[center][h2][color=92278f]Sophie Castellia[/color][/h2][/center]
[center]With Special Guest NPC Dr Tobias Rivenridge[/center]
[center][h2]Wednesday Morning, Boston MA[/h2][/center] 

Everything had happened so fast. Sunday and Monday had been just like the days before them, simply getting out of bed, going to work, watching whatever happened to be on TV, and then going back to sleep. Less than 36 hours later, however, Sophie had started running around her apartment in a near frenzy, trying to sort out what she did and did not care about among her material possession. Most of the furniture, she decided, wasn't worth keeping, and even what was wouldn't be practical. She packed most of her clothes, the ones that weren't torn or fading or had sentimental value at least, as well as her two good dresses and single pair of nice heels into a suitcase, and the few cooking utensils she wanted to keep soon joined them. For two years of residence, she reflected, it certainly seemed there wasn't much she wanted to keep with her from the place. 

[i][color=92278f]Perhaps that's for the best.[/color][/i]

The last piece to go in was a solitary stuffed bear that had sat on the camping stool that she used as a bedside table since she had moved in. Unlike the rest of the place, the bear was happy, smiling, and nicely colored. Sophie had made sure to keep it immaculately clean and cared for, even in her darkest moods. It had been a graduation gift from Moriah, and she treasured it more than anything. That, she decided, would be a carry-on. She scooped it up, gave it a hug, and then closed her eyes for a moment.

[color=92278f]"I'm heading out, Mori. By the time you wake up... maybe by then I'll have done enough that I can face you. Until then..."[/color]

Without finishing, she zipped up the suitcase and turned her back to the dingy little Boston apartment for good.

[center][h2]Wednesday Evening, Arlington VA[/h2][/center]

By the time the sun began to set, Sophie had finished moving into her new apartment. Sector X had found a specific location, more than likely based on Cassie and Meghan's advice; it was a modestly-priced location in a sparsely visited neighborhood within biking distance of the offices, and perhaps most importantly, the complex itself was laid out with the apartments sized and spaced far enough apart that she couldn't make a neighbor's powers run amok through the wall if she had a nightmare. "We'll give you a few days to go and buy the stuff you need to live here," a representative had informed her, "Make sure you keep your receipts. You'd be surprised what the Sector will have you put on their bill." 

She dropped back onto the bed, relishing the fact that it neither squeaked nor groaned under her, and tried to center herself in the middle of all the changes happening. It was all happening alarmingly fast, and though nothing had gone wrong she still felt uneasy. Was this really the opportunity she needed, both for a career and atonement? What if Cassie had been wrong and they couldn't help her? Where could she go after that? What would she do then?

Her train of questions was interrupted by a quick knocking at the door. Curious, she padded across the carpeted floor to answer it. Standing on the other side was a fairly tall, skinny man in his thirties with a small mop of light brown hair atop his head. He was dressed in business casual with a long coat draped about him, and he carried a small metal case in one hand.

[color=ed1c24]"Hello there,"[/color] he said in a light British accent, smiling at her, [color=ed1c24]"Are you Sophie?"[/color]

[color=92278f]"I am,"[/color] she replied uncertainly, [color=92278f]"Who are you?"[/color]

[color=ed1c24]"Oh, apologies. My name's Doctor Tobias Rivenridge. I'm the head of R and D at Sector X. Someone should've told you I was going to stop by today?"[/color]

[color=92278f]"Yes, yes they did. Would you like to come in?"[/color]

[color=ed1c24]"I think I would."[/color]

He ducked inside as she opened the door a little wider and looked around, taking in what decor there was at present.

[color=ed1c24]"I swear the boys in HR do better every time when they go looking for these places. Making yourself at home, I hope?"[/color]

[color=92278f]"As much as I can, Doctor Rivenridge."[/color]

[color=ed1c24]"Please, call me Tobias. I'm only Doctor Rivenridge in front of the bigwigs and to my assistant who I can't convince otherwise."[/color]

[color=92278f]"Alright then, Tobias. Cassie mentioned you would be stopping by, but she never said what for. Would you care to enlighten me to that?"[/color]

[color=ed1c24]"Ah, right. Of course she didn't. Well, she did say something about us helping you rein in your gifts, I hope?"[/color]

[color=92278f]"She did,"[/color] Sophie said bewildered, [color=92278f]"She insisted on it, in fact. But what does that have to do with you?"[/color]

[color=ed1c24]"Ah, well, you see, part of that process has to do with giving you some help in keeping it under control until you can come to manage it all yourself. That help comes out of my lab in the form of..."[/color] he trailed off as he set his case down on the kitchen counter, opened it, and withdrew a small device that resembled a bluetooth earpiece. [color=ed1c24]"One of these little beauties,"[/color] he finished.

Sophie cautiously approached Tobias and the little device to get a closer look. [color=92278f]"What is that?"[/color]

[color=ed1c24]"It's a Subconcious Psychologic Biophenomenal Active Threshold Suppressor,"[/color] He replied matter-of-factly, then turned to see Sophie's confused look and chuckled a bit. [color=ed1c24]"Sorry, I do that sometimes. It's basically a limiter for psychic abilities. One of our agents, when she first joined, had a particular ability that she didn't [i]quite[/i] have a handle on, and it posed a lot of problems with the rest of the staff. So, the boss came down and told me and my gang we needed to find a way to help her manage it. This is what we came up with, and it's helped hundreds of Sector associates and thousands more civilians around the globe 'get a grip' on their gifts, if you will."[/color]

[color=92278f]"So it what, turns off my ability?"[/color]

[color=ed1c24]"No, not quite. What it does, in layman's terms, is monitor your psychic activity, and if it detects more than the amount it's set to, it counteracts it."[/color]

[color=92278f]"Does it hurt?"[/color]

[color=ed1c24]"No, no no no. It's a little uncomfortable the first few times, but it's not painful, and you'll get used to it really fast. Now, before you can come to work, I'll need to fit you with one of these. I think... yes, this type should do!"[/color] he exclaimed as he looked at the eight or nine different devices in the case.

[color=92278f]"There's different types?"[/color]

[color=ed1c24]"Oh yes. Many different types. We've got ones that only block certain activity, ones that blanket block everything, ones that can't be turned off, ones that can, ones that adjust their strength automatically, we've even got one with a little dial that can be turned from one to nine depending on how strong the person wants the suppression. It's quite fascinating, really."[/color]

[color=92278f]"Okay,"[/color] Sophie said as she tried to keep her mind focused, [color=92278f]"So how do you figure out which type is for me?"[/color]

[color=ed1c24]"I think I already do. But first, I'd like to experience your gift for myself, if you don't mind."[/color]

Sophie's breath caught in her throat. 

[color=92278f]"I don't think that's a good idea. You might..."[/color]

[color=ed1c24]"Might lose control? Hurt myself? Hurt someone else?"[/color] Tobias finished the sentence for her as he looked into her eyes. He had anticipated her objection, and he seemed unperturbed by it.

[color=92278f]"Yes. All of that."[/color]

[color=ed1c24]"Hmm. Sophie, can I show you something?"[/color] Tobias asked as he lifted up a palm. Without the slightest change in his demeanor, a crackling ball of lightning began to form above his hand, lighting the room in bluish white flickers. [color=ed1c24]"This,"[/color] he said, [color=ed1c24]"Is my ability. I can produce lightning and electricity at will."[/color]

The lightning ball fluxed in size and intensity as he continued, growing much larger and then much smaller as he talked.

[color=ed1c24]"Now, when I first discovered this... I very nearly killed a great many people. One of them was the woman I love. And because of that..."[/color]

The lightning sparked one final time and then ceased as abruptly as it began. [color=ed1c24]"Because of that, I don't think you'll find anybody on the globe who's put more time and effort into controlling their power as me. I could probably stand in a swimming pool next to someone and never even tickle them if I was up to risk it. I have every confidence in myself, and I insist that you do the same. Besides, even if I'm overestimating myself, I have countermeasures at the ready. So, please, Miss Castellia, will you show me your gift?"[/color]

Sophie locked eyes with Tobias again for a short moment. Dozens of trains of thought collided in her head, until finally she simply nodded once and turned her focus inward. The feeling of warm water cascaded down her back again, and she felt her power flow out into the room. But outside of a few crackles around him and some intrigued looks from Tobias, there was no sign he'd been affected. 

[color=ed1c24]"Miraculous..."[/color] he almost whispered.

[color=92278f]"Doctor- err, Tobias?"[/color]

[color=ed1c24]"I've never even thought that such a thing might be possible. This could change everything we know about Biophenomenon... My God, Sophie... this is truly a marvelous gift!"[/color]

[color=92278f]"I think it more of a curse."[/color]

[color=ed1c24]"I can understand that,"[/color] Tobias replied as he raised his hand and watched something Sophie couldn't perceive play out on it, [color=ed1c24]"But hopefully I can help to change your mind. But first things must come first. Here..."[/color] 

He reached back into the case and pulled out one of the limiters. She took it from him, and after a quick look at it Sophie grasped how to put it on. It hooked around and secured to her left ear, and once it was on Tobias walked a little closer and leaned down to put his hand next to it.

[color=ed1c24]"This might feel a bit odd, one second..."[/color]

With that he snapped his fingers, sent a jolt to the device, and Sophie felt like she'd been suddenly dunked underwater in a pool. She closed her eyes and sent her hands to hold her head steady as her senses tried to right themselves. Less than a minute later they succeeded, and though everything seemed the same, something felt different. Something she couldn't quite place at first. And then she realized it; there was no sensation running down her back, no feeling of her power. Hesitantly, she reached out and firmly touched Tobias's arm, fully expecting the running water feeling to return in force... but it didn't. All that happened was an odd humming in her left ear as the device neutralized the surge. 

[color=ed1c24]"And there we go."[/color] Tobias said, satisfied with the results. [color=ed1c24]"It's going to take some getting used to, but I have no doubt you will. And we'll be seeing more of each other, I can promise you that. You might not believe it, Sophie, but when Cassie promised you could do some good in the world, even she had no idea how right she was. Ta-ta then."[/color]

As he closed up the case and headed for the door, Sophie turned and called to him. [color=92278f]"Doctor Tobias!"[/color]

He turned, clearly amused by the new name. 

[color=92278f]"Thank you."[/color]

[color=ed1c24]"A pleasure, my dear."[/color]

And with that, he took his leave.