voidtreckernet | [Video]---Everywhere--OTA

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[Video]---Everywhere--OTA

[The screen of the ICP shows a figure with a deep cowl in a blue, and hints of the VT-uniform in purple under the voluminous cloak. The top of the cowl means the upper half of the person's face is in shadow, and the rest of their features are pale.]

Um...hi.

[It's a female's voice, lower and calm--not quite deadpan.]

So, I came on board recently, and my name is Raven. I'm on the purple team.

[Awkward introduction is awkward, but none of that should be showing through in her manner.]

I've met some of you already.

[There's a pause and a slow blink, and now the awkwardness is showing somewhat.]

I'm speaking out though, because of the aftermath of the inspections. I'm an Empath--I sense emotions basically. I've been trained since I was very young though in my control over it, and I respect privacy a lot. Mostly because I'd want mine respected.

But I can also project my empathy--which is why I'm speaking up. If you're feeling overwhelmed or panicky and it's left over from the void-particles or whatever, if you want I can help you calm down.

[There's a shrug, and the awkwardness is definitely there now. If anyone has questions, now is a good time to ask them.]

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Alright, I'm heading over now. Shouldn't be more than a few minutes

[Mostly because Raven wanted to give others a chance to talk to her if they needed it, over the ICP. After those few minutes though, she headed for Cabin 1-E first. Deep blue cloak and cowl over her uniform in black and purple, and knocking at the door.]

Madoka? It's Raven.

[ It only takes a moment for Madoka to open the door. And when she sees it really is Raven like she expected, she gives the other a smile. It's very small, and it's obvious that Madoka isn't exactly feeling 100% over here, but it's still genuinely meant. ]

Hi, thank you for coming over.. You can come in.

[ She moves away from the door a little so the other girl is able to walk into the cabin. ]

[Honestly, the small smile did a lot. If nothing else, it reassured Raven in many ways she was reading the other girl right. And still reminded her of Starfire, even though Madoka was much less energetic.]

So, what are you feeling? Yes, I can tell--but it'll help to specify it.

[Simple steps in, and Raven took a seat on one of the benches. Probably rude, but she brought her legs up and crossed them, like her usual mediation pose. Then, reaching up and pulling down her cowl.]

You're going to want to sit, and be comfy and relaxed, but not so relaxed you can't focus. We'll start by breathing.

[As an example, Raven took a deep breath or two in and out herself. Murmuring her mantra silently to herself, and starting to project calm and peace. Calm and Peace.]

[ Madoka doesn't show any signs of thinking that Raven just picking a place to sit down by herself is all that rude - because she just doesn't think it to begin with. It's far from Madoka's pure heart to ever judge others for that sort of thing, really.

So without saying anything about that, she just takes a seat opposite of Raven. ]

O.. Okay. [ Madoka is trying to listen to the other girl's advice, but it's kind of hard to be relaxed right now. There's still a lot of nervous jitters going around inside of her right now from the aftermath of the inspection. ]

I, um.. I guess I feel a little nervous..? That inspection felt really weird to me, and I haven't felt the same as before since then..

[The seat isn't so much the problem as her boots. But oh well, one thing at a time.]

That's alright, as you're not alone. The inspections were weird, and not handled well in my opinion.

[Raven kept her voice calm and steady, but warm.]

For now though, Madoka, just take a deep breath, with me. In, and out. We're going to focus on breathing, and it's okay. It's just you, and me, and we're safe.

[Hoping that the other girl would follow Raven's example and breathe deeply with her. Still projecting that calm and peace and safety, seeking for the 'feeling' of the other's nerves and fear.]

Just focus on me right now, Madoka--and on those deep breaths in, and out.

[ Although she practically radiates uncertainty about whether this is going to work or not, Madoka is still willing to put in the effort of listening to the other and trying it out. It's the least she can do when the other came over here for her. ]

Alright, I'll.. I'll try.

[ So she closes her eyes - hoping that makes the calming down part easier - and starts slowly breathing in and out.

At first it doesn't feel like it's helping much, but then it seems that at least some of Raven's calm seems to reach her, keeping her thoughts from racing as fast or getting her all worked up. ]

[Raven wasn't a smiler usually, and she didn't smile now. But there was more warmth in her voice.]

You're doing fine, Madoka. Just keep focusing on your breathing, and on my voice. I can feel your nerves, and it's okay.

[Keeping her voice calm still, even in tone, with that warmth still. Maintaining that aura of peace and calm, Raven let part of her focus sharpen around Madoka's fear and nervousness. Gently, reaching out with the feeling of dark-feathers.]

I've extended a mental 'hand' of sorts your way. Don't worry if you can't really 'feel' it, like a real one. If you can sort of 'reach back' for it though, it'll let me help you more easily.

[As Raven had mentioned, she didn't use her Empathy without permission unless it was an emergency.]

Let's see.. [ She mumbles, still with her eyes closed.

There's a bit of relief within in at just those simple worlds - "it's okay." It doesn't take away Madoka's nerves all by itself, but just some simple reassurance does make them a little less overwhelming. And at the very least it gives her the courage to try and lean into the mental feeling Raven is sending her way, despite the description making it sound a little daunting.

But it actually goes easier than Madoka could ever have imagined. Having such a great potential for magic means it's easier to let it - in its many forms - in as well, and it takes only a moment before Madoka's mind seems to be reaching for what Raven is sending her way. ]

I.. I think I can feel something.

[Raven honestly wasn't surprised, considering that capacity for magic. It was actually kind of scary and she was making mental notes. Not least of which to keep an eye on Madoka, and maybe try and teach her shielding.]

Well, if you can--that's a good thing. I can definitely feel you reaching back.

[It really did feel almost like a hand-reaching out and clasping another. Raven's presence was calm and cool-dark and disciplined. Shielded, controlled--and dark feathers. Lots of dark feathers. Sliding around Madoka's anxiety and nerves and seeking to place those feathers between her and the dread, the anxiety, the nerves. Insulating the other girl from the effects.]

Just keep focusing on your breathing, you really are doing well.

[ If Madoka got a Homura-like impression of Raven earlier, then that sure is happening again now. That feeling that she's getting from her like this really seems like what she expected Homura back home to be like at first too, far before she figured out that girl was carrying more than just calm inside.

She tries to not let it distract her too much though, too worried about messing some part of this process up. Madoka just keeps breathing the best she can, feeling Raven's emotions mingling with her own. ]

Really..? [ The last statement seems to surprise her. When you always assume the worst out of situations, it's a surprise when you do something right. ] Thank you.. In that case, I'll try to keep it up.

[Raven being like Homura might end up being more accurate than Madoka thinks, albeit for different reasons. Really though, Madoka is doing very well and Raven will be making sure to keep an eye on her quietly anyways. Given that magic potential....]

The breathing itself, and focusing on keeping it all steady? That's often a basic technique in many schools of meditation. It can be helpful on its own. What I'm doing besides that, since you're allowing it, is placing my own influence and self between you and the unwanted emotions.

[Still calm, but offering what she can to explain. Especially since she's pondering teaching Madoka to shield at this rate.]

That mental 'hand' you accepted, is allowing me to form a link enough past your own shields--everyone has their own very basic ones--and be more effective. A mind can be very difficult and delicate. But, you should be feeling a 'cushioned' from the dread and paranoia.

[Still calm, but Raven is planting seeds now with the hope of helping Madoka later.]

[ It's all a little difficult to wrap her mind around. Despite having seen actual magic and monsters, Raven's powers aren't really like anything Madoka has ever heard of, let alone experienced, before. But she can at least understand the gist of it as Raven explains. ]

I.. think I'm feeling something like that. Like I'm slowly starting to feel a little less worried.

[ Which she hasn't felt ever since those inspectors showed up. ]

So you're the one doing that?

[Fortunately, Raven had a strong and solid training in magic. Even if her powers alone weren't quite magic, it meant that she was used to working within that training and could adapt. She's glad to hear that Madoka has picked up on it and is understanding the explanation.]

That would be me. My shields and control are stronger and I'm more trained, so its easier for me to deal with feeling the fear and paranoia. Which is why I'm cushioning you from it, while helping you calm down in general.

[That was what the breathing was for after all and getting Madoka to focus on that.]

Think of it like medicine--your body would be fighting this infection of fear on its own, but medicine can help give you a boost and make it easier for your body to fight it. I'm the medicine right now, in that analogy.

[Madoka should definitely be feeling better as Raven just continued to wrap the fear and paranoia that didn't belong and was overwhelming in her own energy. Those dark feathery-feelings, insulating and pulling the worst of it all away from Madoka so that her own emotions didn't have that extra pressure.]

I can set this, so that you won't need me here for a while--but it will eventually wear off without me here directly.

I guess that makes sense.. If it's like medicine, then medicine also fades away after a while, and then you need to take it again if you still don't feel better.

[ Apparently that was a good enough analogy that Madoka understands it, carefully nodding along. Now she's focused enough and the feelings start to feel more and more distant, she even opens her eyes so she can look at Raven. ]

B--But it's okay. If those feelings come back later, then I'll do my best to handle them. I don't want to take up all your time, that'd be rude.

[Raven hadn't needed to close her own eyes, given that she'd been trained in all of this while young. Her cowl is down, and dark purple eyes meet Madoka's pink. There's even a small hint of a smile at the corners of her mouth.]

Well, I'm hoping to help you with the basics of it--so you can try and handle them. But if they do get stronger, or you're not sure, please call me. Having as many people as possible not adding to all the fear and paranoia helps me be calmer too.

[ One could ascribe it as an effect Raven's powers are having on her to take away her worries and bad feelings, or you could say it's exactly because the other girl is smiling at her.. But the moment Madoka sees that smile, she starts to smile in turn right back at Raven. ]

.. Thank you. It's so sweet of you to help people like this..

[ Even if Raven says it's helping her too because she's picking up less bad emotions from other people then. She's still helping people out in the end, and that's what Madoka finds so admirable. ]

Do you really think I could do something that amazing though? I'm not nearly as cool as you seem..

[Raven doesn't smile often, and even more rarely is it a big one like other people would give. So even though it's small, it is a good sign. Madoka reminds Raven of Starfire in the best ways, along with her other friends. She'd probably like the titans, and Raven kind of wishes she could have Madoka meet them.

It's a lonely thought, but also comforting too.

The comment about being sweet though, has Raven shaking her head in the negative, and then ducking her head shyly.]

I just...it was not pleasant during the inspection. I don't want that to happen again.

[Her having to flee, besides that she doesn't want to feel that fear and dread again herself, never mind have OTHERS feel it too.

Madoka thought she was cool? That just makes Raven glad her head was ducked. Usually she was more 'creepy' than called 'cool'.]

Most anyone can at least learn the basics of how to calm down and lightly shield themselves, whether they have further talent or not. It just requires the right training and teaching. So, if you were interested, I was going to try and stick with that at first. The training is mostly to make oneself aware and on guard and less likely a target, so to speak. Kind of like how if you know you're going to be doing something dangerous, you prepare yourself by being more alert.

[Although Raven was absolutely sure that Madoka could learn more. Especially since she nudged-gently at the other girl's energy; tying some dark feathers and that cushioned and packaged fear-and-dread up further so that the effects would last for a bit even without Raven there. It was a matter of transferring the 'power' so to speak for the cushion, from Raven to Madoka's will.]

If you say anyone can do it, then I'd like to try..

[ "Try" being the keyword here, since Madoka feels like she somehow must be an exception even if anyone could do it - the problem of having low self-worth, really. At least the thought doesn't make her feel bad in the moment with Raven keeping her more negative feelings at bay. It just feels like a neutral fact instead. ]

I mean, that'd be better for you too, right? The more people can do it, the easier things for you would become.. And I want to make sure you're comfortable while you're stuck here like the rest of us.

[Madoka is doing the impossible; there is a very quiet chuckle from Raven. Barely heard.]

I am certain you can do this, Madoka. But for now, I've managed to make it so that I don't need to be here for you to continue to feel alright. Like I mentioned with the Medicine analogy, it will wear off after some time. For now though, I want you to enjoy and relax. This was a stressful time for all of us.

.. okay. I can do that. [ Especially now Raven has helped her. With all of those nasty feelings tucked away, her head does feel a lot clearer and lighter - like she really could just go and calmly do some things now. Maybe some chores. ]

Thank you for your help though. I won't forget it.

If the feelings start to come back, or even if you just need a moment to think or calm down, then focus on your breathing. In, and out, in even measure. It'll help.

[Raven pulled her cowl back up after offering the encouragement, before getting to her feet.]

And if you want to, you can call me again. I don't mind, and it will be good practice. Once the fear and paranoia are gone entirely, maybe...you'd like to meditate with me sometime?

Of course.

[ It's apparently not something she has to consider for long, considering how quickly Madoka answers. ]

I'd love to spend more time with you. [ Whether it's while doing meditating, or other things.. Anything is fine with her. ]

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[Video]---Everywhere--OTA

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