video

[sos_pilot]

[ The video is late at night - not too late to wake a bunch of people up, but it's definitely different than Della's usual videos where it's an earlier time. Not to mention she kinda... looks like hell. Bags under her eyes, all the usual signs of exhaustion - but it's more than that. She actually looks emotionally beat up. ]

... Hey, guys. I figured I owed a bunch of you an explanation about my behavior last mission. Look, I know a lot of the time I'm all "woo, adventure, let's beat up monsters, yeah!" everywhere we go, but last time I was more... out of control. Not listening to anyone, still trying to fight even when I was literally falling apart... and I am sorry. I shouldn't have to make you guys worry more than you already have to, especially in the middle of a dangerous fight.

... Here's the deal. All of you are amazing, you have to know that on some level. You've got super powers, you've got metal bodies, you've got magic, and even of those of you who are about to say "Oh, I'm just some ordinary human" - you're not. So many of you have amazing abilities with your weapons, brilliant minds that have led kingdoms and companies, you're all wonderful, and should be so proud of yourself. I'm proud of each and every single one of you.

... And all I can do is land a solid punch every now and then. Back home, I... I was on a team. My family. They all had their own special talents too, and when I finally came home, maybe some part of me wondered... if they really needed me after all, since they'd done so well without me for ten years. And now, here I am, and I can't even do the one thing I at least KNOW I'm good at, being a pilot. Here, I'm just... me.

[ She sighs, taking off her pilot's cap to run a hand through her hair. ]

Dang, I didn't mean to ramble. Just... I'm sorry. I'll try to make sure it won't happen again.

... 'Night, guys.

[ For anyone wanting to check in on her, she can be found in the lower-carriage of the library, wordlessly thumbing through her copy of the Junior Woodchuck Guide, though not really reading it. ]

Comments

[sos_pilot]

[ Hearing Kitty's voice, she looks up, puts on a small smile, and puts aside her guidebook. ]

... I'm guessing you saw what I said.

[goingthroughaphase]

[ She nods. ] I did, yeah.

[ She pauses, thinking wondering if she should jump straight into asking. Instead she smiles. ] Thought you might like some company.

[sos_pilot]

... Wouldn't fight it.

[ ... But now what? A small sigh. ]

I didn't mean... you know, to make a bunch of people feel bad, and get a pity party, or whatever. I just wanted to explain myself, I guess.

[goingthroughaphase]

[ With another nod, she take a seat beside Della. ] I get it, don't worry. You know we just wanna make sure you're okay, right? It's not a pity party.

[sos_pilot]

Yeah... but I didn't want to make you all worried. I'm so used to talking out loud to myself that sometimes it's weird to have people responding.

[goingthroughaphase]

Hey...we care about you, so we're gonna worry. That's just how it is.

And you're not alone anymore, so yeah, people are gonna respond. [ She laughs softly. ] Part of the problem of being on a crowded train.

[sos_pilot]

[ She looks away, a little quiet at first. ]

... Sometimes it's hard to remember. That I'm not alone. And you're not all... a dream, or a hallucination, or something.

[goingthroughaphase]

[ She gently nudges Della with her shoulder. ] Well, that's why we're here to remind you...right?

[sos_pilot]

... Touches help.

[ Like hugs. Hugs would be good. She leans against Kitty with a small sigh. ]

[goingthroughaphase]

[ With a small frown, she wraps her arms around Della in a gentle but earnest hug. ]

...you wanna know something?

[sos_pilot]

[ Della returns it tightly. ]

... What is it?

[goingthroughaphase]

[ She holds the hug, letting Delle decide when she wanted to end it. ]

When my power first awakened, and I joined the institute with others...I was a little scared that I'd be useless.

[sos_pilot]

[ Now there's a surprise. ]

With YOUR powers? No way! You'd be one of the most useful members of any team!

[goingthroughaphase]

I didn't feel that way at the time. We had been fighting against another team of Mutants, and a lot of it was physical fighting. My powers were good for avoiding blows and sneaking up on people, but...I didn't feel very useful when it came to the actual fighting.

Especially because I wasn't very strong or very fast...I wasn't very physically active, and I had teammates who could fire laser beams and use telekinesis and shoots spikes from his body...so I worried that I would just slow everyone else down.

[sos_pilot]

... So what helped you see what you could really do? Was it your friends and teammates?

[ she's genre-savvy enough to see where this is going. ]

[goingthroughaphase]

[ She laughed a little. ] Well yeah...but it was also training; practicing with my powers, learning creative ways to use them, and even learning martial arts to have something in case I couldn't use my powers. Developing different skills so I'll be ready no matter the situation.

Even when I first arrived here, there are some missions that I can't just rely on my powers. Sure they've been useful, but phasing can't be the only thing I do. And even a punch or kick isn't always going to be enough either. So I've also started learning how to use a sword.

And I think you'd be able to do that too, if you wanted.

[sos_pilot]

...I guess you've got a point.

[ She is lightly kidding, judging by the smile on her face. ]

It's just hard to think of you as anything but useless... but I hear you, I do.

[goingthroughaphase]

[ With a smile of her own, Kitty shrugs a little. ] It took a while to figure out what I can really do. But it's still always good to have backup skills too.

There are a lot of people here that use weapons. Maybe you could find someone to learn from.

[sos_pilot]

I just hope I can be a good student. You and I both know I can be a little... headstrong.

[ Little. Ha. ]

[goingthroughaphase]

[ She giggles. ] Maybe just a little. [ With a light teasing tone. ]

But I think you'll do fine. Because you also seem like the type who does exactly what you need to do, no matter what it takes.

Even if it can take a bit to get there.

[sos_pilot]

... You're not wrong about that. Determination and Della begin with the same letter.

[goingthroughaphase]

Exactly. Especially with something that will help people you care about.

[ She's very familiar with your type, Della. ]

[sos_pilot]

... Thanks, Kitty. I really mean it.

[goingthroughaphase]

[ She smiles, giving Della another hug. ] Of course. You're always willing to help me out. The least I can do is return the favor.