Chapter 2
Monday 10 May 2010
Lauren woke up feeling uncomfortable, as if she was missing something. Getting washed up and dressed didn't help at all for dispelling this feeling. Lauren thought back on yesterday and how she had been feeling then. After the debacle with Sophie, she had been feeling fine, more than fine even.
Lauren immediately realized what was wrong, she was feeling unwell because she had no powers. Somehow, even though she had lived for 13 years without superpowers, she unconsciously didn't want to live without them anymore.
Well, there was one way to fix this problem.
Power type: Changer
Threat level: 4
Duration: 1 minute
Synchronization: 50%
Wiki article: Hovhannes BabakhanyanPower: Host is able to change into anyone she knows well. When transformed, host can copy the person's unconscious mannerisms and manner of speech, making it hard for people to realize that Host is not the person she is impersonating.
And Lauren gained another great power. It was unfortunate that it worked for only a minute, but she could still have a bit of fun with it. She looked into the mirror and quickly cycled through all of her families appearances. Finally, she changed into the form of her strict homeroom teacher Mrs. Wilkinson. To make the experience complete, she said: "That will be a detention for you, young lady!" In a tone that was shockingly similar to that of her homeroom teacher. Before she could have any more fun with it, the power fizzled out.
Beginning to feel uncomfortable again, Lauren tried to grab a new power.
Power type: Striker
Threat level: 2
Duration: 4 hours
Synchronization: 25%
Wiki article: MulamuttalPower: Host can change people she touches into a version of themselves from Indian descent, or reverse the changes she make to them. Host is unable to affect herself with this power though. (Another great power for trolling Nazis)
This seemed to be a power with which she could change someone's appearance, although she again had no clear indication of what exactly this power was capable of. Trying it out on herself didn't work unfortunately, so she would need to use this on someone else to test it. Unfortunately, the only person who knew about her powers was her stepmother and she did not feel comfortable to tell her the specifics of her power and do regular power testing with her.
This meant Lauren had to bring another person inside the loop if she wanted to test these kind of powers. She didn't want her siblings to be involved with this and her father was too busy to regularly help her out with power testing. She was also scared that her father would insist on getting her into the wards for her own protection, which made that not an option.
However, Lauren already knew someone who she trusted fully and who would definitely be interested in testing out her volatile power. Her best friend Aisha was impulsive and lazy, but was always loyal to her friends and could be trusted to keep this secret. Lauren planned to ask Aisha to come over this afternoon, which she would almost certainly agree too. Aisha always seemed eager to go anywhere with Lauren except her own home.
Lauren decided to grab one final power before eating breakfast and going to school.
Power type: Breaker/Tinker
Threat level: 2
Duration: 20 seconds
Synchronization: 39%
Wiki article: USS George Washington Carver (SSBN-656)Power: Tinker speciality: underwater-tech. Host has a Tinker ability that allows them to adjust technology or even make implants into people to change their bodies to let them function underwater.
And immediately reached for her cell phone, alarm clock and her old robotic Hero figurine. She pulled the latter two apart in a frenzy for certain components, and added them to her cellphone.
Lauren suddenly came to her senses and looked at the destroyed alarm clock and her favorite childhood toy. She couldn't hold back her tears anymore and started to cry at the loss of her mother's gift for her sixth birthday.
After mourning the loss, she looked at the modified cellphone. It was now able to function underwater and withstand extreme pressures, but Lauren didn't think it was even close to being worth the loss of her mother's gift.
Lauren realized this must have been what people on PHO call a Tinker fugue and resolved herself to not test her power when she was near any electronics that had sentimental value to her.
Being angry at her power, she refrained from drawing any more powers and went downstairs for breakfast. After hiding the remains of her alarm clock and toy of course.
Lauren's mood did not improve before she arrived at school. The Seaside middle school was overall an okay school. Being only a middle school and having a strict principal, the gangs didn't think it worth the effort to use it as a recruiting ground. Most of the people here would go to nearby Winslow High after graduating anyway, where according to rumors the gangs were openly recruiting. Unfortunately, there not many other options for Lauren. Unlike Cameron, she was not smart enough to earn a scholarship for Arcadia. Immaculata was out both because of the price and because it was a Catholic school, while her family was Protestant. The only other affordable High school, Clarendon, was on the other side of the city.
Lauren had of course always the option to join the Wards and enter Arcadia that way, but she didn't think it a worthwhile trade. Besides, with the E88 openly recruiting at Winslow, she might be able to find out some info by going to the shitty High school.
Setting future problems aside for a moment, Lauren entered the Homeroom classroom. She didn't spot Aisha in the room, but did see her friend Liam from the track team there. Liam didn't look up when she sat down next to him, apparently too engrossed in checking PHO. Lauren briefly thought about telling him too that she was a cape, as his knowledge of the cape scene would be useful, but dismissed that thought. Besides, although he was no longer obsessed with it, Cameron still likely knew more than anyone else about the local capes, making him a better choice for information gaining.
To get his attention, Lauren poked Liam on his opposite schoulder. Predictably, he fell for it and looked up to see no-one on his left. "Hey Liam, anything new of PHO?"
Liam looked to Lauren, frowned a bit, and replied: "Hey Lauren, actually yes, the protectorate heroes raided a merchant warehouse yesterday and took a dozen gang members into custody. They also seized a lot of drugs there, which will definitely hurt Skidmark in his pockets."
It sounded like the heroes actually did some good this weekend. However, Lauren knew that some of the gang members would be out of prison within a week. Either because of Squealer breaking them out with some tinkertech abomination, or because the police wouldn't be able to pin any crimes on them.
Lauren continued the conversation with Liam until Mrs. Wilkinson came in. She realized Aisha had still not come in and hoped she was late and not skipping school today.
By the beginning of second period, Lauren lost all hope on Aisha coming to school today. No matter how much she asked Aisha to please stop skipping school, it was never enough to prevent her from skipping class at least once a month. Of course, out of all the days she could skip school it had to be today.
During lunch, Lauren send Aisha a quick text, admonishing her for skipping classes and asking her to come to her house when school finished.
Before Lauren had finished eating her first sandwich, made by Sophie as an apology, she felt the now familiar feeling of loss, signing the end of her appearance-changing power. She didn't want to feel like this for the rest of the afternoon, so she went to the bathroom and activated her power again.
Power type: Striker
Threat level: 2
Duration: 2 mins
Synchronization: 80%
Wiki article: Griphopithecus alpaniPower: Host can temporarily (for up to 1 hour) transform anyone she touches (except herself) into a prehistoric ape. The target still retains their own mind, but will find it hard to communicate with different vocal cords and no opposable thumbs to write anything down.
Although this was a funny power, it would not last long enough to prevent the uncomfortable feeling. So Lauren grabbed a new power
Power type: Master
Threat level: -1
Duration: 20 seconds
Synchronization: 11%
Wiki article: QilehliqPower: Anyone host sees will only be able to speak Persian, automatically translating their words to Persian when trying to speak any language. (As Lauren does not speak Persian, she essentially has to look the other way or blindfold herself to have any kind of meaningful conversation with others)
Lauren had no idea what this power did, except it had something to do with languages. In addition, it would not last nearly long enough to keep the feeling away.
Power type: Breaker/Changer
Threat level: 2
Duration: 1 hour
Synchronization: 69%
Wiki article: KokuboPower: Host is able to change into a magical girl form, complete with typical dress and unnatural hair color. While in this form, the host's body obeys anime physics. This includes randomly having more strength or agility than they should have, putting more items in a bag than it should be able to fit, not aging, and always having steam in front of private parts when bathing. Of course, if she would wear a small armored skirt and breast armor, it would protect her as well as if she would wear full knight armor. (plot armor is of course not included in this power as that would be a trump 10+ ability)
Lauren almost squeaked from happiness. She was always a fan of Earth Aleph magical girl cartoons, and now she had the ability to change into one herself. She looked around the bathroom and couldn't see anyone or hear anyone approaching. Deciding to take a risk, she transformed in front of the bathroom mirror.
This was awesome! With long purple hair and an uniform resembling that of the Sailor Moon cast, she looked every bit the magical girl. Her burn scars and other imperfections had also disappeared, leaving her with unblemished skin for the first time in 10 years. She immediately grabbed her phone to take selfies. This power would only last an hour after all, and this lunch break would be the only opportunity for some pictures.
Lauren finished making pictures of her magical girl form just in time to hear someone approaching the bathroom. She immediately transformed back and left the bathroom to join her friends in lunch, otherwise they would be asking questions after all.
One hour later, Lauren immediately regretted not continuing to find a long lasting power, as the feeling of something important missing came over her. However, there was no good opportunity for power testing until she was home with Aisha so she would have to tough it out. Aisha had responded earlier that she would be there, ignoring any remarks about skipping school.
When Lauren arrived at home, she was relieved to finally be able to get rid of the persistent feeling. However, once she saw Aisha there, she realized that she would first need to explain her powers.
Aisha was already moving impatiently, but that was to be expected as Aisha couldn't sit still for more than a few seconds. She then spotted Lauren and sprang towards her.
"Lauren! You're finally here! I was almost going to text you. What did you want to tell me? Is there someone you like? Do you need my help to get his attention?"
Lauren was brievely overwhelmed by the storm of questions and the hug Aisha was giving her. But quickly recovered: "Hey Aisha, could we first go to my room before you start the questioning? I don't want my siblings listening in on it."
"Of course, of course. We wouldn't want them to know about your future boyfriend." Aisha replied to a suddenly blushing Lauren.
"It's not about ….., you know what, I'm not going to respond to that." Lauren replied while quickly ushering Aisha to her bedroom.
Lauren failed to see Tia whose face was suddenly spotting a grin.
After they entered the bedroom and closed the door, Aisha's face became a bit more serious.
"Okay, spill the beans! I know it is something more serious than a crush."
Aisha was scarily observant sometimes. Lauren mentally thought about how to reveal this, before just saying: "I'm a parahuman."
Surprisingly, Aisha's face switched to something depicting compassion and pity instead of the excitement you expected. "Are you okay, Lauren? I know how people get their powers, it is called a trigger event and it is never pleasant."
Lauren, feeling thankful for having such a good friend as Aisha, replied: "Yeah, it was pretty horrible, but my powers fixed the damage and even what was causing the situation in the first place."
Aisha luckily didn't press any further about Lauren's trigger event. "Phew, that's good. On another note, did you say powers? Do you have multiple? What are they? Are you planning on going out as a Hero or signing up with the Wards?"
And there was the expected wall of questions. "I can have 3 powers at any time, but I won't know what I get, and the power type and duration seems to be all over the place. Some powers even seem to be actively sabotaging me, while others would have been great even if they were my sole power. You can see me as a much shittier version of Eidolon. I can grab some new powers now and show them to you."
Power type: Changer
Threat level: 1
Duration: 20 seconds
Synchronization: 56%
Wiki article: Mario MattoliPower: Allows the host to change into a version of themselves with perfectly done make-up, hair, and with body hair removed if that was not already the case. Basically, the best what a professional make-up artist could do with your body.
"I just got a weak body changing power, it lasts very shortly, so I will use it now."
Lauren activated the power and almost couldn't recognize the girl that appeared in the mirror. If she didn't know from her power her new outlook this could theoretically be achieved by just make-up, she would have expected that she had just changed into another, far more beautiful person. Even her burn scars were almost invisible due to the heavy layers of makeup on them. She heard a click and saw Aisha with a thumps-up and a phone in her hand. Almost immediately after, she transformed back to her usual self and felt the lack of powers.
"That's a nice power Lauren! Not very useful in capefights, but very useful in daily life. Are you able to get back powers you used before?"
"You know, I have actually not tried that yet."
Lauren immediately tried to get back her magical girl power, which was her favorite power so far, usefulness be damned. However, she didn't feel anything. Even when she mentally tried to push and focus on that specific power. She then pushed even harder.
Power type: Shaker
Threat level: 1
Duration: 12 min
Synchronization: 3%
Wiki article: José María OrantesPower: Host is able to replicate the sound and earthshaking effects of explosions, centered at the host. The host itself is unaffected by these fake explosions.
"Okay, I didn't get back my favorite power, but I got another one. I have actually no idea what it does, but I get the feeling it is very loud, so it's probably better to not test this power."
"What was your favorite power then?"
"It basically transformed me into a magical girl from an Earth Aleph anime. I even got to take some pictures before it disappeared."
Lauren then showed the large set of pictures she made of herself in the bathroom, some of which included her trying out various poses, which looked suspiciously well, almost as if she instinctively knew how to pose.
"O wow, you're right, that was an awesome power. It would have been a great costume and protected your civilian identity at the same time! You look adorable in that outfit, by the way."
Choosing to ignore that comment, Lauren tried to grab another power.
Power type: Stranger
Threat level: -1
Duration: 8 hours
Synchronization: 24%
Wiki article: Haplochromis eduardianusPower: Host appears to have a fish on top of her head, she cannot dismiss it, but she can control the illusion, as long as it stays on her head.
And saw Aisha burst out in laughter. She didn't know why that was the case, as she only vaguely knew that her power had something to do with fish. When she looked into the mirror, she couldn't help but groan. Of course her power decides to give her the most embarrassing ability ever right when Aisha was visiting. She couldn't even dismiss the fish, only move it around for a bit.
"Ugh, this is exactly what I meant by my power actively sabotaging me. Even worse, this power apparently lasts for hours. How am I going to eat dinner like this?"
"You could put up a baseball cap, I know you have one. Or you could try and dismiss your power. You could also just give up on keeping this power a secret from your family. If you keep having these kind of incidents, they will find out eventually."
Lauren thought about this for a minute. She could hide the fish this time, but what if it happens again later, and with even a worse power to hide. She would have to lock herself in her room for hours without letting anyone in. Eventually, Cameron would recognize the signs with his cape knowledge. As he couldn't keep a secret from Tia if his live depended on it, she would know it too within a few days. So even if Lauren continued to hide her powers, more than half her family would know she had them in a few months, if not sooner. Maybe it was better to just give up on keeping it a secret entirely, and try to present her case against the wards to her father on her own terms.
Lauren sighed. "Aisha, you are right, it makes no sense to keep my powers a secret to my family. Better to admit it to my father now instead of him finding out later and being angry at me."
Aisha was shocked at this. "But, Lauren, I said that last part more as a joke that as something serious. Are you really okay with your father and Sophie knowing? With their jobs as cops, they will likely push you to sign up with the wards. And I know that you don't like the way the PRT handles the wards."
"Yes, the wards are obviously extremely ineffective and utterly focused on just looking good. I will be doing everything I can to convince my father to let me be an independent hero. However, the small chance that I won't be able to convince him is not worth the hassle that comes with keeping my stupid power secret, which will likely be in vain anyway."
As keeping het power secret didn't matter anyway, Lauren decided to draw two more powers. The unknown shaker power had already disappeared during her self-reflection.
Power type: Brute
Threat level: 3
Duration: 24 min
Synchronization: 90%
Wiki article: Sunny Days, Starry NightsPower: Host can project hot plasma at the temperature of the solar surface around her body. She is both unaffected by her own plasma and heat from outside.
Power type: Shaker
Threat level: 4
Duration: 20 sec
Synchronization: 33%
Wiki article: Haberdashers' Aske's School for GirlsPower: Host can make extremely durable force field projections in the form of teenage girls in an area around her.
"We'll talk about me outing myself later. For now I have drawn two new powers, one of which seems to create a plasma field around me, which I am not going to use in my own home, and the other creates force field projections."
Lauren managed to show Aisha a few Girl-shaped force field projections before the power and the projections with it disappeared.
"And there goes another useful power, why couldn't this stupid fish power take less than a minute. I wouldn't mind being stuck with a force field projection power for hours, even if it only seems to make force fields in the shapes of girls."
Lauren spend the rest of the afternoon grabbing new powers, showing them to Aisha if they were not going to destroy her house. Before the dreaded dinner where she was going to out herself, she ended up with two other long lasting powers, next to the stupid fish power.
Power type: Blaster
Threat level: 1
Duration: 4 hours
Synchronization: 80%
Wiki article: OrozbekovoPower: Host is able to send a dry wind at a target. This can either be a cold or a warm wind and cannot go anywhere near hurricane speeds. It is useful for hair drying and getting people to lose their balance with a sudden gust.
Power type: Breaker/mover
Threat level: 2
Duration: 6 hours
Synchronization: 10%
Wiki article: Frederic John FarrePower: Host can enter plants and move through them if they are connected at higher velocity than normal human running speed (like a grassfield or a single tree). She is vulnerable when travelling like this as she gets hurt when the plant she is in gets damaged and the plant(s) she is in are somewhat off-color. (A great power in forests but very meh in cities).