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[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.]

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It's a bit of a slow process, there's something on those claws that regular antibiotics aren't much of a match for.

[but she shrugs a shoulder] But I'm getting better slowly, I just sort of... got myself lured into a trap. [whoops]

If there's anything I can do, please don't hesitate. [Even if she's pretty sure there isn't, she'll offer regardless. Steph's probably got it all under control.]

One of the daemids? I think that's what the locals called them.

Thanks, but I'm sure I'll be fine, and I've got Brandon to boss around. [Clearly that's what boyfriends are for, right?]

Yeah, it - sounded like a little girl. [Which always hits her a little harder than anything else] I knew it was a trap, I just had to check to be sure and then, well, it didn't go so great. [she waves a hand in the air, nbd]

[That is exactly what they're for.] Good.

[She shakes her head in understanding; she might have done the same.] Better safe than sorry. Were you alone?

I was, which has everyone making an extra fuss. [everyone in this case being Brandon and Cass] But honestly, it probably wouldn't have gone any different even if I'd had back up.

[She nods.] What's done is done. And we can just be glad it wasn't anything worse.

[And Peggy can probably say she'd make a lot of the same choices she did on the mainland, alone or not. She's not here to lecture Steph about it, because if the situation were reversed she wouldn't want it herself.]

How was your trip - or trips - other than the injury? Did you find anything of interest?

I wish other people would think like that. [she just wants Brandon to stop blaming himself.]

They were... something, alright. [there's no other word for it, and her expression twists a little] Did you see the masoleum?

They mean well. [But it can get annoying.]

[She frowns at the mention of the mausoleum.] Yes, I did. I assume you mean the interior, but my answer is still yes.

[And honestly, it called back to some of the mass graves she'd seen in Eastern Europe, though perhaps less gruesome. It was more the idea - something to cause mass death and so many bodies in one place.]

I know, but I'm pretty done with people beating themselves up 'cause of stuff that happened to me. [whoops accidentally bitter; she gives Peggy an apologetic look.

It's been a rough month.]

I've run some forensics on the bodies, but there's... nothing so far. [by "I" she means "Bruce", though she did do some tests of her own, she just doesn't have the same equipment or expertise as he does] I dunno what to make of it.

[She sighs. There was a reason she kicked Steve out of his own suite along those veins.] I don't blame you.

Nor I. It just looks as though they all suffered some sort of enormously intense pain before death. [Though she takes note of the forensics work, unable to do so herself.] But even among the ruins of the cities, there's little to give clues as to what happened.

Yeah. [she scrubs a hand over her face, then tries to put it out of her mind]

I wonder if it was magic. It wouldn't leave a trace that we could detect and-- it'd explain why there's no cause of death. [She wishes Klarion was here, even though he'd probably be more frustrating than helpful, at least he knows his stuff when it comes to magic.]

If we were anywhere else but a giant turtle apparently full of it, I'd disbelieve magic for a cause, but it is something I considered.

What did you make of the radio towers?

Magic's pretty standard fare back home, so I don't have much difficulty believing it. The problem is that magic isn't exactly my strong point. [She wishes the older Zatanna were here; while the younger one seems competent enough, she's definitely not the accomplished magician that the Zatanna at home is]

I found one that was still bouncing signals around, but I don't think it was anything important. [she took notes and recordings that she'll go through later, though]

Most things seen as magical could be explained through some kind of science or technology back home. [Even if that changed up a little bit in the future, according to Steve.]

If you find anything on that end, I would like to know. They were a bit of a curious sight, and I hadn't found a working one myself.

That probably makes your life a lot simpler. [Not that Steph would trade magic for anything, regardless of how much trouble it can be]

I'll keep you updated if I do find anything, though I'm not crossing my fingers.

It certainly does. Though I leave the research along those veins in more capable hands. [See: neither science or magic is her thing.]

Thank you. I'll gladly share my own information as well. It seems silly to keep it all to ourselves.

We have that in common. [Although she's had to learn forensic science, and she's starting to poke more at magic since dealing with Klarion.

And that comment gets a nod; it's yet another reason why she's floating the idea pulling together a team, they can share information] I know some people who would probably say it's a risk to share. [she grins, bemused] But I'd prefer to pool my resources.

Another for the list then. [And she's grinning a little. Because MISANDRY.]

I think it depends on the situation at hand, but this ones certainly doesn't scream a terrible need for secrecy. [A spy's gotta have a little self preservation, but Peggy's adaptable and knows it's not always wise.] If everyone is keeping secrets, how is anything going to be learnt of this world?

[Steph can't help giving a little grin in return. She's glad they have a lot in common, because Peggy is awesome.

And then it turns a little wry, because Steph does know a thing or two about secrets] That's pretty much how I'm looking at it, we're better off if we share what we learn. Not that we seem to have learnt much.

[She sighs.] I do wish it were more, though it's not something I'm particularly unused to. That's all the more reason to share, as little as there is.

[Steph's pretty familiar with lacking information, though normally it's "for her own good". She decides not to mention it, because she's not sure she can say it without being bitter]

I can't argue with that. Hopefully it'll eventually yield results.

[As much as Steph usually tries to be upbeat, she's... not exactly optimistic about their chances of figuring things out on their own, considering how controlling the Emperor is]

[Peggy's not particularly optimistic about it herself at this point, and that probably conveys in her tone.] Hopefully indeed.

[Her smile is wry] I'll let you know if I find anything.

[She sighs.] Likewise.

Good luck.

[and with a little wave, she turns off the feed]

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