maskormenace | video;

[ When the video starts, it's obvious Henry's in his room, which is not where he'd prefer to be. With it being the weekend, he'd much rather be outside exploring De Chima a little more, but today it's just really gloomy outside and it looks like it might rain any second. That's not necessarily a deterrent, but it's the kind of weather that's more conducive to relaxing indoors and watching movies. So, that's what he's been doing until relocating back to his room for the time being. He hasn't really had a chance to meet as many people on this network as he'd like, so that's what compels him to speak now.

Mostly he just has questions.

Questions are a good way to start a conversation, right? ]

I was wondering...does anyone else have experience with...healing? Not the kind of healing where you fix someone's broken bones, or cuts or anything. But where you fix their...heart, I guess? Their mind. Empathic healing, it said in my packet. So I should be able to make someone feel better if they're sad or scared, or upset in some way. I just was wondering how many other people can do that, too.

[ He really likes the idea of that, but it's not as straightforward to him as his other power (even though it makes sense to him, of course): forcefields. He hasn't tried either yet, but forcefields are something you can see, you know what you're doing and if it's working. ]

I'm Henry, by the way. I live in De Chima, and my mom's here - well, one of them - so that's pretty cool.

Do you like where you're living right now? What do you like to do for fun?

Oh, and if you're living in De Chima too, where can I get the best pizza?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ No ID printed and Peej is in costume, seated atop a rooftop with sunny, clear skies above her head. ]

Not in my power set, but there are people with a similar power back in my world.

Nice to meet you, Henry. I'm Power Girl.

[ Power Girl. He is so excited to meet her, and so, she gets a bright smile. ]

Nice to meet you!

I really...like the idea of it, it just seems a little tricky because it's someone's emotions, and what's going on in their head, and I'm not sure how it will actually feel when I help them. Do you know much about how those people handled it?

[ Oh, and: ]

I bet your powers are really cool, though. [ He's sure they are. ]

It's a hefty power to have and though you could help many with it, you will have to be careful. Not everyone likes having someone in their head.

[ She can't help but make a face remembering certain assholes who got into hers. ]

Martian Manhunter has a power kind of like it? But not really, like Miss Martian is telling you.

Then you had creeps like Psycho Pirate who used them to his advantage.

That's why I'm worried about it, too. I know it could be a good thing, but I don't wanna accidentally hurt someone, or upset them.

[ It would honestly crush him if he knew he'd done anything to hurt someone in any way. ]

I know how easy it is for people to lose control sometimes, even if they thought they were doing something good.

[ And he's seen magic corrupt his mom, so...he wants to be careful. He's not overly worried about himself in that regard, he knows he has a good heart, but still, this is serious stuff not to be taken lightly. ]

That's very kind and responsible of you.

[ Is he being serious? His words seem so genuine, it surprises Peej. ]

You don't need to use these powers. I know there's all this talk of being a hero, but you don't have to do that.

[ This is a kid who was willing to stay trapped in Neverland forever - or so he thought, not realizing Peter Pan lied to him - if it meant saving someone else. He's always thinking of others. But he's modest about it, and he smiles. ] Well, what happens to other people matters a lot to me.

[ Yeah, she has a point there. But on the other hand, he's always wanted to be a hero, and it's like a dream come true. He's not sure if he should say that, so he's quiet for a moment. ]

My family, they're heroes, they've saved me before, and they've saved...a lot of other people. I always wanted to be a hero just like them, so I could help.

They sound like great people.

[ So it runs in the family, huh? She can see now why the kid's taken an interest in it. ]

You know it's not easy being one, don't you?

They are.

[ There's so much pride shining in his eyes, and he's especially proud of Regina, who's come so far from being someone he'd once considered an irredeemable villain. ]

It's hard, and it never stops. There's always someone to help, and if you can't help someone, you feel terrible. It's dangerous, and sometimes you have to do things completely alone. But...I think it's still worth it.

Your mom would worry, wouldn't she? And your other mom? Am I hearing that right?

[ She's got him there. ]

Well. Yeah. A little, I guess.

[ A lot, who is he kidding? ]

Oh. Sorry. My mom, Emma Swan, she's the one here with me and she's my birth mom. She had to put me up for adoption when I was a baby because she just...couldn't really take care of me then, and she wanted me to have my best chance. [ He says this just casually, like it's not really a big deal, because he knows his mom loves him. Plus, he has the memories of growing up with her, which is weird, and not real. ] My other mom, Regina, raised me until I found Emma when I was ten. It's...complicated, but they've been getting along better now.

[ That's a heck of a life story, but from Henry's reaction, sounds like things are relatively okay and she's glad for that. ]

It's nice to hear you have good relationships with both [ slight pause ] moms.

[ Adoption is a tricky thing and sometimes finding your birth parents ends in heartbreak. ]

So, heroism is the family business?

[ He's worried about the rest of his family being back in Storybrooke, but he knows they'll get back to them soon. And things are so much better than they were. ]

I guess you could say that, yeah.

[ He's not sure about telling people things like his grandparents being Snow White and Prince Charming, so. ]

What about you, do you have family here?

[ She is still trying to process a Peter Pan who kidnaps children and is a general slimeball.

That question is rather direct, so she ends up faltering a moment. ]

Uh, complicated.

[ He can be a little blunt sometimes without even realizing it might not be the most comfortable thing for someone else. But...her answer says it all. ]

Oh. Sorry.

Well...I hope you have people with you, you know. Just, that you're not alone here or anything.

[ How is this boy real? She has a feeling he and her are going to get along swimmingly. ]

That's sweet of you. Don't worry about it; I've got allies from all over the multiverse here.

[ He just tends to always follow his heart, and let it speak for him, and he's never really lost his sense of hope. ]

Well if you ever need to talk or need help, I could be an ally, too.

I have a feeling you can be.

Just remember to get your mom's permission.

I will, I promise.

[ Instead of sneaking off, like he has in the past. ]

Stay safe out there, okay?

[ Henry no!!

A tiny smirk. ]

Hey, I'm always careful.