psychic_effective | M'gann 001 [Video: New Bark]

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M'gann 001 [Video: New Bark]

[It's a confused jumble of images when the video feed first turns on. The camera gets jostled every which way, like the person holding it isn't used to managing a phone with just her hands. A set of pale fingers cover the screen for a moment as well, before she picks out what she's doing and pries them away.]

"Is this...Okay, hello, Megan! Now I think this is how it works-"

[A second after saying that, a face finally comes into view. A now Caucasian and very normal Earth-girl M'gann looks at her new almost-like-Earth phone, trying to keep her face fixed in something curious and friendly...But there's plenty of other emotions flickering up in the corners of her eyes and mouth. Mainly confusion, uncertainty...And maybe even a little panic, from how tightly she's clutching the device.]

"Good, I finally got this working! Um...Hello, whoever is getting this? My name is Megan." [Might as well go with an Earth name for now.] "And I'm afraid I'm a little disoriented. But first I wanted to ask if someone happened to lose a...Well, a kind of intimidating looking horse? That's..."

[She really can't believe what she's about to say next, but a look over her shoulder reminds M'gann that her eyes aren't playing tricks on her.]

"...On fire? There's one that's wandering around, and keeps following me. If you need help finding it, I'd be glad to give a hand since it isn't wandering away from me."

[And sure enough, peeking out from behind M'gann there's a horse with a nice, bright mane of fire with its eyes fixed on her. And which M'gann keeps trying to shy away from, not noticing that there's an oddly worried look in those big eyes.]

"So, um...A little help that I could give or receive would be much appreciated?"

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[Wait. Wait a minute. SHE KNOWS THAT LAUGH. Very, very distinctly, point of fact. And even though M'gann still has a tight grip on the phone and isn't doing any chuckling herself, her expression does lighten up the second she hears and puts a name to it.]

"Robin! It's good to see you…And you're okay?"

[He sounds okay, at least. Though when she glances back at the fire-horse, M'gann loses some of that relieved look.]

"I think…It's a 'she,' though that's just a hunch, I guess? But what do you mean by that?"

[How do you explain "Pokemon" to an alien? His laugh gets a little weaker as he tries to figure that out.]

You may want to be sitting down. Did you get thrown out of a strange house by someone alleging they're your mother?

"That's…A really accurate question."

[And indeed, she's looking a little wobbly…Though M'gann stubbornly decides to remain standing. Since that also means she can edge away again when the pony decides to try stepping close again. There's a low, almost frustrated nickering when M'gann does that.]

"I mean, yeah; but that doesn't make any sense because my mother isn't-"

[Caucasian for one, and as M'gann thinks that she tries to let her skin flicker back to green.

And nothing happens. Okay, NOW this seems like a good time to settle into panic.]

"…Robin? S-something's wrong with my powers. They're not working right…I can't even change my skin color, and I know I can't hear like I used to."

Hear? Or... hear? The, uh, other hearing?

[Careful emphasis on that.

He's a little tripped up by that. He'd been slowly trying to regain his physical abilities with little improvement.]

Sorry, I should have warned you about that first. This place nerfs our particular talents. My stamina's pretty much shot, so's my agility, my balance is noticeably less than it was, and my flexibility is still above human average, but still not what I'm used to.

[Now that she's aware of it, her body feels almost…Unnervingly solid. When M'gann nods, she really feels the motion; all the bones in her neck, all the muscles, have a very set range on their flexibility and how malleable they are, and it's much less then what she's used to.]

"Y-Yeah, I mean-"

[With her free hand, and a shaky gesture, she taps her fingers to her forehead.]

"Telepathy. It's weird though. I thought I heard something earlier, when I arrived and was trying to listen-"

[Whereupon that horse gives another snort and stomps a hoof against the ground. Which at least does the job of jolting M'gann out of that initial panic, and back to focusing on the conversation.]

"O-oh. What about her?"

[Priorities! One thing at a time and all that.]

"It's just that I still don't know when it comes to her..."

Nothing too specific, I just wanted to make sure your experience lines up with mine.

[He's a little annoyed by it still; his mother is dead and he doesn't appreciate her being invoked, but anyway, moving on.]

That horse? It's a Ponyta. Ponyta are a species of Pokemon, aaaaand Pokemon are creatures you can catch and train in a, uh.

Video game.

[And because he knows that sounds insane, he rushes in the next part--]

They're-really-useful-actually. You can ride her, probably, presumably, I think? and I'll trek back and meet up with you. We'll find each other faster this way.

[As much as that rushed explanation bewilders her, M'gann latches onto one thing specifically as she gives the video her full, and very incredulous, attention.]

"Um, Robin? That…Sounds neat and all, but thing is it's a kind of small horse, and…"

[And it is on fire. Which for her has to be one of the ultimate dissuaders when it comes to close contact. As it is, she's kind of amazed she hasn't gone faint headed yet.]

"…And I'm not sure how comfortable I'd be with that much fire and heat. I've pretty lucky so far-"

[Unfortunately, with all her attention on the video and none on the ponyta-creature, M'gann doesn't really notice when a horse nose closes the gap and works its way into the field of her camera. Actually, the only clue she finally gets is when the ponyta gives her arm a lip nuzzle…And also brushes her skin with that mane.

The shriek M'gann gives when both those things register is equally impressive, loud, and really undignified as she goes scrambling back. She almost drops the device, and she's shaking from head to toe when she finally gathers herself-

And it's only then that M'gann registers there aren't any burns on her. And she hasn't gone catatonic or the like.]

"W-wait. Nothing happened?"

[Well, other then the ponyta giving her a supremely hurt look.]

Edited 2013-05-22 04:44 (UTC)

Well, obviously, when I said you could ride her, I assumed you'd assume that meant she wouldn't burn you.

[because RLY.]

Someone loaned me a Rapidash -- a grown-up Ponyta -- when I first got here, and I rode him fine.

Now that you've lost your powers, you must have lost your weakness to heat, too.

Maybe it's not that you've actually lost your powers, you've just been turned into a standard human?

[M'gann takes a moment to glance at her free hand, which is still shaking a lot. (First hand experience and advice or not, her adrenaline is still going strong.) When her fingers curl and relax, there's that same feeling as what was in her neck. Familiar, but…Strangely more limited then what she's used to.]

"Maybe…?"

[She looks between the screen and the ponyta, looking thoughtful and apologetic in equal turns.]

"That would explain why nothing happened…And why I only got that flicker of someone from before. I guess this…Sort of feels like what I'd imagine being a normal Earth person would be like? Kind of?"

[You know? Now that they've covered all of this, M'gann has decided that she will be sitting down. And the grass looks like as good of a place as any.]

Most humans wouldn't get even that flicker.

[Whatever. Maybe it takes a little time...]

I couldn't tell you. It's just... being, for me--I warned you about the sitting thing.

[Anyway--]

In sum, we're basically in a video game. Our only means of protection are the Pokemon themselves. You can catch and collect more as you go. I've got five with a sixth on the way.

[He shifts the Pokegear down, showing the egg on his lap.]

"But I'm really sure I picked out something when I got here. I-I mean, yeah, I know I panicked a little and tried scanning when maybe I shouldn't, but-"

[She can roll with a few of these punches, but that faint spark in her head and Robin's info on how normal people wouldn't even get that...She can't help but focus on that.]

"...Do you think I should try again?"

[Between her new surroundings, and her memories of what happened the last time her telepathy was pushed, M'gann is more then a little cautious. She gives the PokéGear an uncertain look, waiting for advice or confirmation, one way or another.]

Absolutely.

[He says it even as he's making he's breaking up his camp outside of Violet City.]

Seriously, any advantage you have, press it. Anything that'll make you feel more at home.

"Okay, okay. I-I guess that would help?"

[Maybe? It's not like there's any hostile invasions or simulations going on right now, that she knows of. Still, M'gann takes a glance at the sky again, just to check. But there's no predatory black shapes overhead, no clouded sky…Just something blue and relentlessly hot. Shutting her eyes, she takes a breath, focuses-]

'Hello again. Are you well now?'

[That's A LOT more clear then just that whisper she got the first time. Before, it was like something was speaking to her through a closed door and several layers of muffling blankets. But when M'gann sits up straight and blinks her eyes open, all she sees is that ponyta from before…

…Oh.

To her credit, it only takes her a second to make all the connections, complete with a startled squeak as her hands fly up to her mouth.]

"O-oh H'ronmeer. I think I know what I heard now. I can talk to her."

[Apologies for the finger pointing off screen, but he understands the gist of it, right?]

[Excuse him while he fumbles his precious ~~moneymaker~~ unhatched Meowth egg. He heard that, and then he stopped in his tracks, but the egg was still a victim of inertia, and he hadn't put out the fire yet, and his balance is shot, and he's toppling over and--]

Cubby, use Dig! Snuff the fire now!

Cubone bone!

[Cubby manages to kick up enough dirt to do just that, and Dick cradles his egg even as he drops his Pokegear.

Cubby, helpfully, grabs that for him, as he groans.]

"H'ronmeer?" Is that how you say "Oh my God, what the heck?" in Martian?

Edited 2013-05-23 06:49 (UTC)

"A-A close enough translation, yeah."

[She looks accordingly bashful, now. Sure, some of what happened wasn't within the scope of the camera, but M'gann has a pretty good guess of it.]

"Sorry...I didn't think before I spoke-"

'But still much better then screaming.'

[M'gann only just keeps her reaction under control. At least there's no startled flinching or yelping this time. And she sends a quiet bolt of apology and contrite feeling to the ponyta...Who seems to absorb the thoughts and emotions the same way someone might soak in warmth from a campfire.]

"I just didn't- I only talked with things other then people once or twice. And I didn't think I could really do that with normal animals...But I guess it's not a bad thing?"

[Because alarming as this is, there's something comforting about not being completely telepathically mute and blind.]

Edited 2013-05-23 19:06 (UTC)

[While she's doing that, he's hauling himself upright and checking his egg for damage. None. Phew. Okay.]

I don't think it's a bad thing.

[Not that you asked him, but...]

She might have some good insight.

[M'gann lets her breath out, and with it comes some of the tension in her shoulders. Okay; second in command doesn't think this is a bad idea or a bad turn of events. He'd probably tell her if this somehow could put any of them at risk.

It doesn't really occur to her that there might be a difference in time or events between the two, as she's already looking over at the ponyta for confirmation. It's not exactly like telepathy on Mars or between her teammates, but it's close enough; a flood of emotions and concepts, which M'gann works on translating.]

"She...She says we're partners now, and she'll help me out?"

[Well, that's actually kind of nice. Enough that it makes a smile flicker across her face.]

"Actually, she seems kind of impatient to get going. It sounds like starting on a route is really important."

Try the entire point of your existence, if this place is to be believed.

[He swings his bag around his torso to try and settle the egg into a little makeshift nest in there. Where is everyone? He's got his egg, Cubby just put out the fire-- ]

Uhh, team, role call?

[Cubby he recalls to his Pokeball and stuffs him in his bag. He can hear wings flapping, so that means:]

Johnny? Carmilla?

[The Woobat and Taillow both hover overhead, and for now, Dick decides to leave them both out. Flying is useful for scouting ahead, which just leaves:]

Carrie! Silena! Back in your Pokeballs, ladies. No tired feet.

[He manages to get them both in before Silena kicks a huge cloud of dirt at Caroline, which is a personal victory. He will celebrate it later.]

I'm glad you got a helpful one. [He smiles wryly.] Mine are a comedy troupe in the making, it should be-- shoot.

[He fingers his mask.]

I can't travel like this. I've uh. Actually been going by my real name here.

"W-wow. You've been building a whole team, it looks like!"

[She's equal parts bemused and grinning, but trades both of those out for surprise when he touches his mask. Though even with all the shocks (and high temperatures) she's gotten, M'gann clues into where he's going with the topic in quick order.]

"Well…Do you want to tell me what your name is? I know that Batman told you-"

[Actually, that might not be the most helpful approach.]

"That is…Whatever you feel comfortable with doing?"

[It's a split second decision. He's not comfortable doing it with those crazy new kids -- he'll have to bring them up -- but he's known M'gann a couple months now, and this is an entirely different situation. New world, new rules, and in order to simplify things...]

My name is Dick Grayson. Texting it because I've still got the mask on and I don't know what ears are where. I'm securing the line now, however, and we should be able to talk completely freely.

I should probably show you my face, too, huh? One's not so good without the other; I can't really go around in costume because I can't really disguise myself on the open network--too much of a chance I can be traced as using the same device. I've mostly retired my superhero identity for the meantime. I plan on dragging it back out once my initial arrival has faded from memory.

This is could be pretty complicated. Obviously, I'm not giving up the job, but it's harder this way. I have no toys. My utility belt was empty when I got here, and I left my cape underwater after Red Whatevero kept trying to drown me and Artemis. I doubt you'd want to give it up either =) But while you can probably fight without your powers (especially + Pokemon), correct me if I'm wrong, but... you don't have a costume without them, do you?

PS: kids from the future.

[When she finishes reading, M'gann finds her voice.]

"I like your name. And it's good to meet you again! In a more um…Civilian setting, I guess? Oh, and…Yeah, I don't think that I have my costume now."

[She takes a moment to focus on it, and that cloth on her remains motionless, save for the breeze stirring through it. M'gann is about to ask about the incident with the Reds; with everything that's happened, the attack on the base feels like it was years ago instead of months…But then she catches sight of that post script.

Her first thought is that someone from the TEAM has a kid in the future (and that leads to no small amount of red in her cheeks when she jumps to thinking about Conner…How would that even work with them, anyway?) and Robin has somehow met up with them.]

"W-wait. What do you mean by kids from the future?"

You like--

[Right. Alien. Eh-heh.]

Do yourself a favor and don't actually say that out loud. Ever.

[Please don't ask why, please don't ask why...]

It's kind of long to explain. Gimme a sec.

Two different kids showed up on here, asking for Robin, so I put my mask on and I gave them the thing. They were both pretty confused by my appearance-- it turns out they join the team in the future. One of them mentioned you, too. It's confusing and we'll probably have to regroup with them. Make sure we're all on the same page.

"Okay..."

[Just. Give her a second to process all of that. The revelation of future teammates isn't quite as bad as future offspring, all things considered, but still. She needs a second to close her eyes, take a breath and center herself...And deal with a little psychic boasting as her ponyta reminds M'gann again that they're a team now, and thus they've both got this.]

"I think I can handle all of this. At least, Flint seems ready to-"

[...

...Did she really just say that out loud? And without any forethought or even TRYING to process a name ahead of time?]

"I-I mean...I guess her name is Flint, then?"

Seems a little masculine to me, but you sound like you didn't choose it yourself. If she likes it, I like it.

[He's noticed, in his own way, that M'gann likes validation. Lord knows, he does, too. If she's getting psychic reinforcement, that's great-- he just pities Flint if they come up on another Bialya.]

I'll get more into the details on them when we meet up. We should probably get with them and regroup, but I want us to regroup first.

M'gann 001 [Video: New Bark]

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