citynet | video; un: d.larusso

[ Though the video feed may be started with Daniel’s username, it seems like the man isn’t the only person visible when the message starts. Robby is right there next to him, the man with a friendly smile on his face and the boy smiling, though not as brightly. ]

Hello, everyone! As I’m sure many of you have experienced yourself, suddenly arriving in this place on the train can be more than a little disorienting. And though many people here are incredibly kind and willing to help, Robby and I thought that it would also be nice to have a place where new people can be directed to in order to get some information, a warm welcome, and some equally warm food. So we’re planning on clearing out a space somewhere near the main train station to turn it into a welcome diner of sorts.

We know people are arranging clubs and have regular meet-ups, [ speaks up Robby this time, ] so we thought they'd be a good place to advertise them. Let them know who's running clinics, who to ask about the kiosk or the city. Share what's happened here, too.

[ There's the faintest shift in Robby's tone at the mention of that, but he quickly adds: ] Oh, yeah, and we know there's been talk about how supplies are doing. The food's gonna be packaged and good to take out if people want it–if you wanna help with recipes, or help out with the idea in general, let us know.

[ Daniel is definitely smiling like a proud ~~dad~~ sensei the entire time he’s listening to the boy speak. Please don’t mind a man being very embarrassing, even ruffling his hair once Robby is done speaking. The highest form of humiliation a teenager can suffer. ]

Really, Robby deserves all the credit. He really does always have the best ideas. Everyone, make sure to befriend him, alright?

[ There's a very teenage huff from behind Robby, and the video feed is moving as: ] Okay, I think we're done.

[ Yes, that's Robby reaching for the phone to end the post. Freedom!!!! ]

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[ He was hesitant about asking anything too personal over the network -- not everyone's paying attention, but then anyone could be. Robby's curious, but some stuff -- can either be asked off network (or, you know, never). But he does give a small 'oh' about the mention of the team, thinks about it for a second; then, gesturing to the side of his eyes. ]

Not trying to sound like a jerk, but is the visor normal where you're from? Something other people have.

[ Different worlds. You never know. ]

[While these questions may seem personal, Scott doesn't mind answering them over the network. They feel generic enough to him; he's used to these questions after the X-Men became public figures.

He doubts that their hosts wouldn't know this about him and he's fine telling the other kidnapped people about this. He'll handle any wariness from others like normal.]

I'm pretty much the only person that wears this. It involves my powers-- I shoot optic blasts from my eyes.

[ Oh. ]

Okay. [ Said with a bit of a widened eye, baffled tone. Okay, so the guy shoots...optic blasts from his eyes. Okay! ] Cool. Good to know. Yeah, uh, some people were talking about powers before, but I don't know anything about them.

Anything to do with those, other people have to figure out. I know there was a problem with them.

[ Don't know if anything was found out, for obvious reasons. ]

[Cool.

Scott finds himself smiling slightly again because really, Robby's a good kid.]

I can't speak for the others, but my powers are weaker in this world. You haven't heard of the word 'mutant' be tossed around here before, have you? Don't have to name any names, but in general.

No? [ Though give Robby a moment, and-- cyclops, mutant--? ] Like as a codename?

[He's never quite lived a life where had to hide his status as a mutant. Alex mentioned what it was like before, but after Raven saved the president on national television, things started to improve for the better. There's certainly been ups and downs, with things tense right now, but it's never been about hiding. It's about making sure they can 'co-exist' and he's been one of the main faces for that.

Maybe that's why he's able to talk about it openly.]

I'm what's known as a mutant back home. A human with the X-Gene, it's why I have powers.

Oh. [ ... ] Funny name, 'mutant'. That on purpose?

[ Either Robby's issue with the 'mutant' word comes off as confusing, or that was a word picked with intention. And this is the second time he's heard about an unfavourable nickname for a people.

But maybe his cultural insensitivity is showing by being weirded out at all. Not every world categorises mutants under the horror genre, right? ]

[Funny.......

Well, he's heard worse. Scott nods, turning a little more stoic-- not cold, but he's in explaining mode.]

Yeah, I guess. [Guess he never really thought about it.] By the time I became a mutant it was the term commonly used. Charles-- the Professor always addressed us in that way as well. It never felt derogatory.

[ It's a dry 'funny', for what it's worth.

He does tip his head slightly, in place of a shrug. ] If you're cool with it. [ Then not his business. ] I don't know--but if anyone uses the word, you wanna know? I know there's people around with powers...

[ But not with the 'mutant' attached to it. ]

Yeah, I would.

[For a variety of reasons. He just wants to know of other mutants here, but also, making sure they're okay with their powers. That they're adjusting, especially if they're kids. It's his responsibility, even in this strange city.]

It's the first time I've seen people with powers that aren't mutants. [Scott gives a thoughtful pause.] Took a moment to adjust to.

[He doesn't feel the same connection to them, but it's not like he's disinterested either. Honestly, he's curious about it, just they're not like him still.]

First time I've heard of anyone with powers at all? Who weren't faking.

[ Now there's an amused -- if awkward -- note in his voice at his admission. ]

To be honest, I didn't believe any of it at the beginning. Some of the stuff I got told sounded like the person was screwing with me -- 'specially the stories that came with him.

Now it's just...a thing. [ A thing, he guesses. People with powers are real and they're around and that's where he is on the acceptance bar. ]

[He wonders what's like in those worlds, where mutants or people with powers don't exist at all. Scott can't remember a time like that, because he either was a mutant or was fully aware of their existence. What sort of struggles do those places deal with? Guess... just regular life?]

Must've been a shock, coming to a place where people can use completely non-fake abilities. [Scott responds lightly, but there's something understanding, maybe even sympathetic in his tone.]

I mean, people don't go around showing what they can do. [ Thus the taking a while to believe it thing, but there's amusement when he shares it. ] I dunno if they were hiding it. Maybe that's normal. Or there isn't a lot of use for them.

[ Which, you know, does beg the question: ] Is there a lot you can do with your--eye situation?

[ He called it a blast...?? But Robby has no idea what that actually means. ]

Both are reasonable assumptions to have.

[Blending in and all that, wanting to appear normal for as long as possible. Scott's heard all sorts of reasons by now.]

Not a whole lot. [He admits, but he doesn't seem bothered. Acceptance and everything, it's been almost a decade since he had his powers, so.] Pretty much does the same thing, but I learned to be a little creative. Maybe I'll show you some day.

Sure. [ It's a very perky sure, since when does a guy get to see someone do something with optic blast eyes?? ] You ever bored enough, I can show you how to do tricks on a skateboard -- my speciality.

[ Since superpower people can't have all the fun, here. ]

[Skateboarding tricks... there's something so normal about that it's honestly a little charming.]

I never really used a skateboard, so I might have to take you on that offer sometime. [...] Well, Robby, I'm sure that you have plenty of other people to talk to about your idea, so I'll get going. But I promise to be there when you need my help.

video; un: d.larusso

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