video; OPEN

[offtheboard]

[Stan's got a tumbler of what is obviously alcohol in hand and he takes a big swing before he actually says anything, and he opens his mouth and pauses several times before he actually speaks.]

So, about these wishes - has anybody else had anything come from them? Is this all some big joke or....?

[Stan puts his glass down, rubs his eyes and nose underneath his glasses, and then takes them off completely before picking it up again.]

I don't... like is this real?



LOSERS FILTER.

I'm freaking out.

[Stan, in a little bit of a surprise move polishes off what's leftover in his glass before clonking it down on the table and raking a hand through his hair.]

What did I do? I think I did something stupid, I didn't take it seriously but also it's what I wanted and now this....

[Stan picks up the paperwork and waves it around, certainly worked up.]


PARENTS; text.

Comments

losers;

[winterfires]

I didn’t make a wish, so I couldn’t tell you if it’s real or not.

[ Her brow furrows, concerned. ]

What did you wish for?

losers;

[offtheboard]

[Stan just, in his state of shock, holds up the picture of Olivia Emmaline.]

I thought wishing to be a parent would maybe change the fact that I've been...unable to have children. This...

[He gestures to the folder, the paperwork.]

...it's all finalized save for my signature.

losers;

[winterfires]

[ Well that is as unexpected as it comes. Beverly can only stare at the picture for a moment, and...this was definitely not what she expected Stan to say. ]

She’s beautiful, Stan. [ It’s said gently, a small smile on her face. She’s trying to stay calm to offset what Stan is probably feeling because holy shit. ] Are you...going to sign it?

losers;

[offtheboard]

[Stan nods, rubbing his face around the temples - near the scars thanks to Pennywise.]

She is, but....I mean I can't do this, can I? This isn't right, it's not fair to her for this to be how she comes here and what happens?

losers;

[riskanalyst]

Oh, holy shit, Stanley.

[ That hadn't even really been on his radar and now he feels almost doubly shafted since he not only didn't think to wish to be a father but he also has seen neither hide nor hair of his wish. At least not yet. He's hoping it's just late. ]

Seriously? Just...

[ He blinks stupidly, shaking his head a little because he can't quite wrap his head around it. ]

Holy shit.

Re: losers;

[offtheboard]

Yeah, you could say that again.

[Stan practically shoves his glasses back onto his nose, completely at a loss as to what to think of this.]

I didn't...think this through. I'm an idiot.

[pantomath]

( For the first time in a long while, Hermione looks genuinely and outwardly happy; she's practically beaming. )

I didn't really mean to wish for it so much as I reflexively thought of it, but this afternoon, I got a package and it's an album filled with loads of pictures of people from home. So it's either some strange coincidence or it's real.

[offtheboard]

That's a really nice gift, honestly - and if what I received is any indication I'm going to go out on a limb and say it's real...

[pantomath]

( Her enthusiasm falters a little bit. )

You don't look quite as happy, though...

( Concern crosses the teenager's features. )

[offtheboard]

I just think I made a bit of a mistake, I didn't take this whole thing seriously if I'm completely honest.

private;

[skygazing]

I'm not quite certain it's a strange coincidence. I received a curious parcel myself.

[ He shifts the video so that Hermione might view the contents. Fluxweed, knotgrass, lacewing flies, leeches... needless to say Remus looks both relieved and a little scared all the same. ]

I might require your assistance in the near future. If you're available.

private;

[pantomath]

( Hermione looks confused until he shifts the video and she can see the context of his comment. )

Is that...?

( Her voice trails off and she looks back at him for a second as she pauses to think on it. Then, her expression brightens with realization. )

Polyjuice potion? Is that it? That's a really complicated potion, did you get the recipe as well, by chance?

( She's brewed it before, of course, but it's been a while. )

...erm, would you like to see some of these photos? I mean, some of the Order members and Harry are in here. Older, of course; from my time, but here all the same...

private;

[skygazing]

I'm afraid not. With only one wish I thought it more practical to get the ingredients, seeing as they don't exist here. The recipe would be useful, yes, but even if it fails I suppose there's nothing truly lost then.

[ Wishing at all had been something he toiled over for a long time, but to see the ingredients from home and in person? It's odd. He looks back up to the video at her offer. ]

Oh, are those...? They're from home? [ Well, her version of home, he supposes. ] I'd love to see them. I've not had lunch, have you? If you're not busy you're welcome here. Apartment's empty again, I'm afraid.

[sanguinescry]

( She's been keeping her distance while her bruised ego heals, but she figures he looks flustered enough that the least she can do is jump in. She wished for Prada because she couldn't think of anything else but...so far, nothing. )

I haven't gotten anything, for whatever that's worth.

( She opens her mouth to ask if he's alright and then stops herself and shrugs instead. )

Not sure if that's helpful or not.

[offtheboard]

[Stan is, honestly, a little bit surprised to see Lydia reply - he hasn't really known what to say to her since the misunderstanding around Thanksgiving.]

Did you make any kind of wish when the 'opportunity' arose?

[Stan asks tentatively, somehow calming because of the difference in demeanor in the girl that had been kind to him when he'd first arrived.]

[sanguinescry]

( She can't help the small frown that pulls down the corners of her mouth at the question. )

Yeah, I wished for my dog.

( Which she can't help thinking sounds incredibly childish at the moment, but it is what it is. )

He's not here, though, so.

( She shrugs again. )

I guess if it's real, it only works for some people or some wishes, I don't know.

video;

[totalmilf]

Unless my bank made a huge mistake on my most recent statement, I'm pretty sure it's real. This sort of thing used to happen every year in Lawrence at Christmastime, only we'd get a magic bauble we had to make a wish on, instead. I wished for access to my bank account from there and I went from a four-figure balance to rockin' seven-figures again, so I'm not complaining.

Why, what'd you get, sweetie? You look overwhelmed.

DARCY/STAN;

[offtheboard]

[Stan rakes a hand down his face.]

I...inadvertently wished for her.

[Stan holds up the picture from the file.]

I am, or was - I'm not even sure anymore - infertile, and I just threw it out there. I didn't think that it would wind up with adoption papers that are all ready to go save my John Hancock!

DARCY/STAN;

[totalmilf]

( The shock is pretty apparent on her face. )

Oh. Oh, wow.

( Next, she goes out of her way to look and sound calm, cool, and collected. That's easy enough since, even though Stan is a friend, they're not so close that she feels overwhelmed on his behalf. )

Well, I mean, you know what? If I can do it with two, you can do it with one, Stan. Maybe you should sleep on it before making a final decision? Although, admittedly, I don't know anything about the adoption process, so I don't really have much context for what that means in the grand scheme... What, exactly, does it mean? Having that paperwork, I mean?

[imprudency]

I have to admit I assumed it was some kind of joke. I didn't wish for anything substantial myself, but the wish fairies have yet to grant my wish.

[ Though he notes the alcohol bottle, the way the man rubs his face. He knows that look, even though the utter despair might not be rooted in the same thing. ]

I assume they granted something of yours, hm? You should slow down by the way, gonna be one hell of a hangover.

[offtheboard]

That's the entire reason I made the wish I did.

[Stan sighs.]

Well, it'll be the last one I have for a long time if I decide to sign these.

[Stan gestures with the file before dropping it back where it laid.]

I, literally, got adoption papers.

[How can he even say it out loud like that?]

[imprudency]

Oh shit.

[ Not that Klaus really knows the background here, the significance, but all the same. ]

You got a kid? Or you're getting a kid? You want a kid right, because if not that's one hell of a long term wish. The hangover's worth it.

losers;

[longoverdue]

Holy shit, Stan the Man’s a dad now, congrats!

[Richie shakes his head.]

I didn’t make a wish. Figured there’d be a catch. [Yeah, the consequence to remembering being subjected to a different dimension’s shenanigans as a kid: Richie doesn’t trust this kind of thing easily.] But—seriously, congratulations. Can’t wait to meet her and be the most embarrassing uncle.

losers;

[offtheboard]

Well, I will be in two days, anyway, or so it seems.

[Stan almost picks up his glass, stopping himself belatedly.]

Yeah, I really didn't think it was serious and now I'm worried about the catch. Eddie thinks I'm being a little paranoid, though. Which I am, a little. You're going to have to wait a while before you can really embarrass her, she's still pretty tiny. Though I guess you embarrass me enough for the both of us some days.

[longoverdue]

Stan the Dad rolls off the tongue pretty nicely, don’tcha think?

[A shrug.] Places like this, sometimes things come with a catch, you’re not wrong to be a little wary. But I’m pretty sure this one doesn’t, if it helps. Anyway—listen, if there’s anyone I know is going to pick up being an old soul from birth, it’s your daughter.

Embarrassing you is a full-time job, don’t demean me by saying I only do it some days.