voidtreckernet | Day 28

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masumi sera [ou]

Day 28 | Video

[Masumi appears on screen looking awkward more than anything else, but otherwise alright now that time has passed since the trap mission.]

I, uh, have a problem. At the last platform I accidentally used my power from Diagad for the first time since that mission, and it’s a calming power. Normally this wouldn’t be a problem, but the way the Void Ministry interviewers kept using their calming abilities during the interviews made me think that I don’t want to keep accidentally using it in situations I shouldn’t.

I guess I need someone who is willing to help me practice using it, and maybe someone who can help with staying calm under pressure, since it only works when I’m calm.

[She’d like to get this figured out so that it can be useful.]

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[Did you say you need practice remaining calm under pressure?]

I am able to aid you, should you not find someone more suitable.

[She's still a bit annoyed about Elidibus's actions after the mission, but getting help in controlling her power takes priority right now.]

Thanks, I'll take whatever help I can get. I know I don't tend to stay calm in certain situations, so I have to work on that so I can actually do something with my ability.

[And a great way to practice calm under pressure is to work with someone you are annoyed at!]

I'm certain I can create an environment for you to practice your own calm in.

That would be helpful, depending on what that environment is. What are you thinking of doing?

[She's curious now. What do you have planned, Elidibus?]

My presence alone may not put you at ease given recent events. How could you trust someone who has yet to prove their promise to no longer delve into your memories?

[He seems to feel there's a good chance that 'calm' wouldn't be easy with that alone. Or at least would make a fitting basic exercise for foundation.]

I've observed mortals for some time and I also know how to use words to invoke emotion. Barring that I'm a sorcerer of no little skill. If you wish, I can bring forth illusions.

Of course you're welcome to set what conditions you'd prefer. The means.. A timelimit or a phrase which would mean the exercise must be stopped.

...That's fair. [She has to admit, he does have a point about his mere presence putting her on edge after the memory reading incident. Normally it would be a bit of a problem when it comes to getting along on the train, but maybe it might be useful.]

All of that sounds good. I'm not sure of my limits for this since I don't know exactly how this'll go, so maybe ten minutes to start?

[That way she can adjust based on how it goes. Ten minutes seems like a reasonable enough time limit to start with.]

Whatever you wish. When would you like to begin?

[Ten minutes is not much time in the grand scheme of things. And during the trips through voidspace there is generally plenty of time.]

You may also wish to think of a phrase. [A reminder.] To stop the practice before the time limit, however short.

[He seems very confident. If not in the beginning, when they increase the difficulty, that he can challenge Masumi to her limits and perhaps beyond them.]

I don't like the idea of a power like that going off by accident. I've got experience staying calm under fire, but I've also been told I have anger issues so there are pros and cons there.

No worries, whatever help you can give is great. I'd like to be able to reliably use it as needed on missions, but the fact that I have to be calm to do anything with it is limiting.

How calm are we talking here? Total calm under pressure is probably impossible, but I could work you up to at least thinking clearly through an adrenaline rush.

I think just being able to think clearly should be fine. As far as I know, I don't need total calm to get it to work.

[She thinks so, at least. Masumi hadn't really used it too much back at the fake Diagad, and the one time she'd used it since then, she was concerned for how Kiyoiri was doing at the last platform stop.]

Yeah, I can work with that. Staying cool under fire is an important skill back where I'm from, so I can definitely help there. Fair warning, this is going to involve plenty of literal stress testing.

That's fine, as long as it works.

If it helps, I know I tend to lose my cool fastest when friends or family are in immediate danger, or if someone starts prying into something I don't want to talk about.

[At least she's aware of when she's likely to get upset the fastest.]

Huh. That's... stuff I'm not actually okay with messing with. I was thinking more along the lines of sharp objects coming uncomfortably close to non-vital body parts.

I wasn't expecting that, I was just trying to say when the worst times are if it in any way helps. What you had planned is fine.

You want to plan a time for this?

I mean, if you really wanna. Personally, I was thinking I'd just surprise you with it. Nothing gets the heart pumping faster, right?

[Judging by the tone and the shit-eating grin, this is at least mostly a joke.]

[A slightly nervous laugh. Masumi knows she has to go go through with this, and she knows she'll be safe, but she can't help but feel a bit uneasy at the thought of surprise attacks.]

Well, I'm sure it'll still help even if I know it's coming. You want to meet up for this?

Yeah, sure. Practice is important for just about everything, so it's best to properly hash out the details.

...so you kept your Diagad power too.

[He's trying not to sound worried. He's not doing a great job of it.]

[As for what he's worried about:]

Do you think everyone did?

...I don't know. We'll have to ask everyone who was at the fake Diagad and find out.

[It's concerning to think about the ramifications of a train full of people just learning to use these powers, depending on how many people kept them.]

The other thing is it seems to be really weak compared to how it was on Diagad, since I can only use it for a second or so.

True, but...I think people might have enough on their minds without having to worry about that.

[Read: he is quietly terrified he kept his Diagad power and doesn't want to think about it yet, though he can't really put it off for much longer.]

How did you know you still had it? Did it just...happen?

Yes, but we have to bring it up eventually, right? Not right now, but maybe when things have calmed down a bit more.

[Masumi knows this has to be brought up eventually, though maybe the fact that she didn't get a terrifying power is influencing her side of things.]

Uh, yeah. I was trying to comfort Kiyoiri at the last platform and it just happened. I didn't even know I'd used it until she mentioned it.

Are things ever calm around here?

[Pattern recognition says no, but he can at least try to joke about it a little. Whatever levity he manages is gone by the time he speaks again - if powers can unlock suddenly, then...he's got no guarantee his won't be a disaster.]

Oh...thank you.

I guess not. But still, it has to be dealt with.

[It's never truly calm on the train, not with this many people crammed into the space with no way off for most of the month.

But Ryo's reaction to finding out that her power just randomly became active is concerning, and Masumi tries to think of what might be worrying him besides the powers.]

...Hey, what's up? Something on your mind?

I may be interested in assisting with this study.

Oh, how so?

[She'll take whatever's offered!]

I am a scientist. And I am interested in the phenomenon of these "new" powers. Since you have so graciously offered, and I am not supposed to take unwilling participants any longer, I would like to take this opportunity for further study.

Well, alright then. I'm wondering how the powers stuck too, since everything else about that place was illusions, so maybe we can figure something out.

What kind of study are you planning? [She feels like she should ask.]

I wish to know the mechanics as to how we were given those powers and why we are able to keep them. Were they dormant and simply awoken by solve property of that world, or has some force granted them to us?

To that end, I would like to experience some of these other abilities other passengers were gifted with.

Okay then. Mine is just a calming power, so I can do that. [It's comparatively harmless, if potentially upsetting if used on someone who doesn't want it used.]

Where do you want to meet?

I would prefer the quiet car, though the lab may be better suited for an experiment.

I'm not familiar with the lab car, but can some of what you need be moved to the quiet carriage?

If not, then I'll trust your judgement for which space you need for this testing.

[She has no idea what'll be needed for this.]

The lab is better equipped to contain any potential disasters, however if your ability is truly as benign as you are suggesting, there may be no need for extensive equipment.

Alright, then quiet carriage it is. Do you want to do this right now, or arrange a time to show up later?

I quite unexpectedly free at this particular moment.

Alright then, I'll come down now. See you there.

[And Masumi disappears from screen, making her way towards the quiet carriage to do this testing.]

{Tannis herself appears a few moments later, the excitement of science really being the only thing that brought her here in the first place. Ugh, people.]

Alright, let's get this over with so we can all go back to being by ourselves again.

Alright, let's do this then. [Masumi is more of a people person, but she can tell that Tannis wants to get this done.]

Anything I need to know before I go ahead and test this ability out?

Please do not touch me, and if there is any screaming, ignore it.

No touching and ignore any screaming, got it. [She’s not sure why there would be screaming, but she’ll try to ignore it if it happens.]

I’m ready whenever you are. [Even if this is planned, she won’t spring using her power on Tannis without warning.]

Yes, yes, get on with it already, I have other things I could be doing. [She really doesn't, but irritated is mostly her default state.]

Alright then. Let me know if you feel anything.

[Masumi isn't quite sure how to intentionally use it, but she figures that she just has to focus on wanting Tannis to be calm, right? So that's what she focuses on.

Fortunately, this works, if only for a second or so. Hopefully that's all Tannis needed for this experiment, because Masumi isn't practiced enough at this to pull off more than single second moments of calm.]

[No screaming even! How very interesting!]

Well. I can imagine that must have its uses.

Yup, it might be good on missions if I need to get someone calmed fast. I just have to practice first.

[Masumi can certainly see the use this power could have once she figures out how to use it effectively. It’s just a question of putting in the time needed to get better at using it.]

So, you learn anything from that?

Sadly I cannot assist with keeping you calm under pressure, but I can certainly be a magical target if you still need one.

[Hell, anything to keep him calm would be welcome, honestly. It's just as much for him as it is for her.]

Edited (Hit the enter button before I was done like an idiot. XD) 2021-10-30 17:07 (UTC)

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Day 28 | Video

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Voice

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To action!

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