"I do," Jordan said, crossing his arms. "The multiverse isn't at its best right now, mate."
They drifted in the void, a vast expanse that seemed to swallow them up in the enormity of it all. It was like a vast, empty nothingness. It felt half-baked; even the air here carried a weightless quality, as though it wasnât supposed to exist.
"Where even is here?" Soth said. His voice seemed to be drowned out in the thickness of the void. Around them, fragments of reality floated aimlesslyâbroken chunks of buildings, shattered glass. A teddy bear with its arm cut off floated past them.
"There really isnât an answer," Jordan said. Soth turned back to watch the boy.
"But as I see it," Jordan continued, "itâs a place between worlds. Nothing and everything exist at the same time."
"How does that work?" Soth said.
"Iâm thinkingâ" Jordan started.
"That happened fast." Jordan turned to where the ripples were coming from.
"Whaâ" Soth started, then waves of energy pulsed outward. They covered their faces as the pulses rippled through them. The void folded in on itself before ripping apart.
A circular portal opened in front of them. Honey light poured through the opening. They peered into the apartment. It looked well-lived-inâa couple of blankets and clothes were scattered around the floor. A guitar case rested by the window.
A man sat on the bed, his legs crossed, fingers resting on the strings of a guitar. He cradled the instrument, eyes closed as he played a slow melody.
Jordan pushed forward. Soth moved to follow him.
"Wait," Jordan said, putting a hand on Soth's shoulder. "It might be better if I went in alone. We donât want to startle him too much."
Jordan slid into the portal. His feet landed on the apartmentâs floorboards with a creak.
The man jolted his fingers slipped off the guitar stings.
May 27th, 1992. Chicago, Illinois.
Screeching guitar rips across Jordan's ears as the strings halt, "bloody..." he winces, a pair of bright green eyes staring back at him.
"What the fudge is that." A ratty man asks, a melodic voice rattling out. A unique guitar rests in his lap, sunken eyes firmly trained on the closing portal behind the young boy who just infiltrated his apartment.
Confusion crosses his sunken features, his words jumbling into a new one, "fudge?"
"So, what's your name?" Jordon inquires, a hint of nervousness. This man looks... unique to say the least. Jordons eyes drift, landing on the plaque hung on the wall: 'Jonathan Steele'. That answers some things.
He interrupts Jordons train of thought, slowly standing, "Woah woah kid, we have bigger problems than *my* name. How did you get in here?"
Personality: Sarcastic, charming, a love of profanity.
Body: Underweight, green eyes and fluffy black curls, shoulder blade length.
Age: 21, August 20th, 1971
Flaws: his first instinct upon frustration is to throw something.
Occupation: musician, he's known as 'The Crimson Idol' or less commonly as 'Grim'.
Interests: music, instruments
(I'll let someone else's character come and interrupt this mayhem, and Jonathan stew in his newfound inability to curse as he pleases. You can find his full story under 21 Bloodied Roses under my master list btw)
âItâs a long explanation,â Jordan said.
âSpill it,â Jonathan snapped.
âLook, we only have so much time.â Jordan crossed the room so that he was next to Jonathan's bed.
âBefore what?â Jonathan stood up, his sunken eyes meeting Jordanâs, challenging him. âWhat exactly is going on? If it has something to do with why youâre in my apartment, then please, by all means, go ahead.â
âThe multiverse is collapsing,â Jordan said.
âSay what?â Jonathan balked. âAre you kidding?â
Jordan crossed his arms, his jaw set. âNo.â
âAnd what do you want me to do about it?â
âOh, sure, just let me rearrange my entire calendar so that I can go on your little doohickey,â Jonathan said, glaring. Jordan remained impassive, returning the stare down.
âOkay, whatever,â Jonathan said, waving his hand dismissively. He turned around, stomping away. âIâm out of here. AdiĂłs.â
The floor rippled. Jonathan stopped mid-step.
The floor looked like it was dissolving right under Jonathanâs feet. He yelped, hopping back. The portal expanded beneath him. He flailed his arms as he fell into the void.
Jordan walked to the edge, watching Jonathan flail in the emptiness. Then, without hesitation, he took a step forward, letting himself fall. The portal sealed shut behind them.
âOkay, what the FLUFF was that?â Jonathan slapped a hand over his mouth. He glared. âAnd why canât I swear?!â
âThe void has its own rules,â Jordan said, shrugging. âI guess profanity isnât one of them.â He smiled slightly.
Jonathan turned on him, glaring. âIt isnât FLUFFING funny.â
âThatâs because you canât hear yourself.â Jordan lay back, his eyes twinkled, behind a half hid smile.
Jonathan wheeled around. Sloth floated over to them, his presence imposing. Jonathanâs eyes scanned over Slothâs body.
âWhoa, youâre jacked. What kind of steroids did they inject you with?â
âIâm sorry, I didnât have time to grab a shirt. I was fighââ
âYeah, yeah, sure, whatever.â Sloth frowned, folding his muscular arms.
âNow, you,â Jonathan said, pointing at Jordan. âWhat am I doing here?â
âThe void is collapsing.â
âSo?â Jonathan growled.
âIf the void collapses, it will wipe out everythingâincluding your dimension.â Jordan pointed at Jonathanâs chest.
Jonathan ignored the pointed finger. âWhatâs to prevent me from leaving? I could just escape the next time another portal appears.â
âNow that youâre here, you are tied to the void.â
âAnd that meansâ?â Jonathan scowled.
âYou try to escape, and the void will pull you back in.â
Jonathan scoffed and leaned back, his arms folded. âGreat, itâs not like I had any other plans for today.â
âI believe we have another portal,â Sloth said, his chest rune glowing.
The void continues to ripple and shift around them, as if the very fabric of reality strains against its own limits. Jordan, Soth, and Jonathan find themselves in an uneasy yet curious silence, each contemplating the strange convergence of their worlds. Suddenly, a small figure tumbles out of the still-closing rift, her long brown hair floating around her like a halo.
Annabon House lands softly on the crumbling concrete, her mismatched fluffy socks peeking out from beneath her ballet recital outfit. Clutching a puzzle box tightly to her chest, she looks around with wide, intelligent eyes, taking in the new surroundings and the unusual company.
Jordan approaches her gently, careful not to startle the young girl. "Hey there, you alright?" he asks, offering a reassuring smile.
Annabon nods, her eyes locking onto Jordan's. "I'm okay," she replies, her voice steady despite the surreal circumstances. "But where am I? And who are you?"
Soth steps forward, his expression softening as he crouches down to her level. "You're in a bit of a strange place, but you're safe with us. I'm Sothera Vidar, but you can call me Soth. This is Jordan and Jonathan."
Jonathan, still strumming absentmindedly on his guitar, looks over and gives her a nod. "Welcome to the madhouse, kid."
Annabon giggles, finding some comfort in the familiarity of the adults' presence. "I'm Julianna-Bonita House, but you can call me Annabon. I'm usually better at introducing myself, but this place is so... odd."
Jordan notices her interest in the void and its shifting patterns. "You seem pretty brave, Annabon. How did you end up here?"
She shrugs, her analytical mind already working to piece together the puzzle. "I'm not sure, but I was with my dads, and then I found myself here. They're both doctors, so I'm used to strange things happening."
Soth stands up, glancing at Jordan and Jonathan. "Well, it looks like we've got a new member in our little crew. Let's make sure she stays safe while we figure this out."
Jonathan raises an eyebrow, his sarcastic charm kicking in. "So, what's the plan, fearless leader?" he asks, looking at Jordan.
Jordan straightens, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. "The plan is to find a way out of this void and get everyone back where they belong. We'll figure this out, together."
As they set off, Annabon walks beside Jordan, her small hand clutching his. "Do you think we'll find my dads?" she asks, her voice filled with hope.
Jordan squeezes her hand reassuringly. "I promise we'll do everything we can to find them."
Family: Diagnostician amputated Daddy Greg, Oncologist masterchef Papa Jim-Jim, 4-year-old sister Misty
wears mismatched fluffy socks
tends to carry puzzles with her
very picky eater despite her papa's good cooking
doesn't have a big sweet tooth but never turns down a candy cane
Math is her best subject and sometimes offers tutoring to struggling classmates. For a small fee, of course
shows her leadership and negotiation skills
Her height is short for her age