Welcome to Gaia! ::

There really was a lot to discuss with all the changes but also because Jeremiah had some inherent worries about the moonwalkers in this new reality. More worries than he had in the past for their possible safety.

It was likely unfounded but the worry remained.

Jeremiah snorted when he sent that, then let out a sigh. For some, he was sure, that the differences were not so bad or even that varied. The problem was for those that remembered and were older, Alg and himself as well as the wives, had years of differences to deal with.

It took time to adapt.

When his phone buzzed again, he looked down and slid his finger across the keyboard to reply.

Which meant come 5pm the next evening, Jeremiah was already at a booth in Darlene's. Coincidentally it was the same one he frequently had shared with Shiloh.

He figured it was appropriate.

Jeremiah waved and smiled at Jamie, once he was seated and shook his head. "No, not at all. I got here right before five." Which was to say like perhaps 4:55 or 4:56. "I just happened to be in the area already and came this way."

Though it was good to see Jamie smiling, though it seemed familiar as if he had seen it before (on Shiloh perhaps). "Haven't even seen the server yet, though I'm sure they'll be this way now."

Jeremiah's lips twitched upwards when he heard the stomach growl. A menu was slid across for Jamie to look at until the server made their appearance. "There is," he agreed, "though I've been getting bits and pieces from people. I spent most of my time, ah, holding the door."

... because he could make that reference now.

He leaned a moment and, from the edge of the table, picked up a cane that was wiggled in his grip before he set it back down.

"As well as can be expected. Adapting to certain changes like the cane." Jeremiah paused a moment before he realized he should explain. "I am fine, don't worry - it wasn't me that needs it." The last part is quietly said because Jamie would understand that it wasn't him that did but the him that was replaced.

"The injury was bad even though he has my particular abilities," Jeremiah replied quietly, just for their ears, speaking of his durability and resistance to damage, "and most expect me to use it around this time of year. If I didn't, it'd be odd, and given how people view those with magic ... I don't want to give anyone any thoughts that I've made some kind of magical recovery." Especially given how medicine and magic was a no-go.

He smiled a little bit at Jamie and nodded. "It was both taxing and relaxing at the same time. We were pouring our energy into holding the way open until suddenly we weren't." His head tilted and he nodded. "I've heard bits and pieces from everyone, Shiloh included," fingers tapped against the bar, "and, yes, that is sad. Especially given the time. It was rough on the community."

Still was in many ways.

The name Dana was tucked away for another time, wondering who she had been or who she was now. "Well she could be someone around, it's very possible considering most that were there seem to have a counterpart." Jeremiah paused, listening to Jamie and then nodded.

"I understand," he agreed quietly, voice soft, "because I've had to step into the shoes of a life that ... is the same yet there are enough differences that it's hard to get comfortable immediately." Worse that the Jeremiah who he had replaced seemed to have made better choices than he had. It was unsettling in the worst of ways. Worse than when the fetch had taken over. "It'll take some adjust but I'm sure we'll get used to it in time. After all, some of the slight changes are good ones."

Jeremiah felt as if he was living in a shadow once more and it was not entirely unlike coming back to the life the fetch had changed. Except that it was him but not him and that somehow was worse. To have another version of himself that made better choices-

The thought was pushed away.

"I think it is and I'm endeavoring to do so because the only way for that to happen is to foster understanding." It turned out to be something that he, as Chief of Police, was striving for. A more understanding and open-minded view of magic but it was an uphill battle. "It doesn't help that no one can explain why some have magic and others don't or that there are those who use magic for ill." A tired sigh escaped.

"I've been having to adapt to people knowing I have magic." Given his career and his position, there was no way it wasn't public knowledge. "... yet I admit that I could live without the looks I get sometimes."