± fifteen ±

[not_that_lockon]

[This is probably not the Lyle you are looking for. When the sphere switches on, it looks like Lyle's the latest to be hit by the no-holds-barred anomaly extravaganza that's going on at the moment - so, dear Crucible passengers, you currently have a twelve-year-old on your hands who looks about 3 parts lost and uncertain and one part unimpressed.

Oh, and that Ulster accent of his? Is even thicker than it usually is.]

Neil? Amy? Where are you guys? If this is some sort of prank, it's not very funny. And you didn't have to steal my clothes.

[He folds his arms, the sleeves of his oversized top having been rolled up so he can use his hands better. He's also looking a lot more nervous now that he's not getting a response.] Come on, guys, you can come out now!

Comments

[not-that-lockon.livejournal.com]

[Staring. This guy looks like - no way. That's impossible, right?]

Is that you, Neil?

[mr-dynames.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it is. [finally smiles at him]

[not-that-lockon.livejournal.com]

No way! How did you grow up so fast? [He might just sound a bit put out there.]

[mr-dynames.livejournal.com]

[thinking veeeeeery carefully on what to say next, would he buy the "I didn't grow up, you grew down" story?] I didn't grow up so fast, I've been like this for a while.

[not-that-lockon.livejournal.com]

How long?

[mr-dynames.livejournal.com]

I think it's been about eight years, maybe nine. [grinning a bit at him now, he can't help it]

[not-that-lockon.livejournal.com]

But I was only just with you and Amy before! I haven't time-travelled or something, have I? [Time-travel is impossible after all, right? He's probably just dreaming.]

[mr-dynames.livejournal.com]

[If only he remembered the weird age gap they had from before he turned into a kid....] Time is a bit... off here. It's difficult to explain.

[not-that-lockon.livejournal.com]

People keep saying stuff like that. [Is he pouting? He might just be!] Come on, Neil, try me!

[mr-dynames.livejournal.com]

[hesitates a moment, then nods as the faint music keeps a smile on his face] You were a little older than me when I arrived on the ship, since you were from a different time than I was.

[not-that-lockon.livejournal.com]

[and watch as he completely fails to get it] You mean there's an older version of me walking around here as well?

[mr-dynames.livejournal.com]

No. There was, but now he's been reverted to your age.

[not-that-lockon.livejournal.com]

... You're not talking about me, are you?

[mr-dynames.livejournal.com]

You're exactly who I'm talking about. [He wanted the truth, now he's got it.]

[not-that-lockon.livejournal.com]

No way. But I don't remember any of that stuff!

[mr-dynames.livejournal.com]

It wouldn't be the first time the ship's made us forget things that have happened.

[not-that-lockon.livejournal.com]

... This place is weird.

[mr-dynames.livejournal.com]

Just a bit.

[not-that-lockon.livejournal.com]

So how long have you been here?

[mr-dynames.livejournal.com]

Let's see.... [thinking... thinking... counting...] About eight months, I think.

[not-that-lockon.livejournal.com]

That's a long time.

... You're honestly not pulling my leg, are you?

[mr-dynames.livejournal.com]

You can say that again. [grins]

Not in the slightest.

[not-that-lockon.livejournal.com]

Weird!

[mr-dynames.livejournal.com]

So, do you need help with anything?

[not-that-lockon.livejournal.com]

Well, I needed some clothes earlier but Oliver took care of that.