eluvio | Project 1: [voice] un: hello

[The Eluvio definitely made him nervous, bringing back memories of a different highly technological setting, but Emil had already made the decision to keep his weird skull-like head up and carry on. That was all there was to do, right? So even though he was scared, he was not only going to wear the strange clothes they gave him and try his best at his first ever real job, but he was going to... try to talk to new people.

It still felt like a real accomplishment, even if he did feel a lot safer not using the video feed. He just didn't want to scare anyone..]

Hello, everyone! My name is Emil.

[There. A perfectly normal thing to say! He could do this. He was going to ignore his anxieties and be brave like his friends.]

This is really confusing, but... as long as I'm here, I want to help! I can use magic, and I can fight with it, so if anyone needs a helping hand, like in a dangerous situation... I could do that.

[He can feel himself growing more and more self-conscious, so he hurries to wrap it up.]

Oh! And... does anyone know where I could get some gloves? Really small ones?

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You can do that? Wait, does that mean it wasn't private before?

[He's not that concerned about it, but that's good information to have. It was probably deeper into the tutorial than he got out of excitement, but he was definitely going to have to read the whole thing at some point. If someone got it in their head to crosscheck his network conversations, they're very likely going to be extremely confused or have a much better idea of what he is.

Or both.

There's a bit of uncertain hemming and hawing on the other end, Emil sounding for all the world like a kid caught with their hand in the cookie jar and trying to think of a way out of it.

There isn't one.]

No... I wasn't. I'm sorry. I haven't had all of these powers for long, and there's so much of it...

I got really worked up and the weapon me took over and I lost control once. People died... a lot of people.

[His voice wavers a little, but he keeps talking.]

I'm so sorry...

It wasn't private before, no. Captain Andor wrote this encryption, so he and likely anyone else with the skill or inclination can read this... hello, friends! But when you activate it, most people will be kept from reading, seeing, or hearing what you say. Well, if they're not already nearby.

( It's an absent minded explanation for what he now presumes to be a magically gifted young man. Who is not completely in charge of his own skills, as happens, when... well, when these things are new. )

I don't think you need to apologise to me. Emil, what had you get worked up at that time? Do you have any training that you work with to improve your control, so things like that don't happen as easily?

( Please don't say they have a good natured magical nuclear warhead child on board, that would be entirely too appropriate to how things have gone lately... )

[That's kind of exactly what just happened. Sorry for your lots.

There's a delay before Emil answers. Thinking about what happened to the Aerie still hurts, and he sniffles and puffs a bit first as he gets himself back under control. His voice wavers a bit, but he doesn't sound quite as brittle as he did a second ago.]

Training? Um... I mean... if that was possible I'd be okay with it, but I don't think there are any other weapons here. Everyone I talk to just sounds surprised and kinda curious.

[Which he doesn't mind; it's been refreshing to get to talk to people and connect with them without fear.

But he's not sure how to go about getting control of those instincts. His effort to get ahold of himself last time was about like trying to hold back the ocean with your hands.]

( He rubs at his face, reminding himself he doesn't need to have all the answers, but as a community, they need to work on finding all kinds of solutions. This is just one more challenge to face. People are good at overcoming those, aren't they? )

We come from a great many different worlds. Which still feels incredible to say, but... it's possible that one who uses magic from another world may be able to help you learn how to work with the talent you have. Are you saying that trying to train will only work if you're... well, training can be done in all different ways, for a sport or something like that. Is magic so different?

Y-yes?

[He doesn't sound too confident in his answer, but he's quick enough to clarify.]

Sports are like... games that you really like, and that interest you, and that you want to get better at. Magic, to me, is...

[An unfortunate condition. A senseless accident, at the heart of it.]

...I guess you could say it was given to me, even though I didn't ask for it. And I'm just trying to figure out what to do now. As long as I don't get worked up and have to use a lot of power all at once, everything is okay. I'm not like a bomb about to go off or anything.

[But training? If there's even a chance that's an option...]

Do you know anyone like that? Like a... magic coach?

I know a few people here who work with magic and say they're well accomplished. If you want, we can try asking after anyone willing to work with you, and see if they're able to help.

( It's about the only way he knows how to tackle a problem like this. )

Other than that, what about working on how to keep you feeling calm and handling ... stress to not get worked up?

( He's fairly sure people can do that. It's not generally a problem he has, but it is for others, and he knows that much better these days. )

[He doesn't know what to say at first. His friends back home were always supportive, but they were jaded, world-weary fighters whose main solution to problems were to brute force their way through and never look back. Survival via momentum. They kept him going, but in a lot of ways they just weren't equipped to help.

As far as his weapon abilities went, he was more or less on his own.

The idea of having people to guide him, the chance to learn how to keep everything under control and never have a repeat of what happened then...

He's almost too nervous to hope, but he can't keep it out of his voice.]

Do you really think that could work? Would people really help me?

Hmm...

( he considers before responding, knowing that being flippant here might be dangerous for a whole slew of reasons his mind still can't quite wrap around. in the end, he chuckles, feeling immensely tired. he's not equipped to handle any of this.

so he'll muddle through, since he's not much of a quitter either. )

I think the only way we learn is by doing. It's not in anyone's interest to not help. Let's find who's interested in helping.

[Well, Emil can't argue against that point.]

Okay! Let's do it! But... even if nobody can, don't worry, okay? I can work hard on my own and figure some things out for myself, too. I won't give up, no matter what.

[And it's encouraging, just knowing someone's in his corner.]

( now that attitude is one that's easier for him to support; it's closer to how he thinks. giving up isn't an option. figuring things out as you go is sometimes the way you must move forward. he allows himself to smile, so that it changes his voice, letting him sound more upbeat when he responds. )

Good. I'll hold you to that. No giving up, no matter what.

[Some of it's just bravado, more of Emil's blind reassurance in the face of things not looking so great. But he really does intend to keep his magic in check, especially now that he gets that gutting the Eluvio isn't just a problem to anyone caught in the blast radius.

But Victor sounds less intense now, and Emil lets himself relax too.]

No way! I made a promise to someone back home. If I didn't do my best, she'd probably dropkick me into a lake!

[He sounds more cheerful than anything, though. Strong personality types, right?]

...Anyway, I should probably get going. I'm kinda hungry, and I have to go to work soon.

It was nice to meet you, Victor! Thanks for everything!

( ... that sounds like something Yurio would threaten. it's enough that Victor chuckles, waving at... thin air, since he's on an audio feed. )

Nice meeting you too, Emil. Take care of yourself.

( goodbye!!! )

Project 1: [voice] un: hello

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