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Post by One Hit Wonder on May 19, 2019 18:03:56 GMT -5
Wynter Starks was running through Gemini Park on her way to yet another sewer entrance when she heard music. She headed towards it and came across a group of people sitting in the grass enjoying the sounds coming from the speakers of a mobile DJ unit, manned by a guy in jeans and a blue t-shirt. "Mr. Bojangles" came on and she decided to have a seat and listen in herself.
She looked around at all the people. There was a lady with green hair talking about her pets, apparently. Imps eating cookies. A gentleman with the look of a soldier was chain-smoking. And a robot dressed like… a pirate? Wynter smiled to herself. She'd been in the city only a few days, but she was getting used to strange sights such as these. She drew her yellow slicker around her and listened to the music and the talk of rewiring the robot. She glanced over it and noticed it was getting rather covered in ants. The robot obviously noticed this too, as it started trying to flick them off itself. Its finger caught fire from the constant flicking, and it stuck the burning appendage into its own chassis. There was a flash and a boom… and the smell of millions of dead ants. Wynter wrinkled her nose. A man in a white shirt and khakis sitting not too far from her sniffed the air and winced, whispering "What is that smell?" The soldier sniffed and recoiled a bit. "Okay, that was unpleasant, oui." The man in the khakis covered his nose. Wynter couldn't help but chuckle a little. He muttered, "It's the uh… --- I think it's… bugs or something. Burnt…."
"Yeah, it's not very pleasant." Wynter responded.
"… Well, the music is."
"Yes, yes it is," she agreed.
The man in the khakis peered at Wynter's outfit. She was wearing a yellow rain slicker and hat, and yellow galoshes. "Are you uh… expecting rain?"
Wynter laughed. "I guess you could say that."
He looked up at the sky. “I guess it is a bit overcast…”
They sat in silence for a few minutes, just listening to the music. Then the man in the khakis whispered to her, “Everybody's so quiet... they're never this well behaved."
Wynter whispered back, “They’re not? I’ve never been here before.”
“You've never been to one of these shows before? Not even in Pocket D?” he asked quietly.
“Pocket D? Nope, never.” Wynter shook her head.
“It's a nice place... can be scary at times.”
“What's so scary about it?” she asked curiously.
“ Not what... ---Who perhaps. So many people with powers in the same place...” He lowered his voice again, “Statistically, it's a disaster waiting to happen.”
“Oh! I see what you mean... do you, uh... you know, have powers?”
He cleared his throat and scratched the back of his head. “So why do you wear rain gear?”
Wynter noticed the avoidance of the question, but decided not to press the issue. “Because I can make it rain.”
“... Oh.”
“ I know, it's weird.”
“No... no, it's all right...”
“Still getting used to it myself...”
He nodded a bit. “... I uh... ---suppose it's better than you being a uh... crazy women in the park... with a slicker. Right?”
Wynter turned to look at him. “Maybe I am...”
He looked a little nonplussed and adjusted his glasses. Wynter smiled and turned away. “Or maybe not.”
Silence fell again. The man in the khakis still looked a little uncomfortable and kept rubbing the back of his neck.
“Do you uh... have a....” He swallowed the lump in his throat. Wynter looked up. “Hmm?”
“... That looks like a ... very... useful hat, ma'am.” He winced and mouthed the words to himself, "Useful hat?"
"Um yes, I suppose so... keeps the rain out of my eyes."
“It's a ... nice hat...” He trailed of and tried again. “... It looks nice.” He set his jaw and crossed his arms as Wynter looked down at her outfit.
“It was the best I could do... and it keeps me dry.”
“It's ... efficient.”
Wynter nodded. They fell into silence again as the imp pulled out a device and started fiddling with it.
“ I should probably .....go. I have a thing to ...” The man in the khakis started to take his leave. Suddenly the robot started beating itself in the face. “....NO *CLONG* STOPPIT....notahippy! DAMMIT!”
The man in the khakis looked over at the robot. “...... do.”
Wynter tried to ignore the robot. “It was nice meeting you... uh..”
He answered distractedly, watching the robot latch onto the wrench it was beating itself with with its teeth. “ ... Ian...”
“I’m Wynter.”
Ian stood and brushed himself off. “It's uh... nice to meet you.”
Wynter smiled, "Likewise."
The robot shook its head and wrenched the wrench away. “....FREAKING ANTS!”
“Good luck with....” Ian looked over at the robot. “... everything.”
“ ....in the -GEARS-. MakingthearmthinkI'mahippy!”
Wynter giggled as the robot continued to fight itself. “Uh, thanks. Perhaps I'll see you again... maybe I'll find this Pocket D place...”
He leaned in to whisper to her, without getting too close, “It's a nice hat, ma'am. ... Maybe I'll catch you around... g'luck with that one.”
Wynter watched him go, and said softly to herself. "He seemed nice..."
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Post by One Hit Wonder on May 19, 2019 18:05:01 GMT -5
Wynter Starks hurried out of the S.E.R.A.P.H. office, not really paying any attention to where she was going. She should have been, because she ran into a solid mass. A solid human mass. “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry!” She stepped back, surveying the person for damage. The left side of his face was bruised and his lip was split, and he seemed to be having a little trouble catching his breath, as he was holding his ribs. “Oh my gosh, did I do that? I am SO sorry! Do you need some ice? I can make ice. Haha, kind of funny that my name’s Wynter and I can make ice, huh? Hey, don’t I know you? Wait, don’t tell me… Evan? No, that’s not it… Ian! Yes, that’s it! How are you? Oh god, that’s a stupid question, huh? Um, maybe I should shut up now.” She blushed furiously and looked at the floor.
Ian winces, clutching his side. He tries to force a smile, his teeth still clenched together. "Hello again, ma'am."
"You didn't do this... don't worry. What are you doing here at S.E.R.A.P.H.?"
"Oh! They want me to do some work for them. Some Vahzilok thing. Why does it always have to be the sewers? At least I picked a good outfit if they're always going to be sending me to the sewers, huh? You sure you don't want some ice?"
Ian swallows hard, trying to hide his pain. "I was just looking to see if they had a scientist that could examine me. Ice and I .... don't mix so well. I've been going through some.... changes." He gives a weak smile, glancing around nervously.
"Changes? What kind of changes?"
He uses his free hand to scratch the back of his head, still looking around. "I ... --- no offense, Ms. Wynter.... but it's... really something that it would take a scientist to understand. Unless you've studied life sciences, thermal-dynamics, and Halcin's theory of contained combustible matter and the--- I need a fellow scientist. I'm sorry." Ian rubs his jaw, giving her a small, apologetic smile.
"Ah yes, thermal-dynamics! Fascinating study! Halcin's a crackpot in my opinion though."
Ian blinks and tilts his head to the side, "You've studied... Halcin? ... You.. but..." He adjusts his glasses, his face flushing. "Ma'am, you... I didn't know that you were... -I mean, that's great...."
"Oh yes, I used to work for Pillan Labs, before the... accident." Wynter blushes, looking away.
"You were part of an accident?" Ian stoops slightly, trying to lean to see her face. "What kind of accident? ... Is that how you became an SPB?"
"I.. um... yes. It's kind of a long story. Short version: machine went boom, I woke up in the hospital with the ability to control weather." Wynter sighs and straightens her spine, looking back at Ian. "It's been... interesting. To say the least."
His eyes search hers for a moment and then a small smile breaks over his face. "The same thing happened to me... kind of. Replace machine with nuclear-solar energy reactor and replace weather with .... well... fire." He blushes, still smiling. "Either we're the luckiest people alive or science hates us... or both."
Wynter laughs. "Probably both. Wow, that's amazing. Fire, huh? Have you accidentally destroyed as many things as I have? I had to get all new furniture. The couch did not respond well to being encased in ice, took me hours to thaw it. And the TV doesn't like being hit by lightning, I've found."
"Yes! ... I've wrecked three couches, myself. Plus my lab equipment..." He shudders. "I'm a wreck. Then this happens and I can't find a way to fix it..." Ian stops and studies her eyes for a moment. "Maybe you could take a look at it?"
"It's... complicated."
"Oh, of course! I'd be happy to. What happened?"
He nods his head to the side and opens a broom closet, looking around. "I don't want to be around people when I show you... --It's complicated." He holds the door for her, giving her a meek smile.
"Um... okay..." Wynter looks a little nervous but goes into the closet anyway, prepared to freeze him if he gets fresh.
Ian closes the closet and turns on the lightswitch, almost tripping over a mop and bucket. "I... I've always been able to control... --Well, I suppress the fire... I have to a lot... but I'm losing control. Not during the--" His foot is stuck in the mop bucket now.
"--during the suppressing part... but when I release. I think I broke something. I can't hold back and the... -- I don't know."
Wynter places her hand over her mouth to hide her smile and stifle a giggle. She clears her throat and tries to rearrange her features into a serious look. "Okay, so when did this start?"
"The other night... there was a fire in Galaxy City, not far from Freedom Court. I was the first on the scene and at first, we weren't sure how to put it out. After I managed to get the people out of the building I had the idea to extinguish the fire by consuming it's oxygen...."
Wynter nods. "That makes sense. How did you do that, exactly?"
"I flew above the building and lit up... it wasn't enough. I ... I've always held back a bit, you know? Scared... I thought I'd let it go... so I did. I was the center of an inferno and it worked... the building fire died considerably and they were able to put it out with their hoses. When I tried to extinguish, I couldn't fully..."
"Whenever I use my powers I remain in a... state for an hour or so afterwards. It's... like I -- I don't know."
"A state? What do you mean?"
"I'm myself... but I'm not. It's almost like I'm sedated but without the downers. It has to be my body's chemicals reacting to the power, but only when the power is initated. I can't take my own bloodwork in that state. I... suddenly won't want to."
"There's no variable when the power isn't initiated. I need bloodwork while I'm controlling my powers. That's why I came here...."
"You think the power is taking over?"
"No... it's still me. It's me... but I feel... confident. The weight of the world is gone... the suppressing is no more. I'll want to fight... this happened the other night. I'm almost too confident. I'm too brave. I take on things that I shouldn't...." He points to his face, in the dim closet light.
Wynter winces as she looks at the bruising again. "Yeah, that's probably not a good idea. Okay, so you want to take bloodwork while you're initiating your powers? That could be... interesting."
"Yes. It'll still be me... I'll just be... different. I don't think it'll be too bad, seeing as how there aren't many ways to be courageous in a broom closet." He flashes a wincing smile as if he's decided that his joke was a bad one already.
Ian pulls a syringe and vial out of his pocket and holds them outward in his hand.
Wynter chuckles in spite of the joke's awfulness and takes the syringe and vial. "Okay, how do you want to do this?"
Ian offers his arm to her and his eyes slowly ignite, glowing with orange flame. He takes in a deep breath and closes his eyes. "Do it."
Wynter inserts the needle into his vein and draws a sample of blood, filling up the vial. Taking out the needle, she blows softly on the puncture, cooling the area down.
"Do you always enter broom closets with men you hardly know?", he asks with a small smirk.
Wynter looks up, startled. "I, um... I mean... uh, no, this is the first time."
Wynter blushes furiously.
"Oh, I wasn't implying anything. I was just trying to be charming--- gosh, you're cute when you blush." He flashes a white smile, perhaps the most confident she's ever seen. His eyes are still aflame, illuminating the closet better than the yellow light bulb was.
Wynter blushes even redder, if that's possible. "I um... uh... is it getting warm in here?"
"Yes", he replies still looking down at her. "My skin is one hundred and nine degrees fahrenheit---And I'm making you uncomfortable. I'm sorry, Wynter..." He closes his hands around her hand holding the vial. "Thank you." He continues the smile.
"You don't need to worry about me..."
"Oh." She looks down at their hands, the brim of her hat hiding her face from his view.
"Oh?", he brings a hand up and lifts her chin to see her face.
"109... that is um, hot."
He pulls his hand away from her chin and gives a sympathetic look. "I didn't hurt you, did I?" He frowns.
She shakes her head. "Oh no, of course not. Did I hurt you? With the needle, I mean. I'm not a nurse, I don't usually take blood samples, they're usually just handed to me for my experiments. I thought about becoming a doctor but the research side of science was just too compelling for me. I'm babbling again, aren't I? I'll shut up now." She tries a nervous smile.
"No, I like it when you babble." He closes his eyes, extinguishing the flames. "I wasn't expecting to meet such an intelligent woman. Let alone one so lovely." He opens his eyes and grins, "Even in a Carmen Sandiego hat"
Wynter giggles, in spite of her nervousness. "I haven't met much of anyone yet, myself."
His eyes ignite slowly again and nods a bit, "I could show you around some time. If you'd like..."
She smiles softly. "Yes, I think I would like that."
"It's funny, in the park I wanted to talk to y---" Suddenly, the sprinklers overhead start spraying a jet stream of water on them both and a robotic voice announces, "Fire. Bottom floor, Supply Closet B" over and over.
Wynter starts laughing, she can't help it. "Maybe... maybe we should get out of here."
Ian clenches his eyes shut and opens them, without the flames. "I-- Wynter, I'm sorry... I don't know what...-- I...."
"Come on, you're getting drenched." Wynter opens up the door and pulls Ian out. She notices security heading in their direction and pulls Ian down another hallway, and out the exit door. She blinks in the sunlight, still holding Ian's hand.
His hand is not nearly as hot as it was before. Still hot, though. "Wynter... I... should. I hope I didn't offend... I should... go" He stumbles backward, soaking wet, letting his hand slip from hers.
"Oh, okay. Sure. I guess I should, um... go take care of those Vahzilok in the sewers."
"Yeah, I ... thank you, ma'am" He blushes profusely, almost tripping over his own feet. Then he bends his knees slightly and shoots up into the sky.
Wynter notices the vial in her hand, still hot to the touch, and calls out. "Ian! Wait!" But he's already gone. "Well shoot. I don't even know how to contact him." She mutters to herself. "I better drop this off at home before I hit the sewers. Just so it's safe." She walks over to the tram station and waits for a train to Steel Canyon.
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Post by One Hit Wonder on May 19, 2019 18:05:21 GMT -5
Ian limped to the front door of his run down apartment, adorned in his street clothes with messenger bag over his shoulder. As soon as his key slid into the lock he heard the raspy voice from behind him, "Your rent check bounced, Stone!"
Without turning around, he closed his eyes, one of them bruised, and took in a deep breath. "The money is coming, Mr. Padelecki. Just give me a few more days?" "You have until Monday, Stone. No money, you can get your ass out." Ian heard the door across the hall slam shut behind him. He leaned on the door frame, his jaw clenched. He'd single-handedly cleaned up his neighborhood, driving out the Skull presence as Icarus Fallen. Mr. Padelecki, his less than pleasant landlord, had even personally thanked Icarus for the work he'd done in this forgotten part of town. Without his costume, though, Ian Stone felt as if he were nothing.
"Great. Just great."
A few minutes later...
Ian Stone paced his apartment on his cell phone, the room still filled with unpacked boxes and very little furniture.
"I don't remember her last name, but her first name was Wynter. Yes, like the season... -- No, I don't know who she fights crime as... we've been over this. ---- She was near S.E.R.A.P.H. and she-- Yes, this is important...-- Yeah, I can hold."
He opened his freezer and pulled out a bag of peas, then walked over to an air mattress in the corner of his studio apartment. He winced as he eased himself down onto the mattress and laid the bag of vegetables on the side of his face.
"No problem. Nice to meet you, Mary. My name is Ian Stone... I'm wondering if you would have a way that I could get in contact with a hero that reports to-- Yeah, but....--- Please, this is important, ma'am... ---Are you sure? --- I understand... Thank you. Goodbye."
His jaw clenched as he stared up at the various water spots on the ceiling. "How could you leave a vial of your blood with somebody that you barely know?", he muttered to himself. "How could you make such a fool of yourself?"
He gave a resigned sigh and closed his aching eyes. Then suddenly he heard a POP! as his heat finally defeated the air mattress. The back of his already swimming head slammed against the floor, followed by his badly bruised back.
"Great."
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Post by One Hit Wonder on May 19, 2019 18:05:40 GMT -5
“Look, I don’t *know* his last name, or his registered hero name. I just know his name is Ian and he has fire powers. Can’t you do a cross-reference search or something?” Wynter was sure she was talking to the most unhelpful government employee she had ever had the misfortune to meet. She had thought she’d be able to get some information on where to find Ian from the hero registration office at City Hall, but so far it was like pulling teeth.
“I’m sorry miss, we really need more to go on.”
“He’s got brown hair, very handsome… at least when his face isn’t all bruised. Athletic-build, I think he works out because he looks amazing in a wet t-shirt…” Wynter trailed off, blushing. The girl behind the desk smirked knowingly, which just further exasperated Wynter. “It’s really important that I find him.”
“Oh I’m sure it is, miss. But truly, do you know how many fire-powered heroes there are in this city? A first name and a physical description are just not enough for us to work with. Besides, we really can’t be just handing that information out, can we? What if you were a super-villain?”
“I’m not a super-villain! I’m a registered hero myself. Look it up. Precipitation. Oh, never mind.”
Wynter stomped out of the office. She paused on the steps of City Hall, looking up at the Atlas statue. “Great,” she muttered to herself. “Now what?”
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Post by One Hit Wonder on May 19, 2019 18:06:00 GMT -5
Wynter looked at the flyer on the wall. Pocket D. This must be the place. Maybe she could find Ian here, he’d mentioned it when they first met. It was worth a try anyway, she’d had no luck finding him anywhere else. She opened the door and went inside. A smiling hostess directed her to the elevator to the club proper. When the doors slid open, she was immediately assaulted by bright lights and loud music. As the song ended, a voice took over. “This is Storm Fox with The Cape Radio, broadcasting live from the Pocket D. You’re not super until you put on The Cape!” Another loud song she didn’t recognize began playing. This was a lot different from the last show she had stumbled upon in Gemini Park. Looks like this radio station played a wide variety of music.
She found her way to the center dais where Storm Fox was broadcasting from. She looked around but didn’t see Ian. But the people looked friendly enough. She took a deep breath and just asked. “Do um… any of you know Ian?” They looked at her blankly.
“Ian?”
“Who?”
Wynter blushed. “I… I don’t know his last name.” She shrugged.
“I don’t know anyone by that name, miss,” said a guy who bore a striking resemblance to a spider. Wynter repressed a shiver and smiled politely at him. “Hmm. Well thank you anyway.” Wynter started to leave.
“Ian, name rings a bell.” Wynter looked hopefully towards the voice. The crowd parted enough for her to see the DJ who had been in the park the night she’d met Ian. She hurried over to him. “Oh hey, you were the DJ that night, weren’t you? Do you know Ian?”
“Well, I’ve seen him if you mean that guy you were chatting with. Haven’t seen him recently.”
Wynter tried to hide her disappointment. “Oh. So you don’t know his last name? Or his hero name? Or how to find him? I really need to find him…” she trailed off, embarrassed at how she must look. The DJ leaned over to speak into her ear, so he wouldn’t have to yell over the loud music. “I believe he goes by Icarus Fallen.”
Wynter’s eyes widened, and she nearly hugged him. “Oh wow, thanks! Maybe if I go back to City Hall they can tell me how to find him. Hopefully that rude girl isn’t working anymore.” She rushed off to Atlas Park.
She was. Wynter swore under her breath, squared her shoulders, and prepared to do battle with the girl again. “Hi, remember me?” The girl plastered on a fake smile. “Yes ma’am. Did you find your, uh… friend?”
Wynter gritted her teeth. “No. But I did find out his hero name. Icarus Fallen. Can you look him up and give me his address or phone number please?”
“Oh no ma’am. That’s classified information, I’m not allowed to give that out.”
Wynter sighed. Another brick wall. “Well, can you do me a favor then? Can *you* call him and give him my number? It’s really important that I talk to him, I have something of his.”
“That’s not really part of my job description…”
Wynter plastered on her own fake smile and scribbled down her name and number on a piece of paper. Wynter Starks. 555-2035. She pushed it over to the girl. “I’d really appreciate it.”
The girl looked doubtfully at the paper. Wynter smiled brightly and turned to leave the office. She didn’t know if the girl would actually grant her request or not. Looks like she was back to the drawing board again. But at least now she had a name.
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Post by One Hit Wonder on May 19, 2019 18:06:27 GMT -5
Wynter leaned up against the rail and listened to the music blaring from the Torch of Radio. This radio station was really starting to grow on her. She sighed. Even with Ian’s registered hero name, she still hadn’t been able to locate him. She’d starting hanging out here in the Pocket D in hopes he’d show up there sometime, but so far he hadn’t.
“Evening, folks.” She started, recognizing that voice. “Ian?”
Ian peered at Wynter. It was the first time he’d seen her without her yellow rain hat. “Ma’am?”
“It’s me… Wynter.”
“Wynter? ... Wynter! I've been looking for you for days.”
“Me too!”
“Do you have the...?” He glanced around. “Is there some place that we can talk?”
“Um.. sure... over there?” Wynter pointed towards the area by the window, which was deserted.
“Sure thing. After you…” They walked over towards the window, away from the crowd and the loud music.
“Look, I'm sorry about the other day…” Ian apologized, his eyes glowing with the remnants of his recently used power.
“Oh no, that's okay…”
“No, it's not. I really should have kissed you before the sprinklers went off…”
Wynter blinked at that.
“...It was stupid to delay on my part and I'm sorry. I've found that I can control the flame a bit better. The fire aspect of it, anyhow. My eyes still emit the heat…”
“I.. um.. you... you wanted to kiss me?” Wynter stammered.
“Well, why wouldn't I? I mean, it seemed like the right thing to do…”
“But... you don't even know me.”
“Haven't you ever seen a movie? How many of those people know each other. It just seems like the right thing to do, I suppose.” Ian looked out the window.
“I.. I suppose... “
“This problem is getting me into trouble. I've managed to quell it some. It's not as extreme at times…” He rubbed his jaw. “I can't stop myself from saying things that I normally wouldn't say. Things that I normally wouldn't do.”
“I.. think things will stablize for you within a few days…”
“How do you know?” He looked back at her.
“I.. I know it was presumptuous of me.. but I had the vial of your blood, and the curiosity got the better of me, I had to analyze it.”
Ian raised an eyebrow.
Precipitation tells him her findings. “Basically your serotonin has been mutated by the power radiating from your cells. It’s removing your capability to fear. It seems to only be triggered when you use your fire powers. Your body is already building up an immunity to it, and things should start to balance out within a few days. I could probably make something that would speed up the process, if you want.”
“ ... Mutated serotonin... Of course. There were studies in the 80's on super-powered beings and mutations having an effect on chemical balances. The body adapts as it did in the initial change to compensate for the lack of one chemic---” Ian stopped as her \offer registered. “You can... do that?” Wynter just nodded.
“... I don't know what to say.... ---Are you sure that it wouldn't be... I wouldn't want to put you out…”
“Oh, no imposition, really. I've been wanting to get back into the lab.”
“Look, I ... what I said earlier...“ Ian’s eyes had faded back to their normal hazel color.
“Yes?”
“... I just want to get this figured out... I'm...-- I really didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable…”
“Oh no, you didn't... just... surprised me is all.”
“No, I ... I mean, it's not ... I'd like to say it's not me, but…” He rubbed the back of his neck and looked out the window again.
“It's okay, I understand.”
“I think this is a bad... first impression.”
Wynter chuckled slightly at that. Ian rubbed his jaw and winced, then tried to cover up the wince. Wynter looked at him in concern. “Are you hurt? Let me see.”
“No... I, you know... just combat a little bit ago and I'm really not--- I mean, I've been through so muc---- Yes. Yes, I am.”
She gently took his face in her hands and examined the bruises and cut lip. Ian gulped. “So uh...---I ...uh... you're not...wearing your hat.…”
Wynter smiled. "I'm not on duty."
He accidentally returned the smile, then winced because of the bruise. “I'd like to be normal again…”
“I don't think you need stitches or anything. Some ice on that jaw would probably help though. Want me to make you some?”
“You... can make ice...?”
She dropped her hands and nodded. His eyes snapped to her, tenderly touching his jaw.
“ ...But, I thought you... the rain and all…”
“Rain, hail, snow, wind…”
“ ...Oh... I wish I would have known that as I was trying to find you… You're not the uh... well, the easiest girl to track down…”
She pulled a hankerchief out of her pocket and spread it over one open hand. She held the other hand over it and a small raincloud formed under it, dropping hail into the hankerchief. The cloud dissipated and she wrapped up the hail in the hankerchief and handed it to Ian
“The girl from City Hall didn't give you my phone number?”
“No... she gave me hers…” Ian gave a meek smile “I ... I didn't…”
Wynter sighed. “Why am I not surprised?”
“No, I didn't... ---It's not like I wanted the number... It was…” He rubbed the back of his neck again. “I've never... been good at talking to... women... I..” He trailed off and tried again. “Lately, I've been a bit better.... I didn't ask for it... she just…”
“I'll just give you my number myself then.”
“I'm not...---Wait, I'm not asking for... I mean, if you want to--- But I want you to know that I respect you and I'm..--- I'm not...It's...--- Uh... look at those... floating rocks... Heh.”
Wynter pulled a small notebook and pen out of her pocket and tore off a piece of paper. She wrote Wynter Starks 555-2035 on it and handed it to Ian, then looked out the window at the floating rocks while Ian’s inner monologue mocked him. Floating rock? Ian. Seriously.
“Yeah, that's not something you see every day.…” Wynter stated politely.
Ian looked at the paper in his hand, frowning slightly. “I'm sorry... I know you must think I'm a headcase or something.”
“Oh no, not at all.”
“... Really?”
“It's... refreshing to meet someone who isn't...um, all caught up in himself.”
“But I... the broom closet... and the chin thing--I'm so sorry about the chin thing...---I mean, I don't even know if I've seen that in a movie or .…”
She couldn't help giggling a little. “The broom closet was... interesting, yes.”
Ian muttered, "If by 'interesting', you mean 'embarassing'... yeah."
Wynter just smiled.
“I won't... touch you anymore. You don't have to worry about me… I'm really a good guy.” He put on a meek smile.
“I'm sure you are.” She smiled encouragingly as Ian’s cheeks flushed.
“I... well, I ... the... --those... rocks... are floating.…” Shut up about the damn rocks!
She took his hand, "Ian, it's okay, really." His hand was hot to the touch, but not unbearable.
He muttered, "I don't touch people. I... burn... things." He gave a half frown.
“You're not burning me.”
“... Yet. I... I clearly don't have full control over my powers... You've seen that…” He looked down at his hand, worried.
“I can always do this... “ She blew an icy breath over their hands. Ian blinked, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips.
“... I, I should probably…” He glanced up to her face. “...g-go…”
“Oh. Okay... um... how do I find you again? You know, once I get that formula done for you…”
“I... I…” He snapped his gaze away from her, back to the rocks. “...I'm a part of the Dawn Patrol. I... have a frequency... for my comm... It's usually in my mask, but ... it forwards to my PDA.”
“Dawn Patrol?”
“You've... not heard of the Dawn Patrol? …”
“I haven't been around here very long... and before I sort of stayed in the lab a lot…”
“Well I... we can... some time, you and I could...--- I could tell you about.... over ... uh... coffee or…”
“Okay.”
“...I understand if you don't want to. It's perfectly al--- Okay?”
She smiled. "Yes, okay."
He opened his mouth to bumble, but shut it. “... Okay.” He took a deep breath. “Well... tomorrow morning... I'm not... If you want, we can... if that's not…”
“That would be perfect.”
“ ...Really?”
“Really.”
“...I can assure you that.. coherent sentences usually kick in about the third or fourth time I've ... talked to... you know.” He paused. “Well, mostly.”
Wynter couldn’t help but giggle.
Ian looked down to realize that his hand was dripping melted water over her hands and the floor. He jumped back. “Oh, I'm... I'm sorry. I ... my skin gets…”
“Oh! I um.. I guess I uh, forgot…” She nervously dried her hand on her jeans.
“...I think I should probably go... uh.…” He pointed over his shoulder.
“I'll uh, see you in the morning then.”
He nodded a bit, then turned and paused. “Hey Wynter?”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks for the help... you don't really know me and you've…” He paused again. “... Thank you.” He offered a semi-confident smile, looking directly into her eyes. She smiled back.
“See you tomorrow.”
“See you tomorrow.”
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Post by One Hit Wonder on May 19, 2019 18:06:53 GMT -5
Ian sat at a booth in a diner on the East Side of Galaxy City. He folded his hands over the table, dressed in a black t-shirt and blue jeans. Nothing was on the table save for the salt and pepper shakers.
Wynter pushed open the door to the diner and looked around. Spying Ian she walked over and slid into the seat across from him. "Hi. Am I late?"
"No, no... of course not. I had an appointment in Atlas Park so I was a bit early," He lowered his voice, "I uh... fly a bit faster than public transportation.” He offered a small smile, sitting up in the booth.
"You can fly? That would be so useful. The bus system here sucks."
Ian nodded slowly, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Well, you-- do you drink coffee? Or, they have other stuff..." He cleared his throat and studied the menu.
"I'm not really that big on coffee. Do they have tea?"
"I think so... " Ian called a waitress over and they both ordered. He, of course, let her order first. After a moment of sugar, creamer and clanking of spoons, he spoke. "I ... wanted to thank you. For helping me. I know I said that last night, but... it was really nice of you."
"Oh, it's my pleasure, really. Honestly, you're the only person I've met here in town, and well, I guess I could use a friend. And as my Mama always said, the best way to get a friend is to be one." She smiled shyly at him.
He returned her smile, still not having touched his coffee, "A friend... I, I... like that. I was afraid that I ruined ... chances of that... with my behavior."
Wynter gave a wry little laugh. "Trust me, your behavior is impeccable compared to the last guy I... um, never mind, let's not get into that." She took a sip of her tea.
He blinked for a moment, then took a deep breath before proceeding, "I'm not... --The way I was the other day... Yes, I may have been without fear, but... I... I don't usually see fear as a bad thing. With it comes discretion... --and you're right, I hardly know you."
"Some fearlessness is a good thing, but it needs to be tempered. Rushing headlong into danger rarely works out well. And I'm not sure how much more your poor jaw can take." She winked at him, hoping a little joke would help him be more at ease.
“This is... true... but I wasn't so much referring to combat. I was talking about the way I was with you... and what I almost.... did." He quickly hid his face behind the large coffee mug, taking a sip.
"Oh." She looked down into her own cup. "You could.. I mean, it would've... um, if you wanted... oh hell." She took a deep breath and sets her cup down on the table. "Look Ian, you're an attractive man, and very nice. I would really like the chance to get to know you. So let's just take it one step at a time, see what happens. Okay?"
"Well I... - Wynter, I ... normally wouldn't have... --I don't... take any of those steps... one at a time or not. I... can be a good friend, I ... I know I can. I just don't want you to think that I this is... going toward.... you know." He frowned, tenderly rubbing his jaw, at least keeping eye contact with her.
"I don't expect anything, Ian. In fact, the last thing I need right now is to jump into another relationship, no matter how hot you are." She groaned. "Oh god, I'm sorry, that was a bad pun. Anyway, a good friend would be most welcome about now."
He offered a small smile, "I.. That's a relief. Not that you're not lovely and you're so smart and--" Ian realized he's a bit too loose-lipped and quickly took another sip of coffee. "I just... I'm relieved. I... could use a friend that has a bit in common with me." He offered a meek smile.
"Oh! That reminds me." She pulled a vial and syringe out of her purse. "Here's that compound I told you about that will help regulate your mutation."
He immediately leaned over to peer at the vial, but didn't reach for it, "I can't believe you've finished it so soon. I would have went with an enzyme, but it'd have taken days to process. You, ma'am, are impressive."
She blushed. "We were required to work quickly in the lab..." She set the vial and syringe on the table in front of him. "I've already tested it on a sample of your blood, of course. It definitely works."
He picked up the vial and turned it in his hands, "Thank you so much, Wynter. If there's anything I can ever do for you, please don't hesitate to ask?"
"Well, as you know, I’m new in town and don’t know anybody. You were going to tell me about this Dawn Patrol of yours?"
Ian proceeded to tell her about the group, who they are, what they stand for, their history. She could hear the awe in his voice as she listened raptly. She smiled as he blushed after making a little joke, then launched back into his monologue. He seemed to be finally getting more comfortable around her; he was actually speaking in coherent sentences. It would be nice to have a friend… and this group sounded intriguing, perhaps she should meet more of them.
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Post by One Hit Wonder on May 19, 2019 18:07:11 GMT -5
Wynter pushed the application over the counter. The receptionist smiled at her, "If you'll just have a seat over there, someone will be with you shortly."
Wynter thanked her and wandered over to the plush chairs and took a seat, smoothing out the skirt of her business suit. She wasn't sure if she should really be applying for one of the most prestigious super groups in the city. She wasn’t anything special, had only had her powers for a few months. But she’d made a vow to use her powers for good, and what better way than with a group of heroes such as these? Ian had told her a lot about them and she’d done some research on her own. If they’d take her on, she’d work hard to make them proud of her.
She picked up a magazine and leafed through it. Some celebrities had recently gotten married and there were pictures from the wedding and reception.
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Post by One Hit Wonder on May 19, 2019 18:07:30 GMT -5
A call notice appeared on Scarlet’s screen and she deftly found the intercom button without looking at it. “Yes?”
“There is someone here with an application, ma’am.”
“Thank you Miranda.” Her voice was pale and filled with concentration to another source.
Scarlet grabbed a datapad and activated it. She stood and started navigating the hallways of Dawn Patrol Headquarters without looking away from the pad. Using her fingers she scrolled through updated files until she found what she was looking for. Scarlet paused at one intersection in order to finger type a request to cross-reference data between Dogma and the Hero Registration office. She tapped her foot as the download bar crawled in one direction and back.
Her pace resumed as she reviewed the footage and files. When she got close to the reception room, Scarlet decided she had seen enough. It was time to meet the applicant face-to-face. The stiletto boot’s click-click-click echoed down the otherwise silent hallway.
Turning a corner, Scarlet entered the crisp clean room and looked first to Miranda. The young cadet was freckle-faced with short cropped brown hair. Her make-up contrasted against her age and made her look older but not by much. She looked to Scarlet and moved her eyes toward the waiting lounge chairs with a smile.
Scarlet followed Miranda’s eyes and kept walking into the room with the grace a leader needed to portray for a first impression. Extending her hand, Scarlet took a few more steps –
“Welcome to the Dawn Patrol Headquarters of Paragon City.”
Wynter noticed the tall red head enter the room and fumbled the magazine to the table in front of her. Standing to greet the blue and white dressed hero she extended her hand and replied, “Thank you, ma’am.”
Scarlet looked at the datapad briefly and looked down at the young girl in front her, their introductory grip releasing. “I am the Scarlet Scorpion, but around here I am simply Scarlet. You are Wynter Starks and are wanting to join the Patrol. Mind if I escort you to my office? I have a few questions concerning your application.”
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Post by One Hit Wonder on May 19, 2019 18:07:50 GMT -5
"Of course." Wynter followed Scarlet down the hall. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. This was even worse than her first interview with Pillan Labs. At least she had felt qualified for that job. And look how that had ended up. No, better not to think about it. She returned her focus to her surroundings, nearly stopping as she looked through a doorway into what looked like a state of the art lab. She smiled as she fell back in step with Scarlet and was led into her office, taking the seat Scarlet indicated. "I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have, ma'am."
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Post by One Hit Wonder on May 19, 2019 18:08:12 GMT -5
Scarlet was aware of the pause in Wynter's stride as they passed one of the many labs in the headquarters. Nothing was top secret, but it wasn't open to the public either. Scarlet was not sure of Wynter's previous work as that part was not accessed over her very brief review of the Registration file.
They entered Scarlet's office she waved a hand to one of the chairs opposite her desk and proceeded to walk around her own.
Wynter Starks waited until Scarlet began to sit before she relaxed her own legs. Taking a very quick look, the office was not what she would have imagined from someone like the Scarlet Scorpion. Yet somehow, each second changed her opinion. She refocused her attention to the scene about to happen.
"I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have, ma'am."
Scarlet was looking at the datapad again over some more information about Wynter before she responded. Looking up and putting the pad to the side she looked at the younger woman and smiled. Another second passed before Scarlet leaned back in her white chair, crossed her legs under the desk and rested both hands in her lap.
"So, Miss Starks. Why do you want to join the Dawn Patrol? Of all the groups available in the city, much less the world ... why us?"
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Post by One Hit Wonder on May 19, 2019 18:08:29 GMT -5
Wynter paused as she gave the question some thought. She shifted slightly in the uncomfortable chair and took a deep breath before replying.
"Well ma'am, to be perfectly honest with you, The Dawn Patrol is the only group I have heard of. I did not pay attention to such things before I got my powers, as my work was rather all-consuming to me. However, since the... accident, I have felt the need to change my life's focus. I believe I have a responsibility to use these powers to help make the world a better place. But I am just one woman. I cannot save the world all by myself, however much I'd like to try. I need help. I happened to meet one of your members who had nothing but wonderful things to say about your group. I, of course, did some research on my own and everything I found backed up what he had told me. You are already doing good in this world, and I want to offer my assistance."
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Post by One Hit Wonder on May 19, 2019 18:08:52 GMT -5
Scarlet smiled a little and blinked once at the response but said nothing. Wynter smiled sheepishly but held her ground with confidence. Scarlet swiveled her chair a little toward the applicant. A few seconds passed and Wynter fidgeted with her fingers almost imperceptibly.
“That’s a very good answer and no doubt it was honest. So please excuse me when I say that I hope you truly believe what you just said.”
Wynter’s eyes opened a little and her eyebrows rose almost as much.
“Understand, Wynter, that that is almost a textbook answer and please do not take offense. I’ll admit that even I said the same thing when I wanted to join. But my mentor suggested to me that I dig a little deeper. In other words, what motivation do I have to be a part of the hero society in Paragon City?
The young guest started to move her mouth to speak and Scarlet raised a finger to pause the action. Wynter stopped.
“I know, you just said you have a responsibility to do good. But why is that? Have you considered that with your powers … who could stop you from doing whatever you wanted to do?”
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Post by One Hit Wonder on May 19, 2019 18:09:18 GMT -5
Damn. Wynter knew Scarlet wouldn’t be content with the pat answer. She was much too intelligent for that. She didn’t like to think about the past, but it was time to be completely honest. She turned her head and the poster of “Carmina Burana” caught her eye. The wheel of fortune turns, joy turning to bitterness, and hope turning to grief. How fitting. She kept her eyes on the poster, not wanting to see Scarlet’s reaction to her words.
“I killed 44 innocent people.” Silence reigned in the office as Wynter gathered her thoughts and Scarlet waited patiently for the girl to elaborate.
“I was the head of research for Project: Rainfall. Pretty prestigous for someone my age. The idea was to create localized storms to water crops. Or so I thought. The project was a huge success. Then my… boss, turned on the machine and told he his real plans. Wave after wave of deadly storms. Hurricanes, typhoons, tidal waves… whatever it took to make the leaders of the world bow down to him. I was… shocked, to put it mildly. I threw myself into the machine and destroyed it, but not before it had created a category 5 hurricane. Dean, they called it. 44 innocent people lost their lives in that storm. Over two billion dollars in damages. I thought my work was helping people and instead, I killed them.” Wynter’s voice broke as tears filled her eyes. She wiped them away as she took a deep breath and continued. “I woke up in the hospital. Somehow the machine had imbued me with its powers. I’m still researching how that happened. But I watched the reports on the news, knowing I had created that storm. I am personally responsible for every one of those deaths. There is no way I can ever atone for that. But I now have the powers of the machine, and I vow that they will be used for my original intended purpose, to help people. They will never have the chance to take another life.” Wynter’s voice hardened on the last statement, and she finally turned to face Scarlet, the fervor of her resolve burning in her eyes.
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Post by One Hit Wonder on May 19, 2019 18:09:57 GMT -5
Scarlet’s eyebrow over the patch was arched high. Otherwise her face was stoic, as if she had heard the story before. But she hadn’t. It was a very tragic tale … and fantastic. But there was a fact in the story that captured her attention. She sat silently for a few seconds …
A kindred spirit.
To a degree.
“I surprised nothing was revealed in the news about the cause of this event. For all intents and purposes it was a natural disaster. But you are suggesting otherwise.” To herself she whispered, “what a tragic conspiracy.”
“Regardless, I understand your distress with this and I’m glad to hear you want to use your gift differently. Should I assume that you are in control of this ability? In other words, have you already used it?”
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