Disclaimer: I don't own 9. Layton (45) belongs to CreativeJounalist and Krya (95) belongs to FaerieDeathKat. Anyone else is obviously mine.
Author note: Uch, Finely! This chapter just didn't want to stop! I am proud to announce another slide show is in the making! Any artist is welcome to contribute. Either post it on DA and send me a link, or message me and we'll talk privately about how you can send them in. This one for Brace Yourself is already turning out better than the one for Short by 9 marbles! Hell, if I get enough help, I might do more than one slide.
I know a lot of you might have been looking forward to it, I was too, but there won't be any more games. The plots about to get extreme, and there's just no way I can fit in any more guest stars. But fear not! There will be a sequel and new and previous guest stars will be welcomed with open arms. Though I might not play a game. I haven't decided yet how I'm going to pick guest stars. I could just take requests, but that might get hairy. We'll have to see.
Huggles go out to Beachcat, FaerieDeathKat, and CreativeJournalist. You guys were awesome and a real treat to work with! I Hope to do it again soon!
Brace Yourself
Chapter 5
Avery watched warily as the snake lady impatiently paced the room, waiting for Marco's return. While those two had been running lose through the small town digging up information, (or in Marco's case, driving around in circles while Sierria took care of the fun work) he had been confined to their room because of his difficult to conical form. The run down hotel smelled like mold and it made his nose twitch in displeasure. All he knew for sure was that something good had happened and that meant they were thankfully moving out.
"This confirms it...master will be pleased…" Sierria mumbled to herself as she smoothed out the flyer on the desk for the fifth time that hour.
"As much as I like pretending I know what you're talking about…what does this confirm again?" Avery asked from his perch on the bed's end board.
"The government goes through the hassle of recruiting young unsuspecting victims, who's to say that the neutrals don't do the same?" She thrust the yellow paper in his face and declared happily, "This is the back door we were looking for."
Avery read over the paper, and ruffled his wings in excitement.
This was going to be interesting.
Blake grumbled unhappily as he tidied up the den. His video games were gone, and he couldn't find them without turning the house upside down; which he had literally done before and knew he would be in deep trouble if he tried it again.
He bumped into the coffee table as he was dusting off the T.V stand, knocking off the pile of papers his dad had put there earlier. With a huff he got down on his knees and picked them up, but one in particular had gone under the sofa and he couldn't quite reach it.
He easily lifted the couch up and grabbed the paper…and got a swat over the head for it. "What did I tell you about doing that?"
"…not to?" He blinked in confusion and let the couch fall back into place with a loud thunk.
Jeb growled, but the doorbell rang before he could berate the boy and he stormed off to answer it. Really, Blake didn't know what he said wrong. That was what he had been told, after all. Smiling proudly, he put the last sheet back on the pile.
"Hey, Blake…" Andrew greeted timidly as he entered the den. Blake gave a grunt for a greeting. He didn't take too kindly to the other kids and often had to put them in their place for his father. He particularly enjoyed messing with the twins. He found magnets chasing them rather amusing.
Blake watched Andrew carefully as he fidgeted on the couch. His games were gone and his father had a tendency to threaten that he would give them to Andrew to practice with. And very few electronics survived Andrew.
Harold went rushing by the room, "Jeeeb! Jeb! Where's that tote bag?" He spun back around and peaked into the den, "Hello Andrew. Did that manual I loaned you help any?"
"I hope so," the eye-patched boy smiled shyly, "won't know for sure until I can test it."
"We'll just have to see then, won't we?" Harold took off at the sound of a knock on the door. "It's open! JEB! Are you in the basement!"
"I'm never going to get used to this." Ace said with a shake of his head as he entered the den.
"Phht, don't be overdramatic. Everyone gets the hang of their powers eventually," Andrew snorted.
"I meant the chaos, mayhem and sweets," Ace plopped next to him on the couch, "I'm going to get fat off of Harold's cooking, but I can't stop myself. It's too good."
Andrew broke out laughing.
It wasn't long before Izzie, Ian and Caleb showed up, and Jeb and Harold came into the room to start.
"Kelly's not here?" Caleb asked as he was booted off the couch.
The twins shrugged in unison from their place on the floor.
Caleb frowned at them, "What do you mean you don't know? You live on the same street. You didn't go check?"
"Kelly is having some difficulties at the moment and doesn't want to be disturbed. Speaking of which, shouldn't you be off?" Jeb gave Harold a pointed look, and the other old man nodded curtly and took his leave.
"Caleb, come here. I got something for you…"Mr. A rummaged in his box and pulled out a chain, "here we go. Your new blocker."
Caleb put it around his neck and took off the old metal ring from his head. Andrew pointed out, "It looks kind of plain. No one goes around wearing an empty chain." Ace snorted at the idea of Caleb donned in bling. Caleb just shrugged it off; he'd find something.
"One more announcement before I start rebranding you lot…" Jeb pat the coffee table next to the pile of papers, "Camping trips start in two weeks. If you don't get the form sighed and returned, you can forget about getting any training in."
Caleb 's jaw fell open in surprise, "This early?"
Jeb groused back, "I didn't plan the dates. It's been poorly done, if you ask me. You all have that Friday off, which gives us just under two days. Not enough time to get anything done. But I figured you'd all want to go anyway."
Ace could hardly contain his excitement. He was finely going to get his chance to practice with his ability.
"Hi Harold. I forgot you were coming over," Kelly smiled weakly as she held the door open for her teacher.
"Where is your mother?" He put his bag down and scanned the room for any other occupants.
"Upstairs in bed; its safe." Kelly held her arm out, and Harold took out her replacement band and made quick work of switching them out.
"How Have you been, dear?" Harold smiled in his usual grandfatherly manner and brushed a piece of hair out of her face.
She chuckled lightly, "Alright. Still a bit shocked. It's never been this bad before…"
"Well, give your mother my regards…and these brownies." He took the mentioned bag of sweets out, "Their sure to cheer anyone up. Oh, and this. Make sure to get it signed and returned." He handed over a yellow flyer as well.
"Thanks Harold. See you Monday." She wrapped her arms around him and he embraced her.
He brushed her hair again, and whispered, "I'll always be just a call away if you need me."
Kelly smiled and gave him one more squeeze before letting go. She made sure to lock the door after Harold, than grabbed the things he left for her.
"Who was that?" Her mom asked as she entered the master bedroom. Her mom was bruised and cut up badly and had a broken arm from when she had fallen down the stairs in an attempt to escape her boyfriend trying to force himself on her. She had picked some bad apples before, but things had never gotten so violent in the past.
"Just Mr. Mathews. I kind of got scared last night and called, so he wanted to check to make sure we were okay. He gives his regards…and brownies." Kelly held up the bag in offer and sat on the edge of the bed.
Her mom popped one in her mouth. Tears suddenly dripped down her face and she wailed from around the gooey treat, "I'm a horrible mother…!"
Kelly hated it when she got like this. "So you're not the world's greatest mom, but look at it this way. I'm not a destructive emo bitch so you must have done something right."
Her mom wailed louder and pulled her into a big hug. Kelly, bent over at an odd angle, pat her mom on the back.
"Oh, I don't know what I would do without you Kelly. You are my greatest treasure…"
"Please no more dating," Kelly whispered, "We don't need a guy in our lives. We're fine, just the way we are." Kelly couldn't stand the thought of this happening again. And next time, it could be worse.
Dread filled Kelly when her mother's sobs became laughter. "I wouldn't care if you brought a man home, though! What was his name again?"
Still held tightly by her mom, she blushed. "Don't start that again. I told you before that Andrew is just a friend."
Kelly was finely released, "No, that other one. Something with an 'A'…you've been talking non-stop about him for weeks now."
"I have not!" Kelly denied, but her mother gave her a goofy smile. Scrawling in embarrassment, she snatched the bag of brownie's up and raised it above her head, "Whatever, I'll just be taking these back then."
Smirking, her mom held up the form and wiggled it playfully, "Ah ha, you want to play that game, huh? Then I won't sign this! Trade?"
Kelly rolled her eyes but smiled and agreed. While she searched for a writing utensil, her mom took another brownie out and moaned, "Make sure to smack Harold for refusing me this recipe. Family secret be dammed, that man makes edible bliss."
Ace knew, that this had to be timed perfectly. He waited until Helen was asleep, and a commercial had just started on the T.V. He had been saving this particular tactic for a special occasion and this qualified as any.
His dad was in his recliner and his mother was stretched out on the sofa under her favorite knitted blanket. The glow of the television was only light in the dark room. The setup was ready, now to commence operation: gullible.
Ace cleared his thought and announced, "Mom, dad, the youth group I joined is going to start some camping trips and I would really like to go."
His mom blinked at the sheet in the dark and blindly reached for the lamp on the corner coffee table. "Next week? You Know Helen has an appointment."
Ace had already mental prepared himself for the integration. "It isn't like you need me to go with you…"
"You need to be there for moral support." His dad added automatically, as if it had been rehearsed.
Ace countered it with, "It's just an appointment. It isn't like she's having surgery done."
"Who is going to take you?" asked his mom.
"Jeb and Harold's taking everyone themselves." Ace looked between them, knowing that the resistance was breaking.
"I don't know," his mom slipped the paper aside on the table, "I mean we don't really know these people…"
And now for the finale. "You would if I could invite them over. This is why I never had any friends before! You never let me do anything. I love Helen, I was willing to move here for her, so that we could be near a good hospital, and I help and sacrifice so much for her— but for once I want to do something for myself!" He stormed off up the stairs and firmly shut his bedroom door. As much as he wanted to, slamming the door would have been pushing it.
"Ace? Ace….open the door!" his mother hissed, too cautious to yell, while Ace sat back against the door, clinging to the handle so that she wouldn't be able to turn it. He knew he was bound to win eventually for his 'out of character' behavior.
As predicted, his mom gave in. "Ace…if this means that much to you, you can go."
He punched the air in success and mouthed "yes!" to the darkness of his room.
He was going camping.
Ace was dozing off with his head pressed against the window, absently rubbing his arm where his band should have been. Jeb refused to reband them, insisting that they wouldn't need it for the weekend. It felt rather strange after wearing it for a month. He jerked fully awake when the car came to an unexpected stop.
"Well, here we are!"` Harold chirped happily and the locks clicked open. Izzie and Ian shoved their way out of the other side of the car, happy to be out of the vibrating tin can. Kelly hopped out of the front seat and stretched contently.
Ace looked around, disappointed to find only trees surrounding them. "This is it?"
"Bout a mile up this path is the camp. You'll be hoofing it from here." Jeb answered, getting back into his own car after letting Blake, Caleb and Andrew out.
Ace looked over his shoulder for the path, then turned back to Harold, "Just us? What about you two?"
"We have to take the cars around the long way. We'll meet up with you at the cabin." He hung his head out the window and yelled to the provider, "It's the fifth one, right?" getting a nod, he turned back to Ace and relayed, "Cabin 5. Enjoy your nature walk!"
The teen balked in surprise as the cars drove off, leaving them alone in the forest.
"Don't take it personal. They do this every year…" Andrew said as he waved for Ace to follow up the path.
"Race you!" Kelly chirped happily and took off up the trail.
"Hey, that's cheating!" Andrew yelled and ran after her, though he probably that he had no chance of catching her.
Ace had fallen behind the others by the time they made it to the camp site. He looked around in wonder at the log buildings and the different locations listed on a sign post. He had to keep reminding himself that he had to get to the cabin first. Besides, Jeb would probably have them so busy that they wouldn't have time to go swimming or anything of the sort.
He took the path that supposedly should have led to the cabins. As he neared the first one, a large group of kids caught his attention. They seemed to be gathered around something and whatever it was, was causing a lot of excitement.
Ace tried to look over shoulders to see what was going on. One of the kids was laying out some plastic cups, and others were switching places and sitting in a circle around the cups. Spotting a blond boy near the edge of the ring of bystanders, he nudged him and asked, "Hey, what's going on?"
The boy jumped and yelped in alarm, "Don't sneak up on me like that," he said.
"Sorry." The boy seemed younger than the other teens there and sported a green striped hoodie.
"It's okay," he shrugged, "Anyway, it's just this stupid game they play as an icebreaker. It's not a great game, but it's fun to watch."
The circle of players had closed their eyes, and the person that laid the cups out carefully lifted a few and slipped rocks under them.
"Since I'm telepathic, they think I cheat. I don't do it on purpose, but they think it anyway. That's why I don't like it." He stated as he readjusted his glasses.
"That must suck." The dealer announced he was done, and the sitting kids started taking turns cautiously picking a cup from the center.
"Doesn't matter. It's not a big deal." He held out his hand. "I'm Layton. You're Ace, right?"
Ace shook it, "That's right."
Suddenly there was a burst of cheers as one of the players picked up a cup to find a stone under it. He looked around in thought for a moment, then picked up a leaf from nearby. He held it to his lips and with a gentle breath it caught on fire. The boy crushed it in his hand, effectively putting it out and shook off the ashes.
"You see, if you find only one stone, you have to demonstrate what your power is." A few others went, until someone found the cup with three stones. The dark haired boy blushed, but the gathered kids cheered widely and some even made catcalls or jeered playfully.
He leaned over the center and gave the girl across from him a kiss on forehead. The cheering hit its crescendo. Ace balked in surprise.
"If you get three stones, you have to kiss someone. Not on the lips," he said quickly. "On the cheek or forehead."
"What?" Ace turned to face Layton while the game continued.
"Didn't I say it was stupid?"
The last person picked up the remaining cup to reveal two stones. The girl bravely admitted that she once forgot the she could breath underwater and almost suffocated herself by trying to hold her breath.
"And for two stones, you have to reveal an embarrassing event that happened during training. The more humiliating, the more respect you get."
The round officially over, everyone got up and started switching places. "I think I'm going to give this a try."
"You're not seriously thinking that, are you?" Ignoring the question, Ace made his way around to pick a spot but was suddenly grabbed by the arm and pulled to sit at the other side.
"Hey, you're new, right? Ace, is it? This is your first try, isn't it?" The girl who had grabbed him took a quick look around to make sure no one would hear her and accuse her of cheating. "Okay, so I've known Tristan, our esteemed dealer of the day, for awhile now. He always starts from the right. Always. You want to be one of the first few, 'cause that way you're more likely to draw a blank and not do something stupid or humiliating. Even if I would get a nice laugh out of it, newbie."
Ace blinked in confusion. "…Do I know you?"
"Nope, not at all. Never seen you before in my life. I have, however, tagged you. You're it." She chuckled at her own private joke. Brushing hair the color of melted chocolate out of matching eyes, she continued. "I'm a tagger. That means that with one simple touch I know everything I'll ever need to know about you. Your name, age, your power, sometimes even your personality. It's way more convenient than stalking. Oh, woops, I'm Kyra, by the way. Kyra Stics."
"Hey, we're starting Krya, so shut your eyes and zip it!" The dealer, Tristan, playfully bopped her on the head. Where Layton seemed to younger than the age group of the kids at the camp, Tristan seemed to be the oldest. He had short cut black hair, and his white, dirt covered hoodie was tied around his waist.
"Yeah, yeah, Trissy. And what have I told you about touching my hair?" She sent a wink at Ace, before closing her eyes. "Good luck."
Ace tried to listen carefully for the sound of the shifting cups, but it was hard to hear over the crowd surrounding them.
Tristan announced the start of the round, and as predicted, turned to his right. "Let's see, we'll start with you number 9."
Ace blinked in surprise at his odd bout of luck, and chose his cup from the center. Two rocks peaked out at him. Well, he should have figured.
"I haven't been in training for long, but I did hit myself with an acorn when I was trying to levitate it." He received a decent applaud for his honesty.
Kyra reached for a cup but Tristan stopped her. "Hey, we're going counter clock wise this time."
The brunette mockingly gasped put a hand over her heart, "You cheat! You did that on purpose! And after all we've been through!" But Tristan just shook his head and moved on.
The game continued with each person taking a chance with their luck. A technopathic pulled one stone and demonstrated his ability by making someone's cell phone go haywire. Ace found it intriguing, considering that his friend was a much younger and less experienced technopath. Finely they got to the last player.
They all knew what was under that last cup.
With a sigh, Kryra picked it up, reveling three stones.
Rolling her eyes, Kyra muttered, "Well, this isn't awkward at all. Oh well." She turned to Ace, leaned in, then stopped herself. "This is okay, right? I can kiss you? 'Cause I would totally understand if it wasn't."
Ace's cheeks turned a rosy pink, but he nodded, "Um…sure." She leaned back in and gave him a quick peck on the forehead.
Ace gasped in surprise when he was pulled backward by his hood. "So this is where you've been. Everyone's been looking for you! Come on."
Ace looked up at Kelly and his whole face turned tomato red. "Aaww, shit. Um…bye Kryra…?" he gave an uncertain wave and tried to get his feet under him while Kelly dragged him off.
Ace managed to twist himself around in time to wave as they passed the telepathic, "Oh, Bye Layton. Thanks for earlier. Um…I guess I'll see you around if I'm still alive by then."
Layton just shook his head.
"Hey Kelly, would you-Oh, you found him." Andrew turned around from the fire pit that had a decent sized flame dancing in it.
"He was playing stones." Kelly stated calmly as she joined him on the bench he occupied.
Caleb snorted, "He pulled a three, didn't he?"
"No, he was the receiver of a three." The twins broke out laughing.
5 teasingly asked, "Was she hot?" and got smacked in the back of the head for it. "Hey, you've pulled three's before, why—ouch! Stop it Kelly!" Kelly gave him one finial smack for good measure.
His blush returning, he took the remaining free spot next to Caleb, "Anyway, this is dinner then?"
Andrew smiled and rotated the skewer his hotdog was on, "Yeah, I love fire cooked hotdogs, tastes so much better than just microwaving them. They even packed us with stuff for s'mores! Much better than last year."
"They? They who?" Ace picked up his own metal spike and speared a hotdog on it.
"The camp owner and provider crew. They make sure to prep everything for our arrival, which includes stocking the cabinets." Kelly answered as she tried to reach for her own skewer, but Andrew stopped her.
"You mind getting the mustard bottle first? I left it inside."
She shrugged, "No prob," and ran off in a quick burst. Ace stared after her in wonder and awe, not used yet to see her take off so suddenly without warning.
Andrew took his hotdog off and tucked it into a bun. "Get used to it. She's going to be running off all over the place while she still has the chance."
"Talking about me behind my back?"
Ace and Caleb jumped, surprised by Kelly's sudden return.
Andrew answered calmly, "Not anything worth concern."
Ace turned his skewer back and forth in thought. "I've been wondering for a while now…"
"Gasp! A question Ace hasn't asked!" Kelly mockingly covered her mouth in false surprise.
"Hush you…" Ace shook a finger at her playfully then turned back to Andrew, "How long have each of you been here and how did you meet Mr. A."
Andrew put his plate to the side and readjusted himself on the bench. "I've been here the longest, about four years, now. I had an accident with an alarm clock at the store, and one of Mr. Anderson's older patrons pulled me aside and gave it to me strait. There were two other kids there too at the time, but they left right after Kelly joined. She literally ran into Harold a year after I joined, when we were freshmen. She found the twins that same year, or really, the twins found her."
The brother and sister smiled large Cheshire grins at the memory, which meant it was probably a story best left untold.
Andrew continued, "I found Caleb the year after, in an art class. That was before when we didn't have a lot of art students so all of the levels were together. He…well, he was in a pretty bad state before he got his blocker."
Ace took a moment to swallow and asked, "What about Blake?"
Kelly gave him a swat over the head, "His dad is a provider. How do you think he found out?"
Ace stared at her questioningly.
Andrew snickered, "He probably spontaneously got the urge to play with the furniture and he's been driving Mr. A crazy ever since."
The telekinetic asked from around a mouth filled with food, "Where is Blake anyway?"
Caleb reached for another hot dog, "Don't know. Mr. Anderson said they had to go do something."
"Harold's here 'watching' us though," Andrew added. "I think he went to take a nap. Poor guy, he just isn't cut out for this anymore." Ace wasn't surprised by Andrew's sympathy. He seemed to be very close to the kooky old man.
Izzie sighed something and Kelly translated, "True…she said it's hard to tell though, with the way he acts."
Caleb yelp in surprise when his hot slipped off the skewer and fell into the fire. They all laughed together and watched as it turned a crispy black.
"Get up, lazy bones! You're going to miss breakfast!"
Ace grunted and rolled over, only to groan again when a burst of light hit his face. Yawning, he dragged himself to the edge of the loft and leaned over. The cabin was of a simple design. The first floor was just one large room with some kitchen essentials in one corner, a few cots under the loft and two couches occupying the corner opposite of the kitchen.
The loft was half the size of the bottom floor and had beautifully carved railing and a large round window. The children had set up there sleeping bags up there while the two adults slept below on the cots.
Ace could smell and hear bacon sizzling, and he licked his lips in anticipation. Harold was dancing in the kitchen area, moving in and out of sight. He was singing to himself, then humming the parts he couldn't remember and one song bled into another.
Kelly was unsurprisingly dressed like one of the guys, an old stained t-shirt and boxers, and was cheering and hooting at the show Harold was putting on, particularly when he started using the spatula as a microphone. Andrew, Izzie and Ian seemed very amused but too sleepy to comment. It was hard to tell what Blake was thinking due to his blank stare and Caleb fell back asleep.
Mr. A was surprisingly not complaining and was drinking from a glass bottle of coffee he brought with him. Ace smiled at the sight. He had guessed before that Mr. Anderson was a coffee person.
Feeling he was awake enough to get down the steep stairs without tripping, he joined the others at the table. A plate of turnovers, bagels and toast already occupied the table and the teen greatly helped himself.
Jeb took a final sip from his bottle and sat it down with a clink. His face looked rather blank without his mouth pitched into a frown and he seemed more relaxed then usual. But then again he was probably still a bit drowsy. Ace had a feeling he would go back to screaming as soon as the caffeine kicked in.
"Took you long enough to join us…." Jeb sighed, rubbed his forehead, and started listing off everyone's assignments for the day. "A game of advanced dodge ball is being held. Kelly, Blake, I'm taking you out there for a round. Izzie and Ian you're going to your mentor. Andrew, your mentor is occupied for the day. Your scheduled in for tomorrow so you will be staying here. And you Ace, will be working with the head telekinesis mentor, our own Harold."
The newest member blinked in surprise at the new term. "Slow down, mentor?"
Harold put a large serving plate smothered with bacon, eggs and sausage in the center of the table and the teens eagerly helped themselves. "When we're together like this, we can divide ourselves by power type. It's easier to learn from someone of the same ability. The head mentor is the oldest person with that power, usually a provider. Older children can act as a mentor too if there is no provider with that ability."
"I'll become a seer mentor, when another seer is found…because there are so few of us." Caleb mentioned in between bites.
The provider grunted, "I fear that day greatly. No telling what odd habits of yours you'd rub off on them."
"Jebadiah!" Harold scolded and threw a piece of toast at him.
Irritated, Jeb stood and brushed the crumbs off his shirt. "I stand firmly with the belief that the children shouldn't be forced into teaching each other. That's our job," he turned to the kids and announced, "I will be waiting on the front porch when you are ready to go."
Breakfast continued on a more cheery note, and Ace learned from Kelly's excited chitterling that advanced dodge ball was a poor name for the game, since it was played with boulders, logs, or any other debris that could be found and thrown. And your goal is to hit the other team's target, not the other players. Still, a lot of dodging would still be needed. Ace made a mental note to avoid getting dragged into a round at all costs.
Soon the others left to their respective activities, leaving Caleb, Ace, and Andrew with Harold. The older telekinesis had gone out to the car to get something, and came bursting back in, a large box and tote bag in hand. He wobbled a moment when rounding the table but managed to regain balance and dumped the contents of the box out. Ace wasn't sure, but it could have been a clock at one point.
"This should keep you occupied, Andrew. No sense in wasting your chance to practice," Harold nodded proudly at the broken bits on the table.
"Are you sure about this? Last time I tried to doing this inside…." Andrew gulped and gave a metal spring a poke.
"Just follow what feels right." Harold fondly stroked his head, and turned to Caleb. "I'm afraid I don't have anything for you and I don't think Jeb is really fond of you practicing at all, really. Though he is right that you shouldn't use it so often at night; you'll drive yourself insane if you keep it up. But seeing as all of my attention is going to be on training Ace, I suppose I wouldn't notice if you snuck out to have some time to yourself."
Caleb smiled in understanding and hugged Harold. "Just make sure your back before Jeb."
Satisfied that the other two were occupied, he motioned for Ace to come with him out front. He looked around for a moment, then walked up next to one of the few trees in the clearing around the cabin and plopped down. "This is a good spot as any…get comfortable and try to relax."
Ace sat across from Harold, giving him his full attention. "I guess the best place to start is with your mindset…it's the trickiest part about these types of powers. Imagine your power as an energy that flows through you, constantly weaving and fluttering with a mind of its own."
Ace let out a content sigh. It wasn't that hard to picture, as he had similar thought before when putting the bands on. He found himself relaxing even further under Harold's calm, coaxing voice and closed his eyes.
"Since you are young it tends to pulse which is why you have little control over it. This is where the band comes in. it keeps that energy flowing smoothly until your body learns to mimic it and control it on its own. Blockers put a protective shield around the mind and prevent accidental use of the power, but this does not stop the flow. It's how the bands continue to work while the blocker is in place. As long as you live the flow will never stop."
Ace peaked an eye open, "Wait, when I put a band on before though, I felt energy come from it…"
"That was all you. The band was merely redirecting your energy." Giving a quiet, "oh", Ace closed his eyes gain. "When you use your power you reach out with this energy. Imagine it as a hand; it's merely an extension of yourself and is as much a part of you as your arm or leg."
Ace opened his eyes at the sound of something being dumped. He had forgotten about the tote bag. "Well now, we need to establish is how exactly you pick things up. Your energy will move a certain way when you try to lift things, much like a hand grabbing something. You need to figure out how exactly you're grabbing otherwise you might as well be reaching for something in the dark."
Ace starred at the collection of junk, in particular a light bulb that stood out from the collection of computer parts, unsure of what he was being asked to do.
Harold thankfully, stepped up to help with his dilemma. "Look, this is how I grab." He plucked up a wire between two fingers, "I've met others that lift up from underneath as if their scooping it up, and some that flick it up in the air before grabbing…just play around with it until you find what is most comfortable for you."
Ace knew already from previous experiments which technique he would be the easiest for him. Careful so as not to crush it with sheer force, ace flicked the light bulb up with his mind, and caught it again. He felt a weld of pride as he moved it about with ease, before gently putting it back down. "that's it." Ace nodded with confidence.
"Are you sure?" Ace nodded again. It felt right, he was most defiantly sure of it.
"Well, I can tell you now that you're going to have some difficulty with larger objects and people, but we will work through it when we get there. I want to show you something else. Reach out, but don't grab anything."
Ace was unsure, but figured that Harold knew what he was doing. It felt strange to just reach out without touching anything, but suddenly he did feel something and jerked away in surprise. "What was that?"
Harold smiled reassuringly, "That was me."
Curiosity taking over, Ace reached back out and felt it again. It moved closer, brushing against him gently, as if afraid he would jerk away again, and then it spared out and intertwined with his own strands of energy, teasing and trying to prompt movement. Ace was unsure of what was being asked of him again and remained still.
"We call this 'touching'. All mental powers have some form of it. Ours is a bit different then most though." Ace moved his strands carefully, wrapping around the stronger and more confident fibers.
Harold laughed, "There you go!"
For some reason that made him feel giddy and laughed too. It felt amazing, like a warmth he had never felt before, like happiness and tranquility and delight and every nice feeling in the world rolled up together. His strands moved in his excitement, flickering erratically.
"Calm down now…" warned Harold and the thicker threads tried to pull away. Ace lashed out and his strands tightened around them, not wanting the other to leave. "Easy, easy! You need to calm down Ace. You're getting too excited."
Ace jerked away, yanking his power back forcefully and took a shaky breath. He understood now why Kelly had been despite for a band that first day she returned to Jeb. He needed it, he didn't feel safe with his energy thrashing around like that. "I…I'm sorry…"
"It's alright. You're still learning. Easy, deep breaths." Harold Quickly closed the distance between them and pulled him to his chest.
"Please, I need a band." Ace gasped out.
"No, you're safe out here. You don't need it. Just settle down now and you'll be just dandy." Ace sighed and leaned onto his shoulder.
Harold gave him a final pat and used his cane to pull himself up. "Come on, I think that's enough for now."
Ace blinked; they had hardly just begun! "But-"
Harold gave him a strict look and berated, "You can't just go rushing back into this. Give your body some time to readjust, and then we'll try again. I need to check on Andrew anyway. I haven't heard any explosions so the lad might have actually pulled that old chunker back together. Then again, my hearing isn't what it used to be."
Ace stood to follow, but after a few steps to the cabin he looked over his shoulder into the bushes. He had the most particular feeling that he was being watched. His body shivered involuntary and he rushed to catch up to Harold.
Author note: Harold makes THE BEST teacher and grandfather ever. It's not hard to tell what my favorite part to write was, is it? But about what they were talking about…there powers don't really work like that. The whole tendril thing is just an image Ace created. He hasn't learned that part yet, so this is how he's imagining his power working. Someday when he's older He'll get a proper lesion in how the mind powers really work. For now, this is what works best for him so Harold's going to avoid complicating things and confusing the kid.
The camp is based off of some fond memories of one I went to when my sissy was in girl scouts. I miss those days…