๏ผ Not- quite, but that's a good start. ๏ผ
Jermaine raised his hand up. He pointed with his other, tracing out shapes for emphasis.
๏ผ Like here, you see.. my fingers are circles of shadow, with ovals of light overlapping. And when you focus, the grass goes blurry. ๏ผ
๏ผ .. Well- I don't know if you'd get it, it's kind of weird.. ๏ผ
He shyly laughed, zooming in on his golden painting.
๏ผ When you look at things enough, eventually they kind of lose their appearance. You see.. every piece of them, and those are what you focus on. ๏ผ
`` ... I ...met the snowman ..and he said his name was Finn ...
So ... It made sense that he was you .. ``
Looking up at her father before looking at her hands.
`` I played with him ...we made snowmen. ``
ใ ค
๐as taken a seat in front of her. ๐ends downใresting a forearm on his own legs. ๐is other arm rests his elbow on his kneeใand his hand goes to his face, thinking.
ใ คใ คโโ ... how did you come to that conclusion? โโ
๐ฆas straightforward.
ใ ค
That earned a smile, he zoomed in on spots, only to blink briefly and elbow her with a laugh.
๏ผ Hah- yeah! Like a real artist. I used to do landscapes, if you'd believe it. ๏ผ
Leaning forward, looking at all the pictures. Eyes sparkling as if she were staring at a night sky.
`` Whoooaa, you get paid and stuff like a real artist?? ``
๏ผ Coloring's the first step to bigger pieces! Hah.. ๏ผ
Though he did pause, taking a moment to take a deep breath and recollect himself from his still-heavy dread, he pulled out his phone to show some photos.
๏ผ Here - my dealer got some of them aligned like this. ๏ผ
๏ผ Uh.. ๏ผ
So - humans' dogs. He knew what those were like, even if Jake didn't. His held-up paw stretched out its fingers a moment before he shrugged.
๏ผ Uhm .. no, sorry. I guess those genes skipped me? I can paint, though. And I'm good with trinkets. ๏ผ
`` It's ok ... Our world has no magic which is why my Jake doesn't talk. But Uncle Jake here is so cool! He stretches and everything.
Can you do that? ``
Lifting his arm that isn't holding his painting materials.
That earned a bit of an embarrassed smile, his paw rubbing his forehead.
๏ผUh - yeah.. sorry, I kind of made that obvious, probably. Just personal adult stuff, haha.๏ผ
๏ผI read about other words - it's all a lot. I'm sure it's rough.๏ผ
`` ..So, I'm guessing you're Jake's brother, right? ``
Sitting beside him with a smile.
`` I'm still not used to dogs talking...my Jake doesn't talk ...he just sleeps. ``
๏ผ Oh- well, if it's another world or something, it's- ๏ผ
He can't focus on the existential horror of that statement. He can't focus on the existential horror of that statement. He-
He's focusing on it. Jermaine has to sit down.
๏ผ I guess I get it, sorry. ๏ผ
`` I know but you look like my puppy Jake ... He's pretty old but he used to have a brother ...he didn't make it though. Dad doesn't like to talk about it. ``
She says as she smiles, moving her hand away as she steps back.
๏ผ He's - oh. Sorry. Hey.. ๏ผ
What had been a bit of tearful joy was interrupted with his mouth tugging to the side, one eyebrow raising. His one paw raised to point up.
๏ผ It's - good not to pet a dog you don't really know. It's okay! Just keep that one in mind. ๏ผ
`` Oh, your Finn isn't my dad ..``
Giggling as she walks up to the other, patting his head with a smile.
`` I'm from another timeline! There is where Finn is my dad! ``
๏ผ Alternate - dad? Finn? My brother? ๏ผ
That'd mean .. she had another dad. But Finn was also her dad. So Finn had a husband and a kid? Or-
Jermaine had to rub his face briefly, tearing up in happy bafflement.
๏ผ Wait.. hah jeez, humans grow up fast- I guess? ๏ผ
Turning around, hearing someone call for her alternate father ... Once seeing the dog, she was confused ...he looked like Jake but ... depressed.
`` No, you're looking for my alternate dad ...he's not here. I think he went to the candy kingdom! ``
@DAUGHTER_0F_ICE
-----
๏ผ Hey- Finn! Hey little bro! Heeey! ๏ผ
Calling out, he hurried over towards the shorter silhouette on the horizon, canvas and satchel steadied in hand. He came closer, closer, and -
๏ผ .. Er. You're not Finn- sorry. ๏ผ
`` He was really nice ..I was scared a little at first ...but ...he just wanted to be happy ....so we made snowmen and he made it come to life like Frosty! ``
ใ ค
ใ คใ คhe breathed a sigh of relief , at least she didn't encounter bad versions .
ยซ it's okay Bonnie , you can tell me , I won't tell anyone , I promise ยป
ใ ค
`` I kinda ran into them .. Jake was really cool and the other version of dad is missing an arm too! ``
Then Gasping, hands on his shoulders
`` Jay, I also found out something very cool but scary so you have to keep it secret! ``
ใ ค
ยซ wow it sounds. . . incredible .แ although. . .how did you meet them ? ยป
ใ คใ คthe multiverse was still a new concept for him , but he knew that there could be very hostile worlds , it was scary to think that something could happen to her .
ใ ค
Peaking out at him from the corner.. a bit worried ... Is it about what she said before?
Nervously shuffling to him, her head low, looking up at the other.
`` Yeah, dad? ``