Chapter 3.7
Gromweld
Learning By Mistake
Chapter 3.7
Thursday Intervals #4-5 (Evening-Night):
Mind Over Matter:
[X] Meditate to recuperate your essence and speed up your healing. Read some books/CDs/flashdrives to buff up on a subject while you do so (Stunt to describe what topic you're reading/training).
- [x] Stunt: Make use of our fashion research from earlier, as well as Glenn's costume proposals, advertisements and other such modern day propaganda materials to show Iris the correct use of propaganda within this culture.
- [x] Stunt: Read and translate any physics, chemistry and biology resources(in that order of priority) that we can find for Iris's understanding of local physics. Start with factors that we know to be the same in both Creation and Earth-Bet, and then work towards the underlying theories behind them.
Communist Oversight:
[X] Get your Familiar to follow you in your activities, hoping that it will help with whatever you're doing. This is a free action by default, but still can be modified with Stunts to describe specific intended interactions.
- [x] Stunt: Introduce Iris to the Protectorate and Ward members in the base, to reduce the possibility of unfortunate accidents.
- [x] Stunt: Teach Iris English while we read to him, by reading the same sections in English and then translating the same phrase to Old Realm. Try to smooth over his natural outrage at the inconsistencies, redundancies and room for misperception in the language while we do so.
With A Little Help From My Friends:
[X] Spend time with a Protectorate member, maybe even some of the new ones like Rime, Mouse Protector, or Chevalier. (Stunt to say which, and what you want to do.)
- [x] Stunt: Meet up with Chevalier privately and get a feel for what he thinks about us. He saw something different about us, and it'd be important to find out what, especially when it comes to getting Iris to understand the physics differences. If he seems amenable to the idea, try to get a sample of his nonessential equipment for analysis.
- [x] Stunt: Share our incredibly good food and socialize with the Protectorate and Ward members on the base. Try to get over the...awkwardness that the boys' attempt to flirt over the past few days have produced. Show off the new outfits by getting Missy dolled up before hand.
XP Expenditures:
[X] 2xp - Craft (Swarms)
[X] 2xp - Awareness (Swarms ●●○)
***
You stroll out of the meeting feeling more confident than you have in… well, a long time. You certainly don't remember you actually had any form of swagger to your step. Sure, the stares are still a little bothersome because your swarm and augmented sights almost reflexively pinpoint exactly where people are staring, but you definitely felt like you actually had a presence in that meeting. A meeting of the Protectorate.
Maybe all this talk of dress-up and showing off skin actually has a point to it, beyond satisfying the perverts in the room? It's a somewhat depressing thought, as your mother always advocated conservative and efficient dressing - though, now that you have some distance from it all and a new perspective, she was part of a militant feminist quasi-cult when she was in college. You let one of your consciousnesses wallow in the usual feelings of loss while you turn the rest to a more pressing matter: an approaching Armsmaster.
"Taylor."
His long stride doesn't seem to be stopping, instead matching pace with your own as you both make your way back to the workshop areas. You nod and keep eyes forward, like he, though you cut your swagger off now that it's clearly Business Time.
"Armsmaster."
"Your movements since the attack have displayed slight twitches of pain and weakness. I understand the need to focus on self-improvement to push past trauma and failure, but you don't have the benefit of Panacea to heal you past physical injuries."
Failure? You didn't… no, that's just Colin trying to empathize. No need to get worked up, it doesn't seem like he's actually trying to blame you for the attack. More importantly, you're a little alarmed that your injuries have been noticeable enough for Colin to pick up on them.
"You have been prevented from leaving the base to facilitate expedited healing; do I need to further restrict you to your room and the Wards Lounge?"
You don't manage to conceal your scowl.
"I haven't been doing any of the combat training that was scheduled for this week, and Tinkering really isn't that hard. I can just set up a table next to my bed if it's that big of a deal."
Armsmaster manages a light snort, a mixture of amusement and frustration you gather as he shakes his head.
"We need your powers for the search effort more than your Tinkering. I'm willing to expedite your armor's reviews if you keep to your bed."
Pursing your lips in thought (which only takes a split-second), you consider the offer and the motives behind it. You're fairly certain he has a few items in the review queue as it is (as does Chris) and from his various comments about the week-or-more of lost productivity from the reviews, such a willingness to sacrifice his own time is unusual to say the least.
Might as well push a few of his buttons for the tactless comments earlier.
"Did Dragon put you up to this?"
He's silent for a few moments as you both continue to walk to the elevator and wait for it to arrive. You don't see the usual tenseness in his jaw when he gets angry, so you don't think you've upset him - he seems more pensive than anything. He finally resumes speaking when you proceed into the elevator and the doors silently slide shut.
"Dragon reminded me that I should find ways to repay your assistance with our projects. Is this suitable compensation?"
"You're paying me back by ordering me to stay in my bed?"
No, you don't detect any scarring or brain damage from constant use of Incomparable Efficiency Upgrade. There's still a bunch of readings you still don't quite understand, however, so there's probably something explaining the 'complete social ineptitude' in there somewhere.
The light frown of consternation and slight roll of his shoulders is the only clue that he's uncomfortable being put on the spot like this. You're now even more glad you didn't call him out on the extended medical leave in the meeting - that really would have backfired, you imagine.
"You're new to the demands of this life. Focusing on recovery is the most efficient thing you can do right now, so that your injuries heal properly and don't require further treatment later down the road - a common problem for teams that don't have access to a healer. This is for your own good."
When Dragon was coaching you on dresses and fashion styles, an errant thought had popped into one of your consciousnesses that it almost seemed like she was mothering you. Now? With a line like that last one? Is Armsmaster trying to be…
"You know, even my dad never played that line with me," you sigh in mock exasperation.
Not that he really did much of anything with you since your mom's death. You didn't bring up the bullying in large part because you weren't sure how he would take it, too.
All six trains of thought are not enough to push away the cascade of emotions, so you just do your best to act like nothing is wrong. Your workshop isn't much father away, now, and then you can focus on getting back on track with your next ideas…
You're so caught up turning your varied consciousnesses to more productive tasks that you almost don't notice Armsmaster stop and put his hand on your shoulder.
"Taylor."
You blink, despite the action only serving to blur your primary vision arc with unshed tears, and reflexively turn your head towards him.
"Bed."
You just nod, letting him guide you back to the elevator.
***
Following Armsmaster's advice, you deactivate all your powers (except for Shard of Perfect Administration, of course) and take a quick shower to make sure your wounds are properly cleaned, though you're mostly just going through the motions due to your morose thoughts. After a quick extrusion of your pajamas, you slide into bed and stare at the ceiling for a while.
It takes a few minutes for a more productive train of thought to finally win the battle for your mind, allowing you to focus back on your insects and their various tasks and observations.
Colin has already made it back to your workshop and is carting your finalized armor - stand and all - away on a handcart, likely on his way to the labs to get the Tech Review started. Iris pays him no obvious attention; as you've established that Armsmaster is your superior, Iris probably accepts that whatever Armsmaster intends to do with the armor is all according to procedure.
More importantly, it appears Iris has somehow managed to put an orange back together after splicing it into hundreds of component parts. You don't have any of your enhanced sights through your bugs, but from the look he has and the emotions feeding through the link, he seems even more frustrated than before.
You're tempted to pass him Incomparable Efficiency Upgrade, but committing the essence to the charm would be going against why you turned it off in the first place. You're also a bit worried about what kind of effect it might have on Iris. He might get even more ideas.
Considering the options available to you now, you reconsider one of your ideas from earlier.
"Iris."
[Comprehension.][Anticipation.]
"Want to learn English?"
***
Using the clipboard-whiteboard that you still have from Gallant, teaching Iris written English proves far more easy than you first anticipated. There are, of course, the constant struggles regarding the oftentimes-nonsensical grammar rules - your mother's laments over English's various homonyms, homographs, and homophones coming to bear as you try to calm the Eye of Autochthon down.
English Inefficiency Intolerable
Elevating Priority of Old Realm Language Reconditioning Camps
Elevating Priority of Old Realm Language Reconditioning Camps
"I told you before: no camps! We can have it taught in schools, but people will fight back if you try to make them change a part of their culture like that."
You decide to keep to Old Realm when dissuading Iris' alarming prerogatives, but you feel this might be a good discussion topic to use as an example lesson.
After politely asking Iris - in English - to move the room's table and computer so that they're parked up against the bed, you set the keyboard on your lap and direct his attention to the monitor as you use the touch-screen interface (in lieu of the mouse) to bring up some examples of Soviet Russia and Soviet China propaganda.
"The mural and engravings you did on my armor reminded me of these kinds of images. Does any of this look familiar to you?"
[Comprehension.][Anticipation.][Curiosity.]
Cultural Parallels Unsurprising
Confirms Efficiency of Autochthonian Culture as Multi-Universal Truth
Confirms Efficiency of Autochthonian Culture as Multi-Universal Truth
"Well, in our world, these cultures are known for being punishing and corrupt - if you try to use any symbolism like this, people will think we're trying to promote the Chinese-Imperial Union. Or even worse, the Yangban."
[Comprehension.][Incomprehension.][Frustration.]
There's a pause while Iris's arms fidget aimlessly, his mechanical covering whirring and clicking as the Eye of Autochthon processes this information. Then, a sudden burst of emotion through the link as he mechanically scribbles on the clipboard.
Absence of Celestial Hierarchy to Dissuade Focus on Corporeal Desires
Resource Overabundance Encourages Low Temperance
Corruption Inevitable
Solution Requires Further Study
Resource Overabundance Encourages Low Temperance
Corruption Inevitable
Solution Requires Further Study
You're still trying to come to grips with the whole dogmatic and spiritual aspects of your powers, coupled with the fact that Iris' primer indicates that religion and prayer are a fundamental part of essence itself - if what he says is to believed, prayer even has discrete, quantifiable effects beyond token praises or requests for aid. Even the Old Realm terms for 'cult' imply 'organized prayer to spirit' and not 'fanatical suicide pacts.'
Your own upbringing was only tangentially religious, your mother humoring your dad's adherence to various holidays merely for the sake of the festivities. Thus, Iris' idea that you can fix the world with Spiritualism is a hard pill to swallow - and you're being powered by it! You should have a leg up on all the various cults that have sprung up since Scion's appearance, at least, when you start making inroads towards Iris' Primary Directive and have a team of Alchemical Exalts to help you in the endeavor.
Along that train of thought, you're struck by something. Keeping your English basic enough for Iris to understand, you motion towards the screen and keyboard.
"Have you thought about using the Internet to help you with your Directives?"
[Comprehension.][Incomprehension.][Frustration.]
Lightning Calculator-Analogue Interface Incomprehensible
Clarification for "Internet" Requested
Clarification for "Internet" Requested
You hum a bit as you think about a way to express the general gist of the Internet, which apparently has no Old Realm analogue.
"All computers linked, share information? Many... large computers only store information, but… can be accessed from any computer. Anyone with computer can add information to network, but not remove? Not all information on Internet is true!"
[Incomprehension.]
"Hmm, well, ok: this computer? This computer can… talk… to all computers in the base. All the computers in base can talk to all other computers in the base: that is a Network."
[Comprehension.][Relief.]
Instructions to Summon Forth Least God Required
Wait, what? Ok, no you don't think you said that right.
It takes a few more attempts, getting down to an explanation of how data is communicated through bursts of electricity ("Lightning") or light (also "Lightning" for some reason) on to magnetic storage (which somehow is "Metal"?) or more advanced TinkerTech storage, like quantum foam (which you avoid explaining, but seems to interest him greatly). At various points you even double-check to make sure you're explaining things correctly by referencing Tower, Alexandria's answer to Wikipedia when Earth-Aleph was discovered.
When you finally get past the 'how' computers work on a basic level and into the 'why', Iris appears to have an epiphany.
[Comprehension.][Satisfaction.]
Distributed Information Network Analogue in Creation,
Experiment by Solar Deliberative
Internet Self-Aware?
Experiment by Solar Deliberative
Internet Self-Aware?
You consider everything you've seen and read on the Internet, and consider what it would be like if it were fully self-aware.
After a solid minute of controlled breathing, you're able to close your eyes, take another deep breath, and answer.
"No. There have been some cases of Artificial Intelligences made by some rogue Tinkers, but they are… hmm… I guess they are like your… smaller gods? They are not the whole Internet, they are… a person?"
[Comprehension.][Exhilaration.][Anticipation.]
Nowhere Universe Animating Intelligence Analogues Unexpected,
Implication of Further Nowhere Universe Energy Matrix-Essence Compatibility
Possible Essence Propagation Vectors,
Significant Reduction in Essence Requirement for Awakening Lesser God Soul
Introduction to Animating Intelligence Possible for Examination?
Implication of Further Nowhere Universe Energy Matrix-Essence Compatibility
Possible Essence Propagation Vectors,
Significant Reduction in Essence Requirement for Awakening Lesser God Soul
Introduction to Animating Intelligence Possible for Examination?
"I… think they might object to being examined. Besides, you still have trouble with those oranges."
As Iris scowls at your comment, followed by the slow sound of grinding gears coming from his cover.
[Comprehension.][Exasperation.][Indignation.]
Before you can react to his pout, Iris puffs out a few bursts of steam while snatching the keyboard from your lap. Within seconds he's nabbed the whole computer and is floating off with it.
"Wait! I didn't mean…"
Your attempt to apologize is somewhat lessened by your failed ability to withhold your giggles at his behavior. By the time you can control yourself, he's floating through the door and on his way to your workshop with your computer in-hands. More impressively, if his successful attempts at navigating to Tower's entries on Artificial Intelligences are any indication, he appears to be slowly figuring out how to use the computer as he floats along.
You consider trying to coax him back through your swarm, but judging by the emotions you're getting through the link you figure it might be better to let him cool down a bit first. Maybe then he'll hopefully get around to building those bug-computer interfaces so you can stop dive-bombing the keyboard in your workshop like a terrible hunt-and-peck typist. You've been losing flies every-so-often to the process, and while it's not a matter of numbers (they reproduce fast enough that it'll never become an issue) or waste (you feed their broken bodies to the spiders), it just… takes so long to do anything. You can't abide such inefficiency.
Oh well, you figure it might as well focus on reading some of the texts you have stored in your Elsewhere pocket. Maybe… medicine? Yes, that seems like a good topic to review when trying to heal - your own body's processes are reasonably analogous to a humans, and your powers work on intent and concepts, so hopefully it will give you some ideas of how to speed up your recovery.
Mentally plunging into the thumbdrive onto which you downloaded several field medicine manuals, you lean back into your mound of pillows - ignoring the usual light tearing sounds that accompany such a movement - and relax.
CHAPTER 1. FUNDAMENTAL CRITERIA FOR FIRST AID
***
After pouring through over a dozen field medic manuals, you eventually move on to more academic books - undergraduate-level books that are more biology textbooks than what is generally considered "medicine", though you've accumulated a rapid respect for the staggering amount of information that students and doctors need to internalize to truly understand their field.
And that's just getting started on the body - you haven't even started on the books and manuals that start to deal with the human brain, but you're already dreading trying to get a grasp on that subject so you can make sense of even half of what's going on with your scans. The only reason you were able to identify the Corona Pollentias and Corona Gemmas in your scans is because of the constant references to those two parts of the brain in every single science and biology class you've ever taken.
Along that vein, you're still a little troubled that scans of yourself indicate that you don't have either of the two Parahuman-power-inducing Coronas in your brain. Part of your Ratings Test included a full medical workup, and while they indicated that their scanners were having a hard time getting a complete read on your body they were (in hindsight) suspiciously silent when they finished doing the scans of your head. Though, that could have just been because of your various charms that are installed in your cranium - Shard of Perfect Administration was probably like nothing they'd ever seen before, at least.
It's as you're thinking this when you finally manage to get a fly over to where Chevalier has been sitting in a corner of his guest room, reviewing some files while idly munching on a protein snack bar from the Protectorate lounge kitchen. A single fly doesn't provide a wealth of sensory data, so it takes a solid minute before you're able to make out the subject of his files: you.
You're once again tempted to reactivate Incomparable Efficiency Upgrade to get a better handle on the situation, but you fight the temptation and instead focus on Chevalier himself.
Judging by his concerned frown, you still don't get a 'creeper' vibe off of the visiting Philadelphia Hero; he's only glossing over the various photos of you in your new form (almost all of which you show you without clothes) in order to focus more on photos of your previous self and the investigation of the Locker Incident.
As you watch him for several minutes, you occasionally glimpse him looking up or away from the file in abstracted thought, almost shuddering as if pondering some horrible event. Well, the Locker certainly could have qualified for that but you're a little surprised that such a renowned Hero would be so… unnerved… by your trigger event - you're fairly certain Chevalier has dealt with the Slaughterhouse 9 and been to several Endbringer battlefields, so a single case of filth-induced torture shouldn't really phase him.
Just as you're about to turn the majority of your focus away from Chevalier and to the hushed conversation between Rime and Mouse Protector in the latter's guest room, Chevalier finally closes the folder containing your files and places it under the stack of other print-outs on his desk. As he gets up and stretches, he pauses mid-way through crinking his neck - his eyes directly on the fly perched in the corner of the ceiling above him.
You're about to allow the fly's instinctual random-walk take over when he turns fully to the insect and clears his throat.
"Weaver?"
Mumbling curses in the safety of your own bed, you make the fly do a small spiral on the wall before lifting it off to hover level with his eyes and just out of arm's reach. This evokes a sigh and a small laugh out of the sandy-blonde Hero before he crosses his arms and casts a scrutinizing gaze at the obviously-controlled insect.
"I was certain I cleared the room of flies earlier, but I suppose that only shows how well they can hide."
Uncertain of how to exactly respond to that, you just have the fly do a loop-de-loop, eliciting another light chuckle from Chevalier.
"Do you have a few minutes to talk? I have a some questions for you, but they can wait if you're busy with something else."
You consider your options, surveying the rest of the base for alternatives. Beyond asking Chris come up from his lab - which seems like it'd be a wasted effort with the way he's engrossed in his work with his new hoverboards - or inviting the new female Heroes to your room for a chat, there's not much you can do from your bed at the moment beyond further studying and meditation.
You bob the fly up and down a few times until Chevalier nods in comprehension, then have it slowly buzz its way to the door. Chevalier grabs his gloves, helmet, and cannonblade from where he threw them on the bed, donning them quickly before striding after the fly.
You're fairly certain he doesn't notice the four new flies that dart into his room as he leaves.
***
Chevalier follows the lone fly as it cruises into your room, then moves aside for the Hero to approach you - or, at least, the table in front of your bed that Iris didn't bother moving when he just up and left earlier.
Your swarm sight of the Eye of Autochthon has thus far shown him madly scouring the Internet for science reports, research papers, and technology manuals. Right now he appears to be looking into programming guides. You're not certain if you should be worried. Maybe you should ask Dragon to keep an eye on him?
Back in your room, Chevalier isn't giving off any vibes of hostility that you can detect with your bugs... but just in case, you start silently gathering a swarm together in your bathroom and prepare yourself to go invisible should he make any aggressive actions. Then you would extrude your armor, roll out of the way...
You smile politely and motion to the chairs sitting in the middle of the room.
"Sorry about the furniture configuration. Please, have a seat."
The armor-clad hero nods, then takes one of the chairs and carries it over to the table near your bed - effectively making this a bedside interview - while also unclasping and removing his helmet with the other hand. Sitting down in the chair after placing his trademark cannonblade to the side (still in arms' reach), he sets his helmet on the table with a light clink and gives you a wan smile.
Though, you notice, he doesn't seem to be looking directly at you. No, it's almost like he's looking just beyond you, but through your bugs you don't see anything of note besides the pillows and wall - nothing that would explain the strain behind his eyes right now.
"So is this what you normally look like, then?"
You lift up a hand up and turn it over idly, your polished, dark-graphite skin catching the light. With no pores or blemishes, only the light lines of orichalcum, and jade that reveal your various augmentations and charms, you have to admit it truly does look inhumanly beautiful.
Turning back to Chevalier - Robert - it's not admiration or lust you see him hiding behind his facade. No, it's… discomfort? Fear? Pain? But what would cause… oh.
"Are you a Thinker, too?"
The seemingly-abrupt non-sequitur causes him to start, his eyes finally meeting yours in surprise, though you only catch the reaction because you're looking for it.
"Thinker?"
"Every time we've been in the same room, I've noticed you staring at me. I was hoping it wasn't attraction - I get that enough from the Wards and at school - but I just realized that you weren't really staring at me, but something... around me."
You smile at the slight widening of his eyes, his surprise escaping his attempts to conceal it, then shrug as if it was a foregone conclusion.
"I hear Thinkers have a hard time when they look at when I'm like this. It wasn't hard to put two and two together."
The Philadelphia leader just blinks at you for a moment, until he finally rolls his eyes in sighs out an exasperated laugh while running his gauntlet-clad hand through his beach-brown hair, leaning back in his chair in the process.
"I saw that vague note from Hannah about superhuman observation skills, and then I went and took my helmet off. Serves me right, I guess."
You raise an eyebrow at his comment. Well, at least Hannah kept her reports about your investigative abilities abstract enough to confuse even Chevalier.
After letting his laugh die off, Chevalier continues to look away in absent thought for a bit longer, rolling his tongue over his teeth idly while keeping his mouth shut. Blinking a few times rapidly, he turns back to you with discerning look on his face, but his voice is still… warm, just tinged with curiosity now.
"Your file mentioned that you feel your powers as switches, or things you can turn on or off, right? Are all your powers off right now?"
You pause yourself halfway into agreeing, then shake your head.
"No, I still have my insect control power active. It feels… comforting when I have it on, so I thought it'd help me meditate and heal faster. Besides that, I have a few others that are more… like muscles? Veins?"
You lift up your right arm and pull down your pajama sleeve, revealing the flared forearm with intricate mechanical tracery barely visible in the light.
"These are my powers, really. They're physical parts of me."
He nods, still looking a bit past you, before raising an index finger.
"Can you try turning off everything that you possibly can? I'll let you know why in a second, just humor me if you could."
While Chevalier is less guarded than he was before, you're not quite able to puzzle out what he's looking for now. With a sigh, you nod and then pulse out a strong 'refresh' of orders to all the insects in your range so that they either remain still where they are or - in the case of the spiders - continue operating as they have been. Then, with a focus of will, you turn off Shard of Perfect Administration - feeling the spider legs around your head retract into your skull as you do so.
In a manner reminding you of Lisa's relief when you activated Loom-Server Migration in front of her, Chevalier's eyebrows quickly zoom to his hairline as his breath hitches in surprise. It takes him a few seconds, but eventually he regains his breath in a slow sigh as he nods his head sadly.
"Thank you. You can turn-"
Dragon's concerned voice comes in through the room's Intercom, cutting off Chevalier before he finishes his thought.
"Taylor? Is everything alright in there?"
You and Chevalier share a look of confusion before you turn lean to the side in your bed so that your voice has a direct path to the door.
"Dragon? What's wrong?"
"Iris just… deactivated, is the best way I can describe it. Did you do something?"
Alarmed, you instantly re-activate Shard of Perfect Administration… and now notice that slight drain on your essence regeneration has returned. Also, it appears Iris has fallen to the floor in a tangled mess of bent and mangled limbs.
And boy, is he pissed.
[Incomprehension.][Indignation.][Agitation.][Frustration.][Consternation.]
As he rises slowly from the floor and his functional limbs start repairing those broken by the fall, you hurriedly speak through the Workshop's swarm - opting to keep to Old Realm for sake of clarity and to avoid revealing anything overt to an obviously-watching Dragon.
"Iris? What happened? Are you alright?"
As he rapidly regains his aerial dexterity, Iris floats over to the large whiteboard and snatches a marker off the ledge.
[Comprehension.][Frustration.]
Essence Flow Disruption
Explanation Required
Explanation Required
"Oh. I… disabled my Shard of Perfect Administration charm to test a theory. Would that have caused it?"
[Comprehension.][Agitation.][Exasperation.]
Charm Deactivation Ill-Advised
Notification of Future Charm Tests Mandated
Notification of Future Charm Tests Mandated
So much for letting him cool off on his own. Great, now you've gone and riled him up even further.
"I'm sorry, Iris. I didn't realize… right. I'll let you know if I'm ever going to disable the charm in the future. Sorry."
[Comprehension.][Exasperation.]
He floats away from the whiteboard and back to the computer to where he was in the middle of programming something, so you leave him to it in hopes that he'll calm down on his own again.
Back in your room, you decide to voice what you've realized to Dragon and Chevalier to assuage their worries.
"Oh, it just… yeah, I guess when I deactivate my bug control power it also disables him? He should be fine now that I turned it back on, though he's a bit put out by the whole experience. Could you keep an eye on him, Dragon?"
There's a light-hearted laugh from Dragon through the Intercom, and even Chevalier smirks a bit at your unintentional pun.
"Certainly, Taylor. He's proving to be an exceptionally quick study, but I'll try to keep his curiosity from getting him into trouble."
You let out a sigh of relief and thank Dragon for her time and concern before turning back to Chevalier.
"So... you were saying?"
The entire interruption only took less than two minutes so Chevalier quickly rallies, fixing you with an empathetic gaze while keeping his voice low and steady.
"Well, Taylor, I'm wondering how much you know about the source of Parahuman powers. The parts of the brain, that is."
"You mean the Corona Pollentia and Corona Gemma?"
"Yes," the Protectorate Hero nods, "those. Now, there are a few rare Case 53s that have mutated to the point where scientists can't tell if they have those anymore, but in those cases there are still… some powers that can confirm they're there."
You nod in understanding, though you're still uncertain of exactly where this is going. Chevalier continues once he sees your move for him to proceed.
"Those powers are incredibly rare, and kept secret for reasons I'm sure you can figure out on your own, but most often they don't show the brain itself. Some, for example show… memories. Or so I've heard."
Uncrossing his hands from where they're crossed against his chest, Chevalier leans forward and rests his elbows on the table while clasping his hands together in front of his mouth. His eyes return to looking past you, around you, searching for a moment before he continues.
"There's still a lot we don't know about these powers, but something we have figured out is that they're tied somehow to trigger events. So in the case of a power that shows memories…"
Your unblemished complexion doesn't betray the sinking realization, but you finish Chevalier's sentence anyway.
"... then it would show the person's trigger event."
Chevalier slowly nods, though his eyes remain focused on searching the air around you.
"These powers, from what I've heard, can't actually be fooled. That's one of the reasons they're kept secret - to serve as a last defense against Strangers, who have a tendency with getting... careless. Like, say, Nice Guy from the Slaughterhouse 9."
You think back on what you've read of the Slaughterhouse 9 and Chevalier.
"Didn't y-... didn't Nice Guy die a few years ago?"
There's no smile in Chevalier's voice, when he responds.
"He did."
You nod.
There's a long silence as Chevalier closes his eyes and breathes for a bit, but when he opens his eyes and resumes talking the undercurrent of warmth and understanding is back.
"Now, I don't like leaving anything to chance, so I have one more request for you. If you're up for it."
You unflex your hands from the death grip they've had on the covers of your bed, then idly smooth out the comforter for a moment before turning back to Chevalier and nodding silently.
"Could you activate your stealth power?"
There's no malice in his voice, his deadly cannonblade isn't in his hand, but you can't shake the feeling this isn't a request. Forcing the creeping panic in your veins from agitating your swarms any further and giving away your distress, you swallow once and nod.
In a hazy ripple of light, you shimmer out of existence. You still leave an indentation in the bed, the pillows are still pressed back against the wall framing your bed, and the comforter bulges without anything apparent to produce the effect, but those are the only traces of your existence you leave in the world.
Chevalier's eyes remain locked where they were for several seconds, then slowly drift around the bed to take in where your invisible form still interacts with the environment. After nearly a solid minute of this, he closes his eyes again and nods.
"That's enough, Weaver. Thank you."
The change in address causes you to halt for a moment as you try to process the reason for it, the hesitation and uncertainty you've been feeling growing as you struggle to find a reason beyond the obvious one.
Absently deactivating your Optical Cloak and fading back into reality, the lattice of microscopic crystals woven through your clay-like flesh reassert your presence in the world in a haze of bent light only to reveal your panicked expression.
You open your mouth to explain that your abilities are just… even more outside the norm than usual, when Chevalier unclasps his hands and opens a palm out towards you in a silent request for patience.
"Now, should someone go and challenge all that, well… what would that mean? It's not like we understand everything about powers and their sources…"
His eyes on you are deadly calm, cold, and piercing.
"... just look at the Endbringers."
You're not sure how much closer you can get to a 'worst-case scenario', but you're pretty sure this is one right now. And here you are, backed into a corner again, with no real way to defend yourself. Should you warn Iris? You're not sure he could get here in time, and the swarm in your bathroom is barely more than a hundred bugs - nowhere near enough to even distract a Hero like Chevalier.
No, you're not going to strike first. You've done nothing wrong, how dare he make that comparison! You just need to-
-and just like that, Chevalier's gaze relaxes as he sighs with a knowing smile, falling back into his chair again.
"Ah, well, it certainly wouldn't mean that they aren't a parahuman. Besides, why would that even matter, really? Aren't we defined by our actions, not our abilities? You don't need powers to be a hero, just the… desire? No, more than that: the drive."
You're not sure you want to hug Chevalier or throttle him for nearly giving you heart attack. You settle on taking a few breaths and trying a weak smile to go with your cautious nod. He responds with a sly wink.
"Someone who takes a bullet for a teammate during their first public appearance? That sounds like someone with more than just drive. Sounds more like 'duty' to me. Those are the real Heroes to watch - they have a tendency for doing some pretty great things."
You rub your eyes as you continue to nod, managing a weak laugh at the absurdity of it all. Ugh, what is with you and people playing with your emotions today?
For a while, you both just sit there as you manage to get a hold of yourself again.
"T-Thank you."
He turns back to you from where he was looking around the room idly, smiling in mock surprise.
"Thank me? For what? It's not like I was talking about anyone here. Just some hypotheticals, really."
You snap your mouth closed after a few seconds, then try to kill him with your eyes. You really wish you had that power, now, especially with the way he's laughing at your glare.
He finally settles down after you cross your arms in a huff and fall back into your pillows in indignation, losing a bit of the cheer in his voice for a more somber, gentle tone.
"If you would like to talk about anything, though, I've been told I'm a pretty good listener."
Staring up at the ceiling, you consider some of the thoughts that have been nagging you for the past few days. He's clearly willing to keep quiet on whatever strangeness his power has revealed about your exaltation, so maybe it's worth reciprocating with a show of trust?
"Well… I haven't really had a chance to talk about the… attack. The assassination, I mean."
You turn your head slightly, tearing a few pillows in the process, to see him nod - his face lined with a few more years than just a few moments ago.
"No one can really prepare for that kind of fear, or the loss that those kinds of attacks usually cause."
You turn back to look at the ceiling, then breathe a few times to steady yourself.
"It's just… well, at first I was even just afraid to get up on stage…"
***
You lose track of time talking with Robert - Chevalier, he still asks to be called - and only notice how late it's gotten when Vista, Triumph, and Aegis return from patrol. The three are chatting happily, with Vista swinging some large shopping bags in her arms as they make their way to the Wards Common Area… which causes a gurgle in your stomach when you're reminded of the kitchen there.
"Well, that sounds like a cue to break for dinner. I'd invite you along, but Rime and Mouse Protector were a little adamant that this be an 'Original Wards Reunion Dinner.' Sorry, Weaver."
You haven't been able to keep track of everything that Kathy and Mary were talking about earlier, but you have a sneaking suspicion that this dinner is more than just that. Unfortunately, you're not able to keep all of your smile out of your voice when you decide to rib him on it.
"Oh, that sounds nice. I'm sure those two will be back from wherever they are soon, though Miss Militia looks ready to go."
She's certainly taking her time making sure her costume is ready, at least, though she still looks as focused and business-like as usual.
Chevalier nods absently before what you said catches up to him, causing him to freeze for a second before groaning softly and covering his face with a palm. After mumbling a few things you don't quite catch, he shrugs out of his chair and gathers his things.
"Could you…?"
He looks back at you, then at the table, then smiles. With a quick motion he pulls the table out from where it was wedged against your bed, allowing you to roll out of bed freely.
You do a few quick stretches as he re-equips his cannonblade to his back and puts on his gauntlets… which reminds you of something.
"Oh, wait, there was something I wanted to ask you - could I see something you've used your power on?"
Pausing halfway through putting on his left gauntlet, Chevalier pauses to consider your request before turning back to you.
"It's not TinkerTech, so I'm not sure you can understand it. Dragon tried a few times, but couldn't really do much - my range limitation made it difficult for her to do any long-term studies. Here."
Undoing the initial twist of the gauntlet, Chevalier places the armored left glove for your extended hands. When he lets go, you activate Technomorphic Integration Engine.
The first hint that something is different comes when the usual impossible-fold-up goes… slower than usual. Chevalier himself appears surprised by the process, but you barely notice him as you focus on the charm itself. Several seconds in - halfway through the process, but more than double the time it usually takes - you feel a sudden deluge of information as you start getting information on the armor… no, armors.
Panicked, you somehow manage to cut off the process just as Chevalier picks up that something is definitely amiss, causing the gauntlet - the one you can see here, at least - to instantaneously pop back into its normal shape and fall out of your hand as you yelp and fall backwards.
But still… there are dozens of… things… in your Elsewhere space now. Massive blocks of tungsten, long ribbons of gold plating, large chunks of treated rubber, a hewn log of wood, a glove-shaped hunk of styrofoam,... the list goes on.
"Where did all of that come from?!"
Picking up his glove from the floor with a smooth motion, Chevalier studies it in honest shock and disbelief.
"You… took out most of the layers? How did you do that?"
That causes you to blink away from the stream of data from your Elsewhere storage and focus back on Chevalier's comment, holding a hand to your head as you sit up from where you fell to the ground.
"Layers?"
Chevalier turns to you, his bewildered expression morphing into concern.
"It's not a huge secret, but I try to keep quiet on how my power works: I can 'layer' material into things I touch and then choose whatever property I want. Shape, size, mass, density-" he grimaces good-naturedly as he hefts the visually-identical gauntlet, "looks like you got the Styrofoam."
"That's… wow. Yeah, no wonder Iris wanted to take apart your armor. I'm not sure he knows about alternate dimensions yet, so that will probably blow his mind."
You share a weak laugh with Chevalier, adding, "also explains why I went nuts trying to see through the armor."
He quirks a brow at that comment, but shakes his head as he helps you to your feet.
"So, it looks like you got a few of the larger materials I used for the gauntlet. I'm going to need them back so I can re-layer the gauntlet, but… just hold on to them for now, I guess. I need to get ready for the dinner and don't have time for that now. Drop it all off in my room when you get the chance."
You're still a little stunned by the information overflow, so you just nod and thank him again, giving him a quick, awkward hug before he leaves for keeping silent about your… existence.
Then, after you wait for him to reach and enter the elevator, you finally allow yourself to fall back down on your bed and heave a huge sigh.
That was… exhausting. Good… definitely good… but really mentally tiring. You do feel a lot better about the attack and all the small problems that have been building up. He even kept his few comments and recommendations about how you've been dealing with all the stares… tasteful. Brotherly, almost.
It was nice. You hope it works out with Hannah.
At the thought of dinner, your stomach protests its emptiness and your absent-minded omission of Lunch today. Well, since rest of the Wards seem to be congregating in the Lounge, you might as well oh, wait Dennis is coming towards your room… with a bow-tie on his full-body costume?
Ok, this is just getting absurd. It's not like you didn't figure this out only this morning, but still...
***
You slide the door open just as Dennis is about to press the Intercom button, now wearing your new dress and the hastily-thrown-together sandals that you made with the leftover silk. Still in Alchemical Form, though.
You can't see them, but you're pretty sure Dennis' eyeballs are going to dry up in his head before he blinks. You're also sorely tempted to cover his costume's smooth face with flies, too, but you decide to wait for him to confirm your fears before you actively torment him.
"T-Taylor?"
You smile the smile of a Black Widow female. You are hungry, after all.
"Yes, Dennis?"
"...please don't eat me."
You gaze down into Dennis' eyes for a long beat, then take a step closer so that you're towering over him - your sandals only add about an inch, making Dennis only half a foot shorter than you in his costume. From this distance, you're pretty sure you can see the glow from your eyes reflected in the clock etched into his facemask.
You can see how villains could enjoy this kind of thing.
"Ok."
Just as abruptly as you opened your door, you turn and begin walking towards the Wards Lounge. It takes you a few swagger-full steps down the hall to notice with your hallway insects, but Dennis hasn't moved from his spot - not even to stare at your ass like he usually does.
As you keep walking, you have a few flies from your room land on his costume's faceplate.
Yup. Frozen.
Might as well cover him in flies, then. So you know when he comes to, of course.
You carry on towards the Workshop areas - you want to pick up Missy's new dress before you head to the lounge.
***
Walking into the Wards Lounge, Missy's dress being carted along behind you by a squadron of flies using lines of spider silk, you muse on the idea of making a small camera-necklace so that you'll have a way to capture these kinds of reactions.
Thankfully, Missy is the lone voice of reason amongst the blown circuits.
"Taylor! Oh my gosh! You look amazing!"
Missy - still in her Vista costume, just minus her visor - pops up from the couch where Carlos and Rory are losing life after life in their online shooter while their heads remained turned to stare at you. Chris, who was starting to make some dinner involving pasta, has forgotten how to stir the noodles in the boiling water.
You beam a lofty smile at Missy as she makes her way over to you, then have the flies hover her dress out from behind your back.
"How would you like to look amazing as well, Missy?"
Well, now you've gone and broke Missy's brain as well. Waiting for her to pick her jaw up off the floor gives you some time to look at Chris… and then point to where he's cooking, causing him to follow your finger with an 'ah!' and return to his ministrations.
Beyond those here, there's only Dean and Dennis left. Dean already went home early, but while you're somewhat sad he didn't get a chance to see you in the dress along with the rest of the team, you're mostly concerned with apologizing to him for yesterday.
As for Dennis, he's still time-locked back in the hallway. Any casual observer wouldn't see much of him due to all the flies, though.
Missy recovers quickly, however, and issues the expected squeal of joy before glomping onto you.
"Oh, Taylor thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou! It's beautiful! Can I go try it-wait! I have something for you, too!"
She prys herself from your abdomen and nearly teleports to the other side of the couch by way of her space-warping power, and then is back again in almost the time it takes you to blink.
Lifting up one of the large shopping bags you noticed her carrying around earlier, she exclaims, "Here!" before hefting it up to your face.
You take hold of the bag as you float the dress over to Missy for her inspection, opening the bag from…
"Gerards? Missy, everything there is super expensive!"
Giving you a sheepish look while still somehow keeping some attention on her new dress, Missy laughs a bit and then shrugs playfully.
"Well, Hannah wanted to get you something to go with your new dress and I had already asked Director Piggot for the rest of my month's pay in advance…"
At your growing shocked look, she backpedals warily, waving her dress-filled hands in the air to dissuade the panic in your gaze.
"Hannah paid for most of it, and they were having a 2-for-1 sale so I got something like it for myself so we can match! It's ok, I promise!"
You're still stuck on just how much these kinds of shoes cost - having seen clothes and shoes like these when you used to go window-shopping with your parents along the Boardwalk - and that Missy and Hannah would spend their own money on you.
You scoop Missy up on a laughing hug, doing your best not to get emotional again today. Ugh, people need to stop being so… weird.
After you set her down - still aware that the boys haven't stopped staring at you both - you finally pull out the massive box and open it to reveal a pair of very tall black... suede... heels?
"Missy, I've never worn heels before. What if I break them!"
"Psh! You're the Super-Tinker! You can just fix them so they're even better than before!"
"Oh. Right. Well, how do you even wear heels?"
Missy's small pink hand grabs one of your smooth dark-graphite arms and tugs at you to follow her.
"I'll show you! C'mon, let's go change!"
***
In Missy's room, you do a few laps around the room as she quickly changes and then starts preening in the mirror. You would have believed it before, but it only takes you a few steps before you seem to start effortlessly gliding over the floor in tall, black, suede heels. There's no extra height to the toes, but the three inches in the heel almost feel like flats once you get used to walking toe-first.
You'd always thought heels were supposed to be ungainly ankle-destroyers, not as easy to walk in as dance slippers. You're not going to be doing any… hmm…
"Whoa! Taylor! A cartwheel?! I thought you said you never wore heels before?!
"I… haven't? They just feel so natural, so it felt like something to try. I don't even notice them when I move around anymore, see?"
Missy watches you with undisguised envy, her bubbling giddiness over her new dress forgotten in the face of the fact that your abilities extend to heels as well.
"That's… ugh! Taylor! I call bullshit on your powers!"
You do a small twirl and then leap over her desk to land in front of her, your hands on your hips as you hit the floor. She scrunches her face up in an adorable little pout as you beam at her.
"I think I can handle myself now."
Dennis's high-pitched scream echoes through the hallway, eventually droning on into a more fuller, deeper tone. Missy frowns in confusion for a second, her hesitant voice barely registering over the wail.
"Wait, that's not... Dennis…"
People all around the base are reacting to the tone in a panic, while Armsmaster is rapidly armoring up in his workshop as Dragon says something unintelligible to him under the droning siren.
Missy's expression drops as the blood flows out of it, her eyes wide.
Dragon's voice blasts to life throughout the base, heard in echo through your hundreds of thousands of bugs.
"This is not a drill. Repeat, this is not a drill. Please stand by for…"
And then the world is falling.
***
Intimacy: Danny Hebert (Guilt) -1 Decrease!
Intimacy: Iris of Innovation (Companionship) +1 Increase!
Intimacy: Chevalier/Robert (Respect) +1 Increase!
Intimacy: Clockblocker/Dennis (Friendship) +1 Increase!
Intimacy: Wards (Loyalty) +1
Craft (Swarms ●○○) Gained!
Awareness (Swarms ●●○) Gained!
Presence + 1 Training Interval (3/6 Intervals)
Linguistics +1 Training Interval (1/6 Intervals)
Medicine +1 Training Interval (3/6 Intervals)
Resistance +1 Training Interval (1/6 Intervals)
Integrity +1 Training Interval (4/6 Intervals)
Investigation + 1 Training Interval (6/6 Intervals)
Athletics +1 Training Interval (2/6 Intervals)
Now that we've gotten most of the "establishing shots" of life in the Wards and in Brockton Bay out of the way, it's time to shake things up proper. To that end, it's time to make some decisions about how people want this Quest to be paced from here on out. Arc 5 is likely the end of Act 1, for perspective.
[ ] Scenic Route
Things will be rough, but we'll have a more gradual escalation of Badness. This will likely be the longest of the three modes, with more chances to stop and catch our breath and see how life progresses around us.
[ ] Shai'Hulud
The cast of characters will wax and wane rapidly in response to the breathless peril; a near-constant sense of danger and escalating threats - both personal and universal - to match the levels of Canon!Worm. The shortest of the three modes, with 'short' being a relative term.
[ ] The Final Age
The highest of stakes, but the costs will be greater than those of life and limb. Players will be required to step beyond the Dice in order to Sacrifice for the Greater Good. A medium-length Epic with high potential for Tragedy Endings.
Time to get that armor finalized, folks! Vote for Armor will come with 4.1, so might as well get things solid now.
Oh, and this choice picks which Endbringer is here. Choose wisely!
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