[voice] 01.

[averagemedium]

[There's not immediately a voice, just faint background sound- something being set down, maybe, someone quietly clearing their throat- and then the steady flick-flick-flick of cards being shuffled starts, keeping up while he talks.]

So, uh. This- this sure is a thing. [That ends in a touch of nervous laughter.] I mean, 'weird' is sort of what I'm used to but this is just going above and beyond that, you know? Weird 2, Revenge of the Strange or... something. And I'm sure you've already heard that-- I mean, who wouldn't be a little thrown off, here? But it's still kind of a lot to deal with.

[Another few moments of silence. The shuffling pauses briefly while he cuts the deck, then starts again for good measure.]

Anyway, I... figured I should probably say something? So, uh. Hi, I'm Ryan, I'm a medium-- and no, I don't tell the future or read palms, nor am I psychic. Yes, I kind of do the card thing, but they can't tell the future either and they're really not that cooperative anyway. Mostly it's just... well, seeing dead people? A lot of dead people. So, you know, if you think something's haunted...

[The shuffling stops for good there, replaced by the fainter, steady flick-slap of cards being laid out.]

Is that even a thing here, actually? Can I get, like, an estimate of paranormal occurrences here, if you've run into any-- I'm used to something like fifteen, twenty persistent hauntings, a minor or mistaken sighting or two every few weeks, legit sightings every... couple months, give or take? I'd kind of like to know if I can expect a higher occurrence rate, if there's one at all, so if you wouldn't mind maybe making a note or two if and when you experience some kind of phenomena... well, it'd be appreciated, and so would any info on things you've already experienced.

--Right, and if anybody else in- I think it was 015? I, uh. I have no idea if you guys were going to want to do some kind of... roommate meeting, I guess, but if I could just make a formal request here to do that by group call or chatroom or something-- yeah. That'd also be good, thanks.

01 | video

[kirisutegomen]

[ The video shows Blackquill in his room as he shuffles through some papers. He spares the communicator a glance to make sure its recording before going back to the papers. ]

An inmate once told me that we should be wary of those we give our loyalty to, for those who own it might as well own us. [ He grins. ] Of course, this would hardly be the first time that I sell my proverbial soul for a longer leash. This time it just happens to include superhuman abilities and a job in corporate law.

[ He whistles with two fingers. Almost immediately a hawk, wearing a white and black handkerchief around its neck, lands on his shoulder. ] This is Taka. For anyone else assigned to residence 26 - he will be staying here with me. If you have any problem with his presence, you can take it up to me personally. [ Now, him actually listening is another matter entirely. ]

02 | video.

[youbastard]

[Between her job, her powers, and her own personal issues, Ellie hasn’t been sleeping well. Which means she might look and sound just a bit tired, and her British accent is slightly thicker than usual. At the moment she’s just finished up one of her shifts at work and hasn’t gotten back to her residence. ]

I think, if I could make one suggestion about what to give newly arrived imports, I’d suggest giving instruction manuals to those of us that are new to having powers. [She chuckles slightly awkwardly here.] A description really only goes so far.

[She waves a hand dismissively though and then gives a tired looking smile.] I imagine that’s not really something they could do though. The people that give us the files probably have even less of an idea about how these things work than we do. [Actually, she somehow doubts that, maybe that’s unfair paranoia though. She pauses again for a second.]

Anyway, the point I’m trying to get at is that I think I could some instruction. Or pointers from anyone with similar experiences. I was given empathy as a power, it was described as the ability to easily pick up on the emotions of those around me. Supposedly there’s quite a lot I can do with it beyond just sensing emotions, like empathic healing. [Whoever thought of that as a power has a very sick sense of humor considering how desperately Ellie’s wanted be able to fix people before.] I’ve been experimenting some, but I’d like to know if there’s anyone out there that could give me some advice.

[A pause] Specifically I’d really like some points when it comes to shutting things out. It’s getting a bit exhausting to say the least.

audio

[paintjobs]

Alright, fleshies. It seems I'm going to be among you for a while — we might even end up working together, from the sound of things — so I'll keep this short and pleasant, and do you the favor of skipping the I had important things to do you know outrage. You're welcome.

I'm going to need a car. Not just any old car, because my job here has assigned me to, clearly, any old car. I'm going to need an upgrade, something with a little class. Some style. I wouldn't say no to flashy rims, either. An Aston Martin would probably be too much to hope for... But really, anything other than the jalopy I've been offered to work with would be an improvement.

And that aside, are any of you out there, by any chance, inorganic? And have any of you been crammed unceremoniously into an organic body? Just wondering.