THIRD TRANSMISSION - HEARD ON RADIO;

[redcosmedic]

[ On radio stations throughout the various Porter cities, Knock Out's talk show has been airing weekly. Normally he just talks about things that imPorts are going through, often citing network posts and their contents (generally without asking permission before doing so) and putting a positive spin on the chaotic events that happen. ImPort Diagnosis has been building a steady following since it started broadcasting, and his sponsors seem happy with his performance. The perks they've been giving him for doing the show certainly don't hurt the medic's feelings any. ]

"It's been an eventful few weeks for everyone, so today I'd like to talk about imPort abilities, particularly those who've gained them only upon arriving in this world, or gained additional ones to those they normally possess. From personal experience -- I, too, inherited one of these powers -- there's something very disconcerting about being told you can do this thing or that thing without knowing anything about it. It's like being told you can play a musical instrument that you've never even picked up before, only potentially more volatile.

To add to imPort's oft-confusion at being dropped into an unfamiliar universe often vastly different from the one they're used to, these abilities often seem to have little reason behind their purpose or usage. Someone might have the newfound power to source the nearest batch of baked goods, or change the shape of clouds, or make books read themselves aloud. Things that might seem nonsensical at first glance, or even dare I say: useless? Not everyone has gained something... hmm, traditionally 'heroic'.

Sadly, I've witnessed imPorts being derided for having such abilities, whether by fellow imPorts or by city-goers. And I've decided that's something to be addressed, rather than letting it get glossed over. All imPorts have something unique to them, and that should be celebrated rather than shunned.

So why is this important to know about imPorts, and why should our most gracious local hosts give this some consideration? Because like the musical instrument analogy, you can't make a symphony with a single instrument... you need many different ones. So treat imPorts who might be struggling with their abilities -- new, existing, powerful or unassuming -- with compassion. They just might surprise you with what they can compose.

Until next week, this has been ImPort Diagnosis."

Comments

text;

[the_horror]

I like the message.
Do you think it will actually help locals though?
They either seem dead set on loving us or finding us annoying.

Re: text;

[redcosmedic]

I think the more commonalities that the locals see in the imPort community, the less likely they are to jump to conclusions about what they don't know. Don't humans have a saying, ignorance breeds fear?

[the_horror]

unfortunately its human nature to jump to conclusions.
If they don't know something their brain builds the story for themselves
So, yeah, your message is good
also, yeah, that is a good saying

[redcosmedic]

Thank you. You've been enjoying the radio show?

[mysterioisthetruth]

Well said.

[redcosmedic]

Thank you.

text sent about an hour after the show. yes, with the emoji.

[stlg13bomber]

Dear Knock Out🚗,

Thank you for your kind words on your show this evening. I find it very encouraging and a beacon of positivity. I have been enjoying my abilities but not everyone has been appreciative of them all the time, or appreciating how much I want to test them out, so you have been a strong contributor to my self-esteem.

Your listener 🔊,

Sgt. Andrew Carter

Carter is too precious for words

[redcosmedic]

[ Knock Out admits he's charmed by the formality and responds in kind, though sans emojis. ]

Dear Sgt Carter,

As with all things worthwhile in learning, the path to achieving proficiency can be a rocky one. I'm glad to hear that my words have helped you, and hope they continue to do so.

Regards,
Knock Out

[plentystrong]

[ hey guess who has a chronic case of Just Cannot Let Things Lie ]

Look at you, acting all nice and understanding and stuff.

[redcosmedic]

And here comes that one bad apple everyone talks about, trying to spoil the bunch.

[plentystrong]

[ Dryly: ] So my reputation precedes me.

[redcosmedic]

More like personal experience. I take it you haven't learned any new manners yet?

[plentystrong]

[ A giggly scoff. ]

Manners? Seriously?

[redcosmedic]

Expecting too much, I know.

text;

[aberrant_type]

wow changing the shape of clouds has potential actually! not sure about making books read themselves (is it better somehow than a person reading the book aloud) or sourcing baked goods but changing clouds has artistic potential and performance potential!! oh they could also do marriage proposals and advertisements!!! that would become such a nuisance tho ugh

Re: text;

[redcosmedic]

I'm sure anyone could find a use for all of the abilities I named if they looked hard enough, but that they don't strike people as "heroic" given that imPorts are supposed to be heroes, is what I was getting at.

[aberrant_type]

yes I got distracted thinking about what yuo could do with making clouds move around

a lot!!!

artistry and beauty is its own reward anyway

heroism ideally fosters space for those traits to thrive to fullest extent

[redcosmedic]

Is your imPort job by chance something to do with motivational speaking?

[aberrant_type]

no I am a mushroom farmer ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

[redcosmedic]

Well that's... unique. A prime example of what I was talking about, then.

text; sorry this is late!

[bifroster]

Hey, I just wanted to thank you for this message. I might have been here for a month already, and adjusting in a lot of ways, but it was still nice to hear.

I hope others who have powers that are a little odder find some comfort in these words, or like me, find a little comfort in that we're not alone in being dropped in a new world and a file on our entire lives, with new additions.

late is always welcome!

[redcosmedic]

[ A new arrival is a potential new fan! ]

You're very welcome. I'd say congratulations on becoming an imPort, but arrival rarely goes smoothly and our hosts... well, their bedside manner (as it were) could use a little work.

[ Most of the time they just wanted the new arrivals shuffled off to their assigned cities as quickly and efficiently as possible. Knock Out was fortunate enough that, while he was not from Earth, he was at least familiar with it. ]

How are you settling in?

<3

[bifroster]

Don't they? I'd say maybe find someone from the same world to be a friendly face, but that is an impossibility.

[She cannot imagine how others who had no clue what Earth was dealt with the environment, let alone all of the other changes.]

I'm settling alright. This world is about fifty years out of date, but it's more familiar than some other worlds could be.

Re: <3

[redcosmedic]

Why would it be an impossibility? It happens more than you'd think here, from what I understand. Not only from the same universe, but in my own case, same universe but different timeline.

The out of date part seems to be consistent with most Earth-based imPorts, at least.

[bifroster]

[Jane frowns and rereads her previous message. Oh!]

Sorry, misspoke. Miss-typed? I meant having someone you know there when you first arrive. Literally at your bedside.

[She can see how he might have read that as he did. Ugh, words.]

If they have no idea we're coming, they kind of can't prepare. I've met a few people like you've described. It's kind of weird, but kind of nice too.