2984/Return of the Great Voice

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Return of the Great Voice
Date of Scene: 27 October 2017
Location: Unknown
Synopsis: Summary needed
Cast of Characters: Martian Manhunter, Black Cat




Martian Manhunter has posed:
J'onn has been considering this conversation for the last week given his interactions with Felicia. He honestly isn't sure how she will react, or if it is something she will even be interested in, but as the saying goes.. Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained. That said, he takes his leave of the Watchtower, and expands his telepathy out across the planet below him. The silence, floating in space, is both overwhelming and exquisite...

The first of the minds he is able to touch is Felicia's, a small smile comes to his features, <Felicia, Are you busy?> his mental voice reaches out to her. Brought along his connection are hints of excitement, trepidation, and nervous anticipation. She can feel an odd mix of both urgency and reluctance , but also underpinning the emotions he sends ot her is companionship.

Black Cat has posed:
Felicia is lying on the couch and reading a book when J'onn makes contact. She smiles and closes the book. <Never too busy for you, J'onn. Coming over?> She furrows her brow curiously at the emotions that manifest with his question, and lays the book down on the coffee table. <You're welcome to come talk to me, you know this.>

Martian Manhunter has posed:
<Yes. I will be there momentarily.> J'onn replies, the link bringing with it more of the excitement and anticipation. As he begins flying in the direction of her apartment, he will continue speaking with her <I realize that I am always welcome, but it is proper etiquette to confirm that you are not otherwise engaged.> This time there is a hint of mirth, and happiness that she was not busy.

Soon, she will see the form of J'onn materializing into view as he move through her wall that faces the street outside. As he becomes fully solid, he steps up to her, and wraps his arms around her in a welcoming embrace as a rare smile touches his lips. J'onn stays there for a moment, enjoying the closeness he has learned to accept, and before he releases her he asks, "What trouble have you been causing while I have been away?" he has learned to send a bit of mirth with his 'jokes' since he is so horrible in delivering them... that way she knows it is, in fact, a joke.

Black Cat has posed:
Cat smiles and embraces J'onn. "I've been up to no trouble at all, thank you very much. I haven't even been out of the house, today. I suspect that'll change come evening, unless of course you have the time to spend the night." She releases him from the hug, but keeps hold of his hands. "I'm so glad to see you. Always so glad when you come by. Are you hungry? I've got stuff in the fridge."

Martian Manhunter has posed:
"You are very welcome.." J'onn says, that small smile still present, "...I am sure whatever trouble you get into will be of the type that I will be both proud and flabbergasted at the same time." His large hands, warm as always, fit easy in her small delicate grip. He shakes his head at the offer of food, "No, thank you, Felicia. Perhaps after our conversation we can go to one of your favorite restaurants if it would interest you?" He nods his head back over to the couch, "Please, sit, I have an idea I would like to talk to you about." The serious of his tone is reflected in the emotions that flow from him.

Moving her over to the couch, he has her sit first before taking his own spot next to her. Continuing to hold her hands, he asks "Do you remember our previous conversation about The Great Voice of my people? Our way of interacting on a daily basis, sharing thoughts and feelings, even memories, with those we consider friends and family?"

Black Cat has posed:
"I remember, J'onn. I remember how heartbroken you were to have lost it." Cat tilts her head, watching his eyes as she gives his hands a squeeze. "Are you all right? I don't think I've ever known you to feel so serious when you speak..."

Martian Manhunter has posed:
"It is a disturbing topic for me." J'onn admits, his thoughts moving through time to remember, what he can, of what happened back on Mars. "From what I can recall, though my memories are still somewhat fragmented, is that in order to not be destroyed in my species cataclysm I had to remove myself from the Great Voice. It is hard to fully explain what this means..." J'onn thinks for a few moments, before adding "Imagine if you could remove your ability to feel, speak, emotionally connect, and interact with any Human you would begin to understand on some level..."

There is another longer pause, his thoughts working on all the possible ways to broach the topic, "I have been thinking about you, and your desire to understand it." He decides the direct approach is the best, "I have an ability, tied to my Telepathy, that would allow you to link with my mind in a very similar fashion to the Great Voice. We could share memories, thoughts, feelings, instead of me pulling and pushing those emotions. You would freely be able to open and close yourself, or from me, as if you had some skill in telepathy yourself." There is excitement, but still an undercurrent of concern "I could teach you to control it, blocking sections as you wish, or even only allowing the presence of the link without any additional sharing."

Black Cat has posed:
Felicia smiles brightly. "That sounds...kind of amazing. I didn't have any idea that was possible. I would love to try it. To be able to understand you better. And so that you could understand me better, too. I think it's a wonderful idea, and I'd LOVE the chance to try it. I'd do anything to help you regain that part of yourself. To help you find a part of yourself you've lost, J'onn. Why would you even worry about talking about it?"

Martian Manhunter has posed:
"It is a unique ability of mine, as very few Manhunters, and almost no Martians had a similar capability." J'onn adds in, his features softening slightly. "It does not have to be permanent. If you were to decide it is not something you wanted, I would be able to remove the connection as well." J'onn tells Felicia, finding it important that she know this before he continues. "But this type of connection, it is very very personal. It requires a great deal of trust between the two of us, and is not something to be taken lightly." His red orbs looking into her eyes, "Until I can teach you to control it, you are likely to either block everything, or send far more than you intend. You know I will not take advantage of this, and I will work on my end to establish boundaries based on what I know is important to you."

He pauses again, almost as if he's waiting for her response, but he raises a hand to forestall her. He takes both hands again, his voice calm as he adds "You were curious how I have been able to better understand you, and how Humans interact given my own very different perspective." She can sense he is concerned about this topic, "There is another that has helped me a great deal. One with a unique power to help me understand the emotional state and connection of Humans. One that was able to see into the Walls I have built up given the fact that I saw the massacre of my species. It is because of this individual that I was able to understand and respond to the connection that was blossoming between us."

J'onn continues to watch Felicia, physically and mentally, "I will show you all of these interactions without filter. From what I have seen with Humans, what I have learned with you, the connection is very deep. In no way does this connection impact my thoughts or feelings on you, Felicia. I want you to know about it so that there is nothing hidden between us before you make this decision."

Black Cat has posed:
Felicia feels her gut grow cold. Part of her wants to retreat from J'onn with all speed. Throw up walls, slam doors. Drink herself silly. But there is part of her who wants to know more. Part of her that wants to know every detail, and be furious and hurt and feel the pain and take it out on herself.

And a part, however small, which wonders if she should thank this "other" for allowing J'onn to open himself to her.

And one more part which wonders why she wasn't enough to help him open up on her own.

Felicia stares, transfixed in her thoughts, and merely nods.

Martian Manhunter has posed:
While J'onn does not delve into Felicia's mind, his telepathy and learning to see Humans for as long as he has will let him know that Felicia is struggling. "Felicia, I am currently broken." the Martian admits, "The process to cut myself off from the Great Voice, it was more than mental barriers, but one that has scarred my Heart and Soul." J'onn knows that he can't solve this with anything other than complete honesty. "I could identify but not truly comprehend the connection that has been growing."

He shares with her his own concerns that this revelation would drive her away, but he respects her too much to not discuss it. Wondering if his own Martian upbringing is causing him to be inadequate in relaying the breadth of the gap that was there between him and Humanity before.

"There is something else you should know. The time that I showed you the beauty of Earth from Orbit? The conversation and time that we shared up there?" He waits for her recognition, "That was the reason why I spoke to the individual. They found me, because of the change and turmoil that was felt through their power." He squeezes her hands lightly, "It was you, Felicia, that caused this initial change and need to find the answer within me."

Black Cat has posed:
Felicia nods, slowly accepting the realization. "So -she- is why you became the way that you did with me..." She smirks. "Because anytime a man says 'they,' he means 'she.' And that is why you have become so much closer to me since?"

Martian Manhunter has posed:
J'onn pauses to consider the question, "She." He admits as he's thinking, and Felicia can tell that what he's thinking about is the previous statement. "She has a unique power, unique in the whole of the Universe as far as I can tell, She is continuing to help me see where my issues reside since my severing of the Great Voice."

J'onn reaches out to Star at this point, explaining the situation, and asking if she has any issues if he shares details with Felicia while protecting each of their identities. Those are secrets that are not for J'onn to share.

"You, Felicia, are the reason why I have become the way I have, and spend time with you. I tried to understand, so I could give you what I think you needed, but I struggled with knowing how." J'onn responds, serious and honest, "She is helping me understand the emotions since I am still guarded, and struggling to relate to Humanity in many ways." He reaches up to tap his head, "But this Link I can create, it will help me and hopefully help you, understand even more."

Black Cat has posed:
Felicia nods quietly, still processing all that J'onn has shared. "You are so perfect to me, J'onn. I cannot see how to hold against anyone the desire or ability to help you where I cannot. I want to see you whole again, and happy. I want to be able to make you happy, too. If this is what it takes, then so be it."

Martian Manhunter has posed:
As J'onn had reached out, the response he received was <J'onn. It's good to hear from you, and I think that this idea is a great one in your healing process. I have no secrets. Please feel free to share what you need, when you need to do so. I will be here for you, no matter what you need. Take this step. Share what you wish and have no fear, you know that I will help in any way that I can.>

"Felicia, before you make this decision, I will share with you my interactions with her. You will see and feel everything from my perspective." After a moment, and apparently another quick conversation, he adds "I will not show her Identity, because it is not mine to share, but I believe at some point you will interact with one another."

He reaches out to Felicia, taking her hands, and asking "Are you ready? Sharing memories this way is disorienting, because you will /know/ you are Felicia but you will be seeing the world through J'onn's eyes. This way you will know what is being filtered." He wants for her to decide if she wants to see his memories, and who this other /she/ happens to be.

Black Cat has posed:
Felicia nods, grasping J'onn's hands and giving him a quiet "I'm ready."

The resulting flow of memory is as hard to see as she could have possibly imagined. She grasps his hands more tightly, afraid of letting go, almost as if she'd be stuck outside her body forever.

And yet, she cannot take tear herself away from the memories. The intensity, the changes in him from one moment to the next, opening his heart, opening his body and mind...Felicia is enthralled by the ability of this other woman, and she begins to understand how much the woman accomplished with J'onn, the longer the memories go on.

At last, she releases J'onn's hands, standing, raking her fingers through her hair, shaking her head. "I am grateful to her for what she has been able to do for you. But I will not remember those images again. I will not think on them. I will not feel them, or acknowledge them."

Martian Manhunter has posed:
J'onn reluctantly let's go of Felicia's hands, and is at a loss on how to proceed. From his World it is easy to share and understand intent as well as outcome. After a moment he stands, and walks over to her... then will try to pull her into his arms, "I am sorry if those memories have caused you pain. I wished to share with you what I could not explain in words..." and then quietly he adds "...you were in my thoughts, if you recognized my call..."

He stands there, quietly for a moment, and asks her "Do you still wish to do this? I understand if not, and will do all I can to continue to grow such that it increases our own connection without this new Link." For now, his emotions are locked tight, attempting to not sway Felicia one way or the other. "The Choice is always yours."

Black Cat has posed:
Felicia allows J'onn to embrace her. She shakes her head. "This is not about me, J'onn. This is about healing your loss, and allowing you to mend. I said that I would do anything to that end, and I will. You mean more to me than you can possibly know. No one...no one has ever given me what you have. And I will not turn it away now just because of how you came to be able to provide it." She takes his arms in her hands and rests her head against his chest.

"I am willing and able to do whatever it takes for you. I'd stand in the fire with you."

Martian Manhunter has posed:
"I think you will learn that how Martians view the world is very different than Humans." J'onn speaks, his chest rumbling against her back, "It does not mean that I will ignore what bothers you, or your concerns. It just means that there are some aspects of my perception that struggles with reconciling how Humans view the world."

There is another rumble she will feel, an actual chuckle, which is as rare as vibranium on this planet, "An apropos statement, my Cat. Fire is the Martians eternal enemy, and offering to face it with us is as much an Oath of giving me your Life as when Humans speak of Love." He pulls her to the couch, taking her hands again, "Let us begin..."

She will feel a mental push form him, searching through her mind, but not her memories. It feels as if he is trying to locate a spot in her mind, and after an unknown amount of time the pressure stops. There is a mental shock, almost like being concussed, and as her fog clears she can /feel/ J'onn. Not his mental presence, which is still there, but she can reach across on her own and /feel/ him there. His mind is like a Fire, bright and warm, and powerful like the Sun. As she looks deeper she will sense his excitement, joy, caring and companionship as if they were written on a billboard. There are other emotions, other thoughts, but they move too fast through his head to catch.

Black Cat has posed:
Cat jumps at the sudden attachment, and then...she feels him. As large and warm as he ever has been, physically, and yet he is there, in her mind. Something so real that she cannot deny his presence there. More intimate mentally than she ever thought possible. She smiles, and looking up into his eyes, she embraces J'onn, and kisses him softly, only breaking the kiss to whisper. "Thank you."

Martian Manhunter has posed:
J'onn was ready for the rush of emotions from her, much like training a new Martian in their powers, and so he deflects the ones he believes she doesn't mean to share. Both the embrace and the kiss are welcome, and he returns them in kind accompanied by a sigh of relief. This type of communication he has not experienced in so many years that he could not define it, but it is an amazing first step. Already his heart feels lighter, and he truly knows he is not alone. "No, thank you, my Cat."