- Location
- England
"I say, I say, my wife went to the doctor's for a silicon breast implant."
"Oh, really? How is she doing?"
"Pretty well, she's got 8 Gigabytes on each side!"
Warrior of Dusk: Taylor's Attempt to Dance/Firaga/Suplex All the Things REDUX (Worm/Final Fantasy)
- Thread starter UnwelcomeStorm
- Start date
-
- Tags
- final fantasy worm
"I say, I say, my wife went to the doctor's for a silicon breast implant."
"Oh, really? How is she doing?"
"Pretty well, she's got 8 Gigabytes on each side!"
I don't know...
Personally I'm looking forward to a different line.
"Motherfucker suplexed a train."
Honestly, suplexing a train is so cliche at this point. We need something more. Something bigger. Surely the Queen of Escalation can provide.
Clean up the boat graveyard by suplexing a few boats?
Thing is, it really isn't from Militia's point of view (which the comment nicely shows).
And on the flipside... pretty sure Suplex only works on "enemy" classifications, so environmental objects are excluded.
So? That just means she needs to start Suplexing Endbringers. It will be a great lead-up to when she starts throwing around moon-sized Shards.
wingnut2292
<Verified Sugar Addict>
- Location
- Milwaukee Metro
I wonder if Taylor can pass jobs off to others? I'm thinking Dragoon Amy (on the basis of 1) "I don't want to heal. I want to fly. 2) If she does take on Dragon, Amy would fit Kain's role quite well. Strong body, sharp mind, weak soul.)
Another idea would be Necromancer Amy via FFV Advanced. Think Black mage meets FFV Ranger. Cast creepy dark spells or invoke the might of common Hollywood horror creatures to aide you. With a sideorder of being undead, so Tasmania equal to the knight job and reverses magical healing and harm. (Cure hurts, Life = Fallen One, Poison swaps with Regen, Doom/instant-kill = full heal.) More spooky and saturnine than murderous. The Necromancer Job is 100% unapologetically Goth.
I'm also thinking of giving Dinah a job, on the presumption that Jobs suppress parahumans powers, but what would Taylor give her? Chemist? Mediator? Engineer? Painter-nee-Blue Mage/Mimic hybrid? Dancer so Dinah can be party support?
Another idea would be Necromancer Amy via FFV Advanced. Think Black mage meets FFV Ranger. Cast creepy dark spells or invoke the might of common Hollywood horror creatures to aide you. With a sideorder of being undead, so Tasmania equal to the knight job and reverses magical healing and harm. (Cure hurts, Life = Fallen One, Poison swaps with Regen, Doom/instant-kill = full heal.) More spooky and saturnine than murderous. The Necromancer Job is 100% unapologetically Goth.
I'm also thinking of giving Dinah a job, on the presumption that Jobs suppress parahumans powers, but what would Taylor give her? Chemist? Mediator? Engineer? Painter-nee-Blue Mage/Mimic hybrid? Dancer so Dinah can be party support?
- Location
- West Michigan
Samurai. Lean into the weeaboo katana memes.
Neruz
Rogue Spiderbanana
- Location
- The Land of Fire and Poison
That mental image.
Excuse me I need to go stand outside and giggle like a schoolgirl for a few minutes.
wingnut2292
<Verified Sugar Addict>
- Location
- Milwaukee Metro
Well, Dinah's parents do have enough money to make Gill Toss effective. Tough that paints an interesting picture...
Dinah: I'm sorry Mr. Kaiser, but I already spent this weeks allowance on defeating Lung. Raincheck?
"This katana is a masterpiece, with the blade folded over a thousand times--"
"Actually, Armsmaster 3D printered it up with advanced alloys somehow with some tinker tech thing, so really it's been folded zero times. The blade strength makes all other katana style blades weep though."
"Fantasia, quiet! You're ruining things!"
"Right, right. Sorry, Weeaboo Ward. I'll let you get back to things."
And then Taylor had a month of daily PR classes after Weeaboo Ward went viral on PHO. It did at least end Dinah's weeaboo ways on patrol and prevented her from attempting to be chunni, so Taylor was thinking overall it was break even or a net positive result.
Trooper1023
Look, sir! Droids!
- Location
- NYC USA
I was so sad when this quest originally petered out. I'd been eagerly awaiting the moment where Fantasia turns to her fellow Wards and says, "You know that thing that Director Piggot told me never to do?"
Then she nods her head the other way, at the Siberian of the S9. "I'm about to do it. Run."
Chibierian VS Siberian
FIGHT
It's been how many years since Storm wrote this, and I'm still laughing!
Shine on, Taylor, you fountain of memes, you!
Last edited:
SmashQueen
Professional duck-cat.
Binged the original quest last night and I have to say that this story has a promising future.
Suplex your problems, Taylor!
Suplex your problems, Taylor!
My favorite quote was not in the quest proper but rather something storm said in response to a question.
Still the most shonen thing I have ever heard
Everything is an Endbringer fighting tool, it's just a question of how you prepare for it. That's what makes this quest fun, for me at least. There isn't really a limit on becoming ridiculously powerful; indeed, that's the objective.
Break an Endbringer upon your fists, or have them break against your indomitable will. Bolster an army and champion cooperation, or rely on allies from outside your own reality. Entrust victory to your closest friends, or stand alone unbowed. Every route is valid, if you have the determination to see it through.
Break an Endbringer upon your fists, or have them break against your indomitable will. Bolster an army and champion cooperation, or rely on allies from outside your own reality. Entrust victory to your closest friends, or stand alone unbowed. Every route is valid, if you have the determination to see it through.
- Location
- Somewhere
Amy with the Goth Class.
I would want to read that, I seriously would! It sounds hilarious!!
As for Dinah... hmm Engineer or Dancer. I think Chemist might remind her of what happened to her in Coils clutches.
Or is this an au?
Rising Sun 3
UnwelcomeStorm
BARK! BARK! BARK!
- Location
- United States
March 19
I don't think I have ever been so nervous in my entire life. Forget the first press conference, or flying to Canberra, or even that look Armsmaster gets when I see him touch the teeth marks still in his halberd: this was the most frightened I would ever be.
I was sitting in one of the bigger and better conference rooms available on the Rig, waiting for my 'guests' (aaaaaaaahhhh!) to arrive. Understandably, it was a lot easier for Alexandria and Eidolon to come here than for me to get to them, considering (Alexandria and Eidolon AAAAAAAAHHHHH!). I was, after a lot of internal debate, in Gambler attire. It looked a lot more formal than anything else I had, and I often got the impression that Gambler was just better at things. Granted, I hadn't gotten any real proof of that... but it did seem to attract more Essences, so I was going to take that as a sign. Besides, Alexandria was the leader of the Los Angeles Protectorate. Hopefully she'd consider it flattering and not, say, a joke.
...
Dear Crystals, please don't let her think it's a joke.
Thankfully, I heard approaching voices and footsteps before I could work myself into a full panic.
"Yes, I'm not sure it's really my style, but it's useful for longer flights to keep from developing tangles-- ah, this is it." The door opened without a knock, because Alexandria, and I scrambled to my feet for courtesy's sake. My planned greeting died in my throat, however, when the pair of them stepped into the room. Eidolon was as I'd seen him last, the very image of parahuman might, but Alexandria was shaking her dark hair out of a braid. I wondered if she'd braided it while wet, because it held onto the twists and kinks and gave her hair a wavier, almost curly appearance. The sight was a squeeze on my heart.
"Fantasia, good morning. I'm pleased you were able to respond so quickly."
"G-good morning! Alexandria! And Eidolon!"
Alexandria smiled, and Eidolon nodded his head and said a quiet Good Morning in return. "Sorry about the early start, I know most kids your age like to sleep in on the weekends. I brought donuts, if it's any consolation." Alexandria and Eidolon brought me donuts aaaaaaahhhhhhhh!---wait, Huston and Los Angeles are West of here. Wouldn't this be before dawn for them? Why would they want to be here so early when---
"Most Tinkers have to spend weeks or months to develop something worthwhile, so I'll confess myself curious to see your unique method," Alexandria's voice interrupted my thoughts, and I quickly nodded to her. "So, could you perhaps walk us through your process, Fantasia?"
"Of course! Um, here, we can sit down." Once we were all situated and had distributed a few donuts, I put the objects I was going to Infuse on the table. First was my glasses, which simply appeared in my hand once I took them off my face, and the next was one of Mom's belts. She'd always loved this one, it was the thin fancy kind you'd wear on a dress or skirt, with a layer of lace that had managed to avoid being eaten by moths during its stay in Basement Purgatory. "So, I don't really Tinker with things, exactly, I'm more like Dauntless-- you've heard of him, right? Only I don't have a once-per-day limit, and I don't so much just straight improve things as I give them little copies of parts of my powers, and... okay maybe it's not like Dauntless very much."
I picked up my glasses first, turning them this way and that. "I've got this... resource, of sorts, that I spend to put power into things. I get it from fighting! I was taking extra patrols for a while, so I have a pretty good stock right now. I'm not getting as much since I started working at the local hospitals, but... well, it doesn't matter. I've given things some thought, and I'm gonna try and put a Thinker power into my glasses." I set my glasses on the table, then gave them a decisive poke, moving Essences from my etheral inventory as I did. A glow spread out from where I touched them, remaking my glasses into a singular lens in a light frame. The two heroes beside me watched with interest as I put what was my glasses back on my face, and this time it stayed visible. Libra Lens, said the tooltip, with Libra and Air Eater.
"Now I can look at someone and see how healthy they are, and... oooh, immunity to electricity! That's a nice thing to have."
"Immunity to-- that doesn't sound like a Thinker power..."
"I'm not working off of blueprints, my things can grow and change. I wonder if..." I took the Lens off again, and poked it, pouring even more Essence into it. The Lens visibly changed, the crystal glass growing thinner, the frame growing a bit more ornate. Libra+, Air Eater, Water Ward. Small tags for Alexandria and Eidolon appeared in my new HUD, and when I focused on them, it brought up a small portrait and an overview of their health, status, and weaknesses. I frowned, focused further, and was rewarded with a wireframe model of Alexandria. There was a spot of red on her face, over one eye.
Alexandria, according to the Lens, was injured.
I passed the Lens over to her. "Here, take a look."
She set the Lens carefully on her face, and I watched her eyes widen, and flick around. "It's a scanning visor with a medical overlay, but there isn't a single piece of mechanics in it... nor a power source." She handed it off to Eidolon, and he examined it as well.
"I'm the power source, I suppose. The Lens and the Star Ring could probably work for... about a month away from me." I curled Mom's belt around one hand, already excited to continue. "Hey, watch this!"
I pulled Essence into my hand, and shoved it into the belt. It twisted in my grip, growing thinner and finer, gaining thin threads of opalescent color all through its lace, becoming the Ribbon. Auto-Wall, Auto-Regen, Auto-Esuna+... I blinked. I heard Eidolon choke. Special: Immunity to Mind-Altering Effects.
Did that mean what I thought it meant? I consulted my power. It totally did.
Awesome.
* * *
"It has been a delight, Fantasia. I am most impressed with your ability. I might have to commission a few things from you myself!"
I grinned, bouncing on my toes I was so happy. I was wearing my new Lens and Ribbon, the latter wrapped around my waist for now. It fluttered in the crisp breeze that was, if I was being honest, a bit too crisp. Alexandria and Eidolon had led me to the top of the Rig, where they were going to depart from the helicopter landing.
"Indeed. I'm... very curious about the applications of your tinkertech. Hero would have loved to examine it." Eidolon had seemed a bit off since he'd watched me make the Ribbon, and it was a little hard to tell what he was feeling, with how his mask obscured the whole of his face. I heard real grief in his voice, though. "We need to get back to our respective cities, but we'll contact you again soon, Fantasia. Besides, we might need some time to figure out how to properly compensate you for your work!"
I giggled--and immediately felt my cheeks flush in abject mortification--but embarrassment aside, I knew they were about to leave, and there was something I had to say before they did.
"I-- since you mentioned, I kinda... had a thought about that."
"Hm?" Eidolon turned back to face me again. "Was there something specific you wanted?" Oh man, what am I doing. Asking the Triumvirate for favors?! I stared up at the glowing hood in front of me and felt my brain scramble itself in anxiety. So of course I blurted out the first clear thought that managed to form.
"Fight me." Oh no.
"What."
"I mean--" I floundered, even paddling my hands in the air as I drowned in my own ineptitude. "See, I get the Essences I need for making stuff from fighting! And the bigger the fight the better! And my powers get stronger when I fight and use them, and--! And I thought maybe sometime we could spar a bit since you're the strongest and I'll get better by fighting stronger opponents and--!"
"Breathe, Fantasia."
I did, cupping my hands over my mouth. "...I get the resource I need from using my powers in combat, so I thought maybe for compensation we could work something out to let me get more essences than what I use for making stuff. It'd give me a chance to recharge any items I've made for you, too, since I'd just have to wear them for a an hour or two."
"Okay," he said slowly. "I can certainly look into that possibility, but I won't promise anything, since you are a minor and all. In the meantime--"
"And is Alexandria's eye okay?"
This time both of them were staring at me.
"Because I saw you were hurt on my Lens, and-- oh no, you were probably not wanting to talk about that since you're supposed to be invincible. But I thought maybe I could fix it if my powers would work on you, with the Ribbon I made or maybe if we see each other again after I've spent more time improving my healing ability and--" I'm only making this worse I need to stop.
"I mean! Only if you wanted to! I didn't mean to impose, I just thought it was kinda sad if you were hurt and couldn't tell anyone but if you're okay with it that's fine too! I just don't think you should have to hide it, I mean you'd probably look great in an eyepatch!" Oh I do not like the look she's giving me now. I backpedaled. "Not that you don't look great now! I mean! Oh no I am the worst." I gave up, burying my face in my hands. There was a moment of tense silence. I heard Eidolon cough.
"...let's just take things one step at a time, Fantasia."
"Okay."
"Would you like an autograph before we go?"
"That would be lovely thank you."
* * *
"Door me."
From over the Atlantic, Alexandria and Eidolon floated into a tear in the sky and landed in the crisp, white halls of Cauldron. The Door shut behind them.
"...so that happened."
"Hm."
"For what it's worth, I don't think she actually knows anything. I had a trio of Thinker powers up the entire time, though I had to do some shuffling; her power tends to create an odd sort of synesthesia when I analyze her. If I'm interpreting things right, she's got some sort of social interaction power equipped, maybe one to prod her into more effective responses."
"Indeed." Alexandria started combing fingers through her hair, trying to work out the hairspray-enforced curls. "And if her diatribe is any indication, her power truly does work similar to yours. Even Contessa has to model things around her, just like you. There were two Entities, after all. We might have found Scion's counterpart to you, David."
"And it's embedded in a socially awkward teenager. Great." He sighed. "Well, it could be much worse. Let's go give Contessa an aneurysm, shall we?"
* * *
"Taylor! How was your meeting? I wanna know every-- why are you lying on the floor?"
"Mmph." I heard Vista walk over closer to me, where I was sprawled face-down in the Ward's Commons.
"...did you bomb it?"
"Leave me."
"You totally crashed and burned, didn't you."
"Begone. Let me die in peace."
I don't think I have ever been so nervous in my entire life. Forget the first press conference, or flying to Canberra, or even that look Armsmaster gets when I see him touch the teeth marks still in his halberd: this was the most frightened I would ever be.
I was sitting in one of the bigger and better conference rooms available on the Rig, waiting for my 'guests' (aaaaaaaahhhh!) to arrive. Understandably, it was a lot easier for Alexandria and Eidolon to come here than for me to get to them, considering (Alexandria and Eidolon AAAAAAAAHHHHH!). I was, after a lot of internal debate, in Gambler attire. It looked a lot more formal than anything else I had, and I often got the impression that Gambler was just better at things. Granted, I hadn't gotten any real proof of that... but it did seem to attract more Essences, so I was going to take that as a sign. Besides, Alexandria was the leader of the Los Angeles Protectorate. Hopefully she'd consider it flattering and not, say, a joke.
...
Dear Crystals, please don't let her think it's a joke.
Thankfully, I heard approaching voices and footsteps before I could work myself into a full panic.
"Yes, I'm not sure it's really my style, but it's useful for longer flights to keep from developing tangles-- ah, this is it." The door opened without a knock, because Alexandria, and I scrambled to my feet for courtesy's sake. My planned greeting died in my throat, however, when the pair of them stepped into the room. Eidolon was as I'd seen him last, the very image of parahuman might, but Alexandria was shaking her dark hair out of a braid. I wondered if she'd braided it while wet, because it held onto the twists and kinks and gave her hair a wavier, almost curly appearance. The sight was a squeeze on my heart.
"Fantasia, good morning. I'm pleased you were able to respond so quickly."
"G-good morning! Alexandria! And Eidolon!"
Alexandria smiled, and Eidolon nodded his head and said a quiet Good Morning in return. "Sorry about the early start, I know most kids your age like to sleep in on the weekends. I brought donuts, if it's any consolation." Alexandria and Eidolon brought me donuts aaaaaaahhhhhhhh!---wait, Huston and Los Angeles are West of here. Wouldn't this be before dawn for them? Why would they want to be here so early when---
"Most Tinkers have to spend weeks or months to develop something worthwhile, so I'll confess myself curious to see your unique method," Alexandria's voice interrupted my thoughts, and I quickly nodded to her. "So, could you perhaps walk us through your process, Fantasia?"
"Of course! Um, here, we can sit down." Once we were all situated and had distributed a few donuts, I put the objects I was going to Infuse on the table. First was my glasses, which simply appeared in my hand once I took them off my face, and the next was one of Mom's belts. She'd always loved this one, it was the thin fancy kind you'd wear on a dress or skirt, with a layer of lace that had managed to avoid being eaten by moths during its stay in Basement Purgatory. "So, I don't really Tinker with things, exactly, I'm more like Dauntless-- you've heard of him, right? Only I don't have a once-per-day limit, and I don't so much just straight improve things as I give them little copies of parts of my powers, and... okay maybe it's not like Dauntless very much."
I picked up my glasses first, turning them this way and that. "I've got this... resource, of sorts, that I spend to put power into things. I get it from fighting! I was taking extra patrols for a while, so I have a pretty good stock right now. I'm not getting as much since I started working at the local hospitals, but... well, it doesn't matter. I've given things some thought, and I'm gonna try and put a Thinker power into my glasses." I set my glasses on the table, then gave them a decisive poke, moving Essences from my etheral inventory as I did. A glow spread out from where I touched them, remaking my glasses into a singular lens in a light frame. The two heroes beside me watched with interest as I put what was my glasses back on my face, and this time it stayed visible. Libra Lens, said the tooltip, with Libra and Air Eater.
"Now I can look at someone and see how healthy they are, and... oooh, immunity to electricity! That's a nice thing to have."
"Immunity to-- that doesn't sound like a Thinker power..."
"I'm not working off of blueprints, my things can grow and change. I wonder if..." I took the Lens off again, and poked it, pouring even more Essence into it. The Lens visibly changed, the crystal glass growing thinner, the frame growing a bit more ornate. Libra+, Air Eater, Water Ward. Small tags for Alexandria and Eidolon appeared in my new HUD, and when I focused on them, it brought up a small portrait and an overview of their health, status, and weaknesses. I frowned, focused further, and was rewarded with a wireframe model of Alexandria. There was a spot of red on her face, over one eye.
Alexandria, according to the Lens, was injured.
I passed the Lens over to her. "Here, take a look."
She set the Lens carefully on her face, and I watched her eyes widen, and flick around. "It's a scanning visor with a medical overlay, but there isn't a single piece of mechanics in it... nor a power source." She handed it off to Eidolon, and he examined it as well.
"I'm the power source, I suppose. The Lens and the Star Ring could probably work for... about a month away from me." I curled Mom's belt around one hand, already excited to continue. "Hey, watch this!"
I pulled Essence into my hand, and shoved it into the belt. It twisted in my grip, growing thinner and finer, gaining thin threads of opalescent color all through its lace, becoming the Ribbon. Auto-Wall, Auto-Regen, Auto-Esuna+... I blinked. I heard Eidolon choke. Special: Immunity to Mind-Altering Effects.
Did that mean what I thought it meant? I consulted my power. It totally did.
Awesome.
* * *
"It has been a delight, Fantasia. I am most impressed with your ability. I might have to commission a few things from you myself!"
I grinned, bouncing on my toes I was so happy. I was wearing my new Lens and Ribbon, the latter wrapped around my waist for now. It fluttered in the crisp breeze that was, if I was being honest, a bit too crisp. Alexandria and Eidolon had led me to the top of the Rig, where they were going to depart from the helicopter landing.
"Indeed. I'm... very curious about the applications of your tinkertech. Hero would have loved to examine it." Eidolon had seemed a bit off since he'd watched me make the Ribbon, and it was a little hard to tell what he was feeling, with how his mask obscured the whole of his face. I heard real grief in his voice, though. "We need to get back to our respective cities, but we'll contact you again soon, Fantasia. Besides, we might need some time to figure out how to properly compensate you for your work!"
I giggled--and immediately felt my cheeks flush in abject mortification--but embarrassment aside, I knew they were about to leave, and there was something I had to say before they did.
"I-- since you mentioned, I kinda... had a thought about that."
"Hm?" Eidolon turned back to face me again. "Was there something specific you wanted?" Oh man, what am I doing. Asking the Triumvirate for favors?! I stared up at the glowing hood in front of me and felt my brain scramble itself in anxiety. So of course I blurted out the first clear thought that managed to form.
"Fight me." Oh no.
"What."
"I mean--" I floundered, even paddling my hands in the air as I drowned in my own ineptitude. "See, I get the Essences I need for making stuff from fighting! And the bigger the fight the better! And my powers get stronger when I fight and use them, and--! And I thought maybe sometime we could spar a bit since you're the strongest and I'll get better by fighting stronger opponents and--!"
"Breathe, Fantasia."
I did, cupping my hands over my mouth. "...I get the resource I need from using my powers in combat, so I thought maybe for compensation we could work something out to let me get more essences than what I use for making stuff. It'd give me a chance to recharge any items I've made for you, too, since I'd just have to wear them for a an hour or two."
"Okay," he said slowly. "I can certainly look into that possibility, but I won't promise anything, since you are a minor and all. In the meantime--"
"And is Alexandria's eye okay?"
This time both of them were staring at me.
"Because I saw you were hurt on my Lens, and-- oh no, you were probably not wanting to talk about that since you're supposed to be invincible. But I thought maybe I could fix it if my powers would work on you, with the Ribbon I made or maybe if we see each other again after I've spent more time improving my healing ability and--" I'm only making this worse I need to stop.
"I mean! Only if you wanted to! I didn't mean to impose, I just thought it was kinda sad if you were hurt and couldn't tell anyone but if you're okay with it that's fine too! I just don't think you should have to hide it, I mean you'd probably look great in an eyepatch!" Oh I do not like the look she's giving me now. I backpedaled. "Not that you don't look great now! I mean! Oh no I am the worst." I gave up, burying my face in my hands. There was a moment of tense silence. I heard Eidolon cough.
"...let's just take things one step at a time, Fantasia."
"Okay."
"Would you like an autograph before we go?"
"That would be lovely thank you."
* * *
"Door me."
From over the Atlantic, Alexandria and Eidolon floated into a tear in the sky and landed in the crisp, white halls of Cauldron. The Door shut behind them.
"...so that happened."
"Hm."
"For what it's worth, I don't think she actually knows anything. I had a trio of Thinker powers up the entire time, though I had to do some shuffling; her power tends to create an odd sort of synesthesia when I analyze her. If I'm interpreting things right, she's got some sort of social interaction power equipped, maybe one to prod her into more effective responses."
"Indeed." Alexandria started combing fingers through her hair, trying to work out the hairspray-enforced curls. "And if her diatribe is any indication, her power truly does work similar to yours. Even Contessa has to model things around her, just like you. There were two Entities, after all. We might have found Scion's counterpart to you, David."
"And it's embedded in a socially awkward teenager. Great." He sighed. "Well, it could be much worse. Let's go give Contessa an aneurysm, shall we?"
* * *
"Taylor! How was your meeting? I wanna know every-- why are you lying on the floor?"
"Mmph." I heard Vista walk over closer to me, where I was sprawled face-down in the Ward's Commons.
"...did you bomb it?"
"Leave me."
"You totally crashed and burned, didn't you."
"Begone. Let me die in peace."
Aesura
Dragonkitty
- Location
- Under a rock on a rock
why would dinah try and be a scarf anyways.....now, stopping her from being a chuuni i completely understand wanting to do that
- Location
- England
InB4 Simurgh steals the ribbon. "Suck it, Dadversary! I'm a grown up now."
- Location
- On a Journey Through The Decade
Ah ribbon, bullshit overpowered as always.
Rising Sun 4
UnwelcomeStorm
BARK! BARK! BARK!
- Location
- United States
March 20 – April 2
I spent the evening with a few of the Wards, staying up into the wee hours of the morning with Vista's DVD collection and a gallon tub of icecream we all shared, trying to forget my abject mortification. I wasn't entirely successful, but after what ended up being less sleep and more of a nap, I woke up feeling mostly okay with things. Or maybe that was Monk's eternal quiet optimism at work. Either way, I got up early, carefully shrugged Missy off of my shoulder and Dennis off of my legs, pulled Chris's blanket off the floor and draped it back over him, and tiptoed around Dean passed out in the beanbag chair (wait, when had Dean showed up? I swear, happy emotions are to Gallant what the sound of a can opener is to a cat) and went to go find Armsmaster.
He was awake already, of course, and had probably been so for at least an hour. When I knocked on his door, he answered it wearing some PRT-issue sweats and a simple domino mask instead of his armor. I noticed his hair was still wet, so I supposed he must have just gotten out of the shower. Which meant he'd already done a morning workout, did this man ever sleep?
"Fantasia?"
"Good morning, sir. Sorry it's so early, but I figured you'd be up and about already. I guess I was right." I did not chirp at him. I didn't want him to assume I'd always be bright-eyed and bushy tailed before dawn, he'd find things for me to do. "I wanted to apologize for missing my patrols and... everything. It was unprofessional of me, and I'm going to do my best to be better in the future." Personally I thought I had a pretty good excuse, considering, but when it comes down to it it's still on me to learn to deal with such things and keep moving forward. Even when those things are maybe-kinda resurrecting your mother into a hellbeast. At least that can't happen twice, probably.
Armsmaster nodded at me, and I tried not to goggle at the idea of actually seeing his expressions. "Understood, see that you do. Was there anything else?"
"Yes, if you've got a minute." He nodded a again, so I continued. "I was wondering if it's okay to be out in costume when not on patrol."
"Generally not for Wards. There are some strict policies in place to limit your hours on duty for as long as you are a minor. Why do you ask?"
"I wanted to ride my chocobo. Like, for fun."
"...your bird-projection?" That was a recent and welcome addition to Summoner. A pet was much easier on my concience to summon. And riding it meant I finally had a Mover power, even if flight remained stubbornly beyond my grasp.
"Yes."
"I'll... send an email to the Director"
"Thank you, sir."
* * *
I did get a response back as soon as Tuesday, which surprised me, but I didn't really have the time to take advantage of it the whole rest of the week. I'd missed a few days of school and, unlike Winslow, Arcadia is not exactly tolerant of late work. I had to spend most of my afternoons doing make-up stuff and studying to get back on track. The final decision was that, yes, I could be allowed out in costume while not on patrol, but with a few stipulations:
First, I was to leave from and return to the PRT building, for my own safety. It meant I'd never change into my costume where someone might see, and that someone would know when I was out and about, just in case.
Second, I was not to be alone. If I wanted to go take a stroll, I had to have one of the other Wards with me. So that limited me to when someone wanted to go with me, but that seemed reasonable enough.
Finally, I was to have my comms with me at all times. Again, just in case: I was not to engage in cape fights unless absolutely necessary, and I was certainly not to go looking for trouble. If I caused trouble, martial or social, it was on my head.
I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the email had gone to each of the Wards, which surprised them too. I wasn't really comfortable with anyone bending the rules for me, but an experimental policy change was more acceptable. Aegis and Kid Win in particular were happy, because apparently flight is amazing and I am in no way jealous.
. . .
I am a little jealous.
* * *
On Friday, I was scheduled for a patrol with Miss Militia, and decided that she seemed amicable enough to pose a request to.
"Hm? Why do you want to extend the route we're taking? I hope you're not just bored, Fantasia."
"No! No. I have plenty to do. So much to do, even." At least this week. Maybe some other time I'd be brave or foolhardy enough to ask Miss Militia for something extra to fill the time with. "I just wanted to... I dunno, take a lap around the city, basically." I scritched my chocobo's feathers on the back of her head, and she trilled happily. "Power docs keep thinking I've got a subtle Thinker rating for growing my powers, but I don't usually get to cover a lot of different ground on Ward patrols."
"Ah," She nodded, understanding. "So you want to explore a bit. Well, it's a pleasant evening, we can take a scenic route if nothing interrupts. If your ride there can keep up, anyway."
"Coco? Of course she can!" Coco kweh'd in agreement, and cast a disparaging glance at Miss Milita's motorcycle.
"Coco?"
"That's her name. I thought it sounded cute. Clock wanted to call her El Pollo Diablo, Scourge of Souls and High Overlord of Terror."
"And when you considered it, you were summarily grounded from patrols with him, weren't you?" Miss Militia didn't miss a beat. I liked that about her. She laughed. "I'm glad you decided to join the Wards, Fantasia. The Director's blood pressure aside, I think things are a little more relaxed with you around."
"...eh?" I'm pretty sure all the fuss my powers generate is the opposite of relaxed.
"Well, I'll amend that-- for the Wards, at least." It's neat how Miss Militia smiles, you can tell she's doing it even with her flag-scarf covering half her face. "Vista used to keep her movies in a shoebox under her bed, you know. Clockblocker was constantly toeing the line. He still does, of course, but I think it's a little more genuine now." I wondered what she meant by that. "I've even spotted Kid Win outside his workshop once or twice!"
"Well, he's usually got a project with him when he does..."
"Yes, but it's still unusual. I almost never see him outside of patrols... I suppose what I am trying to say, Fantasia, is that I am glad you're being a good friend to them. I think that sometimes, everyone forgets that you Wards are still children. They become too serious, too focused on using their powers as a job." She turned, looking out at Brockton Bay, and her invisible smile faded, grew grim. "With good reason, unfortunately. But you--even with all the work you give yourself--you're keeping a certain good cheer about it, and I think it's rubbing off on them. And I am glad for that."
I wasn't sure how to respond to that, really. Other than maybe my dad, I don't tend to get such open, frank speech from adults. I guess even with a mask, Miss Militia wears her heart on her sleeve.
Spending time with Miss Militia fortifies your Spirit.
Passion has increased.
"Now, let's get a move on. We're wasting time we could be spending leaving your bird in my dust!"
* * *
We were fortunate that night, as in nobody decided to burn down the city or wreck a few blocks in a power struggle, which seems really kind of sad when you think about it: that a 'good night' just means an absence of terror and destruction.
I was fortunate, in a more optimistic sense, in that I did get an interesting response from Summoner. I think I sensed four different... I guess I'll call them beacons? Something that itched at my awareness, in any rate. I know there was one on the northeastern edge of town, one in the business district downtown, and a muddled sense from the wealthier parts of town; I'd guess there were several a little too close together for me to tell apart, not without a closer look. Arcadia and the surrounding areas were under New Wave's jurisdiction, so we didn't get very close. Something to look into, though.
Lastly, some thieves trying to break into a jewelry store were very unlucky that night, because as it turns out just because Coco is bright yellow and fabulous, doesn't mean that she isn't the size of a small dinosaur. She kicked one dude against the building, and held another down with a foot on his chest while Miss Militia got the cuffs. Miss Militia sneaked her a Jolly Rancher when we got back to base.
* * *
I was starting to think that the power docs keep a number of betting pools about me. What cape I copy next, how long until my next power tosses things in the air, how long until Director Piggot literally flips her desk over and storms out-- things like that. Whatever the exact reason, there were a number of groans and hands passing money when I showed up this week. Dr. Frankson seemed to be making bank, at least, and this wasn't the first time I'd seen him doing so. My powers tended to change and grow so rapidly that I was just coming by every weekend, now, and the good doctor had become familiar enough that he told me to just call him by his first name, Cid. Or Doctor Cid, if I preferred.
We spent an afternoon going over new applications of my powers, the Libra Lens in particular creating a stir. Outing capes is Bad Business, apparently... or at least, doing it openly. I received a firm lecture on not spilling the alter egos of heroes and rogues, and a quieter lecture on how and when to report the identities of villains. The PRT wouldn't go after anyone I identified, not right away at least, but they could create an investigation to find evidence linking someone's villain persona to their civilian one. Covers their asses and lets them find and arrest criminals, with the obvious exception of anyone in a Truce scenario. That was a huge deal, and I swore to be cautious.
I also got to play around with Thief for a bit, darting every which way with my now blue pigails flying behind me, and I managed to snatch Dr. Cid's wallet (I gave it back!). The Power Docs weren't terribly impressed with me, at least until I snagged Aegis's flight away from him. Poor guy got grounded for the first time since his trigger. I couldn't really muster any pity for him, though, because flight is awesome. I really wish I could have kept it. Maybe someday.
* * *
"Okay, what is that?"
"Kweee~!" Coco trilled at Glory Girl, shuffling her legs a bit to make her long tail feathers sway. Panacea was next to her, having just gotten a lift from her sister to the hospital we were both at today. They both looked entranced by the glory of my fabulous bird. I scratched Coco's head feathers, feeling full of smug.
"Her name is Coco. She's a bird the size of a small dinosaur, can run about 60 miles per hour sustained, and I get to ride her."
"I want one. Can we pet her?" I nodded at Glory Girl, who immediately put her hand on Coco's beak, a grin splitting her face. Panacea was a bit more hesitant, but she buried her fingers into the soft feathers on Coco's neck. Her eyes widened.
"It's-- there's nothing there."
I nodded. "Coco's a projection, of sorts. She's not really here here... so, no worries about your powers working on her." She shot me a look. "I mean, if it's uncomfortable to not be able to feel something's biology, I'm sorry, but--"
"No, it-- it's fine. It's good, even." She pet Coco with a bit more enthusiasm, and I saw a smile work its way onto her face. I suspect that being able to know every cell of anything you touch gets a bit overwhelming. Coco had to be a real novelty for her. I resolved to let Amy play with Coco whenever she wanted-- how burdensome for my giant bird, I know. While the sisters were fawning over Coco, I dismounted and flicked my eyes around my Lens, glancing through the options presented to me. It's kind of sneaky, but there were things I wanted to know. I'd make it up to them later.
Victoria Dallon
<Glory Girl>
Level 25
A member of the New Wave parahuman group, Glory Girl is kindhearted, but a bit brash and quick tempered. She sincerely wants to help those around her, but her habit of letting her power influence her decisions will get her into trouble sooner rather than later.
Powers: Selective forcefield, cooldown variable by impact; Presence Aura; Super Strength; Flight.
Current Status: None
Special: Holds part of the seal of the summoned being, [Carbuncle]
Amelia Lavere-Dallon
<Panacea>
Level 31
A member of the New Wave parahuman group, Amy was adopted after New Wave raided the home of her parahuman father, Marquis. Unhappy with her lot in life and burdened by her power, Amy is increasingly tempted to find some sort of escape from herself.
Powers: Total Biokinesis
Current Status: Charmed
Special: Holds the seal of the summoned being, [Unicorn]
Oh hell. This will take a lot more than a muffin basket to make up for. There are not enough muffin baskets in the world. I'd intended to show off my Lens, as a show of trust to Amy, but... No, not right now. I need time to think about this.
Sidequest updated.
* * *
As I'd expected, Missy was more than game for my proposal to go ride around the city after classes on Friday. I think she was more excited than I was, even. We got to HQ, suited up and mounted up, and off we went.
"So, what sort of business were you wanting to do, anyway? Because any job that includes joyriding I am totally down for."
"Okay, so-- remember a while back, I asked you if your powers ever felt like they wanted you to do stuff?" She nodded against my back, since I couldn't take my eyes off of steering our ride. "Well, here's the thing: my projection power? There's more projections scattered about, and I mean to collect them."
"Scattered, what?"
"I know, it sounds crazy! But I can get more projections from encountering different places and people, I think. I know there's a few around the Bay already. I got a sense for a few of them when I went patrolling with Miss Militia last week, but I wanted to take a closer look and see if I can pinpoint exactly where I need to go to find them."
"You don't find powers, Fantasia, they-- no, wait, if anyone could pick up powers off the street it'd be you. Nevermind. Also? Totes jealous of Coco. Let's see if I can bend space and make us some ramps!"
"Kweh!"
"Translation: hells yeah!" Maybe training my dinosaur bird to be a parkour enthusiast isn't the most responsible thing I've ever done... I'd have to try and pass it off as power synergy training. Coco was fast enough (and, since she didn't count as 'alive' for Vista's senses, taking shortcuts through space made her even faster) that we started an inward-closing spiral around the city. I managed to pinpoint one of the beacons I'd sensed pretty quickly, coming from the Trainyard, but there was no way I was taking us into Merchant territory unprepared. I skipped on touring New Wave's territory, since by now I had a pretty good idea of what I'd been sensing, so that saved on some time. The other beacons led me to Arcadia of all places, which was closed for the weekend by now, and finally all the way downtown. That last took a while to close in on, since we had to obey traffic laws and physics while in such a populated area.
We attracted a lot of attention on the way--Vista's insistence of going through a burger drive-through probably didn't help--so I got my first real experience at signing autographs. Vista was practiced at this, but I quickly got flustered by all the attention and summarily deflected it onto Coco, who received a great many coos and pets. Surely, life is hard for my poor chocobo. People were surprised and happy to see Wards out in the daytime, and not on their expected patrol routes-- I guess the idea of superpowered kids just being kids was kind of novel. It made me think of Miss Militia, and that grim look in her eyes. I wondered if she had anything to do with the new policy change. It wouldn't surprise me.
It was getting late by the time we finally got to the heart of the business district, and I was able to pinpoint the summoned beacon. It was not where I'd even remotely expected it to be.
"Isn't this the Medhall building?" I asked, slipping down from Coco and putting my hand against the building's smooth concrete.
"One of them, yeah. I think this is the corporate headquarters, actually. Medhall's pretty big in Brockton, it's got some manufactories and labs around here too. You going to ask for a tour?"
I frowned, focusing on Summoner. "No... I don't think a tour is going to cut it. It's-- whatever it is, it's underneath the building, not just inside it."
"Not in the sewers, I hope. You're going to have to bribe Clock to go with you for that one."
"I don't think so?" I hoped not, at least. "Strange... I don't know how to get to it without breaking and entering. Do you think I should mention it to someone?"
"Maybe? I don't know if the PRT's going to let you start exploring corporate basements, or wherever your Magic GPS is pointing you towards."
"Hm..." I let my hand slip from the building's side, then climbed back into the saddle. "Well, it's getting late. Let's get back home, I'll give this some thought."
"Let's grab some snacks for everyone on the way."
"You just want to saunter through another drive-through like a spacetime cowboy."
"Don't you?"
"...as always, your logic is infallible. Let's ride."
I spent the evening with a few of the Wards, staying up into the wee hours of the morning with Vista's DVD collection and a gallon tub of icecream we all shared, trying to forget my abject mortification. I wasn't entirely successful, but after what ended up being less sleep and more of a nap, I woke up feeling mostly okay with things. Or maybe that was Monk's eternal quiet optimism at work. Either way, I got up early, carefully shrugged Missy off of my shoulder and Dennis off of my legs, pulled Chris's blanket off the floor and draped it back over him, and tiptoed around Dean passed out in the beanbag chair (wait, when had Dean showed up? I swear, happy emotions are to Gallant what the sound of a can opener is to a cat) and went to go find Armsmaster.
He was awake already, of course, and had probably been so for at least an hour. When I knocked on his door, he answered it wearing some PRT-issue sweats and a simple domino mask instead of his armor. I noticed his hair was still wet, so I supposed he must have just gotten out of the shower. Which meant he'd already done a morning workout, did this man ever sleep?
"Fantasia?"
"Good morning, sir. Sorry it's so early, but I figured you'd be up and about already. I guess I was right." I did not chirp at him. I didn't want him to assume I'd always be bright-eyed and bushy tailed before dawn, he'd find things for me to do. "I wanted to apologize for missing my patrols and... everything. It was unprofessional of me, and I'm going to do my best to be better in the future." Personally I thought I had a pretty good excuse, considering, but when it comes down to it it's still on me to learn to deal with such things and keep moving forward. Even when those things are maybe-kinda resurrecting your mother into a hellbeast. At least that can't happen twice, probably.
Armsmaster nodded at me, and I tried not to goggle at the idea of actually seeing his expressions. "Understood, see that you do. Was there anything else?"
"Yes, if you've got a minute." He nodded a again, so I continued. "I was wondering if it's okay to be out in costume when not on patrol."
"Generally not for Wards. There are some strict policies in place to limit your hours on duty for as long as you are a minor. Why do you ask?"
"I wanted to ride my chocobo. Like, for fun."
"...your bird-projection?" That was a recent and welcome addition to Summoner. A pet was much easier on my concience to summon. And riding it meant I finally had a Mover power, even if flight remained stubbornly beyond my grasp.
"Yes."
"I'll... send an email to the Director"
"Thank you, sir."
* * *
I did get a response back as soon as Tuesday, which surprised me, but I didn't really have the time to take advantage of it the whole rest of the week. I'd missed a few days of school and, unlike Winslow, Arcadia is not exactly tolerant of late work. I had to spend most of my afternoons doing make-up stuff and studying to get back on track. The final decision was that, yes, I could be allowed out in costume while not on patrol, but with a few stipulations:
First, I was to leave from and return to the PRT building, for my own safety. It meant I'd never change into my costume where someone might see, and that someone would know when I was out and about, just in case.
Second, I was not to be alone. If I wanted to go take a stroll, I had to have one of the other Wards with me. So that limited me to when someone wanted to go with me, but that seemed reasonable enough.
Finally, I was to have my comms with me at all times. Again, just in case: I was not to engage in cape fights unless absolutely necessary, and I was certainly not to go looking for trouble. If I caused trouble, martial or social, it was on my head.
I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the email had gone to each of the Wards, which surprised them too. I wasn't really comfortable with anyone bending the rules for me, but an experimental policy change was more acceptable. Aegis and Kid Win in particular were happy, because apparently flight is amazing and I am in no way jealous.
. . .
I am a little jealous.
* * *
On Friday, I was scheduled for a patrol with Miss Militia, and decided that she seemed amicable enough to pose a request to.
"Hm? Why do you want to extend the route we're taking? I hope you're not just bored, Fantasia."
"No! No. I have plenty to do. So much to do, even." At least this week. Maybe some other time I'd be brave or foolhardy enough to ask Miss Militia for something extra to fill the time with. "I just wanted to... I dunno, take a lap around the city, basically." I scritched my chocobo's feathers on the back of her head, and she trilled happily. "Power docs keep thinking I've got a subtle Thinker rating for growing my powers, but I don't usually get to cover a lot of different ground on Ward patrols."
"Ah," She nodded, understanding. "So you want to explore a bit. Well, it's a pleasant evening, we can take a scenic route if nothing interrupts. If your ride there can keep up, anyway."
"Coco? Of course she can!" Coco kweh'd in agreement, and cast a disparaging glance at Miss Milita's motorcycle.
"Coco?"
"That's her name. I thought it sounded cute. Clock wanted to call her El Pollo Diablo, Scourge of Souls and High Overlord of Terror."
"And when you considered it, you were summarily grounded from patrols with him, weren't you?" Miss Militia didn't miss a beat. I liked that about her. She laughed. "I'm glad you decided to join the Wards, Fantasia. The Director's blood pressure aside, I think things are a little more relaxed with you around."
"...eh?" I'm pretty sure all the fuss my powers generate is the opposite of relaxed.
"Well, I'll amend that-- for the Wards, at least." It's neat how Miss Militia smiles, you can tell she's doing it even with her flag-scarf covering half her face. "Vista used to keep her movies in a shoebox under her bed, you know. Clockblocker was constantly toeing the line. He still does, of course, but I think it's a little more genuine now." I wondered what she meant by that. "I've even spotted Kid Win outside his workshop once or twice!"
"Well, he's usually got a project with him when he does..."
"Yes, but it's still unusual. I almost never see him outside of patrols... I suppose what I am trying to say, Fantasia, is that I am glad you're being a good friend to them. I think that sometimes, everyone forgets that you Wards are still children. They become too serious, too focused on using their powers as a job." She turned, looking out at Brockton Bay, and her invisible smile faded, grew grim. "With good reason, unfortunately. But you--even with all the work you give yourself--you're keeping a certain good cheer about it, and I think it's rubbing off on them. And I am glad for that."
I wasn't sure how to respond to that, really. Other than maybe my dad, I don't tend to get such open, frank speech from adults. I guess even with a mask, Miss Militia wears her heart on her sleeve.
Spending time with Miss Militia fortifies your Spirit.
Passion has increased.
"Now, let's get a move on. We're wasting time we could be spending leaving your bird in my dust!"
* * *
We were fortunate that night, as in nobody decided to burn down the city or wreck a few blocks in a power struggle, which seems really kind of sad when you think about it: that a 'good night' just means an absence of terror and destruction.
I was fortunate, in a more optimistic sense, in that I did get an interesting response from Summoner. I think I sensed four different... I guess I'll call them beacons? Something that itched at my awareness, in any rate. I know there was one on the northeastern edge of town, one in the business district downtown, and a muddled sense from the wealthier parts of town; I'd guess there were several a little too close together for me to tell apart, not without a closer look. Arcadia and the surrounding areas were under New Wave's jurisdiction, so we didn't get very close. Something to look into, though.
Lastly, some thieves trying to break into a jewelry store were very unlucky that night, because as it turns out just because Coco is bright yellow and fabulous, doesn't mean that she isn't the size of a small dinosaur. She kicked one dude against the building, and held another down with a foot on his chest while Miss Militia got the cuffs. Miss Militia sneaked her a Jolly Rancher when we got back to base.
* * *
I was starting to think that the power docs keep a number of betting pools about me. What cape I copy next, how long until my next power tosses things in the air, how long until Director Piggot literally flips her desk over and storms out-- things like that. Whatever the exact reason, there were a number of groans and hands passing money when I showed up this week. Dr. Frankson seemed to be making bank, at least, and this wasn't the first time I'd seen him doing so. My powers tended to change and grow so rapidly that I was just coming by every weekend, now, and the good doctor had become familiar enough that he told me to just call him by his first name, Cid. Or Doctor Cid, if I preferred.
We spent an afternoon going over new applications of my powers, the Libra Lens in particular creating a stir. Outing capes is Bad Business, apparently... or at least, doing it openly. I received a firm lecture on not spilling the alter egos of heroes and rogues, and a quieter lecture on how and when to report the identities of villains. The PRT wouldn't go after anyone I identified, not right away at least, but they could create an investigation to find evidence linking someone's villain persona to their civilian one. Covers their asses and lets them find and arrest criminals, with the obvious exception of anyone in a Truce scenario. That was a huge deal, and I swore to be cautious.
I also got to play around with Thief for a bit, darting every which way with my now blue pigails flying behind me, and I managed to snatch Dr. Cid's wallet (I gave it back!). The Power Docs weren't terribly impressed with me, at least until I snagged Aegis's flight away from him. Poor guy got grounded for the first time since his trigger. I couldn't really muster any pity for him, though, because flight is awesome. I really wish I could have kept it. Maybe someday.
* * *
"Okay, what is that?"
"Kweee~!" Coco trilled at Glory Girl, shuffling her legs a bit to make her long tail feathers sway. Panacea was next to her, having just gotten a lift from her sister to the hospital we were both at today. They both looked entranced by the glory of my fabulous bird. I scratched Coco's head feathers, feeling full of smug.
"Her name is Coco. She's a bird the size of a small dinosaur, can run about 60 miles per hour sustained, and I get to ride her."
"I want one. Can we pet her?" I nodded at Glory Girl, who immediately put her hand on Coco's beak, a grin splitting her face. Panacea was a bit more hesitant, but she buried her fingers into the soft feathers on Coco's neck. Her eyes widened.
"It's-- there's nothing there."
I nodded. "Coco's a projection, of sorts. She's not really here here... so, no worries about your powers working on her." She shot me a look. "I mean, if it's uncomfortable to not be able to feel something's biology, I'm sorry, but--"
"No, it-- it's fine. It's good, even." She pet Coco with a bit more enthusiasm, and I saw a smile work its way onto her face. I suspect that being able to know every cell of anything you touch gets a bit overwhelming. Coco had to be a real novelty for her. I resolved to let Amy play with Coco whenever she wanted-- how burdensome for my giant bird, I know. While the sisters were fawning over Coco, I dismounted and flicked my eyes around my Lens, glancing through the options presented to me. It's kind of sneaky, but there were things I wanted to know. I'd make it up to them later.
Victoria Dallon
<Glory Girl>
Level 25
A member of the New Wave parahuman group, Glory Girl is kindhearted, but a bit brash and quick tempered. She sincerely wants to help those around her, but her habit of letting her power influence her decisions will get her into trouble sooner rather than later.
Powers: Selective forcefield, cooldown variable by impact; Presence Aura; Super Strength; Flight.
Current Status: None
Special: Holds part of the seal of the summoned being, [Carbuncle]
Amelia Lavere-Dallon
<Panacea>
Level 31
A member of the New Wave parahuman group, Amy was adopted after New Wave raided the home of her parahuman father, Marquis. Unhappy with her lot in life and burdened by her power, Amy is increasingly tempted to find some sort of escape from herself.
Powers: Total Biokinesis
Current Status: Charmed
Special: Holds the seal of the summoned being, [Unicorn]
Oh hell. This will take a lot more than a muffin basket to make up for. There are not enough muffin baskets in the world. I'd intended to show off my Lens, as a show of trust to Amy, but... No, not right now. I need time to think about this.
Sidequest updated.
* * *
As I'd expected, Missy was more than game for my proposal to go ride around the city after classes on Friday. I think she was more excited than I was, even. We got to HQ, suited up and mounted up, and off we went.
"So, what sort of business were you wanting to do, anyway? Because any job that includes joyriding I am totally down for."
"Okay, so-- remember a while back, I asked you if your powers ever felt like they wanted you to do stuff?" She nodded against my back, since I couldn't take my eyes off of steering our ride. "Well, here's the thing: my projection power? There's more projections scattered about, and I mean to collect them."
"Scattered, what?"
"I know, it sounds crazy! But I can get more projections from encountering different places and people, I think. I know there's a few around the Bay already. I got a sense for a few of them when I went patrolling with Miss Militia last week, but I wanted to take a closer look and see if I can pinpoint exactly where I need to go to find them."
"You don't find powers, Fantasia, they-- no, wait, if anyone could pick up powers off the street it'd be you. Nevermind. Also? Totes jealous of Coco. Let's see if I can bend space and make us some ramps!"
"Kweh!"
"Translation: hells yeah!" Maybe training my dinosaur bird to be a parkour enthusiast isn't the most responsible thing I've ever done... I'd have to try and pass it off as power synergy training. Coco was fast enough (and, since she didn't count as 'alive' for Vista's senses, taking shortcuts through space made her even faster) that we started an inward-closing spiral around the city. I managed to pinpoint one of the beacons I'd sensed pretty quickly, coming from the Trainyard, but there was no way I was taking us into Merchant territory unprepared. I skipped on touring New Wave's territory, since by now I had a pretty good idea of what I'd been sensing, so that saved on some time. The other beacons led me to Arcadia of all places, which was closed for the weekend by now, and finally all the way downtown. That last took a while to close in on, since we had to obey traffic laws and physics while in such a populated area.
We attracted a lot of attention on the way--Vista's insistence of going through a burger drive-through probably didn't help--so I got my first real experience at signing autographs. Vista was practiced at this, but I quickly got flustered by all the attention and summarily deflected it onto Coco, who received a great many coos and pets. Surely, life is hard for my poor chocobo. People were surprised and happy to see Wards out in the daytime, and not on their expected patrol routes-- I guess the idea of superpowered kids just being kids was kind of novel. It made me think of Miss Militia, and that grim look in her eyes. I wondered if she had anything to do with the new policy change. It wouldn't surprise me.
It was getting late by the time we finally got to the heart of the business district, and I was able to pinpoint the summoned beacon. It was not where I'd even remotely expected it to be.
"Isn't this the Medhall building?" I asked, slipping down from Coco and putting my hand against the building's smooth concrete.
"One of them, yeah. I think this is the corporate headquarters, actually. Medhall's pretty big in Brockton, it's got some manufactories and labs around here too. You going to ask for a tour?"
I frowned, focusing on Summoner. "No... I don't think a tour is going to cut it. It's-- whatever it is, it's underneath the building, not just inside it."
"Not in the sewers, I hope. You're going to have to bribe Clock to go with you for that one."
"I don't think so?" I hoped not, at least. "Strange... I don't know how to get to it without breaking and entering. Do you think I should mention it to someone?"
"Maybe? I don't know if the PRT's going to let you start exploring corporate basements, or wherever your Magic GPS is pointing you towards."
"Hm..." I let my hand slip from the building's side, then climbed back into the saddle. "Well, it's getting late. Let's get back home, I'll give this some thought."
"Let's grab some snacks for everyone on the way."
"You just want to saunter through another drive-through like a spacetime cowboy."
"Don't you?"
"...as always, your logic is infallible. Let's ride."
- Location
- England
How to casually lend / give Amy a ribbon.
