video;

[truesight]

So... Hi.

[ man it's tricky starting these things, isn't it? well, it wasn't the first time. but that was before she turned into a manic not-zombie for about a week, so. eh. anyway! she's not sick anymore, but she still looks a little worse for wear. she sounds tired, voice rough from screaming once she really started to lose it. she almost only went on voice instead, but she's not really the type to hide. even if the right side of her face is marked up still, dark scars of long scratches she gave herself while she was sick, trying to get the buzzing noise in her head to stop. the nanites might've amped her body's ability to heal, but traces of the Flare aren't completely gone just yet. STILL.

Rachel's been stuck in bed for too long, and if she can offer something helpful? she's going to do it. and no she's not thinking of the long-term, but she probably is going to leave the offer open for more than just this. compensation? what's that? ]

I know everybody's busy cleaning up and getting things back to normal, and I'm not, um, there yet with the being able to help thing, so... I thought I'd offer something I can do. [ taptaptaptap her fingers drum on the flat of her sketchbook, off screen ] The Porter, or whatever, gave me the power of being able to pull the things I draw off the page and make them real. Only stuff, and food, not animals or anything too complex, but. If anybody got reckless while they were sick, like I did, I guess I'm just offering to replace anything that might've gotten broken or destroyed because of all this.

Or- anything, I don't know. Clothes, food, supplies for rebuilding. Pretty much anything. I'd just like to help. [ she pulls on a grin, her hand moving up to absently scratch her face but aaaah no nope not doing that ] Just let me know, yeah? I was thinking about heading to the park later on, so I can meet people there, or- Wherever. Just let me know.

Comments

[onthegroundsofbrooklyn]

Yeah-

[He rubs his nose with his thumb, a gesture that's second nature to him, smooth and casual.]

It's perception alteration. Did it help?

[truesight]

Mhm. Yeah. It wasn't like an overwhelming mind-control kind of feeling, but I remember listening to you talk and it just made it a lot easier to stop freaking out. [ she nods ] Although I don't think you need that power, honestly.

[ she's taking a second to look at him again, eyes leveled with his like she's about to make some kind of important statement. but really ]

I'm pretty sure you could ask for just about anything with those baby blues and people would be falling over themselves to make it happen. [ her free hand moves to tuck against her cheek, and when she leans her elbow on her knee, she's doing her best impression of someone that's completely smitten with the boy sitting next to her, sighing and grinning. which isn't that hard, but she'll think about that later. her tone is light and airy with over-exaggerated admiration ] Sure thing, Spot. Anything you say, Spot.

[onthegroundsofbrooklyn]

[He stares at her and then he laughs-]

Well, that sure is how I sell papes back home.

[He has a very loyal customer base of girls, it's true.]

But usually when people are sayin' sure thing, Spot, it's got a bit of fear in them.

[He considers that.]

Maybe that's why I got this power. It don't make a lot of sense, does it?

[truesight]

[ she laughs at that, bright and pleased. hey, it's always nice when a boy is actually self aware, okay ]

I think the Porter just picked out our natural talents and- enhanced them, I guess. Like, maybe you don't need the boost, but it helps when you don't have a lot of time to make an impression, right? I mean, I was out of my mind and you still could talk me down. That's really useful. And it must've known you could be trusted with that kind of power, too.

[onthegroundsofbrooklyn]

Yeah, ain't I supposed to be some kind of hero?

[He seems to relax a little bit.]

[truesight]

That's what they say, but there's no way they really expect everyone here to be on their best behavior. Sometimes if you give someone superpowers, they're definitely doing to use it for non-heroic shenanigans.

[onthegroundsofbrooklyn]

[He shrugs a bit.]

Dunno. I tested it, I work on it. Seems like a handy thing to know.

[truesight]

Well yeah, but you've got your head in the right place. Nobody's about to second guess how you would decide to use a power like that.

[onthegroundsofbrooklyn]

[He looks at her a little crooked, because-]

There's loads of folk who would say that ain't true.

[truesight]

Really? Who? Are they here?

[ she's pretending to get all huffy, even sitting up a bit ]

Just give me names and I'll soak 'em.

[ and maybe she just wanted an excuse to use the lingo ok ]

[onthegroundsofbrooklyn]

[His lips quirk in a smile.]

Yeah? You been practicing?

[He holds up his fists, like he's going to box her, and gives her a one-two, real lightly, on the shoulder]

Think you got what it takes to be one of my boys?

[truesight]

Of course I got what it takes.

[ but her smile is followed up with a nose scrunch, then a shrug ]

Don't get me wrong, I'd make a killing as a newsie, no doubt. I'm just not sure I like the idea of being one of your boys.

[onthegroundsofbrooklyn]

[He raises his eyebrows]

In Manhattan or the Bronx, but Brooklyn either yous one of my boys, or you ain't a newsie.

[It's...no, it's misogyny, but it's...very time-specific.]

It ain't that girls can't do it. I know plenty a girls who got the stuff for it.

[truesight]

[ she laughs, and it's totally one of those "oh no" laughs ]

You are going to get your butt kicked if you say stuff like that to the wrong girl, Mr. Conlon.

[ she reaches up to tap two fingers down on the brim of his cap, and it doesn't even really budge, but she'll pretend like that's some kind of punishment ]

But you're lucky, because that's not really what I meant.

[onthegroundsofbrooklyn]

Hey, I ain't saying that things are still that way, but change ain't something that comes quick when it's on the streets of Brooklyn, and when it's gotta do with turf.

[He considers this for a second.]

It ain't always safe, not even for someone like me.

[truesight]

I swear I didn't mean it like that, I promise.

... But I'm flattered you're looking out for my safety.

[onthegroundsofbrooklyn]

No, it's.

[He shrugs, and rubs his thumb against the corner of his mouth in a swipe, but-]

Bubble, if we was in Brooklyn, you'd have two of my boys on your back all the time.

[truesight]

[ hmm. "on" is different than "at", isn't it? better to just.. ask.. ]

How do you mean?

[onthegroundsofbrooklyn]

Meaning, I'm looking out for you, all right?

[He says it with his utter confidence, but there is-

-something else, there, right at the edges]

[truesight]

I'm not sure I need a body guard, Spot. But alright.

[ but she's grinning and sounding sheepish and looking down at her lap for a second, so it's obvious she doesn't hate it ]

Though all I really meant before was that I'm not sure I like the idea of you thinking of me the same way you think of your boys, that's all.

[onthegroundsofbrooklyn]

[He looks at her, crooked.]

There ain't nothing that would make me think of you as a boy.

All right?

[truesight]

[ she laughs because she didn't mean it so literally, but she nods ]

Good.

So. What can I draw you? Are you hungry?

[onthegroundsofbrooklyn]

Nah, just-

[He's always hungry but-]

Sit back and relax a bit.

[truesight]

I'm totally relaxed.

[ she even shuts her eyes and sighs, a big smile on her face ]

I'm solar powered, you see, the sun gives me all the energy I need.

[onthegroundsofbrooklyn]

Nothing's solar powered.

[Look, 1899, he's excited about gaslamps.]