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[invis]

If you were a superhero, what would you want your power be? And would you tell anyone about it?

I used to read a lot of comic books.

[And by 'used to' he really means right before he came here.]

I guess I've just always liked superheroes. They have powers, gifts, things that make them special. But there's always pain too. They lose people that they love, or they have to hide their true identity. Their lives are never perfect.

Maybe I should've started by asking if you would WANT to be a superhero.

Comments

[sundroplet]

Is that a bad thing? A - freak?

[invis]

I don't think so. I think it just means that a person is misunderstood.

[sundroplet]

Maybe...maybe the person can help them understand. Right?

[invis]

Yes. I think that would be a very brave thing to do.

[sundroplet]

Thank you.

for...saying that. haha. I suppose it's an encouraging thought. Heroes are usually brave.

[invis]

Do you feel like a freak?

[sundroplet]

I -

[ she bites her lip. it is a Big Question. ]

Sometimes.

I think.

[invis]

You don't seem that way to me. You seem very nice.

[sundroplet]

Thank you.

But you - you sound very nice to me, too. So you're not really that either!

[ she smiles lifts up a small chameleon ]

This is Pascal and I'm>/i> Rapunzel! And we're both happy to meet you!

[invis]

[Simon finally switches to video and gives a nervous little smile.]

I'm Simon. It's very nice to meet you both.

[sundroplet]

So!

[ now that she can see him she'll inch a bit closer. ]

Why would you think people will call you that?

[invis]

I've always been different. Sometimes...it was hard for me to talk to people, even when I really wanted to.

And then there was a storm. It changed me, and I thought it would only make it worse.

[sundroplet]

A storm?

[ it sounds somewhat scary. Rapunzel only ever seen storms from the safety of her tower and her mother said they were dangerous, another reason to stay inside. ]

but it didn't, right! I hope it didn't. Make it worse.

[invis]

[Simon thinks about it for a moment before smiling.]

No. I don't think it did.

[sundroplet]

[ she smiles, looks down at her hair. ]

My mother always told me everyone will call me names, that they won't understand. I have this -- thing. And it's not even that bad but...

I guess it's hard to explain.

[invis]

I don't think anyone will call you names here.

[Well. Possibly Nathan. But Nathan calls everyone names.]

I'll listen to you. For as long as it takes.

[sundroplet]

Well, I think my mother said that to protect me because people have tried to hurt me before. I have this...gift and she told me when I was young that some tried to steal it for their own use.

[invis]

There are people who will try to do that. But I think it's because you're special, not because there's anything wrong with you.

There are lots of special people on board this ship. And people who would never let anyone hurt you.

[sundroplet]

[ she smiles a bit, brightens even more after a moment. ]

So! do you have a gift?

[invis]

I-yes. I can turn invisible.

[sundroplet]

Invisible! You can turn invisible!

[ joy of joys ]

You can turn invisible!

Can I see?

[invis]

O-okay.

[He gives a nervous little smile. He's gotten better at this, the odd little vibration gone. Now he simple fades from sight.]

[sundroplet]

[ a screech! ]

It worked? are you still there? can you talk?

[invis]

I'm here.

[He's smiling, even if she can't see it. He fades back into view a few seconds later so that she can.]

[sundroplet]

That's a really cool gift. I bet you're the sole winner of every hide-and-seek ever!