[homeless, commenting on a very old changeling comic]

[changelingdude]

Oh...so that's how it all turned out.

I mean...yeah ok it was a different time, another universe, another me I guess. Not bad just...different.

But I don't think I'll ever be able to imagine myself sitting across from Slade all casual at a diner having coffee.

And I am SO glad my hair has changed with the times. Then again at least it wasn't the mullet years.

So are we any closer on getting me back in a game? Or should I just go back to waiting for those back issues of Teen Titans Go to come in?

Comments

[rrbando_rambo]

Wowie, you read comic books too? What's it like to have another you in a parallel universe?

[changelingdude]

Oh dude I love comic books! You ever read Captian Carrot and his amazing Zoo Crew?

It's a little weird. It's like I see bits of me in him, good and bad, and then I'll see stuff that totally takes me by surprise.

[rrbando_rambo]

Hey yeah, I do that too! I mean put myself in the hero's shoes, and try to imagine what I'd do if I was there with 'em. The other Rangers'd call me silly for using comic books to help make me better at mah job, but our team could use some real super hero stuff, something that everyone can look up to. It beats being plain ol' Dale.

You read comics and you're a super hero? [All his interest.] Don't ya kinda live all that stuff every day?

[changelingdude]

Well yeah I mean...I do, but if the stories are good and the characters are interesting it's still great!

Oh man I totally get ya though. I get teased too but you can learn useful stuff anywhere. Even comic books! It's err...just a matter of finding out what works and what doesn't.

[rrbando_rambo]

[Meeting a super hero and hearing him acknowledge it resulted in unbridled excitement on Dale's end.]

WOW! I-I mean, I've never met a real super hero before. Just the ones in the comics and on the TV. Comic books must really work if you read 'em too!

[He massaged the back of his head sheepishly.] I know the feeling all too well. The joke is usually on me. I try not to let it get to me though, I've had at least some good ideas that saved a case.

[Well in just about everything else the chipmunk would up being the comic relief.]

[changelingdude]

[rubs the back of his head sheepishly having found a kindred spirit]

Lemme guess dude, you're also the funny, lovable goofball on the team who keeps everyone from getting too uptight but sometimes that backfires and people shout at you to grow up?

[rrbando_rambo]

[Beastboy's assumption being painfully accurate, Dale's ears lowered just a touch as he gaped. The expression quickly depicted a little of his own insecurity at this predictability, as well. Was he that easy to read? Just as plain as the red-hued nose on his face, he admitted with a guilty shudder.]

Well, yeah! I mean I think so! You're right...

[He nodded and reproduced a smile. It did sound like he had found a kindred spirit, as well. He visibly relaxed.]

How did you know?

[It made him all the more curious to learn more.]

[changelingdude]

[laughs]

Because that is totally me dude! But trust me, growing up and being all [stern face] serious business, [grins] doesn't help. Especially in a world full of super powered goofballs in tights and capes.

A true super hero brings light in the darkest moments of people's day, sometimes the darkest moment of their lives. And who better suited to do that then someone with a good sense of humor huh?

[rrbando_rambo]

Really? [His eyes widen in astonishment.] A super hero who's just like me? [He leapt up and pumped a fist into the air] Yeah! NEAAAT-O!

[He drew an invisible sword from his side, and began to jab and swish the air with enthusiasm. After Dale had calmed himself down a bit, he chuckled softly in agreement.] That's why I have a sense of humor too. I dun mind clowin' around as long as our spirits are up. It's good for team morale, ya know?

The name's Dale! [He piped up to his new mentor, as he stood only a full four inches.] What kind of superhero are you?

[changelingdude]

Great to meetcha dude. My name's Beastboy!

[and then to give an example of his totally cool super heroics, Beastboy turns into a horse, rearing back with a whinny. Then a lion with a mighty roar! Then a hawk swooping in a loop and then finally lands in front of Dale as a green chipmunk. In fact all the animals were green]

Ta-dah!

[rrbando_rambo]

Dale's initial reaction was to crouch and watch fastidiously, the alarm evident on his face. Seeing the lion and the hawk though made him realize it was a demonstration, however, and he quickly sat up and brought his paws together in brief applause. As Beastboy's chipmunk approached him he bowed forward in a gentleman's curtsy.

Bravo! You look just like me! [A chuckle.] Bet you got plenty more tricks up your sleeve! You got a team too?

[changelingdude]

You bet I do!

[Shifts back acting out the parts.]

First we've got Raven. She's got spook powers and is even scarier then some of our bad guys. She's totally cool~

Then there's my main man Cyborg, half man, half machine. All butt kick! He's a total genius and my best bro.

Next is Starfire, the alien princess from a galaxy far far away! She may be the sweetest girl you've ever met, but she can lift so man tons. Like all of the tons dude.

And then there's our leader. Robin the boy wonder! He's smart, fast, strong, a one dude army trained by the worlds greatest detective.

We're the Teen Titans, with our own theme song and everything! When there's trouble you know who to call!

These two are amazing. We should tag each other's posts all the time. XD

[rrbando_rambo]

Dale did wear a lively smile for Beastboy's performance, enjoying himself thoroughly. It widened at times, and others it looked a tad more curious, but he was ultimately enthralled.

"The Teen Titans." That was more than enough to get him excited. "WOW! A real team of super heroes! I could have a real super hero friend!" Dale zipped over and extended his hands upwards in a handshake posture. "It'd be swell if we could be friends! I could learn from you, but there's not much a chipmunk can offer you but a paw. OH yeah, and my team is called the Rescue Rangers." His grin returned over a momentary humility at being...well, ordinary.

;)

[changelingdude]

[Grins his toothy grin and shakes his little paw]

Don't sell yourself short dude. Everyone's got something to bring to the table. And even if I'm not learning from you hanging out and having a good time is worth it.

:P

[rrbando_rambo]

[Dale's smile was equally warmed by his new friend's acceptance.]

Yeah! You bet! I can't wait to hear all your stories.

Do ya have one now? If ya don't, I might have somethin' up mah sleeve if you wanted to hear about the Rangers.

[changelingdude]

Rangers huh? Lets hear it dude! I love a good story!

[hippie_shifter]

"I heard about that one. It was about Terra, and she...well, she wasn't a nice person in that timeline. Slade may be a walking violation of the Geneva Convention, but he's not mindless."

[changelingdude]

Yeah no kidding right? Makes me glad they updated the story a little before I met Terra. Yeesh.

[hippie_shifter]

"I met that bad Terra. Got stuck in her head for a week, actually - long story, real nightmare. The way she thought was so...alien to me. She tricked Gar and then tried to kill me in front of him. Then, she insulted Doom Patrol to his face. Needless to say, Frog Prince was really mad at her after that."

[changelingdude]

Yeah...that sounds about right.

I guess I've been pretty lucky as far as things go, knock on wood. But if I know my min he's looking for an excuse to wreck me again.

[absolutelynoregrets]

You could always come to my game.

[changelingdude]

I'm almost afraid to ask.

[absolutelynoregrets]

It's not that bad so far. Some kid who said he was from my future bought me a bunch of burgers.

[changelingdude]

Really? Sweet! Free food and time travel.

So on a scale of 1 to 10, one being misunderstood girl who just needs a chance and ten being totally whacko gonna kill everything to make myself feel better...where do you stand? Just hypothetically?

Because I mean...the outfit says one thing but I just can't miss those eyes.

[absolutelynoregrets]

The last thing I did before ending up in this city was throwing you down into a fissure and closing it.

Does that answer your question?

[changelingdude]

Yep! Because I mean...sure the betrayal hurt but all things considered it's not the worst thing that could have happened.

Anyone else from our world hanging around?

[absolutelynoregrets]

Aside from that redheaded kid? None that I've met yet.

[changelingdude]

Red headed kid? Talks too fast? Charming smile?

[absolutelynoregrets]

Yeah, that sounds like him.

[changelingdude]

Kid Flash! Nice dude. He joins the team later.

But enough about how, how have you been?

[absolutelynoregrets]

[Angry. Confused. Refusing help.]

...just fine.

[changelingdude]

Uh huh...well you're looking better then fine.

But I mean come onnn it's been forever. Or at least in my case several years. I was in a world with monsters made out of data. computer stuff. It was like living in a video game.

[absolutelynoregrets]

I was in a city where you could do anything with sufficient willpower, and I made some friends, but then I died and then I left the city. Now I'm back, but I don't remember anything from the first time. Is that enough "catching up" for you?

[changelingdude]

*pales a little*

Not even a little.

Sounds like things are still pretty rough huh?

[absolutelynoregrets]

Nothing I can't handle.

[changelingdude]

Well that's a given. If there's one thing I've learned about you, it's that you never give yourself enough credit.

[absolutelynoregrets]

...What's that supposed to mean?

[changelingdude]

You're more amazing then you could ever imagine. Stronger. Smarter. Braver then so many. Way smarter then me that much is for sure.

But you sell yourself short. You worry, we all do. I know I do. And when those worries get inside your head you start to wonder if the world maybe is just a little too big. If the troubles facing you are a little too much. But I know better.