staysilent | August 2021 - Stuck in the Nets

August 2021 - Stuck in the Nets

Stuck in the Nets

The strange whispers at night have persisted throughout the month of August, only growing stronger with time. Whatever is out there, it's searching for something. Or perhaps someone?

But that is a secondary worry today. The biggest problem on hand is that something large appears to have gotten caught in one of the sea nets. It's hard to tell what it is at a distance, but it's trashing about and getting tangled up in the lines. Something needs to be done about this before the creature destroys too much of the netting.

But also, Otherworlders should move cautiously. As they go to investigate, they'll find that the air is still and lacks the ambient sounds usually found in nature. There are no bird calls, no buzzing insects, nothing. Just the sounds of splashing.

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I guess. [She climbs onto the shore and starts wringing out her cape.] It feels useless not to be able to do anything, but I don't want to put any of you in danger. I have to protect you all.

[He lets out a raspy laugh, almost silent.]

You don't... need to do that...

[Definitely not for him. He doesn't bother trying to wring himself out. He'd have to take things off and that's not happening. Instead, he reaches for the bow and arrow he set down earlier when he went to fish.]

We don't have to... do nothing... we just need to... think things over more... See these...? These are something... that could help... guns... slingshots... spears... you want the distance... and you want... a group... people to... spot for you...

I don't know if I'd be able to use weapons... I can try, though. The thing is, I've worked hard to be able to control my powers to keep people safe. Now I have to use them to protect people, but here, it feels like no one wants that.

[His amusement dies out. He lowers his weapons back to the ground.]

... It's complicated... I don't know... about everyone... but some of us have... already seen people hurt... and some of us are... grown up too... we don't want other people... to be hurt for us... especially not a kid. The easiest thing would be... to tell you not to... get involved at all... But I know that... you wouldn't be able to stand that...

[He'd offer her a smile, but, she wouldn't see it anyway.]

We have to meet... in the middle... You know... that you can help... We know... we can't let you get hurt... We can find a way... that both these things... can work together... We protect each other... okay?

[An awkward, forced smile.]

I... guess with how this place affects my powers, I don't know if I'm always invulnerable. But I'm still a superhero, even if I'm just in training and new to it. Being younger than any of you shouldn't affect that. And I did get stuck in a wormhole on the way to Earth, otherwise I'd be an adult by now... wait, that's not gonna help the argument, is it.

It does... affect that. And no... it doesn't help... your argument.

[He'd give a real flat look if he could. He sighs.]

Powers... or no powers... kids are not... supposed to protect... the adults... But besides... Faust is magic... Rin fights demons... I... have experience with the dead... that none of you do. You're not being... sidelined... but... you're not the sole savior. You're a person... like the rest.

But I know that, Teo. I just feel like none of you will let me be part of the team. That's why I tried doing this on my own, since it was something simple and I didn't think there was much risk.

[He shakes his head.]

Not simple. Very risky. [But he's explained that already.]

I know you... feel helpless... right now... but we all do... I've been told no... maybe as much as you... We are a team... but it hasn't been the time... for any of us... that's not the same... as not being part of this.

You too? ...let me guess, it was Mr. Faust, right? I know he means well, but he's like that. A lot.

[He sees what you're doing!! Do not try to sway him!!]

Faust is... very wise... and in this case... he was right... He was the one... who found out the voice... was a troll... We would have... gone in trying... to rescue someone.

Edited 2021-08-26 05:07 (UTC)

I know, but... okay. Yeah. But we still can't just leave it there, either.

You're right... about that...

[If they leave it, it's going to tear right through eventually.]

We should... gather the others... have them bring... whatever weapons there are...

[He glances out to where something thrashes in the water.]

I might be able... to get a shot in... but only if... I can get close enough.

I could try and fly you over. Or make an ice platform! Though that might be hard.

[He's silent as he thinks it over. Both seem so risky... but they can't do nothing.]

We could... swim out... get close enough... You make the platform... I'll climb up... and take the shot.

[This is definitely risky.]

But... we should call... the others over first... If I fail... they can be ready... with fire...

Fire? I guess they would be weak to that... Think I could use my heat vision?

[how many superpowers do you HAVE]

How many... superpowers... do you have...?

[If you thought he wasn't going to incredulously ask, you were mistaken.]

Er... that might... work too...

Uh, super strength, heat vision, super breath -- that means I can hold my breath for a long time and I have ice breath. Immune to Earth diseases, but apparently not the Rash, which is weird, but I guess since it's only from this dimension. I can run fast and jump high, but I usually fly instead. It's also hard to hurt me, and apparently I age slowly now, though I haven't been on Earth long enough for it to show in any case.

It all depends on me absorbing energy from Earth's yellow sun, though. And if I'm under a red sun, like we had back home, then I'm basically just like a human. I also can't do anything against magic, and I could build up a resistance to mental suggestion like what happened with the troll, but I... kind of haven't. I never learned how. But I know I could! I mean, Kal learned somehow, and he grew up on Earth, so the art can't be lost forever or anything.

[He stares at her. He stares, silently, for a long, long moment, goggles reflecting her back.]

I... guess that's why you're super....

[They were just passing out powers and she took the whole damn basket, huh?]

Remind me to... ask about Kal... when we don't have... a big threat on our hands...

Okay. [She rubs the back of her head.] I know it's a lot to get used to. I made a lot of mistakes when I started out... and broke almost everything I touched... and crashed into the cafeteria on my first day of school.

[He smiles faintly behind his gaiter.]

Trust me... I know a lot... about getting used to... strange new things. I hope the cafeteria thing... didn't hurt too much...

It actually hurt the building more than it hurt me. I felt really bad about it, though.

[That makes him laugh.]

Better than building... than you...

[He glances back at the water.]

Let's make sure... you stay intact... We'll meet here... alright?

Got it. I won't get too close. Don't worry.

[And she won't! But she'll get yelled at anyway.]

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August 2021 - Stuck in the Nets

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