[OPEN] no reason to get excited

[hatejakku]

WHO: Finn & YOU
WHERE: Nonah, et al.
WHEN: Forwarded to Tuesday, 8/20, and the following days
WHAT: Finn's back with a new empath power
WARNINGS: n/a

A. Base One

Porting out was pretty terrible, Finn decided, especially if it usually came with powers like this. Thankfully, there weren't as many people at Base One as was in the city, but it was still more than enough.

But he was really, really trying to get back to normal. That included morning runs, going to work, and acting like he was fine. All things he'd normally do, just made 100x times more difficult.

He's been locked up in his unit a lot more. Today he was trying to distract himself. If anyone bothered to visit (the door was open due to forgetfulness and a racing mind), they'd find his kitchen a disaster area and Finn in the middle of it all, furiously stirring away at something in a bowl.

He's fine.

B. Nonah

Getting back to normal meant getting back to work. He was mostly trying to walk down the sidewalks with purpose, hoping to get away from everyone that much faster and not making eye contact with all the people he was passing by. Angry people, sad people, happy people- He didn't want to know any of them.

The aquarium was a little better when it was just him and the animals. Unfortunately, jobs are seldom that forgiving. Catch Finn behind the building, sitting against the wall, staring off into space on his lunch break.

C. Camping

The aquarium actually gave him an idea. Animals weren't nearly as complicated as people. They didn't get angry and sad all the time, they weren't delirious with happiness, and there was a whole lot less disappointment going on.

What has a lot of animals and no people? The middle of the woods! It's only for a night, just to have some fun, totally recreational. Is he telling anyone? Nope. That's how little of a deal it is!

It's not like he doesn't know how to survive in the wild. Good for his skills, too. So Finn drags about a backpack's worth of stuff a mile or so away from Base One (teleporting's fantastic) before he finds a spot that's quiet enough. He flops down amongst the trees, stares at the sky, and realizes that this is pretty bad.

So, yeah, he leaves again the next night.

D. Wildcard

[OOC: These are just some base prompts of what he's getting up to. We can go wild and do whatever! Ping me at linatrinch if you wanna plot something. I can post a tl for you with a special prompt, too.]

Comments

B

[made_up_names]

Aquariums should be quieter, shouldn't they? Except today, apparently, because Peter Parker's high school has decided to start the year off by sending its sophomore class off on a field trip. So that's like sixty high schoolers minimum, all meandering around broadcasting annoyance or boredom or hormones or whatever it is teenagers feel nowadays.

Peter is more in the politely bored category, though he appreciates getting the chance to see fish instead of staring at the clock all day? He really needs to figure out the paperwork to get himself moved to junior year. Being stuck here is just. Agony. And it's weird being the only imPort in his class at the moment; he hasn't really made any normal friends yet. So that's how he finds himself drifting off from the rest of the group, getting turned around, and - oh. He's outside? And here's ... um ...

He doesn't quite recognize Finn out of context like this, so his mind is all quiet puzzlement for a moment. And some sympathy too? "Hey man," he says. "You don't look so good."

[hatejakku]

Finn kind of lurches in place, nearly falling back. He'd gotten so used to sensing where people were that he didn't notice a regular baseline of sympathy through his exhaustion. He feels it now, though.

"Yeah. I'm fine. I'm good," he says, stumbling to a better posture. "Sorry, just, uh-... Are you lost?" He can do this. He can be a professional adult. Totally fine.

[made_up_names]

A professional adult, dealing with a normal teenager. Totally fine, right? And Peter's not even one of those asshole teenagers. He's not even that concerned he got lost. "Yeah, I got turned around I guess," he says, glancing back at the door. "Next thing I knew I was--"

It's about that point that he looks back at Finn and. Oh god. That feeling from Peter gets quiet, and then all of a sudden there's a massive spike of excitement coming directly from Peter. Sorry about your head, Finn; if Peter knew what you had he'd try to tamp it down. Finn has the awkward honor of being the first Star Wars person that Peter's actually met in person? He's seen the others, of course, but it's different talking to someone over the network and talking to someone in person. And he sort of can't cope? Breathe, Peter, don't freak out too hard.

"I - uh - I think I've seen you on the network," he says after a moment. "I'm Peter? I just got here a couple weeks ago."

That's it. He's just gonna offer his hand like it's no big deal. And meanwhile try not to vibrate out of his skin in excitement.

[hatejakku]

The excitement alone is worrying. The lie is worse. Finn can't remember the last time he used the network beyond the odd private text. Jadus, maybe? Yeah, that was a while.

He thinks he's about to be sick. That's not the lie. That part's the excitement.

"Peter." Should he call him out? Let it slip? Who is this kid? "I'm Finn. Ah... You're an imPort, too?"

ddddde chima

[adamantlyardent]

"Ugh, honestly...!"

Every day she tears these stupid band flyers off the display window, and every day more crop up. It's like they spawn magically after removing! Doesn't help that she can't see the perpetrators doing the deed when she's in the shop; part of the window display obscures body, and by the time she hears the telltale THOMP of paper getting slapped onto the glass, they've probably already wandered off. All the shops on this street get it, so it's not like it's targeted harassment...but it is annoying: If she's going to be managing this stupid shop, it may as well look nice.

By the time she feels a presence drawing near and not carrying on its way, she's already ripped the neon green page down and crumpled it in one hand, using her nails on the other to scrape at the strip of tape that was left behind. This is the part that annoys her most -- leaving behind unseemly blotches like that.

But that presence. Her ear twitches.

"We're closing," she announces. "So unless you have exactly what you're here to purchase in mind, I'm afraid you'll have to wait until Monday."

[hatejakku]

A lot of people had missed Finn over the last couple of weeks. More than he dared think they would, to be completely honest. Yet, out of Poe and Archie and Bean and all of his friends that missed him, only one wrote him a letter.

He really considered replying in much the same format but he wasn't very good at writing pretty things like that. Besides, he figured a reply would be better in person.

So, here he is, in person. "Cecelia?" he asks, taking a very careful step closer. His stride had slowed with anxiety (and her own frustration) the closer he got. "I'm back... I was wondering if we could talk?"

[adamantlyardent]

"AH! Oh-!"

Turning at the sound of her name came with interest, but the sight of Finn provides quite the palpable backhand of emotions -- one that, apparently, she is smacked with, too, as she quickly hides her face in her hands and holds her breath.

There's alarm first, then the indignation in being frightened, then fresh surprise at the sight of Finn that comes with a cocktail of joy and dismay...and shame! Gods, what a mess. She's already going red behind her hands to boot.

"Omigods."

She was very ill-prepared for this!

[hatejakku]

Finn leaned away with wide eyes as soon as her emotions hit him head on. That was a lot at once. "Sorry! Sorry, I- I didn't mean to scare you. I should have called or sent a text or something but uh-"

Rambling. He clears his throat and attempts to cool things down. "Hi." Attempt failed.

A

[killtime]

[ She isn't up here much anymore. Not since the whole thing with Archie, and definitely not since multiple things with Poe — even though they've smoothed things over a dozen times by now, she's always been the type to withdraw. It's easier than actually dealing with anything, anyway. But she's overdue for a little check in. The residents of Base One that frequent her small social circle have been at the epicenter of what can only be described as an absolute shitstorm lately.

As she trudges up the path from the woods, she has a paper bag in one hand and a cigarette in the other. It's dwindling already.

She wouldn't have even stopped, except the door was left open. Honestly, she probably wouldn't even know that this unit belongs to Finn. Seems odd though. So, against her better sense, she slowly leans inside, squinting skeptically as the scene before her sinks in.

Finally, deadpan: ]

...Is this how you live.

[hatejakku]

No!

[ It's said with a shout and a jump. He's not used to people sneaking up on him these days, but Andy's pretty calm. Slipped under his radar. Then, with sudden clarity, he realizes the state of everything. ] It- No. No. I- No.

[ That embarrassment is his, right?



Yeah, it's his. ]




Would you like a drink?

[killtime]

[ Flatly: ]

Got one.

[ She lifts up the brown paper bag, which does seem to have something bottle-shaped inside, judging by the way she holds it. ]

Would you like a drink?

[ Emotionally and physically exhausted as she is these days, she's pretty used to it by now. Seven thousand years, and most of it has been reasonably shitty. This kid, though? He looks like he's having a crisis. Nobody going about their day normally stirs with that kind of vigor. ]

[hatejakku]

[ ... He looks down at the bowl, cake dough well mixed several times over. Then he looks around the kitchen, noticing his own mess for the first time. Like, really noticing. ]

I think I should, yeah. [ He sets the bowl aside and starts digging in a cabinet. Didn't Archie give him some wine forever ago? He desperately needed it. ] Drinking probably won't help, but it can't hurt things worse, right?

... Right?

W-w-wildcard baby

[flightforfreedom]

He was at Base One when he got the call. It was a very brief conversation, all things considered, mostly because Finn had gotten two words in before Poe had yelled "I'M COMING TO PICK YOU UP," and then hung up on him, as you do.

He took the porter to Heropa and then flew as fast as his carpet would take him to Cape Canaveral, not even giving himself half a second to think or breathe. He spotted Finn - or what he hoped was Finn - outside the complex on the street, and made a bee-line for him.

Poe was still a few feet in the air, speeding towards Finn when he leapt from his carpet, stumbling and running the rest of the way up to the man. He didn’t say a single word, just dragged Finn into his arms and squeezed him tight enough to crack a rib.

He should say something, probably, but his heart had been pounding the whole flight here, and now that he could see - could feel Finn in the flesh?

It was going to take a hell of a lot to get him to let go.

[hatejakku]

The emotions hit him nearly as hard as Poe had, and Finn stumbled but caught himself. The onslaught was nearly overwhelming, but there was a whole lot of relief in there that made it bearable. "Sorry," he said, wrapping his arms around Poe to hold him back just as tight. After all, to Finn, they just saw each other.

At least he understood what this power was now. "Poe?"

[flightforfreedom]

"Don't apologize," He said immediately, squeezing tighter, his words muffled into Finn's shoulder. "I'm just glad you're back."

And that you remember. He didn't say that part. He didn't feel he needed to.

But at the sound of his name he released his grip just a fraction to pull back.

"Yeah, sorry, I'm just - yeah. Everything okay?"

[hatejakku]

No. Everything was definitely not okay.

He hesitated to answer for a beat before just pulling Poe back into the hug. With both of their emotions swirling in his chest, he wasn't ready to let go yet.

"I got a new power," and Poe really needed to know about it, considering the invasion Finn was doing right now. "It's... empathy or something. I can-" Dammit. He pulls away, feeling guilty and awful and all the things that aren't Poe's feelings. "I feel what other people feel."

D

[desmodusdraculae]

[Kirk normally didn't patrol Nonah, but his favorite optician was in Nonah, and after picking up several new pairs of red lensed glasses for himself, one thing led to another, and he decided to spend the night hunting in the unfamiliar city. Gliding overhead, he notices someone moving a bit suspiciously for that time of night, and goes down lower for a better look.

It takes him a moment to recognize the back of his head, but it isn't long before he realizes that it's Finn, from the speed dating event a few months back. He lands behind him, not trying to head the other man off, and calls after him.]

Something wrong?

[hatejakku]

[ Finn startles when a new voice appears behind him, a space he knew was unoccupied a moment before. He turned quickly, practically giving himself whiplash, and then it took a moment to recognize who he was seeing.

Kirk. Right, from speed dating. That felt like ages ago now. His shoulders drop. ] Ye-Yeah, I'm good. [ Lies. ] I didn't even see you a moment ago. Sorry about that.

[desmodusdraculae]

Sorry.

[He's not used to recognizing people and stopping to chat. More used to spooking the superstitious and cowardly.]

No one ever looks up.

[He points towards the night sky.]

A!

[onlydoubts]

-- what are you doing in he-- oh. Finn. You're back.

[ Bodhi had spent most of his time in his unit, and he's been with Luke a lot of that time except that he's at work and he just really needs to not be on his own right now. So he'd taken Ace out for a walk in the woods and was heading back to his place when he'd noted the door open.

He'd thought it Poe, going through Finn's things or moping around in his unit. Pushing his hair out of his face, he surveys the scene. The brief smile that had crossed his face falls. ]

... what's going on here?

[hatejakku]

... I'm baking.

[ He's frozen, caught like a deer in headlights. Bodhi had startled him a little, but at least he didn't throw the bowl across the room or something.

His new power also catches on to that hint of worry, and... wonders if he could possibly salvage this. ] I'm fine- [ No. Try again. ]

I, uh, just got back not long ago. Sorry, I should've told everyone by now. I... didn't really know what to do.

[onlydoubts]

[ Bodhi holds his hands up, a brief apology. ] Sorry. Didn't mean to startle, but your door was open and I thought it was Poe.

[ He steps in, never mind the lack of an invite. He likes Finn, he's a good man and a friend - and if he'd disappeared, it would've been upsetting on more than one level. Even all those months later, he still recalls Poe's spiral after he'd vanished the first time. ]

It's good to see you. Welcome back.

[ a beat ]

Need a hand with your baking?

b ; hope this is okay!!

[dragony]

[ Empathy is like any sense, Ruka's found: when it's new and bright, when you're not sure what it is, every form of input is overstimulating, and there's no way to focus. But like sound, and like sight, the more you experience, the more you acclimate to, the easier it is to tune out the unimportant things, or at least the things that are common. Like city-dwellers sleeping through sirens.

After the messes she's gone through, the day-to-day of city living is just the same through feeling as it is through hearing, nothing special — except, well, something different.

She doesn't come through Nonah often, so maybe it's just her luck to catch wind of something like this — or maybe it'll be this person's, whoever this person is. It's hardly difficult to track down, that feeling like a funnel, like an amplifier of everything else around it. At first she thinks it might be coming from inside the aquarium itself, but the closer she draws, the easier it is to narrow down, to slip around the outside of the building, hands in her pockets and her own mood tamped down into nothing.

With that much control, the guy might not even notice her approach, but for all the quiet of his demeanor, his heart is a different story. ]

Hey.

[ The girl calls it out from a few feet away from Finn, tone level, but a little louder than a casual greeting — more direct. Her green hair is tied up in a pair of messy buns, a patch over her left eye in the shape of a heart; long sleeves, short pants, and about half a foot shorter than him in stature. Kinda young, somewhere in that threshold between teen and adult. As far as her emotions go, her heart feels like a blank sheet of paper — present, but without content. Unreadable.

Her hands stay in her pockets, and her gaze doesn't leave his face. ]

Don't get lost, now.

\o/!!!

[hatejakku]

[ Breathing exercises often helped in times of panic. It wasn't a cure but it helped. That's what he'd been trying to focus on when the young woman appeared.

Finn startles to see her and just stares for a moment. She-... What is this? Is she a droid or something? ]

... I don't feel-

[ But he stops short of saying something completely dumb when the answer hits him. Or what he suspects is the answer. ]

You're like me?

EMPATH PARTY !!!

[dragony]

[ She waits in silence as he works through reactions — and it's working through, really, seeming to struggle to find his own thoughts and feelings beneath the noise of everyone else. She's patient, though, willing and able to wait for something to change.

She doesn't quite smile for answer, but her voice is a little softer. ]

It seems so.

[ It's not much in the way of invitation, but Ruka takes the opportunity to approach anyway. He doesn't look too hot; there's a chance he might lash out, because of it, but — well, she's never been particularly concerned about herself, anyway. ]

This is pretty new for you, right? The world was never this loud before.