[video]

[glassinine]

[The thing about employing text is that when you start using it when all your broadcasts are in video, people tend to question why you've suddenly switched. So he makes the decision to instead compose himself as best as he can and use video instead.

Unfortunately, he always sort of overestimates his ability to compose himself. He certainly doesn't seem distraught, or panicked, or anything of the sort, but he's definitely shaky. This is definitely a far cry from his normal, slow, quiet, lengthy broadcasts.]

I'm leaving on a business trip abroad for...some length of time. I'm - not certain how long. Please don't try to contact me; I'll be far too busy to answer any messages.

Good day.

Comments

[glassinine]

[He's quiet a moment. Finally:]

One cannot hurt the people around oneself if there are no people around oneself.

[dragony]

Do you value yourself so little?

[glassinine]

That has nothing to do with anything.

[dragony]

Doesn't it?

Rather than hurt people with your power, you wish to sever yourself from them completely. Do you believe that nobody will be hurt by that loss?

I know that trick well. "Going away on business," and never coming back.

[glassinine]

It's - People will be fine without me.

[dragony]

So what? People learn to live with missing limbs, but amputation is hardly the right treatment for a sprained wrist.

I do understand. It feels like the most responsible thing, to remove yourself from the people you've hurt. It feels like what good you do accomplish, it can't possibly make up for what bad you might do, or have done. ... But if everyone followed that same rationale, every one of us would live in isolation.

[glassinine]

Don't make false equivalencies. You know perfectly well that it's different for me.

[dragony]

Do you think you're the first person to hurt someone with his powers?

[glassinine]

I -

[He scowls.]

That's irrelevant.

[dragony]

How so?

[glassinine]

Other isolated incidents have no bearing upon my current situation.

[dragony]

Please don't think me rude for saying so, but your circumstances aren't half as unique as you seem to think.

[ Still rude to say, though. ]

How long have your powers been active? I mean, I know they are new to you, since arriving here, but when was the first time you recall using them?

[glassinine]

I...

In April. Though it might have been before that.

[dragony]

Three months, as far as you're aware.

How many times have you used them without intending to? As far as you are aware.

[glassinine]

...Four times. But again, it could have been more.

[dragony]

Can you tell me about those incidents, as you remember them?

[glassinine]

I - I would prefer not to.

[dragony]

[ She sighs, shifting position - her arms fold on her desk, and she leans forward a little, giving the communicator a serious look. ]

Sir, please don't misunderstand me. I'm sympathetic to you, but I'm not asking to tell you that it wasn't your fault, or that you're forgiven. But leaving like this in the hope you won't hurt anybody else - that's irresponsible.

Wouldn't you rather learn to control it?

[glassinine]

...Yes. Of course.

[dragony]

The first step to control is understanding. Understanding comes from examination... from knowing what happened. Why, and how.

[glassinine]

The information isn't mine to give.

[dragony]

[ She shakes her head. ]

You don't have to tell me who they are. The people you affected - mask their identities as best you can.

[glassinine]

It's not my information to give. I can't.

[dragony]

Why can't you?

[glassinine]

Because if they choose to press charges, I do not want you having to be called as a witness.