Brandon

23 /// Electro Energetic /// he/him Helping develop nervous system trauma focused healing methods (Good Ending AU)

[static-moving-forward]

Hi there! My name's Brandon. He/him pronouns. I'm an electro-energetic in my last year at DAMN for my certification. I dabble in a bit of dreamwalking, with the help of a friend of mine!

I hope to work in the medical field once I graduate, since I've been helping develop some experimental methods of repairing nervous systems with Pidge Baird. We have a lot of work still to do if we ever want it to reach a point where it can be used in real medical settings. But so far, it's been going pretty good.

ooc: Blog run by @aurorialwolf

This is redeemed!Brandon!!! Basically a "what if" of if Pidge had managed to get him back on the right track, and if he'd never done that terrible stuff to Aria.

[silent-and-deadly]

(Allan sees the Brandon that Aria had told him about, across the campus quad. She was right, he looks as if he never died at all. Just a year or so older.) - @static-moving-forward

[He walks toward him.]

[He doesn't say anything, but if looks could kill, Brandon would be dead on the ground.]

[static-moving-forward]

…Hey Allan, is uh, is something wrong?

[silent-and-deadly]

Why are you here?

[static-moving-forward]

…? Well, I have classes and the project…

[silent-and-deadly]

You're supposed to be dead.

[Brandon can notice that Allan has put up a cloaking ward.]

[static-moving-forward]

Hey, hey, whoa, what? Is this another like, inter-universe incident again? I didn’t do anything, I promise!

[silent-and-deadly]

Prove it.

[He crosses his arms.]

[static-moving-forward]

Uh- (he pats his pockets and digs his hand in one, pulling out a small device)

This is used for stimulating nerves to help with the healing process Pidge has been working on- for much longer than I’ve been helping.

[silent-and-deadly]

Uh-huh.

[static-moving-forward]

..What do I have to say to prove it? I know you don’t want to be shocked again.

[silent-and-deadly]

Did you forcibly bridge with Aria?

[static-moving-forward]

No! Of course I didn’t!

[silent-and-deadly]

Did you stalk him?

[static-moving-forward]

...For a bit.

[silent-and-deadly]

How are you on good terms with Pidge?

[static-moving-forward]

They redirected my energy to something more constructive before I hurt anyone. Ergo, I didn't die and they don't hate me.

[silent-and-deadly]

...

Alright. I believe you because that sounds exactly like what she would do.

[The ward comes down.]

You did give my Aria a panic attack. You seriously need to get back to your world before someone takes you out.

[static-moving-forward]

I was in my world! For a bit! Do you know how hard it is to tell I've switched? Really, the only tell is the murderous intent.

[silent-and-deadly]

Jesus christ.

[static-moving-forward]

Exactly! I think I'm in my world doing my normal routine when one of you comes up and gives me a death glare.

[silent-and-deadly]

Yeah, sorry about that.

[static-moving-forward]

It’s not like I was a good dude at first anyway, so I can’t really blame you.

I just need to find a breach…

[silent-and-deadly]

There’s one right by the parking lot.

[static-moving-forward]

Thank you, murderous Allan.

(He backs away from him before turning and booking it.)

[silent-and-deadly]

(Allan sees the Brandon that Aria had told him about, across the campus quad. She was right, he looks as if he never died at all. Just a year or so older.) - @static-moving-forward

[He walks toward him.]

[He doesn't say anything, but if looks could kill, Brandon would be dead on the ground.]

[static-moving-forward]

…Hey Allan, is uh, is something wrong?

[silent-and-deadly]

Why are you here?

[static-moving-forward]

…? Well, I have classes and the project…

[silent-and-deadly]

You're supposed to be dead.

[Brandon can notice that Allan has put up a cloaking ward.]

[static-moving-forward]

Hey, hey, whoa, what? Is this another like, inter-universe incident again? I didn’t do anything, I promise!

[silent-and-deadly]

Prove it.

[He crosses his arms.]

[static-moving-forward]

Uh- (he pats his pockets and digs his hand in one, pulling out a small device)

This is used for stimulating nerves to help with the healing process Pidge has been working on- for much longer than I’ve been helping.

[silent-and-deadly]

Uh-huh.

[static-moving-forward]

..What do I have to say to prove it? I know you don’t want to be shocked again.

[silent-and-deadly]

Did you forcibly bridge with Aria?

[static-moving-forward]

No! Of course I didn’t!

[silent-and-deadly]

Did you stalk him?

[static-moving-forward]

...For a bit.

[silent-and-deadly]

How are you on good terms with Pidge?

[static-moving-forward]

They redirected my energy to something more constructive before I hurt anyone. Ergo, I didn't die and they don't hate me.

[silent-and-deadly]

...

Alright. I believe you because that sounds exactly like what she would do.

[The ward comes down.]

You did give my Aria a panic attack. You seriously need to get back to your world before someone takes you out.

[static-moving-forward]

I was in my world! For a bit! Do you know how hard it is to tell I've switched? Really, the only tell is the murderous intent.

[silent-and-deadly]

Jesus christ.

[static-moving-forward]

Exactly! I think I'm in my world doing my normal routine when one of you comes up and gives me a death glare.

[silent-and-deadly]

Yeah, sorry about that.

[static-moving-forward]

It’s not like I was a good dude at first anyway, so I can’t really blame you.

I just need to find a breach…

[silent-and-deadly]

(Allan sees the Brandon that Aria had told him about, across the campus quad. She was right, he looks as if he never died at all. Just a year or so older.) - @static-moving-forward

[He walks toward him.]

[He doesn't say anything, but if looks could kill, Brandon would be dead on the ground.]

[static-moving-forward]

…Hey Allan, is uh, is something wrong?

[silent-and-deadly]

Why are you here?

[static-moving-forward]

…? Well, I have classes and the project…

[silent-and-deadly]

You're supposed to be dead.

[Brandon can notice that Allan has put up a cloaking ward.]

[static-moving-forward]

Hey, hey, whoa, what? Is this another like, inter-universe incident again? I didn’t do anything, I promise!

[silent-and-deadly]

Prove it.

[He crosses his arms.]

[static-moving-forward]

Uh- (he pats his pockets and digs his hand in one, pulling out a small device)

This is used for stimulating nerves to help with the healing process Pidge has been working on- for much longer than I’ve been helping.

[silent-and-deadly]

Uh-huh.

[static-moving-forward]

..What do I have to say to prove it? I know you don’t want to be shocked again.

[silent-and-deadly]

Did you forcibly bridge with Aria?

[static-moving-forward]

No! Of course I didn’t!

[silent-and-deadly]

Did you stalk him?

[static-moving-forward]

...For a bit.

[silent-and-deadly]

How are you on good terms with Pidge?

[static-moving-forward]

They redirected my energy to something more constructive before I hurt anyone. Ergo, I didn't die and they don't hate me.

[silent-and-deadly]

...

Alright. I believe you because that sounds exactly like what she would do.

[The ward comes down.]

You did give my Aria a panic attack. You seriously need to get back to your world before someone takes you out.

[static-moving-forward]

I was in my world! For a bit! Do you know how hard it is to tell I've switched? Really, the only tell is the murderous intent.

[silent-and-deadly]

Jesus christ.

[static-moving-forward]

Exactly! I think I'm in my world doing my normal routine when one of you comes up and gives me a death glare.

[silent-and-deadly]

(Allan sees the Brandon that Aria had told him about, across the campus quad. She was right, he looks as if he never died at all. Just a year or so older.) - @static-moving-forward

[He walks toward him.]

[He doesn't say anything, but if looks could kill, Brandon would be dead on the ground.]

[static-moving-forward]

…Hey Allan, is uh, is something wrong?

[silent-and-deadly]

Why are you here?

[static-moving-forward]

…? Well, I have classes and the project…

[silent-and-deadly]

You're supposed to be dead.

[Brandon can notice that Allan has put up a cloaking ward.]

[static-moving-forward]

Hey, hey, whoa, what? Is this another like, inter-universe incident again? I didn’t do anything, I promise!

[silent-and-deadly]

Prove it.

[He crosses his arms.]

[static-moving-forward]

Uh- (he pats his pockets and digs his hand in one, pulling out a small device)

This is used for stimulating nerves to help with the healing process Pidge has been working on- for much longer than I’ve been helping.

[silent-and-deadly]

Uh-huh.

[static-moving-forward]

..What do I have to say to prove it? I know you don’t want to be shocked again.

[silent-and-deadly]

Did you forcibly bridge with Aria?

[static-moving-forward]

No! Of course I didn’t!

[silent-and-deadly]

Did you stalk him?

[static-moving-forward]

...For a bit.

[silent-and-deadly]

How are you on good terms with Pidge?

[static-moving-forward]

They redirected my energy to something more constructive before I hurt anyone. Ergo, I didn't die and they don't hate me.

[silent-and-deadly]

...

Alright. I believe you because that sounds exactly like what she would do.

[The ward comes down.]

You did give my Aria a panic attack. You seriously need to get back to your world before someone takes you out.

[static-moving-forward]

I was in my world! For a bit! Do you know how hard it is to tell I've switched? Really, the only tell is the murderous intent.

[silent-and-deadly]

(Allan sees the Brandon that Aria had told him about, across the campus quad. She was right, he looks as if he never died at all. Just a year or so older.) - @static-moving-forward

[He walks toward him.]

[He doesn't say anything, but if looks could kill, Brandon would be dead on the ground.]

[static-moving-forward]

…Hey Allan, is uh, is something wrong?

[silent-and-deadly]

Why are you here?

[static-moving-forward]

…? Well, I have classes and the project…

[silent-and-deadly]

You're supposed to be dead.

[Brandon can notice that Allan has put up a cloaking ward.]

[static-moving-forward]

Hey, hey, whoa, what? Is this another like, inter-universe incident again? I didn’t do anything, I promise!

[silent-and-deadly]

Prove it.

[He crosses his arms.]

[static-moving-forward]

Uh- (he pats his pockets and digs his hand in one, pulling out a small device)

This is used for stimulating nerves to help with the healing process Pidge has been working on- for much longer than I’ve been helping.

[silent-and-deadly]

Uh-huh.

[static-moving-forward]

..What do I have to say to prove it? I know you don’t want to be shocked again.

[silent-and-deadly]

Did you forcibly bridge with Aria?

[static-moving-forward]

No! Of course I didn’t!

[silent-and-deadly]

Did you stalk him?

[static-moving-forward]

...For a bit.

[silent-and-deadly]

How are you on good terms with Pidge?

[static-moving-forward]

They redirected my energy to something more constructive before I hurt anyone. Ergo, I didn't die and they don't hate me.

[silent-and-deadly]

(Allan sees the Brandon that Aria had told him about, across the campus quad. She was right, he looks as if he never died at all. Just a year or so older.) - @static-moving-forward

[He walks toward him.]

[He doesn't say anything, but if looks could kill, Brandon would be dead on the ground.]

[static-moving-forward]

…Hey Allan, is uh, is something wrong?

[silent-and-deadly]

Why are you here?

[static-moving-forward]

…? Well, I have classes and the project…

[silent-and-deadly]

You're supposed to be dead.

[Brandon can notice that Allan has put up a cloaking ward.]

[static-moving-forward]

Hey, hey, whoa, what? Is this another like, inter-universe incident again? I didn’t do anything, I promise!

[silent-and-deadly]

Prove it.

[He crosses his arms.]

[static-moving-forward]

Uh- (he pats his pockets and digs his hand in one, pulling out a small device)

This is used for stimulating nerves to help with the healing process Pidge has been working on- for much longer than I’ve been helping.

[silent-and-deadly]

Uh-huh.

[static-moving-forward]

..What do I have to say to prove it? I know you don’t want to be shocked again.

[silent-and-deadly]

Did you forcibly bridge with Aria?

[static-moving-forward]

No! Of course I didn’t!

[silent-and-deadly]

Did you stalk him?

[static-moving-forward]

...For a bit.

[silent-and-deadly]

(Allan sees the Brandon that Aria had told him about, across the campus quad. She was right, he looks as if he never died at all. Just a year or so older.) - @static-moving-forward

[He walks toward him.]

[He doesn't say anything, but if looks could kill, Brandon would be dead on the ground.]

[static-moving-forward]

…Hey Allan, is uh, is something wrong?

[silent-and-deadly]

Why are you here?

[static-moving-forward]

…? Well, I have classes and the project…

[silent-and-deadly]

You're supposed to be dead.

[Brandon can notice that Allan has put up a cloaking ward.]

[static-moving-forward]

Hey, hey, whoa, what? Is this another like, inter-universe incident again? I didn’t do anything, I promise!

[silent-and-deadly]

Prove it.

[He crosses his arms.]

[static-moving-forward]

Uh- (he pats his pockets and digs his hand in one, pulling out a small device)

This is used for stimulating nerves to help with the healing process Pidge has been working on- for much longer than I’ve been helping.

[silent-and-deadly]

Uh-huh.

[static-moving-forward]

..What do I have to say to prove it? I know you don’t want to be shocked again.

[silent-and-deadly]

Did you forcibly bridge with Aria?

[static-moving-forward]

No! Of course I didn’t!

[silent-and-deadly]

(Allan sees the Brandon that Aria had told him about, across the campus quad. She was right, he looks as if he never died at all. Just a year or so older.) - @static-moving-forward

[He walks toward him.]

[He doesn't say anything, but if looks could kill, Brandon would be dead on the ground.]

[static-moving-forward]

…Hey Allan, is uh, is something wrong?

[silent-and-deadly]

Why are you here?

[static-moving-forward]

…? Well, I have classes and the project…

[silent-and-deadly]

You're supposed to be dead.

[Brandon can notice that Allan has put up a cloaking ward.]

[static-moving-forward]

Hey, hey, whoa, what? Is this another like, inter-universe incident again? I didn’t do anything, I promise!

[silent-and-deadly]

Prove it.

[He crosses his arms.]

[static-moving-forward]

Uh- (he pats his pockets and digs his hand in one, pulling out a small device)

This is used for stimulating nerves to help with the healing process Pidge has been working on- for much longer than I’ve been helping.

[silent-and-deadly]

Uh-huh.

[static-moving-forward]

..What do I have to say to prove it? I know you don’t want to be shocked again.

[silent-and-deadly]

(Allan sees the Brandon that Aria had told him about, across the campus quad. She was right, he looks as if he never died at all. Just a year or so older.) - @static-moving-forward

[He walks toward him.]

[He doesn't say anything, but if looks could kill, Brandon would be dead on the ground.]

[static-moving-forward]

…Hey Allan, is uh, is something wrong?

[silent-and-deadly]

Why are you here?

[static-moving-forward]

…? Well, I have classes and the project…

[silent-and-deadly]

You're supposed to be dead.

[Brandon can notice that Allan has put up a cloaking ward.]

[static-moving-forward]

Hey, hey, whoa, what? Is this another like, inter-universe incident again? I didn’t do anything, I promise!

[silent-and-deadly]

Prove it.

[He crosses his arms.]

[static-moving-forward]

Uh- (he pats his pockets and digs his hand in one, pulling out a small device)

This is used for stimulating nerves to help with the healing process Pidge has been working on- for much longer than I’ve been helping.

[silent-and-deadly]

(Allan sees the Brandon that Aria had told him about, across the campus quad. She was right, he looks as if he never died at all. Just a year or so older.) - @static-moving-forward

[He walks toward him.]

[He doesn't say anything, but if looks could kill, Brandon would be dead on the ground.]

[static-moving-forward]

…Hey Allan, is uh, is something wrong?

[silent-and-deadly]

Why are you here?

[static-moving-forward]

…? Well, I have classes and the project…

[silent-and-deadly]

You're supposed to be dead.

[Brandon can notice that Allan has put up a cloaking ward.]

[static-moving-forward]

Hey, hey, whoa, what? Is this another like, inter-universe incident again? I didn’t do anything, I promise!

[silent-and-deadly]

(Allan sees the Brandon that Aria had told him about, across the campus quad. She was right, he looks as if he never died at all. Just a year or so older.) - @static-moving-forward

[He walks toward him.]

[He doesn't say anything, but if looks could kill, Brandon would be dead on the ground.]

[static-moving-forward]

…Hey Allan, is uh, is something wrong?

[silent-and-deadly]

Why are you here?

[static-moving-forward]

…? Well, I have classes and the project…

[silent-and-deadly]

(Allan sees the Brandon that Aria had told him about, across the campus quad. She was right, he looks as if he never died at all. Just a year or so older.) - @static-moving-forward

[He walks toward him.]

[He doesn't say anything, but if looks could kill, Brandon would be dead on the ground.]

[static-moving-forward]

…Hey Allan, is uh, is something wrong?

[thrice-damned-birdie]

(A guy that looks almost exactly like Brandon but a little older is sitting on a campus bench, fiddling with a small machine of some sort.) - @static-moving-forward

(Courage growls)

(Pidge signs to him to stop)

[static-moving-forward]

(Brandon looks up, surprised, and then smiles)

[Oh, hi Pidge!]

[thrice-damned-birdie]

(hi. i'm not your Pidge.)

(she does not look happy to see him.)

[static-moving-forward]

(He tilts his head)

[Oh, like those alternate universe things Aria and you- I mean, Pidge mention?]

[thrice-damned-birdie]

(yes.)

(i'm surprised you're on speaking terms with them.)

[static-moving-forward]

(He laughs nervously, and though they can't hear it, his expression makes it clear.)

[Why wouldn't I be?]

[thrice-damned-birdie]

(you hurt Aria badly. you're dead in this universe because of it.)

[static-moving-forward]

(He pales)

[I don't know why I would've done that.]

[thrice-damned-birdie]

(so you never stalked him in your universe?)

[static-moving-forward]

(His eyes widen a little)

...

[thrice-damned-birdie]

(Courage has been side eyeing him the whole time)

(is that a yes?)

[static-moving-forward]

...

[I don't do it anymore. And I told her about it.]

[thrice-damned-birdie]

(what got you to stop?)

[static-moving-forward]

... [My version of you did. She redirected me to something more constructive.]

(He holds up the small machine he was fiddling with.)

[I'm helping you develop methods to heal nervous system damage.]

[thrice-damned-birdie]

(you got better.)

(good.)

(how is that going?)

[static-moving-forward]

(He brightens up a little. The light behind his eyes is happy, not the twisted analytical glint he had before.)

[It's going well! We've done a couple successful trials with some reported sense regained in fingertips. It's slow going with the adaptations we have to make and upholding ethics, but it'll be worth it.]

[And Aria's teaching me dreamwalking magic. I'm helping her build a case against my brother- I assume you know about that?]

[thrice-damned-birdie]

(that sounds wonderful.)

(i've been trying to help build a case against him over here. the late Brandon in this universe left behind some records that have been very helpful.)

[static-moving-forward]

[It has been! Better than anything Joseph has done.] (he grumbles a little as he signs this)

[Oh, thank god someone found those. I did manage to get the recordings back in my world, but I got a new scar for it.]

[thrice-damned-birdie]

(you what?)

[static-moving-forward]

[Joseph didn't take too kindly to me sneaking in and taking back my recordings.]

[thrice-damned-birdie]

(i got them by going in under false pretenses of it being a job shadow. since i'm deaf, he really underestimated me.)

(there had to be a better way to do that.)

[static-moving-forward]

[Course he did, he doesn't think anyone's as smart as him. Engineering majors, am I right? And he's.. just ableist in general.]

[...There probably was, I just didn't think of one.]

[thrice-damned-birdie]

(was that before or after we started working together?)

[static-moving-forward]

[After. You told me not to try it and healed me afterwards as much as you could manage to.]

[thrice-damned-birdie]

...

(i don't even know why i'm surprised given my track record of people i've made friends with.)

[static-moving-forward]

(He smiles sheepishly)

[Yeah... sorry.]

[I should be going now, I think I've figured out how to fix this device.]

[thrice-damned-birdie]

(don't do anything stupid, ok?)

(and good luck with your project and the case.)

[static-moving-forward]

[I'll try my best.]

[Thank you!]

(He smiles and waves before standing and leaving, looking around for a breach. Pidge gets a glimpse of a different version of Aria, waving over Brandon. She's got a messenger bag with her and her hair dye colours are slightly different, as well as her hairstyle- it's swept more to one side of her head with horizontal lines cut into the hair, a sort of alt look. She looks healthy and comfortable, maybe even better than Pidge's Aria.)

[thrice-damned-birdie]

(A guy that looks almost exactly like Brandon but a little older is sitting on a campus bench, fiddling with a small machine of some sort.) - @static-moving-forward

(Courage growls)

(Pidge signs to him to stop)

[static-moving-forward]

(Brandon looks up, surprised, and then smiles)

[Oh, hi Pidge!]

[thrice-damned-birdie]

(hi. i'm not your Pidge.)

(she does not look happy to see him.)

[static-moving-forward]

(He tilts his head)

[Oh, like those alternate universe things Aria and you- I mean, Pidge mention?]

[thrice-damned-birdie]

(yes.)

(i'm surprised you're on speaking terms with them.)

[static-moving-forward]

(He laughs nervously, and though they can't hear it, his expression makes it clear.)

[Why wouldn't I be?]

[thrice-damned-birdie]

(you hurt Aria badly. you're dead in this universe because of it.)

[static-moving-forward]

(He pales)

[I don't know why I would've done that.]

[thrice-damned-birdie]

(so you never stalked him in your universe?)

[static-moving-forward]

(His eyes widen a little)

...

[thrice-damned-birdie]

(Courage has been side eyeing him the whole time)

(is that a yes?)

[static-moving-forward]

...

[I don't do it anymore. And I told her about it.]

[thrice-damned-birdie]

(what got you to stop?)

[static-moving-forward]

... [My version of you did. She redirected me to something more constructive.]

(He holds up the small machine he was fiddling with.)

[I'm helping you develop methods to heal nervous system damage.]

[thrice-damned-birdie]

(you got better.)

(good.)

(how is that going?)

[static-moving-forward]

(He brightens up a little. The light behind his eyes is happy, not the twisted analytical glint he had before.)

[It's going well! We've done a couple successful trials with some reported sense regained in fingertips. It's slow going with the adaptations we have to make and upholding ethics, but it'll be worth it.]

[And Aria's teaching me dreamwalking magic. I'm helping her build a case against my brother- I assume you know about that?]

[thrice-damned-birdie]

(that sounds wonderful.)

(i've been trying to help build a case against him over here. the late Brandon in this universe left behind some records that have been very helpful.)

[static-moving-forward]

[It has been! Better than anything Joseph has done.] (he grumbles a little as he signs this)

[Oh, thank god someone found those. I did manage to get the recordings back in my world, but I got a new scar for it.]

[thrice-damned-birdie]

(you what?)

[static-moving-forward]

[Joseph didn't take too kindly to me sneaking in and taking back my recordings.]

[thrice-damned-birdie]

(i got them by going in under false pretenses of it being a job shadow. since i'm deaf, he really underestimated me.)

(there had to be a better way to do that.)

[static-moving-forward]

[Course he did, he doesn't think anyone's as smart as him. Engineering majors, am I right? And he's.. just ableist in general.]

[...There probably was, I just didn't think of one.]

[thrice-damned-birdie]

(was that before or after we started working together?)

[static-moving-forward]

[After. You told me not to try it and healed me afterwards as much as you could manage to.]

[thrice-damned-birdie]

...

(i don't even know why i'm surprised given my track record of people i've made friends with.)

[static-moving-forward]

(He smiles sheepishly)

[Yeah... sorry.]

[I should be going now, I think I've figured out how to fix this device.]

[thrice-damned-birdie]

(A guy that looks almost exactly like Brandon but a little older is sitting on a campus bench, fiddling with a small machine of some sort.) - @static-moving-forward

(Courage growls)

(Pidge signs to him to stop)

[static-moving-forward]

(Brandon looks up, surprised, and then smiles)

[Oh, hi Pidge!]

[thrice-damned-birdie]

(hi. i'm not your Pidge.)

(she does not look happy to see him.)

[static-moving-forward]

(He tilts his head)

[Oh, like those alternate universe things Aria and you- I mean, Pidge mention?]

[thrice-damned-birdie]

(yes.)

(i'm surprised you're on speaking terms with them.)

[static-moving-forward]

(He laughs nervously, and though they can't hear it, his expression makes it clear.)

[Why wouldn't I be?]

[thrice-damned-birdie]

(you hurt Aria badly. you're dead in this universe because of it.)

[static-moving-forward]

(He pales)

[I don't know why I would've done that.]

[thrice-damned-birdie]

(so you never stalked him in your universe?)

[static-moving-forward]

(His eyes widen a little)

...

[thrice-damned-birdie]

(Courage has been side eyeing him the whole time)

(is that a yes?)

[static-moving-forward]

...

[I don't do it anymore. And I told her about it.]

[thrice-damned-birdie]

(what got you to stop?)

[static-moving-forward]

... [My version of you did. She redirected me to something more constructive.]

(He holds up the small machine he was fiddling with.)

[I'm helping you develop methods to heal nervous system damage.]

[thrice-damned-birdie]

(you got better.)

(good.)

(how is that going?)

[static-moving-forward]

(He brightens up a little. The light behind his eyes is happy, not the twisted analytical glint he had before.)

[It's going well! We've done a couple successful trials with some reported sense regained in fingertips. It's slow going with the adaptations we have to make and upholding ethics, but it'll be worth it.]

[And Aria's teaching me dreamwalking magic. I'm helping her build a case against my brother- I assume you know about that?]

[thrice-damned-birdie]

(that sounds wonderful.)

(i've been trying to help build a case against him over here. the late Brandon in this universe left behind some records that have been very helpful.)

[static-moving-forward]

[It has been! Better than anything Joseph has done.] (he grumbles a little as he signs this)

[Oh, thank god someone found those. I did manage to get the recordings back in my world, but I got a new scar for it.]

[thrice-damned-birdie]

(you what?)

[static-moving-forward]

[Joseph didn't take too kindly to me sneaking in and taking back my recordings.]

[thrice-damned-birdie]

(i got them by going in under false pretenses of it being a job shadow. since i'm deaf, he really underestimated me.)

(there had to be a better way to do that.)

[static-moving-forward]

[Course he did, he doesn't think anyone's as smart as him. Engineering majors, am I right? And he's.. just ableist in general.]

[...There probably was, I just didn't think of one.]

[thrice-damned-birdie]

(was that before or after we started working together?)

[static-moving-forward]

[After. You told me not to try it and healed me afterwards as much as you could manage to.]

[thrice-damned-birdie]

(A guy that looks almost exactly like Brandon but a little older is sitting on a campus bench, fiddling with a small machine of some sort.) - @static-moving-forward

(Courage growls)

(Pidge signs to him to stop)

[static-moving-forward]

(Brandon looks up, surprised, and then smiles)

[Oh, hi Pidge!]

[thrice-damned-birdie]

(hi. i'm not your Pidge.)

(she does not look happy to see him.)

[static-moving-forward]

(He tilts his head)

[Oh, like those alternate universe things Aria and you- I mean, Pidge mention?]

[thrice-damned-birdie]

(yes.)

(i'm surprised you're on speaking terms with them.)

[static-moving-forward]

(He laughs nervously, and though they can't hear it, his expression makes it clear.)

[Why wouldn't I be?]

[thrice-damned-birdie]

(you hurt Aria badly. you're dead in this universe because of it.)

[static-moving-forward]

(He pales)

[I don't know why I would've done that.]

[thrice-damned-birdie]

(so you never stalked him in your universe?)

[static-moving-forward]

(His eyes widen a little)

...

[thrice-damned-birdie]

(Courage has been side eyeing him the whole time)

(is that a yes?)

[static-moving-forward]

...

[I don't do it anymore. And I told her about it.]

[thrice-damned-birdie]

(what got you to stop?)

[static-moving-forward]

... [My version of you did. She redirected me to something more constructive.]

(He holds up the small machine he was fiddling with.)

[I'm helping you develop methods to heal nervous system damage.]

[thrice-damned-birdie]

(you got better.)

(good.)

(how is that going?)

[static-moving-forward]

(He brightens up a little. The light behind his eyes is happy, not the twisted analytical glint he had before.)

[It's going well! We've done a couple successful trials with some reported sense regained in fingertips. It's slow going with the adaptations we have to make and upholding ethics, but it'll be worth it.]

[And Aria's teaching me dreamwalking magic. I'm helping her build a case against my brother- I assume you know about that?]

[thrice-damned-birdie]

(that sounds wonderful.)

(i've been trying to help build a case against him over here. the late Brandon in this universe left behind some records that have been very helpful.)

[static-moving-forward]

[It has been! Better than anything Joseph has done.] (he grumbles a little as he signs this)

[Oh, thank god someone found those. I did manage to get the recordings back in my world, but I got a new scar for it.]

[thrice-damned-birdie]

(you what?)

[static-moving-forward]

[Joseph didn't take too kindly to me sneaking in and taking back my recordings.]

[thrice-damned-birdie]

(i got them by going in under false pretenses of it being a job shadow. since i'm deaf, he really underestimated me.)

(there had to be a better way to do that.)

[static-moving-forward]

[Course he did, he doesn't think anyone's as smart as him. Engineering majors, am I right? And he's.. just ableist in general.]

[...There probably was, I just didn't think of one.]