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[ The library is a little worse for wear now. Charles has tried his best to put everything back where it once was but from the feed it's easy to tell that it got hit by the earthquake. Shelves are cracked down the middle and books have been taken out and carefully stacked beside them, a light fixture hangs precariously from the ceiling, and the walls seem to have taken a battering as well. But everything is still standing and Charles is less concerned about the building itself than he is about the people.

He's leaning against one of the chairs when he speaks, expression and voice infused with worry. ] Hello. I'm afraid I should have spoken to you all sooner. Is everyone all right? [ There's dust caked to the collar of his cardigan and he rubs at it absentmindedly. ] Are any of you injured? Have we lost contact with anyone?

[ He's never actually encountered an earthquake before. It was rather startling and he's glad the majority of people here are adults who wouldn't panic. ] If anyone has had their housing destroyed, please get into contact with me. I'm trying to find a place where we can set up a sort of camp. There'll be food and water and if you need, medical attention. I'd appreciate it if you could check in with me. Let me know if you can't find your friends.

[ He's a little frustrated with his lack of quick response but what can you do? Charles holds back his sigh and very gravely regards the device before he ends. ] Thank you.

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[Someone looks a lot better. Barely any bruises and she doesn't look nearly as disheveled. There's deeper wounds that are still in trouble, but she's fine, thanks.]

How well did the library survive?

Ah, Brigid! Some of the books are ruined. Water from the pipes. But the building is intact.

[ He pauses. ] How are you?

I wish I knew more about repairing water damage to books. It would certainly help.

[Then she smiles.]

Just fine! not completely healed, but I'll be right as rain soon enough.

[ He smiles. ] Bookbinding has never really been an interest of mine but I think it would have worked in my favour.

You didn't get hurt further during the earthquake?

My one teacher was into it, but I never paid much attention.

[She shakes her head, her red hair moving to reveal the deep scratch on her neck.]

No. Our kitchen ceiling has buckled in and some of the glass from the light above broke and fell, but other than that, we came through relatively unscathed.

I'm glad.

[ He doesn't relish the idea of any of them getting hurt. ] I'll admit, I was a little surprised by it.

I was more surprised by the lack of reaction from the animals. Normally, they know at least a few minutes before it happens, but they didn't act abnormal at all from what I've heard.

Oh, really?

[ See how little he knows about these kind of things. ]

I think I read somewhere that animals can sense earthquakes coming and act... differently? I'm not sure how, though. Apparently, they didn't here, which is weird? If I'm remembering my geology course right.

It might not have been a natural occurrence then.

Which isn't comforting at all.

Comfort is as lacking as the resources in this place.

I told Derek, when the lights first went out, that it's psychological warfare. Whoever is doing this is just trying to push us until we break, and then push us some more.

[She tucks hair behind her ear with a bruised and swollen hand. She's not fully healed.]

Unfortunately, we only have each other to keep the insanity at bay. And that only lasts so long.

[She blushes.]

Sorry; history student.

It's all right. I've actually thought about that myself before. Everything that happens here, all the separate little events that keep occurring - they all seem to make one thing very clear. We're being pushed until we break in some way.

[ It angers him, but there's very little that he can do. ] Though I believe we can work together and fight back. None of us have to do any of this alone.

I hope so. There are those here that I would not wish to fall to the issues facing us. It's... dangerous for normal people, and some here are not normal.

Yes. That's why I keep a record of all of the inhabitants with special skills. So I know who needs help the most.

What kind of special skills?

Anything. I, myself, am a telepath. I can read people's minds. [ Before she can panic. ] I'm not currently using my power.

You're a telepath? How do you keep yourself from peeking into everyone's mind?

[She blushes.]

Sorry; curiosity has always been a failing of mine. I'd be tempted to just have a look.

Years of practice. [ An amused smile. ] When I was younger there was no way I could control it.

Oh; this isn't something you developed here? Is it a common thing in your world?

[And now she will ask All The Questions.]

Not common, no. But there are people like me. We call ourselves mutants.

mutants? So, it's an actual genetic anomaly, not a subset of the human genome?

[She grimaces.]

I mean, it isn't passed on, but randomly appears?

[ He laughs. ] Don't worry, I'm a geneticist. You're not using words I can't keep up with.

As for your question, I do not have the answer. Until recently my sister and myself were the only mutants I had ever encountered. I believed that there were more but I had never been able to find them. Were I not here, I imagine I'd be looking into that.

I wasn't sure I was using the right terms.

Biology isn't my strong suit. I'm an historian not a scientist.

[She pauses for a moment.]

I'd like to talk to you in person at some point, if that's possible?

[Video]

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