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[softenedbyme]

[The message begins with a blue hand readjusting the device and the sound of a cleared throat. A face that matches the blue hand appears, yellow eyes wide with a mix of confusion, curiosity and caution.]

Has anyone with abilities noticed that they're...[Raven pauses, her eyes flicking off-screen with a sigh.] Different than they used to be? Slower

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[nowcomeforth]

Ah, yes. They've been suppressed. It's, well, ah, a bit disconcerting. And although I might be wrong, I... think it has something to do with the bracelets we've had put upon us.

[He's not sure how technology can cause such a reaction, but nothing is impossible.]

And I've already gained one, I think it's a relatively simple process.

[nowcomeforth]

You mistake my meaning. People kill. It's a terrible thing, hard to fix and hard to prevent, but they do none the less. So they do not wish to simply stun. Or stop.

[softenedbyme]

Humans can be terrible.

[nowcomeforth]

They can be, indeed. But they can also be wonderful. Any with free will have equal capacity for evil, and good. But the choices tend to be dependent on what is easy, what is convenient. Rarely what is good and right.

[softenedbyme]

I know. It's ... unfortunate.

[nowcomeforth]

Very much so, heartbreakingly so. There is only so much damage that can be controlled, only so many ways to heal the damage done.

[softenedbyme]

[And here she is sitting in some foreign city while the others try to prevent damage back home.]

It is heartbreaking.

[nowcomeforth]

But nothing is impossible, and there is always hope. For those who make those terrible choices, there are those who fight for what is good. And who make up for those who cannot or will not do what is right.

[softenedbyme]

We can only hope they'll make up for it.

[nowcomeforth]

You can hope, if you'd like. Hope is comforting, and good. But people like us, who feel the pain, who see the misery, should work to do more than simply hope. We can be part of what makes up for it, can't we?

[softenedbyme]

Not while we're stuck here.

[nowcomeforth]

And what makes this place less worthy of protection? There is good here that will suffer, if people do not step up and take a stand.

[softenedbyme]

There's a more pressing threat at home.

[Here seems to be safe. Home is on the brink of war.]

[nowcomeforth]

Ah, I'm sure. My world also holds a threat that cannot be denied, something that ruins and breaks and torments. But from what they say, our worlds and their safety depend on this world being protected. And in turn, ours will be as well. And if we can save our homes through saving this place, then I am willing to lay down what I can for this world.

[He struggles for words, but manages well in the end.] That might be a lie. We have no way to know. But I do know that if I can help, I will. No matter where we are.

[softenedbyme]

Who knows what they may do to us if we don't do what they brought us here to do.

[She would help too, though she isn't certain how helpful she can be when it takes her hours to shift.]

[nowcomeforth]

We should be careful in our dealings, I think! But I am not afraid of them.

[He's weakened as well, but he doesn't think it's forever. There's no suppression that can really keep his powers at bay for long, they're too much of a curse for that.]