voidtreckerexpress | Video--->Action in comments. Imagination 21--Late

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Video--->Action in comments. Imagination 21--Late

[The screen flickers on in one of the sleeper cabins, showing Raven.]

So...exciting day, huh?

[Because that's not an awkward way to greet people, really.]

Anyways, I'm sure a lot of us have far more questions than answers at this point, and I can't help with that. I can help with something Lightening approached me about at the meeting. My name is Raven.

[A pause.]

I was on the train before--although I don't remember leaving--and I'm back now. Some of you may know me, some may not.

[Not the point Raven, get to the point.]

I have some experience with matters similar to what some of you experienced on Jema'Grathy, which is what Lightening asked me about. I may be able to tell you some more about the weird bond some of you experienced. I'll be in one of the Quiet Cars, with tea, if anyone wants to talk about it.

[That's her point.]

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[Eva's gonna take you up on that, Raven. More so as a form of a distraction than anything.]

You do know you're probably going to get asked at least once about breaking it, right?

[Not that she would try herself; as far as Eva cares, that's asking for trouble.]

[Raven has set up in one of the upstairs quiet cabins. She has a tea pot and a few different cups, including one for herself. Meditating, but the door is open so she can be bothered. That was the whole point of this, after all.

So she's not too surprised to find Eva coming to talk to her.]

I suspect so, and the honest answer is? It'll require more research. Without being there or having direct experience with what you all did myself, I can only do so much.

[Just let Eva bask in the floaty meditating for a second or two before she shakes her head and takes a seat.]

Honestly, if the bonds work anything like they do back home, breaking them would just be begging for Trouble of the not-fun kind.

That and I think it was a subconscious choice that was made at some point during the memory share. Maybe even during the final one.

[~~Raven was feeling extra today.~~ Raven meditates a lot, both the floaty-and-non-floaty-kind. Letting herself take a proper seat, she reaches for the tea.]

Again, I'd need to know a lot more about the planet and what happened in detail. Lightening was only able to give me the basics. It could be something subconscious some of you accepted, it could be that something among a few of you was more receptive than others. Otherwise maybe everyone would've experienced it. I don't know, without more research. I was just asked about the bonds, since I have experience with similar things.

Of the people to people kind, yeah? [It's more looking for confirmation than an actual question.] I've had experience too, but that's with pokemon not people.

[A sigh as she leans back.] True, true. As for details... It started with a brief memory shortly before we disembarked. It was enough to have a number of us just... blank out for a few seconds as we viewed it. I won't tell you what I saw from Senku -that's his prerogative alone- but he got the memory of my morning argument with Satoru over a book... the same morning before I was dragged here.

Of the people-to-people kind, yes.

[Raven felt it important to confirm that first. Holding up a cup in Eva's direction, quietly asking if she'd like some tea as well.]

So the memory was from before you became a passenger. I wonder if the other's memories were also from before they became passengers.

[She'll take it and wrap her hands around it like it's liquid gold. It might as well be, though.]

Within the last day, I'd say, so right before... As for the others, I can't say I ever asked. It seemed private, you know? Plus not everyone came from good places, so...

[There's an awkward shrug.]

No, I wasn't asking if you had. I agree that this is usually something people want to remain private. My own experience involved some involuntary memory sharing on my friend's part, but I did my best not to look if I could help it.

My bad, sorry. [She means it too.]

Ahh.... Yours came with context, then?

You have nothing to be sorry for. Mine was something I initiated, and was temporary to allow me to see through my friend's eyes in a way. He was sick, having been poisoned by a hallucinogenic toxin to see one of our greatest enemies everywhere, attacking him. It was to the point that he believed it so much he was hurting himself--which is why I initiated it. It was less meant to be sharing of emotions and memories, than a way to help diagnose, in his case. We couldn't convince Robin that Slade wasn't really attacking him, and he couldn't convince us that Slade was.

How I initiated this contact also was different than what Lightening told me happened to you guys, not the least of which I asked Robin. I made it clear that we were extremely concerned for him, but if he didn't want it, he could say no.

The memories I caught glimpses of...were less related to the matter at hand so much as just things that were strongly imprinted, that were tied deeply to who Robin is. But again, I tried not to look or pry.

[Eva's silent for a while as she processes everything that's been said so far, and by the time she's done listening, the most burning question on her mind is:]

... It wasn't permanent, was it?

[She has to ask, even if she wouldn't change what happened for the world, not when it's become part of the collective that makes her who she is.]

It wasn't, although Robin and I were certainly closer after doing so. We felt a bond of sorts, although it was more of the kinship-friendship-type. We were already friends though, before this, so it just made it stronger.

...it's good to meet you, Ms. Raven.

[ Mami is here! Her expression is pensive. ]

I have one of the emotional bonds. What I want to know, I guess...is how I can better help my partner. We experience strong surges of each other's emotions, but is there a way I can help her calm?

[Raven has set up in one of the upstairs quiet cabins. She has a tea pot and a few different cups, including one for herself. Meditating, but the door is open so she can be bothered. That was the whole point of this, after all.

Raven remembers Mami, at least by face if not by name. One of Madoka's friends, if she recalls what she'd heard from the other girl.]

It would depend--but with training you could learn to focus and project along the bond probably.

Then...I'd like to train, if that's possible. I'll repay you! I'm a decent cook, but if food doesn't interest you I'm sure there's something else.

[ She's still solemn. ]

My partner is often upset. It's an upsetting situation! And I want to help...and at the same time, I don't want my troubles to worry her too much.

Think about what you're asking.

[Raven moves from her meditation pose, to take a proper seat. Pouring tea, and offering the other a cup.]

You'd want to force an emotion on someone without their permission--that wouldn't be helpful. That's what would happen if you choose to project emotions. Right now, it's just accidental and when it's strong--correct?

[Raven has projective empathy, and while it can be very useful, it also requires someone to be responsible. There are ethical and moral considerations after all.]

I can teach you how to shield, so that you're not accidentally projecting as much. It will still depend on your control, and your will and focus.

Ah...oh, you're right. I'm sorry.

[ A small bow. ]

Okay. I can learn to shield, for her. So I don't worry her unnecessarily anymore.

This is all new to you. Ethics can be tricky when you're not used to having to think about it.

[Aka no apology necessary.]

When would you like lessons? I can start the basics right now, as it'll start with meditation.

[ After a bit of debating, Kitty finds herself in the Quiet Car, looking for the girl who'd spoken over the terminals. When she finds her, she hesitantly approaches and clears her throat. ]

Hey, uh...Raven? My name's Kitty.

[Raven had kept the door unlocked, and chosen the quiet cars for both privacy, but also to be easier to find. She's meditating, but expects to be interrupted, thus she's not surprised when Kitty shows up.]

Hello Kitty, it's nice to meet you.

[There is a teapot and various mugs, including one for Raven, set up inside as well. Her voice is calm and slightly deadpan, like usual.]

[ She manages a faint smile, and while she isn't really much of a tea drinker she pours herself a mug, offering to refill Raven's mug if she wants. ]

So, uh...you said you've had experience with being bonded to people?

[Raven appreciates the refill, as she takes a seat.]

I'm an Empath. I was also raised by the monks on Azerath, who taught me magic and how to use my powers. Lightening approached me to ask me about the bond, as she thought I might know more. My one experience with an empathic bond was voluntary between myself and my friend. He was very sick, hallucinating and hurting himself without realizing, and nothing we could say would convince him it wasn't real. So I asked him if he'd let me see through his eyes--which involved a slight empathic bond and sharing of memories. I did my best to not look or see anything except what he was 'seeing'--which helped us figure out it was truly a hallucination. Brought on by a toxic powdery residue we hadn't noticed on the mask before.

[ She gently blows on her cup before taking a small sip. The tea is a bit bitter to her taste, but she takes another sip anyway. ]

Has...that bond ever been...broken?

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Video--->Action in comments. Imagination 21--Late

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