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[arsiento]

[ The feed turns on shakily and abruptly, showing at first a view of mostly sky, but then it catches more blurry glimpses of scenery -- what might be recognizable as downtown Nonah, if someone were to squint or was just very familiar with the area by now -- as it moves again, as if being wrestled from someone. Voices can be heard above the fainter sounds of traffic, although there's the steady pulse of a nearby car stereo playing loudly and, occasionally, an engine revving.

Then the communicator steadies, being held at its owner's side; the camera now gives an un-aimed view the street, though at a somewhat diagonal, catching about half of the car in question in the shot. A guy's voice, about a foot away, says: "--the sickest shit I ever seen, man! Orale, show the guy, Angie!" And then the communicator moves again, the man holding it taking a step back as Angie breathes fire about five feet into the air. Only the fire and not Angie herself is visible on the screen, although within moments the speaker is stepping close again.

"You see that? It's legit, right? Just one selfie, man! Just one, come on!" ]

Then what, you'll finally beat it? [ Diablo's not speaking into the communicator, obviously, so his voice is muted, though still audible. ] I got nothing to say about no heroes, kid. Whatever you want? It ain't got nothing to do with me.

[ "Yeah, yeah, whatever! Damn, why you got to be such a bummer, dude?" The communicator raises again, rotating around to show two people: #1, a heavily tattooed man in a letterman-style jacket, "Diablo" embroidered on it like a nametag, looking impatiently at #2, who appears to be a teenager with slicked back hair ("AA" shaved into the sides), a lightning bolt tattoo on his neck, and large mirrored sunglasses. ]

Okay, how--

[ But, smiling delightedly, the boy waves into the camera, declaring: "Heeeey, imPorts! Que onda, stay crazy, guys -- we still believe in you! We got your backs now, so take it easy! Ride or die, man!" before he laughs and runs out of frame to join his off-screen friends; the car motor revs again. Diablo, still holding the communicator, does nothing for a moment except flick his eyes irritably and skeptically in that direction, then turns the camera around to capture the kids driving away. The car's plate reads "DOUBLE A". ]

Man, the hell was that. [ And now the camera once again rotates, his skeptical gaze gracing the screen. ] If that's what you all got around here, then no wonder they be importing in heroes like furniture.

[ Well... "heroes," as the still-dubious expression on his face may go on to suggest. He shrugs, then shakes his head. ]

But hey, y'know-- it's whatever. Anyone know where's a good shoe place around here?

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[arsiento]

Yeah, no kidding they ain't. But it don't matter, though -- we ain't ever people to them.

[ It's an ambiguous "we" that he doesn't dwell on, though Diablo still sounds pretty calm. Resigned, at least. So he's not arguing the point at all, even if he does shake his head -- more for emphasis than anything else, though.

His eyes skirt off to the side again, in the direction of where Angie and co. had been. ]

Then no wonder they acting like idiots. What happened?

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[insinerate]

[An ambiguous "we" that Yuri suspects might just refer to the powered population in general. After all, this world isn't unique in its discrimination against those that are different. Chances are, much like him, this stranger experienced such treatment where he came from. He's too resigned for it to be anything else.]

A generalization...but mostly accurate.

[He regards Diablo quietly for a moment before he continues...]

It's been nearly a month since a handful of people native to this world manifested powers, the result of a plot to improve the present and pave the way to a new future that was spearheaded by...well, it was spearheaded by someone who was not himself at the time. The matter has since been resolved, but as you can see, many of the citizens have retained their newfound abilities. Some are harmless. And then there are others who have taken it upon themselves to be less than friendly.

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[arsiento]

[ Not an incorrect assessment, for the most part; there is in fact quite a bit of overlap between this and what Diablo's coming from. If anything, it's a lot better -- certainly more forgiving.

That being said, the explanation... sounds very familiar, though Diablo hopes that's just his mind drawing comparisons rather than the similarities really existing that strongly. It would be typical, though, if he really did find himself now in a situation practically identical to the one back home. ]

If you say so, man -- but that don't sound so resolved to me. That's a big change. Maybe everyone don't realize how big yet.

[ The look of skeptical apathy never quite left his face to begin with, but still, he shakes his head, dismissing it for now. ]

So you been here a while, I take it.

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[insinerate]

I was referring to the situation that caused normal citizens to have powers being resolved, which is to say...there shouldn't be an increase in their numbers going forward. But you're right, it is a big change. For us as well as them.

I've been here for two years now, give or take. [His time has been rather broken up, so a rough estimation is easier to provide at the moment.] I'm quite familiar with Nonah and if you haven't yet found an adequate place to purchase or have shoes repaired, I could point you in the right direction.

Similarly, if you have any other questions, I will answer them to the best of my ability.

[arsiento]

Yeah, well-- probably better that way. But maybe we finding out in about nine months though, huh?

[ A little longer, probably, but... basically, about the length of time to see if it passes down genetically. Diablo had his powers from birth, after all, though he has no idea where they "came from" in a metaphysical sense. ]

Got me some leads, anyway... so we'll see about that, once I can check 'em out. [ Shoes-wise. Then, after a pause, he shrugs. ] But nah, I don't think I got no questions, homie. Ain't none of it really that confusing.

[insinerate]

Yuri.

[A softly spoken but still quite firm correction.

Not homie.]

I'm pleased to hear that, in any case. After all, people of many different backgrounds have found themselves transported to this world; some of them have an easier time adapting than others, and sometimes even those who adapt quickly find themselves with more questions than answers.

As that doesn't appear to be the case, I'll wish you luck with your undertaking and leave you to it.

[Inclining his head politely then, Yuri disconnects.]