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[heiroglyphs]

VERA WEISZ

You have reached the voice mail box of Vera Weisz, heiress of Weisz Manufacturing. Please leave a message.

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[heiroglyphs]

I thought you liked the look on my face?

[burndownforwhat]

Not that one! [ Jen puffed up her cheeks, though she couldn't hold that for too long because it actually kind of hurt to put that kind of pressure on it. ] Ow. I'm going to need some ice when we're done here.

[heiroglyphs]

If we do this right, you won't need it.

[She sighs, folding her legs so that she can turn towards Jen on the couch.]

So what if... you need a jump-start? Like a car engine?

[burndownforwhat]

That...! Hm. That could work? I mean, it's worth a shot. But how are you going to do that without, like, zapping me or something?

[heiroglyphs]

I wonder if there's a way I can sort of... give you some of my Aura? Maybe that way your body would remember what to do with it.

[She holds out her hands, palms facing up.]

Here, give me your hands. Let me try something.

[burndownforwhat]

Okay. I'll try anything at this point. Short of walking into traffic, anyway. [ hah. that's a joke. but on a more serious note, Jen slid her legs up onto the cushions and crossed them under herself. then she took Vera's hands from above and waited. ]

[heiroglyphs]

[Vera takes both hands in her own, closing her eyes tight. She isn't sure if anything can transfer through the prosthetic, but she's also not 100% on the flesh one working either so she'll just wing it.]

Okay, so maybe if I just... act like your body is part of mine...

[With a deep breath, she activates her Aura, a faint white glow enveloping her body. It's an odd sensation, feeling one's own soul, one she's not entirely gotten used to herself yet, but maybe she can use it anyway. She "feels" out into the darkness surrounding her, trying to find anything that she can latch on to.]

You've... got to be somewhere...

[burndownforwhat]

[ honestly, with the energy source from their world as a catalyst linking the arm up to her nervous system, anything is possible. the only thing that doesn't transfer is the sensations besides pressure and that could just be a limitation of design. a big benefit normally, since there's no pain.

but right now Jen wasn't thinking about that. she let her eyes flutter closed too and tried not to think too hard on the hocus-pocus aspect of all this. for all what's been happening around them as of late it wouldn't be too much of a surprise if this went one way or the other. nothing in her memories contradicts nor supports this course of action. but she does know that what Vera said about the link between Aura and Semblance held a lot of water.

as she calmed her breathing down, it occurred to her that Vera should try the same. ] Remember... what I taught you? About breathing. Try to sync up with mine.

[heiroglyphs]

Okay... [It's the only word that slips out as she focuses. Some part of her mind snaps back that she shouldn't tell her what to do, but she's far too focused to act on those thoughts. Her own breathing grows louder as she tries to sync the two together, and she soon finds she can feel Jen's pulse through her hand. The two had been close together before, but this is the first time Vera's found herself really studying the girl, trying to understand the bumps of her skin, the pace of her breath, and the speed of her heart. It's all so strange...]

I... don't know if this is working. Do you feel...?

[burndownforwhat]

Vera, just... relax. Give it time. Have faith. [ it's not the kind of faith Jen should be talking about but if they're not both confident that this will work, it might reduce their chances. Jen is speaking softly, as if already afraid of interrupting some kind of delicate balance at play here. as they breathe in sync their heart rates might just match up, and ... hopefully that does it? she has no idea but it's all she can think of right now.

besides. it's kind of nice to have a quiet moment alone with Vera. when was the last time she could say that...? ]

[heiroglyphs]

[It is nice, even if what they're trying to do is stressing Vera out a little bit. Then again, Vera seems to have a baseline level of stress all of the time, so it might not be much different from how she usually is.

She inhales sharply once again, slowing her breathing just a bit more to keep pace with Jen's. It's amazing just how relaxing this is. This may be the sleep deprivation, but the shorter girl finds herself almost in a trance as she feels out into the void for her friend. That tired feeling is from the lack of sleep, right? It's starting to feel like she's fighting against a current, some opposing force trying to pull her back towards her own body. She knows that's where she belongs, but she can't turn back now, she has to keep going until she finds Jen. It can't be much farther, she has to be out there somewhere.]

Can you... feel me, anywhere? I need... a sign, or something.

[burndownforwhat]

I... think so? [ it's an odd sensation, to be sure. it could also just be the way she's practically meditating at this point, but there is a warmth building up and it's not just emanating from where their hands meet. well, it is but even her right hand which is the extremely strange part. ]

Here, let me... try something. [ she wiggles her right hand's fingers a bit, trying to gently pull them out of Vera's grip but then immediately go for her wrist instead to avoid actually breaking contact. ] I'm going to reach up higher. Don't break your focus.

[heiroglyphs]

[Vera tenses momentarily when Jen pulls away, but relaxes when she takes her wrist.]

Okay... [She breathes the word, fingers on her newly-freed hand balling into a fist.]

[burndownforwhat]

[ slowly, without wanting to alarm Vera, she brings her fingers up along her arm, all the way up to her shoulder for now. it's a firm, reassuring grip. Jen also shifts a bit closer on the cushions almost bringing their legs to touch. she figures the more contact the better for this and she has a rather crazy idea. ]

Try to think about... things we have in common from that other life. Memories. The hug is a good start, but also ... times we used our powers. [ and she will go ahead and do the same. visualizing herself being knocked down, but not out. also all the fancy magic-like stuff Weiss was capable of; the speed of her sister Ruby; the shadows and swordplay from Blake... ]

[heiroglyphs]

[Vera's breathing stiffens as she feels Jen come closer to her, and she finds herself leaning towards the girl instinctively. The blonde's warmth was more apparent now than ever, as if to beckon her closer. In her mind, she continues to reach out towards that warmth, hoping that somewhere inside of it is her friend's spirit.

She thinks of Weiss, and Yang, and the few scant memories the four of them share. Their first time meeting at school, the formation of their team, the battle against that giant bird and on that train where Weiss battled that large man with the chainsaw, and of course, their tight embrace.

Something begins to feel near, like finger tips brushing against her hands and arms, only for a second, before vanishing again.]

...Jen.

[burndownforwhat]

[ her own memories are a mix of sweet and sour, which honestly just seemed to fit how they operated in this life. Yang butting heads with Weiss after Ruby's absolute trash fire of a first impression, the time they nearly disrupted their entire school's first night's rest right after meeting Blake for the first time, being put on a team together with Ruby as leader - much to Weiss's chagrin at the time, but also the times they worked together in almost perfect sync such as the battle with the giant robot.

what was the thing her sister shouted, again...?

it's on the tip of her tongue as her forehead touches Vera's gently. she can feel the contrast between their spirits - or so she hopes that's it and not that she really does have a fever whereas Vera is chilled to the bone - and the word coalesces from the sensation. ]

Freezerburn, huh? Heh. What a silly name for it...

[ and that seemed to do it. while her own hands didn't move any more, Jen could feel the rush of heat blasting back along her skin, under her skin, and all the way to the core of her chest as her Aura was kindled. she opened her eyes and gasped loudly, but didn't sever contact. ]

Was... that it?

[heiroglyphs]

[And there it was, a rush of cold followed by the smallest licks of warmth. It was only the slightest of touches, but there was no mistaking what had just happened. Two souls had communed, and one had restored power to the other. Then, it all comes rushing back, like a rope tethering her soul to her body had been pulled, snapping her back to where she belongs. There's a rushing sensation, and suddenly she finds herself sitting on the couch again, legs folded, forehead touching the taller girl's. Her body is no longer the blazing heat it was before, but instead exuded a controlled, comforting warmth.]

I... think it was.

[Vera's eyes flutter open. She tries to move, but the toll of her deed come fast and without warning. She's dizzy, light-headed, and drained, her body already exhausted from lack of sleep now feeling as if she had just ran a marathon as well. A hand rises to touch Jen's face, and the other to her shoulder, steadying the weary mogul as she starts to pull away. She looks up at the taller girl, their eyes meeting for what feels like the first time, like something had changed. She was still Jen-- strong, confident, beautiful Jen, but something was different about her. Something...

Her eyes shut once again, as she closes the distance between them to plant a gentle kiss on her lips.]

[burndownforwhat]

[ Jen's own rush was still subsiding as her body went through the recent mild trauma and worked to heal it up faster. it felt amazing. beyond words, actually. she could absolutely get used to this now that everything was working again. she really ought to see if her limits come close to what Yang could pull off in her dreams, but she's not about to head off and get hit by a bus. maybe make another sparring match date with her friend. or with Kara...? ]

Good. I'm - mm? [ the thought is promptly interrupted by Vera's kiss. she finds her eyes slipping closed again. her nerves were still charged up - probably literally - from that exchange and giving them something like this to process was almost overwhelming. but in a good way. a way that bids her to raise her hand to the back of Vera's head and pull her into the kiss deeper.

maybe seeing how this felt could answer the question of what things were like before? whatever the excuse, there's no mistaking the lack of hesitation on her end. ]

[heiroglyphs]

Mm... [The small, rational part of Vera's brain that had somehow managed to stay conscious is screaming that this is a terrible idea. The rest of her body, operating solely on instinct, didn't care. Jen's lips felt like lightning coursing through her body every time they touched, and the shorter girl wanted to feel it more. Her weight shifts, her body slow and sluggish, but she manages to drape her arms over the blonde's shoulders and wrapping gingerly around the back of her head.]

[burndownforwhat]

[ fire and ice, fire and lightning. whatever it was, it worked well together and since Vera was receptive then she went all-in herself. the other hand wrapped around her side and now their legs were slightly overlapping without actually climbing into the shorter girl's lap. it's a bit of an awkward position but the sensations more than made it worthwhile.

she doesn't even feel the urge to tell Vera to watch the hair. that's saying a lot. she's gotten way more defensive about it of late. ]

[heiroglyphs]

[It is an awkward position, and as much as Vera wants to continue this, the limitations of her current state are making it more and more difficult to do so. Her body aches, her breath is shallow, and she's exhausted to the point of bordering delirium. Letting the kiss linger a moment longer, she savors this little moment before finally pulling away.]

Holy shit...

[burndownforwhat]

[ pulling away to breathe was going to happen sooner rather than later, too, since her own body was feeling some strain from the sudden shift in the way it operated. Aura is a hell of a thing, and it will take some getting used to, but hopefully it wasn't always like this...

she couldn't help but smirk, feeling rather confident about the turn this evening took since it had started off with Jen in a near-panic. ]

I'll say.

You look... tired.

[heiroglyphs]

[She can't help but roll her eyes at the comment. No shit she's tired, you cocky asshole.]

It's your fault. [Her breathing is so heavy it's almost ragged, but it doesn't stop her for leaning in for another quick smooch before pulling away.]

[burndownforwhat]

I'll accept that blame.

[ the follow-up surprised her with how... casual? it was. Vera you are doing about a poor a job as being straight as Jen is; but she doesn't voice that thought. not in such a way. ]

Thank you, Vera. I was right to come to you, after all. But I'm sorry it was at such a late hour...

[heiroglyphs]

[She'll go back to protesting her sexuality in the morning. It's too late for any of that now.]

You call me in the middle of the night, get me up, drive to my home and make me do this ridiculous ritual with you and now you apologize?

[She's not even sure what reaction to expect out of Jen at this point, but the small smile creeping across her lips betrays the fact that she's not taking this at all seriously.]

...Stay the night, at least.