[Despite the fact that time has started to mean less and less, the fact that Koby's pretty sure they passed their second century at some point with significantly less fanfare than their first, the fact that they're not even really people anymore, not in the strict sense, there are some things that don't change. Koby still feels like the awkward, earnest person he'd been at the beginning, voracious for knowledge, for ways to grow and become stronger. Steve had been that way too, the two of them sharing a hunger to be able to keep people safe, be a protector. It was only natural that they'd gravitate towards one another, right?

And the lessening impact of time means that Koby's gotten better at being patient. He has time, they both have time, and maybe eventually it won't make something dreadfully human in his stomach flutter to see Steve all smudged up and working on his machine. His car. Koby's seen that exact sight a million times. It's not new. He needs to stop being so dumb.]

You know, when things come through the Singularity, they get all echoey, we're calling them Echoes. [The Summoned have never been overlooked by the Abraxans, but once centuries started passing with none of them seeming to age, more and more sections of the population began to revere them. To make requests of them. The Singularity and the portals mean it's easy to travel around and provide support, but it does take a lot of time.

Coming closer, Koby reaches out both hands, noticing again how the star-like glow in his skin is getting brighter, like it's building up in his veins.] Here, let me show you, I just figured out how to do it, give me your hands--