quinque

[corks]

Well, well, well. Looks like the gods decided to play some more tricks on us when we weren't expecting it.

[The young woman on camera smiles- many may recognize her as the one called Nina Fortner, but for some reason, she seems more reserved than usual. More calm. If this is a person in a bodyswapped state like most of Asgard, they're doing an extremely good job at not freaking out about their situation. In fact, "Nina" looks like she's on the verge of shrugging, as if to say "well, that happened, what can I really do about it?"]

And looks like I wasn't untouched as well. Which is interesting, I suppose. It does bring up the interesting question of whether this was chosen randomly, or our changed counterparts were specifically chosen for each of us.

[A pause as "she" brushes aside some hair away to an ear.]

Also, let's say we got stuck like this for a good amount of time. Would we change on a more mental level? Or would we stay the same because our personality and thoughts are immutable no matter what body they're put in? There was a very nice story from where I came from called "The Metamorphosis", in which a man inexplicably wakes up as a giant bug, yet his thoughts and personality stay the same. Yet, in that story, his family completely changes the way they act towards him, seeing him as a monster rather than the man they used to love...

Basically...if you had to live with whatever body you woke up in, what would you do? Would you change to become more like the person you're in to please the ones closest to them? Or would you not change at all?

[That calm smile widens a tad.]

What do you think, Asgard?

[ooc: Have a bodyswapped Jacob, Asgard! Comments will be made with brightspirit.]

Comments

Video

[demonic_witch]

[Grumble, fume, rage, mutter. These are the things Samantha in a Kaz suit does. However, she does get around to saying something salient. Eventually.]

Read the Metamorphosis once. Heavy handed. But there's something to consider about a person's mental state. If it's impacted by their biology at all, their body chemistry, that sort of thing, those would change a lot with a body swap, or at least could. I know mine did.

...and I think I'd start with a fresh bout of self loathing if I was stuck in this little filthmonger's body.

Video

[brightspirit]

[Alright, that's definitely not Kaz. Even though this person is just as grumpy as he is, really.]

Yours did? If you don't mind me asking, how so?

And I'm guessing you and the person you've swapped with are not the best of acquaintances if you feel that way...

Video

[demonic_witch]

Kaz? The little bastard and I haven't gotten along since we met. He growls at me a lot, and I return the favor. [Actually, 'growling' tended to mean outright threats to each other.]

As for my old body, I'm half demon. It definitely has an impact on the brain chemistry. Unpredictable, extreme mood swings, violent urges, that sort of crap.

Video

[brightspirit]

And why do you suppose he growls at you? Does he find you threatening?

Oh. I see. [No demons where he comes from, but hey, he's experienced weirder.] And this body has none of that? Why would you want to have violent urges and such, though? Or have you gotten so used to it that you just miss it?

Video

[demonic_witch]

Nothing too obvious yet, which is odd, but I'll do him the one favor I'm going to do and not explain why. It's unpleasant and I feel weird in places I shouldn't feel weird in. But, at the same time I couldn't tell you exactly how or why. His body's not like anything I'm too used to.

And I've got no clue. Think it was a turf thing. He acted really territorial when we first met, and well things went downhill when I went psycho for a while and the idiot decided to poke the bear. It's not like I 'want' to lose control and go demonic on people. Controlling it just doesn't work right in my body. Any anger you're catching right now is just old fashioned why the hell am I stuck in this turd's body anger. It's nothing like my other side.

[seventeenpills]

Oh! I've read that story! It was by Franz Kafka, wasn't it? It was such a sad work, too. I felt really terrible by the end of it.

I've managed to avoid this particular curse, but I don't think I could become more like the person who's body I was placed in. I am just me, after all. No matter what I look like.

[brightspirit]

Yes, yes it was. And it was quite a tragic one, due to the fact that he's abandoned so readily by his family.

True, true. And you're rather lucky for having missed the curse, I suppose. But nothing can really completely change who you are, right?

[seventeenpills]

I actually winced when I got to the part about Gregor's Father throwing apples, and one is thrown so hard it gets embedded in his back - It's just a really chilling mental image to me.

I do think there are things that can change us almost completely. But I don't think one of those things is looking like someone else. If anything that might even make you try to emphasise your own traits more as a way of rebelling.

[brightspirit]

[A somber nod.] That was one of the hardest scenes in that story...especially the one where his sister finally abandons him for good. It's not a happy tale at all.

You bring up a good point. The fact that, if you are made to be someone else, you force yourself to not lose who you are in retaliation. Though, it might be hard depending on how people treat you, right?

[ Video | Filtered ]

[imhome]

[ Oh no.

Recently, the long nights of sleep deprivation had finally overwhelmed Nina. When she awakened this morning, she discovered that not only had she perplexedly transformed into Jacob, but she also had overslept. Needless to say, it was a combination that filled her apprehension.

She could handle the curse, as awkward and unsettling as it was. (Honestly, it wasn't as distressing as when she woke up as Tenma.) However, to discover that Jacob had posted to the network before she had the chance to caution him about her brother caused her to fret endlessly... How could she be so foolish and sleep later than she intended?

After a little contemplation, she responds with a small smile. ]

Jacob... If it's not too much trouble, I'd like to meet with you, please.

[ The discussion of "The Metamorphosis" causes her brow to unintentionally furrow. Seeing a loved one as a monster... Her stomach painfully twists. ]

And let's hope no one has the same ending as Gregor Samsa.

[ Video | Filtered ]

[brightspirit]

[Seeing his own face on the screen isn't quite as surprising as it was when Lucifer had been in Asgard, but he does pause for a bit when he sees her. His own eyes crease in concern at her words, and he nods, slightly frowning.]

Not a problem. Somewhere in Sigyn, or your room, perhaps?

[And a pause at that last part.] I'm sure no one will, don't you worry. You are doing alright so far, I hope?

[ Video | Filtered ]

[imhome]

[ Seeing herself likewise startles Nina. This isn't the first time she's viewed a real-life reflection, of course. But... Whenever Johan masqueraded as her, he maintained that eerie tranquility to his features. Seeing a normal expression was both unnerving (it was a disturbing reminder of her identity issues) and reassuring (at least it wasn't Johan), at the same time.

Her room... How secure was her room? Somehow, her brother has access to where she lives; he shocked her with that knowledge during their reunion... She should meet Jacob at another location. ]

Sigyn would be great.

[ At Jacob's concern, she offers a brighter smile as reassurance.

The curse is troubling and embarrassing, but she still remains relatively calm. Has living in Asgard desensitized her? ]

Everything's fine. It's... strange, but if we're forced to switch bodies, I'm glad that it was with a friend. [ She can trust Jacob. ...What if the curse was with Kaz? Or Johan? She should be grateful for small mercies, she supposes. ]

[ Video | Filtered ]

[brightspirit]

Good. I'll be over there as soon as I can.

[His smile widens in turn. Yes, there was a certain level of peace with it all, knowing that his body is in the hands of someone he knows relatively well.] So am I. At least I have the comfort of knowing my body is in good hands, Nina.

[Audio]

[burntviolet]

... I wasn't touched by the curse, so I can't answer that properly- but I would say that I... wouldn't change mentally, even if I was in another's body. I would still be myself. [ Except without those scars... but the emotional baggage would stay firm even despite that. ] There is no use to lie, is there...?

Are you alright with having your body swapped like this..?

[Video]

[brightspirit]

[A bright sort of smile when he hears Hanako's voice- it's been quite a while, not!daughter.]

No, there isn't. And it would be very hard, indeed, just to erase everything that you are and you've been through.

[A little shrug.] It's strange, but I'm not going to complain about it.

[Audio]

[burntviolet]

[ Hi again, not!dad... mom... hndkshf ]

That's right... even in another's body, it's still me. The hardest part would be continuing to live the normal routine in another's body, unless it's not a permanent change...

You have... quite the calm attitude about it. [ After seeing people freak out all over the network, left and right... such a mature demeanor is fresh air. ] But I wouldn't expect otherwise from you, Jacob-san.

[Video]

[brightspirit]

Yes, the routine would have to change, especially if that person had a limitation you didn't.

[He looks amused.] Oh, I've been through worse things than this. And I'm well acquianted with the young lady whose body I'm in. And you wouldn't? Well, I guesss I am the type of person to not get too overwhelmed by surprises.

How have you been doing, Hanako? We haven't talked for a while.

Video

[theintermediary]

[Oh...well, then. It takes him a little bit to respond because he's just..making sure this is who he thinks it is. When he does respond, though, it's clear he's a little amused.]

I see you got hit by this as well. Are you feeling all right?

Video

[brightspirit]

[Oh, well, well, well. Hello, intermediary. Long time no see.]

I'm feeling quite fine, thank you. How have you been doing, Richard?

Video

[theintermediary]

I've been fine.Not affected by this, apparently.

[Also, he's been contemplating a job, but that's not the point.]

About how long do these things usually last?

Video

[brightspirit]

It depends. A week, a few days...they never tell us before or during it happens, so one can only guess.

I'm glad to see you're not in the same situation as me. How has Asgard treated you so far?

[ ᴠıᴅᴇᴏ ]

[lanturned]

I don't think I know how to be anything but myself, really. [ Which is a clever fabrication, but a fabrication nonetheless. Rapunzel is a people-pleaser in the strangest (and often worst) ways.

Not that the lie is even on her mind for more than a second. Jacob is Nina! Switched! That is too awesome for words. ]

Oh, uh— Why do you ask?

[ ᴠıᴅᴇᴏ ]

[brightspirit]

Why not? Haven't you ever played the game of pretend? As in, pretending you're someone you're not?

[She doesn't recognize the boy in front of her, but he smiles all the same, glad to talk.]

Oh, I'm merely curious, that's all.

[ ᴠıᴅᴇᴏ ]

[lanturned]

No one is ever merely curious, Jacob. Not really. [ beat ] But to... answer your question, yes! Sort of. I used to act out all the different ways of dying when I could get away with it. Or birds if I was lucky. Not often. Just sometimes.

Birds are a little different than people though.

[ ᴠıᴅᴇᴏ ]

[brightspirit]

Well, I am. [He smiles wider, highly amused.] Well, it's kind of like that, though it doesn't always involve dying...or birds, for that matter.

They really are. [And a pause.] You do have to forgive me, but you do seem to have a familiarity with me...what's your name? This bodyswap business is quite confusing when talking to others.