Energy: 12
Current Training: Onmyodo (5/10), 5 points to Complete. Everyone can thank trondason for this Omake bonus!
Wednesday, January 19th, 2011
Downtown, Brockton Bay
It doesn't take much time at all after that for your Master to scramble across the Bay and into the Rig. Using your established reason of 'I've never been there', she essentially lands on the roof and instructs you to use the portal you've hidden on her back to transport all those present off of the contraption. You wouldn't otherwise mind this, but the personnel that had remained on the Rig were exceptionally paranoid of unknown powers by the time they had been rescued, and as a direct result, had questioned your Master extensively on the nature of the portal.
They had only agreed to go through it and leave the area with you after making contact with the Director and having her speak directly Taylor to confirm who it was the PRT officer who seemed to be in charge was speaking to.
Which brought you to now, escorting a gaggle of children, and a significantly larger number of office workers and troopers, through the streets back to the PRT building. While it might have been easy to assume that the streets on the way home would be relatively quiet, just as they were on your way to the Boardwalk, quite the opposite is true. The number of civilians with seemingly nothing better to do but stand entirely too close to a large group of dangerous Parahumans with their recording devices in hand, yelling questions at the group as they passed, was frankly staggering.
You even had to 'confiscate' several of their devices when some of the... younger... ones noticed your Master's questionable state of dress. You dearly wish you could have used a gap to procure new clothes for her, but that would be a significant waste of energy you think. Especially when your Master was too keyed up from her battle to actually notice the less than honorable gazes being directed at her.
The members of the Wards and the Protectorate that had made it - Dauntless and Miss Militia had fallen in the initial blast, both being no more durable than a normal person without their equipment - were downcast. They looked tired. In some cases - like young Vista, or surprisingly Clockblocker, they were tired and angry. The young girl showing none of her characteristic drive to be viewed as an adult. Clockblocker merely seethed. Quietly, and without any aplomb. He spoke little, at least compared to the relieved thanks the other Wards had given your Master, and often seemed on the edge of doing something unwise to the many civilians hounding the group as it travelled through the streets. Others seemed almost shell shocked. As though they still couldn't fully grasp what had happened. Kid Win was like that. Drifting along at the groups rear, often only kept in the center of the protective formation of PRT officers by the gentle nudging of those in the rearguard. At one point Trainwreck had offered to carry the boy, but had been refused by Triumph, who had fallen back to watch over him instead.
All of them were pointedly choosing not, to look at or speak over much to your Master. For most of them, you think it's likely only tiredness. Fatigue. But for some, its undoubtedly the niggling question all survivors had in the back of their minds. Directed outward, so that it did not have to be directed inward.
'If you could save us, why didn't you do it sooner.'
'If you were this strong, why did this have to happen.'
You understand the tendency. Humans are fragile creatures. They assign blame to anything but themselves, in a vain attempt to salve their own psyches. You can't even be mad at them for it.
Because they're right.
You could have saved them from the minute 'You' were born into this world. There was never any need for a fight. There wasn't even a need to march the group back to the PRT building through the streets. You simply chose to imply that teleporting back to the PRT building would be difficult because seeing your Master's team escorting the battered Hero's of the city home would look good. It wasn't a part of the grand plan per se, merely a convenient benefit.
Trainwreck and Aspirant were at the lead of the group, marching forward a cars length away from the rest, like an advance guard. You and your Master held up the rear, although you did so invisibly, leaving your Master to the spotlight. She moved now with an odd grace to her. A comfort in her physicality that hadn't been entirely present before this, as though she had recently released a great deal of stress and was now free to let down her hair. But there was danger in it. She did not present as though a lazy beast of burden, resting in the fields. No, your Master had the air of the satiated dragon about her. Still fully capable of annihilating any who stood before her, but merely too satisfied with herself to bother. Still, she took her self appointed duty seriously, her head quickly darting left and right, up and down, scrutinizing everyone and everything she past with an equal level of caution.
It just wasn't caution for her.
You felt it looked good on her. Confidence, you mean. You're sure she'll go back to being a wallflower once the battle high wears off - but that's irrelevant. There wouldn't be anyone recording then. Honestly, you're fairly happy with how this phase of things has turned out.
Now if only you could get rid of the niggling sensation of annoyance whenever Victoria's boyfriend turned to look at you when he thought you wouldn't notice.
Wednesday, January 19th, 2011
PRT Headquarters, Brockton Bay
Victoria had been beyond pleased with your Master when she had brought everyone back to the Headquarters, practically tackling her off her feet in her rushed attempt to embrace the girl. She was so excited that your Master had to release some of her aura, and therefore, strength, in order to withstand the shaking motion, for all it lasted barely a second. Then the blond was practically on top of Gallant, eliciting a snort from you and a confused expression from your Master.
"Um Vicky, aren't you dating Dean?" She asks hesitantly, causing nearly everyone present, including you, to look at her incredulously.
'Dearest, that is Dean.' You explain politely.
"Oh! Uh... I mean... shit." She blurts out.
"It's fine. I don't know how no one has figured out by now. Vicky isn't very subtle." Dean says tiredly, removing his helmet and waving at Taylor while wincing at the repeated affectionate attacks from his overenthusiastic girlfriend.
Out of the corner of your eye, you notice Vista openly scowling, while Aegis comforts her. You make a note of it, but otherwise don't say anything else.
There are several other reunions, though none so overt as Victoria and Deans. Armsmaster is calmly waiting in the hall as you enter the building, glancing over each person as they pass him by and somehow seeming almost melancholy when he notes who is absent. Battery reunites with Assault, in their own understated way - Assault made a joke, Battery chose just this once not to smack him for it, and otherwise, the usual.
However, the person who seemed most distressed as your Master left the main infirmary to head to one of the smaller sleeping areas to get changed, was Director Emily Piggot, who not only seemed intensely grateful for the return of her people, but even begrudgingly polite to your Master about it.
'I wish we could have saved Dauntless and Miss Militia.' Your Master says sadly as she tromps her way towards the area the woman you previously rescued from Hookwolf is located.
'We can get them later if you like. When things settle down.' You tell her, floating along just above her head, lazily oriented as though in a bed.
'Yeah. We should... we should bury them I guess.' Taylor says bitterly, her eyes going temporarily glassy as she sees some far off memory.
'Oh, I suppose if you'd like we could do that too.' You muse, thinking on it.
'...what did you have in mind?' Taylor asks with an almost scared curiosity.
'Well, I can think of a number of very friendly ghosts where this Emulation is from. One is even a Gardener. I'm told it can take some getting used to but-' You begin to explain nonchalantly, causing your Master to blink and then bounce off a wall at a T junction in the hallway when she fails to turn properly to avoid it.
'I am not going to enslave their ghosts to do my gardening.' Your Master scowls at you after a second, rubbing her nose even though your fairly certain the wall is more hurt than she is.
'Why not? Fair is fair. They get to be mostly alive again, you get a useful ally. Don't discriminate now dear, ghosts are people too.' You chuckle, physically manifesting yourself and gently turning your Master so that she'll end up in the right room at the end of the hallway when she begins to drift to one side again as you speak.
'So... they wouldn't be, you know. Mindless? Like you know...' Your Master says, trailing off.
'Zombies? Heavens no." You chuckle, vanishing once more from sight.
'So we could just... bring them back?' She ventures, eyes brightening.
'I wouldn't describe the process as easy dear. I'd use up everything left of this 'me' if I were to try. You however...' You explain, leadingly.
'I changed my mind. The Portals can wait. I want that.' Your Master decides firmly. You find it adorable that your Master is set on learning an ancient and powerful magical art not to acquire power, nor to reach some other goal more suited to it, nor even to enforce her will on the souls of dead Parahumans.
She just wants to bring back one of her Heroes.
It's sweet, in a naive sort of way. You should probably point out that it won't be easy, and that she absolutely shouldn't tell anyone she can do it, but sweet all the same.
"Hello? Is there... is there anyone in here?" Your Master calls cautiously into the unlit room she eventually finds herself standing in front of.
"...Yes?" A vaguely familiar voice calls out to you. You feel like you should recognize it, but the slight south-eastern accent to it escapes you for the moment. The Bay isn't very diverse. You feel like you would recall speaking to someone like that at some point.
"Hi. I'm Nexus. Taylor I guess if you want. I don't... really wear a mask." Your Master says softly as she enters the room, looking around at the adhoc sleeping area until she finds the dark skinned girl from several days previous sitting up in one of the cots.
"I... I see." The girl says hesitantly, pausing as though she was going to say something else.
"I know it's a lot to ask but... can you remember anybody else being captured with you? A cape?" Taylor asks gently, slowly pulling an office chair from the pile in the corner and sitting next to the bed of the girl. She had soft features. Classically eastern, but not so distinctive that she would stand out in a crowd here in Brockton for anything other than her skin tone. Her medium cut brown hair was a mess, obviously having not been taken care of recently, and her eyes were a light red from what was obviously some time spent crying prior to this.
"I- what?" She asks, obviously severely confused by the question.
"It's... I know it isn't what you want to hear but I originally attacked Hookwolf because he captured Parian. I was trying to save her, but no one knows where she is. We didn't find her when we attacked, and you were there so I thought if you had seen her..." Taylor trails off, seeing the perplexed look on the girls face. A look that quickly turned neutral, and then somber.
Interesting thing about humans. When they were genuine, their emotions and how they were displayed were usually direct. Angry, to sad. Sad, to bored. Happy, to neutral.
It was only when one was actively mastering themself, actively hiding something, that they would change add the extra step. The neutrality. A trained liar could avoid the tell. This girl was, quite obviously, not, a trained liar.
"I... did. See her. I mean. I think she must have ah, escaped. Just before you came." The girl says, her eyes searching Taylors for something as she speaks.
"Oh. Thank god. I was so worried about her." Taylor says, breathing a sigh of relief. You turn to stare at your Master. There was... there was no way this was-
"If you don't mind me asking, why do you care?" The girl spoke up suddenly, drawing your Masters attention back to her. You merely raised your eyebrow.
"I told her I wanted to start a team, so that I could protect Parahumans from the Gangs. I don't think I was serious at the time. Just... desperate. But I told her I would come if she needed me. If she called. Protecting people doesn't just mean protecting people who are on my team, or people who owe me. It just means protecting people." Your Master explains. You get the sensation that she was voicing her thoughts for her self just as much as the other girl. As though testing out a creed or vow.
"That's-" The girl says suddenly, then stops, biting her lip.
"I'm... sure she would be thankful that you tried. Very thankful." She says instead of whatever she was about to say.
"Thanks. To be honest, I don't think she likes me very much though." Your Master admits sheepishly.
The girl stares at her, a difficult look in her eyes. Then sighs.
"I'm... I'm kind of tired so..." She says slowly, watching your Master the entire time.
"Oh! Sorry. Do you... need any healing...?" You Master asks hesitantly, though if that's because she is unsure of the offer, or unsure of her ability to follow through, you are unsure.
"No, but thank you." The girl says, before laying down, turning her body away from Taylor. Before your Master can fully rise from her chair to leave, she speaks once more.
"My name is Sabah. And I don't think Parian hates you as much as you think." She said, not bothering to fully turn around.
Your Master shrugs lightly at the statement, ever willing to assume the worst of the people she interacts with.
"I hope you feel better soon Sabah." She says quietly, as she turns the lights off and moves to leave the room.
The girl. Parian. Does not reply.
You are still trying to decide if you should explain to your Master that she was likely just speaking to Parian, when she veers off course from Director Piggot's office - ostensibly to tell her about what happened - and heads straight for the small gym you were in the other night. You follow her curiously, unsure of what she is planning, and can't help but sigh at the sheer determination your Master has developed with regards to making sure she trains as often as possible.
You've known people like this. Stamina Freaks. Muscle Brains. Battle Hungry Idiots.
People who have the energy and drive to be constantly doing things were very draining for this Emulation. And it is to your eternal chagrin that you have accidentally somehow crafted your Master into one. You suppose anyone would be, if they got such immediate results for their work.
"Teach me M-magic." Your Master says in a determined but slightly annoyed tone as she drops into a sitting position in the middle of the gym atop a foam mat probably used for sparring.
"I still don't know why you dislike the term so." You murmur as you manifest in front of her.
"Because it's crazy and people who think powers are magic are crazy." Your Master says flatly.
"Yes, you've explained that before. It just seems like something not worth concerning yourself with. I doubt anyone is going to argue what the specific force you are using is when you are applying it to their skulls, from a great distance, in overwhelming number." You point out. Power was like that. The strong had the right to be eccentric. To be strange. In many cases, they were powerful because they were strange.
This Emulation was an excellent example of such.
"For a delicate-looking woman, you sure say a lot of things I would expect to hear as Ghengis Khan quotes." Your Master says dryly, squinting at you through the glasses your not sure she actually needs anymore.
"What is best in life dear~" You say airily.
"That's not Ghengis Khan, that's Conan." She snips at you.
"And what would an impressionable young girl such as yourself have been doing reading Conan?" You ask her, genuinely curious. Your Master blushes.
"It isn't like everything I read has to be non-fiction..." She mutters at you, neatly sidestepping the point.
"Hmm. Very well. Allow me to explain to you the principles of Onmyodo. I must warn you - there is quite a lot of astrology involved." You say, returning to the original topic.
You note, with some glee, that your Master's eye twitches at that. Honestly. It's almost like she preferred the brutal physical conditioning of the first iteration of 'You'.