ii. video.

[thanatophobias]

[You can tell something about this message has been a long time coming when it first clicks on, revealing the bust of a young boy with uncertainty in his eyes. The moment he confirms it's recording is the moment he places down the communicator with small hands, before settling back and sitting down. His eyes are downcast, debating - until he gathers some more courage and starts talking.]

Someone died.

[There's a lengthy pause after the announcement. He just... doesn't want this to make him a freak. He has to remind himself he's not the only one with an ability no one else has. That's the only reason he's brought himself to reach out.]

I can see her sometimes. She wants my help, [As all the benevolent spirits who visit him do, in the end,] But she won't say anything.

I don't know what to do.

[Dr Malcolm isn't here to help him. They'd said goodbye once he'd helped that little girl back home, but - he wishes he were here to give him more advice, now.]

Comments

( video )

[abadidea]

[There's something that strikes Isaac as really wrong about the fact that there's a kid on this thing. As far as he knew, the only people who had access to the communicator network were imPorts. Were they using children, too? Go figure.

Still, he also knows a thing or two about being haunted by the dead, even if it's in your own mind, and it nearly drove him insane. He can't imagine what it must be like for a child. He's not really that great with children, he's never had any of his own, but the kid seems concerned, lost, and very alone.]

Uh, hey there, buddy. I'm Isaac. Could you...tell me a little bit more about what you're talking about?

[thanatophobias]

['Buddy'. He isn't sure he likes that, he isn't sure he likes the approach. It's too easy to feel like you're being questioned, analyzed.]

I see dead people.

[His answer is dry, blunt, almost defiant. Testing what the man's reaction will be.]

They come to me when they want something.

[abadidea]

[He does his best to keep his voice and expression gentle. It's been a long ten years, recently. He's still getting over it. Not to mention, with all the weird powers everyone was suited with, this kid might actually see dead people. He's not equipped to deal with that, he's an engineer, but he can give it a shot.

So, he nods.]

You know, I've seen dead people, only she was pretty vocal about what she wanted. [He says it with a slight smile, as though trying to make it seem a lot less brain breaking than it was.] What's your name, pal?

video

[aggressiveapathy]

[she can't tell if he's in the house or not, so rather than leaving her bedroom in search April just turns on the video.]

In the house?

[thanatophobias]

[Oh... right. This might freak out the other people in the house the most, right? Having dead people around...]

It's just - in my room.

[A little while lie.]

[thanatophobias]

[Cole isn't sure whether the man is being condescending or not, if he's lying about seeing dead people too. He's too used to the answer being yes, and he doesn't like it.]

Cole.

permavid

[demonspawn]

[ an exhale. ]

I was wondering what your power was. Not exactly what I was expecting, but okay.

[thanatophobias]

[What was he expecting?]

... I had it back home.

[aggressiveapathy]

So, what, someone died in your room? Like serial murder or when animals attack or something?

[It's probably a bad sign she sounds more interested than worried, right?]

[thanatophobias]

[He doesn't seem to notice. Cole's gaze just turns away again.]

I don't know where she died. She won't talk to me.

[demonspawn]

[ something less terrible, maybe.

awkwardly: ]

So. Are you okay, or?

Video;

[blue_pheasant]

Ahhh, that sounds annoying. Try pretending to be asleep. Then, maybe she'll get bored.

[thanatophobias]

She isn't trying to hurt me.

[Which means others have.]

[thanatophobias]

[Oh. Well. That's new.]

It doesn't work that way.

[The dead have all the time in the world.]

[blue_pheasant]

[Kuzan stared off into space.

When he returned to orbit--]

Go about your business, then. If she's being rude, then that's her.

[thanatophobias]

I'm supposed to help.

[It's what's his gift is for. It's what makes them go away.]

[aggressiveapathy]

Hmm.

[This is a serious issue. April steeples her fingers together.]

She's, like, got a mouth and everything still, right?

[abadidea]

Okay, Cole. [He nods.] Have you always been able to see dead people?

[thanatophobias]

[Cole nods, because he's the most talkative kid in the world, too! Yeah!]

[blue_pheasant]

What, a job at your age? Get a paper route, instead.

[This was getting more and more ordinary as the moments ticked--at least to Kuzan.]

[aggressiveapathy]

Did you try staring at her in total, unblinking silence.

[That usually gets people to talk or leave. In her experience.]

[thanatophobias]

Yes.

[Yep, he's being analyzed. He remembers some of the other questions Dr Malcolm asked, when he first told his secret.]

I see them when I'm awake. It's not a dream. [Defensively-] And I'm not crazy.

[thanatophobias]

[Well.]

No.

[He's tempted to ask why...]

[thanatophobias]

[He's got the boy surprised for how normally he's talking about this, he'll have to admit that.]

I can't just tell them to go away.

[Mostly because they won't listen.]

[aggressiveapathy]

Okay. So that's one option open. Is she here now?