[network] @IAmLegend; video; Day 182 [open]

[definingfuture]

In case anyone hasn't spoken to a friend for obvious reasons, we seem to have all cooled off. I know now might not seem like the best time, but after what happened it's more important to keep in contact with each other and stay with people.

[Tony really wishes Steve were here. It should be him making this kind of announcement.]

What happened the day before wasn't an accident. It was something, the town maybe, trying to reach out and assert its influence over all of us. And if we react by dropping the work everyone has done so far? It wins. It gets exactly what it wants, because all of us break apart, making us easier to pick off. Or we give up. What we should be doing is pushing back and finding out who the prophet really is. We need to try to figure out what they intend to do for our own safety.

If there's anything I can do to help the rest of you, I still intend to do that. I'm not going to stop. I want everyone to be safe. And the best way to help each other is communication. Like the man said yesterday, don't shut down. He's a good guy.

So, on that note, my name is Tony Stark. I'm considered a superhero on the Earth I come from. We handle organizations that want to endanger the world, the occasional intergalactic threat, and... Things like this when they happen. Some of you might consider that a police force, but we're more of a general emergency response solution. I just want to give you a fair idea of who I am.

[He's holding the tablet up so he can address them properly, and raises his off-hand to gesture.]

Also, I have questions. First, how are your eyes? If you are still showing signs of change, I'd like to know. Do you feel different? Secondly, if you are alone right now and weren't with someone when this started, please check in. Let us know everyone is still here and no one is stranded without help. And if you have questions, today I'm going to be completely open.

Comments

[definingfuture]

[Poor Ecks. His voice lowers to something softer.]

It'll be okay. We'll be here for you no matter what happens. This? This wasn't your fault.

[ecks]

I do not want to hurt anyone again
I would rather be alone than kill again
I think if I am not alone I will kill again

[definingfuture]

I don't think you will.

[She made that decision, didn't she? She said so. And he believes that she really wants to avoid killing.]

You like having friends and don't want to hurt them. I don't think you'll kill the people here, because most of them are someone's friends. But I understand the feeling.

[ecks]

I won't kill them if I am able to choose

[definingfuture]

You can choose. I believe you'll be able to make the choice not to. We can help each other.

[ecks]

I think the best way to help would be for a person to tie me up when it happens again

[definingfuture]

[Oh, Ecks. That hurts him to hear. But Tony is a practical man and he understands that fear.]

If it happens again. But that's- that's why we need friends around. So they can stop us if things get bad.

[ecks]

I thought it was safer to be alone because of lockdown
I think now if I find friends I will stay with them
and they can use my string to tie me up

[definingfuture]

I... You're a good person, okay? It's not your fault.

[ecks]

I am trying to be

[definingfuture]

You are. Don't- It's different when someone makes you do it. You're still a good person.

[ecks]

I was a knife
but now I am a good person

[But it's really hard to be sure of that when she remembers being the knife and remembers how right it felt.]

[definingfuture]

...You're an Ecks. And you're different, but that's okay.

[ecks]

I AM Ecks
I will choose to be Ecks

[definingfuture]

You care about your friends and you don't want to be just a knife.

I was too. Some things you can't help. You just, you decide that they are more important. I like Ecks.

[ecks]

I think that friends are important
I am going to try very hard not to hurt them next time

[definingfuture]

We all are. And you can do it. [He wants her to believe it.] I'm sorry that happened to you. I know it's not easy. And it shouldn't happen to you, because that is not what you are.

[ecks]

[She has begun to think that it is what she is, but he sounds very sure of himself. She's thinking about it, at least.]

thank you

[definingfuture]

Of course. More than anything else, you're a friend.

[ecks]

I hope so
goodbye for now

[definingfuture]

Goodbye, Ecks. Stay safe.