kept going from there. I have no idea what I said that set him off. But now there’s fire and I’m completely certain he’s actively trying to kill me. I don’t understand why this is so hard to grasp for everyone else.

[rip-scalene]

[GHOST-SCALENE's body goes rigid for a moment before zipping forward, grabbing the barrel of CAFFEINATED-FORD's gun. She hasn't lost her blue hue, but her eyes are still ablaze with fury.]

Now, young man, you listen here, and you listen well. I'm not one to believe that people can be monsters, but I'll make an exception for you. It's clear that you're leaving out crucial bits of information in this conversation to make yourself look like the hero for threatening to shoot a panicking child—who, by the way, just lost his entire home dimension and has been traumatized by the experience. He's twelve. Let me repeat that: twelve. Get that through your thick, human skull. Do you have any twelve-year-olds you're close to? Would you shoot them for asking questions and having a panic attack? No? Then why this one? He may not be my son in particular, but he's a version of him, and I won't allow you to treat him like this, especially due to the fact that you are obviously hiding something about your interaction with him. Perhaps the fire started because he hasn't gotten a hang of his powers yet and they go haywire when he's having a panic attack. Did you ever consider that?

[askcaffeinatedstanfordpines]

What exactly do you think I’m leaving out? You seem very convinced of that, but from where I’m standing, you’re making excuses for your poor parenting because you can’t handle the idea that your precious baby boy could ever do anything as disgusting, heinous, and truly evil as possessing someone’s body to go for a goddamn joyride and put his life at risk carelessly while humiliating him the entire time, whether it be for fun or because you’re pissy that he found out you were manipulating him and cut things off! And quite frankly, I can’t even tell if you’re actually real and not yet another hallucination. I must say, I’m in awe at the audacity of either the ghost of his mother coming here making excuses for him and buying into his crocodile tears or my own mind trying to convince me I’m in the wrong for simply not wanting to die at his hands!

[rip-scalene]

...

[GHOST-SCALENE yanks the gun out of CAFFEINATED-FORD's hand, opens her mouth, and... eats it. Yes, eats it. Even she seems confused by the action.]

...didn't know I could do that...

[GHOST-SCALENE clears her throat.]

Now, I messed up. I know I did. But not as much as you for trying to shoot a panicking child and trying to justify it. What is wrong with you? Can you seriously not tell the difference between crying for attention and crying because of a panic attack? I'm not even going to continue this conversation with you, because it's clear to me that you choose to believe that you're only capable of being in the right, and that you're never wrong, ever. Good riddance.

[The air shimmers again, and GHOST-SCALENE disappears.]

[askcaffeinatedstanfordpines]

[The air near CAFFEINATED-FORD shimmers, GHOST-SCALENE appearing moments later.]

Excuse me, may I inquire about why you're aiming a gun at a child? Your answer better be exceptional, or else.

(@rip-scalene)

*he panics and shoots the ghost. You read that correctly*

HOW THE FUCK ARE YOU-?! As you can see, the child has started fires over me not wishing to become his new toy. In short, I don’t want to end up like you.

[rip-scalene]

[GHOST-SCALENE's form flickers, and she narrows all three of her eyes.]

Now, it could be the fact that the child is clearly having a panic attack rather than going into a rage, but something tells me that you're not telling the full story here. Now, I'll ask again: what. Did. You. Do.

[askcaffeinatedstanfordpines]

As I said, I told him I don’t want to become his newest plaything. He insisted it sounded fun. I kept refusing. The conversation kept going from there. I have no idea what I said that set him off. But now there’s fire and I’m completely certain he’s actively trying to kill me. I don’t understand why this is so hard to grasp for everyone else.

[rip-scalene]

[GHOST-SCALENE's body goes rigid for a moment before zipping forward, grabbing the barrel of CAFFEINATED-FORD's gun. She hasn't lost her blue hue, but her eyes are still ablaze with fury.]

Now, young man, you listen here, and you listen well. I'm not one to believe that people can be monsters, but I'll make an exception for you. It's clear that you're leaving out crucial bits of information in this conversation to make yourself look like the hero for threatening to shoot a panicking child—who, by the way, just lost his entire home dimension and has been traumatized by the experience. He's twelve. Let me repeat that: twelve. Get that through your thick, human skull. Do you have any twelve-year-olds you're close to? Would you shoot them for asking questions and having a panic attack? No? Then why this one? He may not be my son in particular, but he's a version of him, and I won't allow you to treat him like this, especially due to the fact that you are obviously hiding something about your interaction with him. Perhaps the fire started because he hasn't gotten a hang of his powers yet and they go haywire when he's having a panic attack. Did you ever consider that?

[askcaffeinatedstanfordpines]

[The air near CAFFEINATED-FORD shimmers, GHOST-SCALENE appearing moments later.]

Excuse me, may I inquire about why you're aiming a gun at a child? Your answer better be exceptional, or else.

(@rip-scalene)

*he panics and shoots the ghost. You read that correctly*

HOW THE FUCK ARE YOU-?! As you can see, the child has started fires over me not wishing to become his new toy. In short, I don’t want to end up like you.

[rip-scalene]

[GHOST-SCALENE's form flickers, and she narrows all three of her eyes.]

Now, it could be the fact that the child is clearly having a panic attack rather than going into a rage, but something tells me that you're not telling the full story here. Now, I'll ask again: what. Did. You. Do.

[ivxliwh]

...I feel like theres something wrong with little Nester... but I can't... he wouldn't want to see me.

(@rip-scalene)

scalene, he-

I'm gonna be honest, here, he may need to see you. like actually. I'm so serious, right now.

[rip-scalene]

...Really? But...

...I'll be over right away.

[paradoxtriangle]

[GHOST-SCALENE floats into the room.]

Hello, Billy. Are you feeling well? How's your leg treating you?

(@rip-scalene)

... Oh, hi! Uh, I've been... I've been better, I guess. Can't sleep, but... uh... at least I have a bed, I think...

... my leg...? It's... It's attached to me... ... ... uh... How about you?

[rip-scalene]

Things have been...

...

Complicated. Don't worry about it, it's... a lot.

In regards to your leg, I was wondering if the injury was healing well. I hope it feels well soon!

[paradoxtriangle]

... oh. uh...

. . .

... i hope things get better for you, too.

... i think... i think my leg is improving, but... it's... hard to tell... i'm a bit more focused on trying to make the... ... ... peepholes... go away.

[rip-scalene]

...R slkv hl, gll...

...Peepholes? What peepholes?

[paradoxtriangle]

... i...

. . .

... i used to get these... "visions of the future," but... they weren't really visions... just... another version of me, and... i...

. . .

... i want to turn it off... i want to make it stop...

[rip-scalene]

I see...

...I'm not the best at these things, to be completely honest with you. That's... a lot of pressure to put on the shoulders of someone so young. Have you ever tried doing something to distract yourself? Any breathing exercises?

...Is this something other versions of you normally experience?

[paradoxtriangle]

... i... i try to distract myself, but... i don't... i don't know how. what are breathing exercises? how does that help???

. . .

... i dunno if others have 'em... jerkface said he did, but... i dunno how much of anything jerkface says is true, you know...?

[rip-scalene]

Well, slowing your breathing can help trick your body and mind into calming down, as well as keep your mind off of whatever's bothering you. I'm not sure what my son—I'm assuming that's who jerkface is—said to you, but from what I can tell, you're a wonderful child who deserves to make his own decisions and follow his own path. You don't need to be like the other versions out there. You can be yourself, because you're great. Do I make myself clear?

[paradoxtriangle]

uhhhhh... y-yes, ma'am! you d-do!

. . .

... okay, uh, slow breathing... okay...

[He holds his breath.]

[rip-scalene]

[GHOST-SCALENE chuckles.]

Billy, you still need to breath, you know. How about, deep breath in for four, hold for two, out for six, hold for two?

[paradoxtriangle]

[He stares blankly for a moment before he switches to following the instructions provided.]

[rip-scalene]

...Are you starting to feel any better?

[paradoxtriangle]

. . .

... a bit...

[rip-scalene]

I know it isn't much, but... I'm not exactly sure how to turn those peepholes off, so trying to find a way to take yourself out of that and bring you back to your reality. You're a good kid, Billy. You deserve to have a peaceful life. You deserve to live the way you want. Don't forget that, okay?

[paradoxtriangle]

... okay, i'll... i'll try not to... but...

. . .

... how do i do that? ... i don't have my mom or dad anymore, or my home dimension, or even the nightmare realm, or... ... ... i dunno, i just... i don't know if i could stay in this home forever, so i...

. . .

... i'll just... i'll think of something different to want, actually...

[rip-scalene]

...What do you want to do with your life, Billy? You seem to think it's unattainable, so... I'm curious as to what exactly it is you want to do.

[paradoxtriangle]

. . .

[He looks away]

... i wanna go home... and i want my parents back... but... that's never happening...

[rip-scalene]

Billy... I'm not sure how much this will help, but... I understand the feeling of wanting Euclydia back—I'm a Euclydian, after all. Still, I've come to realize that home isn't just a place, it's a feeling, as well. Whenever I'm around the people I care about, as well as those who care about me, I feel at home. And, even though your parents will never come back in the way you want them to... perhaps there's a chance that they're watching over you, seeing how you're growing and learning and connecting with people. I believe that, if they're watching, they're proud of you for sticking up for yourself and making friends. I'm not sure if this helps, but... It's just the way I see things.

[paradoxtriangle]

... i... i guess that's true, but...

[He leans against a wall and curls up into a ball against it to the best of his ability.]

... what if they're mad at me for following those "visions" in the first place... or for the incident...

[rip-scalene]

Well, if they're anything like me, then they don't hate you for the incident, or following the visions. You're a child, you didn't realize what was actually going on at the time. You're... actually around the age my son was when the accident occurred in our dimension, and I could never imagine blaming someone so young for that. You made a mistake, and that shouldn't be something that others get angry about. If anything, they should be proud that you're acknowledging your mistakes and growing from them.

[paradoxtriangle]

[GHOST-SCALENE floats into the room.]

Hello, Billy. Are you feeling well? How's your leg treating you?

(@rip-scalene)

... Oh, hi! Uh, I've been... I've been better, I guess. Can't sleep, but... uh... at least I have a bed, I think...

... my leg...? It's... It's attached to me... ... ... uh... How about you?

[rip-scalene]

Things have been...

...

Complicated. Don't worry about it, it's... a lot.

In regards to your leg, I was wondering if the injury was healing well. I hope it feels well soon!

[paradoxtriangle]

... oh. uh...

. . .

... i hope things get better for you, too.

... i think... i think my leg is improving, but... it's... hard to tell... i'm a bit more focused on trying to make the... ... ... peepholes... go away.

[rip-scalene]

...R slkv hl, gll...

...Peepholes? What peepholes?

[paradoxtriangle]

... i...

. . .

... i used to get these... "visions of the future," but... they weren't really visions... just... another version of me, and... i...

. . .

... i want to turn it off... i want to make it stop...

[rip-scalene]

I see...

...I'm not the best at these things, to be completely honest with you. That's... a lot of pressure to put on the shoulders of someone so young. Have you ever tried doing something to distract yourself? Any breathing exercises?

...Is this something other versions of you normally experience?

[paradoxtriangle]

... i... i try to distract myself, but... i don't... i don't know how. what are breathing exercises? how does that help???

. . .

... i dunno if others have 'em... jerkface said he did, but... i dunno how much of anything jerkface says is true, you know...?

[rip-scalene]

Well, slowing your breathing can help trick your body and mind into calming down, as well as keep your mind off of whatever's bothering you. I'm not sure what my son—I'm assuming that's who jerkface is—said to you, but from what I can tell, you're a wonderful child who deserves to make his own decisions and follow his own path. You don't need to be like the other versions out there. You can be yourself, because you're great. Do I make myself clear?

[paradoxtriangle]

uhhhhh... y-yes, ma'am! you d-do!

. . .

... okay, uh, slow breathing... okay...

[He holds his breath.]

[rip-scalene]

[GHOST-SCALENE chuckles.]

Billy, you still need to breath, you know. How about, deep breath in for four, hold for two, out for six, hold for two?

[paradoxtriangle]

[He stares blankly for a moment before he switches to following the instructions provided.]

[rip-scalene]

...Are you starting to feel any better?

[paradoxtriangle]

. . .

... a bit...

[rip-scalene]

I know it isn't much, but... I'm not exactly sure how to turn those peepholes off, so trying to find a way to take yourself out of that and bring you back to your reality. You're a good kid, Billy. You deserve to have a peaceful life. You deserve to live the way you want. Don't forget that, okay?

[paradoxtriangle]

... okay, i'll... i'll try not to... but...

. . .

... how do i do that? ... i don't have my mom or dad anymore, or my home dimension, or even the nightmare realm, or... ... ... i dunno, i just... i don't know if i could stay in this home forever, so i...

. . .

... i'll just... i'll think of something different to want, actually...

[rip-scalene]

...What do you want to do with your life, Billy? You seem to think it's unattainable, so... I'm curious as to what exactly it is you want to do.

[paradoxtriangle]

. . .

[He looks away]

... i wanna go home... and i want my parents back... but... that's never happening...

[rip-scalene]

Billy... I'm not sure how much this will help, but... I understand the feeling of wanting Euclydia back—I'm a Euclydian, after all. Still, I've come to realize that home isn't just a place, it's a feeling, as well. Whenever I'm around the people I care about, as well as those who care about me, I feel at home. And, even though your parents will never come back in the way you want them to... perhaps there's a chance that they're watching over you, seeing how you're growing and learning and connecting with people. I believe that, if they're watching, they're proud of you for sticking up for yourself and making friends. I'm not sure if this helps, but... It's just the way I see things.

[paradoxtriangle]

[GHOST-SCALENE floats into the room.]

Hello, Billy. Are you feeling well? How's your leg treating you?

(@rip-scalene)

... Oh, hi! Uh, I've been... I've been better, I guess. Can't sleep, but... uh... at least I have a bed, I think...

... my leg...? It's... It's attached to me... ... ... uh... How about you?

[rip-scalene]

Things have been...

...

Complicated. Don't worry about it, it's... a lot.

In regards to your leg, I was wondering if the injury was healing well. I hope it feels well soon!

[paradoxtriangle]

... oh. uh...

. . .

... i hope things get better for you, too.

... i think... i think my leg is improving, but... it's... hard to tell... i'm a bit more focused on trying to make the... ... ... peepholes... go away.

[rip-scalene]

...R slkv hl, gll...

...Peepholes? What peepholes?

[paradoxtriangle]

... i...

. . .

... i used to get these... "visions of the future," but... they weren't really visions... just... another version of me, and... i...

. . .

... i want to turn it off... i want to make it stop...

[rip-scalene]

I see...

...I'm not the best at these things, to be completely honest with you. That's... a lot of pressure to put on the shoulders of someone so young. Have you ever tried doing something to distract yourself? Any breathing exercises?

...Is this something other versions of you normally experience?

[paradoxtriangle]

... i... i try to distract myself, but... i don't... i don't know how. what are breathing exercises? how does that help???

. . .

... i dunno if others have 'em... jerkface said he did, but... i dunno how much of anything jerkface says is true, you know...?

[rip-scalene]

Well, slowing your breathing can help trick your body and mind into calming down, as well as keep your mind off of whatever's bothering you. I'm not sure what my son—I'm assuming that's who jerkface is—said to you, but from what I can tell, you're a wonderful child who deserves to make his own decisions and follow his own path. You don't need to be like the other versions out there. You can be yourself, because you're great. Do I make myself clear?

[paradoxtriangle]

uhhhhh... y-yes, ma'am! you d-do!

. . .

... okay, uh, slow breathing... okay...

[He holds his breath.]

[rip-scalene]

[GHOST-SCALENE chuckles.]

Billy, you still need to breath, you know. How about, deep breath in for four, hold for two, out for six, hold for two?

[paradoxtriangle]

[He stares blankly for a moment before he switches to following the instructions provided.]

[rip-scalene]

...Are you starting to feel any better?

[paradoxtriangle]

. . .

... a bit...

[rip-scalene]

I know it isn't much, but... I'm not exactly sure how to turn those peepholes off, so trying to find a way to take yourself out of that and bring you back to your reality. You're a good kid, Billy. You deserve to have a peaceful life. You deserve to live the way you want. Don't forget that, okay?

[paradoxtriangle]

... okay, i'll... i'll try not to... but...

. . .

... how do i do that? ... i don't have my mom or dad anymore, or my home dimension, or even the nightmare realm, or... ... ... i dunno, i just... i don't know if i could stay in this home forever, so i...

. . .

... i'll just... i'll think of something different to want, actually...

[rip-scalene]

...What do you want to do with your life, Billy? You seem to think it's unattainable, so... I'm curious as to what exactly it is you want to do.

[paradoxtriangle]

[GHOST-SCALENE floats into the room.]

Hello, Billy. Are you feeling well? How's your leg treating you?

(@rip-scalene)

... Oh, hi! Uh, I've been... I've been better, I guess. Can't sleep, but... uh... at least I have a bed, I think...

... my leg...? It's... It's attached to me... ... ... uh... How about you?

[rip-scalene]

Things have been...

...

Complicated. Don't worry about it, it's... a lot.

In regards to your leg, I was wondering if the injury was healing well. I hope it feels well soon!

[paradoxtriangle]

... oh. uh...

. . .

... i hope things get better for you, too.

... i think... i think my leg is improving, but... it's... hard to tell... i'm a bit more focused on trying to make the... ... ... peepholes... go away.

[rip-scalene]

...R slkv hl, gll...

...Peepholes? What peepholes?

[paradoxtriangle]

... i...

. . .

... i used to get these... "visions of the future," but... they weren't really visions... just... another version of me, and... i...

. . .

... i want to turn it off... i want to make it stop...

[rip-scalene]

I see...

...I'm not the best at these things, to be completely honest with you. That's... a lot of pressure to put on the shoulders of someone so young. Have you ever tried doing something to distract yourself? Any breathing exercises?

...Is this something other versions of you normally experience?

[paradoxtriangle]

... i... i try to distract myself, but... i don't... i don't know how. what are breathing exercises? how does that help???

. . .

... i dunno if others have 'em... jerkface said he did, but... i dunno how much of anything jerkface says is true, you know...?

[rip-scalene]

Well, slowing your breathing can help trick your body and mind into calming down, as well as keep your mind off of whatever's bothering you. I'm not sure what my son—I'm assuming that's who jerkface is—said to you, but from what I can tell, you're a wonderful child who deserves to make his own decisions and follow his own path. You don't need to be like the other versions out there. You can be yourself, because you're great. Do I make myself clear?

[paradoxtriangle]

uhhhhh... y-yes, ma'am! you d-do!

. . .

... okay, uh, slow breathing... okay...

[He holds his breath.]

[rip-scalene]

[GHOST-SCALENE chuckles.]

Billy, you still need to breath, you know. How about, deep breath in for four, hold for two, out for six, hold for two?

[paradoxtriangle]

[He stares blankly for a moment before he switches to following the instructions provided.]

[rip-scalene]

...Are you starting to feel any better?

[paradoxtriangle]

. . .

... a bit...

[rip-scalene]

I know it isn't much, but... I'm not exactly sure how to turn those peepholes off, so trying to find a way to take yourself out of that and bring you back to your reality. You're a good kid, Billy. You deserve to have a peaceful life. You deserve to live the way you want. Don't forget that, okay?

[paradoxtriangle]

[GHOST-SCALENE floats into the room.]

Hello, Billy. Are you feeling well? How's your leg treating you?

(@rip-scalene)

... Oh, hi! Uh, I've been... I've been better, I guess. Can't sleep, but... uh... at least I have a bed, I think...

... my leg...? It's... It's attached to me... ... ... uh... How about you?

[rip-scalene]

Things have been...

...

Complicated. Don't worry about it, it's... a lot.

In regards to your leg, I was wondering if the injury was healing well. I hope it feels well soon!

[paradoxtriangle]

... oh. uh...

. . .

... i hope things get better for you, too.

... i think... i think my leg is improving, but... it's... hard to tell... i'm a bit more focused on trying to make the... ... ... peepholes... go away.

[rip-scalene]

...R slkv hl, gll...

...Peepholes? What peepholes?

[paradoxtriangle]

... i...

. . .

... i used to get these... "visions of the future," but... they weren't really visions... just... another version of me, and... i...

. . .

... i want to turn it off... i want to make it stop...

[rip-scalene]

I see...

...I'm not the best at these things, to be completely honest with you. That's... a lot of pressure to put on the shoulders of someone so young. Have you ever tried doing something to distract yourself? Any breathing exercises?

...Is this something other versions of you normally experience?

[paradoxtriangle]

... i... i try to distract myself, but... i don't... i don't know how. what are breathing exercises? how does that help???

. . .

... i dunno if others have 'em... jerkface said he did, but... i dunno how much of anything jerkface says is true, you know...?

[rip-scalene]

Well, slowing your breathing can help trick your body and mind into calming down, as well as keep your mind off of whatever's bothering you. I'm not sure what my son—I'm assuming that's who jerkface is—said to you, but from what I can tell, you're a wonderful child who deserves to make his own decisions and follow his own path. You don't need to be like the other versions out there. You can be yourself, because you're great. Do I make myself clear?

[paradoxtriangle]

uhhhhh... y-yes, ma'am! you d-do!

. . .

... okay, uh, slow breathing... okay...

[He holds his breath.]

[rip-scalene]

[GHOST-SCALENE chuckles.]

Billy, you still need to breath, you know. How about, deep breath in for four, hold for two, out for six, hold for two?

[paradoxtriangle]

[He stares blankly for a moment before he switches to following the instructions provided.]

[rip-scalene]

...Are you starting to feel any better?

[paradoxtriangle]

[GHOST-SCALENE floats into the room.]

Hello, Billy. Are you feeling well? How's your leg treating you?

(@rip-scalene)

... Oh, hi! Uh, I've been... I've been better, I guess. Can't sleep, but... uh... at least I have a bed, I think...

... my leg...? It's... It's attached to me... ... ... uh... How about you?

[rip-scalene]

Things have been...

...

Complicated. Don't worry about it, it's... a lot.

In regards to your leg, I was wondering if the injury was healing well. I hope it feels well soon!

[paradoxtriangle]

... oh. uh...

. . .

... i hope things get better for you, too.

... i think... i think my leg is improving, but... it's... hard to tell... i'm a bit more focused on trying to make the... ... ... peepholes... go away.

[rip-scalene]

...R slkv hl, gll...

...Peepholes? What peepholes?

[paradoxtriangle]

... i...

. . .

... i used to get these... "visions of the future," but... they weren't really visions... just... another version of me, and... i...

. . .

... i want to turn it off... i want to make it stop...

[rip-scalene]

I see...

...I'm not the best at these things, to be completely honest with you. That's... a lot of pressure to put on the shoulders of someone so young. Have you ever tried doing something to distract yourself? Any breathing exercises?

...Is this something other versions of you normally experience?

[paradoxtriangle]

... i... i try to distract myself, but... i don't... i don't know how. what are breathing exercises? how does that help???

. . .

... i dunno if others have 'em... jerkface said he did, but... i dunno how much of anything jerkface says is true, you know...?

[rip-scalene]

Well, slowing your breathing can help trick your body and mind into calming down, as well as keep your mind off of whatever's bothering you. I'm not sure what my son—I'm assuming that's who jerkface is—said to you, but from what I can tell, you're a wonderful child who deserves to make his own decisions and follow his own path. You don't need to be like the other versions out there. You can be yourself, because you're great. Do I make myself clear?

[paradoxtriangle]

uhhhhh... y-yes, ma'am! you d-do!

. . .

... okay, uh, slow breathing... okay...

[He holds his breath.]

[rip-scalene]

[GHOST-SCALENE chuckles.]

Billy, you still need to breath, you know. How about, deep breath in for four, hold for two, out for six, hold for two?