Worms, Rings and the Choice of Violence.
Disclaimer: I don't own Worm or Lord of the Rings.
Beta'd by the Inquisitorial Beta and Hipnyah
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Chapter 4: I've given up drugs for good
The next morning
The Trainyard
Henry Drew
Merchants suck at hiding their stashes…I mean really, A warehouse filled with dudes dressed like thugs while also armed? Way too obvious.
I mean, sure, I can see through walls, but that doesn't really count. Anyway, Merchant building. I tried a different form of approach this time, I didn't want to kill them and just raid their stuff this time. No, I was here for the people themselves.
And it started with me lounging outside, wearing a ratty hoody and torn jeans, the kind of clothing that looked less like a fashion statement and more that I was a poor street kid or orphan…I mean, it's what I would have technically been if I hadn't started working.
But that's not important. What IS important, is that I looked like just the right kind of client that the merchants would cater to…or hire.
Anyway, approaching a guy and asking for a fix was easy enough and soon, I found myself alone with an older looking thug in a dark alley. I would have been scared a few weeks ago, but now? A quick grab of his face and he was singing a very different tune. After that, it was time for….Well, something straight out of a god-damn skit.
I told my newly acquired goon to call for the others, saying he thinks some cops are lurking around. As wanted, two other merchants stepped out, joined us in the dark alley, and a quick kick to their shins sent them to the ground and I grabbed both their faces.
Grabbing one of their guns, I inspect the weapon for a moment. It seemed like a normal pistol, I couldn't really tell the make or model as I wasn't knowledgeable on the subject. But, I did read up on basic firearm use and safety to know how to use the safety, pull back the slide or eject the magazine. So I think I'm fairly ok in that regard.
I put the weapon into the pocket of my hoody on account that I didn't take my knife along. I could theoretically still summon my bow, but until I figure out the issue with getting arrows for them during a fight, I would consider them a more precious resource. Definitely more precious than the bullets of a gun at least.
After that, I had the other three drag me inside. A quick push to my shoulders has me falling to the ground on me knees. My face was hidden by the hoody, but I could see around just fine. Most of the merchants were in the back, with about six of them here to…count money. Nice. The first one began talking, "Found the kid snooping around outside. Thought we oughta waste him in here." He said as he pulled out his gun.
To my surprise, a different merchant with a yellow jacket and dark skin stepped forward. "Woah, woah, woah! The kid was just snoopin around. Ain't no reason to do him in now is it?" He interjected.
I gave him a proper look, he also seemed much healthier than the other thugs. It wasn't that high a bar anyway. The other merchants were too high to interject and the merchant quickly stepped forward and quickly pulled me back to my feet. "And seriously, a dead kid is just gonna be a bitch to clean up, and I ain't the one handling it."
He grabs me by the shoulder and drags me outside with him until we end up in the alley outside. He gives my shoulder a light tap and says, "Fuck kid. Don't go snooping around gang territory. Seriously, and don't go looking for product either, that shit will fuck you up. Fuck." he turned with a mutter and started walking back towards the entrance.
He did however freeze when he heard the clicking of a gun being readied right behind his head. I did in fact pull back the slide and waste a bullet, but it's about the message, not the practicality. He slowly began cursing as he raised his hands, "The one time I go out of my way to help someone and the bitch turns a gun on me… Motherfucker."
He turns around and freezes for a second, "Shit, you a cape too?"
Oh right, my eyes are glowing. I was still using the wraith vision to keep an eye on the inside.
"Yeah, I am, now start walking, back inside." I nudge the barrel against his chin and he does as asked.
"Look, new cape, the guys in there have guns and stuff, they will light the both of us up like Swiss cheese."
I couldn't help but chuckle in return, "Somehow, I rather doubt that."
Before the merchant could ask, we step back into the building and see most of the other merchants either knocked out or held at gun-point by their mastered colleagues. I had given them the command to do this and as I was carted off, gave them the go ahead. Seems like they were successful. Not a challenge due to the enemies being high or completely off their guard.
"Oh…This some real bullshit then." The merchant in front of me says.
Pushing him by the neck, I nod at one of my new minions to restrain him. As he is pressed to the ground, my hand lights up and finds itself on the faces of the unconscious merchants. One by one, I dominate the remaining merchants. Those who strugglde upon realizing what I was doing promptly had a hand clamped over their mouth.
Eventually I got to the Merchant who tried to help me out, he visibly began panicking and began tapping his hand against the arm holding him. Deciding not to be quite that big of an asshole I decide to say,"You get to say your piece, but scream for help and you get a bullet to the brain." After he gives a nod, I look at the minion holding him. "Let go of his mouth."
"You got it boss," the merchant states as he does as commanded.
To my surprise, the dark skinned goon first turned to the one behind him and asked, "Hold up, You still in there Jimmy? You ain't some Drone or zombie?"
"Dude, the boss wants you to talk to him, not me." My minion, the newly named Jimmy tells him.
The merchant on the ground ignored the statement and instead questions again, "Wait, he's the boss now? Do you even know who he is?"
The minion shrugs his shoulders, "The Boss is the Boss, Tyson. Simple as that."
Tyson, the now named goon on the ground turns back to me, "Bruh, this is some hardcore master effect ain't it?"
I give a simple nod as I remove my hoody and reach out with my hand, "That all you wanted to ask then?"
He starts shaking his hands in front of him, "Wait wait wait, how bout this. I'm not exactly prone to losing my free will dude."
I let out a sigh as I continue closing the distance, "I'm not taking your free will, I'm making you loyal to me. If this turned people to mindless drones, I would be detected in no time."
"Look, I'd love to believe that, but…What if I work for you by choice?" He stammered out a suggestion that honestly surprised me.
It's definitely a possibility, it just has one issue, "Why the fuck wouldnt I just master you?" I question him with the annoyance in my voice growing audible.
Beads of sweat were running down his face now, "That's…ok, shit that's a great point…But… do you have any other ways of making me loyal other than, you know…that?"
"It never really seemed necessary." I answered.
"What about like….a bomb collar dude. If I so much as step out of line, it goes boom?" Did…I mean, my master effect technically allowed me that already. He isn't a para-human so he isn't secretly a Thinker then…
"You really would prefer that over forced loyalty?" I question, genuinely perplexed at someone wanting an IED strapped to their head over mind control….Ok, to be fair, I can sorta see why now.
"I had a cousin who got snatched by Heartbreaker dude, I'm honestly contemplating the bullet over that."
Man…Well, I kinda can respect that. Personally, I would also prefer dying than to be enslaved to someone's will. The entire idea just…Repulses me.
But, concerning Tyson over here…. He might be a decent candidate for my Prototype.
A smile grows on my face as I say, "Well. You'd definitely be in higher standing than these other Dumbasses…But the Collar in question is a bit worse than death if you actually tried to betray me."
"Like I said man, a bullet or that. I don't want to get mastered."
I stretch out my hand, extinguishing the green glow it had moments before, "I guess you work for me now then."
He slowly takes my hand, "I'm Tyson."
"Call me Annatar."
Top Floor, Medhall building, Brockton Bay
An elevator stopped on the top floor of the Medhall corporation. The door's opened up to reveal an athletic blonde man with a suit just a few sizes smaller than would have been fitting for him. He was carrying a sealed envelope as he made his way to the only office on this floor and promptly opened the door.
"What in god's name are you wearing Victor?" The CEO of Medhall, Max Anders, questioned.
The suited man shrugged his shoulders, the action straining the piece of clothing "You said to look presentable whenever one of us visits you. I didn't have anything better available right now… Laundry and all that."
"So this is somewhat important then?" Victor gives a curt nod as he opens the envelope and places its contents on the desk in front of his boss.
"You remember the kid who got picked up by the PRT a while back? The suspected Tinker?" Victor asks as he points towards the first picture, depicting the inside of the PRT Lobby.
Anders nods, "I believe I do. It was a false alarm though, he actually suffered a stroke right?"
"Yeah, thought that would be the last we would hear of him but I got a call yesterday. One of the younger members was asking if he was viable for recruitment because he beat up Winslow's track star or something. But well… It got kicked up to me when one of our boys did a background check."
He pulled out a set of copies. The first was an employment record from Somer's Rock. "Wait, he was the other bartender… I admit, I didn't recognize him at first. Certainly a security risk, but he hasn't been an issue so far, yes?"
"He hasn't, but I thought it might interest you. Especially once you consider the rest of the results." Victor handed his boss another document and Kaiser promptly looked it over before his eyes widened in surprise.
"What…exactly are these… Adoption papers?" Kaiser questions his underling. A weird sensation was travelling down his spine.
"Transference papers specifically. Almost 10 years old now. These are documents of one Henry Drew being made a ward of the state, by none other than Kaiden Russel, later known as Kaiden Anders." Victor states, the excitement in his voice clear.
"He can't be hers, right?" Anders questions with further confusion.
Victor shakes his head, "She was 19 at the time and the kid was 8. The chances are very slim. But I just want to remind you. What other 8-year-old boy did we have issues with at the time…"
Realization dawns on Kaiser's face and he lets out an exasperated breath, "You have to be kidding me. The brat survived? I thought…." he trails off in thought, Remembering the events of Ten years past and how the status quo was changed so drastically in a very small amount of events.
Victor is the first to break the silence, "My memory is a bit hazy on the matter, but if I recall. Iron rain wanted him dead and Purity took care of it. Everyone thought it happened and that's why that bone fucker did what he did. Guess your Ex chickened out back then."
"So she covered it up and put him in an orphanage…Does he know anything of this?" Kaiser questioned while pointing at an image of the boy.
His subordinate shakes his head, "He sure hasn't made any indication of it. Nor has he got in contact with any E88 members or people of his father's old crew. He seems pretty average so far, really. Works, goes to school, nothing special through the rest of his life."
Kaiser nods as he joins his hands underneath his chin, "Except for the recent week at least…" He straightens his posture before saying, "Tell you what, maybe have the people in his school try a recruitment pitch. Try to get an impression on his personality. After that, if something else comes up, investigate him further?"
Victor raises his brow, "You don't want him dead? "
A scoff from his boss was the answer, "What good would that do?"
"I mean…The belief that he died was the reason Marquis killed your sister. Wouldn't you want him gone for good?"
Kaiser simply shrugs his shoulders, "I've moved on, Victor. Everyone has. And Marquis is in the Birdcage where he belongs. He wouldn't even know that his son survived only to die by our hand. There's no benefit to us. Simply do as I instructed. And keep this to yourself. Tell no one of who we suspect the boy to be. I don't want another Fleur incident happening. Understood?"
"I…Yes boss. Loud and clear." With that, he turned away to leave the office.
Kaiser gave the documents one last look before turning around. What a turn of events. He himself can't really be bothered to feel anything for the boy.
His sister was…She was chosen to lead the Empire over him. She was so deeply convinced of the Empire's rhetoric that things would have eventually escalated to irreversible measures if she had remained in control. The fact that she wanted to kill a cape's family member to send a message would have been just the start.
If anything, Marquis did him a favour back then, and killing his unpowered son was just poor taste. He will have his men keep an eye on him, and with luck, he might even join them. How ironic would something like that be.
But alas. A son should not be judged for the sins of his father. For now, he will see what this Henry does.
Henry's Lair, The Docks, Brockton Bay
Henry Drew
"So this is your place? Alright, needs some work but seems fine." Tyson commented as he along with the dominated merchants followed me into my lair. It had some further work done by now, but with more people on hand, I could improve it even more.
I turn to Tyson and say, "You certainly changed your tune."
He shrugs his shoulders, "Well, I am going to be working for you. So might as well make an effort."
He receives a lazy nod from myself in turn, "Can't fault you for being proactive.". I turn away from him and head towards my "Forge". It was not the best setup, but it worked for what I could do on my own.
I'd had to create a makeshift smelter out of an old charcoal grill, a foot-pump from an air mattress, and a steel chimney pipe. A tall, ugly ceramic pot had sufficed as a makeshift crucible, and all the items I'd acquired so far went into my first ring. Bronze with some silver inlay. It was more powerful than what I made for myself so far. And it would be suitable for what I had in mind.
I move closer to the forge and open the cardboard box I had stored the ring in. I remove it and walk back towards Tyson before ordering, "Put this on."
As I hold the ring in front of him, he slowly takes it.
He inspects my creation for a moment before asking, "A ring? I don't see any wiring or anything. How will this work?"
I shrug my shoulders and lie, "It's Tinker Tech. It essentially burns you up from the inside if you turn against me."
He stares at the ring once more before letting out a whistle, "Well then, Bomb Collar with a Pyro Twist. I can accept that."
He promptly places the ring on his finger and I feel a connection form in the back of my mind. I was not going to fully trust a stranger, but I was also using him as an experiment. The ring was… Something different to Domination technically. The memories I have indicated that the Domination could be resisted…with the right conditions. Me being bested in battle or if the individual's ego was too strong were among them.
But the rings were different. They worked slower, but did something of a similar nature. I could add other corruptive changes to the wearer, but for now, I've limited them to simply increasing loyalty to me over time. And just as stated. It can detect his intent, if he goes against me, it turns him into a mindless slave
Besides, any… Finer control will require a very special ring. And I won't be forging that until everything is just right. The metals, the forge, the tools… I would not be making the One Ring out of this trash heap.
But for now, I should focus on the first of my ring bearers…That sounds terrible. Ring…Wraiths? That certainly strikes a chord with me. But I still have time for things like that. My public debut isn't set in stone and many alterations are still possible.
I finally turn back to Tyson and state, "There's a bit more to it. It also drastically increases your luck."
His eyes narrow for a moment, "...How exactly?"
"What about it being Tinker Tech don't you understand?" I quickly retort
He shakes his head, "No, I mean, what exactly is meant with Luck here? Some probability stuff or actual cosmic intervention or something."
Now understanding the question, I pull the gun I had taken earlier and turn off the safety. His breath hitches as I pull back the slide and aim the gun at his head. Before he can yell or scream, I pull the trigger…And the gun jams.
He lets out a panicked breath as he stares at the gun with wide eyes.
"Luck. In this case, anything that can be beneficial but realistic to you? It will happen. For instance, this gun jamming as it's aimed at you. It might not work on a revolver but it's definitely going to increase your chances of survival. Maybe the wind ensures the gun is just a little off target. Maybe the shooter will suddenly be blinded by a nearby reflection. If it's in the realm of possibility, it will help." I tell him as I turn around and start a fire in my forge.
"Goddamn! This shit's amazing then!" Tyson exclaims with excitement, which honestly surprised me. He was way to gung-ho about this entire deal…But. Looking at him, I had a guess.
With the forge now ignited, I place a rod of refined metal into the centre of heat. I turn my head and ask, "You are driven by ambition, aren't you?"
"E…Excuse me?" he questions as a bead of sweat forms on his brow, his discomfort with the heat becoming apparent.
"You were clean as a whistle, unlike most merchants. I'm guessing that you aren't here for the drugs but the money, but you can't really get that much higher where you are right now. And guessing by what I know of the Cape leadership of the gang, they don't trust you till you've at least done every drug under the sun…And now, this cape with a master specialization along with Tinkertech shows up and you think this might actually hold a better future for you….How close am I to the truth?" I question him.
He crosses his arms for a while before breaking eye contact, "So what. What about it? With what you can do, odds are decent you might be able to take over the entire gang. I figured, if I throw in my lot with you, then chances might improve for me and my own."
As I remove the now red metal from the furnace, I place it on a makeshift anvil and begin hammering in the shape. "I admit, I hadn't considered taking over any gangs, I just needed some extra manpower. Besides, I'd make a terrible drug lord."
Tyson crosses his arms again and questions, "Why do you say that? You definitely got the balls for the job."
After letting out a short scoff, I say, "Because I have standards. I don't want a legion of junkies and degenerates. I'd pretty much outlaw anything other than weed if I'm being honest."
With my attention back to the forge, Tyson pauses for a moment before adding, "Might not be a bad change really, city could use some cleaner streets. Besides, there are other ways for gangs to get an income. Protection rackets, prostitution, and as you mentioned there's also Weed production and dealing."
I turn around with an annoyed expression, "I don't want to run a second ABB with human Trafficking"
"Not like that dude." he quickly retorts, "I mean like proper escort services, decent brothels. Taking care of the girls and not treat them like fucking garbage. That kind of business."
So that's what he meant. I nod in approval and say, "Ok, I see your point…What else?"
"The usual, but I'm not sure how they would work long term. There's blackmail, extortion, insurance fraud, loan sharks, money laundering for yourself and others, gambling and casinos…"
I prefer those suggestions. Might be worth looking into.
His next suggestions certainly held some more unique potential, "I'd say the crown jewel would be the train yard itself. The minor gangs like us merchants stick around mainly there and downtown due to the big players taking so much territory, But if you took over these minor gangs and took control of the entire Train yard and maybe manage to fix something? If you can get the abandoned sections up and running, you could transport a lot of product. Doesn't even have to be illegal to make money."
My hand reaches my chin as I consider the idea, "Hamm...buying the area shouldn't be too hard due to it being essentially worthless right now. Wouldn't be that bad of an idea in the long term."
"So we in business, then?" Tyson asks with a grin on his face.
"Not so fast. I'm using these guys to patch up my base first. After that…We can talk about how to proceed. For now, pretend to still be a merchant. Everyone I've already mastered will listen to you. Your ring should indicate them to you in some manner." I move to a nearby box that I've been using as a desk and write the number of a burner phone on a scrap of paper. After handing it to him, I state, "This is my number. Message me so I have yours, I'll contact you in a few days to discuss my next step."
With a nod, he turns around, "Sure thing, boss, I'll be seeing you then."
Before he can leave, I ask, "One last thing…Me being a master and using that Power. Is it going to bring a problem with us?"
"Dude, I just wanna make it in life. And the Merchants aren't my friends. They were just a means to an end. But even then, it was essentially a dead end job. So yeah, I wanna give this a shot. Besides, you actually gave me an out rather than just frying my brain. It means you aren't a total bastard. And that makes you better than Skidmark to me."
"Well then…I guess we will see how this goes… I'll call you later"I state as I begin the finishing touches on my current project.
I keep my senses on him for a moment longer. Once he leaves the building, he walks into a nearby alley and…Oh, he's throwing up. I guess all that confidence wasn't completely real then.
But I think I have potential with him. If he's my friend, he will be rewarded. If I sense a single crooked move from him? Then he will be my slave, and worse off than any of the others.
That evening.
Outside Somer's Rock, Brockton Bay
Panacea had been waiting outside the fairly famous pub for almost an hour now. Yesterday had…ended badly. She more or less presented herself very rudely in front of the waitress without realizing she was deaf. The staff grew even more suspicious of Amy and Victoria when they started asking about their other employee…
It was hard to pretend you know a person when you don't even know their name. That was the crux of her problem. The Twin Bartenders, Mason and James basically just told her that he was doing fine and had just called in sick today.
She was thankful enough for that, at least he was still alive then. But yeah, that's why she was here now. Waiting just across the street of the bar wearing casual clothing for a change. She didn't want to be too noticeable. Giving unwanted attention to her …Her brother, wouldn't be a decent way of introducing herself to him.
The Hospital was honestly surprised at her calling in sick for the evening…On account that she is meant to be immune to most diseases and toxins. But outside of her family, no one was aware of this. And among them, only Vicky was aware of where she was right now. While Amy would have preferred if her sister was with her, Vicky had a date planned with Dean today and…She didn't want to intrude…
And maybe it would be better if it was just her.
Amy had gotten so lost in her thoughts that she hadn't even noticed that the person she was looking for had entered the bar from the back and was now working at the counter. It took her a few minutes to realize this.
She moved closer to the bar's windows to really look at him. The bar was nicer than what she heard it was meant to be like. Though the positive change was apparently only enacted in the last year, apparently. A lot of things within the bar were refurbished and restored to a degree that gave it a very homey and comfortable feeling. It wasn't quite orderly as well, making it seem like the staff or owners did the work themselves.
It looked nice. It was nicer to see the brother she thought could have died just a week ago standing there. He was dressed in formal clothing, a collared shirt with a vest…It really suited him. His face was really handsome, even if it was a bit androgynous. His hair also really surprised her. The camera footage was in black and white so she had assumed it to be blonde.
She didn't expect it to be such a beautiful silver. If she was being honest, she envied his looks a little. Considering that he apparently got all the good genetics in the family then…. She didn't know why she thought that
She isn't really sure what she should even do right now. He was right there…So close.
And yet, her feet wouldn't move. If anything, her legs threatened to buckle beneath her. Sweat clung to her clothes and she hated the sensation. She hated this entire situation. She pulled at her hood to conceal more of her face. Before long, she turned away from the window and made an effort of just getting her breathing under control. In and out. Over and over again.
Minutes pass before she turns around once more, only to see that the boy she was looking for was nowhere in sight. She pushed her face closer to the window and blinked wildly to find that silver head of hair once more.
Before she was successful, she was startled by a hand lightly touching her shoulder. She rips around to see whoever touched her only to freeze when the face she had been staring at for the last 30 minutes was now right in front of her.
Her breath hitched in her throat. His eyes were staring right into his. They were gorgeous. Green eyes like emeralds with a smudge of red inside of them. She continued staring before he eventually broke the silence. "Do you…maybe want to talk in private?"
She was unsure how to reply with words, she didn't know where to begin. She simply nodded and his gloved hand took hold of hers and gently led her through the alley next to the pub. She kept quiet as they entered the Bar's backdoor and entered a staff room. He closed the door behind them before turning around to face her.
"I heard you were looking for me yesterday?" he asked with a silent voice. For some reason, he was staring at her with such intensity, she just wasn't sure what to think of it. But she…The lingering doubts in the back of her mind were holding her back.
Before long, she asked him," Could I….Could I touch your skin?"
His head tilted to the side with a questioning look and smirk growing on his face, "Those are without a doubt the strangest first words to a conversation I've ever been in."
She suppressed a scoff in her throat. This was serious to her, why was he making jokes!...It was nice though. He probably knew by now who she was due to her talk with the Bar's staff the evening before. But he didn't seem to want her gone.
"I…I just want to confirm something about you…If I'm wrong, I don't want to waste either of our time any further…Just…Trust me ok?" She slowly whispers out.
It was weird. This encounter was just messing with her head so much. One mistake could ruin it and she was already putting her feet in her mouth. But, surprisingly, he was removing his right glove before holding out his bare hand. Slowly she reached towards it.
Once her power interacted with his body, she had her confirmation. Beyond a doubt, the person in front of her was her genetic brother. Same parents and everything….
But that isn't all. At first glance, his body seemed fine. Fit, healthy and completely ok. But it wasn't. He had an open wound on his chest that neither healed nor bled. His heart had a hole the size of a golf ball and…It was as if the body was pretending to be fine. Blood circulated but organs weren't receiving oxygen. It's like a walking defective zombie… But he seemed completely fine.
The moment she considered fixing some of the damages, her power just.. Failed. She tried again only for it to lead to the same outcome. She could analyse his body, but affecting it was possible.
Her train of thought was broken when the hand she was holding turned around to grab hold of hers. She stared straight into the eyes of the boy in front of her once more. "Did you…did you find out what you need to know?"
She couldn't help but gulp as her mouth dried. She wasn't sure how to word it but…She had to try.
"You… I found your blood strain from the robbery a few days ago..It was a complete coincidence but...I-I I'm not actually a Dallon technically speaking. They adopted me when I was younger and…Your blood… It was a match to my own… you're my brother." When the words left her mouth, fear flooded her system once more. His expressions were odd and with the final words it turned…agitated.
His hand slipped out of hers and he turned to the side. She backed away as she saw him ball up his fists.
"Goddammit…. so fucking stupid." he muttered as he kicked a trash can hidden in the corner. The sudden noise startled her and her hands rose to her chest.
"W-what?" Her mind raced with possibilities to the sudden outburst. He was a parahuman too. Maybe he didn't want to be associated with her…Or maybe he didn't want any more family and….
She took a quick breath and stuttered, "I'm sorry. I'm not sure what situation you are in, but if you'd prefer me to leave, I can def-" Her words cut off as he promptly grabs her hand.
"Don't…I…" he runs his other hand through his hair as he takes a seat on a nearby chair. It was a simple plastic one placed against the wall. His other hand found hers as he leaned forward…
"You are certain right?...100% on the genetics and everything? I…. Your face looks so much like hers."
She wasn't sure what to truly say…It…It seemed like he actually recognized her. Her hands move a bit within his as she nods her head, "Yeah…we're brother and sister. No doubt about it." she nearly whispers.
A light smile tugs at his lips as he slowly drops his head to lie on top of her hands. She couldn't see his face, but judging by his voice, this had gotten to him.
"When I… after I was brought to the orphanage, I broke out as soon as I could. I stuck to alleyways, hitch-hiked for a bit. It was necessary because our old house was…It was on the outskirts of Brockton, out in the woods. When I arrived, the entire place had been burned down. I had hoped that I could find some sign of either you or dad… Considering that I…Well, I assumed the worst really." His words were a mess but the meaning became clear.
He stands from his seated position while still holding her hands, "I never even considered that New Wave took you in…Cape stories and….All that. It just felt so distant from my life, so the concept never crossed my mind. If I had just looked at a proper picture of you or…"
He pauses once more and his hands let go of hers. He grips his wrists and continues with a pained expression, "I'm angry… Angry at the fact that I never put two and two together that Amy Dallon was…my sister Amelia."
She didn't know what kind of expression was on her face right now. She had no idea how to react. She… She didn't have memories from before the Dallons took her in. Just glimpses really, blurry images. But he knew more. He actually recognized her… And..
"Amelia…Is that my real name?"
He lets out a shuttered breath as a light smile forms on his face," Y-yeah. Amelia Claire Lavere …"
"Lavere" Amy whispered out the last name with a solemn expression before she realized something else, "I… I don't actually know your name. I kinda went looking but I never got it from anyone."
"Oh…Well, we need to fix that then." he holds out his right-hand states with still watery eyes, "I'm Henry Drew, Formerly Henry Lavere… It's a pleasure to meet you again Amy"
She grabbed his hand as a smile was forming on her own face now, "L-likewise..Henry… I'm real glad I. I found your blood I guess?!"
Her attempt at a joke at least resulted in a chuckle from Henry. But he suddenly let go of her hand and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Christ, I haven't gotten emotional like this in literal years." He lets out another chuckle, "I guess seeing your thought to be dead baby sister does that to you" he says with a smile before looking at the nearby door.
A second later, it opened to reveal the deaf waitress Panacea had inadvertently offended earlier. She stares at them for a moment before her eyes focus on Henry. She started signing with her hands and to Amy's surprise, Henry began signing back in return.
The Waitress, Lucy was her name if she recalled, changed her expression to a more suspicious one before signing a few more times and then promptly leaving the room.
Henry looked back at her before reaching into his uniform for a small notepad and pen. He scribbled down something out of her view before tearing off the piece of paper, "This is my number…I'm sorry, but I'll be in quite a bit of trouble if I skip the rest of my shift. Lucy won't tell anyone that you were here, so you don't have to worry about any gossip or anything."
She took the piece of paper into her hands and quickly inserted the number into her own phone. She didn't even remotely want to risk losing it.
"I guess…. I'll see you later then?" He gives her a kind nod in return before she asks, "Is… Is it ok if you meet my Si- I mean Victoria as well? I'm not sure about how to really breach this subject to the rest of the Dallons, but she's been such a help with finding you and…Yeah."
"I'd be delighted to. Gotta make sure she's been treating you right. And it's ok if you refer to her as your sister as well… I haven't exactly been living up to the title of big brother after all." before she could maybe interject at that last comment, he quickly says, "Tomorrow at 2 or something, maybe you could invite her and we hit the town or something…. I'd wish I could take the entire day free, but I have to meet someone before that…And well, I really can't cancel."
"Oh…Oh yeah, of course. Thank you." she stood there awkwardly for a moment longer as he gave her a smile before promptly leaving the room and heading out of the building. Once she was outside and back within fresh air did she…consider what had just happened. It was a bit much to her and in hindsight, she thinks Henry realized that.
Dammit, she couldn't even bring up the fact that he was a parahuman with him…But that would have been a bad way of actually handling their first meeting.
And besides, talking with him felt…she started to feel that…. She wasn't really sure. He felt familiar to her. And…She was comfortable with him.
And she couldn't wait to see him again.
Sorry for the shorter chapter. Hope you enjoy it!
And please review!