megabytes | Inbox: Mask or Menace

That can happen?

[This is just so weird. Megaman's had a power shuffle of his own happen, but it wasn't really a mutation, as far as he could tell. More like a Porter glitch. If people's powers could just change on their own...oh boy. So much potential trouble.

He's glad Hiro's okay, at least, even if this is still really weird. Surely they can figure this out. Debugging step one: determine the expected output and compare it to the actual results.]

Okay, so your powers changed. How did they change exactly? Besides [He gestures to the cyberspace around them.] this.

[ In reality, it's a standard port out and port back in - but Hiro doesn't know that. He conked at work and woke up at the Porter, that's all he knows. So, clearly just a mutation instead.

He kind of shrugs helplessly. ]

Just this. I think. My technokinesis is the same, mostly.

[He almost tries to reassure Hiro by pinging him with emotional and context-communication data, purely on instinct, but catches himself just in time and instead walks over to give him a gentle nudge. We got this, not-bro.]

Just this, then. Did you just find out you could do this? [aka "did you suck yourself in here on accident or were you aware of what you were doing"]

[ Huhhhh, that almost-ping felt weird. But he relaxes when Megaman comes over to nudge him instead. ]

Couple days ago. I've already practiced some since then. No clue what I messed up this time though - I didn't have any trouble getting out last time.

Okay, that's good! We have a baseline. Can you think of anything you might've done differently while you were in here, this time?

[Gotta account for all the variables. Speaking of, as he talks he's already accessing the comm's system, bringing up settings and the active processes list and anything else he can think of that might be able to point out a difference between now and the last time Hiro tried this. He doesn't even think about it when he does, or even bother to ask - Hiro's his surrogate operator, working with the systems he owns is what Megaman's supposed to do. A navi wouldn't be able to get much done if they had to ask permission every time they did something.]

[ And Hiro's used to that too, though it's bizarre watching it all happen from the inside. He actually stops and stares at Megaman working for a moment before he answers. ]

I ... uh ... I actually tried messing with things? Just some basic stuff. Moving data around, changing some settlings...

[Megaman just kind of. Stops everything when Hiro says that. He's quiet for a moment, then finally he sighs (or, well, he goes through all the body language of a sigh - there's no audio) and turns to give Hiro a Look. You know the one. The "oh my god little bro how are you so dumb you can't possibly be related to me" one.]

What did you change.

I dunno, a bunch? Stupid stuff like the brightness and turning the wifi on and off...

What's that look for?

[He doesn't say anything, just pulls the settings list up front and center and starts running through it. He'd ask if Hiro was sure he'd changed everything back properly, but, well...the answer is pretty obvious.

After a minute he stops, "sighs" again, and with the flick of a wrist turns the wifi back on.]

There. Try it now.

[ Hiro's expression shifts the moment he feels the wifi go back on. That ... oh. Now he can feel the way back out, as easy as taking a couple steps. He concentrates for a moment, fading from sight ...

And then there's a thump outside the comm as Hiro goes sprawling face-first onto the floor. ]

[As far as he's concerned, you deserved that faceplant, Hiro.]

Next time you go messing with a device's settings, make sure you've changed everything back before you try to leave. Especially when you mess with something like whether or not wifi is on.

[ He sits back up with a soft groan. ]

That was it? That was why?

Yes, that was it. I just...did you really not even try to check what you changed before you texted me? That's just common sense!

I-I didn't think about it! I haven't been doing this very long!

It's basic debugging! You make changes, you stop getting the result you expected, you go back over your changes and test their effects to see if one's responsible! You're an engineer, you should know this!

[Sorry Hiro. He yells because he cares.]

[ Ow, right in his pride. He winces. ]

I'm sorry! I was scared!

So was I! When I got your message, I thought you'd been hurt! Instead you were just--

[He lets out a frustrated yell, reaching up to clutch the sides of his helmet. Forgot that he might be waking up other people in the house? Probably.]

Dammit, Lan, can you just think before you do something!

[ Hiro goes quiet for a moment, unsure of how to react to that. ]

I'm not Lan.

[And he just looks confused. Guess who has no idea what he just did.]

I know that! Where did that even-- don't change the subject!

You just called me Lan!

[ He should probably take that as a compliment? But frankly he's feeling a bit attacked right now. ]

Look, I'm new to this, okay? Can't you teach me this stuff?

I...I did?

[It really is a compliment, in a way, but wow does Megaman feel bad about doing it. Hiro might remind him of Lan a lot, but that's not why he likes him; it's part of why he gets along so well with him, but Hiro's a great person in his own right. Megaman doesn't want him to start thinking he's just some kind of replacement.

It also drives home just how he's been acting. God, did he really just start getting on Hiro's case the same way he does to Lan when he does something stupid and scares him? What is wrong with him?]

That was...I...yeah. Yeah, I'll teach you. Sorry.

[ He suuure did. And Hiro's making some moderately upset faces because of it. When Megaman relents, though, he forces himself to relax a little. ]

It's okay. I mean, you're right, just ...

... You miss him, don't you?

Well, yeah, but...

[He is just so uncomfortable right now. What is he even supposed to say after doing something like that? He's not even entirely sure why he did it.]

[ He's quiet for a moment more, thinking. And then he materializes in the comm again, so that he can talk to Megaman face to face. (And maybe shake a few more Lan associations if Megaman isn't in the comm while Hiro's outside.) ]

What's he like?

[Oh Hiro. If only it was that simple.

He glances up for a moment when Hiro plugs back in before looking away. This is so awkward. It doesn't help that he's honestly not entirely sure how to answer that question. He knows Lan inside and out, and he's pretty sure he could accurately predict what he'd think of certain things or how he'd react to certain situations, but actually putting that into words? He's never had to do that before, at least not to someone who hasn't actually met Lan. Where is he even supposed to start?]

He's...excitable? Energetic? ...he doesn't like having to sit still, always has to be doing something. I mean, it's not like he doesn't sit around and relax, or read or watch TV or anything, he just...he needs something to be engaged in or he gets bored, or goes a little stir-crazy. [He frowns.] It's part of what makes getting him through a school day so hard.

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