You Better Work, Bitch
Summer 2021, Week 3
Monday morning
Police Headquarters, City Centre
Roslyen Van Steele
After a long night of pondering, she had decided. She was tired of merely supporting her fellow Evos from the sideline. She, her music, and her antics reached millions but that was just her voice. It rarely felt she was achieving anything... But not today. Today she would take actions. She wasn’t really wearing anything special, joggers and a simple grey Go army T-shirt. Of course, all custom made for massive size. Rolling back on her heels in her tennis shoes, she adjusted her baseball cap. It wouldn't take long for her to be spotted by a fan, so she had to make up her mind and move. With a nervous shake of her head, she pushed up and into the police station walking up to the front desk and the lady waiting. “Good morning... I would like to speak to someone about the AERI Project.”Storyteller
The front desk Sergeant looked up from her computer... and then up from where she looked up until finally, eventually, making eye contact with the literal amazon of a woman before her. "Uh." She stuttered, some instinct in her wanting to scream or throw something. Like when an elephant walks up to a mouse. "The AERI program? Um... okay then, that'd be Chief Butler. I-I can see if he's available. One moment." The woman picked up her phone, missing the receiver a few times as she couldn't tear her eyes away from the woman, but eventually dialed a number. A quick conversation about the request took place until eventually the woman stood up and said, "He can see you. If you'd--uh--follow me?" Walking, maybe a bit fast to avoid being stepped on, she took Roslyen down the hall and to Chief Butler's office. With a knock, a man's voice called out.Chief Butler
"Come in." The door opened, showing Sergeant Phelps and a--well, color him intrigued. Standing up from his desk, the coffee mug which must have been glued to his palm in hand, he held out his hand. "Chief Butler, but please call me Steve. It's a pleasure to meet you." He pulled out a chair, thought about it, and moved over to grab a bigger lounge chair that was against the wall and pulled it in front of his desk for her. "I heard you'd like to talk about the AERI program. How can I help?"Roslyen Van Steele
"Ai, that is correct Sergeant Phelp...” She didn't sit quiet at first, standing there kind of oddly like the giant she was. Giving herself a small pep talk in her head, she removed her baseball cap and let her almost iconic pink hair flow down her back, shaking it out quickly before sitting with her legs crossed in the lounge chair set before her. “I, as I'm sure you know, am a Roslyen Van Steele. An Evo of course. I moved to the states a few years ago on request of my work. While this land is far different then my old home, I have come to find myself quite attached to it and its people... Because of this I would like to do all I can to help keep its people safe...” She looked down a bit knowing she had a bit of a selfish reasoning for being here on top of her altruistic one. She was bored frankly put. Because of the protesters, and danger of riots or attempts on her life, she wasn't allowed to tour. Stuck every day mindless making music in her studio. While she adored this, she was used to traveling the world, meeting thousands of people and the thrill of a crowd chanting her name. This quieter life was just not enough.Chief Butler
"Thanks, Sergeant. You can go back to the front desk now." The woman was still standing there, in awe of the pop star. Snapping out of it, she nodded and closed the door. "Figured you might want some privacy." He took another sip of his coffee. "So, you want to be an AERI, is that right? Let's talk about that then. Obviously, you have some notoriety following you, not to mention you don't exactly hide in the shadows. I believe my Sergeant can attest to that. Any chance of that interfering with whatever work you do in the program?"Roslyen Van Steele
Honestly, she hadn't entirely thought of that, having stood in the limelight for so long. She never even thought about people not knowing who she was or it being a problem that people knew just who she was, where she lived, and stuff of that manner. Chewing her cheek a bit she quickly shook her head "While I can understand your concern Chief Butler, I find that unlikely. As you said, people have known who, and what, I am for years. If they wanted to do me harm it would have happened already... As well as it may actually help my actions as an AERI... Notoriety isn't always bad... The media already has a picture on who I am - a kind, generous person who always helps others. Adding me to AERI would only add that to the program. Not a negative stigma."Chief Butler
"You know, it sounds to me like you might be interested in being a public face for AERI, someone to help guide the image of Evos everywhere. That might bring some relief to Victory." He seems to think to himself for a moment. As he finishes another sip, he gestures with his coffee cup to emphasize as he talks. "I do still have concerns about your fans. You wouldn't be able to do any sort of undercover work, that's for sure. Being on the response team might be a challenge if your followers ever get in the way, but we'll just have to see where that goes. Now, you'll have to forgive my ignorance here, but what sort of Evo abilities do you have exactly? I know you're well known, but that's about all. Pop isn't really my genre. I prefer a more classic sound. Again, forgive me for my old man ways."Roslyen Van Steele
Nodding onto what the Chief explaining she smiled. She enjoyed the sound of being a public face... As long as it wasn't any more boring than being trapped in a studio. Hearing him ask about her power she laughed. Quite loudly actually, filling the air with her twinkling voice. “You are entirely forgiven, Chief Butler, both because you cannot be that old, and because very, very, very few know my powers anyway. Most assume it’s my massive frame and size. While that it is true, my power is why I am so big, that's not quite it… I am... Hmm... Like an engine. For energy. I can absorb kinetic energy and use it for my own advantage.” Chewing her bottom lip, she had an aha moment. “It may be best if I just showed you. I am not a scientist... and I am not sure perfectly how it works…”Chief Butler
"I'm not a scientist either, but I do enjoy a good show and tell. Do you need me to participate or is this a one woman show, so to speak?"Roslyen Van Steele
"Well. For a small example I will need you," rising to her feet she walked over to his desk and gave a large grin. “Come hit me. I can promise you won’t hurt me. Take a deep breath.” She smiled a small bit, readying herself to just remove all the energy behind his punch. “Of course, if you had an officer you'd rather hit me with that's fine.”Chief Butler
He raised an eyebrow and his hand stopped midway to bringing the cup back to his mouth. "Ms. Van Steele, I don't make it a habit to punch civilians, even if it is just to prove a point. Now, I believe you when you say it won't hurt you, but you have to understand how that might be somewhat difficult for a person in my position."Roslyen Van Steele
“While I very much do understand your place, sadly my power isn't as simple as just that.” With a small frown she bit her lower lip. “I am unsure how else I could show you my powers. While it has lots of options, it’s quite simple. Absorbing connect energy.”Chief Butler
"Now, now. Put that lower lip away. Reminds me of my grandkids. But I do have a compromise for you." He pulls open the deepest of his desk drawers and winks. It's full of coffee mugs. He even has some sort of organizer that makes it so they aren't bumping up against each other. It was rather impressive. He examined them and picked out one that looks somewhat beat up. "This one has seen better days. If something happens to it, I won't mind. Now, I'm gonna throw this at you. Ready?"Roslyen Van Steele
With a small shrug she held up a hand, "Sure one moment." Grabbing the edges of her go army T-shirt, she quickly tossed it over her head. She was wearing a rather plain black sports bra underneath. Rolling her shoulders, she held her hands at her sides with a smirk "Ok go ahead. It’s much easier when its bare skin contact.”Chief Butler
His eyes go wide for a second and then he just nods. "If you say so, Ms. Van Steele." He palms the cup and throws it at her overhanded, aiming for her stomach. He doesn't use much force, but his aim is on point.Roslyen Van Steele
The cup on impact just kind of stops. Not like it hit something, but rather it just stops. As if all the energy it was traveling with disappeared, instantly falling towards the floor. Quickly reaching down she barely managed to grab the cup before it hit the ground with a smile. Setting it on top of the chief’s desk, “Now that was barely a snack, Chief. But it does kind of get the idea across I would guess.”Chief Butler
"Well now, that is indeed unique and would come in handy during a fight... but where does it go? If I remember enough of my high school science back in ancient times, it can't be destroyed. So can you spit it back out?"Roslyen Van Steele
She nodded a small bit before looking to the side a bit. “Well yes, and no. I can both spit it back out as well as absorb it... think of it like adrenaline, on steroids. I can use the energy to power, and overclock my own body... it’s acutely why I’m so tall... When I was younger, I didn't understand how it worked and kind of just kept growing... Having near infinite energy reserves kind of does that to you. Of course, in a combat term, it means the more I absorb the faster I can work... Literality. All my senses, muscles, lungs, everything works faster and faster as they have more energy to use. Through If I absorb too much... the internal friction of my blood moving causes me to overheat.”Chief Butler
"That had to be hell on your formative years, Ms. Van Steele, but it seems you've done just fine for yourself." He takes another sip of his seemingly infinite coffee and stands. Walking to the front of his desk, he leans up against it. "Well, the AERI team is meeting today. I can arrange for you to meet up with them. While I am the one that brought the Program into existence, teamwork is important and so I'll leave the final say to them. But if all works out, then I look forward to working with you. What do you say? You up for a meet and greet?"Roslyen Van Steele
Not Surprising, this was something Roslyen was far more comfortable with. Meeting and speaking with others/getting them to like her? That was simplistic. Proving her worth in combat when she had only the slightest bit of training in anything more than street level karate? That was not only a bit hard, but kinda scary. Nodding her head to the police chief she returned to her chair. Sliding her hand into her pocket she pulled out a small pink wallet, flipping it open revealed a nail kit. To which she removed a file and back to touch the once manicured edges of her nails. “I would be more than willing. It sounds quite wonderful actually.”Chief Butler
"Sounds good. Stay right here and let me see what I can do to put something together with them really quick. They're having a busy day." He walked out of the room for a few minutes and then popped his head back in his office. "Come along with me, Miss Van Steele. I'll take you to them." He walked her out of the headquarters to his cruiser. As he drove, he took many unnecessary twists and turns, keeping his speed leisurely, doing his part to ensure he wasn't being followed. He made casual conversation with the pop star to keep her engaged on their somewhat long journey across town.
Type
Record, Historical
Medium
Digital Recording, Text
Authoring Date
July 5, 2021
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