Logs:Vignette - Any World

Vignette - Any World
Dramatis Personae Marinov
In Absentia	2020-12-09 "This letter is probably strange."
Location Across the Rift - Some Bowling Alley - Somewhere in New York
The mood in the bowling alley has become lighter with the news that the stranded Xavier's students would be returning home. Marinov's ears twitch at each strike of the balls against pins down the alley, but they sit behind the counter, leaned up against the rack of shoes patterned inexplicably with Union Jacks. Distracted even from deep pondering on whether bowling shoes could be stylish, Marinov is focused instead on a clipboard that they have awkwardly propped up against their leg. Their writing is messy, the precision that they have developped in using a sewing needle not transfering to other implements held in their somewhat awkwardly shaped hands. Still, they are leaned close to the page, slowly writing out a message with pen in a careful scrawl. Dear Alex and Rebecca, I am using your first names here because I want you to keep reading. This letter is probably strange, I don't know if it's really appropriate or healthy for me to be writing it. But you probably know that making appropriate and healthy decisions is not something I am good at. And maybe that being consistent is in some way a comfort. This is Taylor. Or Tay, or Sasha, or if you are feeling particularly bold, Kitten (just not in earshot of my friends, mom!) This is going to sound crazy, because it is absolutely crazy, but I am from another universe. Like a parallel dimension? I am not really clear on the physics of it. I'm not some kind of portal doctor. And I will be going back, but I wanted to send you something. I learned that I died in this world, and I want to say, I am so sorry. I know it wasn't me, but it wasn't fair that you had to bury your only child. It isn't fair that the world is so scary for people like me, and I do not know, but I suspect that you have been doing your best to advocate for others like me. Growing up, even though I was a rotten child, my parents were my heroes and they still are. And that's why I wanted to write this letter. I could not help but to think of you when I heard about your child's passing. You My parents always told me that I was your their miracle child, that I was someone precious and worthy of the world. My parents were the reason I could be so confident and assert who I am without shame holding me back. I am me, and that's enough, no matter what the world tries to say. I don't know if it will bring you closure or whatever, but I just wanted you to know. I can't imagine a world where I did not love you. Even though your child has passed on, I don't think that was lost on them, and I think that they knew that they were loved. Even though the years were short, they were good. And I hope it brings some comfort that, even though their thread was cut short, that it wasn't the only strand they had in the tapestry. I love you. In this, and every other universe, for all time. For every world that I and you live in or have lived in, I love you. I will live on, unapologetically me, blessed with the time I have, have had and will have. No matter how much. Yours, Taylor P.S. Even though I roll my eyes at my dad's jokes, he's the funniest guy I know. Maybe I just need to meet more guys? Marinov squints over it, rereads and makes some anxious edits. They cross out and replace some of the words, and then very carefully fold the sheet of paper into three. Their tail curls around their body protectively, they stay quiet and stare down at the folded letter for what feels like an eternity despite only being a few minutes. When they pop back up out of hiding, they wave nearby. "Hey! Hey, weird alternate world X-Men guy, yeah... I need to ask you a favour."