→ video

[controlledvariable]

[Today, Steph is curled up in her chair in front of her console, dressed in light, silk pajamas, her hair piled up in a loose bun, and her expression a little weary. The observant type might notie she's pale aside from her flushed cheeks, and there's a faint sheen of sweat on her brow; the infection from the llothi claws isn't exactly getting along with her. The most noticable thing on the screen, however, is the giant teddy bear (the one hiding behind the rabbit) in her lap, Steph's arms wrapped loosely around it.]

Hey, everyone, I hope you're all keeping well and enjoying our stop on the mainland. ["enjoying" is probably the wrong word, but she can't think of a better one]

I've made a couple of trips myself, and on one of them I happened to find this. [she looks down at the bear, her smile wry] It didn't really look like it belonged out there, and I'd heard of other people finding things they owned back home, so I thought, well, it might be someone's.

If it's yours, feel free to contact me so you can come get it. I'm trusting you guys not to steal a teddy bear that doesn't belong to you. [which is why she didn't do what Damian did, with asking people to confirm the details of the item. Because she doubts anyone would claim to own a teddy bear that isn't really theirs.]

That's all from me. Have a nice day.

[And then she switches off the feed.

While the primary purpose of the message was to find the bear's owner, she also wanted to make sure her friends know she's okay; she hasn't been very active on the network since returning from her last trip, and she isn't up to contacting people individually when she's spending about 70% of her time asleep. This was easier.]

Comments

[Video]

[tactile_telekinesis]

[Kon replies to her as soon as he sees it and he looks a little worried.]

Babe, hate to say this to you but, you don't look so hot. Have you seen anyone about...uh that?

[Video]

[controlledvariable]

Ouch. [She presses a hand to her chest, apparently wounded by the comment, though her smile is amused and meant to be reassuring]

It's just a little fever, but yeah, I've been looked at.

[Brue patched her up, that's practically the same as going to a real doctor]

[Video]

[tactile_telekinesis]

Don't go for the sweatin' look unless we're on a beach, sorry.

[He frowns.]

Need anything?

[video; encrypted 80%]

[controlledvariable]

[That makes her move her hand from her chest to her forehead, back of her hand pressed against her skin] I don't look that bad, do I?

I don't think so, unless you happen to have an antibiotic that works on whatever the hell is on llothi claws.

[She's thrown up an encryption just because she doesn't want to make it publically known she had a run in with a llothi]

[video; encrypted 80%]

[tactile_telekinesis]

Still a babe so no need to worry about that. Just look pretty bad from the fever. Y'know, tired and stuff.

[He pulls at his suit wear pockets would be if he wore pants right now. He's been out all not checking over the turtle and just not changed.]

Aw shucks, looks like I left 'em in my other supersuit back home.

video;

[grimreaping]

I'm sure it's grateful to have a proper home.

video;

[controlledvariable]

[That gets a smile, as Steph rests her chin on top of the bears head]

My suite is probably a bit better than the mainland, yeah.

Re: video;

[grimreaping]

Of that I have no doubt, though I will see it for myself shortly.

[ A pause; for someone as detail-oriented as Kid, it's impossible to miss this girl's physical symptoms. ]

Have you seen a doctor?

video;

[controlledvariable]

Be careful when you do head out, it's not exactly a tropical paradise.

[she presses her lips together in something that's almost a pout, but shrugs] I have, I've just got a bit of a fever.

[and claw marks in her back, but whatever]

video

[shootingshields]

Of all the things to find on the mainland, a teddy bear was not something high on my considered list.

[Because really, stuffed animals just seem so horribly out of place there, even if things from people's homes were showing up.]

[And Peggy's noticed Steph doesn't look too well, but she'll bring that up in a moment.]

video

[controlledvariable]

I know, right? [she holds one of the bears paws and makes it wave at Peggy.

Blame the fever]

I was kind of expecting it to be hiding explosives or something, but it seems harmless.

video

[shootingshields]

[Her grin is genuinely amused, and she chuckles under her breath.]

It could have been some form of surveillance, as well. If no one claims it, I suppose it's yours to keep.

video

[controlledvariable]

[Steph gives Peggy a bit of a look; as if she didn't check for surveillance equipment in the bear.

Though her expressions softens at the thought of being able to keep the bear]

I guess it would be. I could always use some extra company. [when she's not crawling into bed with Brandon or Cass]

[zerotoawesome]

I thought there was nothing out on the mainland... Except monsters.

[controlledvariable]

There're those too. But there's some stuff left over from whoever was living in the cities, and I guess whatever brought us here must've grabbed some of our possessions as well. I'm not sure how it works.

[zerotoawesome]

Huh... [And now he only wants to go out there even more.] And you went out all by yourself?

[controlledvariable]

Couple of times on my own, couples of times with friends. [she shrugs a shoulder] There's a lot to see out there, I'll probably head out again in a couple days.

[Because that's not a terrible idea all 'round]

[video]; Batcryption 95%

[hackingyoursensors]

What happened?

[video]; Batcryption 99%

[controlledvariable]

[GOSH BATS WHY YOU GOTTA NOTICE SHIT]

I made a friend.

[Yes that is exactly what happened, good job Steph]

[video]; Batcryption 99%

[hackingyoursensors]

Uh huh. Llothi?

[video]; Batcryption 99%

[controlledvariable]

Just a little. [she pinches her thumb and finger together, about half an inch apart, to demonstrate how little] I'm fine, though.

99% batcrypted, video

[demon_brat]

[Damian takes a while, before answering. And he's... actually curious.]

What is it for?

99% batcrypted, video

[controlledvariable]

The teddy bear? It's for comfort, generally. Something to hug when there isn't a person available. [She wraps her arms tighter around the bear, giving it a proper cuddle, as if to demonstrate.

It's the better option than looking horrified that he doesn't know what teddy bears are for]

99% batcrypted, video

[demon_brat]

[Damian won't ask further, just. Nods, eyebrows drawing down. Because he still doesn't quite understand hugs, either.

But even if she finds this teddy bear's owner, she might wind up with one that is... a bit more laboriously executed than most. She looks like she really needs it, and he's not really willing to be used for hugging himself, even if, with Grayson around, he might submit a bit more frequently to it.]

They are... washable, aren't they?

[Because he strongly suspects she found it in worse shape than it is in, now, if she found it on the mainland.]

99% batcrypted, video

[controlledvariable]

[Steph sees that frown, but she's not sure what exactly it's for, so she'll let it be unless he brings it up]

They are. Most plush toys these days are made to be machine washable, including teddy bears.