[ it happens soon after his arrival, before he learns not to reach out, before he understands the full extent of what has been done to him, to them all. it happens in conversation or when someone walking past drops something, it happens in a corridor or on the street when he simply walks past someone, brushing against them.

no matter how it happens, skin touches skin and the empathic bond kicks in. in some ways, it feels natural to kaldur - he is used to a bond with the team via miss martian's powers. but m'gann isn't here. the emotion comes across as a sense of loss, a sense of guilt, a near overwhelming sense of responsibility, the sense of a burden on his shoulders. there's determination, too, somewhere beneath it all. ]

[ kaldur has found a park that features a small lake and that is where he can be found now, a scarf wrapped around his neck to hide the gills and his webbed hands hidden in the pockets of his jacket despite the fact that there is no one here to see him.

he needed to be near water. this lake is a poor excuse for the sea, but it is water and it calms the storm raging inside him somewhat - although none of his inner turmoil shows on his face. still, if someone were to sit next to him, if their skin were to brush his at any point, they would feel his overwhelming sense of responsibility, the burden he carries. his fear of failure and his need to do good.

even without skin on skin contact and the empathic bond kicking in, it is clear that kaldur is lost in thought, something melancholy in his expression. ]

I have come to understand that I am not among the first to wake like this. Is there anything those of you who have come before me have learned that you could share?

I also thought it wise to introduce myself. My name is Kaldur'ahm. I am still finding my footing, but if I can help in any way, please contact me.