I can see what makes you tick.

I really do like being here better than home. I know a lot of people would call that complacency, but it's merely a natural reaction for me. I've had a lot of experiences, a lot of friends, and a lot of things here that I wouldn't have had in my world. I'm a better person for all of it. I know I'll have to go back- there's things I still need to do- but I'm definitely not unhappy in this place. I'd consider myself at home here.

I don't think that's a terrible thing, do you?

I'm tentatively planning next Wednesday night for the first class. And just in case anyone might be worried about it, I'm not going to be charging anything. Does that sound okay with everyone?

[ooc: Oh yeah, he's cursed. But he's not exactly advertising that fact.]

I'll be setting up my shop once again. I'm sure it'll be open in a few weeks. Those few of you I cautioned about maintenance? You better be bringing your watches in once I'm open.

This is nice. I feel better. I can't wait till morning and I can walk around with the sun shining on my face.

Luke, you want to meet up somewhere? I'm feeling like practicing. We can poke some holes in the Underground.

[ooc: Fourth wall away, people! No restrictions. <3 And of course I'll backdate.

ETA: Suddenly incapable of thought. Will tag after sleepening.]

I'm missing out on a good curse today, it sounds like. Hope you're all enjoying it- this City's really had a thing for sharing lately. I wonder why that is.

Congratulations on your win, Hiro. Good luck with the restructuring.

Private to Rudy Cooper;

It must've slipped in somehow, but I woke up today with quite the photo on my floor. That's...impressive, I have to admit. Is that you in it?

( ooc, so many photos )

Active day on the Network, today. Mother, I've been affected by the curse, just to warn you.

I found myself at the library rather frequently lately- I do love the books it gives me sometimes. The books are always amazing, usually from worlds I've never even heard of. It takes me awhile to even sort out what they're talking about half the time. I think the last one was about hippogriff mannerisms. It's almost enough to keep me distracted. Almost.

I try to make sure all my time is filled. I'm always doing something, because I can't stop, not unless I'm sleeping. Even then, I wonder if my mind is working out things on its own. That's good, I've had a great deal to think about lately. Reform's not meant to be easy, I suppose. Still, I wonder whether I'm making progress, or if the rest of my world is slipping backwards.

( Private to Mohinder )

Knew I shouldn't have played around at the shop so late, Mom's going to kill me-

So, I could probably use a little help, if anyone's inclined. Can anybody point me towards Queens?

I didn't want to hurt any of them, you know. It wasn't my choice, I just couldn't do anything to stop it. I could just see how to take the ability and I had to- I had to. And even when I tried to stop it, other people came between me and my intentions. Suresh, he didn't understand, and he was so excited, he practically forced me to continue. He told me he didn't care how it happened, he was just glad it did.

I fought all that, the temptation and the encouragement, and I was going to stop. And then Elle Bishop showed up in my life- just appeared like a little blonde angel, she saved the day and convinced me I was fine the way I was, and then she betrayed me. Brought me someone, and even I could see then that she meant for me to kill him. I just couldn't fathom why, or how she even knew that I had killed Mr. Davis.

It wasn't my choice- there was nothing I could do to stop it. Between my parents, the scientist, the agent, and the undeniable urge, I never had a chance. I felt like I was outside of it, watching it all happen.

It wasn't my fault...

The first time it was my own fault. One has to have perfectly steady hands for the work I was doing- one tiny twitch and your motor skills are gone- well, okay, that was never actually a danger. But I hadn't anticipated quite that much blood.

The second time I was lying on a slab in that dungeon in Odessa. The closest I came was right around the conductivity testing, I'd say, I seem to remember the staccato of electric shocks jumping my brain back and forth. That doctor--- [Laughs] You never did find anything other than telekinesis, did you, Noah?

The third time was you, Mohinder. First the spinal tap- lucky that went as well as it did. Not only did you manage to keep from paralyzing me, but the shock of the pain was quite the motivator. And then you shot me in the face, which we can't forget, can we? Although I wasn't really in danger by then. Too bad you hadn't done that earlier.

The fourth and fifth times were the Japanese man. And don't think I haven't seen you lurking about- not everything is locked against me, you know. When I first met you, you had- I can only assume stopped time in my moth- Virginia's apartment. You had your sword at my neck, and I didn't have a chance. But you hesitated. Why couldn't you do it? You would've been a hero, even in my eyes. But no, all you did was disrupt me in that private moment. How long had you been watching me?

You did manage to do it the second time- fulfilled the painter's prophecy, for as much good as that did. That sword caught me in the chest- not in the heart, thankfully. I've never felt pain like that before, I hope you're proud about that. After I flung you at that building, I spent my last remaining moments of consciousness using telekinesis to try and hold myself together. I knew it was useless, but I had to fight any way I could. After that was a long wash of pain in any way it could manifest- sharp or dull, bright and aching. I suppose I should've been glad for it, it meant I wasn't dead yet, but- I just wanted it to stop. It took months.

The last time was my fault again. Maya almost killed me, during our beautiful little picnic in Virginia. I pushed her to it, I had to know that I could get rid of that threat she called her brother. Even without my ability, I could tell that the control of her ability was her own- the lack of control was merely an emotional issue. So I pushed her from a standstill, and she had to control it or watch me die. My gamble worked out, in the end, but the way my lungs just stopped taking in air, the way everything in my body just closed off- I have to admit, I was almost worried.

....oh, I see. My very first curse? -well, since I've returned. That didn't take long. I hope you all enjoyed the storytime.