ataraxion | o2 || video

Guess while everyone else is admitting to things, I might as well do the same.

[ He sighs, once again unprepared for giving "speeches"; taking to large groups of people about important things. ] When I first spoke up on the network, I mentioned something about being hunted by the government. It's because back home a classified branch of Homeland Security knows about people like me. People with abilities. And they're trying to move us all somewhere else because we're dangerous. And then some of us are supposed to be shot to kill on sight.

[ 'Some of us' meaning him. But he's not here to complain about that. After another second, he continues. ]

Figured I might as well tell everyone what I can do. My ability is being able to... well, mimic other peoples. I don't know how it works when it comes to people from other worlds, I just know how it works with people from mine. I don't take anyone's ability -- steal it, I mean. It's just replication. I can do what anyone else can, but I have to make some kind of physical contact first. Soon as I touch someone else, the one I had before is gone.

It's happened accidentally before -- picking up someone else's ability. Probably because I can't-- [ he hesitates, somewhat strained ] I can't control it the way I used to be able to. Can't always control the abilities I pick up, either. [ And that's also a story for another day, but he's leaving himself open for questions. ]

But right now? I can fly. Not exactly the most useful ability to have on a spaceship, believe me, I know. But it had its uses back home.

[ And after an awkward glance off screen, he ends the feed. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Yup. [ CAN YOU HEAR THE 'WHAT IS MY LIFE' SHRUG PETER. CAN YOU. ] No, it's okay. It's not like you're crossing a line with that one, I'm a card-carrying member of the freak guild.

Hey, then you and me both are. [ JENNA IF YOU CAN HAVE THE WHAT IS MY LIFE SHRUG, SO CAN PETER. ] Might not be a vampire, but i've got more than my fair share of... [ what word should he even use ] I don't know. Differences.

Did they ever get the handbook to you? Because mine's been 'in the mail' for ages, I'm starting to think it's a scam. [ SHE'S DECIDED: YOU ARE A COOL DUDE. PREPARE TO BE CONSIDERED A FRIEND, NO TAKES BACKSIES. ] I read. That's gotta be tough.

There's a handbook? Must've forgotten to mention that part, I never even got a brochure. Probably because I sort of asked to join the club. [ IS THAT A PROMISE??? BECAUSE HE NEEDS MORE FRIENDS, PRONTO... but he sort of shrugs, trying to dismiss his ridiculous life. ] Could be worse.

Looks like we both got screwed-- I never asked, either. [ yeah, imminent adoption. ] I was a pretty normal grad student, once upon a time. Before 'vampire in space' became my normal.

It can always be worse. And the company's not bad.

Probably got lost in the mail along with the book on how I was supposed to survive high school. [ he's always needed someone to adopt him.... ] Yeah? I used to be a pretty normal nurse, that was almost a year ago now, though. Pretty sure normal's gone for good, though.

Company on the ship, you mean?

I figured that one out on my own-- cut class and smoke under the bleachers. No handbook needed. [ jenna may be a budding vampire alkie but she's a really great aunt, at least. ] A nurse, huh? Any interest in picking that back up? Because as the resident assistant headshrinker, it's my job to poach new medical staff and make them sign up with Dr. Watson. [ not her job at all even a little. ]

It was actually a subtle compliment, but that's the general idea.

o2 || video

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