∮ 002. backdated early morning of 6/16.

[elongates]

[ reed sits, as usual, in an empty laboratory. ]

I'm not the first one to remind you all about the incoming holiday. I'd ask you all a question of a vapid nature like "What does it mean to be a father?" but I would be lying if I said it would be of use to anyone. I know what constitutes a good father, and, well. I know what doesn't.

[ while his shoulders slump low toward his desk, his torso nearly unravels into loops around his work area. ]

The simple fact is: I am going to be a father one day. I’ve been aware of enough of my multiple selves to comprehend this. Children and love are my constant, as they are Susan’s. [ bitterly: ] At least one of us has to accept this reality.

[ plucking a test tube off a bunsen burner with tongs, he passive-aggressively mocks a toast toward the communicator. ]

So, here’s to the inevitable Franklin and Valeria Richards!

[ clink. ]

May you arrive to a better world with nicer, less abusive people.

Comments

[latveria]

Your apparent knowledge of Valeria captured my attention. As did your lack of perception.

[elongates]

Would you like me to qualify it, Victor? Should I add that it is very likely that I'll be a father?

[ and then, very, very suddenly: ] What have you two done?

[latveria]

It is no more likely than it is unlikely. To my understanding, Susan is not from your world and generally disinclined to engage with you. More over, any knowledge you have of your future will impact how you handle the present. To put this in terms you might better understand, Richards, seeing something that may happen is not the same as guaranteeing that it will. No matter how much you like the potential outcome.

Valeria and I share a bond. She is a very intelligent girl and greatly resembles her mother. A credit to her name.

[elongates]

I'm sorry, did I specify which Susan? Did I clarify? I don't recall I have. [ he shrugs. ] In any case, what I want will happen. I've become aware of my talents and I know that I can bend fate when I want it to bend. I'm sure you have no idea what that's like.

I don't want to hear about Valeria, I want to hear about Susan. I'm not an idiot.

[latveria]

You are delusional and once again betraying your own limited, child-like understanding of your situation.

Susan is not your concern here. Particularly not this Susan, as you say.

[elongates]

You think I can't see how close you two are? Do you think I'm blind?

Don't you call me paranoid!

[latveria]

Is this jealousy, Richards?

[elongates]

I don't get jealous, Victor.

This is me [ not wanting either of you to be happy. ] knowing how harmful you are!

[latveria]

You know very little about me. You know even less about her, it would seem.

Susan and I are colleagues, nothing more. I have no interest in distractions of that nature.

[elongates]

You would try to beguile me. That's so you, Victor.

[latveria]

You are fully capable of asking her about it, since it seems so troublesome to you.

[elongates]

[ his mouth twists for an angry retort, but he stops and takes a breath. ]

I'm not troubled. I only want the truth.

[latveria]

And Doom has given it to you.

[elongates]

[ a heavy sigh. ]

Every single time we exchange words, you try my patience.

[latveria]

I offer you nothing more or less than the truth. If you are incapable of accepting that fact, I cannot be held responsible for personal anguish over whatever twisted version of events you have created for me.

I will state this only once more; Susan and I are colleagues. She is a very intelligent woman, any man would be fortunate to be the subject of her affections. However, I sincerely doubt she holds any more affection for me than she would for another coworker, and I personally have no time for, and no interest in any such entanglements.

If that is not a suitable answer for you Richards, please feel free to continue your paranoid speculation.

1/2

[elongates]

[ disconnect. ]

[elongates]

[ reconnect, ten minutes later. ]

No, it's fine. My apologies; I honestly have no idea what just washed over me.

I might not hold a modicum of respect for you in any part of life, Victor. But I don't mean to accuse you when you clearly hold so little.