⨂ — 004. VIDEO; un: Sugarlips

[southernchere]

[still not fully getting the hang of the video function of these devices, the feed wavers and goes out of focus for a second or two — until this little hut is revealed:]





[it's unclear (unless you know the username of this broadcast) who is behind the camera, until the video comes a bird's eye view of this decorative little shack.]

Well, that's right good, innit? It might be gettin' hot as Hades, but I reckon this is the best time for it!

[floating back down on ground level, rogue twists the camera to face herself now with her new accomplishment behind her, grinning fairly big.]

I've been meaning to do somethin' like this for ya'll. Now I ain't licensed or nothing, but part of my powers is all about knowing exactly how ya'll are feeling on the inside. But instead of touchin' and learning it the mutant way, I'd like it more if you tell me on your own.

[there's a brief pause from her, and her voice sombers when she speaks again:]

I know we've all been tossed in Hell, out, and back again, and it gets harder to tell our loved ones how we feel about things, and sometimes we think it'd be better to say nothing at all. Keep it all bottled up and have it all twisting and turning 'till you get a crick in your neck. But lettin' it fester can lead to trouble, and Lord knows, we don't need more of that around these parts.

— It's good to let it all out, but more in a healthy way. And that's what I'm here for. 'Cuz sometimes, it's easier to say things to someone who don't know a flippin' thing about ya.

[the mutant makes her way inside her therapy hut and plops a seat on one of the chairs, sitting more upright to look professional.]

I'm a lil' out yonder from the city, out in the fields. And there's no charge. Not gonna make ya'll pay when all I want is for everyone to feel better themselves and getting along.

And if that's not enough to rope ya in, I'm one hell of a cook, and I'm fixin' to start grilling some burgers and hot dogs in a little while.

Comments

voice; un: shadowspread

[unsunder]

Hot as what.

[ He's ignoring the rest of that because it's way too touchy-feely for him. He's just so thrown off by someone using his real name in some sort of weird expression that the reaction just sort of popped out. ]

[southernchere]

Hades. Satan. He is in charge of Hell. But whether that man actually exists or not, well, I ain't about to go into that. Some believe in him, some don't, and folks sometimes into a fit and argue about it.

But it's just an expression for sayin' it's really hot outside.

[the last thing she wants to get into right now is talk about religion. because nothing really good comes out of talking about that.]

[unsunder]

[ Maybe it's not so far-fetched to realize he shares a name with a religious figure from another world, but it is still strange to hear. ]

I see.

[ That's going to take some getting used to. ]

And you're one of those bleeding heart types, are you?

[southernchere]

I... reckon that's one way to describe me. I can be pretty hard-headed if I gotta be.

[especially if someone is being a little too difficult for comfort.]

But my mutant powers taught me to be patient and be more understanding of others.

[unsunder]

[ Ah, yes. He knows the type. Unflinchingly kind but ready to throw hands if they need to. ]

If I may— "mutant powers"?

[southernchere]

On my Earth, there are ordinary humans and there are Mutants. Mutants are folks who were born with abilities that a human can't do. — Some of us got the same kind, but a lotta of us all got different powers.

[come to think of it, she should really make another broadcast about her powers. rogue didn't think to before because she figured she'd be out of this simulation
quick and hurry. but here she is, ten months later and she's still here...]

— Mines are flight, inhuman strength, and power drain. If I touch someone or someone touches my skin, all of their strength goes right into me. I'll get your abilities, your memories, how you feel and I see the world through your eyes. Hell, I'll even become you for a lil' while.

Sometimes it's temporarily, but some skills stay with me. Like if anyone here ever needs to give birth, ya'll can holler at me.

[rogue pauses, but only brief before she continues:]

... But... I can't control my powers. I can't always let go of someone when it happens. And whenever I touch folks, that person falls into a coma. And it varies for how long. I've had fellas who never woke up... — So I wear a body suit and gloves when I'm around others to protect them from me.

[unsunder]

[ In his humble opinion, "mutant" sounds like quite the unkind way to refer to people who are more than their fellows, but perhaps that's just him. He wouldn't presume to know the social or political clime of a place worlds away.

He also makes a mental note to never, ever let this woman touch him. ]

'Tis a wonder you tend toward empathy and not isolation, then.

[southernchere]

[her voice lowers a pitch, a hint of sadness in it but still trying to be uplifting nevertheless.]

It's... not always easy. I've known my power ever since I was eighteen, and even though I've had it for this long... I still miss what it's like to touch another human being.

And it does hurt seein' my comrades, or others do somethin' as simple as holding another hand. Or... give someone a friendly hug when they need it the most.

[it pains her that she can only express her emotions and her affection through words and not so much in physicality. especially when action speaks louder than words, and not everyone trusts in words. they hold power, sure, but not always.]

But I keep my head spinnin', and remind myself that my powers have helped folks before. And it's gonna keep on helping 'cuz I want everyone to have a future.

[unsunder]

[ Not the first time he's been faced with the indomitable spirit of humanity, but it is admittedly weird for him to be in a place to simply accept it for what it is.

As such, there's a bit of a pause before he responds. ]

I might warn you of the perils of such kindness, but something tells me you can take care of yourself.

[southernchere]

[she hums a soft yet warm chuckle, and when she speaks again, that trace of sadness in her tone prior has seem to dissipate.]

I can't punch a hole through the wall for nothin', Sugah. But I declare you ain't a damsel yourself.

[unsunder]

Is that your assessment based on a single conversation?

[ He sounds skeptical. ]

[southernchere]

Well, if ya think I'm climbing a tree and lyin', feel free to get me straight. I haven't many boys who couldn't handle themselves, but there's always the first time for everything.

[unsunder]

If that is an invitation for fisticuffs, I shall have to decline. I am not one for brawling, least of all with an opponent who can punch a hole through a wall.

[ He got a hole carved out of his chest once. That's enough for him. ]

[southernchere]

[she chuckles sincerely over his words, shaking her head even though he can't see it through the audio.]

That's fine and dandy, Darlin'. I ain't gonna wrestle ya 'less you wanna train. But dang, I'm steady here just a-talkin', and I haven't said who I am yet. My mama would be snatching me bald-headed for not introducing myself. My name's Rogue. It's nice to meet ya.

[unsunder]

[ All of these expressions are like to make his head spin. ]

Emet-Selch. A pleasure.

[ Probably. ]

[southernchere]

Emet-Selch. That's an interestin' name, none I've heard of. How long you've been in Aldrip, Sugah? Ya got any questions that need answering?

[now that she thinks about it, it'll be almost a year since she's been in this simulation... time really does fly.]

[unsunder]

Says the woman named "Rogue."

[ Like her own moniker, Emet-Selch is not actually his name, but he's been Emet-Selch for so long now it might as well be. ]

I am but recently arrived, one of the latest few to get dragged into this place. I believe any questions I might have had were answered already, save perhaps how long you have been here, yourself.

[southernchere]

Well, I'll be dad-burn! You've done told me and hurled me into the swamps.

[she laughs, not all hurt by that remark. at least she can take jokes.]

Rogue is my hero name. If ya want my real one, you're gonna hafta play nice. But I'm happy the folks here were sweet muffins, and gave you the what's what. I figured things out the good ol' hard way, but I ain't fussing.

[unsunder]

[ WHAT DOES THAT MEAN. He doesn't speak southern. ]

I like to think myself fairly adept at asking the right questions, as well. It sounds like you were thrown right into the thick of things, then. How long have you been here?

[southernchere]

In two months, I've been here for a year. Time went on fast, but that's just how the hog ate the cabbage, I reckon.

[it's unfortunate he can't speak southern, but at least, she won't show irritation about it. rogue has gotten used to people being lost in the dark.]

[unsunder]

[ He even has auto-translate built in and it's still not helping him. ]

A year. And I thought half that was far too long.

[southernchere]

There folks here who've been here longer. And a lotta of 'em enjoy staying here than returning back to their Earths. Most had a worse life than what this simulation is throwin' at us.

— Ain't judging them any if they prefer this life than home. [she doesn't know everyone personally, but she has heard snippets of stories.] Just wish there was some kind of way we can go in and out as we please.

[unsunder]

[ That... gives him pause. He had not once thought that the other Chosen would like being here. Hells. That complicates things, doesn't it? ]

I am not so sure that willingly staying in a simulation is altogether wise. Were this simply another world to which we have been brought, it would be different.

[southernchere]

We had a chance of maybe gettin' out months before. But... maybe were frighten that we may die if we did, or... they prefer here 'cuz they've passed on back on their Earths. This is like their second shot in living.

[and honestly, she understands. honest and truthy, but... her opinion is the same as emet-selch. living in a simulation isn't necessarily, well, living, per-se. to her, it's similar in staying in a fairy tale world. it's lovely and beautiful, sure, but it's not real. it's running away from reality, the truth.]