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Aberrant: Wild Card - Prologue: Ante Up


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It was a rare cool, but clear, spring day in Tacoma. A wonderful way to kick off the coming Spring Break. The sun glistened off the wet pavement, causing a mad rush to convenience stores for sunglasses, everyone having lost their pair from the previous summer. The first sail of the first Tall Ship could be seen entering Commencement Bay, harkening in the coming festival. As the Lynx passed under the Murray Morgan Bridge, it let off one of its signature big-boom cannon shots, rattling windows and making everyone in downtown Tacoma jump.

lynxunderbridge.jpg

~~~

As lunch came around, the co-eds found themselves congregating in the Student Center, the gossip that Matt was going to throw a concert had been circulating the rumormill for the past week.

Sound dampening partitions were being put up by the janitorial staff, someone seemingly having notified and gotten approval from the administration. A small line was already forming to gain entry into the area, an odd fellow in a black suit was manning a section of velvet rope, escorting and seating people. Randomly, he appeared to be handing something to people, but the bad lighting and the distance proving too much to tell more.

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Having no plans to leave the area for Spring Break, Alexa was pleased to see that it wasn't going to be a completely dull week. Dmitri had made noises about one of the visiting the other, but plane tickets were just a little too killer on their budgets so they'd have to wait until the summer. She missed her brother but had to admit that she'd enjoyed a whole eight months of not having to look after someone or bake a pastry. She headed over to the concert area and took her place in line, humming happily.

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Lizzie and her brother normally hung out together on spring break, but this year their folks had organized a spiritual retreat to Colorado for that particular week. She was always extended an invitation to these events, but her family's spiritual inclinations rarely held much appeal for her and as usual, she had politely declined. It did, however, mean that her brother would be absent for the duration of Spring Break, so she had the house and the car to herself, which was a nice bonus on it's own.

Alexa had mentioned during class that she was planning on attending a concert she had heard noises about, so she dressed for the occasion, and made her way to the area she had found out the concert would be held at. She wasn't sure she'd know anyone else there, so for lack of anything better to do - she usually came to these things with Eddie, after all - she scanned the crowd for her classmate. When she finally spotted the other woman, she waved at her and started to make her way towards her in the crowd.

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Matty got in line, feeling good about the day. Last year's festival had been fun, and he was looking forward to doing it again. The guy in front of him was vaguely familiar, and Matt nodded to him. It took him another second to remember that it was Doug, from College Algebra 101.

"Hey... shouldn't you be setting up?" Doug asked.

"Hmm?" Matty asked, raising an eyebrow.

Doug pointed at his guitar, slung in its case over his back. "Aren't you performing today?"

Matt blinked. "Not that I knew," he replied. He'd brought the guitar with him because it was his guitar, and it went with him everywhere it could, like a faithful companion. He glanced at the man in the suit at the front of the line. "'Scuse me. Should go see what's what." Readjusting the strap over his shoulder, Matty walked to the front of the line, greeting those he knew along the way. That turned out to be a lot of people; he made a point to be friendly.

"Afternoon," Matty called out as he got close to the man in the suit. He offered his hand, an habit instilled by his parents from age three. "Matt McShae. Been told that I have something to do with this, and wanted to check that, since no one told me 'bout it."

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Deuce held up a finger in the universal 'just a minute' sign as he turned away from the dashing young co-ed at the rope. He took the proffered hand, the firm grip Deuce returned, a surprise to Matt from the older man.

"About time you got here Mr. McShae, you better hurry up, people are expecting a show." Deuce said, putting a hand on Matt's back and ushering him through the velvet rope that he held open with the other.

Matt had to wonder at why the rope was there at all, there was nothing blocking entrance from either side of the gold-colored posts.

"Please hurry, I have more guests to greet."

He turned back to the line, smiling wide at the young girl at the front of the line, "Now where were we? Ah yes, you were telling me about your poor kitty..."

"How'd you--?"

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Jerome looked askance at his short, wiry pinball of a (hell, just admit it and take the abuse, already) friend, who was all set with a hoagie of dubious age and (*shudder*) a bottle of Mountain Dew. "Really, you at an outdoor, acoustic concert? Usually the music you listen to is stuff that, like, a computer would hum to itself in the shower, or like something Satanic happening during an industrial accident."

Abner looked solemnly at his long-suffering new roommate. "I am vast, I contain multitudes." That was as long as he could hold out, he started grinning like a Joker audition. "Actually, as far as I'm concerned, this is a place to find and friend those who have access to illegal chemicals, and those who possess female genitalia. Chicks dig this acoustic shit, and if you can roll with it, you're bound to snag someone. All the while, nice and unobtrusive music plays in the background. Not like that gangsta rap shit you're so fond of."

Jerome rolled his eyes, but couldn't help grinning. Jerome was a dyed-in-the-wool Baptist, and had actually gotten to college on a choir scholarship. In addition to his computer classes, he was a part of the local Baptist choir at college. He had no illusions about a career in music, and in all candor, no interest. He liked and understood electronics and computers, and that was what God had in store for him.

And he had to admit, he liked Matt's music: simple, good voice, good control of the guitar. He was actually a big fan of country and western music, especially the older stuff: It was like a little story in every song, and the lyrics were clear, concise, and mostly God-friendly.

Abner leaned over, and whispered,"Keep your nose out for the smell of patchouli. That's a sure sign that someone is either carrying pot, or wants to, and a dealer will be by shortly. If you don't know what patchouli smells like, stick close." Abner smiled. "Jerome, we will corrupt you into being a citizen of the world yet. I make it my mission that, by the time you graduate, you will have all the skills you need to be a professional pimp." As always, Abner was the most expert at cracking himself up, chuckling over the irony of a white dude who could pass for a Keebler elf schooling a black guy from the inner city on how to be a pimp. Jerome sighed, and Abner knew that somewhere in Jerome's brain had just been tweaked, and would never go back to normal again.

However...patchouli-seeking aside, he spotted someone who looked an awful lot like the geek hottie who was all the time drawing up character sheets. Illegal joy might have to wait, for now... "Jerome, over there. There are women, women who, unless I miss my guess, are geek-inclined like us. Me with my boundless energy and huge, throbbing cortex, and you with your smouldering Baptist, gospel-singing charisma, will no doubt be all over that shit before the day is out. Just follow my lead, and, if things go the way I want, be prepared to fork over money for condoms."

Jerome sighed, again. It was becoming a reflex. "You have a warped mind and tarnished soul, Abner."

"I know, I know, but buying and using condoms is the hallmark of a modern gentleman. I'm just glad the wooing shit got shived and buried. Talk about your waste of money and time! Anyway, let's get in...Oh, holy sartorial retinal burns, it's my favorite victim of fashion! I've got to find out where he digs up those outfits. And if anyone has access to pot, it's him!" Abner had a target of amusement, one Deuce X. Makina, and Jerome could feel himself getting embarrassed already. That, too, was becoming a reflex.

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"Pwned!" Jadzia exclaimed in victory, pumping her fist in the air, then giving Peter 'Unicronic' Greene a high-five. "Poor, wittle wogue. Awesome, we won 23 of 25. Pete, you got time for another five matches - damn!" Jadzia finally noticed the time visible around the minimap, and snapped her laptop closed, jumping up from Peter's bed.

"Is it that time already? Shit, gotta go, Pete. I promised Alexa and Liz I'd meet them for Matt's concert." Jadzia's voice was a sexy, accented purr. She downed the rest of her can of pepsi, then gave Pete a brief, friendly kiss on the mouth, the taste of cola still on her lips. "You coming?"

"Nah, Jade, I got a project I should have been doing instead of our Arena Matches. I'll seeya around." For a moment, watching Jadzia dash out of his dorm, Peter regretted that they weren't boyrfriend and girlfriend anymore, merely friends with benefits - but their relationship was working, so he didn't regret it long.

When they elevator doors opened in the lobby of Area 17, Jadzia peeked around the edge, making sure the coast was clear - no Mad Maddy in sight. She hustled her way out, not wanting to push her luck, then hurried to the Student Center.

She saw the line and immediately started making her way through it, cozying up to anyone she knew. She gave brief updates on any commissions she had or what was new in the gaming world, looking for the her taller room-mate and friend.

She caught up to them just a minute after Lizzy met up with Alexa. "Whew! I thought I was gonna be late. What's up you too?" She grinned up at the taller women, her grey eyes sparkling.

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Matt quirked an eyebrow at the strange man, but he had a smile as he said agreeably, "Sure thing. I never mind playing for folks." Of course, this was more than 'folks' he decided as he quietly counted chairs. This was the largest group he'd ever performed for, not difficult when you realized that his largest audience to date had been the Wednesday night crowd at the Trinity Baptist Church in Ames, Iowa, when he was twelve.

Still, Matty took his seat calmly. As he opened his guitar case, a glint of silver caught his eye. Bending, he pulled out the coin that Deuce had tossed in there so long ago. It felt like a strange portent, but he pocketed it and took his seat. He spent several moments warming his fingers up, working through chords.

He was interrupted several times by people coming up to him and talking to him. He had a smile for them, and talked with them several moments. A couple of women attempted to flirt with him, but found that he seemed immune to their charms. He was as polite to them in return as he was with anyone, and didn't seem to catch their social cues.

Finally, he started playing. He wasn't trying to hurry people to their seats, but those already sitting were getting a bit bored.

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"Who are we meeting, again?" Despite himself, Jerome was a little nervous. Granted, he was saving himself for marriage. But that didn't mean he didn't feel pressure when he was introduced to women. Far from it.

Abner sighed. "Dude don't sweat it. You aren't in the meat market scene anyway, right? Just relax. That short cutie with the multi-colored hair is Jadzia. She's an online gamer champion, which means she knows how to waste time better than I do. No mean feat."

"You mean the girl that's still taller than you?"

"Comments like that are why the South shall rise again. ANYWAY, yes her. She's also a very competent digital artist, and I've had a character or two drawn by her. And yes, I want her so bad my testicles will implode."

Jerome blanched. "TMI, my friend."

"Next to her is her roommate Alexandria. She's smart, in a street-smart sort of way. I have to respect that. Too many girls who hit college are airheads. She, if I'm not mistaken, is angling for a career in law enforcement...I think. I'm pretty sure. You two would be awesome in an 'opposites attract' sort of way."

"And just what does that mean, as if I wasn't afraid to ask?"

"You're into religion and into computers. Worldly-wise is not your strongest suit." Abner couldn't help chuckling.

Jerome tilted his glasses on his nose and looked down at Abner. "Now I know you've been hitting the hard stuff."

"Yeah, possibly. But this was a bad week to give up freebasing. Anyway, the other chickie next to them...I think I've seen her in a few Intro to Science classes. Lizzie-something. Anyway, obviously I don't have a memory today, so I shall have to refresh it. And you will accompany me, so as to lose your terror of the opposite sex."

"I have no fear of the opposite sex..."

"For the Lord shall protect you, I know." Abner chuckled. "Dude, just relax. They're friggin' human beings, not porcelain statues. And any woman who tells you otherwise is not a woman you want to marry."

"You almost sounded like you know what you're talking about."

"I do, in fact. And just be glad I didn't give you my dad's version of that little pep talk."

"*SIGH* Okay, Abner, what did he say?"

"Take the most beautiful girl. Take the ugliest one. Turn them both upside down, then see if you can tell them apart. It's just a hole, hopefully not one so big you'll get lost in it."

Jerome was, indeed, sorry he'd asked. At least Abner came by it honestly. "That's beautiful, really. How did your mom take that?"

"She was the one who told it to him originally."

Click to reveal..
abner:

http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2204699/

Per/Awareness: 1,1,2,2 Botchety!

Willpower: 9,9,9,9,5 Four sux!

Huh.

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Alexa gave her roommate a hug and grinned at the concert starting. They were almost to the front of the line now and she could hear Matt starting up already. She craned her neck to see around the people in front of them. "I hope we can sit down soon, sounds like things are starting already."

She grinned at her two friends mischeviously, "So, who do you think roped him into this? It's not really his....y'know, usual crowd size or MO."

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Jadzia returned the hug, then grinned up at Alexa and Lizzy, a dimple flashing. "I wish I knew - the man deserves a prize. I tried to get Matt to do something like this last year, after he helped me out after Maddy, but no bones. Talent like his, it has to be shared, don'cha think?"

The music was starting, and Jadzia was getting impatient. She stood on her tip toes, trying to see ahead, and ended up spotting 'Lil Abner. She debated pretending not to have noticed him, but it was too late - the turbo-charged pipsqueak was already heading their way, along with a friend. It wasn't all bad though. 'Lil Abner may have had a mouth bigger than the rest of him, but he was still a blast... in small doses.

Abner caught up to the girls, his mouth already opening.

"No. Don't even say it Abner, the answer is still no," Jadzia said before Abner could get a word out. The gamer-girl was still smiling though. "Y'know who set this up, with Matt?"

As the other girls were getting a large dose of little Abner, Jadzia went back to looking ahead. Finally, she saw someone she knew near the front. She began hopping up, waving a arm in the air.

"Hey! Jacob! You were saving a spot for me and my friends, right? Right?" Her accented contralto emphasized the last word, as she surreptitious pointed to the two, taller women, her smile wide.

The gangly, bespectacled Jacob glanced at Alexa and Lizzy, then turned back to Jadzia, pantomiming drawing on a pad. Jadzia rolled her eyes, the gave him a definite nod. Jacob grinned then waved them up.

"Okay guys, I hacked us to the front of the line. Let's move, before we miss anymore."

Jadzia led the way to the front (and Jacob), next in line to the gate formed by the gold-coloured posts and velvet rope.

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After exchanging some casual greeting banter with Jadzia, whom she'd gotten to know hanging out and working on homework with Alexa on occasion, and getting a nice boost to the front of the line, Lizzie was starting to settle into the groove. Like always, Matty's music was easy to listen to, and enjoyable. As Jad started to look around for someone selling water, Lizzie managed to snag the attention of one of the vendors selling water. She made her way through a few people, and after a brief comment, he handed her a couple bottles of water, and she made her way back to where the others were standing near the stage, passing the bottles off to Jad so she could get them to Matt.

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Jadzia thanked Lizzy for the bottles of water with a grin and a nod, then clambered up onto the stage. Huhn! I wish I was a little taller.

She strutted her way to Matt - completely unself-conscious about her appearance - playfully sticking her tongue out at the other girls regulated to off-stage.

Carefully staying out of his way, Jadzia place the bottles of water aroung the back leg of his chair, within reach, but out of the way. "Here you go, Matt. And all it will cost you is a song or three."

Jad retreated to the side of the stage near her friends, but didn't get off, instead sitting cross-legged on the edge. She swung her bag around and took out her laptop and a headset. She aimed its integral camera at Matt, got him in focus, slid the microphone on the headset closer, and began recording. She gave him a thumbs up and a grin.

His talent deserved to be shared.

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After getting Jadzia's agreement, he nodded his thanks and walked back to his seat. He drew out the song until she clambered up on stage and put the water behind his chair. "Thank you," Matty murmured to the young woman, giving her a warm smile.

He finished the song and took a drink. Playing a couple of chords, he held the water in his mouth before carefully swallowing it, letting it soak into his throat. Satisfied that he was ready, he he started to play his 'trick' song but was distracted by Jad setting up the camera.

He had a large audience and someone filming him. Cyn would have loved it. With his dead wife slipping into his thoughts, his fingers changed his mind, and he found himself playing a new song.

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"Behind Blue Eyes," Jadzia answered immediately, her smile a bit forced as she tried to hold back the flood of emotion - that song, the way Matt had played it, had really touched a part of her.

After a deep, shuddering breath, Jadzia's grin was back to it's normal vivaciousness. "You owe Liz a song too, she got me the water. Fair is fair."

Click to reveal..

Jadzia:

Perception + Awareness roll: 2 successes, I'm impressed!

3d10.hits(7): 2, 9, 9 = 2 successes

Willpower: 1 success, meh.

5d10.hits(7): 3, 5, 7, 5, 1 = 1 success

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With a gut wrenching shift that sent their stomachs up near their mouths, akin to the feeling that happens when there is a step where you don't expect one, the girls founds themselves once again at the front of the line, behind the velvet rope. The water was once again in the satchel of the entrepreneurial student that was panhandling the line and Matt was back on stage, sitting in the lone chair.

Abner hadn't moved, but was very distracted by the aforementioned entrepreneur, as her halter top was blessedly close to a 'wardrobe malfunction'. Jerome's stance had shifted slightly, "That's beautiful, really. How did your mom take that?"

Back at the 'gate', Deuce was standing, his arms crossed in front of him in a manner not unlike a disappointed parent.

"The velvet rope is there for a reason, order must be maintained, even for you lot." Deuce said, his cheerful demeanor absent. He lifted the gold-colored hook and gestured the five in. "I assume you would like to sit together?"

Click to reveal..
For all intents and purposes, time shifted back for everyone but Abner, who was too oblivious to notice anyway. You all remember the events that happened 'after' the current point. Liz notices that Deuce's pupils shift ever so briefly.

clubeye.jpg

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Matt swallowed hard as his fingers faltered on the strings and frets. His stomach settled, but his mind was whirling madly. What had just happened? Had he just had a waking dream? About Jazdia bringing him water?

He scanned the audience, blinking. None of them looked as startled as him, but he didn't see Jadzia or her friends, either. He glanced back at the rope barrier, and wasn't entirely surprised to see them there. He was surprised too, but that was the rational part of him. An irrational part, the same part of him that understood why symbols and fairy tales worked, knew that's where they would be.

The audience was getting concerned by his long silence and clear confusion. He cleared his throat and resettled his guitar on his leg. With hesitant fingers, he started his instrumental song again.

He kept an eye on the group by the fence, though.

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Alexa blinked long and slowly. "Okay, am I insane or did we just rewind like five minutes?" Her voice was calm but sharp as she looked at the others for some sort of confirmation that yes, she was indeed insane but it was okay because there was about to be a concert. She moved automatically at the wave from the man in front, though, passing by the little rope barrier (again) and glancing up at the stage to see what was going on there.

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Jadzia's eyes kept slipping from being able to focus on anything, her gaze tumbling around, making her head twist. "I'm going with insane, Alexa - just wish I knew why I was along for the ride."

She loooked to the older man with his unfathomable smile - he seemed to steady her sliping focus. "Um, yeah, together, right - that would be good. What seems like just happened didn't actually happen, right?"

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"Seeing is believing Jadzia, isn't that true?" Deuce said, escorting the five to an open group of seats in the front row.

"Here you are, enjoy the show, Jadzia...Matt looks a little thirsty." he said, winking. "Oh and before I forget...door prizes..."

He reached into his inside breast pocket and pressed a silver coin into everyone's palm, the cheap plastic sitting lightly in their palms. An embossed image of a Tall Ship on one side and the words "Admit One" on the other.

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"There are... optical illusions, I've made a few...," Jadzia said softly, clearly unsure, as the group followed their host (?).

Deuce pressed a plastic coin in her hand, and the gaming guru accepted it with uncertain courtesy. "Um, thanks - really! - for this - Matt? Right, he wanted water?" He's going to ask for water?

Jad looked around, and found Abner still talking to the Entrepreneurial Co-ed, though her pretty smile was getting forced. She walked over and bought several bottles at exorbitant prices. On the way to the stage, she passed a bottle to both Alexa and Lizzy, then clambered onto the stage.

She looked at the crowd, shrugged, then made her way to Matt. Head tilted to one side, she shot him a crooked grin, then placed the two bottles around the back leg of his chair. Back on the edge of the stage, Jadzia set up her computer and microphone to record Matt's performance.

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Alexa sat down and opened her program, catching the odd card that fell out of it before it hit the floor. She turned the card over in her hands; her expression went from curious to confused to confused and angry in nearly less than a second. "What the hell?"

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Like everyone else, Lizzie was taken off-guard by the apparent time-shift. It wasn't until the man pressed the coin into her hand that a startled look appeared on her face, and she watched him go, oblivious for a few moments to everyone else's stunned reactions. Finally Alexa's angry voice registered, and she turned back to the other three, the same startled expression still on her face.

"What - what the hell, what? And what in the hell was that?"

Her voice was murmured low to the other two girls, as they seemed to be the only ones to be aware of the strange shift, other than perhaps Matt - he had certainly looked thrown off guard.

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Abner paused, waiting for a wardrobe malfunction from the hottie near the rope.

"Easy. She's the one that told that to him"

Jerome nodded. "That explains so much."

Abner had no time to decipher that insinuation, though. From a wardrobe malfunction that didn't happen to one that apparently never stopped, he looked face to face with The World's Cruelest Joke On Hipsters, his man Deuce. "Again? Damn! Dude, I got to ask you: Who is your tailor? You have got to be about knee deep in the world's freakiest pussy with that ensemble. My God, your style truly transcends its humble origins. Everyone who sees you once will remember you until the day they shit the bed one last time in the old folk's home."

Jerome spoke up. "Again, not with him, don't know where his attendant is."

Abner turned around and looked offended. "Dude, YOU were the one asking me to ask him for drugs. Don't even!"

Jerome looked like he was stuck between two choices: strangling Abner or fainting on the spot. He only dimly heard Abner say, "I told him he wasn't going to score any X or H off you. Maybe some LSD, maybe some pot, but nothing too major."

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"I don't know. Some twisted practical joke or something. This is really uncool, whoever's doing it." Her voice dropped to a personal mutter, "And if that bitch wants to talk to me, she can look me up in the damn phone book."

Alexa wasn't a prude or some holy-roller, but she wasn't known to cuss all that often or without a provocation that usually involved either hammers and construction of some sort or trays of baked goods at something over 400 degrees. Liz and Jadzia could just catch sight of the card as their irate concert-mate shoved it angrily back into the program.

Click to reveal.. (Odd Card)
The card is stylized like a Tarot card except that is shows the Queen of Hearts with a middle-aged woman's face on it. At the bottom of the card in the white boarder are written the words 'Find Me'.
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Jadzia returned Matt's look, her hands spread and eyes wide, equally clueless. Listening to Matt's playing helped ease her bewilderment - she had always had a fondness for The Who, since theirs was some of the first American music she could remember hearing back in Poland, when she was little.

She let 'Behind Blue Eyes' wash over her, looking down at the plastic coin, flipping it between dexterous fingers. Hearing Alexa curse, though, brought Jadzia's head up to stare at her room-mate with a raised eyebrow. They hadn't been room-mates for that long, but she knew that Alexa didn't curse often, whereas professional video gaming was a very invective-intensive career.

Catching a glance of the joke Tarot card in passing, Jadzia asked Alexa, "What burnt your muffins, Alexa? Other, than, you know... reality being hit by the reset button. Hope we don't suffer the Red Ring of Doom."

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Lizzie muttered quietly to the other two, her gaze briefly wandering back to the odd looking man before she forced herself to turn away again.

"So we all noticed that happen? Like everything just.. changed back to where it was a minute or so before? I dunno what the hell's going on, but I think that guy has something to do with it - did you guys see his eyes? Those are some freaky contacts or.. something. Alexa, can you tell us what's wrong?"

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Originally Posted By: Abner Ubchek
Abner paused, waiting for a wardrobe malfunction from the hottie near the rope.

"Easy. She's the one that told that to him"

Jerome nodded. "That explains so much."

Abner had no time to decipher that insinuation, though. From a wardrobe malfunction that didn't happen to one that apparently never stopped, he looked face to face with The World's Cruelest Joke On Hipsters, his man Deuce. "Again? Damn! Dude, I got to ask you: Who is your tailor? You have got to be about knee deep in the world's freakiest pussy with that ensemble. My God, your style truly transcends its humble origins. Everyone who sees you once will remember you until the day they shit the bed one last time in the old folk's home."

Jerome spoke up. "Again, not with him, don't know where his attendant is."

Abner turned around and looked offended. "Dude, YOU were the one asking me to ask him for drugs. Don't even!"

Jerome looked like he was stuck between two choices: strangling Abner or fainting on the spot. He only dimly heard Abner say, "I told him he wasn't going to score any X or H off you. Maybe some LSD, maybe some pot, but nothing too major."


"Li'l Abner, a pleasure as always. You would be surprised as to the authenticity of that statement young one. Why don't you stop gawking at this kind, beautiful woman and join your friends?"

Deuce then shouldered the two young men away as he ushered in the last of the attendees, telling them to find any open seat. As people rushed to get the better seats, it seemed to darken a bit and a spotlight from...somewhere (???) focused on Matt.

As the light centered, it grew darker over the crowd and unbidden, the words seem to come from his mouth as his hands flew across his guitar, playing a song outside his normal style.

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He almost immediately stood up, knocking the seat back off the stage. The performance took everyone off their butts, sending hair on end and nearly everyone had goosebumps, either out of shock or pure excitement.

Deuce walked away, unnoticed except by a small group of five, who he winked at as he led a woman with a water bottle-laden bag away, whispering in her ear.
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"Holy Fuck! Matt, how the Hell did you do that on an accoustic guitar?" Jad popped out of her chair and went to check her recording of Matt's impossible performance. Throughout the song, Jadzia's throat had been tight with lyrics she didn't know, begging for release - she shivered, first the global reset, now this.

She needed to see if it had actually happened - that is wasn't some trick played by psychotropics. She sat down at her laptop, starting the recording over, wondering if she had really seen what she had seen.

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It was like on the Green. Matty swallowed hard as he looked out at the excited audience, all wanting to know what that song was. His fingers hurt, and he subtly dropped them behind his guitar to shake them out.

Jadzia's exclamation actually made him jump a little. The question didn't make him feel much better either. "Pretty awesome, huh?" he said, stalling while he tried to figure out what the hell was going on. "Did you get it all?"

As Jadzia nodded, his eyes lifted to the last spot he'd seen Deuce, his jaw tightening. That man had known more than he'd said, and Matty now had several pointed questions he wanted to ask - though he wouldn't necessarily ask them at the end of pointy objects.

For now, though, he had a concert to perform. He couldn't leave it with only four songs played. Or was it five? He repressed another shudder and put his fingers back on his guitar. He was damned if he knew what to play though - how was he going to top that?

Already on his feet, he bounced off the stage and stopped in front of Lizzie. Tipping his head to the side and smiling, he asked, "Do you have a request?"

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Just before the song started Alexa spat out, "Someone thinks I'd actually go looking for my mother." She shot Jadzia a confused look, "Red ring of doom?"

Then the music started. Alexa forgot about the card during the song; she absently she tucked the program and the card into her shoulder back just to get them out of her hands. She'd never heard music so compelling; by the end of it her throat was raw and she realized she'd been singing along even though she didn't know the lyrics and had never heard the song before. She just stared at Matty as he dropped down off the stage and stepped up to Lizzie.

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Lizzie looked at Matt, a bit startled at being caught off-guard for a request. Her mind was frazzled at the moment, and without thinking about it, she said the first thing that popped into her mind.

"White Rabbit, by Jefferson Starship?"

After all, I feel like I just stepped through the damned looking glass...

Then her eyes widened, and she blushed slightly as she remembered what the song was really about. She waved her hand slightly

"Wait, maybe not that one - oh, I don't know. I'm not good at this."

Great, way to make everyone think you're some kind of druggie or something...

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"Always go with your gut in love and music," Matty quipped easily, starting to strum the requested song. "You picked it for a reason." And he knew the reason. It was the same reason he was focusing so hard on his playing. He didn't want to think about time rolling backwards and resetting.

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Abner stared at Deuce as he left. "Hey Jerome..."

A little sigh. "Yes Abner, who was trying to make me look like a junkie?"

"Junkie? Seriously, who uses that word anymore without irony? When did your parents move into the fallout shelter and keep you in isolation, 1972? No, never mind: Do you recall ever giving our walking sartorial explosion over there my name or yours? At any time?"

Jerome paused. "Yeah, when we...No, wait..."

Abner made an aha!-fingerpoint at Jerome. "See!? That's what I thought, too! Who is that guy, and how does...Jadzia! Light of my life, how the hell are you? And your friends! Hey, gang? This is Jerome. Cruel fate has arranged it so that we are roommates, due to having the same major. It's The Odd Couple, add crack, but subtract any creepy homoerotic undertones. So I think I recognize you," he pointed to Alexa, "but I don't recognize you although I've seen you around..." he told Elizabeth.

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Jadzia put on the headset and watched the recording of Matt's uncanny performance. Her head moved, trying to change her angle of perspective to figure out where that spotlight had come from, though she knew it didn't work like that. What the fuck is happening?

Distracted, she barely heard Matt's rendition of White Rabbit over his playing of 'Hero'. She had been about to play the recording again when Abner showed up, victim roommate in tow.

"Abner!" Jadzia exclaimed, and there was no trace of her own usual playful smile. "I think I'm suffering a fatal exception error - something's not right." From her seat on the ground, Jadzia looked up at the tiny Abner with wide grey eyes.

"Have you noticed... anything... odd?" Even in her anxiety, Jadzia couldn't stop the side of her mouth curving up into an amused grin, and she gave Jerome a nod in greeting. "Not counting anything you've said or done, Lil' Abner."

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Lizzie arched a brow, her lips twitching a little in amusement at the Odd Couple comment. She held out a hand, business-like, to shake both Abner's and his roommate, Jerome's.

"I'm Lizzie, Lizzie MacIntyre. Forensics Science major. Nice to meet you both."

She sounded a bit distant, but then again all the girls were sharing slightly equal looks of confusion, or in Alexa's case some residual anger, so it didn't seem out of place.

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