002. Video

[helpdesk_hero]

Anyone here either know about power suppression tech back on their own worlds, or failing that, really good at sewing or costume design?

[Because the guy in the video? He looks tired. His hands come up to rub at his temples. He's alone in his room because his gloves are off, he doesn't expect anyone to be around for him to touch accidentally.]

I could use gloves that don't mess with my dexterity too much.

[And he'd rather make them so he has more than one set.]

Comments

[ralltiir]

There are power nullifiers on this planet, however they are hard for a civilian to come by, and are reserved for handling superpowered crime.

[ He may or may not have looked into the possibility for himself. ]

Allow me to guess: you have a touch-based ability.

[helpdesk_hero]

[Of course they're all controlled by the government. Because if they got out of government hands, people might be able to reverse engineer them and find a way to cancel out the other ones, or a villain might use them to deal with the imPort population. Still, he looks frustrated at the news.]

Give the man a door-prize. An uncontrollable touch-based ability. And it's a bit frustrating to have to cover as much of my skin as possible at all times. Not to mention the fact that gloves are uncomfortable to wear all day in a hot and humid Virginia summer.

[ralltiir]

[ Akobi shells his head, frowning. ]

You have my sympathies. The powers they saddle us with are untenable, sometimes. Especially when you mix one person's unfortunate power with another's... The results can be catastrophic.

[ Remind him to tell you about the time he went to pat his friend's boyfriend on the back and accidentally sent him flying off a cliff and into a coma that led to the entire import community sharing their innermost secrets for a week. ]

[helpdesk_hero]

[Yeah, that's a story that he'll pass on, mostly because he's really good at finding out innermost secrets with a touch.]

Not sure mine could interface with another's so easily, but I get the point. And honestly, touch based is a lot better than when it was a full on form of telepathy I couldn't control back home. But at least then it was constantly going and I could tune it out.

It's more the life is not fun to live in a pair of leather driving gloves and long sleeve shirts.

[ralltiir]

What city did they put you in? I hope you're not trying to live in Florida or the desert with full length gloves...

[Private video]

[mysterioisthetruth]

That's something I may be able to help you with.

Re: [Private video]

[helpdesk_hero]

[Wow, amazing how much he doesn't trust that statement. Can you see it on his face?]

And you're good at making gloves then?

[Private video]

[mysterioisthetruth]

I know a thing or two about costumes with enhanced tech-based powers.

Power suppression is the opposite of what I've worked on but I'm sure I can figure something out.

[And even if David doesn't accept, he's now got new ideas he can work with on his own.]

Re: [Private video]

[helpdesk_hero]

If I'd come in here with my knowledge from back home I could MAKE something myself. We had plenty of mutant suppression collars. Adapting something to work here wouldn't be that hard. But of COURSE I lost that.

However, from what I've heard of the tech you've made, you aren't really qualified to deal with my technology challenge.

[And David knows Beck won't let him TOUCH the guy to absorb what he might have so David can use it to supplement what he has and maybe make more useful tech.]

[hatestrashcans]

You okay?

Weird question: How thick does the layer separating you from others have to be?

[helpdesk_hero]

That's probably something requiring more testing. I haven't had any issues with people touching me or bumping into me with things that are covered by my shirt or pants.

So at least the thickness of a dress shirt.

[hatestrashcans]

Stupid question, but have you tried body paint?

[helpdesk_hero]

Body paint? Like sports people put on to root for their team?

[Clearly he hasn't tried.]

Video;

[fridgeflower]

I took up knitting for two weeks once.

[ But seriously. ] There's a Rogue around here somewhere. I imagine she'd have good advice, if you wanna look her up.

You can't control it at all, you think? Or have you just not figured out how your off switch works yet?

Re: Video;

[helpdesk_hero]

I'll try looking her up. She knows better than anyone how to handle this sort of thing.

[Not their Annemarie, but still useful. He sighs and offers Laurie a brief shrug.]

No more than I ever figured out back home. I'm pretty sure I'm just always doomed to never turn off. Though maybe if Emma had spared me some time back home she could have taught me.

[fridgeflower]

Maybe. I guess there's no point in speculating, though.

I can try to walk you through what I had to do, but I'm not sure we're the same type of always-on. My pheromone could be tramped down. They're tied to behavior. I don't know how to navigate continuous siphoning.

[helpdesk_hero]

[Definitely no point in speculating.]

Sure, I guess we could try. Not that I'm sure how to test any training without, well, taking things people don't want to give.

[He's more than tired of how invasive his powers are.]

[Video]

[topmeup]

[Oh hey, he got that guy to take a t-shirt and coupon.]

Yo, David. What kind of suppression stuff are you looking for? Total suppression or targeted suppression?

[helpdesk_hero]

[Oh Hey, the Max guy!]

Hey, first, tell your boss to give you a raise. I bought five whole bottles. That stuff is GOOD.

Also, total, but in a manner that is something I can turn off. I only have the one power, but the inability to risk skin-to-skin contact is frustrating. I have to sleep in gloves and long-sleeved shirts just in case. It's frustrating.

[And given the fact that he, by preference, sleeps only in boxers unless it's winter, that's a bit maddening.]

Basically I only risk taking my gloves off when working on small things, cooking, or showering. There is no amount of lotion in the world to prevent my skin from drying out and cracking.

[topmeup]

[So not something unlike what he has. Hmm...]

Question: Are your powers the same you had back home or they something you got here?

[helpdesk_hero]

A little from column A, a little from column B.

Basically, I grew up with a genetic mutation that allowed me to do something very similar to this, also uncontrolled. But that was pure telepathy. And I've been without that power for over two years. This is similar with shorter duration and purely tactile.

video;

[bifroster]

No, for either of those, sorry. I always kept jabbing my thumb.

Are you okay?

Re: video;

[helpdesk_hero]

Touch-based powers. With the migraines. It's frustrating.

[And there is more than that going on.]

video;

[bifroster]

[Jane winces.]

That's awful. There anything else I can do to help?

[helpdesk_hero]

Not really. I'm doing what I can. Know a guy that might help me make gloves. Better ones. Trying to find a way to suppress my powers.

Some people get cool messing with physics things. Others get this.