Inbox

[itsjustabaddream]

INBOX OF NEIL WEST

Neil would be happy to hear from you. Leave a comment below to reach out. You can pay him a visit at home, or send him a letter any time.

GAME NAV ✦ THE OCULARUM

Comments

[itsjustabaddream]

"Well, that certainly isn't my intention." He chuckles. "West is my surname, and 'Dream Analytics' is just a succinct, if not slightly ostentatious way of describing my practice. I have a doctorate in psychology and in arcana, plus I have a rare psychic ability known as dreamwalking. I use this combination of science and magic to enter the dreams of clients and assist them in processing nightmares, to help heal trauma or alleviate insomnia. But I also happily offer regular talk therapy as well."

Neil takes a sip of his own tea and smiles warmly. "Now, in exchange for listening to my unbidden sales pitch, I should offer you recompense in the form of using my phone and an optional muffin."

[sistermagnetic]

"In my reality, those kinds of things are generally only put up by hucksters and con men, so my suspicion is entirely grounded in my own experience. If this is something that you do genuinely, then that's honestly remarkable. I don't think I've ever actually heard of a Quirk that allows people to step into others' dreams. Something about the metaphysical problems associated with stepping into other people's mental spaces and how it would almost certainly alter your perception to be able to fit more naturally within the space." She's musing out loud on the idea, stretching her somewhat limited vocabulary on the topic to its breaking point.

She cracks a soft smile, considering her state for a moment then dipping her head briefly. "A muffin sounds lovely. Then I can make the phone call."

[itsjustabaddream]

"A Quirk? That's a new one--- I've never heard that term before, at least in reference to one's in-born power. It's certainly not inaccurate." He stands up, popping back into the kitchen and then returning with two enormous cinnamon muffins. "Does this imply you have such an ability as well?"

[sistermagnetic]

She sits with her arms wrapped around herself, still trying to stave off the cold that won't quite leave when she's not drinking something warm. She huffs a quiet laugh at his assessment of the idea of using the word 'quirk' in such a way. "It is pretty odd, isn't it? But we can't just call them 'powers' or 'mutations' because Quirks fall into both categories. I've got a power but not a mutation, for instance. One of my friends from home was the opposite way around, mutated but not necessarily having a power, unless being able to stick to things like a lizard qualifies." She reaches up to accept one of the muffins, and peels the paper cup away to take a small bite. It's lovely, rich but not heavy enough to be sickening. She appreciates having the sugar. "My Quirk is Magnetism. I can polarize other people like magnets and use that to manipulate other things or the environment. Used to have a weapon made out of an industrial sweeper magnet, but that's long gone now."

[itsjustabaddream]

Neil brightens at this, seeming excited to listen. "Fascinating! What a splendid array of unique abilities. I imagine you're something to behold in combat, pairing such a unique and useful skill with your physique. I'm formidable at long range, but I regret to admit I'm a bit delicate."

[sistermagnetic]

She laughs a little in kind. "Don't worry, I've known plenty of glass cannons in my life. One of my closest friends, his power is Duplication. If he knows your measurements, he can make an exact replica of it that ends up destroyed if they take any real damage. He's convinced that he might actually be the same, poor thing. Avoids a direct fight at all costs. I wanted to protect him as much as I could and have his doubles as backup." She speaks with a great deal of affection for this friend, just like the others she mentions.