Calibrations Spill-Over Post

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→ Calibration post A-M
→ Calibration post N-Z

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[reconstitution]

[ He watches Qing struggle, not really sure what the parameters for this are. He hesitates near the bolted door, though his attention is stuck solidly on his visitor.

Jim would offer him a clap on the shoulder or a pat on the back if he were in that position.. But he doesn't like other people touching him, so he doesn't really feel the urge to reach out and console. Not for a complete stranger.

Why? Why what, though? He doesn't understand the question itself. He approaches slowly, keeping a yard of distance between them. At least he isn't on the opposite side of the room anymore?]

[shoujoreject]

[Disbelief, anger, frustration - they flow through him as that numbness fades. It puts things together, one at a time, and even as Winter approaches he doesn't look up. Not right away.

The two hallucinations - memories? - are definitely related. How he knows that, he isn't sure at first. The people in them aren't, save the victim. A train, a loss, something ripped away. Physical and mental, and...

He looks up and finally takes in the other's form. Tall (as if it's hard to be taller than him), broad, with uncertainty - even confusion - in his eyes. And his arm--

The arm. His eyes, slightly wet with tears, widen as the pieces snap into place. It seems impossible. Unreal. Unfair. But... his anger subsides again and he slowly climbs to his feet, looking up into Winter's face. He doesn't seem upset by the memories, somehow. Qing wonders why.

There are still pieces missing, and he...

It's not like him. He's not nosy. But...]

... What... comes next? [His voice is small, plaintive. It hurts to go on, and yet he has to. There's something there beyond this all, and as he blinks back tears from just the little he's seen, he can't help but want to keep going.

It's unfair to Winter, probably. But... if he gives the answer, then that's some sort of permission, isn't it?]