[ video - anti-U.E. encryption courtesy of Steph ]

[hostage]

Yo, listen up. I dunno how close you guys been paying attention to the intel coming in about where the U.E.'s holding our people, but there's something really important we gotta remember before we rush in there:

You can't go in there if you got superpowers or magic or anything. They got alarms and shit. The second you step in there, they're gonna know about it, and then we're totally blown.

Which sucks, right? 'cause if you're like me, you wanna be with the rest of the group busting in there to save your friends.

Okay, here's the thing though. I got a superpower. And it's one I ain't talked about before, but I'm talking about it now, 'cause it's important. 'cause we're gonna need as many people as we can get on that rescue mission.

[He takes a deep breath. This is hard for him, okay, coming out like this.]

I can, um... I can take away powers. And I can give 'em back. And it don't hurt or nothing. You just turn regular, okay, like a normal human. Norm is what we call it where I come from. Or "non-powered".

So... So if you need to rescue somebody and you can't because you're superhuman or whatever, I'll be there and I can take your power right before you go in. And then I'll give it back as soon as you come out. I swear to god, I will.

If you got any questions about it, I can talk to you right now. So you're ready for it and everything.

Comments

private

[anklets]

[All well and kind words, but she can count how often kind words have held water on their own, and despite all she knows he has done in his time here (more than so many others, more than herself), there is still something of a glass wall between them.]

You really intend to devote as much of yourself to this place as you can...

private

[hostage]

This place is all I've got.

[And the U.E. has Saul. And he's helpless to do anything about it. Except for this.]

private

[anklets]

["What about your home?" but remembers Elmer's world, and thinks better of it.]

...Even if [ if, and she sounds like she's struggling, now ] you were to try and take what I have away, for the sake of helping others, I don't know if it would be something- either of us would be wise to try.

private

[hostage]

Nothing could possibly happen to me, no matter how strong you think it is. I've probably handled powers a hundred times stronger. And you won't die without it. That's never, ever, ever happened as long as I been doing this.

private

[anklets]

[ a laugh comes across, except her hands are shaking slightly with the possibilities ] Mm, I know I won't die without it. Getting it back, though...

private

[hostage]

What do you mean?

private

[anklets]

Do you mind speaking in person?

private

[hostage]

No problem. I'm in 409, if you wanna come by.

private --> action

[anklets]

[ 409, huh... another laugh- this one, at least, sounds like it was meant to be at herself ] I should be able to make it.

[ that's it for this feed, and he has ten or fifteen minutes to continue other conversations on the network before a knock comes at his door, and on the other side is a girl leaning on a crutch

presumably this is her?? ]

[hostage]

[Jesse's waiting for her, so the door opens immediately. He glances at her crutch and offers his arm to her if she needs it for support.]

Hey. Hey, come in.

[anklets]

[Not unkindly, she shakes her head and steps inside of her own strength. It's only the one leg she's favouring, and the crutch is more bittersweet reminder than actual help. At least, so she considers to be the case.]

Thank you for this. I hate those devices.

[hostage]

[Jesse leaves her be, then, leading the way to the couch instead.]

Yeah, no problem. I kinda hate 'em, too.

[At least, for talking about this stuff.]

[anklets]

[Sinking down onto it a little too gladly, and her ankle trembles a bit once the weight's off.]

So.. what I was saying, earlier...

[hostage]

[He takes a seat beside her, careful not to jostle around too much.]

Yeah?

[anklets]

See these anklets?

[ shifts her feet (well- the good one, at least), to indicate those rings ]

They're a weapon. Not the Initiative's weapon. "Innocence" is what we call it, and... [ heh ] it doesn't take kindly to its will being disobeyed. Such as when you might try and give its power to someone to whom it doesn't belong, even if it's done with- good intentions.

[hostage]

[Jesse looks down for a moment, but there isn't a whole lot he can tell by sight. Whether or not something will be a problem for him is only going to be apparent when he tries to take the power into himself. Luckily -]

Nothing's ever been stronger than me. And I don't mean that like trying to show off or anything. Gods and angels and demons and whatnot... Their power's just the same as anybody's power, far as I'm concerned: it can't touch me. I'm willing to bet Innocence won't do anything to me, either.

Now, when I give it back... I dunno. Getting it to you won't be a problem, I know that much. But if it's gonna hold a grudge or something, have a bad reaction - I never seen it happen, but maybe, I dunno. If if hurts you, I can take it back 'til we figure something out. But I'm guessing it'll be more like it won't even notice it got moved, since I'm putting it right back into you and not somebody else.

[anklets]

[Exhales, shakily. He speaks so confidently, and she doesn't think he'd lie about this, someone who makes cookies for new Transports and sits in the pouring rain every month to greet them, someone who has nothing else but this place...]

I made a vow... [ and to that effect, her resolve has not wavered, so: ] If it's to bring those people back, then I don't mind trying. Regardless of what happens, I won't let the United Earth hold our friends from us any longer.

[hostage]

It's totally up to you. There's lots of other stuff you could do, if you don't wanna do this.

[anklets]

No... I'll do it. [ wan smile ] I have a feeling there will be some people I'll need to keep an eye on.

[hostage]

[He nods and gives her a smile in return.]

Try not to worry, okay? I'll take care of you.

[anklets]

[That isn't something a lot of people have said to her, and that makes it a strange thing to hear, in these circumstances. For her, at least- she's sure her friends have heard it more than enough from her. She laughs, because that's the best she can think to do. How silly...]

I'm Lenalee.

[hostage]

It's nice to meet you, Lenalee. That's a beautiful name.

[He'd offer his own, but he's pretty sure everyone knows it by now.]

[anklets]

Ah- well... [ s proffered hand, this is a good way to distract from the slight pinkening of her cheeks ] It's nice to meet you, too. Officially.

[hostage]

[He'd kiss her hand like a smooth gentleman, but she's blushing enough as it is, so he just takes it in his own and gives it a light squeeze.]

Anything else I can do for you?

[anklets]

[Had- intended a firmer handshake, actually, but she shan't correct him any, just. Tamp down on that flush before it becomes truly blatant, and if she brings her hand back a little quickly, it's all uncharacteristic shyness. It isn't often a boy (or anyone, really) gets a compliment off on her, cherish this moment, Jesse.]

If you wouldn't mind my taking space on your sofa a little longer...? Right now, even just a few doors is longer a walk than my legs would like. [ wry ]