Fire Users Galore!
Summer 2021, Week 3
Saturday morning
Police Headquarters, City Centre
Aelin Palmer
Having decided to walk to her destination under the bright sun, Aelin would be dressed in her usual casual shirt and jeans, a pair of converse high-tops on and a thin jacket over her top as one half of it loosely hung onto the lower bit of her shoulder. She definitely didn't dress for a gala, but it would suffice enough for an impromptu meeting. Making her way to the entrance of the HQ, she turned to look one more time toward the sun, walking through the building's public entrance with a smile. After entering into what would presumably be the lobby, Aelin would seek out the front desk- waiting her turn if a line was present. Upon reaching the reception, she'd state- "Hiya, I'm here to talk to whoever I need to in order to get in contact with AERI. I understand it that they may be accepting applicants?" Aelin would be lively throughout her request, acting a little uncertain with a smile at that last part to convey she was not exactly well-read-up on the whole topic of joining the group- if that was even possible. Regardless, she had come here to accomplish just that, and she'd do anything she could to at least get an audience with the right people.Storyteller
The Sergeant took in the girl's appearance. 'No sense of decorum with the youths these days.' "Sure thing, ma'am. That would be the Chief you're looking for. Have a seat right over there." She pointed and nodded at the line of chairs nearby. "I'll check for him." She turned and shouted across the bullpen. "John, poke your head in Steve's office. See if he's in?" The young officer stood up really quick, locking his computer as he did. "Sure thing, Sarge." He walked towards the back of the room and knocked on the door. "Steve, you in there? Got someone waiting out front for ya." He stepped to the side and leaned against the wall. A short min later, the door opened.Chief Butler
Chief Butler walked out with his mug in hand, as always. He clapped the man on the shoulder. "Sure am. Thanks, John. Get back to those reports for me, will ya?"Storyteller
"You got it, sir."Chief Butler
The mug gleamed under the room's fluorescent lights as he took another sip. He made his way through the maze of desks towards the front. He tapped his hand on the counter. "Lookin good, Sarge. Keeping these officers in line for me?"Storyteller
"Yessir I am, Steve. You liking that new mug the kid brought you? I haven't seen you swap it out since you got it."Chief Butler
He admires the cup in his hand with a smile. It was a lovely navy blue with a replica of his NVPD badge on the front. The badge was golden, to match the handle. "Wouldn't you, Sarge? It's not everyday someone brings you something so fine. Handmade, too! It's easily one of my favorites now. Whatcha got for me?"Storyteller
She juts out her chin with a nod. "That young woman would like to interview with you. For AERI."Chief Butler
He called out louder to Aelin. "Oh, is that so? Well let's go have a chat then. C'mon. Follow me back to my office. Tell me a bit about yourself as we do. I'm Chief Butler, but please, call me Steve." Officers around the room smiled at his usual opening line. Can't go wrong with the classics.Aelin Palmer
"Sure thing Miss." Aelin would say before taking a seat as the Sergeant directed her to. She would lean back in it before crossing her legs and stretching out an arm on the empty seat beside her own. It was clear she had confidence if her control over her own space was any indicator, but her smile would slowly fade into a neutral smirk as she began to entertain herself with her thoughts as she waited. She picked up on the name of the man she was apparently supposed to see but decided that she should probably address him differently. Tossing those thoughts aside for now, Aelin would listen in on the conversation Steve made with the Sergeant as she turned to look at the man- his demeanor easily fitting the mantle he carried. As Butler arrived in the waiting area, Aelin would stand up expressively at the mention of her AERI request- a smile offered up in response to the pair as she made her way up to the man. Once he mentioned the trek to his office, Aelin would begin to fall in step with him as they went- 'Huh, I guess I can call him Steve...' She thought as he finished his statement. "Nice to meet you Steve, I'm Aelin- kinda like 'ale' and then 'inn'- so 'ale-inn.' Weird name I know, but I'm here to request to join AERI- the issue is I know fairly little in the way of joining it as of now." The raven-haired woman's French accent would sneak out as she mentioned her name's pronunciation, but it would disappear just as suddenly as it arrived. She clearly had a pip in her step, but whether that was excitement or just her visible confidence would have to remain undecided for now.Chief Butler
The Chief weaved his way through the maze of desks once again, back towards his office. "Well, the good news is you came to the right place, Aelin. Consider me your intro exam to AERI. I put the announcement out there last week. I think the news is still playing it from time to time? Maybe I should check into that, a way to make it a permanent thing somewhere... I'll have to talk to them about that." That last bit was said more to himself than to Aelin. "But anyhow, no matter, you found your way to me! You did good." As they reached the back of the room, he pushed open the door to his office again and held it open for her. "After you. Take a seat in one of those chairs there." He took this opportunity to have another sip from his new mug.Aelin Palmer
The questions Butler asked were right where she had thought he'd go, but her answer wasn't any easier to provide for it. Regardless, Aelin felt that his concerns were valid, but she had not meant for her sole drive to be personal. At the end of his line of questioning, Aelin would string together an answer for him. "Oui, I would be more than able to keep my focus, though there were a few bumps in that road I had to overcome. The manner of playing well with others is pretty simple- I believe I'd be capable of fitting into most teams- though if someone's being- and pardon my French- an asshole, then there might not be as much of a click. That isn't to say I would stand out; I just don't like rude people is all." She clarified with a shrug, hoping her intention behind those words was understood by the chief. Continuing further- "I merely mentioned my past as a motivator for my actions to illustrate I am not going to be a cardboard cutout of a superhero, but please don't get the impression I will have some sort of Punisher thing going on." She seemed to be lax through that answer, as she was merely clarifying the meaning behind her earlier words. "As for the hierarchy aspect, I've never had an issue with that before, so I feel no different about that- I would be more surprised if that type of thing didn't exist in this line of work." She'd deliver with a small chuckle at the end- an imperfect truth, though it was delivered just as well as the rest and left no room for doubt.Chief Butler
He nodded along as she spoke. "Mmhmm. That all makes sense to me. I just like to clarify these things. It helps if you understand the tone of the gig and know what you're getting yourself into. While this team is new and still working out the kinks, they are a team. Cohesion is important. That'll be something they look for when you meet with them too, of course. And as you alluded, we really don't need any vigilantes looking to serve out their own form of justice. Now let's get to the nitty gritty, shall we? What are your Evo capabilities?"Aelin Palmer
Relieved at having made it past the personal part of the 'evaluation,' Aelin would lean back once more in her chair normally, holding back the temptation to sprawl out over the chair as she usually does when not trying to be formal... "Psshhh... That one is a rough question to answer to be honest." She had merely given a friendly smile in understanding when Butler explained himself, but Aelin was a little unsure of how she should go about explaining just what she could do. "Well, to begin, my abilities seem to be built on a foundation of this kind of fire I can produce... though there's this neat little halo thing I can create for myself, but I don't think I could demonstrate either of those here. I am still working out all of the specifics and hard limits of my 'powers,' but I have the general limits- caps- all that jazz down. You have no idea how complex the... things I can do are, so they are just as hard to grasp myself." She had been visibly in thought on how to answer that one, but she quickly made to correct herself- "Don't get the wrong idea though- I definitely can control it all and understand what I can do, it's just, that... I know there's more there somewhere, but I'm working on finding it- if that makes sense?" Aelin would explain a little oddly, not exactly accustomed to laying out her abilities on a sheet for consumption.Chief Butler
"A fire user. They're gonna love that." He gave a little grandfatherly giggle. "I don't need my HQ getting burned down so I think you can save yourself the effort of a display today. Not that you can't control it, we just don't need to take the chance. Fire has a mind of its own sometimes." He leaned forward and put his elbows on his desk. "Well, it sounds to me like you have what it takes to get to the next round. You'll go through another interview similar to this and then they'll tell you what you can expect from that point forward. Sound good?"Aelin Palmer
A bit excited at his words, Aelin would give a smile of affirmation- though she did completely relate to his comment about fire acting on its own. A few memories had flashed at that, but she quickly cast them off before smirking- "Yeah, sounds perfect." She stated plainly. It was clear Aelin was excited to have passed the first stage, but she knew there would be more to come if she wanted to continue down this road. Unsure of what exactly happened next, Aelin prepared to get out of her chair. "So, I take it someone will be contacting me for that 'interview?'" She asked bluntly, now stretching her arms slightly.Chief Butler
"Yessum, they will. Not sure who just yet but expect a call from someone soon. Might take a few days. Still got some bumps in the road. But don't you worry. They'll be in touch." Raising from his chair he extended his non-coffee cup hand across the desk. "Can't thank you enough for your interest, Aelin. The city needs people right now. Good people."Aelin Palmer
She would gladly shake his hand, reassured at his answer. "My pleasure." Was all Aelin would say in response to his line, as she would follow it by standing up and making to leave with a smile. Saying her goodbyes, the woman would see her way out if Butler didn't join her- their earlier path pretty clear in her mind. She'd give a small wave to the Sergeant from before if she even noticed and continued on her way out of the building- eager to grab a bite to eat after the interview.
Type
Record, Historical
Medium
Digital Recording, Text
Authoring Date
July 10, 2021
Comments