[IC CONTACT]

[photophobic]

You should know where to find me.
But if you leave a message here, I will see it.

Comments

[photophobic]

How do you feel about it. The outcome. What you did or didn't do. Or am I the only one expected to give up my secrets?

[timestones]

Not necessarily.

You don't... get this a lot, do you? Get asked how you're doing or how you're feeling just because someone is concerned about you for you. I'm not asking you to answer that, secrets for free and all. I get it.

[There's a pause, then a slight metallic creaking and the sound of wind in the feed, probably a window being opened. In the pause in Stephen speaking, it almost sounds like there's an ocean nearby.]

Honestly, it's hard to process what I feel about the outcome as it is. Seeing so many, the mind sort of breaks down to make holding the information possible. I mean, I have reactions to seeing them, mostly panic and a sense of urgency. But even though I know conceptually this was one of the better outcomes, there was a handful of ways it could have gone that wouldn't have resulted in total annihilation. We had options, that isn't always the case.

But because there were options, I can't really measure any sense of relief against another, or definitively say I'd have a preference for this outcome over another. And every result had sacrifices. There always is, it's just a question of what they were.

By the time this series of events was playing out, I already knew what I would be doing, what I was going to give up. And I knew what a lot of other people gave up too--different choices had different results. Put simply, it sure doesn't feel great, but it doesn't feel as bad as it could.

And we're still here to feel, aren't we? So for that alone, I'm grateful, just not content or jubilant. It's complicated and contradictory, like so many things are.

[photophobic]

[But you have no reason to be concerned for me rather than about me, he doesn't snap back irritably in the space he allows Stephen to fill with... he isn't sure. It isn't outright deflection? But it is all information he feels fairly certain is just... obvious. There's very little vulnerability opened up for him to jab at in all this.

But...]

It's important to you. Isn't it. Maintaining this... detachment of yours. This distance.

[timestones]

Not a singular sense. What, you think I can't multitask?

[Now That's What I Call Deflection Vol. 201]

[photophobic]

[Hello.]

No. I think you need to.

[timestones]

To maintain the detachment you think is important to me?

[photophobic]

[Does Kylo sound just a little more... satisfied? Confident?]

Well. I am just a mindreader. Which is like being an observer, isn't it? But more focused. More... intimate. Personal.

[timestones]

So how does that work? How do you map a mind? Is it in coherent sentences? In images? Memories? Is it through feelings? In a moment, or stretch out? How do you just read minds?

[photophobic]

Do you think in coherent sentences?

[timestones]

If you can do that across a device, why don't you give it a shot now and find out?

[photophobic]

If I could exert my power over the Network my enemies really would be in trouble, wouldn't they.

[timestones]

And is that what you think I am? Your enemy?

[photophobic]

I'm suggesting the Network might be a lot quieter, if I had the ability to use it as a conduit for my will.

Unless I am far more tolerant than they expect.

[timestones]

Probably best for everyone that isn't the case after all. You wouldn't just have to deal with what's put out on the network, but all the additional brain-noise.

[photophobic]

Mm. I would have to deal with it. [He... can't resist.] Wouldn't I.
But perhaps it's not so different from being an observer, as you are. Do you see all the outcome-noise? Or do you have to look for it.

[timestones]

I try and save that particular party trick for key events like New Years and the end of the world, so no, I don't see all the outcome-noise outside of very specific contexts.

But keep that under your proverbial hat, I like to appear as mystical and all-knowing as possible.

[photophobic]

Difficult, isn't it.

The quiet. More than the noise.

[timestones]

Different, not difficult. Now, at any rate.

But I don't think what we experience is the same thing.

[photophobic]

I wasn't talking about me.

[timestones]

[Stephen huffs a quiet laugh.]

Touché.

Do you feel like you're getting some secrets now?

[photophobic]

[There is a very definite smile in Kylo's voice now, slow and satisfied.]

I don't often work blind. But I think... I'm beginning to get the measure of you. Yes.

[timestones]

Well, we all start somewhere. Or think we do.

[photophobic]

Mm. And some of us don't like to stay at the beginning for very long. Tired of your housemates already?

[timestones]

Am I expected to bring them everywhere with me? I’d have to answer some awkward questions at the kids’ parties if that’s the case.

[photophobic]

[Really now. Kylo's just going to pretend he didn't even hear that attempt at deflection, considering you chose to contact him via audio feed on purpose, Stephen.]

What was it was about exploring your new home that reminded you to contact me, I wonder.