001 || Video

[pacifisticuffs]

[ Simon is lounging on the living room couch of Nonah 007 in jeans and a gray turtleneck, carefully shined shoes kicked up onto the coffee table. He's got a martini in one hand, complete with a little speared olive. He contemplates it a moment with a rather dark-eyed expression before lifting his head and beaming at the feed.

In a Very Posh British Accent: ]

Hello darlings. It's a beautiful morning in an unfamiliar world. Beautiful here, in any case, I hope the weather is holding wherever you all might be.

[ A TOAST, TO YOU, FRIENDS. ]

Here's to having one's worldview overturned, hmm? I thought I'd seen everything, more fool me.

[ He plucks the olive out of the drink, turning it on the end of its toothpick. ] Does anyone have any... suggestions, as to how a body might mute the manifestation of new abilities?

[ For a second, he looks like he's going to say something else. For another second, he looks uncomfortable. ]

Sufficed to say I'd rather like to keep my mental hands to myself.

Comments

[ video ] » ID: Psylocke

[violetnce]

[ A woman with violet hair, and violet irises pops up in a video reply. Her accent is that of Maldon, Essex. ]

Always glad to see another imPort from the most interesting country.

[ Only slightly joking. English pride!!!!!!!! ]

Dangerous things happen when our nanites go offline; I would suggest not attempting to do anything that would bring about such a reaction or action. You say mental, though -- I'm a telepath, and have been since well before I ported in here. If you need help learning to control and reign in your powers, that I can help with.

[pacifisticuffs]

I would drink to that, if you were so inclined.

[ She gets one of Simon’s more genuine smiles. It’s nice to hear a bit of home, even if it isn’t really his. (A thought that’s going to take a great deal of time to get used to. She’s striking. More than a little. It’s nice to hide behind a facade of flirtation when he’s still carrying the vivid memory of a crowd’s emotions inside his head. ]

Color me curious—what sort of dangerous things? [ He drops the olive back into his drink with a tiny plink and sets the glass aside. ] Control would certainly be nice.

video: id: poe dameron | black leader

[flightforfreedom]

Think we'd rather you kept your mental hands to yourself, too, buddy.

Unfortunately the guy who helped me out with mine is long gone - not sure if anyone's taken up his mantle in the meantime, but.

I can try to give a hand, depending on what exactly needs to be muted.

[pacifisticuffs]

[ Hello good looking. Simon can’t help amusement. ]

I have the vague sense that I should feel insulted.

[ HRM. ]

It’s... I seem to be able to read others’ emotions on contact. And according to my delightfully thorough paperwork, I can project my own.

video;

[exceptionalthief]

[Here's another person with a rather posh accent, although in his case it's a cross between British and German. His shoes are also fairly shiny (not that they can currently be seen), matching his expensive-looking suit a bit better than jeans.]

Afraid of getting your mental hands slapped? A matter of TMI? Or are you just too conscientious a person to stomach any possibility of intrusiveness?

[pacifisticuffs]

[ WOW DON’T INSULT HIS CLOTHING CHOICES, he doesn’t have much to work with here yet!!! ]

None of the above. I simply enjoy my privacy.

[ Simon slings an arm over the back of the couch. ] I’m beginning to get the impression that mental invasion is a common concern here.

voice;

[photophobic]

It will take time and effort for you to master your new abilities. Controlling them is within your power, but there is no one method that suits everyone.

If your ability is an extension of the mind, discipline of the mind is most likely what you will need to control it.

voice;

[pacifisticuffs]

[ A DRAMATIC SIGH. ]

Naturally. As though I’ve not got enough to acquaint myself with here already.

video;

[recommendations]

I'm glad to see you in better spirits, sir.

[ It occurs to her she never got his name, but there it is now attached to the video. ]

How have the gloves worked for you so far? Are they a passable stopgap measure?

[pacifisticuffs]

[ Momo gets another genuine smile. ]

If it isn’t my hero. [ Which is about when he realizes he didn’t get her name either, but lo. The usefulness of network IDs, he will grudgingly admit. ]

They are, thank you. I hope there were no ill-effects from you... giving them to me?

video;

[kanyounot]

I have some experience training others in mental discipline and focus. For the most part, it's just gonna take time, and some trial and error.

I take it you've never had any such abilities before?

[pacifisticuffs]

Nothing remotely similar even exists in reality, where I come from. This entire scenario is more akin to something out of a science fiction novel than real life.

video

[metaphorbia]

Does that make you a telepath then? Are you just hearing everything? Do you have a range?

[ He sounds more fascinated than helpful, sorry dude. ]

[pacifisticuffs]

[ WOW KID CHILL. ]

Empath, I think would be the more appropriate term, and only on physical contact.

[video]

[viciousmaukery]

[The set for this video is going to look very familiar to Simon: it’s the kitchen for the very house he’s sitting in right now, only there’s a flashy purple tiefling sitting in one of the chairs, in a coat that would be sensible if it wasn’t for the huge embroidered dragon on the back and the eclectic color scheme.]

We’d all love for you to keep your mental hands to yourself, thanks. [He doesn’t have a lot of advice to offer on shutting up new abilities, unfortunately, so he focuses on something else:] I’ve found it best to just assume I’m never going to see everything the world has to offer, and just—take it as it comes, enjoy all the new things coming my way.

ACTION?

[pacifisticuffs]

[ GACK. There's a pause and a blink, which is all the reaction Molly's appearance gets, even if Simon is in no way used to people who look as unique as the tiefling.

But he definitely heard that voice, from much closer quarters than the communicator's screen. He switches it off and gets up, walking over to poke his head into the kitchen. ]

You do know it would have taken another ten feet for you to deliver that declaration face to face. [ He steps the rest of the way into the kitchen, smiling a little. ] But you're quite right about that. Not seeing everything the world has to offer. That said, I would have taken a little less adventure than all of this.

Video

[liverletdie]

Well, if you ever just want to turn them off...

There are devices for that.

[pacifisticuffs]

Devices without the dangerous side effects previously alluded to by others?

video;

[therewillbeorder]

Keeping your mental hands to yourself is a wise decision. There are many who wouldn't take kindly to having someone in their mind.

[Him being one of those, of course. There is no warmth in his smile as he continued.]

There are certainly power nullifiers that you could use.

[pacifisticuffs]

[ Well when you say it like THAT it just seems creepy, sir!!! ]

And what would be the collateral costs of these nullifiers?

audio;

[dragony]

Well, you're already on the right track. Dulling your regular senses would dull those ones, too. Depending on your constitution.

[ "Get drunk constantly" is not good advice, but it is sincere. ]

[pacifisticuffs]

[ A small huff of laughter. ]

My constitution is sound and my vices are light, alas. Is that your preferred method of treatment?

video;

[heliophilic]

[M too is sitting on his couch, only his is in his personal apartment, his meticulously kept kitchen in view over his shoulder. He's wearing a dark grey button down shirt over a black t-shirt. He leans forward, amused.]

Is someone hearing things they shouldn't?

[pacifisticuffs]

[ A crooked smile. ]

Feeling things they would rather not. Gossip would be vastly preferable.

[slightlyoffchilt]

[Well, isn't this one charming? Chilton sure thinks so.]

I'm afraid I can only offer an inconvenient solution. If you're willing to hear it.

[pacifisticuffs]

[ AYYYY. ]

By all means. [ Simon is nothing if not curious, perhaps to a fault. ]

[video]

[yaaas_queen]

[The video feed is shaky, indicating it's from a handheld phone as a face looks through it to inspect him. She gives his outfit and martini a mild curious look, as if she's expecting to see a Bond girl stroll through the background. Or she's testing her gaydar because guys that immaculately dressed for a simple video chat are either international spies or smarter than most straight dudes about making an impression.]

Muting goes against my "good taste should be shared with the world" moral code, but I'm guessing you've got different powers. Mental hands meaning...psychic? Or a really weird masseuse trick that I'd want to know the exact definition before paying.

[pacifisticuffs]

[ An amused noise. ]

On that we agree, though now I'm required to ask: what are yours?

[ Simon's smile is the lightest bit flirtatious. ]

Empathetic. Though I'm not familiar enough with the subject to know whether that falls under the umbrella of psychic abilities or if it's entirely its own.

[Video]

[generalgrievous]

Did you say metal hands?

[He misheard that...]

[pacifisticuffs]

[ A pause. A blink. Eventually, maybe, he will get used to seeing people (creatures??) so outside the realm of his experience. ]

Mental, old boy, mental.