Text; Katie.Cakes

[littlemisskate]

I've been thinking a lot about how this place could be seen as a second chance. I wanted to ask... what would you do with that second chance? I know a lot of people want to find their way home but if you didn't, what then?

[She knows that it's an intrusive question and that maybe no one will respond but she's curious.]

Comments

[radicalspeed]

Smart girl! Violence is never the answer, right?

Except when it is, but that's a whole essay.

What kind of self defense?

[littlemisskate]

Not usually but sometimes it can't be avoided.

Right now there is a man teaching my hand to hand combat. I've thought about getting a gun but that felt excessive.

[This place isn't like Mexico where she can go around shooting peoples knee caps.]

[radicalspeed]

Yeah, I've never been very fond of guns myself.

Especially when I had a co-worker who liked to make one the size of a house, as his power.

Talk about a big ego.

[littlemisskate]

That sounds a little excessive. Maybe he was compensating for something?

[radicalspeed]

I didn't want to say it, but since you did -

Absolutely, I don't doubt it. Alters tend to like bigger and better, I Guess.

[Even he's guilty as charged!]

[littlemisskate]

Alters? I don't think I've heard of them before.

[radicalspeed]

They're a small subset of people born after a particular time who happen to have the ability to deconstruct and reconstruct material in a specific way. They're all unique to the person's personality and genetic code, though there's still a lot nobody really understands.

Or... nobody wants to understand, anyway.

Usually Alters are frowned upon. A shame, huh?

[littlemisskate]

It is. It sounds like an amazing ability. I don't think that's so different than being born with a particular talent, something that only you could do.

I think those talents should be celebrated.

[radicalspeed]

Too true. Unfortunately, Alters are limited to living in a place where poverty is high and government is nearly entirely hands-off, beyond meager aid and capturing dangerous subjects. You couple that with young and reckless Alters who don't know how to appropriately manage their powers, and it paints an ugly picture to anyone on the outside. We've got a nasty reputation.

Growing up in the Lost Ground was not an easy feat.

But... you're correct. I'm not remotely ashamed of my power.

It's a huge part of who I am, right?

[littlemisskate]

Yes. I am sorry that things were so difficult for you.
I've been to a few places filled with poverty and recklessness. I think I can understand a little bit, even if I didn't grow up in a place like that, it isn't easy.

[radicalspeed]

Oh, no need to be sorry for me. It's not a productive use of your time; think of all the other things you could dedicate that energy to. Better you didn't end up in the same boat either way.

The name's Cougar, by the way! It's a pleasure to meet you.