Day 10ish

[shiro2hero]

(It's high time I did this.)

[Oh no, someone is gearing up for one of Those Speeches. Because one of their new arrivals ticked off a box in his head, and Sam's asking for training helped.]

[And he's tired of walking on eggshells.]

(I don't know how many of you were there when I found out what my Symbiote does. I sort of wish I hadn't. But. I can't change that.)

[Yeah apparently it made him the Space Hulk. And it took at least two people to keep him from ripping someone's face off.]

(What I can do is control it. I just need to know where to start.)

(So I'm taking a lead from Sam Wilson. Asking if anyone is willing to help. I... don't think I can promise no one will get hurt, but if we're careful, maybe it'll just be me.)

[And he can live with that.]

Comments

[shiro2hero]

(Have you ever heard the term 'flashback' before?)

[He's got to ask. Because before he got here, he hadn't, really. Not unless it meant something in an old movie or TV show, where the screen wavered into the past.]

[adamance]

[Her connection to the Flame is stronger than ever. If nothing else, she has that. She's grateful for that.

It helps her here.]

( I'm aware of it. Go on. )

[shiro2hero]

(That's what did it.)

(I was... convinced there was something here from back where I came from. Something dangerous.)

(And everything just exploded from there.)

[adamance]

( So, the control we spoke of before is all the more imperative. )

[shiro2hero]

(Exactly.)

(And once I can figure out how to trigger it... it's going to be even more so.)

[adamance]

( If I'm to understand correctly, you've only encountered this ... strong of a flashback once, but you've experienced others. Yes? )

[shiro2hero]

(Only once while I was here.)

[There were others. But they were back home. Before what was in his head could affect anything, or anyone, else.]

[adamance]

[Lexa steadies herself, and then draws up the walls around this communication to ensure that there are no immediately prying minds. There is one in particular that she hopes to avoid, or two: her own broodmate (her lone remaining broodmate) and Kylo Ren. She hasn't yet sought out the former in part because she hasn't decided how to deal with the latter.

But still, here she speaks more candidly, knowing one thing all too well.]

( Before, you were offered an opportunity to remove these experiences so that they don't endanger you or others. The man who offered is not to be trusted. He values power over others.

You and I will begin training soon. )

[shiro2hero]

[There's a lot to learn just from this conversation. He wishes there were a more effective way to take notes. But he can try.]

(You're talking about Kylo Ren? And you're sure of that?)

[He just wants to be sure. Pidge had reacted so strongly to the thought that he hadn't pursued it. Even if it was, admittedly, tempting. Just to be rid of everything...]

(I appreciate that. Thank you. I'll be ready whenever you are.)

[adamance]

( The truth he provides you will be one that you won't want. And being indebted to someone like that can only cost you. ) [Lexa is not naive enough to believe that someone should trust her wholly, but she isn't out to hurt the other Nest members for some selfish path that she's designed for herself. She's believed the entire time that she's been fighting a war.

But her tactics have to change in order to do that more capably.]

( Do you have a preference on where we begin? )

[shiro2hero]

(Speaking from experience?) [He almost decides to leave it at that, before offering, as if in exchange:] (My teammate from home talked me out of it. Doing something like that behind her back isn't how I want to fix myself.)

[More like, Pidge yelled at him and got upset and he caved. But oh well. It was, apparently, for the best. Because, ultimately, he did want to try and do this without just cutting parts away.]

(Somewhere sturdy. Secure. I don't want anyone to get hurt who isn't involved.)

[adamance]

( While my relations with him are poor, he's offered me nothing. But I know of men like that. There are many like him back in my world, desperate to prove their strength through unfortunate deeds. ) [And that desperation is what makes someone weak: they give in to their emotions and offer little else.

She dislikes that in others the most.]

( We may need a barrier between us, as well. It's up to you to speak to the Prince to find a suitable place. )

[She'll help, but Lexa isn't so up for the task that she will risk her life in the process.]

[shiro2hero]

(Understood.)

[Now he's glad Pidge yelled at him like that. Kept him from even remotely considering it. As... much as part of him still wonders. Would it even be possible to get his life back? Get himself back?]

[But -- ultimately, he knows he has to work through this the natural way.]

(I'm not sure if a physical barrier would do much. Think they have energy ones here?)

[adamance]

( We can travel between different universes. I believe that should be possible. )

[Don't disappoint her, Prince.]

[shiro2hero]

(Then I'll try to get in touch with him as soon as possible.)

[adamance]

( Good. I look forward to seeing what he can put together. It may also give us a lesson on how invested they are in our success. )

[shiro2hero]

(You think they'd just let us flounder around?)

[adamance]

( I don't have a lot of information to go on, so it's time to see how these things stand. )

[shiro2hero]

(All right. Here goes -- I'll play guinea pig.)

[adamance]

( And we will know moving forward. )

[Which is what matters the most. Having information to proceed will allow them to make better judgment calls.]