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]

(I never did get the chance to thank you for that. You didn't have to put yourself at risk.)

[And he's very, very grateful for the help. Even if he really hadn't been at the time.]

[deployed]

( You're part of my brood. That's what we're supposed to do for each other. )

[ Bellamy's slipped into the habit of conflating "my brood" with "my people." It's partially a coping mechanism as he tries to square with the idea that he may never be able to see his people again unless they turn up here. ]

[shiro2hero]

(When you put it that way, you make it hard to argue with.)

[Because it's a coping strategy he understands. One he's used a few times, too.]

(It's starting to look like the hardest part is going to be finding the trigger, though.)

[deployed]

( We can do trial and error. You don't remember what set you off in Concordia? )

[ Bellamy hadn't been paying attention. What had caught him was the visceral, terrifying rise of rage from Shiro. It had been surprising. Bellamy hadn't given himself time to trace back the source. ]

[shiro2hero]

(I do. But, that's... not an option here. Not anymore.)

[Because of the whole blowup with Aoba there.]

(Someone triggered an old memory. And I thought they were attacking me.) [The sensation of a sigh, while he pieces through what little he does remember of that day.] (Then the migraine started... and I thought they were attacking you, too.)

(Sort of made it worse.)

[deployed]

( I'm not good at working with other people's memories. But maybe... )

[ Between the pair of them, they had to have something horrific enough to set Shiro off. ]

( We could try one of mine. If I can make it feel real enough, it might do the trick. )

[shiro2hero]

(Are you really sure you want to put yourself through that?)

[Because as much as he wants to control this, work through it, putting other people at risk still doesn't appeal.]

[deployed]

( You're in my head. Anything in there making you think I'm not sure about what I'm offering? )

[ This is a risky decision, but those are Bellamy's bread and butter. ]

[shiro2hero]

[That's a fair point. And the mental huff of agreement comes before anything else.]

(One of these days I'll get used to reading minds first, and asking questions later.)

[He's trying for amusing.] (Thank you.)

[deployed]

( Well, let's hope it doesn't get to that point any time soon. )

[ Though considering the drones Bellamy's observed throughout the station, it seemed inevitable. It might take a long time, but it would happen, if they weren't careful. ]

( When do you want to start? )

[shiro2hero]

(Yeah. Barging into peoples' heads is... not high on my list of priorities.)

[He's quiet a moment, thinking.]

(Soon. I need to make a plan, and ask about non-physical barriers.)

[deployed]

( Non-physical barriers? In case you get loose? )

[ a beat, then-- ]

( Have you talked to Cathaway and Prince? )

[shiro2hero]

(In case that happens, yeah. Something needs to keep me from wrecking the station.)

[And if he really lost control, it's entirely possible.]

(That was my next step. Lexa suggested it.)

[deployed]

[ There's a momentary urge to be petty and contradict Lexa just for the sake of it, but no, it's the right thing to do. ]

( She's right. Maybe they'll be able to at least get you a closed off room to try this in. )

[shiro2hero]

(That depends on what the room is made of, to be honest with you.)

[That's the reason he'd asked about things like energy shields. Because that's likely the only thing he couldn't get through.]

[And isn't that just handy.]

[deployed]

( You think you'd be able to get through these walls? )

[ It isn't out of the question, but Bellamy isn't actually sure what this station is made of. ]

( We might be able to distract you. )

[ Because that's safe. But Bellamy surmises he's survived it once before, so. ]

( You can tell them you have options, at least. Maybe we don't do it one on one. )

[shiro2hero]

(If I can get through alien security doors... yeah, probably.)

[He realizes this probably needs more explanation than just that, so he'll open up a little more. Memory-wise. It's brief, but it's his hand, the metal one, glowing and pressed against metal doors, melting them in an attempt to seal them closed.]

[If that's possible, couldn't he do the same to the Station?]

(Distractions mean, if this arm activates, it gets aimed at living people.)

[And not the enemy.]

(I know it's an option, but it isn't one I'm willing to use right now. If I can help it.)

[deployed]

( You didn't think of that last time. )

[ Which Bellamy clearly intends to be encouraging, at least. ]

( Maybe we should see if anyone has a power set that would make them impervious to it. )

[shiro2hero]

(I know. I think we both got lucky, there.)

[He's grateful for the attempt at encouragement, but he's more of a realist about this.]

(So far there's someone who can manipulate gravity. I'm wondering if that will help.)

[deployed]

( Only if they can make it too difficult for you to keep moving. It might take time for them to get strong enough for that. )

[ Or they could ask the Darkling. But Bellamy's going to keep that as a last resort. ]

[shiro2hero]

(Hey, I don't know about you, but... zero gravity makes it pretty hard to move, no matter how strong you get.)

(... speaking from experience there.)

[deployed]

( I grew up in space. But if they can't hold it long enough, you'll just hit the ground running. )

[shiro2hero]

(Mm. Point there.)

(I guess for now, that's plan A. Another person offered to make chains. And...)

[Deep "breath".]

(I'm asking Pidge to be there. The last time it happened, there was a memory of her in my head. And I'm pretty sure it kept me from ... well.)

('Taking your face off' was how I put it.)

[deployed]

( I better thank her. Do you think that'll be enough to stop you every time? )

[shiro2hero]

(I don't know.)

(... if it doesn't work, Sam will get her out of there. And her ability is invisibility. She'll be safe.)