Earshot

[punsofiron]

Characters: Iron Liz and OPEN
Content: Mind-reading abilities are not all they're cracked up to be.
Location: Cafeteria
Time of Day: Afternoon
Warnings: none

Maybe she shouldn't have dragged herself out of bed. She had to get some coffee or something to try to cope with this headache that had been building up for the past several days.

But the cafeteria was far, far worse than even her room. Voices came from EVERYWHERE, bombarding her nonstop, even people who weren't even in the room. What had started as an occasional amusing thought as she passed someone in the hall became a constant chattering in her ears from everyone in what was apparently an expanding range. Sora and his friends going on about their recent departure and return, Princess Celestia's fixation with cake, random snippets of songs, Twilight's motormouth, Pinkie Pie, Pinkie Pie, Pinkie Pie, Pinkie Pie...

Pretty soon it all just became a jumble of noise she could barely even follow. Everywhere. She didn't even make it to the food synthesizer before she couldn't take it anymore and collapsed against the wall, leaving fingernail scratches in the paint as she slid to the floor, clutching her head, gripping her hair as if to tear it out.

Comments

[colorbymemory]

For Namine, the week was filled with a different kind of mental "noise"--seeing almost everyone's memories while she spoke to them. It was getting a little better now that she was building up some of her old defenses against the flow, but with so many people no defense was perfect.

Still, it was better than nothing, and at least allowed her to function and go about her day normally. She'd decided to go to the cafeteria for a snack after finishing up a project, and, ss luck would have it, she arrived just in time to see Liz collapse. "Liz!'

First Riku collapsing due to suddenly falling asleep, now this. She hurried over to help her friend up,.

[punsofiron]

At least Liz was still conscious. She drew in on herself as Namine got closer, still clinging to her head as if it would explode, but at the younger girl's touch she relaxed just a little. Her head pounded as she braced herself against the wall in an effort to stagger to her feet without putting too much weight on the child.

[colorbymemory]

Liz being conscious was definitely a good thing; as much as Namine's strength had improved from moving things around the Theatrical Deck, she still wasn't strong enough to carry Liz on her own. She was at least able to offer some support, though, and help guide Liz as they walked. From the flickering images of recent memory she was getting from Liz, she could guess this week had been difficult for her friend.

"Why don't we get you back to your room?"

All thoughts of getting a snack or relaxing flown from her mind, she was now more concerned about Liz and helping her feel better.

[punsofiron]

Liz let Namine guide her, walking slowly, pinching the bridge of her nose, eyes scrunched tight.

"I was already there...wasn't much better."

[colorbymemory]

Well, that made sense. Both the residential and cafeteria decks tended to be the most crowded, so there were more thoughts to pick up.

"Maybe one of the less crowded decks, then? There's usually not many people on the Theatrical Deck."

There were also lots of things there that can be used for an impromptu cot/mattress if Liz wanted to sleep.

[virtualunknown]

MakubeX had been enjoying this week. Making virtual environments without the use of a computer was more amusing than he thought it'd be. He made his way to the cafeteria, debating attempting a prank on someone. Imagine coming into the cafeteria and finding yourself in ancient Rome instead.

All thoughts of that were gone when he spotted Liz, though. His face fell and he ran to her side.

"Liz? What happened?"

[punsofiron]

As far as Liz could tell, the closer someone was to her, the louder their thoughts became. That was the last thing she needed right now as the chaotic thoughts of the Satellite echoed in her throbbing head. So when she heard the footsteps running toward her, she cringed, bracing herself for the incoming noise.

But there was nothing different by the time Makubex reached her. She could feel him by her side but his voice wasn't there. Now that she thought about it, she hadn't heard him in her head all week.

Not that that helped right now, surrounded by everyone else.

"Too many thoughts..." she whimpered, still clutching her head, "I can't shut them out!"

[virtualunknown]

MakubeX took a step back.

"Let's find you someplace quiet... May I try something?"

[punsofiron]

"...what, you have a Magneto helmet or something?"

She didn't really mean anything by that; it was just her way of saying "yes please" while her head pounded against the chatter.

[virtualunknown]

"Not quite."

MakubeX closed his eyes and held up a hand. Soon, the room changed into a calm forest. He wasn't sure if it would help anything or not, but it was worth a try.

/randomly decides Perry is a teleporter

[ttlynotanagent]

Perry noticed her collapse from across the room. His eyes widened and he teleported over, placing a paw on Liz's shoulder. There had to be a place on the SoL they could go to get her out of this, right?

\o/

[punsofiron]

Liz didn't look up at the sudden close proximity of worried thoughts, still clutching her head, eyes scrunched tight. But she knew who that mind was instantly, even before she felt the small fuzzy hand on her shoulder.

"Ohhai Perry."

[milliondollarpipes]

Harvey'd been pretty cautious since his little...incident over the comms, just making quick runs out of his room until they could see just how long the effects of his powers lasted. He'd slipped quietly into the kitchen a few minutes ago, in the back where there was a little more privacy. At the sound of someone else entering the room he waited a second and then, when there was no Minako-shriek, set down his plate and went to see who it was.

"Kid?" He hadn't even seen her at first over the tables, but now he hurried to her side. "Liz!"

[punsofiron]

Unfortunately for Harvey, he was probably one of the worst ones to get close to her right now. She picked up on him right away, with all his worries, not only about her but the fear of Minako following him around. Liz whimpered in pain, drawing her knees up to her chest and curling around herself, hands clamped over her ears.

[milliondollarpipes]

Her reaction sent him rocking back on his heels a little, drawing back the hand he'd intended to rest on her shoulder. "Kid? What's wrong? Do you - is it the mind-readin'?" He lived with a bunch of nerds, he'd seen enough stuff to see how that could become an issue. Harvey took a breath, trying to calm down and just...not think. Meditation wasn't exactly his schtick, unfortunately, but he'd been trying to censor his thoughts around her this week anyway - some secrets he didn't want spilled.

Right. Focus. "You want me to take you back to your room? Or someplace else?" Someplace without people would probably be better.

[punsofiron]

Liz swallowed, struggling to take a few deep breaths. She felt like her head was going to split open.

"I-I don't know. Everything's just...I can't think..."

[milliondollarpipes]

"Okay. Alright..." Harvey really had very little idea what to do to help her, a fact that didn't sit at all well with him. "...how about we get you down a few levels? Shouldn't be too many people there, it might help."

[beforethemoon]

"Hey! Are you okay?"

As outwardly cold as Isa was, he couldn't really ignore someone in the state Liz was. He kneels down next to her, a concerned look on his face.

[punsofiron]

Liz groaned, curling around herself, hands pressed over her ears as if that would shut out the noise.

"I feel my head's going to explode!"

[beforethemoon]

"Explode? What's going on?"

[punsofiron]

"I-I've been able to read minds all week. It was just a few close-range for a while but now--ngh!"

She winced and curled tighter around herself at an ungodly shriek of joy at whatever a nearby Pinkie Pie just discovered off in the corner.

"I can't even hear myself think!"

*Late!*

[halfdarkened]

Riku was in a peaceful mood. While being back wasn't high on his priority list, he tried telling himself he was on a vacation and that nothing could be done right now. Instead, he softly mused over what had happened after Sora was safe and sound. There was a quiet sense of pride and a lot of relief in gaining his new title. He truly was worthy of the weapon he currently shouldered. And for that he was thankful to so many.

He'd decided to grab some soda before heading back to his room. He had some drawing to do.

And then he saw a figure collapsed across the room. "Liz? ...Liz!" He rushed over, seeing her in pain. "Liz, what's wrong?"

[punsofiron]

"Agh, my head!" Liz exclaimed as Riku got closer, clenching her fists in her hair.

"Do you guys honestly have to think so loud?!"

[halfdarkened]

Riku blinked. "Think so loud?" That didn't make any...

And in an instant his mind put it together. Loud thought. Super powers. She's a mind reader.

Immediately Riku sat down and looked to the blank wall, focusing on the sound of his breathing a few seconds. Breathing. Breathing. But clearing his mind was hard, and he was undeniably curious.

Sounds make migraines worse. Think. Riku's thoughts became less casual than simple stream-of-conciousness, but he still kept his eyes focused on the wall beside her.. Liz, what can I do?

[punsofiron]

Liz listened in on him as he tried to clear his head, a very slight smile coming to her lips even as her head pounded.

"Well...it's sweet that you're trying at least."