I Am Halfway Home!

Send a number to find my muse...

Steve didn’t answer. He couldn’t. His mind was far too out of it to say anything. He clutched his head as an image clarified. It was... a mirror. Through that mirror he saw himself, but not himself. The reflection looked back in the same shock Steve felt. Then the mirror broke. It’s shattered pieces tearing through him and leaving shards of the reflection all over the place. All over him. The reflection and him were indistinguishable.

“You can... track his health?” Circuit tilted his head. “Didn’t remember that was something you could do. Is it because you drank his blood? I think he’s probably fine. My bet would be he’s on his way now.” Circuit sat down and paused. He bit his lip, “but uh... you think you could show me how that works? Call me curious to a fault, heh.”

"Vell I don't pay attention to zat stuff most of ze time. I'm just a little vorried about him so I bring it up." She shrugged, "Vonce I bite somevone, I can keep track of zeir health for a vile. It's meant more for if jou turn somevone jou can tell if zey get in trouble but I can still feel his health a little."

“Well then, how is he? I’d hope he’s done being a baby by now.” Circuit tilted his head. He didn’t get a bad feeling about the Steve situation. The man could generally handle himself. But... now he’s curious. And it was getting the best of him, as usual.

Snake paused for a moment, trying to pay attention to the thin connection, "He seems fine for now, it's a little low from punching trees but I tink he is okay. I don't feel any panic from him." She said, after a minute.

Circuit tilted his head, “but... you healed those wounds. There’s no reason for it to have dropped since then.” His feathers ruffled with worry. Steve... was coming back soon, right? He flipped out his phone and called him. It rang, and rang, and raaaaaaaaaang- oh! He picked up.

Steve didn’t answer. He couldn’t. His mind was far too out of it to say anything. He clutched his head as an image clarified. It was... a mirror. Through that mirror he saw himself, but not himself. The reflection looked back in the same shock Steve felt. Then the mirror broke. It’s shattered pieces tearing through him and leaving shards of the reflection all over the place. All over him. The reflection and him were indistinguishable.

“You can... track his health?” Circuit tilted his head. “Didn’t remember that was something you could do. Is it because you drank his blood? I think he’s probably fine. My bet would be he’s on his way now.” Circuit sat down and paused. He bit his lip, “but uh... you think you could show me how that works? Call me curious to a fault, heh.”

"Vell I don't pay attention to zat stuff most of ze time. I'm just a little vorried about him so I bring it up." She shrugged, "Vonce I bite somevone, I can keep track of zeir health for a vile. It's meant more for if jou turn somevone jou can tell if zey get in trouble but I can still feel his health a little."

“Well then, how is he? I’d hope he’s done being a baby by now.” Circuit tilted his head. He didn’t get a bad feeling about the Steve situation. The man could generally handle himself. But... now he’s curious. And it was getting the best of him, as usual.

Steve didn’t answer. He couldn’t. His mind was far too out of it to say anything. He clutched his head as an image clarified. It was... a mirror. Through that mirror he saw himself, but not himself. The reflection looked back in the same shock Steve felt. Then the mirror broke. It’s shattered pieces tearing through him and leaving shards of the reflection all over the place. All over him. The reflection and him were indistinguishable.

“You can... track his health?” Circuit tilted his head. “Didn’t remember that was something you could do. Is it because you drank his blood? I think he’s probably fine. My bet would be he’s on his way now.” Circuit sat down and paused. He bit his lip, “but uh... you think you could show me how that works? Call me curious to a fault, heh.”

Steve didn’t answer. He couldn’t. His mind was far too out of it to say anything. He clutched his head as an image clarified. It was... a mirror. Through that mirror he saw himself, but not himself. The reflection looked back in the same shock Steve felt. Then the mirror broke. It’s shattered pieces tearing through him and leaving shards of the reflection all over the place. All over him. The reflection and him were indistinguishable.

“Am I? I just feel like... me.” Circuit shrugged as they walked, “Though I must admit what I’m going through now is nothing compared to what I went through then.” His smile faltered as he thought about it, but unlike Steve, he quickly returned to a good mood. “But that’s another lifetime. Literally. I may have a soul crushing 9-5 and a arrest record but at least I don’t have a hole in my chest. Honestly that thing was so hard to clean in the shower. And my wings, oof. Such fragile little things.” His wings quivered just thinking about it.

Steff chuckled, "I bet, that hole just seemed really inconvenient at least. Yeah, at least you can use these ones, could you fly with your old ones?I can't even remember."

“That’s one thing new me and old me have in common. I used to be able to fly with them, but due to certain circumstances, I lost the ability. Back then they shrunk to like a foot long, now they’re just prematurely molting.” He flapped his wings and a few small downy feathers fluttered off. “It really is like I said earlier. Same problems, different reasons.”

Steff nodded, seeing the house in the distance, "But Snake still has that stuff, for you're wings."

“Which I highly appreciate. I do hope it helps. I really don’t want to resort to either clean plucking to save face or... how do I describe it and not sound pathetic... a wig for my wings? Not like I could afford one anyway but... it would be embarrassing.” He cringed slightly at the thought. Honestly he’d rather just go clean than use fake feathers to make himself feel better. He shrugged it off and turned to Steff, “But you don’t have to worry about stuff like that. You’re immortal, and a woman. Women usually don’t go bald as badly or as much as men.”

"Wing wigs? I didn't know those were a thing." Steff said surprised, "How does that even work? With how a wing moves, I doubt it fits well."

“The ones I’ve seen? never look convincing. They’re mostly decorative so wings don’t need to move. Now prosthetic wings? That’s a mix of form and function. But... then it’s obvious how bald I would be. I’m... not keen on it.” Circuit shrugged. “I’m sure Snake would understand.”

"Don't vorry, I understand entirely. I'd be very upset to if I vas molting." Snake said, as she was still there, she had just fallen to the back and kept quiet, she was thinking.

“Thank you. It’s nice to have another winged friend to talk to. We get each other’s wing problems. We’re wing buddies.” He smiled and gestured between them with his hands. He paused as they walked towards the house. “I do hope Steve catches up soon. Or at least texts that he’s going somewhere safe. I know he’s a outdoorsman but I still worry about the wildness of the woods.”

Snake chuckled, "Ja, ving buddies." She smiled, shuffling her wings. "Ja, I hope he's okay. Ze forest around here isn't too bad during ze day but I tink zere is an open cave somevere around his old house." She said.

As they caught up Citcuit stepped aside at the door to hold it for the girls. “Open cave? I’m going to be honest my memory isn’t what it used to be and I don’t remember the cave you’re referencing. I know a few but... eh. Caves are Steve’s bread and butter. Miner, and all that. Or... former miner? He doesn’t really do much of that now. Why? Is it dangerous?”

Steve didn’t answer. He couldn’t. His mind was far too out of it to say anything. He clutched his head as an image clarified. It was... a mirror. Through that mirror he saw himself, but not himself. The reflection looked back in the same shock Steve felt. Then the mirror broke. It’s shattered pieces tearing through him and leaving shards of the reflection all over the place. All over him. The reflection and him were indistinguishable.

“Am I? I just feel like... me.” Circuit shrugged as they walked, “Though I must admit what I’m going through now is nothing compared to what I went through then.” His smile faltered as he thought about it, but unlike Steve, he quickly returned to a good mood. “But that’s another lifetime. Literally. I may have a soul crushing 9-5 and a arrest record but at least I don’t have a hole in my chest. Honestly that thing was so hard to clean in the shower. And my wings, oof. Such fragile little things.” His wings quivered just thinking about it.

Steff chuckled, "I bet, that hole just seemed really inconvenient at least. Yeah, at least you can use these ones, could you fly with your old ones?I can't even remember."

“That’s one thing new me and old me have in common. I used to be able to fly with them, but due to certain circumstances, I lost the ability. Back then they shrunk to like a foot long, now they’re just prematurely molting.” He flapped his wings and a few small downy feathers fluttered off. “It really is like I said earlier. Same problems, different reasons.”

Steff nodded, seeing the house in the distance, "But Snake still has that stuff, for you're wings."

“Which I highly appreciate. I do hope it helps. I really don’t want to resort to either clean plucking to save face or... how do I describe it and not sound pathetic... a wig for my wings? Not like I could afford one anyway but... it would be embarrassing.” He cringed slightly at the thought. Honestly he’d rather just go clean than use fake feathers to make himself feel better. He shrugged it off and turned to Steff, “But you don’t have to worry about stuff like that. You’re immortal, and a woman. Women usually don’t go bald as badly or as much as men.”

"Wing wigs? I didn't know those were a thing." Steff said surprised, "How does that even work? With how a wing moves, I doubt it fits well."

“The ones I’ve seen? never look convincing. They’re mostly decorative so wings don’t need to move. Now prosthetic wings? That’s a mix of form and function. But... then it’s obvious how bald I would be. I’m... not keen on it.” Circuit shrugged. “I’m sure Snake would understand.”

"Don't vorry, I understand entirely. I'd be very upset to if I vas molting." Snake said, as she was still there, she had just fallen to the back and kept quiet, she was thinking.

“Thank you. It’s nice to have another winged friend to talk to. We get each other’s wing problems. We’re wing buddies.” He smiled and gestured between them with his hands. He paused as they walked towards the house. “I do hope Steve catches up soon. Or at least texts that he’s going somewhere safe. I know he’s a outdoorsman but I still worry about the wildness of the woods.”

Steve didn’t answer. He couldn’t. His mind was far too out of it to say anything. He clutched his head as an image clarified. It was... a mirror. Through that mirror he saw himself, but not himself. The reflection looked back in the same shock Steve felt. Then the mirror broke. It’s shattered pieces tearing through him and leaving shards of the reflection all over the place. All over him. The reflection and him were indistinguishable.

“Am I? I just feel like... me.” Circuit shrugged as they walked, “Though I must admit what I’m going through now is nothing compared to what I went through then.” His smile faltered as he thought about it, but unlike Steve, he quickly returned to a good mood. “But that’s another lifetime. Literally. I may have a soul crushing 9-5 and a arrest record but at least I don’t have a hole in my chest. Honestly that thing was so hard to clean in the shower. And my wings, oof. Such fragile little things.” His wings quivered just thinking about it.

Steff chuckled, "I bet, that hole just seemed really inconvenient at least. Yeah, at least you can use these ones, could you fly with your old ones?I can't even remember."

“That’s one thing new me and old me have in common. I used to be able to fly with them, but due to certain circumstances, I lost the ability. Back then they shrunk to like a foot long, now they’re just prematurely molting.” He flapped his wings and a few small downy feathers fluttered off. “It really is like I said earlier. Same problems, different reasons.”

Steff nodded, seeing the house in the distance, "But Snake still has that stuff, for you're wings."

“Which I highly appreciate. I do hope it helps. I really don’t want to resort to either clean plucking to save face or... how do I describe it and not sound pathetic... a wig for my wings? Not like I could afford one anyway but... it would be embarrassing.” He cringed slightly at the thought. Honestly he’d rather just go clean than use fake feathers to make himself feel better. He shrugged it off and turned to Steff, “But you don’t have to worry about stuff like that. You’re immortal, and a woman. Women usually don’t go bald as badly or as much as men.”

"Wing wigs? I didn't know those were a thing." Steff said surprised, "How does that even work? With how a wing moves, I doubt it fits well."

“The ones I’ve seen? never look convincing. They’re mostly decorative so wings don’t need to move. Now prosthetic wings? That’s a mix of form and function. But... then it’s obvious how bald I would be. I’m... not keen on it.” Circuit shrugged. “I’m sure Snake would understand.”

Steve didn’t answer. He couldn’t. His mind was far too out of it to say anything. He clutched his head as an image clarified. It was... a mirror. Through that mirror he saw himself, but not himself. The reflection looked back in the same shock Steve felt. Then the mirror broke. It’s shattered pieces tearing through him and leaving shards of the reflection all over the place. All over him. The reflection and him were indistinguishable.

“Am I? I just feel like... me.” Circuit shrugged as they walked, “Though I must admit what I’m going through now is nothing compared to what I went through then.” His smile faltered as he thought about it, but unlike Steve, he quickly returned to a good mood. “But that’s another lifetime. Literally. I may have a soul crushing 9-5 and a arrest record but at least I don’t have a hole in my chest. Honestly that thing was so hard to clean in the shower. And my wings, oof. Such fragile little things.” His wings quivered just thinking about it.

Steff chuckled, "I bet, that hole just seemed really inconvenient at least. Yeah, at least you can use these ones, could you fly with your old ones?I can't even remember."

“That’s one thing new me and old me have in common. I used to be able to fly with them, but due to certain circumstances, I lost the ability. Back then they shrunk to like a foot long, now they’re just prematurely molting.” He flapped his wings and a few small downy feathers fluttered off. “It really is like I said earlier. Same problems, different reasons.”

Steff nodded, seeing the house in the distance, "But Snake still has that stuff, for you're wings."

“Which I highly appreciate. I do hope it helps. I really don’t want to resort to either clean plucking to save face or... how do I describe it and not sound pathetic... a wig for my wings? Not like I could afford one anyway but... it would be embarrassing.” He cringed slightly at the thought. Honestly he’d rather just go clean than use fake feathers to make himself feel better. He shrugged it off and turned to Steff, “But you don’t have to worry about stuff like that. You’re immortal, and a woman. Women usually don’t go bald as badly or as much as men.”

Steve didn’t answer. He couldn’t. His mind was far too out of it to say anything. He clutched his head as an image clarified. It was... a mirror. Through that mirror he saw himself, but not himself. The reflection looked back in the same shock Steve felt. Then the mirror broke. It’s shattered pieces tearing through him and leaving shards of the reflection all over the place. All over him. The reflection and him were indistinguishable.

“Am I? I just feel like... me.” Circuit shrugged as they walked, “Though I must admit what I’m going through now is nothing compared to what I went through then.” His smile faltered as he thought about it, but unlike Steve, he quickly returned to a good mood. “But that’s another lifetime. Literally. I may have a soul crushing 9-5 and a arrest record but at least I don’t have a hole in my chest. Honestly that thing was so hard to clean in the shower. And my wings, oof. Such fragile little things.” His wings quivered just thinking about it.

Steff chuckled, "I bet, that hole just seemed really inconvenient at least. Yeah, at least you can use these ones, could you fly with your old ones?I can't even remember."

“That’s one thing new me and old me have in common. I used to be able to fly with them, but due to certain circumstances, I lost the ability. Back then they shrunk to like a foot long, now they’re just prematurely molting.” He flapped his wings and a few small downy feathers fluttered off. “It really is like I said earlier. Same problems, different reasons.”

Steve didn’t answer. He couldn’t. His mind was far too out of it to say anything. He clutched his head as an image clarified. It was... a mirror. Through that mirror he saw himself, but not himself. The reflection looked back in the same shock Steve felt. Then the mirror broke. It’s shattered pieces tearing through him and leaving shards of the reflection all over the place. All over him. The reflection and him were indistinguishable.

“Am I? I just feel like... me.” Circuit shrugged as they walked, “Though I must admit what I’m going through now is nothing compared to what I went through then.” His smile faltered as he thought about it, but unlike Steve, he quickly returned to a good mood. “But that’s another lifetime. Literally. I may have a soul crushing 9-5 and a arrest record but at least I don’t have a hole in my chest. Honestly that thing was so hard to clean in the shower. And my wings, oof. Such fragile little things.” His wings quivered just thinking about it.

Steve didn’t answer. He couldn’t. His mind was far too out of it to say anything. He clutched his head as an image clarified. It was... a mirror. Through that mirror he saw himself, but not himself. The reflection looked back in the same shock Steve felt. Then the mirror broke. It’s shattered pieces tearing through him and leaving shards of the reflection all over the place. All over him. The reflection and him were indistinguishable.

Circuit looked at the foundation and thought. His mind was no longer a steel trap of computer ai, of that he at least was sure, but he was confident he knew every pebble of the place. It would only take-

Brene nodded, "Yeah, that's probably why it's gone." She shrugged, walking with Surge.

Circuit smiled and blushed, “Guess we’ve always clicked. Even when I forgot I guess we kept a similar dynamic.” Circuit looked at Surge a moment. “Honesly he hasn’t changed much. Lost a tail but ah...” The sun glinting off the gem in Surge’s chest made Circuit get a little nostalgic. “Guess some things didn’t change that much either. I doubt the others are just gone. But all this makes me wonder where they went. Gramm is now my cruddy a-hole boss, Steve is... Steve. I don’t even remember Fanshi in the before. She’s new. But I wonder what happened to the others. To Servo and Gig...” He didn’t seem upset just... curious.

"Yeah, it is a bit odd." Steff agreed, "But I like the changes, at least this one means that your condition isn't permanent like last time." She said, looking down at him.

Circuit barked a laugh. “You got me there. Plus I have a nose,” He gently pinched his nose, “It’s the little things. I do miss teleporting though. That was nice.” Circuit paused. His eyes unfocused a moment. He suddenly grabbed Steff’s sleeve and pulled on it. “Say a paradox. Do it.”

Steff chuckled, looking down to him, "This sentence is false."

Circuit pointed at her, his eyes alight. “I don’t care,” he excitedly replied, “The sentence makes no sense and I don’t even care.” He fist pumped the air in jubilation. It was the little things. “Steff I know I haven’t cared about paradoxes in years but with these new memories it feels so special. I can say divide by zero and not get a headache.”

Steve didn’t answer. He couldn’t. His mind was far too out of it to say anything. He clutched his head as an image clarified. It was... a mirror. Through that mirror he saw himself, but not himself. The reflection looked back in the same shock Steve felt. Then the mirror broke. It’s shattered pieces tearing through him and leaving shards of the reflection all over the place. All over him. The reflection and him were indistinguishable.

Circuit looked at the foundation and thought. His mind was no longer a steel trap of computer ai, of that he at least was sure, but he was confident he knew every pebble of the place. It would only take-

Brene nodded, "Yeah, that's probably why it's gone." She shrugged, walking with Surge.

Circuit smiled and blushed, “Guess we’ve always clicked. Even when I forgot I guess we kept a similar dynamic.” Circuit looked at Surge a moment. “Honesly he hasn’t changed much. Lost a tail but ah...” The sun glinting off the gem in Surge’s chest made Circuit get a little nostalgic. “Guess some things didn’t change that much either. I doubt the others are just gone. But all this makes me wonder where they went. Gramm is now my cruddy a-hole boss, Steve is... Steve. I don’t even remember Fanshi in the before. She’s new. But I wonder what happened to the others. To Servo and Gig...” He didn’t seem upset just... curious.

"Yeah, it is a bit odd." Steff agreed, "But I like the changes, at least this one means that your condition isn't permanent like last time." She said, looking down at him.

Circuit barked a laugh. “You got me there. Plus I have a nose,” He gently pinched his nose, “It’s the little things. I do miss teleporting though. That was nice.” Circuit paused. His eyes unfocused a moment. He suddenly grabbed Steff’s sleeve and pulled on it. “Say a paradox. Do it.”

Steve didn’t answer. He couldn’t. His mind was far too out of it to say anything. He clutched his head as an image clarified. It was... a mirror. Through that mirror he saw himself, but not himself. The reflection looked back in the same shock Steve felt. Then the mirror broke. It’s shattered pieces tearing through him and leaving shards of the reflection all over the place. All over him. The reflection and him were indistinguishable.

Circuit looked at the foundation and thought. His mind was no longer a steel trap of computer ai, of that he at least was sure, but he was confident he knew every pebble of the place. It would only take-

Brene nodded, "Yeah, that's probably why it's gone." She shrugged, walking with Surge.

Circuit smiled and blushed, “Guess we’ve always clicked. Even when I forgot I guess we kept a similar dynamic.” Circuit looked at Surge a moment. “Honesly he hasn’t changed much. Lost a tail but ah...” The sun glinting off the gem in Surge’s chest made Circuit get a little nostalgic. “Guess some things didn’t change that much either. I doubt the others are just gone. But all this makes me wonder where they went. Gramm is now my cruddy a-hole boss, Steve is... Steve. I don’t even remember Fanshi in the before. She’s new. But I wonder what happened to the others. To Servo and Gig...” He didn’t seem upset just... curious.

Steve didn’t answer. He couldn’t. His mind was far too out of it to say anything. He clutched his head as an image clarified. It was... a mirror. Through that mirror he saw himself, but not himself. The reflection looked back in the same shock Steve felt. Then the mirror broke. It’s shattered pieces tearing through him and leaving shards of the reflection all over the place. All over him. The reflection and him were indistinguishable.

Circuit looked at the foundation and thought. His mind was no longer a steel trap of computer ai, of that he at least was sure, but he was confident he knew every pebble of the place. It would only take-

Steve didn’t answer. He couldn’t. His mind was far too out of it to say anything. He clutched his head as an image clarified. It was... a mirror. Through that mirror he saw himself, but not himself. The reflection looked back in the same shock Steve felt. Then the mirror broke. It’s shattered pieces tearing through him and leaving shards of the reflection all over the place. All over him. The reflection and him were indistinguishable.

Steve sighed, “I’ve gone and ruined the day, haven’t I? Look I...” he ran a hand through his hair and looked back at the trees, “I’m sorry for yelling at you I just- I can’t not feel these feelings. I can’t pretend to not be hurt.”

"I'm fine, I'm more vorried about Steve." Snake replied, taking the help and standing. "Maybe ve should head back und let him calm down a bit more." she agreed, shifting under her umbrella, "Just let me finish fixing his hands at least, he's still bleeding a little."

Steve once more didn’t struggle against her taking his hands. He was upset, but physically lashing out at friends was the last thing he wanted to do to ruin the day further. His eyes seemed unfocused as he looked away at nothing in particular. “Perhaps I am a child...” he muttered. He was a no good child throwing a tantrum because one of his toys were taken away. He just hoped Snake and Circuit would forgive him.

Snake fixed his hand, "It's alright Steve, I understand. Jou spent time on it, even if it vas anozer jou, to just lose all progress is frustrating. But it's how ve deal vit ze frustration zat makes a difference." She said, pulling him into a gentle hug under her umbrella.

Steve’s face was unreadable. He didn’t deny the hug, but he didn’t nessesarily accept it either. He silently watched the two leave.

Circuit muttered something under his breath, but quickly put on a smile for the other three as they approached.

Steve didn’t answer. He couldn’t. His mind was far too out of it to say anything. He clutched his head as an image clarified. It was... a mirror. Through that mirror he saw himself, but not himself. The reflection looked back in the same shock Steve felt. Then the mirror broke. It’s shattered pieces tearing through him and leaving shards of the reflection all over the place. All over him. The reflection and him were indistinguishable.

Steve sighed, “I’ve gone and ruined the day, haven’t I? Look I...” he ran a hand through his hair and looked back at the trees, “I’m sorry for yelling at you I just- I can’t not feel these feelings. I can’t pretend to not be hurt.”

"I'm fine, I'm more vorried about Steve." Snake replied, taking the help and standing. "Maybe ve should head back und let him calm down a bit more." she agreed, shifting under her umbrella, "Just let me finish fixing his hands at least, he's still bleeding a little."

Steve once more didn’t struggle against her taking his hands. He was upset, but physically lashing out at friends was the last thing he wanted to do to ruin the day further. His eyes seemed unfocused as he looked away at nothing in particular. “Perhaps I am a child...” he muttered. He was a no good child throwing a tantrum because one of his toys were taken away. He just hoped Snake and Circuit would forgive him.

Snake fixed his hand, "It's alright Steve, I understand. Jou spent time on it, even if it vas anozer jou, to just lose all progress is frustrating. But it's how ve deal vit ze frustration zat makes a difference." She said, pulling him into a gentle hug under her umbrella.

Steve’s face was unreadable. He didn’t deny the hug, but he didn’t nessesarily accept it either. He silently watched the two leave.

Steve didn’t answer. He couldn’t. His mind was far too out of it to say anything. He clutched his head as an image clarified. It was... a mirror. Through that mirror he saw himself, but not himself. The reflection looked back in the same shock Steve felt. Then the mirror broke. It’s shattered pieces tearing through him and leaving shards of the reflection all over the place. All over him. The reflection and him were indistinguishable.

Steve sighed, “I’ve gone and ruined the day, haven’t I? Look I...” he ran a hand through his hair and looked back at the trees, “I’m sorry for yelling at you I just- I can’t not feel these feelings. I can’t pretend to not be hurt.”

"I'm fine, I'm more vorried about Steve." Snake replied, taking the help and standing. "Maybe ve should head back und let him calm down a bit more." she agreed, shifting under her umbrella, "Just let me finish fixing his hands at least, he's still bleeding a little."

Steve once more didn’t struggle against her taking his hands. He was upset, but physically lashing out at friends was the last thing he wanted to do to ruin the day further. His eyes seemed unfocused as he looked away at nothing in particular. “Perhaps I am a child...” he muttered. He was a no good child throwing a tantrum because one of his toys were taken away. He just hoped Snake and Circuit would forgive him.