capeandcowl | heroism in restraint.

[ voice ]

I've convinced my doctor that it's not healthy to isolate me from current events. I've been granted simple internet access for the time being. A document follows. This is the information I've been able to gather on what's happening.

I hope it's helpful. You don't...

[A moment of silence.]

Use it without speaking to me if you're more comfortable with that. I will understand.

[ text ]

Over the weekend that has just passed, primarily on Saturday the 25th, several imPorts were abducted in a fashion that resembled normal departure through the 'Porter. The number is indeterminate, although we have some reason to believe it was ten. At least eight of them returned on Sunday in varying conditions. One was several thousand miles away from the City. Others seemed injured or disoriented. One had her hair changed.

Yesterday, a supervolcano a significant distance southwest of here nearly erupted. It was stopped by forces the public believes to be imPorts. No one on the Network has taken credit for the deed.

During my searches today, I detected traces of unauthorized surveillance on the Network. I don't know if it's related. It may have begun long before the current happenings.

Over the past week, at least six imPorts who had been in the City before and then left have returned. Some had their memories of the City, and others did not.

A "prophecy" was made earlier on the Network. I've linked it below for quick access. It's clear that at least some of the predictions made have already come to pass. Some phrases may refer to those abducted, if accurate. I can't say which ones. Those of you who know them well will have a better chance. I suggest doing so in order to isolate the phrases which refer to events we remain in the dark about.

It would be wise to bring them to light. But with our own minds: I don't wish to rely on the mutterings of shadows.

LINKS:

:: Shadows. They've spoken before.
:: A set of predictions. How trustworthy? I don't know.
:: A hidden entity asks a question of the Network.
:: Current events.

[ voice ]

There is also a...fan community for imPorts and our relationships with each other and the native citizens. A great deal of information is exchanged in this community.

It is virtually all inaccurate.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Wow. You're either a scholar and a gentleman, or you have way too much time on your hands.

[Slightly awkward pause, because, well...]

I may be a scholar.

But I also have too much time on my hands.

[Quiet giggle!]

So, the best of both worlds?

I'm not certain how that qualifies as the best.

Aren't you concerned?

Uhm. “There are two mistakes one can make along the road to truth: not going all the way, and not starting.”

Cliche, I know. Quoting. But bad things are going to happen regardless. It's up to us to decide if those bad things stop us or not, right?

[A pause. He's not sure if that makes any sense...]

Unless they're overwhelming. Unless they remove from us all control.

The people abducted...they had no control over whether they went any further along whatever path they took.

And maybe their path begins now? A new route. A new route for us all. Should we stumble or walk on?

We'll walk on, but not forget where we came from.

I don't think we ever should. Forget, I mean. I think that's what makes us human.

[video comes on. She positions it on a table, walking away from it. Feathers come into view. She has wingspan of at least twenty-four feet, extending.]

Or whatever we could be.

No.

[A pause, as he takes in the new picture.]

You.

You were one of the ones who stopped the eruption.

Is that correct?

Yes. But in a way, we all did. You guys, all of you heroes, you're the inspiration. You're the change.

[Wow, it's...kind of weird the way she stresses that! He doesn't want to be suspicious, and he's not questioning that he hasn't seen her around before--no doubt he's missed some things, with the trial and everything. But...]

"You"?

Not "we"?

There's not a lot of heroes, from my world. Not ones like you.

I understand what you're trying to say. It was similar, in my world. The heroes like the ones here were hunted, persecuted.

But I...am not a hero. You shouldn't call me one.

Why not?

For a long time, I was the one persecuting them.

Sometimes bad things have to happen, for growth. For change.

I understand.

I won't accept that as an answer for my crimes. They weren't necessary. They happened because I took too long to learn to make my own decisions.

[Beat.]

Who was making your decisions?

[There's a pause on his side, too.]

In a sense, my mother.

In another sense, the computer system that controlled humanity.

[It's complicated.]

That's kinda outside my expertise.

[Beat.]

I'm an artist. I sculpt.

[Beat.]

I'm sorry, I'm really bad at this. I'm sorry your mother was... That. I'm sorry you have to carry that weight.

[Wow, this conversation is just full of awkward pauses.]

Don't apologize.

It won't change things. That's up to me, now.

[So, so many.]

Yeah. It's up to you, it's up to us. That's what I'm getting at.