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video | un: antiope

[ There is a singular purpose behind posting this message: offering help with the current situation, and in doing so, finding out who can fight and who needs protection.

The video starts with a shot of a woman dressed in armor, with a sword at her side. She appears comfortable in said armor, as well as being very comfortable with her weapon of choice. She purposefully picked a neutral place with nothing remarkable in the background for this first message to the network at large.

Depending on the reception it garners, she may very well be making more. ]

Hello.

[ It's only an introductory statement, but she's just getting started. ]

Something is very wrong here, from the curfew to the feeling that the streets are not safe. And there are the ice statues to consider.

I have also heard talk about the Unseen and the threat they represent. I don't know what I can do against them, but there must be something that can still be done.

What has been done before? Surely all options have not been exhausted.

[ She pauses for a moment to clear her throat. ]

And even if it turns out that there is nothing, if there is anything that I can do, even if it is as simple as providing any one of you with an extra set of eyes- I am prepared to make that offer.

[ Never mind that she's barely gotten settled and that she hardly knows anyone. These seem like dangerous times, however, and she knows she can't remain idle. ]

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The biggest problem is that there's a reason they're called the Unseen. No one's really ever been able to get a glimpse of them, and we can't see them coming if they attack. We've been posting any information we can find, but it's not really much.

I see. That does present a problem. What happens when they do attack? Do they give any sign of their presence then?

[ She pauses. ]

Perhaps a better question is, could a mark be left on them at the moment of their attack? Is it possible to injure them at all?

If you're lucky, you might catch a few sounds before they attack, but it's hard to tell where it comes from. They attack hard and fast - when I encountered them, everything was pretty much in a blur. Each hit almost seemed to come out of nowhere.

The only way I was able to fight them off was discharging a huge amount of electricity, but even then I couldn't tell if I managed to hit any of them back or not.

So they really are untouchable.

[ She shakes her head. Clearly, her idea of placing dye or another marker on them won't work if they can't even tell where the Unseen are. ]

There must be something that hasn't been tried yet.

[ Fighting an invisible enemy is not something she's very knowledgeable about, unfortunately. ]

Possibly, but it's also hard to think when they're around. When they're near, it's like all your fears and doubts are amplified. So not only can you not see them, you're already in a terrified state.

And I suppose that can't be resisted, either with one's own strengths or from another external source.

Not that I know of. At least, anyone I know who encountered them so far hasn't been able to.

That's a shame. But they can't be fully invulnerable. There must be a weakness to them somewhere, and I mean to find out what that is.

[ She just hasn't worked out how yet. ]

It would help if we could figure out where they take shelter. Since they only attack at night, there has to be somewhere they're hiding during the day.

Yes, that is a good question. Where do invisible beings tend to gather? Of course, and this is only speculation, but to they cease to be invisible when they are together and no one else is nearby?

[ And would they recognize them if they saw them? It seems that there are more questions than answers. ]

It's hard to say. It doesn't help that it's cold everywhere, otherwise we could try finding a place that's colder than the rest. They have the ability to manipulate the temperature around them.

[ He takes note of the user name and the armor as well as the slight accent in the woman's voice. When his video feed comes on, he's still in the library, holding a coffee cup in one hand, while clearly sitting on top of a table with a pile of books.]

From what I'm able to get from the research is the Unseen aren't from this world. There's some references to them being 'ether beings' that got trapped here. Though the information on how that came to be is conflicting at best and confusing at worst.

[ The sight of him sitting atop that table next to the pile of books almost makes her smile, but she catches herself at the last minute. She has a goal she wishes to achieve here, if at all possible. ]

So we are left in the dark, facing an enemy that can't be seen and is more or less unknowable.

[ It hardly seems fair, but nothing in life is fair, after all. ]

Unfortunately, I'll keep looking for answers. I feel like we're getting close to something that will be of use when facing these creatures down.

[ He takes a drink of his coffee, before moving his head from side to side to crack his neck. Clearly he's been at the research thing for a while because he doesn't look like he's slept at all. ]

As it is, we're on a time crunch since some of the statues in the ice garden are transforming into beasts.

If you uncover anything useful, I hope that you'll let us know.

[ She knows how that sounds, but she honestly doesn't mean that she thinks he won't. She has no reason to expect that, or to expect that he'd share anything with her specifically, since they're veritable strangers; but any information is vital here, since as far as she can tell, this situation impacts all of them. ]

Beasts? Are they visible, at least?

[ Because a visible enemy is one that she can fight, even though she's not ruling out being able to stop the Unseen somehow. ]

Naturally, it isn't as if I can fight these things on my own. I have some skills but I know my limits.

[ He's certainly not interested in becoming a statue himself. So has little choice but work with others even if they are strangers to him. ]

Well they are still frozen, so yes. But honestly I have no clue how long they will stay that way. Thus the rush to find any useful information that we can in order to save the victims and stop the monsters...or whatever they are.

Good. Too many people rush in on their own, when they should wait and move with others.

[ Generally speaking, of course. She hasn't been here long enough to say what others have or haven't been doing.

A thought occurs to her, then. ]

When you say these statues are transforming into beasts, what are they transforming from?

[ She hopes his answer isn't what she thinks it's going to be. ]

Dealt with a lot of hot heads and loners?

[ He knows he's had his fair share of dealing with idiots. ]

People. I'm assuming they were some of the first citizens that were turned into statues.

Many of them. I would say too many to count, but it only feels that way because of how stubborn they are.

[ Her expression sobers again, because this is serious. ]

I suppose there is nothing to be done for them now. Even if we finish off this enemy, will it be enough to bring them back?

[ She guesses not, if it's been too long. ]

I've had similar experiences.

[ He gives a nod, before his own expression turns contemplative as he considers something. ]

There might be, but it's a hunch based on a weird dream that some of us had the night several people were turned into the ice statues. I think the dream was some sort of message from the people who are trapped.

[ He knows it might sound crazy but for many people to have the same dream, it has to mean something. ]

You brought the sword.

[ The arrival of this particular message definitely causes her to raise her eyebrows. If she didn't know that a certain person who was rather fond of lurking in the shadows and behind a curtain of subtlety was here, this message might raise more alarm bells.

Still, she feels that some prudence is called for. Prudence, or perhaps a little light tease. ]

Should I not have? I could have left it at home, hanging in its place above my bed.

[ That isn't where she keeps it, in case he wonders. ]

[ If he felt the need to share the identity then he would. For now, certain people know who the Batman is. They know when he speaks and might even see him more in person. This, however, is done as a stage. Just to show the other heroes in their now shared reality that he's aware they're there and will talk if he feels the need. ]

The lasso and the shield came with you as well?

[ She understands why he wouldn't feel that way, because it's how she feels as well. She could have addressed whoever was listening as herself, Diana Prince, or rather, the persona she presents to the world, but she isn't quite ready to dive in so completely. ]

No, only the sword. I suppose I'll have to find a way to manage with what I have.

[ Read: she's very confident she'll manage just fine, shield or no shield. She'll miss her lasso, but she supposes she can't have everything. ]

That shield came in handy the last time I saw you in action.
We'll need to make sure you're prepared.

[ He's really wishing he had the Cave from home. Materials, supplies. It'd make all this easier. ]

I can't think of a time when it didn't come in handy.
Am I not always prepared? I'll find a replacement for my shield, and if I can't, then I'll learn to compensate without it.

[ Yes, she's aware that not everyone can always be prepared, not even her, but she'll try her best. It's all anyone can do. ]

We'll find a shield for you.
Even if we have to make it.

[ Don't you tempt him. ]

I appreciate the consideration, but surely there are other things to focus on.
I can manage without a shield.

[ And she won't have it said that she distracted him. ]

Outfitting ourselves to fight any known threats is something that is worth focusing on.
Manage. Are you optimal without it?

[ Too late, his brain is already going. ]

You won't hear any disagreement from me.
Of course I am. I have trained to deal with all situations.

[ Well, all situations that can be predicted, anyway. But Diana's training, and Amazon training in general, is nothing to be sniffed at. And his brain had better not go too far. ]

It sounds like we should test strength once this crisis is taken care of.

[ Specs and size of the shield? It's all going into that. He can't do much for runes or magical blessings from Gods, but, he can make her a shield that's insanely durable! ]

I can see the wheels in your mind turning. Of course now is not the time to talk about this, but I can't help but wonder how you intend to do this.

[ What materials is he going to use? Does he have a way to even craft a shield? She has more questions and evidently not enough time to ask them. ]

Impressive considering this is a text message.

I'll find a way.

Yes, I suppose it is. One of my many talents.

I don't doubt it, but I do hope you'll keep me informed.

I will. I'll be in touch.

[For a few seconds, Gansey stares in shock. He knows this person. Indirectly. The Gansey that lived in Gotham knew her, thought of her as family. Then his expression turns to polite helpfulness. A political mask sliding smoothly into place.]

The streets aren't safe. There's something called the Unseen here that we've been trying to find information on.

All options can't be exhausted. There has to be something we can do.

[The words hold more vehemence in them than the polite mask implies. He pauses a beat, looking wistful for a moment.]

Are you Diana Prince?

[ At first, Diana opens her mouth to comment on what Gansey said, but then the realization that he knows her name brings her up short.

She'll get to his opening comments soon, but first, she has to know one thing, knowing that if she asks the question on the tip of her tongue, he may take it as confirmation. But she sees no other recourse but to go ahead with it anyway. ]

How do you know that name?

[His expression slips again, uncertainty catching him for a moment before he carefully presses onward.]

My name's Richard Gansey III. Gansey.

This place does strange things to people. One of the things it did was give me the memories of a version of me from another reality. That person knew you by that name.

[He mentally flips through different words, different explanations, but none of them feel right so he chooses the description the other Gansey would use.]

You were very important to him.

[ Diana's confusion shows, in spite of herself. She rarely gets confused anymore, but this is something she wasn't prepared for. ]

Gansey.

[ She says his name, as if trying it out. It feels strange on her tongue, but that sensation is not as strange as learning that they meant something to each other in another reality. ]

In this other reality, what exactly did this person and I mean to each other?

Edited 2021-04-05 04:08 (UTC)

[He'd had a small hope that Diana would know him, but he'd assumed that she hadn't. She would have acknowledged him immediately if this was the Diana that the other Gansey knew.]

He called you his aunt, although you weren't related by blood. That version of me was Bruce Wayne's adopted son. You were his friend. His mentor. The conversations the two of you had...

[He couldn't keep the envy out of if voice. He'd love to be able to speak with her like that, especially if she's as knowledgeable as that Diana.]

You were one of the reason he studied history and art.

[ When or if she learns about that, she'll apologize. But she's only just begun to piece things together. ]

I see. It sounds as though the two of us- Or rather, them, were very important to each other.

[ She couldn't help but hear that tone in his voice, and although she wasn't one to make assumptions, she thought she understood why. ]

History and art... Two things I know quite a bit about.

[ But she supposed he had a reason for telling her all this, so she posed a question to him. ]

What would you like to have happen now?

They were.

[He almost mentions Evie, but she's a detail that might be too much for someone already trying to adapt to knowing about a life she hadn't led.]

Has anyone else spoken to you about that alternate world?

I know quite a bit about them as well. More history than art, but I've been learning since I experienced his life.

[For a moment, he's thoughtful, knowing what he'd like to say but he also knows that's unfair to Diana.]

What I would like isn't important in this situation. What you want to happen is what matters.

[ Her eyes soften just a fraction and she offers him a small smile. She might not know him well at all, but she doesn't have to know him to see that something deep had happened. ]

No, I haven't heard anything about it.

[ She has a feeling that Bruce has something he wants to tell her, but she can't quite tell just what that might be. In actuality, she figures he has several things he wants to talk about, but she can't tell if that's related to what Gansey's saying or not. She means to find out, however. ]

Well, I work as a curator of art at a museum, so if there's anything you want to know, I'm sure I could tell you.

[ She makes a point of intimately knowing the histories and backgrounds of each bit of art she works with, so she supposes if that's an interest of his, she could divulge some things. ]

In situations like this, I find that the best thing to do, when one person knows more than the other, is to simply start out being friends and to see where that leads.

[ She can't help but feel like they could be friends, but she can't really speak to anything else that might have happened in that other reality. In her experience, things like that can't be forced. ]

[Reminding himself that this isn't the Diana that the other Gansey grew up with, he offers a smile that is more genuine that most he offers while vid chatting on the network. After a moment, he decides that it'd be safe to tell her some of what had happened in that other life.]

There's quite a few details regarding it that might be easier to discuss in person. There are four of us that remember parts of that reality.

You work at the Louvre?

[He can't help laughing over the comment about anything he wants to know. Gansey's curiosity can insatiable.]

You might regret that offer. My mentor used to say he thought I would never run out of questions.

[Malory had rarely minded. He'd encouraged Gansey's curiosity and drive to learn.]

I would never expect you to take up that role with me. That Gansey knew you from childhood. You - or that version of you - helped him through a traumatic time and his grief. I would appreciate being friends, if you don't find this too strange.

If you would like to meet, I have no problems with that. I do work at the Louvre, curating antiquities.

[ She smiles a small smile. ]

I would never begrudge someone's curiosity. There are far worse things in the world. And I would never hope to claim that role because it would feel too much like overstepping, but we can certainly be friends. Would you like to meet for coffee? If there is coffee in this place.

I'd like that, and there is coffee here.

[He gives her a smile that the world rarely sees, nervous and hopeful, one that a politician's son is never supposed to allow out in public.]

I miss talking to someone who understands the scholarly side of the world. I had a mentor back home who helped me in my search. We used to talk about history and art and magic. He didn't think it was strange that a teenager wanted to know so much. I'd like having another friend like that again.

[Assuming that Diana wouldn't think it was odd that a ten year old had started a quest that ended up lasting eight years.]

That's good to know. I don't know about you, but I could go for a cup of coffee.

[ She enjoys it for the taste more than anything else, because the caffeine buzz isn't exactly necessary for her, but it also does open the door for social connections too. ]

Your mentor sounds like a very nice person. I'm sure you miss him, but while we are both here, as long as you'd like to, I would like to talk with you about history, art, and magic. Friendships have been formed on far less.

[ Meaning she already considers this a budding friendship, for whatever that's worth. ]

( while Peggy doesn't look nearly (or at all!) as battle ready as the woman in armor and a sword at her side, she feels it the polite and necessary thing to do by addressing the other in the same face to face fashion.

so when the video connects, Peggy ‒ still sporting the blue dress and pluck she came with a few short days ago, is seated at the dinette inside the apartment she'd been assigned. )

More than something, I'd say. It feels as if everything is wrong here. ( starting with the how they all came to be in Driftcrest. but there's nothing to be done about that right now. especially when there are more pressing matters which need tending to first.

starting with the Unseen and the ice statues. )

That said, if you haven't any takers yet, and wouldn't mind going after curfew with the potential risk of running into any of these Unseen creatures, I'd like to take you up on your offer. ( though with the sword Diana has, Peggy doubts the other woman would be any bit worried about coming across anything unsavory. )

[ Some might say Diana's near-constant battle readiness is a sign of paranoia, but it's something ingrained in her after centuries of seeing battles come and go. At the first sign of trouble, she's ready.

When the video turns on and she spots Peggy, her first thought is that this is a woman with taste. Perhaps it's because Diana always tries to look her best, so she recognizes similar qualities just based off Peggy's own choice of clothing. Either way, she makes a mental note to remember this person. ]

So you noticed it too. It's hard to miss, I suppose, but not everyone is so watchful.

[ She's still sizing Peggy up, trying to get a read on how she thinks and operates. ]

I have not had any takers, and I certainly don't mind. The last thing I intend is to be reckless, but these Unseen have been running about unchecked for far too long.

[ She can't say if she'll have any more success against them than the others have, but she's ready to try. ]

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sorry for the delay!