→ video

[controlledvariable]

Good morning Keeliai, how are we all today?

[Steph is sitting at her console, leaning back in her chair with her legs propped up on the desk. She's smiling, and for those that know her, it's the sort of smile that should be extremely concerning. Those that don't know her may also be feeling like they're about to hear something they don't want to.

She is going to be a terrible person today.]

I'm going to preface this message by saying that anyone under the age of 16, or whatever the age of legality is where you're from, should tune out now, please and thank you. I'm not gonna be explicit or anything, but it's probably not going to be appropriate for kids. [she gives a pointed look, yes you, Damian, switch off the computer now.]

I was taking an anthropology class back home, and my professor happens to be here too. [she wrinkles her nose, like yes, I know that's super weird, how do you think I feel?] And he's been giving me assignments and stuff, because apparently being kidnapped by a giant turtle isn't a valid excuse not to keep up with coursework. The topic we'd been studying before I got brought here was human sexuality, and Professor Craig suggested I write a paper on kedan sexuality instead. [Hi Bruce.] Except, uh, after the last couple weeks, I'm not really keen on that idea.

But I have been thinking about all these people with superpowers running around, and like - we've got comics back home, right? But they tend to focus on the whole defeating supervillains and stopping alien invasions side of things, which is great, sure, I love a good action story, but there's something that just never really comes up.

[she looks directly at the camera, the very picture of scientific curiosity] Do they - or, do you, for the superpowered people in the audience - ever use their powers for sex? This isn't a rhetorical question, by the way, if you have used your powers in the bedroom, feel free to share with the class.

And in the interest of not excluding anyone from the conversation, anyone who's just a regular old human, or whathaveyou, you can discuss what sort of powers you'd like to have, and how you'd use them to impress the gender-of-your-preference.

Don't feel like you have to respond directly to me, you're more than welcome to talk amongst yourselves. I figured we could use a little lighthearted chat to take our minds off the situation. Don't you agree?

[She winks, clearly trying not to laugh, and sits back in her chair to wait for responses]

Comments

[sharpes]

Look, it's not-- it's not you, okay? It's-- this whole fucked up thing.

[His fingers fold reflexively around the mug.]

[controlledvariable]

I brought it up. And I can't take it back, as much as I wish I could.

[she takes a breath, runs a hand over her face and then forces her gaze up] I really like you, Brandon, and I meant it when I said this doesn't change anything for me. I still want to give this a shot, but I'll-- I'll get it, if you don't want to.

I just don't want it to be like this. All... strained. And you sitting there like you can't even look at me.

[sharpes]

[He flinches.]

It's not you. It's not you. I promised I'd look out for you, how can I even do that when I can't--

[Not his fault. He knows that. He knows it. But knowing something and feeling it are two damned different things and ne'er the twain shall meet.]

[controlledvariable]

He's dead, isn't he? [She's not sure if that's the right thing to say, but there it is.]

[sharpes]

[frown.]

I told you I killed him.

[what does that have to--

oh.]

[controlledvariable]

[Okay. He looks like he's got it. She reaches across the table touch her fingers against his hand where it's wrapped around the mug, but that's all she'll do for now]

I trust you to look out for me.

[sharpes]

I don't want to kill people, Steph.

[He doesn't exactly flinch away from her but his fingers do tighten on that mug.]

[controlledvariable]

[Oh god she literally cannot win.

Just. headdesk.]

That's not what I was trying to say.

[why is she so bad at this?]

[sharpes]

Then what?

[WHY IS HE SO BAD AT THIS.]

[controlledvariable]

[She drags her head off the table like it's an effort and pushes both hands through her hair.]

I'm trying to be reassuring! [she's annoyed, but it's pretty clearly directed at herself] Apparently I'm really shit at it, though.

[sharpes]

[He just. Laughs.]

Man. No kidding.

[controlledvariable]

[Wow thanks Brandon.

Except that actually makes her feel a little better. At least he can laugh about something, even if it's her]

It's a work in progress.

[She's fine when it's strangers, but when emotions get involved she tends to make a mess of it]

[sharpes]

[He rubs a hand through his hair. The ends all stick up with static. Call it a side-effect of his being so unsettled.]

I can deal with in-progress. If you can deal with fucked-up.

[controlledvariable]

I can deal with fucked up. It's not like I'm perfect, anyway.

[Even without bringing up her own abuse, there's still.

the Sionis thing.

And everything.

She swallows down the sudden urge to tell him everything lurking in her past. This isn't the time to say "I have a daughter"]

[sharpes]

[A wan smile, though it fades shortly thereafter.]

Look, I don't -- I don't want you to make a big deal out of this. It's not, okay? It's fine. And don't-- it's nobody else's business.

[But he is relaxing a little.]

[controlledvariable]

I won't, I get - that. [She understands what it's like to not want it to be a big deal] And I'll keep my mouth shut. I'm not that bad at this.

[She wonders if Cass will read it on her, if she goes to her for a hug later, but that's something she'll deal with if it happens]

[sharpes]

[He closes his eyes, hunches down over the coffee and just breathes it in. He can imagine he's in his own place with Mom reading some trashy fashion mag beside him. And none of this matters and none of it will matter and--

'You're nobody. And you, my boy, are gonna be somebody'.]

Right.

[He exhales. Watches the way his breath makes little ripples along the coffee.]

Right.

[controlledvariable]

[Steph gives him time to just breath, watching him as she takes a sip of her own coffee]

Are we okay?

[she just... needs to hear it.]

[sharpes]

I guess.

Just... don't ever do that again. Don't-- I don't care why you're doing it. Don't push me like that. If you wanna know something just ask me outright. I don't do that sneaky ninja bullshit, okay?

[He keeps his attention on the table when he talks, but at least his voice is steady.]

[controlledvariable]

[Steph nods, she couldn't be more serious if she tried]

I promise I won't. [she wants to say "I'm usually not like that" but she feels like it'd just be making excuses] It was a dick move, I'm really sorry.

[sharpes]

[He ducks his head. He's sick of the apologizing.]

So. Powers during sex, huh?

[seriously what could have brought that about.]

[controlledvariable]

[Hold on a moment while she covers her face with her hands]

I thought it'd make for an interesting discussion?

[sharpes]

Learn anything useful?

[He's just going to. Drink that coffee...]

[controlledvariable]

Surprisingly not as much as I'd have thought. A lot of people just seemed confused. I even had to give a couple crash courses in why sexuality is worth studying.

[what was up with that?]

[sharpes]

Wow. Lame. I bet they're all prudes.

[And he's a jerk, but that's not new.]