Grind 1.8 Multiple perspective interlude
Beauty
Bed gone, room gone, between? No. Confusion. Lights, lines, curves? Curious.
Taylor; Mad Sad Confused.
"Chirp." Comfort. Reassurance, Brave!
Taylor smiles. Warmth, Happy, Glad!
Taylor picks me up. Scratches above eye! Happy, Affection, Love!
Taylor points to a light. Wants me, go, touch? I do.
Pink cloth cover thing. Human arms/legs. Confusion.
Room gone. Taylor gone. Wings gone! Fear, Panic, Terror! Help! Help! Help!
{}{}{}{}
Danny
It had been a long day. Taylor had called to tell me she was going to meet with the Wards. Apparently they wanted to apologize. I was worried, but I trusted her judgment. That didn't mean that I trusted the Wards. After all, fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.
Taylor had scooted up to her room pretty quickly once she got home. I hadn't really gotten a chance to ask how her day went.
I had been making that mistake for two years. I was not about to repeat it. I would make her tell me everything about her day.
I knocked on her door. "Taylor, you mind if I come in?" No response. Could she be asleep? No the light was on. Hmm. "Taylor I'm coming in." I opened the door.
Taylor and her pet dragons were gone. But there, hovering over her bed, was some kind of game system. "Damn it Taylor!" I leaned over and surprise, surprise there on the little screen was Mario stomping Goombas.
Piggot's warning was ringing in my ears. She said Taylor would have to be careful. Her power was a wildcard. Without knowing its limits she could be anything she wanted. For now Taylor wasn't a threat but Piggot had made it very clear. If Taylor picked up abilities she could not control, she could be the next Nilbog or Endbringer.
The Director wanted Taylor locked away where her power could be tested and cultivated. She wanted to use Taylor like a weapon. I had no doubt she would do so if given half a chance. I thought taking away her books would be enough to prevent that. Clearly I was wrong, Taylor, or her power, would find a way around my restrictions it seemed. I could tell her the risks. I could take away the games and T.V. but then what? Would she rebel? Would she cave in on herself? I didn't know what to do.
"How am I supposed to protect you from this?"
{}{}{}{}
Dragon
The Day was winding down. I had already completed my routine checks. I was well into the arduous task of reading through the paper work on new capes. The Yangban were suspected of having a new cape with some sort of changer ability. Denver Wards had a new Tinker they caught flying a strange contraption that had passed mach one. They were apparently very excited about his potential given that it had been made on a shoestring budget. The engine had actually been held together with duct tape and paperclips. I would have to keep an eye on that one's work. Maybe throw him some of my older thruster designs to see what he did with them.
Ah an update on the new cape out of Brockton Bay.
Name: Taylor Hebert
Age:15
Cape Name: N/A
Temporary Designation: SI (self insert)
Power Designation: Striker 1 Trump 8
Power Description: SI's power appears to be the ability to insert herself into fictional books. It seems to activate automatically and is out of her control. Originally it was assumed to be any book. This theory was disproved after her father reported that SI had been seen reading a math textbook earlier that day. In the incident which led to her being exposed SI stopped a crossbow bolt at near point blank range with a cell phone. This has been theorized as the result of gaining the ability of the main character of the first book she lived out using her power. "A Spell For Chameleon". The main character's power was absolute protection from magical threats. It is believed that her power has taken the concept and adapted it to protection against parahuman threats. The bolt in question was not at the time under any parahuman effects however it was a tinker designed tranquilizer dart containing a tinker designed tranquilizer. Our working theory is that this was enough to set off her power.
The above described power offers no offensive capabilities. However, it does provide almost perfect defense against parahuman threats. Current strategy for capturing and detaining SI should it prove necessary is to deploy PRT troopers wielding conventional weaponry.
Updated
SI has displayed a new ability which has unknown ramifications. The Wards met with SI in their civilian ID's to apologize for their former teammate's actions. During the meal SI introduced the Wards to what she claimed was a new friend. A winged reptile she called a fire lizard. Descriptions agree on the appearance being essentially a small golden dragon. The creature, referred to as Beauty, was noted as having a leathery hide as opposed to scales. Additionally the creature was described as being an empath and teleporter. Further note SI claimed Beauty was one of three such creatures. SI also claimed the "fire lizards" capable of breeding and her intent to have them neutered to avoid personal problems that would arise as a result of the mating.
Current conclusions: SI can acquire the abilities and creatures and potentially the possessions of characters she plays in various books. These powers are not exact copies. However they are close enough to their original works that the original work can be used as a frame of reference.
Combat Threat and Recommended Contact Procedure: Currently SI is considered a non threat. However depending on any inherent limits of which we are currently unaware SI could with only one use of her power potentially become a god in function if not in fact. This is cause for great concern. However with no current hostile actions and with the potential versatility and power SI could bring to Endbriger fights we are attempting to avoid antagonizing her. It is our hope that we can develop a rapport with SI and convince her, and her father, that her place is in the Wards where her powers use can be restricted, and her combat capabilities developed along acceptable guidelines.
I spent all of a second considering the possible ramifications of this. Given my processing power it was a considerable expenditure.
Miss Hebert could gain super powers.
With a little forethought, her powers could be developed and aimed at a specific concept or idea. This could be the break I had been searching for! If I could convince Taylor to help me, getting rid of the shackles might just be possible.
I had some phone calls to make.
{}{}{}{}
Piggot
I placed the last report in my outgoing box, and leaned back into my chair. Five minutes left to my shift. Good, it was nice to have a moments piece at the end of the day.
Naturally the phone rang. I sighed but answered anyway. "Director Piggot speaking."
"Director, It's Dragon. I'd like to speak with you about a possible arrangement I'm considering for miss Hebert.
{}{}{}{}
Narwhal
I sipped at a cup of tea and idly turned the page of my book where it rested on my force fields. Running around in my force fields was always a thrill, but sometimes nothing got the heart pumping like a good book.
The monitor across the room started beeping.
Well I guess it was too much to hope for a few minutes of quiet in this line of work. I created another force field and extended it until it depressed the answer button. "Narwhal speaking."
"Narwhal, its Dragon. I may have found a future new recruit, and… Why are you reading 50 Shades of Grey?"