Yeah, especially since I usually can't defend myself.

[He's just a weird thing he's had to deal with.]

Not unless there's someone else around. I mean, I've found out that apparently my touch can also make people feel rested even if they aren't, but that's not going to protect me.

[Yeah, it really is. Back home he was seen as an extreme rarity too.]

Yeah, but it's all I have?

Like what?

[No, he hasn't.]

Yeah, none of that. It wasn't necessary, you know?

Until I finished college, I didn't need it. I was safe. It was pretty safe where I lived, where I hung out, who I hung out with. And then it suddenly wasn't. Since I got out I hadn't...

[He had just wanted to be distant.]

I don't really know how to defend myself much.

[Oh, he can barely imagine being safe now. He's been mugged SO MANY TIMES.]

I guess you're right. Maybe the guild can set me up with a trainer. But I don't wanna take time away from actual work. I love what I'm doing at the theater.

Of course not.

[But his work requires weird hours, and he loves it.]

I'm happy with what I do, and trying to balance that with new hero shit is going to be a mess.

Yeah, I'll have to figure it out amid costuming and finding a team to support or something. But hey, they're going to help on apartment costs, so super score there.

Apparently, especially if I want to be able to be Mark when I'm not Echo.

It's about being private. Being able to go home at the end of the day and know that someone you caught isn't going to blow up your apartment.

Villains don't always stay caught?