I Wish You Would Step Back From That Ledge, My Friend
Summer 2021, Week 3
Wednesday evening
Talos, City Centre
Aloysius ‘Aloy’ Fumi
The young man had caught the green line straight to Talos station. The sounds of the train and the midnight air reverberating around him as he softly swayed side to side. Adjusting his facemask to cover his nose and flicking his goggles on and over his eyes. His face now hidden behind this makeshift mask and the dark hood of his jacket as the train doors opened. Ksssht His converse clad feet hit the cement of the station. Aloy kept walking and didn't stop. His hands nestled into the pockets of his jacket adjusting the sound of the music blasting into his earbuds. "Alright. Sink or Swim Aloy… Sink or swim… Just like dad said… Highest building… jump… Jump..." He mumbled shoving what must have been his twentieth burger today into his mouth as he walked into an alley eyeing a fire escape he jumped up and grabbed onto it. Using his newfound strength to pull himself up. Aloy didn't bother reading what building he was climbing to the roof too he just knew it was a tall one. After a few minutes he had run all the way to the top. He gave a self-satisfied grin as he stood to the edge of the building and vertigo set in. "Aloy. What the fuck are you doing? Are you really gonna do this? Y-you're so high up…" Aloy awkwardly stated to himself staring at the ground. "I should jump. Yes, I should." He nodded and his feet stayed planted. clearly anyone who even bothered looking up into the night sky on the street would see him on the edge of the building with his face covered. "Should I? this seems kinda extreme? But I haven't been learning the other way......"Ari Thomas
Ari was out on the town, trying to find inspiration for his next work. Gotta make a couple new pieces to keep up with the unit rental... Kinda don't want to recycle old stuff, either. Lost in thought, he accidentally ran into someone. "Hey, watch it, asshole!" The rando shouted. "Ope, sorry dude." He kept walking along, oblivious to people walking past him as he kept walking, almost aimlessly. Maybe it's time I changed careers. There’re bad people running amok in the bad parts of town, and that podcast person said there were people organizing evos to respond. I might have to put off sculpting for a while and do something to help. With a heavy and exasperated sigh, he looked up just in time to see that someone was just on the edge of a very tall building, and his first instinct told him the dude was about to jump. Eyes widening, he shouted up, hopefully loudly enough where the person could hear him, "DON'T DO IT, BUDDY! I'M COMING UP, JUST DON'T JUMP!" Passersby now starting to take notice, they start to call the local authorities and fire department as Ari made his way around the back, attempting to lose track of people wandering as he willed the earth beneath him to layer up and build pressure, like the tension of a spring ready to be released. PUSH[Type 1 Normal, -3EP, 12/15]
He willed the earth to spring from beneath, making a rectangular pillar in its wake as it sprung Ari into the air... perhaps a bit too far as he sailed over the top by roughly 10... 15... 20 feet before he started to plummet towards the roof. Oh no... NonononoNONONO Reflexively, he hardened his skin to that of concrete before the impact.[Type 2, Normal -3EP, 12/15]
Aloysius ‘Aloy’ Fumi
"W--what no I'm fine it's not what it looks like!" And the man was gone. Aloy sighed and turned down the music blasting into his ears. His hand coming up to rub the bridge of his noise. He gave a sigh as he heard the earth spring Ari up into the air and looked up taking a few steps so he could catch him. Before the man’s skin hardened. "Oh, for fucks sake!" Aloy prepared himself as the man came land on the edge Aloy crossed his arms into an X formation and dug his feet in and with the grit off teeth... SLAM, SHOVE[Type 2 Strenuous -15ep, 10/25]
Aloy fell back as he basically pushed this man back onto the roof awkwardly falling back towards the onlookers that had amassed beneath him as he fell towards the ground. "I'M FIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINE! FUCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!" He yelled as he started his sudden descent... Guess it's time to sink or swim huh Aloy? Just like dad said....Geb
"Aw, jeez!" He shouted in a much more gravelly and deep voice than before the transformation, just as the stranger shoved him away from the edge, not expecting to be pushed with that much force. Is he an Ev- His thought cut off by the screaming profanity behind him. He looked back to see the figure begin to plummet towards the sidewalk. "Nonono.. HOLD ON, BUDDY!" Without thinking, he rushed to the edge and used the corner to launch himself at the falling person, attempting to catch the figure so he can at least try to break the fall.Storyteller
The crowd gasps and moves away from the sidewalk, many people screaming in horror.Aloysius ‘Aloy’ Fumi
Oh fuck... Poor Poor Aloy who just wanted to test his flying watched a giant figure jump off the building. "I'M FINE I CAN FLY DON'T JUMP DON'T!" Oh for fucks sake. Aloy kept trying to focus. His breaths short and panicked before he shook his head and let out a consistent deep breath as he activates his flight catching himself and spinning his body before he lands sliding on the ground one of his more… Graceful landings[Type one Normal -3EP 12/15]
He instantly started getting people out of the way of the literal falling piece of debris before he looked up. "Drop the Evo! I can get you if you stop!"Geb
He can fly?! DAMMIT! STUPID, STUPID ARI! He watches as the stranger rushes people away from where he will fall. CrapcrapcraphowdoIgetoutofthis?! His mind races as he plummets. Soft... soft... CLAY! "No! Just clear out! I got this!" He shifts the consistency of his form to that of wet clay, simultaneously changing the sidewalk in a similar manner. Please work... and please move, guy[Type 2, Minor, -1EP, 11/15]
[Type 1, Normal, -3EP, 9/15]
Aloysius ‘Aloy’ Fumi
Oh god. I know why dad left. This is so fuckin' stressful. Aloy kept softly ushering people out of the way. Making eye contact with the cops through his goggles and letting out a soft chuckle. "Uh Evening Officer...." He awkwardly said in an intentionally low superhero-y voice. He looked up and activated his powers again and quickly[Type 1 basic 0EP 12/15]
Likewise, by rat boy still blasting into his eardrums.Geb
Much like a cartoon character falling from a great height, Ari splats into the pool of clay he just made with a loud THWAP AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA He screams internally, not just from the pain of having himself stretched through the pool of clay, but out of sheer regret of his own stupidity. It... takes him a while to gather himself and push his form out of the ground, where police and firefighters wait for a very sheepish and embarrassed Ari.[Type 1, Basic, -0EP 9/15]
[Type 2, Basic, -0EP 11/15]
Ari Thomas
"Sorry... Sorry folks... I... I thought..." He looks downcast as he is questioned, not even getting to apologize to the stranger for being such an idiot.Aloysius ‘Aloy’ Fumi
"Uh you okay there sir?" Aloy asks a bit concerned. "I appreciate you coming up to check on me citizen but I unbreakable am fine. Though perhaps you should have that name. uhhhhhhhhhhh...." Aloy awaited a response looking away from the cops. He was still speaking in his low superhero-y voice.Ari Thomas
"I’m... I'm fine... I'm just glad no one got hurt... sorry I... I messed up whatever you were doing..." His dark complexion is even darker from embarrassment now as he tries not to make eye contact. "My name’s... Ari. Ari Thomas." He says to answer both this Unbreakable fellow and the police. The police, understandably peeved at the amount of paperwork that this will entail, ask him "Well, son, can you change the sidewalk back?" Ari blinks twice before responding, "O-Oh... yeah, I can do that..." He focuses on the pool of clay and transforms it back into concrete, now cleaner than its surrounding concrete and free of any weathering it may have endured before. "There's a pillar around the back alley, too... I should fix that..." escorted by police, he rights the pillar back into the street.[Type 1, Normal x2, -6EP 3/15]
Aloysius ‘Aloy’ Fumi
"I applaud your bravery to uhm. Help someone you thought was in such a dark place Mister Thomas. Please a round of applause for his bravery and using his powers for good." He said awkwardly looking to the crowd and if they clapped, he would sneak into another Alley and look around before he climbed back up the building and without a second hesitation jumped off....... Okay okay not gonna hit the ground not gonna hit the ground. It's getting close. It's getting close. Oh god Aloy start flying start flying! Crack Whooosh! Aloy began to fly again....Like a drunk driver he can't quite fly in a straight line as he flies away above the streets awkwardly slamming into buildings every now and then.[Type 1 Normal, -3EP 9/15]
"Sorry! Ahh shit! I've still got my training wheels on sorry!"Victory
Andre had gotten the call from the police about two Evos 'Potentially fighting in the streets of Talos.' The call was quickly updated to let Andre know it was just two Evos who were 'learning/lacking the knowledge'--as it was politely put--but he was already on his way, so he figured he may as well check it out. As he was flying high above the streets, Andre noticed a figure that was--smashing into the buildings--"Huh...guess I found one of 'em." He oriented himself and zipped down close to the path of the flyer. Moving out of the way as the man fly haphazardly, he called out in as powerful as a voice as he could. "Hey, are you okay?" Andre almost expertly dodged the random movements of the flyer while still staying close. Ready to act in whatever way was needed.Aloysius ‘Aloy’ Fumi
oh for fucks sake “Ow. Shit ow.” Aloy had slowed down by this point he luckily wasn’t doing any big damage just a window being smashed here. Landing roughly on a roof there, smashing his body accidentally into a billboard. He seemed to freeze at the voice and looked over. Putting on his low superhero-y voice. Trying not to sound like he was mocking the other. “I’m uh fine. J-just trying to fly! I uh still gave my training wings on.” Aloy gave an awkward chuckle. Luckily his hood, face mask and goggles were still hiding his features. “I’ve had to teach myself. Please y-you don’t have to waste your time w-with m-me s-sir.”Victory
Another vigilante type Andre thought as he floated in the night sky. He was slightly shocked that's how he was already viewing the few Evos who acted outside the purview of the AERI program. It wasn't that they left a bad taste in his mouth, it was just simple definitions to avoid clumping every Evo that used their powers for something into one category. Can't call someone like Bolt and then this guy just flying around the same thing. Andre was in his Victory uniform, the dark blue emergency responder looking uniform, having been on 'patrol' when he got the call. "I'll be honest, it doesn't look like you're doing fine." Andre said sternly but not unkindly. "It looks like you're causing a bit of damage trying to teach yourself." Just like I did. The man seemed to be flying like he did--that is to say no gusting wind or fire like Isaac, just flying. Maybe he's like me. Moving closer to the man and performing a tight circle around him, he looked for any tell-tale signs of alternative flying. With that examination done, he asked to confirm. "Normal flight then? As in you can just fly with some effort?" Ha, just fly. Such a weird phrase. "I remember trying to get better. It's hard if you don't have a good image to focus on. Try thinking you're like a jet ski, or a motorcycle. Thrust from the back, and slow controlled turns. Don't try to just jink around." Victory floated nearby, conveying that he wanted to watch the man try it--and maybe make sure he didn't hit anything.[Ind. x1 Basic, -0EP]
Aloysius ‘Aloy’ Fumi
Aloy’s adrenalin was pumping still. Hard to stay calm when you’re being confronted by someone in a superhero outfit and when you’re flying or well floating high above the streets. Assuming the worst he clenched a fist ready to attempt to defend himself but relaxed when he came back into view. “Uhhh yeah… I can just fly… I don’t uh….never ridden a Jet Ski or a motorbike only driven a car so?” Aloy shrugged before he attempted to do what position the man though he wanted him to do. “Uhhh this?”[Ind x1 Basic, -0EP]
Victory
"Okay, maybe jet ski was a bad idea. Hmm." This teaching thing was hard, but Andre couldn't have someone flying around the city smashing into things. "There's a lot of comparisons. Birds, planes. Basically, the first step is to stop overthinking it. Eventually, yes, you'll be able to fly 'unnaturally.'" He paused as he made himself give a single chuckle. "Okay, more unnaturally than you already are. I'm talking stops and turns, rapid change in position. But that's not normal to us because that's not how flying works for everything else right? So, it's hard to control right off the bat." Andre started to fly small loops, with all momentum coming from his feet area. It was more natural looking that his earlier floating movements and required wider turns. But it had a type of refined control to it. "Push from your feet, steer from your head and torso. And start slow. I mean really slow." Andre was pretty relaxed around the other man. He saw him tense up earlier but given his power set Andre wasn't exactly always tense around others. If they hit me, they risk breaking a hand. Plus it looked like the guy had relaxed, so it was just caution it seemed.Aloysius ‘Aloy’ Fumi
“Oh, un-naturally? Like this already isn’t insane as it is? Then again I just hit a man made of stone and got out without a scratch…” Aloy gave a deep sigh. He never really looked at birds or planes. He shook his head getting the general idea. “I’ve been steering with everything when I fly that’s probably the issue. A single little twitch and into a fuckin’ billboard.” Aloy softly pushed from his feet and instead of using his whole body to steer he tried to use just his feet and going in a very very slow loop. “Uh like this?” Nope probably fucking wrong, Jesus Christ why can’t I just be a normal kid?Victory
"That's...well that's actually better, yeah. Try a figure eight." Andre flew beside the other man and just gave little pieces of advice, while also acting like a literal buffer from any more property damage. After a few minutes he added. "So that was you with the other causing a bit of a mess down the way. We got a call about you, you know." He made sure his tone conveyed he wasn't in trouble. Just color me interested. "A stone man though? Getting off without a scratch is impressive, that mean you're also an Enhanced Type? If so, small world. Two flyers and enhanced just enjoying the night air." Oh shit! He put a light hand on the man's shoulder to move him out of the way of a window and back into his slow laps.Aloysius ‘Aloy’ Fumi
“That’s been me over the past week. I’ve uh only just gotten them. My Evo’s that is.” Aloy’s good had gone down due to the wind up here. Revealing his tanned white skin and short black hair. “Enhanced? Uh…maybe I dunno. My dad could fly and was strong that’s it, I think. I never really listened in my school’s classes on Evo’s….so uh what’s that mean?” Aloy’s fist clenched again and honestly if he didn’t see that he was about to hit a window he was about to bash this strangers face. He still blew up all the same. “I’m gonna say this one time. Don’t fuckin’ touch me unless it’s an emergency. Use your words.” He sounded pissed off and hotheaded. Like he’d kill someone who did it again. “Don’t take it personally. Just a rule of thumb.”Victory
Seeing the clenched fist, Andre got quiet, and his muscles tensed before his thoughts could catch up with reactions. Zipping around and in front of Aloy, arms crossed, he spoke firmly. "You are a wandering wrecking ball who has caused thousands of dollars in property damage to the city I'm tasked with protecting. So, you'll excuse me if I avoid trying to talk down a wrecking ball moment away from more damage being caused." Tilting his head, voice still calm and unaltered by the outburst, he nodded in the direction of the fist. "And you could hit me as many times as you want and get nowhere with it, my man. So, I suggest you calm down unless you really want me to forget being forgiving and ignoring the damage, taking the time to help you, and choose to instead bring you in to answer for the damage caused." Letting the words settle, he ended with a less disappointed and tired tone, "That's my rule of thumb. I'll help you as much as I can and use my words. But between protecting the city and abiding by your sense of privacy, the city comes first. We can go up some more outside the roof level and you'll have more freedom if you'd like?" Andre was aware what the young man said. Strength and flight. Pretty much like me. But looks like he needs some more training.Aloysius ‘Aloy’ Fumi
Aloy stopped relieved that a hand was off him and seemed to almost instantly calm down. It was always weird for Aloy, he never knew why he exploded with hotheadedness when people physically touched him. “I’m going pretty slow. But I get it. Just try not to. It’s a boundary that I don’t like gettin’ crossed. Dunno why.” He admitted with a sigh now just floating in spot and rubbing his neck. Heh, maybe if I get arrested, I’ll get to see my mother… “Yeah, let’s go up more. Or over one of the parks. Plenty more room.”Victory
The man seeming to let it go, Andre did the same. "Let's head up for now. You're not worried about heights, right?" Andre started to rise up slowly, waiting for the man to follow him. As they rose, he asked. "So how long have you had your abilities? Follow up would be how long have you been working with them?" He noted the mask covering the man's face and the outfit and added, "And how long have you been flying about like that, if you don't mind me asking. Nothing bad is coming from it, just curious."Aloysius ‘Aloy’ Fumi
“Oh noo. Just y’know fearless…” Aloy said with a sarcastic tone and a cheeky grin behind his mask. Starting to slowly rise up. He seemed to be getting the hang of flying somewhat normally, no-where near proficient but there was slow progress. “Jokes aside I’ll be fine. I dunno… I’ve only gotten them, and this build last week. I’ve only flown like three or four times; this is all so I don’t get witch hunted for being an evo. Not everyone is open to us y’know?”Victory
Andre barely held back a laugh at the comment. Oh yeah, I can relate to that. "Believe me, I know. That's part of why I joined the AERI program. To fix that." Watching Aloy fly up, Andre suddenly remembered he didn't have the man's name. "What's your name? I'm Victory. Do you have a moniker that you go by so I cannot call you 'Man'?"Aloysius ‘Aloy’ Fumi
Aloy chuckled a bit. How could you not be scared of heights? Even with the ability to fly the adrenaline was still pumping but he had some control. Aloy was actually proud of himself. Having so much control over his life and someone to talk to felt weird. Well, someone besides Tobias Marsh. Either way he scratched his head and tilted it to the side. “AERI… AERI… isn’t that? Nope I’ve got no clue. I don’t really listen to the news that often.” Not that Andre could see it, but Aloy was embarrassed at his name. He spent so long thinking it up that when he decided it, he didn’t like it that much. “Uh yeah. I go by unbreakable. I guess. It’s stupid but I just shoved a man-made outta fucking stone back into a roof… not my fault he jumped off….or is it? I dunno.” He shrugged as he floated up still a bit uneasy. “Then again, all names sound a bit stupid, don’t they?”Victory
"The Authorized Emergency Response Individual. Basically the 'heroes,' as much as I hate that word." Andre said as they float above the rooftops. "I'm just one of the new ones, the current face of the team I guess you could say. Taxing as that is." He pulled tight circles in the air as the man's name settled in his head. "Unbreakable, huh? I guess I can't say much. Seems both our names are just asking for trouble." He watched Unbreakable rise and maneuver in the air. Already, he was doing better. Impressive improvement, even for a few minutes. "Names are a bit cringy, to be sure. But that's because they're our names. To others, they'll start to mean something."Aloysius ‘Aloy’ Fumi
“So basically, heroes for hire by the government?” Unbreakable quickly flew up and seemed to ‘turn off’ his flight before quickly catching himself with it again riding up. “I mean I only picked that one when I started not feeling punches and stuff, or like when they didn’t hurt as much.” While the movement was getting better there were still a few errors in his form, but it’s obvious that some of the destruction recently around town was his fault. “Heh yeah agreed, so are you gonna uh, arrest me cus I’d really prefer to not spend some of my summer break in prison.”Victory
“I prefer Firefighters with extra allowances for what we can do.” Victory replied in a no-nonsense fashion. “If I thought it was anything like the Governmental Evos I wouldn’t have joined. We are emergency responders. Like cops and EMTs.” Andre gave a small chuckle at his explanation over the name. “Haha. Yeah. I remember when that happened. I also remember when I met someone who could hit hard enough for me to feel. As he said to me, no one is invulnerable. Just resistant.” He stayed silent as he contemplated his response. Andre wasn’t planning to take the kid in. But he had to learn a lesson. “Our powers are dangerous. I’m sure you know that inherently but perhaps not realistically. You caused thousands, as in more than I make, in property damage that someone has to pay for. Most likely it’s the normal humans that’ll pay for it. That’s part of why they dislike us. Sure, it’s fear of the unknown. But it’s also just how we negatively can impact their lives.” Andre hovered without issue as he circled the young man. His tone still direct and without humor or judgment. “Remember that, Unbreakable. Because the more we are aware of that the quicker life gets easier for all of us. Promise me that, and you’re free to go.”Aloysius ‘Aloy’ Fumi
"Right, well when you say like the cops, that makes me a bit weary but I think you mean the whole concept of protectors right?" He rubbed his neck and pulled the hood down revealing short black hair sighing. "I know I know, it's just I ain't got anyone to fuckin' teach me this shit you know? It kinda just springs on you and you gotta teach yourself or you're even more dangerous, as for the name being Unbreakable is a mindset. Not giving up. Gettin' back up after every hit." He sighed and softly shook his head. "I promise I'll do my best...........I’m sorry I gotta ask why the cape? They're so inconvenient, doesn't it get caught in fights and on doors? Did you not watch the Incredibles?"Aloysius ‘Aloy’ Fumi
"And....does AERI have like...........teen hero volunteering?"Victory
“Like the cops. Not actually the cops. I’m not here to arrest Evos who are just trying to learn. I was in the same position.” While speaking, Andre takes out a card and flies it over to the young man, holding it out. “My number is on that. If you want, I can teach you. We have close to the same power set, and I was lucky enough to get someone to teach me. Might as well pass it on.” Taking a quick glance over his shoulder, he smirked. “It detaches. It’s mainly for appearances. Capes make people feel safe or something according to some marketing lady. I usually take it off for something serious.” “And yes, sort of. We have teenagers, the older sort, on the team. With abilities like ours age isn’t as huge an issue.”Aloysius ‘Aloy’ Fumi
"Yeah, Thanks. Not to mention some people are really anti-evo still..." Aloy sighed thinking about the bullying he has seen at school from it and all the people he beat up to protect others. Not like that ended any better. He took the card and looked down at it before putting it into his pocket. "I'll take you up on that sometime....just need to get a burner for superhero stuff, I don't really want people knowing my identity....would cause me a lotta trouble." If my mother found out I'd be fucking dead, she just leaves me alone if she found out I was an evo....... "Seems kinda unnecessary for an emergency responder to y'know have to detach that, and maybe I'll give it a go. I do plenty of volunteering, I'm usually free and I ain't got any friends....Do they need my identity or can I work an-...with a secret one."Victory
“A very select few would need to know you. Fact is they probably already do or will. But that’s got security purposes. For both us and you. The city had a program for anyone who has family that needs protection, but that can be denied. It’s just there if you need it.” Victory rattled off quickly, having covered this with their first interview. “But by select few I mean…” He counted off his fingers. “The Mayor, Chief of Police, and three permanent members of the team. That’s all.” “That wouldn’t be immediate I don’t think. Only if you make it a habit and we need to rope you into the team more. Sharing intel and things like that. Just to make sure you aren’t a spy.” He smirked at that and started to float back. “Give it a thought. And give me a call if you ever want to test how much of a hit you can take. I’m interested to see how much you can pack behind that punch. I gotta run, got another call.” He tapped his ear. “So, I’ll see you later, Unbreakable.” With that, he gave a faux salute and shot into the sky at over 60mph, wind rushing to fill the space he left.Aloysius ‘Aloy’ Fumi
Aloy kept staring into the card handed at him. "Just if I do join, I don't want y'know my mother knowin' I’m an evo or the other kids at school with a simple fucking google search." He sighed and looked up; he saw the salute. "I'll see ya Victory, and I'll knock ya on your ass I bet." He watched the man take off and then sighed, It's getting hard to breathe up here, that's without the mask. I better get back on the train. Fuck why can't I just be Normal and with that Aloy flew away to go on the last Wednesday night train to an empty house.Police Headquarters, City Centre
Ari Thomas
His head hung, sullenly following the officers and complying with their requests. Man... I really messed up... I might have fixed the thousand dollars’ worth of damage I caused, but I still caused it by being so stupid and reckless. I should've known that Unbreakable dude was just going to test his powers... Stupid, stupid Ari...Storyteller
One of the officers had him sit down in a row of chairs that lined the wall of the bullpen. "Sit here for me, bud. I'll be back in just a few." Looking over at the large desk nearby. "Sergeant, make sure he doesn't go anywhere, yeah?" The woman nods. "Thanks, Sarge. I'm gonna see if he's in." The office wound his way through the various desks and disappeared in the back. A few minutes later he returned with an older gentleman. He had a "dad bod" and wrinkles on his face but gave off a friendly demeanor. His had a coffee cup in his right hand, as per usual. This one said, "I Only Need Coffee On Days That End In Y". "Here ya go, Chief. He's right here."Chief Butler
"Thanks, John." With a nod, the cop went back to a desk in the bullpen and logged in to get some work done. "I don't think I got your name. I'm Chief Butler, but please call me Steve. Follow me and tell me a bit about yourself."Ari Thomas
Struggling to find his voice and following a few feet behind Mr. Butler, his hands start signing while he stammers "I-I'm Ari. Ari T-Thomas. I o-own and l-live in a w-workshop for p-pottery and g-glass." He swallows the lump in his throat and starts to calm his nerves. It's just the cops. In a city where evos are normal... normal-**ish "I'm also... as you've probably heard... an evo. I was able to fix the concrete that I... messed with, sir."Chief Butler
Chuckling, he holds open the door to his office and motions for the man to take a seat in front of his desk. "Yes, I heard. You gave my boys a sight to see." He closed the door behind them and settled into his worn in chair. His secretary kept offering to get him a new one, but he liked this one just fine. "John told me that his report will reflect your good intentions so nothing to worry about on our end. You were trying to help a citizen that you thought was in danger and you put everything back to rights. That's respectable in my eyes. Do that sort of thing often, Ari?"Ari Thomas
He takes a seat in the chair in front of the desk, and his eyebrows knit together, his mind wandering to how he had attempted to help his family. Even if he found his voice, he signs out of habit as he speaks. "Only once before, sir. That time... didn't work out as well. I guess my first instinct was to try and do something, because I thought he was going to jump... I didn't even stop to think he could fly." He grimaces. "So, I jumped in without really thinking.Chief Butler
The Chief was impressed by the ASL signing. He made a mental note to come back to that before responding to his answer first. "Well, and why would you? It's not like it's common happenstance for people to just be flying around in the middle of the day. At least not yet." He chuckled to himself, thinking of Andre and the response team. "You acted on instinct, son. That's something special. Not a lot of people would throw themselves into situations like that. Like I said, respectable." He takes another sip of his coffee. "You been here long, Ari? Or are you part of our newcomers looking for a safe haven?"Ari Thomas
Well... he's right, there wasn't any way for me to tell that this Unbreakable dude could fly... Ari's mouth turns up in a genuine, albeit slight smile at the chief's compliments, the figurative clouds in his head ceasing raining so hard. Answering the last question, he continues to sign as he says, "I've been in New Victoria for almost four years, sir. After my... last heroic attempt I couldn't stay in Minnesota anymore. So, I guess... more of looking for a safe haven." It was hard enough being harassed for my skin color; I couldn't imagine being an evo on top of it. Finding a swell of determination, he stops signing, stating "I want to help make everywhere a safe place for everyone. I know that might not be a realistic idea, but I want to help everyone get closer to it." He looks up for the first time, his smile widening.Chief Butler
An eyebrow raised. "I respect that goal. Keep it. Hone it. I believe anyone that wants to can make change around here. But tell me, what happened in Minnesota, son? Had to be pretty bad for it to make you leave your home like that."Ari Thomas
Aw, jeez... He gulps and retreats back into the chair, suddenly feeling very small before answering, "I... tried to save my f-family from a f-fire... I ended up t-trapping them in a dome and p-passing out..." Tears begin to form in his eyes, his voice now caught in his throat.Chief Butler
The creases around his face turned into a frown. "I'm sorry to hear that. We see a lot of accidents as Evos are first learning to find their feet. Sometimes those accidents turn into tragedies. Like yours. But I gotta say, it only reinforces how I see ya. It takes integrity and grit to experience something like that and still work so hard to help others, to not retreat within yourself. You got a good heart. Speaking of which, I noticed the signing. Someone in your life need it? Learn it for somethin else?"Ari Thomas
"My brother is a construction worker here and is hard of hearing, so he and I learned it, so I don't need to raise my voice so much." He gulps down the lump in his throat. "And... th-thank you sir. It m-means a lot t-to hear that."Chief Butler
He nods, bringing the cup to his lips again. "Very handy skill and I'm sure it helps you both." He leans forward and puts an arm on his desk. "Listen. The city is in need of good Evos, ones with a heart like yours, ones that want to help. If you're interested, I'd like for you to talk with the AERI team. You've shown purpose, skill, versatility, quick thinking. You bring a lot to the table. I think you would be a good fit. If you're interested, of course. If not, I understand. It's not for everyone. There's a lot of risk involved as well. You don't owe me an answer today. Think on it. Let me know." He opens the top drawer of his desk and pulls out one of his many business cards. He never seems to get low on them. Some magical office elf keeps them stocked. Closing the drawer, he offers it to Ari.Ari Thomas
His expression almost immediately shifts to that of hope. "Y-you mean that, sir?" After the Chief pulls out the card and offers it, Ari's eyes light up. "I've b-been thinking about applying to join, but I wasn't sure if I'd be AERI material." He looks at the card and smiles. "I'm very sure I want to join. If I can make things better, it's worth a try. Thank you, sir."Chief Butler
"Yessir, I mean it. I think you're a bit green, could do with some proper training, but I see potential in you Ari. Now, I don't have the final say. You have to pass their process. But I can get you in the door. Should I give them a call?"Ari Thomas
Eyes alight with excitement, he replies with a big smile, "Of course! I-I mean, yes please." He grins sheepishly from the outburst, the color in his face darkening. "I'll do whatever it takes to get better, to help everyone I can." Even if it means... dealing with fires...Chief Butler
"Good. I'll get that started and have one of them reach out to you soon. Now, if you would, go out and find John. Make sure he doesn't need anything else in the way of paperwork before you leave. He'll get your contact info to me so I can pass it along." He stands and offers a hand to the young man. "Good talkin with you, Ari. Look forward to seein ya again."Ari Thomas
Taking Steve's hand in a warm handshake, he grins. "It was good talking with you too, sir. Thank you for everything! I'll make sure to talk with him." He turns to head out and find John, turning back to smile and say, with his voice and hands, "Thank you" Maybe I'm not hopeless, after all.Earthen Designs, Victoria Field
Ari Thomas
Returning from his visit to the police station, he thanked the officer that dropped him off, the rather sizable two car garage that made up his workshop and parking space for his '08 Ford Taurus was his pride and joy. Sure, the loft that made up his living space was pretty empty, but he didn't need much to be happy. Most of his time was spent downstairs, anyway. Opening the big door and turning on his OPEN sign, he starts working on designing a coffee mug for the police chief. Filling a large bucket with water and grabbing a handful of clay from his reserves made from recycled projects, he plops the blob onto his wheel and sits at his stool to begin his work. Completely engrossed, he would not notice any passersby, just the folks that walked inside, usually to request a commissioned piece. He starts with making a typical mug shape, large enough to hold a little more than 12 oz. of liquid, using only his hands for the work rather than his power working for him. He felt it soothing to have the wet earthy material take shape in his hands as he shapes the mug, a simple yet sturdy piece that would stand the test of time if taken care of properly. Allowing his clay to dry a little, he takes a thin piece of wire and separates the bottom from the wheel, setting the piece of greenware to the side as he takes a paint scraper to clear off the excess clay left behind. He then takes the greenware and a small scooping tool to make a small divot in the bottom and starts scoring the sides to prepare for the handle and emblems on either side. Setting the greenware aside once more, he stands up to retrieve more clay from his reserves and returns to his stool, watching through the open door for a moment. He sighs but is slightly relieved that he is able to focus on this new project. He sits back down and tears off a hunk of earth and begins to roll it like a play-dough snake, shaping it further in his hands to make a sturdy, yet elegant shaped handle, giving the connecting parts a look like the metal frames on a fancy door knocker. Glancing up towards the door, he sees it is still empty and devoid of life and gives a slight smile as he takes his scoring tool from his toolbox and begins to etch the parts where he would join the cup with the handle. Once scored properly, he pulls a fine and flexible brush from the toolbox next, dipping it into the water in the nearby bucket and brushing the scored areas lightly. He takes the handle and joins it with the main cup piece, smoothing out any bubbles and air pockets that might be laying beneath with his thumbs. Once he is satisfied with his work, he sets the cup, brush and scoring tool aside and takes the remaining clay he took previously. Taking a small rolling pin from his toolbox, he dips his hand in the water and runs it along the surface of the rolling pin, then proceeding to flatten the clay in front of him evenly. Setting the rolling pin aside, he grabs his scoring tool and begins to cut the outside shape for two of the NVPD badges from the layer of clay in front of him, grabbing the rest and placing it to the side, in case he needs to make any additions. He then begins to etch the badges to give more of an appearance and preparing each badge for an addition of the rest of the crest. Scoring the backside of the badges and the outer concave edges of the cup, he preps both sides to affix the badge bases. Wetting his brush once more he lightly brushes the scored surfaces and joins them, then smoothing them beneath his thumbs. He frowns when he sees that in smoothing the surfaces, he made a part of the badge uneven. Meh, that's fine. That's how he'll know it was handmade and not with my abilities. He thinks, the smile returning to his face as he begins to work on the final pieces to affix to the badge faces, pulling off tiny pieces and molding them into the rest of the crest. Scoring the backside of the models and the face of the badges, he once more wets his brush to join these pieces together. Satisfied with the results, the smile begins to fade. Well... mostly without my powers... he thinks as he focuses on the mug, forcing the moisture out of the shaped earth in his hand as if it were being baked in a kiln rapidly, water running down his hands and back into his bucket.[Type 1, Basic x1, -0EP, 15/15 Remaining]
Satisfied with the 'bake', he picks up his bucket and moves over to the table he uses for the glazing process, where he adds that smooth, water-resistant finish that adds color to the piece. Taking a spare piece of cardboard to serve as a palette, he pulls a few colors of glaze off the shelf, Navy blue for the base and a gold yellow for the primary parts of the badges and handle, he squeezes a bit of each onto the cardboard as he takes a few finer tipped brushes off of the shelf, opting to start with a finer tip to color around the pieces that would be painted gold. After dipping the brush into the glaze that would be navy blue when finished, he runs the brush along the edges to make an outline around the pieces that would become gold soon. Once finished, he then cleans out the brush by swishing it in the water, switching to a wider brush to color the bigger parts of the cup base before giving it a thorough examination. Swishing the bigger brush in the water to clean it off a bit, he picks the finer tipped brush back up, dipping it into the gold glaze to detail the intricate parts of the badge and get into the nooks and crannies of his work. Once finished with the detail work, he 'bakes' the piece a second time, allowing the glaze to take its true colors and settle into the bisque piece, making a nice fusion layer between the two. Smiling at his handiwork, he proceeds to reapply more glaze to get a nice, extra glossy finish before 'firing' it one more time to finish the product; a beautiful mug fit for any coffee-loving police chief of the NVPD. Grinning, he takes it to the packaging table, where he fills the interior of the cup with packing paper, opens a cardboard box big enough to fit the mug and places the mug inside with packing peanuts. Taping the outside and attaching a note that readsSteve, Thank you for everything. -Ari Thomasand readies himself and closing up the shop to make his delivery, hopping into his car and checking the shop doors are all locked before driving off to the police station.
Type
Record, Historical
Medium
Digital Recording, Text
Authoring Date
July 7, 2021
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