And We Danced (Masquerade Overflow!)

[thespaceopera]

The Captcha is upon us, but the party isn't over! Feel free to continue your threads here, start new ones, and continue the dance party!

- Original Mingle
- OOC Post

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Comments

[thezerothlaw]

[He takes his time. Daneel at first isn't quite sure where to go, but he starts in a likely direction, looking around more with his mind than with his eyes. Is it cheating? Maybe. But he's also not going to go looking under things when he knows she isn't nearby.

Eventually, he comes near enough to feel the edges of her mind -- softened through her meditation, quiet, but still there, louder than an unconscious mind. Unhurried as ever, he follows her mind until he's close enough to look under things and around things, and then it doesn't take long to find her hiding spot.]

You made yourself quiet.

[dancingmd]

[When he speaks, Beverly opens her eyes and smiles at him.]

So it worked? At least a little?

[thezerothlaw]

A little, yes.

[Not that he could ever miss her. He offers a hand to help her to her feet.]

The edges of your mind were... softened.

[dancingmd]

[She takes his hand, but doesn't let go once she's standing.]

Deanna has taught me some mediation techniques, and Worf too, but I've never had reason to block you out, so I thought I might as well use the occasion to experiment.

[thezerothlaw]

I would prefer you not block me out, if I'm honest. I find your presence reassuring.

[dancingmd]

[A rush of warmth goes through her and she squeezes his hand. It's good to know that she provides him with some sense of reassurance and stability, like he does for her.]

Then I promise, I won't try again. I was only testing for purposes of the game. The truth is, I like you being in my head, so to speak. Having someone I trust who can understand me on that emotional level, without me having to explain is... comforting.

[thezerothlaw]

[He looks carefully at her for a moment.]

That's not a typical response, in my experience. Most humans have some suspicion of such abilities. It is the primary reason I have been so cautious.

[dancingmd]

[She ducks her head.]

No, I suppose it isn't. Even in a world like mine, with so many different species, many of whom have telepathic or empathic senses, humans aren't always comfortable with it. But between having Deanna as a friend and experiencing telepathy for myself... well, it's not so alarming to me. I can no more fault you or Deanna for feeling my emotions than I can someone else for being able to see or hear me. It's what individuals do with those abilities that matters, not that they have them.

[thezerothlaw]

Indeed. I do understand the caution. Great harm could be done with the abilities I possess, were they given to one who did not take care. Listening, at least, does no harm.

[dancingmd]

Sometimes... sometimes I wish I could listen to you too. While I was mostly relieved when my telepathy implant was removed there was a part of me that missed it.

[thezerothlaw]

[He looks at her carefully a moment. For him, it's a programming matrix, but that's not so easily passed to a human.]

I have considered the possibility that this is a trait of brains in general that is more developed in some. That an implant would be able to create this effect in you supports that.

[dancingmd]

I can believe that, especially after what happened with Wesley. Though I'm not sure how to trigger that ability without technological help. Nor am I sure I'd want to be able to read anyone else but you.

[thezerothlaw]

I don't believe you would be able to make sense of the programming matrix I have.

[He shakes his head.]

I also have no idea if it's possible to only link two minds with what I currently know.

[dancingmd]

Probably not.

[After all, even Lwaxana cannot read Data.]

I suppose I'll just have to suffer with doing things the old fashioned way.

[But it's evident from her smile that there's no true suffering involved.]