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[braced]

Comments

[strewn]

People show up here a lot, don't they? I get that impression.

We don't really have a choice. We're always together.

[braced]

its kind of a safe house. a lot of us had nowhere to go

how come?

[strewn]

Yeah, that's what brought us here. We didn't know where else to go.

Bam gets weird about telling people, but we share a body.

[braced]

i didnt either. now this is home

...how does that work?

[strewn]

Is it a good home?

If you see him, he's always wearing gloves. If you get the right one off, I show up. And if I/we touch you, we absorb your powers or energy, depending. Obviously I don't touch too many people.

[braced]

yes. really good. i feel safe here. i havent felt safe in years

oh. okay. that sounds kind of sad though... do you get lonely?

[strewn]

Why haven't you felt safe? Or, if you want, what makes this place different?

Yeah, it can be. I start to miss it sometimes. It's like an itch you can't scratch.

[braced]

its a dangerous world we live in. it's scary when you know how much stronger some people are

im sorry. i dont think id survive not being able to touch people. do you just... never do it?

[strewn]

I never thought of it that way. I spend most of my time hoping I won't be the person who hurts someone else.

Rarely. If someone's all right with me using my ability on them, it's possible, but people are understandably pretty reluctant to give their power to someone else. Worse for humans, too.

[braced]

then youre already better than half the people out there

hojoon might have mentioned you do that. take powers or energy if someones human

[strewn]

You say that, but sometimes I still want to risk it.

Yeah, he was pretty concerned about it when Bam told him. If everyone's worried, I don't have to come out when people are around.

[braced]

because you want to touch someone?

he's... a protector. it's kind of his duty to worry.

thats not really fair to you though is it? you can be careful

[strewn]

Sometimes I don't feel very real. If other people could touch me, seems like it'd help.

I understand. Definitely don't begrudge anyone being wary. I'm wary too.

But can I be careful enough?

[braced]

i get that. i was... i ended up locked up for a while. so i have some idea.

i dont know, but everyone could hurt someone else without meaning to.

[strewn]

You do, don't you? Sorry. Honestly, I really am. It's not a feeling I want anyone else to understand.

But I take things. Things no one should have taken from them unless they consent to it.

[braced]

yeah. me either. is there no way you can be touched by someone without problem?

if youre upfront about that then the people who stay close to you are aware. and would know it was an accident if one was to happen

[strewn]

With my left hand. I have to be wearing a glove. I'm not sure it's the same.

Have you ever accidentally hurt someone? Really, really hurt them. Like, you reached for a glass at the same time they did and that was all it took.

[braced]

i wouldnt think its the same. but just to feel something might be... something.

no... not like that.

[strewn]

Something is more than nothing. I heard that somewhere. I'd like to think that's true, but I don't have a lot of context.

Sorry, I didn't mean to sound sanctimonious or anything. It's hard though, when things that shouldn't hurt anyone, do.

[braced]

it is true. something is definitely better than nothing.

its fine. i was just trying to help. around here... you could exist without being scared, if people know what you can do they can help you avoid any problems

[strewn]

What if having something means having something to miss when it's gone?

You did. I shouldn't minimize that. I'm going to be honest with everyone and let them decide what they think is best. That seems like the only way we can live here, I think.

[braced]

at least you knew what it was like. and you dont have to wonder. thats my experience.

yeah. thats good. its a two person thing you know. you tell someone and you can trust each other and work through it together if something happens

[strewn]

I wonder about everything. I'm used to wondering. I'm not used to losing things. I guess it's scary.

Trust is a big word.

[braced]

it is scary. but i guess its up to you. deciding which youd rather live with.

you dont want to get people to trust you?

[strewn]

That's another thing. I don't usually get much of a choice about things.

Maybe I don't trust myself.