[Ochako frowned as she took in Lucy’s frustration, the tension in her shoulders mirroring her own. The dancers, oblivious to the chaos, moved as if they were part of some surreal, synchronized dream. It was eerie, unsettling even, but now was not the time to allow those emotions to cloud her judgement. She inhaled deeply, forcing herself to focus on the problem at hand.]

Listen...I can make them float, similar to balloons. [She gestured to the crowd, her fingers flexing as if preparing for the technique.] Not just one at a time, either. If they’re close enough, touching in some way, I can get most of them up at once. It won’t last forever, though. The longer I keep them up, the more it’ll take out of me. And if I push too far, I’m gonna end up with my head spinning.

[Her eyes flicked to Lucy, steady and determined.]

So I need someone to pull them away from here while they’re floating. Get them far enough so they won’t just drop back into this spot when I run out of steam. Can you handle that?

[It wasn’t a perfect plan, but it was something. Ochako squared her shoulders, already running through the steps in her mind. Her Zero Gravity was reliable, but it came with limits, and she wasn’t about to let those limits stop her. Not when lives could be at stake.

She turned her gaze back to the dancers, her fingers curling into tight fists.]

Let me know when you’re ready. I’ll lift them as soon as you’ve got a path.