[So, it's not an unknown fact that Ochako tends to throw up quite a bit when she overuses her quirk - it's literally Zero Gavity's caveat - but after some quirk mastery and endurance training, Ochako's really gotten better about her control and getting sick less and less often. That isn't to say that the nausea is gone, or that if she exceeds her own capacities it'll come back, but...usually she can handle it. O-Or so she thought.
After the last major villain - a jerk with a power to control water, who more or less caused a giant tsunami to destroy a massive city block and hospitalize or strand hundreds of people in the top levels of their apartments and homes - Ochako and her friends have been working literally overtime to rescue people and bring that loser to justice. She doesn't remember when she got a full night's rest, and still recalls having to float dozens upon dozens of people, pets, zoo animals (that would have been an absolute nightmare without Kouda), valuable city documents and art pieces from museums...so, so much. Needless to say, her quirk was overused to the extreme, and it finally started being serious when Ochako noticed there was a pinkish tint to the, erm...mess. So, taking the bullying advice of her closest friends and classmates...Ochako went to see the local hospital. Recovery Girl was already swamped with the rescuees, so Ochako had to find someone else to help.
She's...clearly tired, the dark rings about her eyes are an indication, and the lack of much color to her complexion, but that can be remedied with sleep, which is something the doctor can order. The real issue is her stomach and/or throat lining is probably under some duress from tossing her cookies from the strain on her quirk. Hopefully something to aid with that will be bolstered by the rest, too. She sits in casual wear in the little stall, waiting for the doctor, though any paperwork that was transferred over from UA will have her Hero Student status on it as well as Ryukyu's agency information and a copy of Ochako's Provisional Hero License.
The diagnosis will have to be sent back to pretty much both places, after all...in case Ochako has to miss classes and halt her work study for a period of time under doctor's orders.]
[ Angela had reservations about working in a proper hospital again. She'd spent years now out in triage tents, tending to people in critical condition on the front lines of battles, and with the short lived and highly publicized downfall of Overwatch? Nobody wanted an ex-hero from a now illegal movement working for them. But people needing help...that never changes. So Angela accepted an offer from a prominent hospital in Japan, far away from her old stomping grounds. Tried to start over. Tried to make things right.
There hasn't been a dull moment since. The recent water-based villain had sent quite a few patients her way, but most were civilians, so she's admittedly surprised to see Ochako's hero status on the paperwork as she reviews it. Angela herself is...more scientist and doctor than hero, in her own eyes, but she had a license once upon a time. She doesn't use her quirk anymore. It's...not important, she reminds herself, gathering up a clipboard with the relevant papers as she leaves her tiny office.
She knocks softly on the stall's side before entering, to give her patient a bit of warning that they aren't alone. Right away the dark circles and pale complexion worry her. So many heroes didn't take time for themselves, and so many were so young. Heartbreaking. ]
Good morning, Miss...Ochako? [ She tests the pronunciation, looking at Ochako quizzically. Ochako will notice that her accent is fairly thick - German, Swiss-German if she's familiar with the dialect - and the name is clumsy on her tongue. ] I have some notes here about what's bothering you today, but I'd like to hear from you specifically, if that's alright.
[Never a dull moment in Japan, correct. After the war, and All For One and the League of Villains were put away for good...the country was rebuilding and recuperating so much loss. Ochako and her friends were finally able to start their classes again, things were back to their usual level of chaotic and busy, but there was always some kind of wild supervillain that wanted to recreate those dark times in one way or another, a past follower of AFO or Shigaraki, or just someone that wanted to make their personal mark on the world. It's sad...but after everything, Japan simply doesn't have the stock of Heroes to help - so many of them died or are still too nervous to come back to the fray after the stress and public backlash. Students are being enlisted with near matching permissions as Professional Heroes, because...they just don't have the manpower otherwise.
It's going to be hard, Ochako knows this, and it's just part of what she has to deal with. Until the time comes when peace lasts more than just a few months...she has to simply endure a little bit. It's either that or let hundreds of people suffer, and that's just not an option to someone like her. Every one of her classmates would probably agree, too. So while the worry is well placed, there's not much to be done about how hard they all have to work right now.]
Good morning, sensei. [Or...will she understand? That accent is most definitely not Japanse in the slightest, and Ochako really hopes a language barrier isn't going to come up because her English is...mmm....not great. Sorry, present Mic, you're an amazing teacher and she adores you, but English is just The Worstโข.] Mm, it's probably the same as what's written down, ehehe... I'm a student at UA you see, in the second year Hero Course, and...after the attack by that water-controlling villain...my quirk was in, um...popular demand. It's very useful in evacuation and rescue situations, but overusing it causes intense nausea and vomiting...
[Which is saying something, because Ochako's gotten much, much better at keeping her food inside her body, thank you. She literally trained her gag reflex and endurance for that specific reason. Which means she's been pushing herself beyond those limits.]
R-Recently...um. I-I've been seeing blood in the, eeh...bile. So I'm afraid the side effects of my quirk are damaging my throat or stomach lining, and I wanted to catch that early.
note: slight medical talk (shocking i know), nothing too detailed
Ah, forgive me, Ochako-san. [ An apologetic smile and small head tilt. "Sensei" catches her off guard. She's still becoming accustomed to the social mannerisms of Japan. She tries to remember her conversations with Genji about the subject. ] I am glad to hear you are taking your health into account even while being so busy. I know it is difficult to come to a doctor with so much on your plate.
[ She checks over the paperwork one last time before setting the clipboard down on a table and folding her hands in front of her. ]
I'd like to examine your throat for swelling or damage, if you are alright with that? Hopefully, it's just that your esophagus is agitated, and we can prescribe a throat spray, a well deserved rest, and some hot tea.
[ The main concern Angela has is whether ulcers have formed in the stomach or mouth - those can have longer term complications and are more difficult to treat. But she doesn't want to jump ahead of herself, so she simply focuses on the less worrying option first. ]
oh oops i should have put a mild emeto warning before ngjmgnhfk
[Ochako laughs, waving it off. Honestly, it's not as much a big deal with her as it would be for someone older, probably. Plus, Ochako gets the struggle - honorifics are a bit hard to get used to if you don't use them normally, likewise with the whole family name versus given name that Western countries do. Using a given name over there is nothing, but in a lot of Asian cultures, it's a social faux pas unless you know that person from childhood, are family, or are talking to a romantic partner/significant other of some kind.]
Mm, thank you, it can get difficult sometimes... [School, her Hero work, social life...making time to do video or phone calls with her parents...it gets to be a lot sometimes. Ochako is glad when their school breaks happen, or when Ryukyu doesn't need them or is on a special mission...because it means she can sort of relax a bit more.] O-Of course!! Please do what you need.
[She sits up a little straighter, hands folded neatly in her lap. If it's not too bad - she is really hoping - a simple throat spray or medicinal tea would be fantastic. Momo-chan would probably be able to brew up a batch to utter perfection, hands down. As the class's master on tea prep and tea blends, Ochako trusts no one else.]
pfft no it's fine i just get extra cautious in case someone else reads these tbh
[ The examination is painless and easy, just a peek down her throat with a little medical flashlight and a slight turning of Ochako's head back and forth to ensure there are no open abrasions hidden in the shadows. The irritation is easy to spot, so she doesn't even have to break out the tongue depressors. She can see towards the upper back of the throat a patch that is very raw and must be fairly painful, probably the source of the bleeding, though she imagines a hero in training has a fair bit of tolerance for the pain it must be causing. ]
Hm. It looks like you've got some abrasions and irritation in the esophagus - it should heal with time and rest, but we'll speed up the process with a medicated spray. Twice daily for two weeks should cover all your bases. I'll also write the name of a particularly good herbal tea here - it's primarily for colds and strep throat, but it should help reduce the pain while it heals.
[ As Angela turns to jot down the prescription, her posture relaxes. It's obvious she cares deeply about her patients, and that she feels a measure of relief to know the problem is simple. The spray will be a simple tasteless one that should help with the healing and reduce inflammation. The tea will be an as-needed addition to treat the pain - and the likely itchiness that comes with wounds that begin closing. Plus, she hopes it will give the poor girl an excuse to sit down and breathe more often. ]
You must have been working quite hard to tear up your throat like that. That is admirable, especially for someone so young. [ She offers an almost apologetic smile and a wistful sigh, remembering her own youth. ] However, do consider this a formal recommendation to take it easy for a while. It is important to remember that your greatest asset as a hero is your well being.
[Mercy is right on both counts. It is indeed quite painful, and has made eating and drinking equally painful on her when it's not something that's a warm liquid like tea or soup. Ochako's mostly thrived off miso soup and rice porridge during her illness - which she's...not as upset about, honestly. Both are comfort foods and supremely delicious, but she does miss eating her favorite snacks, like mochi and salty rice crackers. She's tolerated the pain once or twice, but in the company of her friends and classmates who know she can be a brat...she's been gently (and firmly, by Bakugou) bullied to "cut the shit" and take this seriously.
She breathes a small sigh of relief when the issue isn't as bad as it could have been - she caught it early and actually addressed it early (thanks to her devoted and caring classmates) - and her smile actually looks genuine and somewhat pleased by the notion of drinking tea to help soothe her damaged throat.]
That's wonderful news, thank you so much, sensei!! Ehehe, I actually have a very goof friend in my class that knows all about tea blends and preparation...I'll have to ask her for help in making it. I know Momo-chan would be delighted to help, too.
[And Ochako would bet that a tea connoisseur like Yaoyorozu Momo would make it taste fan-fucking-tastic even if it was a bitter, earthy, herbal taste. That's just how skilled she is - and how much faith Ochako has in her, too.]
Mm, it was a pretty bad situation on the coast... I'm sure you've heard on the news about it? That one villain that attacked the resort area with a water-controlling quirk. It was like dealing with an army of tsunamis... [It took several Pros to take him down, on top of a slew of students like herself to evacuate and rescue people effected by the damages. Gang Orca and Selkie were pivotal for that effort, considering their affinity to water, but it was still rough. Eventually Todoroki had to get into the fray and freeze the water so it couldn't be weaponized.] Even after the villain was caught, tons of people were stranded and stuck in their homes, or hurt from the waves... Zoo animals and priceless art and museum artifacts, too. My quirk is really good for moving things and people at once, so I was working especially hard.
T-Too hard... [She clears her throat, and winces. Owie.] But in those situations you kind of just...stop thinking about yourself. I know that's probably not what you want to hear, but it's the truth. Maybe it's adrenaline? I'm not sure, but...when I see people suffering, my heart can't take it. I just go. I think all my friends are like that in a way - all Heroes, that is.
B-But I promise I'll rest until this is gone. I, um...I-I'm pretty sure my school already put in for my time off from the agency I'm working for. [Hell, Ryukyu signed off on it personally. She's always been a good person, and has taken care of her as a mentor and guardian so, so well. It's no wonder she's on the top charts at number ten in Japan - she cares.]
[ She listens intently, a sort of pained smile on her face. It hurts her heart to see someone so young and vibrant and so similar to the way she used to be. The way she still is, to some degree, but...the world kind of broke Angela's sense of heroism. She never stopped wanting to save people, never stopped feeling their pain and working to mitigate it, but she didn't go out to the battlefield anymore.
The news had covered it pretty extensively, true. And she'd heard some first hand accounts from the very kinds of people Ochako was rescuing - they wound up in the hospital for their injuries in many cases. Injuries that could have been much worse without the work of the young heroes.
"Mercy". That's what they'd called her. Her source of healing was just science - unreleased and highly classified nanobiotic technology that could revolutionize the medical field. Or, could have, if Overwatch hadn't screwed up so royally and WEAPONIZED the tech without her consent. Her quirk was equally controversial. They called it "Resurrection", though the term was inaccurate. The power to put a body in stasis and rapidly accelerate the healing process - and it certainly could bring people back from the BRINK of death, just not full death. The only catch? It put her in stasis too, until it wore off.
A life for a life. Only safe to use off the field. And since her retirement, she tried not to use it at all. She tried not to be associated with her old identity. ]
I understand that feeling, more than you may think. Some of it is certainly adrenaline - some of it is simply who we are. [ Oops, she didn't mean to say "we" like that. ] I am so grateful for people like you and your friends, Ochako-san. I truly am. Thank you.
[Oh, this young Hero is not immune to the ways the world works. How cruel and ugly it can be and how desperately hard it tries to break people. The past war against the League and AFO was...an incredibly dark time in Japan, and possibly in history as well. Much of the population of Pro Heroes were wiped out, others hanging up their proverbial capes with the civilian outcry and resentment against heroes, especially after the truth was revealed about Endeavor and the whole Todoroki family mess. Students then had to step up well before their time as professionals, otherwise the situation would only get worse. True Heroes were determined in those days - the ones who refused to lay down and be broken, the people who continued to fight for a better and brighter future, because there was simply no other choice. Evil exists, it will continue to exist until the end of time, but so to will those that rise up to fight back.
The world now, society as a whole, is healing...but more importantly, it's changing. Slowly but surely, people are growing past the need for Heroes to solve their everyday issues - ones they can solve themselves - and learning to help their fellow person with the power they have, instead of turning a blind eye and waiting for a Hero to show up. It's going to take time for that all to sink in, and Ochako is sure she'll be an adult when those changes really start to bloom, but it's...getting there.
Much of quirks is actually based around science and genetics, since it's a known fact that quirks are passed through the mixing of bloodlines and genes. Hell, they even alter a person's physical traits - heteromorphs especially undergo mutations from birth that determine their physical state, but people like Todoroki and Bakugou are more heat resistant and actually run hotter than most people because their quirks have a fire element to them...literally. Tsuyu also had a more flexible body, was double jointed, and had a stronger lung capacity than anyone else because of her Frog quirk.]
Mm, I'll bet you worked on a lot of people that were probably Pros where you came from too, right sensei? [Doctors do tend to see a lot of Heroes coming and going. It's just part of the work environment.] Ah...th-thank you, very much!! We're just doing what's right, y'know? All of us, I mean. Heroes, doctors like you that help in your own way, and even other people. I've...I've seen it all. It's really inspiring.
I - [ Her eyes dart to a photo on the wall. ] Yes, you could say I worked with quite a few Pros, once. Some of the best.
[ She sighs. Overwatch had been a really tight hero team. Unfortunately, they backed and worked with Blackwatch, a team that toed the lines of ethical heroism and, arguably, could have been considered a VILLAIN team at the end. ]
And...unfortunately, some of the worst. [ She coughs slightly, shuffling some papers. She really doesn't mean to lead into that discussion, but something about having a bright, young hero in front of her, so luminous and full of hope, stirs those memories up like a damn blender. ] A-Ah! But we live and learn, right? Everyone deserves a chance at happiness and health, and it is not my place to judge others - only to ensure they have their chance.
It is inspiring what people can do together - heroes and civilians alike.
[Ochako can't help it, her eyes follow the path that Mercy's take, and she spies the photo as well, turning her head to one side curiously. She doesn't want to make any sort of assumptions, but...]
Sensei, were you a Hero once, too?
[It's...pretty similar to the Hero Coalition that used to run Japan. In the name of their "justice", they employed Heroes - even young ones just out of their Hero Academies - to work as assassins and "clean up" the dregs of society that they pinpointed as potential threats to the charade of peace they so desperately wanted to keep. The farce that there were two sides to Society...the shining, golden hall of Heroes and those that followed the societal norms, and the black wastes of villains, those shunned by society, the rejects who didn't have a good enough quirk, or no quirk. It was an absolute mess. Thankfully, the proper people have stepped up to take over that government role in the wake of its collapse during the war with All For One. Things can start to get better.
Or so Ochako hopes. Her smile does fall a little bit when she hears that, and...yeah. Yeah. It makes sense. Even the ones on top, maybe especially the ones on top, aren't exactly immune from being bad people, or giving in to their inner demons. There was so much surrounding the Todoroki family - what Ochako knew herself was only scratching the surface. When everything came out...hah. She silently wanted to kick Endeavor in her face herself. Still sort of does, but at least he's. Well. He tried. It's not much, but it's something. The bare minimum.]
Mm...yeah. I agree with that completely. I think the new Hero Coalition that's been built here is striving for more outreach programs...better quirk counseling, or counseling in general, and really putting in extra effort to help people that are hurting in the, um...nontraditional ways, y'know?
[Mental health issues, financial issues, family issues. All the things that Heroes can't essentially save them from. Not really. Likewise with empowering and educating all people, civilians especially, to stand up and do their part as "heroes", too. Reporting suspicious behavior, helping with minor tasks, stuff like that. Instead of ignoring it and waiting for a Hero to take care of it like they used to...]
I was, yes. [ Not gonna mention Overwatch, in case Ochako's heard of it and thinks poorly of her for being a part of it. She's just not in the habit of lying, so her polite smile falters at the lie of omission. ] I worked primarily as a frontline medical rescue Hero, perhaps unsurprisingly. My Quirk is best suited for extreme emergencies so that is where I excelled - extraction, stabilization, and follow up. Keeps my skin looking young, too!
[ She adds the last part with a little laugh, just to lighten the mood. She looks like she's in her mid 20's, despite almost being 40 years old. She heals fast, ages slow - that's a bonus she makes light of to offset how heavy her Quirk is, but she values those bonuses none the less.
It's good that things are healing all over the world. It fills her heart with hope to hear that the definition of a crisis is expanding in the modern day - it brings the world closer to her dream of peace and safety for everyone. Half of the emergencies she tended to could have been prevented if people just knew more, had the help they needed earlier, just...had a chance to be anything other than a villain.
It wasn't always a choice they made, from what she'd seen over the years. ]
Likewise! The future is looking brighter every day. There is much we'll have to overcome, but we have a better chance now than we ever did before. Especially with bright young Heroes like yourself in the mix.
[Thankfully, Ochako hasn't heard of Overwatch, or at least not more than the name and general gist. Sadly, most of Japan had its own, erm...major issues, so international news wasn't super high on the radar for a long period of time. Ochako also doesn't follow a lot of news these days, either, that isn't tied specifically to missions she gets assigned to, or intel about a place she'll be working at. Honestly, she should be aware, but...after a while, that sort of thing just gets depressing. The news always tends to cover villain attacks and catastrophes instead of anything positive, after all.]
Oh, a Rescue Hero!! That's what I'm striving to become, too! You must already know about Recovery Girl then, I'm sure? She's our school nurse. I'd normally go to her with this, but...she's been assigned to the hospitals in the area that had the most injured, obviously. I'm not exactly a healer... I mostly deal with, ehh...evacuation, clearing debris, and heavy lifting. Hehe, I once stopped a plane crash, but that was, um...w-well. It really pushed my limits, let's just say.
[Yeah, that. That was perhaps the worst off Ochako's ever been after overusing her quirk. Her weight capacity was exceeded by probably a hundred times or more, so she really went Plus Ultra. She couldn't remember anything after she passed out and woke up in a hospital bed days later. But at least everyone was safe with only very minor aches and pains.]
Mm!! I'm really looking forward to it. The new Hero Coalition is already so, so much better than what it used to be - and the plans they've talked about are so beneficial to everyone, not just Heroes, but civilians and stuff, too. [Funding for mental health programs, really screening the people they hire for quirk counseling (there have been some, uhh...very bad eggs in the past that have hurt more than helped youngsters just acquiring their quirks), and just more education and promotion of what Heroes do everyday - the good, bad, and the ugly, so people can understand then more and not put Heroes on a pedestal like they used to. That they're people, just like them.]
Angela wakes up somewhere dimly lit, the muffled sounds of commerce and conversation leaking into her groggy sense of awareness. It takes less than half a second for her to jolt upright, knocking over some cleaning supplies along the way. She hurts all over, like she fell a great distance, and her stomach is cramping with hunger, and combined with her inability to see much of her surroundings she's starting to panic a little.
The last thing she remembers is laying down to sleep in her quarters at the Watchpoint in Gibraltar. This is not her bed, she can't help but notice. Although her throat is dry, she swallows and tries to get a grip. Just...get out of this - what is this? A supply closet? Whatever, get out, and into somewhere light where she can see, and assess from there.
Her hand finds the door and subsequently the handle - but before she can open it she hears something shift behind her. Perhaps another person, possibly in the same state she's in. She wheels around to face the shape shifting in the dark.
"Hello? Who's there? Can you move - are you alright?"
Sensation. It had been... so long; or it had felt that way. Sensation indicated an uncomfortable crick in his neck.
He had won, finally, it would all come to a close. No more cycles no more- Boy, unified being sure smelled a lot like bleach cleaner. Bleach cleaner and, someone talking. Talking to him. Well that wasn't a good sign.
Lucas Devain opened his eyes,casting the small space in a dim golden glow. He blinked. This was a closet. This was a broom closet. He had cast off the yoke of existence, broken the origin curse, ascended to absolute unity and... and he was in a broom closet. He couldn't decide if he wanted to laugh or cry.
A moment of contemplation saw him settle on neither, and instead, he reviewed the last few moments and realized he had rather left the other person present in suspense. A glance showed that she was looking at him with concern. That felt unusual after so long. He cleared his throat, feeling like he had gargled a mouthful of sand.
"Hello, my name is Lucas, and, we are about to find out." He said affably, using a hand to steady himself against the closet wall, as he, somewhat stiffly, rose to his feet. "Wonderful, I'm not injured much. By the looks of it, neither are you" He said with genuine relief. Most of the time, things like this ended up with him waking up missing limbs or other sundries.
He straightened his tie, glancing over again at the lone other individual. "So, as we seem to be in mutual possession of working limbs, do you know how we got here; or are you my kidnapper?" He asked, an easy smile making clear that he was joking.
Aside from the glowing eyes (they could be cybernetics) and the fact that he claims to also have been kidnapped (not ideal), there's something that instantly bothers her about him. The ease in his voice - this "Lucas" guy sounds almost used to this kind of thing. Angela gives a short, slightly surprised laugh, but there's no sense of actual danger or immediate threat from this person, so her shoulders relax just a smidge.
"Angela Ziegler. Nice to meet you, Lucas. Although I would have preferred better circumstances for introductions." Her own wry smile returns the joking mood. "No, I'm afraid I don't know how we got here - or where 'here' is."
With the glowing eyes, she can see her surroundings better, and is able to find the door handle more quickly this time. She cracks it open a bit, flooding the room with uncomfortable fluorescent light. Angela shields her eyes a bit, peering out into...a mall? A shopping mall. She can see people walking around, going about their business. And...mannequins, almost cyborg-like, patrolling the hallways. The smell of food somewhere nearby makes her almost sick with hunger.
How long have I been out? How did I get here?
She pushes the door open, holding it for Lucas to pass through.
"We should get out of here. If only because the industrial cleaning supplies are giving me a headache." And because she's ravenously hungry and the cramped space is starting to make her panic again.
Lucas smiled at the comment, and then stifled the urge to sigh. Where in all the uncountable damned realms had he ended up? And how, how he had ended up here was also important. Questions for another time, he decided. For now, public relations and an escape from the unpleasantly cramped closet.
"Angela, lovely name, and a joy to make your acquaintance, despite the circumstances." He said, peering out through the door before taking the first step out into...
Oh, all the gods be damned he was in the emporium. Stuffing down the urge to curse loudly, he gave the place a second look. It was expansive and loud, but seemed to lack the telltale insanely high ceilings. No, no thankfully not the emporium, but somewhere with an eerily similar sense of aesthetics.
"Well." He said "I have never been here in my life. Wonderful." A strange rumbling noise caused Lucas to look about questioningly, before he realized that the sound had come from his stomach. Now THAT was a blast from the past. "Ah." He said, slightly embarrassed. "Seems food may be in order. Though we may have to deal with the- hm, golems, I suppose?" He continued with a shrug.
"Don't suppose you have any idea what those are about Angela?" He asked, waving vaguely at the passing automatons. "Because I am extremely out of my realm of expertise here."
"That makes two of us." Angela mutters, the reality of this not being a dream finally starting to catch up to her. "I would guess these are...primitive or stylized omnic units? I can only hazard a guess that at least one of us has been displaced in time."
Truthfully? The only thing that Angela can grab onto is in fact the weird 1980's aesthetic - it may be practically ancient history in her world, but at least being lost in time isn't something she's UNfamiliar with as a concept. But then, they didn't have automatons of this kind during the 80's. These aren't omnics, are they? Nor are they...golems? A peculiar choice of word that makes her arch a brow as she thinks about it.
Angela nods in the direction of a food court sign and takes the first step towards that direction. She can't help but feel awkward and out of place among the people here. She's not in her pajamas she went to sleep in, thank god, but she is in her more casual wear. It looks very different from what everyone around her, including Lucas, is wearing, but it makes it less weird to move through the space. Although, people occasionally give them both a startled, pitying look as they hurry past. She turns her attention back to the current conversation. It's less worrying than thee way people are looking at them.
"Golems? You are referring to the mythological beings made of...clay, if I am remembering right?"
Lucas paused his perusal of the scenery, seeming to think the question over as he walked. Gears were beginning to turn in his head. His new companion was clearly not familiar with golems as a day to day concept. Perhaps she was from a low magic zone? He considered his options, before deciding that realistically, being clear about his knowledge and lack of it would be the best way forward.
"Clay, rock, flesh, anything that can be bound together with a core; although based on your phrasing perhaps they are called omnics where you hail from? Artificial beings, often mass produced for a specific task?" He continued, glancing back to gauge Angela's reaction.
Certainly he couldn't feel magic here in the more classical sense, but that could as easily be a lack of ley-lines in the area as anything else. Nonetheless, the way the place seemed to run entirely on mechanical parts was somewhat unnerving. Well, except the golems, those suggested that there was still some form of magic working, at least unless people had learned to teach raw soul matter to speak without magic while he wasn't looking.
He paused for a moment, an unpleasant thought scattering his concentration. What if he had been dormant so long that a new cycle has started. Had someone managed to break him out of his ascension vessel and stuffed him in a closet? That would require an acutely zealous sort of revenge if so. Still, no point jumping to conclusions he supposed.
Angela's reaction is easy to gauge. Surprise, and some distance. Sure, they were robotic, and sure, they were mass produced for specific purposes initially, until they gained proper sentience and - well, she shakes that line of thought out of her head and continues walking. She catches a glimpse of a sign advertising an information kiosk and makes a note to check it out. After they get food. Physical needs first, and all that.
"The term 'Golem' is...archaic, and should not refer to the sentient robotic beings we call Omnics today."
She stops short of calling it a slur, though she's heard it used as such. Omnics on the whole were perfectly commonplace and fine - she interacted with them infrequently as a surgeon/doctor with a flesh-based expertise, save for encounters with hostile ones. She shudders, recalling flashes of battles and their aftermaths.
"May I ask what part of the world you are from where they don't have Omnics?" Genuine curiosity can be heard there, as much as caution. "I was under the impression that the crisis was worldwide."
Lucas continued walking, chewing on several sentences before finally stopping and turning to Angela. "Angela, I'm going to ask you a question, and depending on your breadth of knowledge, you may not understand why I'm asking." He said, his face drawing into a somewhat pensive look. "What is the name of the place you are from? Not the city or country, but the entire place?"
Waiting for the answer, Lucas began to prepare himself for one of the three conversations that normally followed the question. He was hoping for option number one, where the person involved would say Galn and then look at him like he was crazy. Two however was looking more likely, given that Angela seemed to be talking about a history that was quite different from the one he knew, having lived through more or less all of it. Option three was hopefully not the winner since he was currently unarmed.
"I'm sorry? I don't quite understand." She slows to a halt, turning to face him. Finally she feels a bit uncomfortable. Confused. "Do you mean to ask...what, the planet I am from?"
Angela can only guess at why he'd ask such a thing. Perhaps he is from one of the moon colonies? Is he asking if she is, too? The look on his face is more serious than it has been since they met (admittedly like five minutes ago). It finally seems to strike her that this is unlikely a dream or hallucination. Something is actually wrong, then.
"Earth. Planet Earth." She says firmly, as if reaffirming for herself. "Why?"
Lucas nodded, "Right, yes well that would rather explain it I suppose." He said, seeming to weigh his words. "I have never heard of Earth Angela, so assuming I am understanding correctly, your world is not the same one I hail from. More to the point, I doubt very much that this place is in either of our respective points of origin."
He ventured a proper look to gauge his companion's reaction. Some would dismiss it, others embrace it. The foolish would turn to violence, the intelligent, to questions. Whatever the case, he was hoping that Angela was as reasonable as she seemed. Disbelief could be dispelled, dismissal retracted, but, well, you couldn't fix stupid. Luckily, from their short interactions, she hadn't given him that impression.
She rolls the thought around in her head. It's not so far off from time displacement, though it is pretty far out of the realm of anything that's been confirmed or studied in her world. As far as she knows, anyway. There is a skeptical shadow over her expression while she observes Lucas, but after a few tense seconds, as he does not laugh or clarify, she nods slowly. More to calm herself than anything else.
"Let us assume that is true - we are, for lack of a better term, interlopers in another realm of existence. How is that possible, scientifically speaking, and by what mechanism could we have been transported here?"
Lucas inclined his head at the initial assertion; glad that the foundational concepts were at least known, if, seemingly, not as well explored where his new companion was from.
"Well, mechanisms vary." He said with a low sigh. "Anything old enough or powerful enough to pull people from disparate locations on this scale would presumably be a suspect." He ventured. "Gods, sufficiently powerful teleportation mechanisms. Priomordials." He added, seeming to bite off the final word before calming himself. "Though I can't say i see many common elements that would have resulted in us being selected..." He trailed off, seemingly deep in thought for a few moments, before he looked around at the mall around him again. "Frankly though, I have little idea what is going on. This place is odd, even among the places I've been. It feels... different somehow. As to science, I get the impression you may be better versed there than I. Where I come from, there is rather little in the way of the purely mechanical."
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because i'm predictable HERE SHE IS.
After the last major villain - a jerk with a power to control water, who more or less caused a giant tsunami to destroy a massive city block and hospitalize or strand hundreds of people in the top levels of their apartments and homes - Ochako and her friends have been working literally overtime to rescue people and bring that loser to justice. She doesn't remember when she got a full night's rest, and still recalls having to float dozens upon dozens of people, pets, zoo animals (that would have been an absolute nightmare without Kouda), valuable city documents and art pieces from museums...so, so much. Needless to say, her quirk was overused to the extreme, and it finally started being serious when Ochako noticed there was a pinkish tint to the, erm...mess. So, taking the
bullyingadvice of her closest friends and classmates...Ochako went to see the local hospital. Recovery Girl was already swamped with the rescuees, so Ochako had to find someone else to help.She's...clearly tired, the dark rings about her eyes are an indication, and the lack of much color to her complexion, but that can be remedied with sleep, which is something the doctor can order. The real issue is her stomach and/or throat lining is probably under some duress from tossing her cookies from the strain on her quirk. Hopefully something to aid with that will be bolstered by the rest, too. She sits in casual wear in the little stall, waiting for the doctor, though any paperwork that was transferred over from UA will have her Hero Student status on it as well as Ryukyu's agency information and a copy of Ochako's Provisional Hero License.
The diagnosis will have to be sent back to pretty much both places, after all...in case Ochako has to miss classes and halt her work study for a period of time under doctor's orders.]
the gorl............
There hasn't been a dull moment since. The recent water-based villain had sent quite a few patients her way, but most were civilians, so she's admittedly surprised to see Ochako's hero status on the paperwork as she reviews it. Angela herself is...more scientist and doctor than hero, in her own eyes, but she had a license once upon a time. She doesn't use her quirk anymore. It's...not important, she reminds herself, gathering up a clipboard with the relevant papers as she leaves her tiny office.
She knocks softly on the stall's side before entering, to give her patient a bit of warning that they aren't alone. Right away the dark circles and pale complexion worry her. So many heroes didn't take time for themselves, and so many were so young. Heartbreaking. ]
Good morning, Miss...Ochako? [ She tests the pronunciation, looking at Ochako quizzically. Ochako will notice that her accent is fairly thick - German, Swiss-German if she's familiar with the dialect - and the name is clumsy on her tongue. ] I have some notes here about what's bothering you today, but I'd like to hear from you specifically, if that's alright.
she!!
It's going to be hard, Ochako knows this, and it's just part of what she has to deal with. Until the time comes when peace lasts more than just a few months...she has to simply endure a little bit. It's either that or let hundreds of people suffer, and that's just not an option to someone like her. Every one of her classmates would probably agree, too. So while the worry is well placed, there's not much to be done about how hard they all have to work right now.]
Good morning, sensei. [Or...will she understand? That accent is most definitely not Japanse in the slightest, and Ochako really hopes a language barrier isn't going to come up because her English is...mmm....not great. Sorry, present Mic, you're an amazing teacher and she adores you, but English is just The Worstโข.] Mm, it's probably the same as what's written down, ehehe... I'm a student at UA you see, in the second year Hero Course, and...after the attack by that water-controlling villain...my quirk was in, um...popular demand. It's very useful in evacuation and rescue situations, but overusing it causes intense nausea and vomiting...
[Which is saying something, because Ochako's gotten much, much better at keeping her food inside her body, thank you. She literally trained her gag reflex and endurance for that specific reason. Which means she's been pushing herself beyond those limits.]
R-Recently...um. I-I've been seeing blood in the, eeh...bile. So I'm afraid the side effects of my quirk are damaging my throat or stomach lining, and I wanted to catch that early.
note: slight medical talk (shocking i know), nothing too detailed
[ She checks over the paperwork one last time before setting the clipboard down on a table and folding her hands in front of her. ]
I'd like to examine your throat for swelling or damage, if you are alright with that? Hopefully, it's just that your esophagus is agitated, and we can prescribe a throat spray, a well deserved rest, and some hot tea.
[ The main concern Angela has is whether ulcers have formed in the stomach or mouth - those can have longer term complications and are more difficult to treat. But she doesn't want to jump ahead of herself, so she simply focuses on the less worrying option first. ]
oh oops i should have put a mild emeto warning before ngjmgnhfk
Mm, thank you, it can get difficult sometimes... [School, her Hero work, social life...making time to do video or phone calls with her parents...it gets to be a lot sometimes. Ochako is glad when their school breaks happen, or when Ryukyu doesn't need them or is on a special mission...because it means she can sort of relax a bit more.] O-Of course!! Please do what you need.
[She sits up a little straighter, hands folded neatly in her lap. If it's not too bad - she is really hoping - a simple throat spray or medicinal tea would be fantastic. Momo-chan would probably be able to brew up a batch to utter perfection, hands down. As the class's master on tea prep and tea blends, Ochako trusts no one else.]
pfft no it's fine i just get extra cautious in case someone else reads these tbh
Hm. It looks like you've got some abrasions and irritation in the esophagus - it should heal with time and rest, but we'll speed up the process with a medicated spray. Twice daily for two weeks should cover all your bases. I'll also write the name of a particularly good herbal tea here - it's primarily for colds and strep throat, but it should help reduce the pain while it heals.
[ As Angela turns to jot down the prescription, her posture relaxes. It's obvious she cares deeply about her patients, and that she feels a measure of relief to know the problem is simple. The spray will be a simple tasteless one that should help with the healing and reduce inflammation. The tea will be an as-needed addition to treat the pain - and the likely itchiness that comes with wounds that begin closing. Plus, she hopes it will give the poor girl an excuse to sit down and breathe more often. ]
You must have been working quite hard to tear up your throat like that. That is admirable, especially for someone so young. [ She offers an almost apologetic smile and a wistful sigh, remembering her own youth. ] However, do consider this a formal recommendation to take it easy for a while. It is important to remember that your greatest asset as a hero is your well being.
I am too, so i'm shocked I DIDN'T.
She breathes a small sigh of relief when the issue isn't as bad as it could have been - she caught it early and actually addressed it early (thanks to her devoted and caring classmates) - and her smile actually looks genuine and somewhat pleased by the notion of drinking tea to help soothe her damaged throat.]
That's wonderful news, thank you so much, sensei!! Ehehe, I actually have a very goof friend in my class that knows all about tea blends and preparation...I'll have to ask her for help in making it. I know Momo-chan would be delighted to help, too.
[And Ochako would bet that a tea connoisseur like Yaoyorozu Momo would make it taste fan-fucking-tastic even if it was a bitter, earthy, herbal taste. That's just how skilled she is - and how much faith Ochako has in her, too.]
Mm, it was a pretty bad situation on the coast... I'm sure you've heard on the news about it? That one villain that attacked the resort area with a water-controlling quirk. It was like dealing with an army of tsunamis... [It took several Pros to take him down, on top of a slew of students like herself to evacuate and rescue people effected by the damages. Gang Orca and Selkie were pivotal for that effort, considering their affinity to water, but it was still rough. Eventually Todoroki had to get into the fray and freeze the water so it couldn't be weaponized.] Even after the villain was caught, tons of people were stranded and stuck in their homes, or hurt from the waves... Zoo animals and priceless art and museum artifacts, too. My quirk is really good for moving things and people at once, so I was working especially hard.
T-Too hard... [She clears her throat, and winces. Owie.] But in those situations you kind of just...stop thinking about yourself. I know that's probably not what you want to hear, but it's the truth. Maybe it's adrenaline? I'm not sure, but...when I see people suffering, my heart can't take it. I just go. I think all my friends are like that in a way - all Heroes, that is.
B-But I promise I'll rest until this is gone. I, um...I-I'm pretty sure my school already put in for my time off from the agency I'm working for. [Hell, Ryukyu signed off on it personally. She's always been a good person, and has taken care of her as a mentor and guardian so, so well. It's no wonder she's on the top charts at number ten in Japan - she cares.]
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The news had covered it pretty extensively, true. And she'd heard some first hand accounts from the very kinds of people Ochako was rescuing - they wound up in the hospital for their injuries in many cases. Injuries that could have been much worse without the work of the young heroes.
"Mercy". That's what they'd called her. Her source of healing was just science - unreleased and highly classified nanobiotic technology that could revolutionize the medical field. Or, could have, if Overwatch hadn't screwed up so royally and WEAPONIZED the tech without her consent. Her quirk was equally controversial. They called it "Resurrection", though the term was inaccurate. The power to put a body in stasis and rapidly accelerate the healing process - and it certainly could bring people back from the BRINK of death, just not full death. The only catch? It put her in stasis too, until it wore off.
A life for a life. Only safe to use off the field. And since her retirement, she tried not to use it at all. She tried not to be associated with her old identity. ]
I understand that feeling, more than you may think. Some of it is certainly adrenaline - some of it is simply who we are. [ Oops, she didn't mean to say "we" like that. ] I am so grateful for people like you and your friends, Ochako-san. I truly am. Thank you.
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The world now, society as a whole, is healing...but more importantly, it's changing. Slowly but surely, people are growing past the need for Heroes to solve their everyday issues - ones they can solve themselves - and learning to help their fellow person with the power they have, instead of turning a blind eye and waiting for a Hero to show up. It's going to take time for that all to sink in, and Ochako is sure she'll be an adult when those changes really start to bloom, but it's...getting there.
Much of quirks is actually based around science and genetics, since it's a known fact that quirks are passed through the mixing of bloodlines and genes. Hell, they even alter a person's physical traits - heteromorphs especially undergo mutations from birth that determine their physical state, but people like Todoroki and Bakugou are more heat resistant and actually run hotter than most people because their quirks have a fire element to them...literally. Tsuyu also had a more flexible body, was double jointed, and had a stronger lung capacity than anyone else because of her Frog quirk.]
Mm, I'll bet you worked on a lot of people that were probably Pros where you came from too, right sensei? [Doctors do tend to see a lot of Heroes coming and going. It's just part of the work environment.] Ah...th-thank you, very much!! We're just doing what's right, y'know? All of us, I mean. Heroes, doctors like you that help in your own way, and even other people. I've...I've seen it all. It's really inspiring.
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[ She sighs. Overwatch had been a really tight hero team. Unfortunately, they backed and worked with Blackwatch, a team that toed the lines of ethical heroism and, arguably, could have been considered a VILLAIN team at the end. ]
And...unfortunately, some of the worst. [ She coughs slightly, shuffling some papers. She really doesn't mean to lead into that discussion, but something about having a bright, young hero in front of her, so luminous and full of hope, stirs those memories up like a damn blender. ] A-Ah! But we live and learn, right? Everyone deserves a chance at happiness and health, and it is not my place to judge others - only to ensure they have their chance.
It is inspiring what people can do together - heroes and civilians alike.
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Sensei, were you a Hero once, too?
[It's...pretty similar to the Hero Coalition that used to run Japan. In the name of their "justice", they employed Heroes - even young ones just out of their Hero Academies - to work as assassins and "clean up" the dregs of society that they pinpointed as potential threats to the charade of peace they so desperately wanted to keep. The farce that there were two sides to Society...the shining, golden hall of Heroes and those that followed the societal norms, and the black wastes of villains, those shunned by society, the rejects who didn't have a good enough quirk, or no quirk. It was an absolute mess. Thankfully, the proper people have stepped up to take over that government role in the wake of its collapse during the war with All For One. Things can start to get better.
Or so Ochako hopes. Her smile does fall a little bit when she hears that, and...yeah. Yeah. It makes sense. Even the ones on top, maybe especially the ones on top, aren't exactly immune from being bad people, or giving in to their inner demons. There was so much surrounding the Todoroki family - what Ochako knew herself was only scratching the surface. When everything came out...hah. She silently wanted to kick Endeavor in her face herself. Still sort of does, but at least he's. Well. He tried. It's not much, but it's something. The bare minimum.]
Mm...yeah. I agree with that completely. I think the new Hero Coalition that's been built here is striving for more outreach programs...better quirk counseling, or counseling in general, and really putting in extra effort to help people that are hurting in the, um...nontraditional ways, y'know?
[Mental health issues, financial issues, family issues. All the things that Heroes can't essentially save them from. Not really. Likewise with empowering and educating all people, civilians especially, to stand up and do their part as "heroes", too. Reporting suspicious behavior, helping with minor tasks, stuff like that. Instead of ignoring it and waiting for a Hero to take care of it like they used to...]
I'm really excited for what the future holds.
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[ She adds the last part with a little laugh, just to lighten the mood. She looks like she's in her mid 20's, despite almost being 40 years old. She heals fast, ages slow - that's a bonus she makes light of to offset how heavy her Quirk is, but she values those bonuses none the less.
It's good that things are healing all over the world. It fills her heart with hope to hear that the definition of a crisis is expanding in the modern day - it brings the world closer to her dream of peace and safety for everyone. Half of the emergencies she tended to could have been prevented if people just knew more, had the help they needed earlier, just...had a chance to be anything other than a villain.
It wasn't always a choice they made, from what she'd seen over the years. ]
Likewise! The future is looking brighter every day. There is much we'll have to overcome, but we have a better chance now than we ever did before. Especially with bright young Heroes like yourself in the mix.
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Oh, a Rescue Hero!! That's what I'm striving to become, too! You must already know about Recovery Girl then, I'm sure? She's our school nurse. I'd normally go to her with this, but...she's been assigned to the hospitals in the area that had the most injured, obviously. I'm not exactly a healer... I mostly deal with, ehh...evacuation, clearing debris, and heavy lifting. Hehe, I once stopped a plane crash, but that was, um...w-well. It really pushed my limits, let's just say.
[Yeah, that. That was perhaps the worst off Ochako's ever been after overusing her quirk. Her weight capacity was exceeded by probably a hundred times or more, so she really went Plus Ultra. She couldn't remember anything after she passed out and woke up in a hospital bed days later. But at least everyone was safe with only very minor aches and pains.]
Mm!! I'm really looking forward to it. The new Hero Coalition is already so, so much better than what it used to be - and the plans they've talked about are so beneficial to everyone, not just Heroes, but civilians and stuff, too. [Funding for mental health programs, really screening the people they hire for quirk counseling (there have been some, uhh...very bad eggs in the past that have hurt more than helped youngsters just acquiring their quirks), and just more education and promotion of what Heroes do everyday - the good, bad, and the ugly, so people can understand then more and not put Heroes on a pedestal like they used to. That they're people, just like them.]
Ryslig AU-ish/Test w/ VoidLegion
The last thing she remembers is laying down to sleep in her quarters at the Watchpoint in Gibraltar. This is not her bed, she can't help but notice. Although her throat is dry, she swallows and tries to get a grip. Just...get out of this - what is this? A supply closet? Whatever, get out, and into somewhere light where she can see, and assess from there.
Her hand finds the door and subsequently the handle - but before she can open it she hears something shift behind her. Perhaps another person, possibly in the same state she's in. She wheels around to face the shape shifting in the dark.
"Hello? Who's there? Can you move - are you alright?"
Re: Ryslig AU-ish/Test w/ VoidLegion
He had won, finally, it would all come to a close. No more cycles no more- Boy, unified being sure smelled a lot like bleach cleaner. Bleach cleaner and, someone talking. Talking to him. Well that wasn't a good sign.
Lucas Devain opened his eyes,casting the small space in a dim golden glow. He blinked. This was a closet. This was a broom closet. He had cast off the yoke of existence, broken the origin curse, ascended to absolute unity and... and he was in a broom closet. He couldn't decide if he wanted to laugh or cry.
A moment of contemplation saw him settle on neither, and instead, he reviewed the last few moments and realized he had rather left the other person present in suspense. A glance showed that she was looking at him with concern. That felt unusual after so long. He cleared his throat, feeling like he had gargled a mouthful of sand.
"Hello, my name is Lucas, and, we are about to find out." He said affably, using a hand to steady himself against the closet wall, as he, somewhat stiffly, rose to his feet. "Wonderful, I'm not injured much. By the looks of it, neither are you" He said with genuine relief. Most of the time, things like this ended up with him waking up missing limbs or other sundries.
He straightened his tie, glancing over again at the lone other individual. "So, as we seem to be in mutual possession of working limbs, do you know how we got here; or are you my kidnapper?" He asked, an easy smile making clear that he was joking.
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"Angela Ziegler. Nice to meet you, Lucas. Although I would have preferred better circumstances for introductions." Her own wry smile returns the joking mood. "No, I'm afraid I don't know how we got here - or where 'here' is."
With the glowing eyes, she can see her surroundings better, and is able to find the door handle more quickly this time. She cracks it open a bit, flooding the room with uncomfortable fluorescent light. Angela shields her eyes a bit, peering out into...a mall? A shopping mall. She can see people walking around, going about their business. And...mannequins, almost cyborg-like, patrolling the hallways. The smell of food somewhere nearby makes her almost sick with hunger.
How long have I been out? How did I get here?
She pushes the door open, holding it for Lucas to pass through.
"We should get out of here. If only because the industrial cleaning supplies are giving me a headache." And because she's ravenously hungry and the cramped space is starting to make her panic again.
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"Angela, lovely name, and a joy to make your acquaintance, despite the circumstances." He said, peering out through the door before taking the first step out into...
Oh, all the gods be damned he was in the emporium. Stuffing down the urge to curse loudly, he gave the place a second look. It was expansive and loud, but seemed to lack the telltale insanely high ceilings. No, no thankfully not the emporium, but somewhere with an eerily similar sense of aesthetics.
"Well." He said "I have never been here in my life. Wonderful." A strange rumbling noise caused Lucas to look about questioningly, before he realized that the sound had come from his stomach. Now THAT was a blast from the past. "Ah." He said, slightly embarrassed. "Seems food may be in order. Though we may have to deal with the- hm, golems, I suppose?" He continued with a shrug.
"Don't suppose you have any idea what those are about Angela?" He asked, waving vaguely at the passing automatons. "Because I am extremely out of my realm of expertise here."
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Truthfully? The only thing that Angela can grab onto is in fact the weird 1980's aesthetic - it may be practically ancient history in her world, but at least being lost in time isn't something she's UNfamiliar with as a concept. But then, they didn't have automatons of this kind during the 80's. These aren't omnics, are they? Nor are they...golems? A peculiar choice of word that makes her arch a brow as she thinks about it.
Angela nods in the direction of a food court sign and takes the first step towards that direction. She can't help but feel awkward and out of place among the people here. She's not in her pajamas she went to sleep in, thank god, but she is in her more casual wear. It looks very different from what everyone around her, including Lucas, is wearing, but it makes it less weird to move through the space. Although, people occasionally give them both a startled, pitying look as they hurry past. She turns her attention back to the current conversation. It's less worrying than thee way people are looking at them.
"Golems? You are referring to the mythological beings made of...clay, if I am remembering right?"
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"Clay, rock, flesh, anything that can be bound together with a core; although based on your phrasing perhaps they are called omnics where you hail from? Artificial beings, often mass produced for a specific task?" He continued, glancing back to gauge Angela's reaction.
Certainly he couldn't feel magic here in the more classical sense, but that could as easily be a lack of ley-lines in the area as anything else. Nonetheless, the way the place seemed to run entirely on mechanical parts was somewhat unnerving. Well, except the golems, those suggested that there was still some form of magic working, at least unless people had learned to teach raw soul matter to speak without magic while he wasn't looking.
He paused for a moment, an unpleasant thought scattering his concentration. What if he had been dormant so long that a new cycle has started. Had someone managed to break him out of his ascension vessel and stuffed him in a closet? That would require an acutely zealous sort of revenge if so. Still, no point jumping to conclusions he supposed.
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"The term 'Golem' is...archaic, and should not refer to the sentient robotic beings we call Omnics today."
She stops short of calling it a slur, though she's heard it used as such. Omnics on the whole were perfectly commonplace and fine - she interacted with them infrequently as a surgeon/doctor with a flesh-based expertise, save for encounters with hostile ones. She shudders, recalling flashes of battles and their aftermaths.
"May I ask what part of the world you are from where they don't have Omnics?" Genuine curiosity can be heard there, as much as caution. "I was under the impression that the crisis was worldwide."
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Waiting for the answer, Lucas began to prepare himself for one of the three conversations that normally followed the question. He was hoping for option number one, where the person involved would say Galn and then look at him like he was crazy. Two however was looking more likely, given that Angela seemed to be talking about a history that was quite different from the one he knew, having lived through more or less all of it. Option three was hopefully not the winner since he was currently unarmed.
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Angela can only guess at why he'd ask such a thing. Perhaps he is from one of the moon colonies? Is he asking if she is, too? The look on his face is more serious than it has been since they met (admittedly like five minutes ago). It finally seems to strike her that this is unlikely a dream or hallucination. Something is actually wrong, then.
"Earth. Planet Earth." She says firmly, as if reaffirming for herself. "Why?"
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He ventured a proper look to gauge his companion's reaction. Some would dismiss it, others embrace it. The foolish would turn to violence, the intelligent, to questions. Whatever the case, he was hoping that Angela was as reasonable as she seemed. Disbelief could be dispelled, dismissal retracted, but, well, you couldn't fix stupid. Luckily, from their short interactions, she hadn't given him that impression.
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She rolls the thought around in her head. It's not so far off from time displacement, though it is pretty far out of the realm of anything that's been confirmed or studied in her world. As far as she knows, anyway. There is a skeptical shadow over her expression while she observes Lucas, but after a few tense seconds, as he does not laugh or clarify, she nods slowly. More to calm herself than anything else.
"Let us assume that is true - we are, for lack of a better term, interlopers in another realm of existence. How is that possible, scientifically speaking, and by what mechanism could we have been transported here?"
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"Well, mechanisms vary." He said with a low sigh. "Anything old enough or powerful enough to pull people from disparate locations on this scale would presumably be a suspect." He ventured. "Gods, sufficiently powerful teleportation mechanisms. Priomordials." He added, seeming to bite off the final word before calming himself. "Though I can't say i see many common elements that would have resulted in us being selected..." He trailed off, seemingly deep in thought for a few moments, before he looked around at the mall around him again. "Frankly though, I have little idea what is going on. This place is odd, even among the places I've been. It feels... different somehow. As to science, I get the impression you may be better versed there than I. Where I come from, there is rather little in the way of the purely mechanical."