Second Unused Utility Belt | Video

[hellofist]

[Today, Cass is dressed like a normal person. She's sitting in the cafeteria with a mug of tea, perched in a chair with her knees drawn up to her chest and her oversized sweater pulled over them so she's just a blob of blue fabric with arms. Even the hood is up. With her chin on her knees and her eyes on the tea, she speaks to the comm quietly.]

Had all the words. Could make them, if I wanted. Could write. Talked normal. Was normal.

Couldn't see bodies talking. Didn't need. [Her fist comes up to rub at her temple.] Makes headaches, now.

Does that... happen a lot? Was confusing. Was not fun.

Comments

[takeyouapart]

What do you do when you need your mind taking off things, Cass?

[hellofist]

Punch things.

[Mostly punching bags. She hasn't made it to the gym yet, she's still in full sulk mode.]

[takeyouapart]

I'd offer to help with that but I'm hoping I'm not a thing you'd want to punch.

[hellofist]

[That gets a tiny smile.]

No. Only people I punch, bad guys. You're safe.

Private

[takeyouapart]

[He offers a slight smile in return, but it fades, and he switches filters.]

...

I can't tell you being normal's overrated. Or underrated. I don't know anything about being 'normal'. When the breaches have made me like everyone else, it's always made things...easier. The people I've turned into have always lived more peaceful lives, easier lives, than I have. They don't have to keep secrets or be afraid.

But if I had the choice, I know I'd choose the life I have, a life that lets me help the people I love. That's...that's how I deal with it now.

Private

[hellofist]

[As he talks, she just watches his body movements. She's never really considered if it's unnerving to people to have a conversation with her when she's paying more attention to the rest of their bodies than their faces, but it doesn't particularly matter. It does or it doesn't, but it's not going to change how she communicates.

And he says a lot. All of it is relevant to her. When he's done, Cass is feeling a lot better than she had been.]

Yeah. Better to... help people.