Discord
12-17-2019, 12:35 PM
Dopple Effect: Pilot
CW: Mention of Death and Dying.
You sit with your boss in the make up room. She watches you intensely, every motion and detail, until you're both indistinguishable. You are Mori, her right hand demon, body double, and the island's best paladin should the darkest of times come. She nudges your posture as you work away on your face.
"Are you sure that's right? Not a single freckle or eyebrow can be off for this."
"I've been doing this job for a long time Lily. I have it down to a science."
"You do Mori, that's the right answer."
"It's what you pay me for, right? I'm good for it when I need to."
You apply your eye contacts one at a time. No matter how much you've done this, placing those tiny curved plastic bits feels awful. You grit your teeth at the initial sensation.
"You alright?"
"I'll be fine by showtime. Permission to raise a concern?"
"Permission granted."
"You want me to sub in to talk to your old friend from god knows how long ago."
"Correct."
"That seems... I don't want to speak out this way but..."
"Your opinion matters, I won't be upset."
"They're expecting you, right? Seems a tad on the more personal end of things."
"Mm. Normally I'd go myself but Apollo insists on something big happening. I can't leave a high god waiting."
"You couldn't reschedule?"
"Both of these are time sensitive. If Apollo has a genuinely important discovery that requires me to appear personally, I have to prioritize it. I'm confident in you however."
"Oh?"
"You're one of the most capable people I know and I trust you with almost any job at this point... and perhaps I consider you a good friend too. I don't have too many of those these days."
You try to keep your composure at your boss dropping a big compliment like that.
"Ah? Well... thank you."
She gives you the slightest smile, showing just the tiniest amount of teeth.
"Your posture's off."
"It's not."
"Good, I was testing you."
"You know you can't pull that, I know you almost as much as you do."
"Mmhmm! Your cab should be outside very soon. I know you'll do as good as always."
You can't help but smile back, mirroring hers as best as possible. She's still testing.
On the way out, you find the weather a bit on the wetter side. You shuffle into the cab as quickly as you can, not wanting to ruin all the hard work you did for your cover. The driver is one of your Boss' regular picks. He's not particularly talkative, but you consider that a little blessing on days where nerves are on the higher end.
You arrive at the place, a little cottage just outside of the nearest town. There is no bell at the front door of any sort, just a simple somewhat heavy looking knocker. You hit it against the entrance, just enough to let the noise boom and echo through the place but hopefully not enough to startle your "friend."
"One moment!"
He fumbles toward the door, it's a little concerning.
"Edmund, are you alright?"
"I'm pacing myself, you're earlier than I'm used to!"
"Oh? And what's that supposed to mean?"
"It's just a bit surprising is all! Just give me a sec!"
He struggles a bit with the door. You prepare to meet him with a warm grin. It creeks open and his head pops out.
It's a bat, somewhat older and rather roughed up too. Held together by a worrying amount of bandages stained in black and a metal contraption practically supporting everything that isn't. Your smile weakens the slightest as he tries to meet yours. He's clearly not in the best condition. You weren't told he'd be halfway to death
"Edmund."
"Mm?" His face goes from absolute sun to a slight dip. "Are you alright?"
You try to compose yourself.
"Of course just... can we scoot inside?"
"Mm, no point in leaving you in the cold longer than I need to. Hurry up then."
He tries to play down the extend of his condition by keeping his head up as you're escorted toward the cozy little fireplace setup he's managed, but you know it's taking a lot out of him to maintain the facade.
"I'm sorry you had to go all the way out here, but I'd rather not be around all the bustle of the city right now. Like to appreciate the sounds of the season without cars and jeers through the day."
"I absolutely understand, is there anything I can help you with while I'm here?"
"You've done plenty by showing up, I wanted to see a friendly face or two before my next treatment."
"...Oh? Please talk to me?"
"About what, doctors? Not today if I can help it. For now all I'd like is a little relax and reminder. Like the days of the farm, you remember that?"
You don't.
"Mm? What about them now?"
"They were a whole lot of nothing but... I appreciate them for being where things started for me. Handling all those cows got me recommended for my first tour of service you know?"
He smirked just the slightest.
"Yes well.. before we ramble off, would you like me to get you something?"
"I ate proper before you came, didn't want to be starving for this you know? So how've things been lately?"
"Busy, dealing with Apollo's program for... aerospace is what they call it I believe. You familiar?"
"As in planes?"
"A little bit higher than that, could be revolutionary."
"Like the old thermal geyser powered signal thing yeah?"
"Mm! He still liked to believe he's onto something. One day, maybe."
"Yes well...."
He frowns.
"Something's off."
"I'm sorry, did I-"
"That's it right there. You're not her. A little too polite. I remember you being a sailor mouth."
"Shit, no I'm just out of it-"
"That was a test, folks know about the doppelgangers doing appearances. She'd never swear like that."
You freeze hard in place. Your breathing hurts.
"It's alright, I'm not mad at you for trying you know... just disappointed in her. She knew this may as well be our last chance of this you know? Our old dumb banter sessions. Why she decided not to make it this time is beyond me but... I dunno. Speak your mind a bit, you deserve to too."
"Off the record?"
"Absolutely off the record. You got a right."
"She did't tell me how important this was, I'd never do this if I knew."
"It wasn't important, that's why she didn't come herself. I know gods are supposed to be all busy with fancy world changing works but I never made her out for a coward you know" There's a mockery of a cackle coming from every word of his. "I hate it really, one of those sharp gutting sensations. Type that feels like you're gonna die. Of course it's a awfully high chance that isn't just a feeling."
You're wheezing under pressure.
"Ah.... I'm sorry I didn't consider you'd freak. Let me get you something" He tries to rise from his seat.
"No! No, you don't need to get up for me. You don't need to do anything for me."
"You know what? No, you're my guest. You made the effort to dress up, to take the long trip, to try to spare my feelings because she couldn't bother. What's your name?"
You find room to respond between pained breaths. "Mori."
"That's good. Mori. You having a panic attack?"
You nod.
He tries to shoulder you up, you aren't able to really stop him right now.
"I'm gonna get you some air, that okay?"
"You're hurt."
He walks you toward the entrance. "You can't do much about that. I can help you though. Just a tiny bit of heavy lifting."
"What did it?"
"Doesn't matter right now."
He manages to get you outside and leans you against the wall. The cold, fresh air spins your brain. It stings at first as the pace of your breathing shifts hard. He tries to talk you through this.
"So you're a body double yeah?"
"Mm."
"Never met me?"
"No."
"Any others like you?"
"No."
"She pay you good for this?"
"I... really don't want to answer that."
"Good, you have a good head on you. If she isn't though uh... say something."
"Stop talking to me like that, I'm older than you."
"...Are you? Shoot, what?"
"I haven't aged in decades. Occupational hazard"
"Ah, you're a demon then."
"Mm."
You gather your bearings.
"Thank you.
"It's nothing, you'd do the same I'm sure. You get those often?"
You shake your head. "Not like that. Had a bad gut feeling over this whole thing, didn't really want to put you through this but she said it'd be alright so... I gauged badly."
"Don't worry about it."
"Question... does anyone else visit?"
"Some folks of mine show up to check up a few times a day, the doctor, a few friends but I could do with a few more."
"Could I be the few more here?"
"Because you want to or because you feel like you owe me?"
"Both. You didn't need to do anything for me but It was... nice."
"You can hop on by anytime... just don't dress like that if you can help it yeah? Come as you next time."
"I'd appreciate it too if I could stay a little longer, I can't do you poor by freaking out and bailing."
"You stick around, you handle the kettle. You mind?" He held out his wrapped hands. "Kind of roughed up, not doing my best today either if you don't mind. You going to be alright to pitch coffee?"
"Yeah...."
"...And honestly, I don't want you getting in trouble so unless she shows her face I won't scream. Go home and say things went fine when you're done here... just visit again. Don't offer me something and not go through with it. Gets boring so anything helps."
"Easy... appreciated."
"Yeah. Now scoot back in fast alright? Cold out here."
You spend another hour here today. You made as much good on your word as you could and came back more than once.
You had to hold your tongue from yelling at your boss longer than you had any right to.
You pray she'd make good on things sometime. Maybe. You pray your new friend gets better so he can yell at her himself.
CW: Mention of Death and Dying.
You sit with your boss in the make up room. She watches you intensely, every motion and detail, until you're both indistinguishable. You are Mori, her right hand demon, body double, and the island's best paladin should the darkest of times come. She nudges your posture as you work away on your face.
"Are you sure that's right? Not a single freckle or eyebrow can be off for this."
"I've been doing this job for a long time Lily. I have it down to a science."
"You do Mori, that's the right answer."
"It's what you pay me for, right? I'm good for it when I need to."
You apply your eye contacts one at a time. No matter how much you've done this, placing those tiny curved plastic bits feels awful. You grit your teeth at the initial sensation.
"You alright?"
"I'll be fine by showtime. Permission to raise a concern?"
"Permission granted."
"You want me to sub in to talk to your old friend from god knows how long ago."
"Correct."
"That seems... I don't want to speak out this way but..."
"Your opinion matters, I won't be upset."
"They're expecting you, right? Seems a tad on the more personal end of things."
"Mm. Normally I'd go myself but Apollo insists on something big happening. I can't leave a high god waiting."
"You couldn't reschedule?"
"Both of these are time sensitive. If Apollo has a genuinely important discovery that requires me to appear personally, I have to prioritize it. I'm confident in you however."
"Oh?"
"You're one of the most capable people I know and I trust you with almost any job at this point... and perhaps I consider you a good friend too. I don't have too many of those these days."
You try to keep your composure at your boss dropping a big compliment like that.
"Ah? Well... thank you."
She gives you the slightest smile, showing just the tiniest amount of teeth.
"Your posture's off."
"It's not."
"Good, I was testing you."
"You know you can't pull that, I know you almost as much as you do."
"Mmhmm! Your cab should be outside very soon. I know you'll do as good as always."
You can't help but smile back, mirroring hers as best as possible. She's still testing.
On the way out, you find the weather a bit on the wetter side. You shuffle into the cab as quickly as you can, not wanting to ruin all the hard work you did for your cover. The driver is one of your Boss' regular picks. He's not particularly talkative, but you consider that a little blessing on days where nerves are on the higher end.
You arrive at the place, a little cottage just outside of the nearest town. There is no bell at the front door of any sort, just a simple somewhat heavy looking knocker. You hit it against the entrance, just enough to let the noise boom and echo through the place but hopefully not enough to startle your "friend."
"One moment!"
He fumbles toward the door, it's a little concerning.
"Edmund, are you alright?"
"I'm pacing myself, you're earlier than I'm used to!"
"Oh? And what's that supposed to mean?"
"It's just a bit surprising is all! Just give me a sec!"
He struggles a bit with the door. You prepare to meet him with a warm grin. It creeks open and his head pops out.
It's a bat, somewhat older and rather roughed up too. Held together by a worrying amount of bandages stained in black and a metal contraption practically supporting everything that isn't. Your smile weakens the slightest as he tries to meet yours. He's clearly not in the best condition. You weren't told he'd be halfway to death
"Edmund."
"Mm?" His face goes from absolute sun to a slight dip. "Are you alright?"
You try to compose yourself.
"Of course just... can we scoot inside?"
"Mm, no point in leaving you in the cold longer than I need to. Hurry up then."
He tries to play down the extend of his condition by keeping his head up as you're escorted toward the cozy little fireplace setup he's managed, but you know it's taking a lot out of him to maintain the facade.
"I'm sorry you had to go all the way out here, but I'd rather not be around all the bustle of the city right now. Like to appreciate the sounds of the season without cars and jeers through the day."
"I absolutely understand, is there anything I can help you with while I'm here?"
"You've done plenty by showing up, I wanted to see a friendly face or two before my next treatment."
"...Oh? Please talk to me?"
"About what, doctors? Not today if I can help it. For now all I'd like is a little relax and reminder. Like the days of the farm, you remember that?"
You don't.
"Mm? What about them now?"
"They were a whole lot of nothing but... I appreciate them for being where things started for me. Handling all those cows got me recommended for my first tour of service you know?"
He smirked just the slightest.
"Yes well.. before we ramble off, would you like me to get you something?"
"I ate proper before you came, didn't want to be starving for this you know? So how've things been lately?"
"Busy, dealing with Apollo's program for... aerospace is what they call it I believe. You familiar?"
"As in planes?"
"A little bit higher than that, could be revolutionary."
"Like the old thermal geyser powered signal thing yeah?"
"Mm! He still liked to believe he's onto something. One day, maybe."
"Yes well...."
He frowns.
"Something's off."
"I'm sorry, did I-"
"That's it right there. You're not her. A little too polite. I remember you being a sailor mouth."
"Shit, no I'm just out of it-"
"That was a test, folks know about the doppelgangers doing appearances. She'd never swear like that."
You freeze hard in place. Your breathing hurts.
"It's alright, I'm not mad at you for trying you know... just disappointed in her. She knew this may as well be our last chance of this you know? Our old dumb banter sessions. Why she decided not to make it this time is beyond me but... I dunno. Speak your mind a bit, you deserve to too."
"Off the record?"
"Absolutely off the record. You got a right."
"She did't tell me how important this was, I'd never do this if I knew."
"It wasn't important, that's why she didn't come herself. I know gods are supposed to be all busy with fancy world changing works but I never made her out for a coward you know" There's a mockery of a cackle coming from every word of his. "I hate it really, one of those sharp gutting sensations. Type that feels like you're gonna die. Of course it's a awfully high chance that isn't just a feeling."
You're wheezing under pressure.
"Ah.... I'm sorry I didn't consider you'd freak. Let me get you something" He tries to rise from his seat.
"No! No, you don't need to get up for me. You don't need to do anything for me."
"You know what? No, you're my guest. You made the effort to dress up, to take the long trip, to try to spare my feelings because she couldn't bother. What's your name?"
You find room to respond between pained breaths. "Mori."
"That's good. Mori. You having a panic attack?"
You nod.
He tries to shoulder you up, you aren't able to really stop him right now.
"I'm gonna get you some air, that okay?"
"You're hurt."
He walks you toward the entrance. "You can't do much about that. I can help you though. Just a tiny bit of heavy lifting."
"What did it?"
"Doesn't matter right now."
He manages to get you outside and leans you against the wall. The cold, fresh air spins your brain. It stings at first as the pace of your breathing shifts hard. He tries to talk you through this.
"So you're a body double yeah?"
"Mm."
"Never met me?"
"No."
"Any others like you?"
"No."
"She pay you good for this?"
"I... really don't want to answer that."
"Good, you have a good head on you. If she isn't though uh... say something."
"Stop talking to me like that, I'm older than you."
"...Are you? Shoot, what?"
"I haven't aged in decades. Occupational hazard"
"Ah, you're a demon then."
"Mm."
You gather your bearings.
"Thank you.
"It's nothing, you'd do the same I'm sure. You get those often?"
You shake your head. "Not like that. Had a bad gut feeling over this whole thing, didn't really want to put you through this but she said it'd be alright so... I gauged badly."
"Don't worry about it."
"Question... does anyone else visit?"
"Some folks of mine show up to check up a few times a day, the doctor, a few friends but I could do with a few more."
"Could I be the few more here?"
"Because you want to or because you feel like you owe me?"
"Both. You didn't need to do anything for me but It was... nice."
"You can hop on by anytime... just don't dress like that if you can help it yeah? Come as you next time."
"I'd appreciate it too if I could stay a little longer, I can't do you poor by freaking out and bailing."
"You stick around, you handle the kettle. You mind?" He held out his wrapped hands. "Kind of roughed up, not doing my best today either if you don't mind. You going to be alright to pitch coffee?"
"Yeah...."
"...And honestly, I don't want you getting in trouble so unless she shows her face I won't scream. Go home and say things went fine when you're done here... just visit again. Don't offer me something and not go through with it. Gets boring so anything helps."
"Easy... appreciated."
"Yeah. Now scoot back in fast alright? Cold out here."
You spend another hour here today. You made as much good on your word as you could and came back more than once.
You had to hold your tongue from yelling at your boss longer than you had any right to.
You pray she'd make good on things sometime. Maybe. You pray your new friend gets better so he can yell at her himself.
