(day of the switch)
Location: San Francisco, California, world of Earth.
Vivian sat at the small desk in Ben's guest room, the familiar weight of her journal open before her. She meticulously detailed the past few days for Ally, her pen scratching across the page.
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Ally:
Things have gotten incredibly strange here. Have you also had moments where you heard buzzing and felt like we were going to Switch? I've never felt like that before. Please write something back to let me know if you have been experiencing the same things. You aren't always the best about keeping up with this journal when you're here.
Lecture aside, you should know that I'm currently in the middle of an investigation on a series of suspicious fires. It's likely the fires are someone's experiments. But sometimes the idea of Aethelgard pops into my thoughts while I am investigating. I know that it's silly to think they are related, afterall, we know that magic can't be used here. And scientifically, it wouldn't make any sense.
Plus, it's not like things come through when we Switch, right? It's always just been our minds, our consciousness. Still, there was a weird substance that I found. Maybe you'll know more about it.
For the investigation I am currently on, a company called Greyson Investment Group (GIG) seems to be the target. Alex Greyson is the head of GIG and has been helping to some degree. His connection to us is ... well, he's complicated. He owns the building Ben is in and where I've been staying of late. Alex has also been digging into my past. He even knows about how my Dad died. Be careful of him. He's incredibly intelligent and perceptive. He doesn't seem to miss a thing when it comes to observing people.
I've started gathering some physical samples from the sites I've been investigating and have already sent them to labs for analyses. If we do Switch soon, we'll hopefully have Switched back by the time we get the first report from them.
Be aware that Alex seems to relentlessly pursue anything he finds of interest out of sheer curiosity.
Actually, it would be best to avoid him completely. I fear that he will notice more than just our eyes have changed color. Stick to Ben and stay away from anyone else as much as possible. You can always rely on Ben. He's got a handle on the 'Alex situation' and the suspicious fires investigation.
However, please remember that Ben is not your servant. He is our friend—like Callum. He helps us out as much as he can, but he's not there to cater to your every whim.
If we Switch anytime soon, you may find yourself at his and Marmalade's place. He can make an excuse for you and take you back to my apartment, where you can hang out doing all of the things you like. There are some new books that I got and have not yet read that you can dive into. And I am keeping some of your favorite things in the freezer so they will keep for a while. Ask Ben to show you how to thaw them. But ask NICELY.
Also, I have some things set to record from the television on a regular basis. Please don't push random buttons. I left instructions on how to operate the remotes and the order in which you should do things. And—again—you can ask Ben when you don't know. But ask NICELY.
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Vivian included notes on Alex's ownership of multiple properties, the advanced security measures being installed at Ben's building, and the detailed findings from the factory and warehouse. She drew diagrams of the AAR and thermite damage, carefully explaining their scientific implications and what their equivalents might be in Ally's world. She knew it was a long shot, but she did her best in case Ally had to step in for her.
She ended with, "Stay safe and go easy on Ben. He is reliable, but he has a life of his own. He is not your personal attendant, so try not to cause too much trouble for him. Compliment him on his new kitchen stools or something. He seems oddly proud of them."
With her notes complete, Vivian zipped up her overnight bag, which held only a few changes of clothes and her toiletries. She made sure the journal was in a hidden pocket so she could keep it nearby, but not easy for anyone to stumble upon.
Along with the journal, she kept the usual "Ally" phone and charger. The Ally phone only had Ben's number in it, and Vivian had either deleted or moved all of the app icons to another screen, leaving only the phone and text icons. She wrapped it in a piece of paper with a reminder of how to use the device.
Vivian glanced at the clock. It was nearly time to report for duty. She shouldered her bag and gave Marmalade a final scratch behind the ears before quietly letting herself out of the apartment.
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(day of the switch)
Location: Downtown San Francisco, California, world of Earth.
Fire Station 36 was busy with preparations and personnel turnover. Vivian nodded to the few firefighters milling about as she noted the scent of diesel and stale coffee was its own type of comfort. Lieutenant Delgado, a man with a neatly trimmed mustache and tired but kind eyes, greeted her from behind his desk when she reported to his on-site office. "Lorenson, glad you're here. We've been unusually busy, lately. You may not get much downtime this rotation. However, I've been warned that you might get pulled for an investigation you have been working on. I'll keep you updated."
The evening roll-call was a familiar ritual. Delgado stood before the assembled crew in the small conference room with a laminated sheet in his hand. "Alright, listen up. Last shift had a couple of good saves on a car wreck, cleared a false alarm at an old bakery—Mrs. Henderson thought her cat was stuck in the oven again, bless her heart." A few chuckles rippled through the room. "And a reminder, folks," he continued, a mischievous glint in his eye, "cats usually find their own way down from trees when they get hungry enough. Animal Control's got the rest. Let's focus on real emergencies, eh?"
The crew responded with a chorus of "Yes, Lieutenant!" and "Understood!"
"Now, for upcoming community events," Lieutenant Delgado continued, his tone shifting to a more official cadence. "We've got our 'Station 36 Public Visitation Day' next Saturday, so let's make sure the engines are spotless. We'll also be hosting elementary school tours on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Remember to keep it fun and engaging for the little ones."
He paused, looking around the room. "And don't forget our two big fundraisers coming up. First, the 'Fill the Boot' drive with the IAFF on the 15th—always a good one. Then, we've got the 'Firefighter Chili Cook-Off' next month on the 10th at the community center. As you know, money raised from both events goes to good causes: buying essential supplies for victims, things like blankets, toiletries, and food vouchers. The rest goes directly to the Burn Foundation, for victims of fires in our area. Let's make a strong showing, alright?" The crew murmured their affirmations.
"Your individual duties have been posted on the board. Come to me if you have questions. Dismissed."
Vivian headed to her designated dorm room, a small, utilitarian space with a single bed and a metal wardrobe. She unzipped her bag keeping her her neatly folded clothes inside and at the bottom of the closet. Just as she closed the wardrobe door, the station's alarm blared with a piercing, insistent sound that instantly galvanized the crew. "Station 36, respond, lights and sirens, alarm at 4712 Industrial Way," a calm voice of a dispatcher announced over the radio.