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[sub][@Altered Tundra] and [@Surtr][/sub]
[/center][b][code]DOVE/RAVEN Joint Headquarters, White Coast[/code][/b][hr][hr]

"Ms. Zhao is currently unable to speak to you,"  The receptionist said, "But, Agent Jean-Pierre may be available." She explained.

"One moment, please," the receptionist told Jackson, picking up her phone and pressed a few of the number keys. After a few moments of anxious waiting, Jackson heard the receptionist speak. "Agent Jean-Pierre, my deepest apologies for bothering you. I know you're very busy, but there's a man in the lobby asking for you." She said, muttering something that Jackson couldn't make out. After a full minute of hushed whispers, she hung up the phone and smiled at Jackson. "He'll be down shortly."

And shortly after, Francis came stepping into the main lobby, wearing his uniform, and having a curious look on his face. Before his eyes settled on Jackson, and he smiled, "Jackson! What can I do for you, friend?" He said quickly, and in accented speech.

He was expecting to see Zhao, but this was even better. At least Francis was friendly, so maybe this could go a little more civil than Jackson envisioned in his mind. "Is there some place we can talk more privately?" Jackson asked Francis.

"Of course, of course, we'll go talk in my office," Francis said, before he lead the man to his office. Which wasn't as grand or exquisite as some of the [i]other[/i] RAVENS ([i]"Like, seen Captain Zhao's?!"[/i]), but this is his office that he earned by proving himself to Maximilian. Hell, he wouldn't have been selected to work on the Devil's arm case if he hadn't! Still, that was a story for another day. It was merely a wooden desk, in a small - somewhat cramp - room. With a chair on the other end, and lots of filing cabinets on the other end. Francis slide in, and sat down, folding his hands.

"So, Jackson," He started. "What can I help you with?"

Jackson took a seat opposite that of Francis' and let out a low breath as if to prepare himself. "I've had a lot to think about since I came back to Baybridge. Though I never intended, I kept on getting myself involved in things I knew were way above my pay grade. Despite that, after what happened at The Golden Throne and most recently, the mall, I think the universe is trying to tell me something." Jackson was rambling. "What I'm trying to say - what I'm failing to say - is I want to become an agent of RAVEN."

"Oh...?" Francis said out loud with a raised eyebrow. This was some news. Francis didn't even know if he was equipped to deal with it! He was an agent, not a recruiter. Still, he smiled at Jackson as he said, "I'm not that accustomed to RAVEN training, but I heard it was a tough one, one that requires, ehhhhh..." Francis looked at Jackson. "The right mindset."

He wasn't sure of how he wanted to explain this to Jackson, there was so many things he could say, and so many ways it could be misinterpreted. "Even then, I'd give it more thought. Maybe the universe could be telling you to chill out!" He joked.

Jackson had been uncharacteristically silent. He didn't offer up a chuckle at that bad joke Francis had made. "Believe me, I know what goes into becoming an agent of RAVEN. I've heard the stories. I know it's hell, but I've visited hell once or twice. I can handle it." He stated with an unyielding determination. "Listen, I'm not good at a lot of things. If you asked me to try and solve some advanced math problem or build you something, the odds aren't in my favor to do it. What I am good at is fighting. I've spent most of my life doing it, so this is the only thing that makes sense to me, Francis. I know it's what I was meant to do."

"No, no, no," Francis put both of his hands up. "There's a difference between superpowered street fights, and what RAVEN - a world of difference, n'fact." He didn't think that Jackson got it - he didn't think that Jackson would [i]ever[/i] get it. But, Jackson would learn the hard way if he decided to go through with this.

"Keep saying things like that, and the recruiters are gonna show you the door," Francis warned, that smile of his turning upside down, as he narrowed his eyes at Jackson. "You gotta take this seriously... I know that RAVEN doesn't want another hotshot knucklehead in their ranks."

Jackson heard what Francis was saying. Even if the older male didn’t think so, he did. But, maybe Francis wasn’t hearing what Jackson was saying. He knew what RAVEN dealt with. He knew exactly what kind of world they dealt with on a daily basis. He knew exactly what sort of creatures and things from the shadows they fought. Hell, Jackson [i]saw[/i] them at both that nightclub and the mall.  He knew what was out there. What’s even more, he could handle whatever else he didn’t know about threw at him. 

"And you don't think I'm not? People I know and care about got hurt because I wasn't strong enough to save them. My parents died because I wasn't strong enough to protect them. Then there's Levi. I wasn't around to help him, so don't imply that I'm not taking this seriously, Francis." He said, looking Francis directly into his eyes. "I can handle it, but I won't be able to show you - or anyone else at RAVEN - if I'm not given the chance." Jackson stated, "that's all I'm asking for: a chance to show everyone that I'm more than meets the eye."

[i]'Everyone's 'more than what meets the eye, friend.'[/i] Francis thought, nearly speaking out loud, but held his tongue out of fear that he'd just fall on deaf ears again. Such as what he said to Jackson thus far... begrudgingly. While Jackson probably did feel as if he was taking it seriously as he could be, Francis didn't get that impression. That he didn't exactly understand what he was getting into, and RAVEN was some super hero club. Francis tried to explain it, but the man had to be blunt if Jackson was going to learn 

"It ain't really up to me," Francis began his explanation. "I could put in a recommendation for you... but, I have to be honest here if you really wan' go through with this..."

He took a sigh. "I ain't an expert on American customs, but you don't really sound like someone they want to put out on the streets. You sound... headstrong, cocky. Just because ya' survived two little incidents doesn't make you experienced... nor does it mean you're gonna survive against like the likes of ZODIAC."

Before he would say anything, Jackson thought for a few, long moments. Maybe Francis was right. Perhaps he truly didn't understand what was out there. Or maybe he was way in over his head. Maybe what he wanted to be wasn't necessarily the right path for him. Or, perhaps, hearing the doubts as he sat in front of them was going to drive him even further to prove everyone wrong. Right now, they saw him as some cocky brat. That's what he heard from almost anyone that held any position of authority or power. It didn't stop him from proving them wrong then and it wouldn't stop him now.

"You said you're not the one who makes this decision. Who is it? Who do I have to prove that I'm serious about this?" Jackson asked, determined to pursue this despite Francis' previous statements.

"The recruitment officer," Francis matter of factly answered. "Never personally met 'im, but I heard he only picks people that'll be the best RAVEN has to offer."

Jackson thought on it for a moment, then he would shrug slightly. "Just point me in his direction. I'll take care of the rest." Jackson stood up from his chair, though he kept his eyes on Francis.

"Before you can even talk to 'im, you'll have to fill out a form," Francis said. "And to do that, you'll have to ask the nice lady at the front desk, and see where it goes from there...."

With that, Jackson stood up, thanking Francis with a handshake. "I appreciate everything you have done for me, Francis. I do understand becoming an agent of RAVEN is no easy task, but I am determined. I shall prove you that I am ready." Jackson told Francis studiously, taking his leave from Francis' office. 

Jackson made his way back to the front desk receptionist and explained his  situation and his meeting with Francis. After a few back and forth, she gave him the form he needed to fill it out. "Alright, so I just fill it out and bring it back here? What happens next?" Jackson asked before he would leave. He wanted to make sure he had everything understood before he made the journey back home.

"I'll schedule an appointment with the recruitment officer if you meet our qualifications." The secretary said.

Jackson gave a nod of understanding to the secretary...receptionist - whatever they were called, he gave that nod to her, and took a seat a nearby chair. 

The form itself was pretty traditional. He'd filled these kinds of forms plenty of times in the past. So it was really just about putting down the right information: name, age, gender, what he did for a living, physical stats, and that sort of thing. There also seemed to be the additional bonus of a metahuman-specific section that covered a variety of subjects. That's where Jackson had a bit difficulty filling it out. He honestly didn't know the limits of his power; not really, anyway. Still, he'd fill it out to the best of his abilities. Regarding the name of it, his best guess was some kind of fire wave emission-like ability. After that, there was a bit about his insurance and what fighting abilities he had. He put that down too. Jackson didn't have great insurance. Given his low income, he could only afford the basic, welfare-level insurance. As for his fighting abilities, he put it in great detail how he spent almost ten years in Brazil learning capoiera. He wasn't necessarily a master, but he's well-versed in the art. 

After about ten or so minutes of concentrating on finishing the form, Jackson got up, and approached the lady at the front desk, handing her the form. "Here you are. I hope everything checks out." Jackson commented with a half-nervous smile.

The receptionist took one look at it, before she took the form. "I'll make sure this gets to him soon as possible, and I'll definitely give you a call if he wants to go somewhere from there."

As he would leave, Jackson was feeling good about this. He didn't want to jinx it or anything, but for the first time in a long time, he actually was hopeful about his future. Whether it would last remained to be seen, but after the shit week he had, there seemed to be a light at the end of the bleak tunnel he had been lost in for quite some time.