[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/SqhcfKy.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/XZCyPaz.png[/img] [/center]
[center][sub][color=silver]ℂ𝕠𝕝𝕝𝕒𝕓𝕠𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 ℙ𝕠𝕤𝕥   / /   [@Baklava][@Chasers115][/color][/sub][/center][hr][hr][center][color=silver]𝕋𝕙𝕦𝕣𝕤: 𝕆𝕔𝕥. 𝟠, 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟘   / /   𝕌𝕊𝔸ℝ𝕀𝕃ℕ 𝔼𝕒𝕤𝕥   / /  𝕊𝕦𝕚𝕥𝕖 𝟜𝟛𝟘  / /   𝟙𝟙𝟘𝟘[/color][/center][hr][hr]
[hider=Pep Talks and Toast]

Callan fell asleep the moment her head hit the pillow. Halfway off the bed, she hadn't even bothered with the blanket. Having almost nodded off in the shower beforehand, it was frankly a miracle she made it to the bed at all. Even with the dismal state of the school, few words had been exchanged between herself and her roommates after landing. She certainly didn't mind it, though. Exhaustion had a way of numbing most concerns. Her bed was still intact and that was all that mattered. Groggier than usual, it took a few minutes of staring at the ceiling the next morning to remember where she even was. 

Still slightly damp, Callan's hair stood up in at least eight different strange angles once she finally managed to roll off the bed and slump into the bathroom. Siena and Marcus were nowhere to be seen. Breakfast, most likely. She couldn't blame them for not waking her, but there was a certainly a nostalgic pang at the memory of their little lunch crew. She wondered if they'd had many meals together during their stay at Zhang's estate. Not their fault, though. Marcus [i]had[/i] tried to come see her. She had some regrets about missing out on so much, but.... that was what she had to look forward to. Her ability simply wasn't like theirs. Might as well get used to it. Getting dressed, Callan thought about her plans for the day, flipping on the news as she ran a brush through her hair-- a habit she'd acquired over the last month. 

Marcus's face lit up the screen and she lowered her brush for a moment. She'd seen this clip before, but... she couldn't help but watch it again. Every time it came on, she watched it. Could probably recite it if she wanted to. As the interview went on, Callan slid over the back of the couch, making herself rather comfortable as she gripped the brush tightly to her chest. 

[color 33ec06][i]"Yes. I'm not sure why I was chosen by DC, or if there even was a reason, but I know I was given the ability to help where I hadn't been able to before. If you had the chance to help even one person Mari, wouldn't you?"[/i][/color]

The reporter laughed. [color f7976a][i]"I think anyone would say 'yes' in this context, Marc. But it's good to know that for all that's happened, you'd still help those who can't help themselves. Do you think that philosophy will remain true in the days to come?"[/i][/color]

[color 33ec06][i]"If it didn't, then I'd be very disappointed with myself."[/i][/color]

With a belly full of pancakes, Marcus made his way back to the Suite. It had been nice to go back and get breakfast, despite the odd pile of rubble he had to navigate his way through. It wasn't home, that much was for sure, but it was at least comforting to return to familiar territory. Here he could settle into a rhythm, a schedule that he could at least adhere to - even if he didn't do the same thing every single day, he was at peace when he had [i]some[/i] constants in his life. Constants and routine being some of the hardest things to find when USARILN was involved.

Already nearing the door, Marcus could hear the sound of a running television; Callan was probably awake by now. He'd done his best not to disturb her as he was making his breakfast exit, but with Siena already having been gone and Callan's ability to sleep through heavy construction, he had probably been worrying a little bit too much with his morning routine.

He'd managed to get all the way up to pressing his hand against the door before recognizing the voice on the television: his own. He knew exactly what segment it was, too; he'd only self-consciously watched nearly a hundred different versions of it...including a rather ambiguously worded link that Sammie had sent him. [i]That[/i] had resulted in a hurriedly cleared history and an angry text.

He swung the door open unconsciously, saying nothing as he did. Instead, his eyes flicked immediately over to the television screen, confirming his evaluation. There he was displayed on the screen, heavily disheveled, while Mari shoved a microphone into his face.

Callan's eyes flickered from one Marcus to the other, immediately doing a double take before she gripped the brush in her hand so tightly it snapped, each half spinning off in two separate directions. "[color a2d9ce]Marcus![/color]" Callan's hands dove for the remote. She easily managed to also demolish that device-- though not before successfully turning off the television. A feat which had apparently required the use of both thumbs. 

"[color a2d9ce]Uh-- Oops. Sorry, I was just--[/color]" It suddenly occurred to her that this was the first time in three weeks since she'd spoken to him. What difference that made, she wasn't entirely sure, but she certainly [i]felt[/i] it the longer she tried to think of what to say. "[color a2d9ce]S-sup?[/color]" she stammered uncomfortably, tiny bits of plastic spilling out from between her fingers as she slowly lowered the evidence of her latest mistake onto the coffee table.

He flinched slightly at the sound of snapping plastic, eyes following the careening half of what appeared to be a brush as it sailed away. Aaaand the sound of more snapping plastic as his face disappeared from the television; the final hurrah of a poor, unfortunate television remote. A fate undeserved, for sure.

It was a comedy of errors that happened so quickly, leaving Marcus stood there in utter befuddlement for the briefest of moments. However, the confusion changed to a smirk and a rolling of the eyes, and Marcus could only let out a little chuckle. Pulling out his phone and pretending to type, Marcus spoke to himself, eyes glancing towards Callan every now-and-then. "[color 33ec06]Reminder to self. Requisition another remote. Consider getting extras.[/color]"

With that out of the way, Marcus finished walkingw into the room and closed the door, shaking his head at Callan. "[color 33ec06]Sup, huh? That's what we're rolling with here?[/color] he joked. Sure, they hadn't talked in a while (he could theorize a few plausible reasons as to why he hadn't seen her at all during the Estate trip), but sometimes the best remedy was just moving on like nothing had happened. If they wanted to talk about it, they would, and sometimes forcing it would make things worse.

He knew that much firsthand.

"[color 33ec06]Alright, I'll roll with it. Not much, Cal! 'Sup with you?[/color]"

Callan's face burned with embarrassment as she leaned over to pick up one of the brush pieces. "[color a2d9ce]Er-- not much,[/color]" she mumbled, further flustered when her poor attempt at acting like nothing had happened was blatantly called out. She quickly realized that not only would that be a difficult thing to achieve, but she really didn't want it. She wanted to talk. 

No use putting it off. And with Kusari's admission still fresh in her mind, she wanted answers now more than ever. She didn't want to be the only one here trying to do the right thing either. And she felt, more than anyone, Marcus seemed to get that. Or she imagined he did, at least. 

His interview implied as much, didn't it?

She took a deep breath to try soothe the nerves. "[color a2d9ce]You busy right now?[/color]" she asked, her mind drifting to Emma for a moment.

"[color 33ec06]I've always got a second for you, Cal; What's up?[/color]" Marcus said, strolling over to pick up the other half of the brush.

[color a2d9ce][i]Agh, don't say stuff like that,[/i][/color] she mentally scolded him. Then again, he was probably trying to be extra nice. Anyone would worry if their friend holed themselves up in a room for so long. Still didn't make the butterflies his comment triggered any less of a thing, though. She cleared her throat. 

"[color a2d9ce]Well,[/color]" Callan waited until Marcus handed her the rest of her brush, "[color a2d9ce]First off, I owe you an apology.[/color]" She frowned, shaking her head at herself, "[color a2d9ce]I shouldn't have ignored you like I did. I, uh. I guess you could say I've been having a hard time adjusting.[/color]"

"[color 33ec06]Yeah, I think you could say that about all of us.[/color]" Marcus said. Everyone had been dealing with things their own ways, and none of them seemed to be necessarily good. Still, it was nice to hear the genuine apology: between driving a fairly significant wedge between him and Siena, and Callan holing up her room, he was starting to get a little bit worried about the future of Suite 430. 

"[color 33ec06]But hey, it's good to actually see you again instead of shoving pasta under your door![/color]" Marcus said, grinning widely. 

Callan laughed. "[color a2d9ce]I still can't believe you did that.[/color]" She sighed, relaxing a little more now that the initial shock of having Marcus walk in on her fawning over the TV had settled. "[color a2d9ce]Didn't really feel like I deserved it though. After what happened in DC and all...[/color]" 

[i][color 33ec06]None of them deserved anything more than a short trial after what happened in D.C[/color][/i].

It occurred to Marcus that he didn't actually know what had happened to Callan in DC. He'd assumed that she'd been off fighting the Ice Titan and the Slime, but he hadn't actually seen her during the event, and he was [i]definitely[/i] doing his best to avoid footage from the scene. Supposedly there wasn't any video evidence as to what had happened during the evacuation, but he didn't want to chance it by looking.

"[color 33ec06]Listen, D.C was rough...you handled it the best you could,[/color]" a widely encompassing answer for a scenario he didn't know. "[color 33ec06]We're friends, Cal. I'm not just going to turn my back on you. Who else would be there to provide witty commentary in your hour of need?[/color]"

"[color a2d9ce]Ha, I guess you're right,[/color]" she chuckled. 

'Rough' was one word for it. Cat's Cradle being there probably hadn't made things any easier either. They were cold-blooded criminals. Simple as that. 

"[color a2d9ce]You can only do so much,[/color]" she frowned, glancing at the TV. "[color a2d9ce]They're the worst kind of people. Even worse than the jerks who attacked us back at the estate. Squishing people like they don't matter... abusing their powers just because they can....[/color]" 

She paused to think for a moment before smirking, "[color a2d9ce]But hey, as long there are heroes like us out there, things'll turn out for the better, right? Speaking of which-- I saw all the clips of you guys on the news...[/color]" 

"[color 33ec06]Don't call me Zip Zip Boi I [i]swear[/i] to [i]God[/i].[/color]"

"[color a2d9ce]Haha, Timescar's way cooler anyway,[/color]" she shook her head, "[color a2d9ce]But I was gonna say you guys were amazing. You saved all those people-- you know? I was really impressed. And I know it's petty, but I guess I was kind of jealous, too. All I did was snooze in a ditch somewhere.[/color]"

"[color 33ec06]Yeah, because taking down that Ice Giant [i]definitely[/i] didn't help anybody.[/color]" Marcus said, rolling his eyes in Callan's direction. "[color 33ec06]We've been in three major missions, and you've taken down the biggest target every single time. I'd certainly say you've done your part in saving people. Probably more than I've saved, at least.[/color]" His eyes darted to the side as he said that; how jealous would she be if she [i]knew[/i] what he'd done?

Even though she felt the praise was misplaced, Callan couldn't help but smile sheepishly. "[color a2d9ce]I think you mean I've [i]tried[/i] to take down the biggest target every time. Siena took out that giant two headed thing in the first fight,[/color]" she counted on her fingers, "[color a2d9ce]Sander practically took down Factory [i]single-handedly[/i], and there's no way I would've been able to put a dent in that ice giant without Kadabra's help. Same story as yesterday-- if Sander hadn't been there, I probably would've been sliced to pieces.[/color]"  

As Callan continued, she held the two broken edges of her brush together, running her finger along the jagged crack. "[color a2d9ce]I just feel like I should be doing so much more,[/color]" Callan frowned. "[color a2d9ce]I didn't know either of them very well, but it drives me crazy that Angel and Gregory didn't make it back. And those staff members who tried to protect us-- I couldn't get to them in time, either. It's like... I'm trying, but I'm moving in mud, y'know?[/color]"

"[color 33ec06]Trust me. I know the feeling.[/color]" Marcus said, sighing exasperatedly and sitting down on the opposite end of the couch. "[color 33ec06]No matter how much you do...you always wish that you could do more.[/color]"

Images of the old man from the APC, or the guard that had been speared through flashed through his mind. And lord only knew how many people he'd condemned to death preventing Siena from getting herself killed in D.C. Plus, losing Angle had been a little harder on him than he cared to admit. Less than a week ago, he'd been riding in the passenger seat of a car, talking with her about using her powers for practical jokes...and now she was dead. It was hard for him to think that those were some of the last words he said to her.

"[color 33ec06]But I can tell you...even the Precursors can't help everybody. It's [i]war[/i] out there...[/color]"

"[color a2d9ce]Yeah. You're right,[/color]" Callan agreed, setting the brush halves on the coffee table next to the ruined remote. She went quiet again, chewing on the inside of her cheek as she became lost in thought. 

She exhaled sharply, finally making up her mind to speak. "[color a2d9ce]Can I tell you something?[/color]" Callan looked at Marcus seriously, sitting forward in her seat as her hands gripped the cushions for support. 

A small portion of Marcus immediately tensed in response to Callan's request. Another one of the buzz-phrases that made him incredibly nervous. The silence that had preceded certainly hadn't done any favors to alleviate his worry.

"[color 33ec06]Sure Cal, whatever you want![/color]" he said, attempting to maintain the guise of nonchalance. 

She noticed the discomfort that followed and couldn't keep the subdued smirk off her face, thinking about all the things she [i]could[/i] say after a question like that.

"[color a2d9ce]It's dumb,[/color]" she laughed disarmingly, "[color a2d9ce]So don't tell anyone, but... I like to think I might be as strong as a Precursor one day. And maybe even... more than that? I dunno...[/color]" Hearing the words out loud, she suddenly realized how incredibly ridiculous it sounded. Not only that, but it made her sound really full of herself. Immediately regretting her decision, Callan folded one arm and ran her free hand through her bangs nervously, hiding half her face, which was becoming increasingly hot. 

"[color 33ec06]What?[/color]" Marcus asked in confusion, quickly hurrying to continue his thought before Callan could get the wrong idea. "[color 33ec06]That's not dumb at all! In fact, we're probably the closest to actually achieving that; definitely way closer than all the regulars out there in the world.[/color]"

His attitude quickly switched to mocking, as he rolled his eyes and looked at her while she tried to hide herself. "[color 33ec06]That's like a guy with three arms saying 'I like to think I could be really good at piano', or a master chef being like 'I like to think I might be able to make really decent pancakes'. The only dumb thing is you thinking that's dumb, dummy.[/color]" he finished.

"[color a2d9ce]Tch,[/color]" Callan scoffed, lowering her hand and shaking her head in disbelief, "[color a2d9ce]That's one way of putting it.[/color]" She smiled, averting her eyes again. Why was she so happy all of a sudden?

"[color a2d9ce]It's just like you said in that interview. We were given these abilities so we could help. I think it must be destiny-- or something like it-- because when I was a younger...[/color]" she stared at the television with a distant look in her eye, "[color a2d9ce]I always thought it'd be so cool to be a Precursor. Even after the world came crashing down, I thought... 'Wouldn't it be nice to be able to [i]do[/i] something about it?'[/color]" 

"[color a2d9ce]But I was just a kid and nothing bad ever happened in Atlanta. So it was kinda easy to just forget about all the bad stuff and move on. ...Keep thinking it'll never happen to you, so why bother daydreaming? ...Sometimes I still can't believe this is all real. Other times I sort of hate it. But mostly I...[/color]" she hesitated, blinking as if she suddenly remembered that she was talking to someone. "[color a2d9ce]Well, nevermind. You get what I mean,[/color]" she laughed nervously. 

There was no denying it. Even with its frustrating quirk, Callan loved this power. She was damn proud of it. She loved the idea of vanquishing monsters left and right-- having the ability to do so without anything ever standing in her way. It was why she believed she was here. It gave her purpose. 

But with the most recent events, she wasn't at all ready to try and explain why some others might not have been meant for such a life. 

"[color 33ec06]I think we [i]all[/i] grew up thinking it would be cool to be one of the Precursors. Everybody wants to have superheroes to believe in...feel like there's people out there protecting them. Before our time, they had comic books and stuff like that to pretend with. We were raised with living, breathing, superheroes. People who actually [i]could[/i] do things about it. It was a nice thing to pretend, at least.[/color]" Marcus said, a brief twinge of what seemed like disappointment in his voice, quickly covered up by his usual chipperness. 

"[color 33ec06]But yeah, I get what you're saying; it's definitely got it's ups and downs, but we're the superheroes now! Destiny, fate, whatever it was that put us here; we've got to make the most of it, you know? [/color]"

"[color a2d9ce]Exactly![/color]" Callan seemed plenty fired up by this validation, scooting closer to the edge and center of the couch. Grinning from ear to ear, it was hard to imagine she was the same person who, up until yesterday night, had been hiding away in her room. 

"[color a2d9ce]I'm glad [i]somebody[/i] gets it,[/color]" Callan smirked, not-so-fondly recalling her conversation with Kusari back on the island. She'd chalked most of it up to Kusari having just experienced what's it's like to feel Zoe's full wrath, but still... it was refreshing to hear another contrary opinion. 

Marcus grinned as well, it was good to see Callan actually excited about something, rather than the down-and-discouraged version he'd seen the last month or so. It was the same Callan from the first mission, from the Capture the Flag game. Pumped up and ready to kick ass. In a way, it encouraged him, too.

"[color 33ec06]I feel like we need to make some sort of dumb toast or something. 'To being heroes', you know what I mean?[/color]"

She snorted at the suggestion, stifling a small laugh. "[color a2d9ce]With what?[/color]" Callan teased. 

"[color 33ec06]I don't know? Our imaginations? I can pretend, I don't know about you![/color]" Marcus said, shrugging wildly.

"[color a2d9ce]Hmm,[/color]" Callan hummed with a mockingly stern expression, narrowing her eyes at him. All at once, she smiled again and held out her hand, formed around an invisible glass of champagne. 

"[color a2d9ce]To being heroes, then![/color]" 

"[color 33ec06]The best that we can be![/color]"

[/hider]

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/SqhcfKy.png[/img][/center]
[center][sub][color=silver]ℂ𝕠𝕝𝕝𝕒𝕓𝕠𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 ℙ𝕠𝕤𝕥   / /   [@Baklava][@banjoanjo][/color][/sub][/center][hr][hr][center][color=silver]𝕋𝕙𝕦𝕣𝕤: 𝕆𝕔𝕥. 𝟠, 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟘   / /   𝕌𝕊𝔸ℝ𝕀𝕃ℕ 𝔼𝕒𝕤𝕥   / /  𝔸𝕕𝕞𝕚𝕟𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 𝕆𝕗𝕗𝕚𝕔𝕖  / /   𝟙𝟚𝟘𝟘[/color][/center][hr][hr]
[hider=Permission Slip Up]
[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/Dc7pZZb.png[/img][/center]

Callan stood before the administrative building, slowly lowering her headphones as she took in the view before ascending the short set of steps leading up to the lobby. It felt strangely daunting. Far more so than the administrative office at her old high school. She hadn't felt the need to seek out Rosa or Freddie or anyone in charge since she arrived. Of course, she'd had plenty of questions and concerns, but up until now she'd resolved to simply go with the flow. No matter what Kusari said, Callan trusted them. Even if she was just a tool to them, she could at least reason out that the government value herself and everyone to some degree. Enough to keep them fed and wanting for virtually nothing. 

Enough to make them Unit B. 

And after seeing what Unit A could do, Callan was certain that was no petty title. 

Even so, none of that stuff was the reason for Callan being here today. Pushing open the door slowly, she paused in the doorway, craning her neck for any idea of who to talk to. 

Not that it made things any clearer. The lobby was a hub of bustling activity. Suited workers traveling to and fro from the elevators, carrying files and papers more often than not. Paces were brisk and conversations were usually little more than a passing nod of acknowledgment. Front desk clerks evaluated student queries with a frightening efficiency. There was an atmosphere of controlled urgency to it all. The number of guards posted on the four corners of the room did nothing to assuage that.

A ticket machine by the front door blinked, inviting Callan to register and join one of the numerous queues by the desks. In the far corner of the lobby, a particularly large throng of soldiers stood at attention, bulk and armor easily obscuring their assigned staff member as she spoke to one of the clerks. Only a tinge of tied-back brown hair could occasionally be seen.

Eyes fixing on the machine, Callan made her way over quickly, careful to avoid getting in anyone's way. She tapped the touch screen gingerly, inputting what information she could up until one of the 'next' buttons seemed to be taking an extra long amount of time to register her command. In that moment, she did exactly what any other normal, impatient human being might do. She tapped the screen twice as hard. 

[i]Crack![/i]

Callan's hand recoiled and she gasped, gripping the offending appendage, still frozen in its pointed position.

[color=f7976a]"What the hell did you--"[/color]

An attendant gaped as he hurried to the ticket machine, tapping frantically in vain hope for a reaction. The screen glitched, unresponsive, the display artificing in a shattered display of color.

"[color a2d9ce]Uh, I'm sorry![/color]" Callan stammered, moving out of the way, "[color a2d9ce]I-it was an accident![/color]"

[color=f7976a]"Accident?! Do you know how many people use this thing?"[/color]

The staff member gripped his jaw. Must've been some kind of coping mechanism. One that wasn't working at all.

[color=f7976a]"Argh, it's gonna take days for the repairman to arrive. What am I supposed--"[/color]

[color=f7976a]"Woah, pump the brakes there, Henry!"[/color] a female voice cut him off.

The cadre of soldiers on the other side of the room had relocated to the commotion by the entrance, a familiar, diminutive figure leading the pack. Rosa ignored the hapless attendant for the moment.

[color=f7976a]"Supergirl! Ah, it's been too long,"[/color] she chimed with a friendly grin.

"[color a2d9ce]Uhhhh,[/color]" Callan knew better than to say she could fix it. Though a small, darker version of herself couldn't help but think that if the machine hadn't been so buggy, she never would've pressed the screen too hard in the first place. Nonetheless, she did feel awful.

Rosa's sudden appearance was nothing short of a godsend. Callan smiled, somewhat uncomfortable with the sudden friendliness from someone she still considered to be a total stranger. The massive entourage of soldiers didn't help much, either.

"[color a2d9ce]Hey, Rosa,[/color]" Callan answered, "[color a2d9ce]Yeah, haha. It's... good to be back.[/color]"

[color=f7976a]"What's the haps around here?"[/color] the staff mage continued, catching sight of the broken screen, [color=f7976a]"Gee, I hope that's salvageable. You'll give poor Henry here another meltdown."[/color]

[color=f7976a]"It was one time,"[/color] the attendant muttered quietly.

"[color a2d9ce]Yeah, I really am sorry about that,[/color]" Callan reiterated, looking between Rosa and the disgruntled man.

[color=f7976a]"See? She's super sorry,"[/color] Rosa physically turned Henry to face the Arbiter, who he regarded with an annoyed pout. Seeing this, Rosa sighed. [color=f7976a]"I'll give the repair guy a call. See if he can fast track this job."[/color]

[color=f7976a]"The one with the sideburns,"[/color] Henry insisted, [color=f7976a]"Everyone else leaves scuffs on the tiles."[/color]

[color=f7976a]"Right, right,"[/color] Rosa glanced behind Callan, [color=f7976a]"We should probably head off now. You seem like a busy guy."[/color]

With that, Rosa beckoned the girl to walk with her, leaving a bewildered Henry behind to face a throng of students entering the lobby.

[color=f7976a]"So, how've you been? Helicopter flights are always a such a job on the ears."[/color]

Callan gave one last apologetic glance to both 'Henry' and the broken machine before hurriedly following. "[color a2d9ce]Uh, I've been alright,[/color]" she answered tentatively, "[color a2d9ce]I think the helicopter rides are kinda fun.[/color]"

Rosa whistled. [color=f7976a]"You should tell that to Greten. Guy has the worst motion sickness I've ever seen."[/color]

A wave and finger gun to one of the desk clerks before she continued.

[color=f7976a]"You've got something on your mind? Or are you just paying your supervisors a friendly visit?"[/color]

Callan forced a small laugh, still not quite sure what to make of her friendly neighborhood 'supervisor'. 

"[color a2d9ce]Actually, I wanted to make a special request,[/color]" she took a deep breath, "[color a2d9ce]It's about the curfew. I'd like special, exclusive permission to access Ground Zero at night. W-with extra soldiers along the outside to keep anyone from sneaking in while I'm in there.[/color]" She did her best to keep her voice from shaking, but it was plenty obvious that how serious Callan was about this. 

Rosa's smile only shrunk a fraction. Her tongue clicked as she thought it over.

[color=f7976a]"That's a big ask."[/color]

"[color a2d9ce]I know,[/color]" Callan squirmed, nervously running her thumb over her knuckles, "[color a2d9ce]But a person almost died the last time I tried using my ability in there. My, uh... [i]whole[/i] ability.[/color]"

It was a weird thing to come to terms with-- knowing that Rosa and all the other supervisors had to know about what happened in Atlanta. Really made her think.

"[color a2d9ce]To be honest, I'm not even sure why I wasn't put in my own room when I got here,[/color]" she admitted.

[color=f7976a]"Yes, previous incidents are no secret among the staff. We don't have you wear those cuffs for no reason."[/color]

White lines suddenly flashed around the mage's eyes. She seemed sympathetic.

[color=f7976a]"Practice makes perfect. I get that. You've been getting closer to what you want but you want to speed up the process, right?"[/color]

Rosa gave the girl a once-over, raising her eyebrows at what she saw. It didn't seem like she would be making any comment at the moment. Her eyes drifted upward as she thought aloud.

[color=f7976a]"Your request though. There's the paperwork to go through, the Ground resets to work around. Plus Zhang's beefed security by like a thousand so I don't even know how long it'll take to acquire soldiers to block off that whole area..."[/color]

Callan followed Rosa's line of sight, warily shooting glances back at the ominous white lines around the woman's eyes. She frowned, disheartened, "[color a2d9ce]So... there's no chance of me training there any time soon?[/color]"

[color=f7976a]"I'm thinking it over. Why does it have to be outside of curfew? Kids need eight hours of sleep a day, they keep saying that. Are you sure we can't just cordon off an area for you in the daytime?"[/color]

Callan shook her head stubbornly, "[color a2d9ce]I can sleep during the day. Please-- I promise I'll take care of myself.  Besides, I...[/color]"

Callan hesitated, knowing that the safety of her friends wasn't the only thing at play here. "[color a2d9ce]I just don't want to risk it. Misery has a pretty far range, and I think it might be growing. It's already managed to grow wings![/color]" Her tone was beginning to sound a bit pleading, though she did her best not come off as some whiny teenager. 

[color=f7976a]"...You gave it a name? And you can fly now?"[/color]

"[color a2d9ce]Uh,[/color]" Callan twisted her fingers, "[color a2d9ce]Yeah...? I named it Misery....[/color]" Never name something when you're in a bad mood. Of course, she knew she could change it whenever she wanted but... w-wasn't it kind of cool?

She cleared her throat, "[color a2d9ce]And [i]I[/i] can't fly. Only that thing can.[/color]"

[color=f7976a]"Hm. Not the zinger I would've gone with,"[/color] Rosa hummed thoughtfully. Her translucent pupils stared back at the girl, [color=f7976a]"You keep talking as if you and Misery are two completely separate things."[/color]

'Misery' was the perfect name for something that caused so damn much of it. But epithets aside, Rosa's second statement was far more concerningly contrary. Confused, the young arbiter cocked her head to one side. Her eyebrows knit together and an incredulous smile pulled at the corner of her mouth. 

"[color a2d9ce]What do you mean? I have [i]barely[/i] any control over it. It's just like... super angry all the time! Attacking anything that moves like some sort of starved animal![/color]" Callan explained, exasperated.

[color=f7976a]"Okay, okay,"[/color] Rosa raised her hands in surrender, knowing she'd crossed some line, [color=f7976a]"Sorry. I was just telling it how I see it. Literally."[/color] She tapped her white-branded temple with two fingers. [color=f7976a]"I'll keep it to myself next time."[/color]

"[color a2d9ce]Well--- no, wait. What do you mean 'how you see it'?[/color]" Callan asked. She wasn't used to talking about her ability in depth with other people. Much less people who could apparently tell her something about it. "[color a2d9ce]I'm sorry, I just.. it's been really frustrating,[/color]" she admitted.

The staff mage tried a reassuring pat on the shoulder. [color=f7976a]"I know. All this--your case, especially--must be a lot to take in. You've been working harder than most. That's why you're here, right?"[/color]

Her hand withdrew and she took a breath before launching in. The white lines thickened, almost forming a solid mask around her eyes. [color=f7976a]"Grumpy keeps me around because I don't just record powers. I identify the specifics too. As far as your Misery is concerned..."[/color]

A pause as Rosa took another good look.

[color=f7976a]"You already know that she's deeply connected to your emotional state. Mental too. But I'm not talking about heat-of-the-moment, temporary stress and stuff like that. She's connected to [i]you[/i]. Something,"[/color] her arms waved about in a vague gesture, [color=f7976a]"bigger than your current feelings. You."[/color]

Callan furrowed her brow and rubbed at one of her temples. "[color a2d9ce]I don't suppose you could be a little more specific?[/color]" she chuckled hopefully.

Rosa's smile dropped an uncharacteristic amount, wavering for only a second. [color=f7976a]"Hmmmm,"[/color] her gaze roamed Callan once again, settling on [i]something[/i], [color=f7976a]"sorry, can't say. My power's good but it's not that good. Here."[/color]

The staff mage beckoned to one of the soldiers behind her. Apparently he was the one in charge of holding her desk supplies when Rosa was on the move.

[color=f7976a]"Thanks Jer,"[/color] she said, before handing Callan a sheet of paper. 'Callan Webb can go to GZ and sleep late' was hastily scrawled on the back of a repair bill. Hopefully that wasn't an important document. In the bottom corner was Rosa's signature and a strangely patterned stamp, a symmetrical series of branching lines, reminiscent of those currently flaring around her eyes.

[color=f7976a]"I'll put the word out. Official paperwork'll be done later but you should be able to go by tonight. Protocol says that GZ has to be cleared for the midnight reset by 11:45 but I'll make sure that you can enter afterwards. Use it wisely, 'kay?"[/color]

Her eyes were as wide as saucers as she watched Rosa write out the note and hand it to her. "[color a2d9ce]Really?![/color]" she beamed, momentarily forgetting all about the disappointment of not being able to gleen more information from the staff mage. "[color a2d9ce]Thank you so much![/color]" Callan exclaimed. Nigh unable to contain her excitement, she grasped the smaller woman's hand a little [i]too[/i] tightly and gave it a rough shake before bolting towards the door. 

"[color a2d9ce]You won't regret it![/color]" she called back, waving the permission slip over her head and flashing Rosa one last smile before disappearing out the door.

Rosa waved back happily, using the hand Callan hadn't shaken. As soon as the girl was gone, she turned to the soldier, indicating to the other hand. She hadn't dared move it.

[color=f7976a]"Jerry,"[/color] she said, her grin looking strained, [color=f7976a]"tell Dr Patterson I'll be visiting shortly."[/color]
[/hider]

[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/FWMorlL.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/SqhcfKy.png[/img][/center]
[center][sub][color=silver]ℂ𝕠𝕝𝕝𝕒𝕓𝕠𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 ℙ𝕠𝕤𝕥   / /   [@banjoanjo][@Baklava][/color][/sub][/center][hr][hr][center][color=silver]𝕋𝕙𝕦𝕣𝕤: 𝕆𝕔𝕥. 𝟠, 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟘   / /   𝕌𝕊𝔸ℝ𝕀𝕃ℕ 𝔼𝕒𝕤𝕥   / /  𝔸𝕕𝕞𝕚𝕟𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 𝕆𝕗𝕗𝕚𝕔𝕖  / /   𝟙𝟚𝟛𝟘[/color][/center][hr][hr]
[hider=Barely Aware]
Enough was enough. Ernie didn't know that it'd be so tiring to be kept in the dark like this. But Zoe was right. Lives were starting to get lost. He needed answers, fast.

Even if he had to talk to a traitor to get them.

The Aberration walked with his eye on his phone's clock. Midday. If her appearance on his first day was anything to go by, Rosa would be making her way to the cafeteria around now. He'd cut her off from the administration building. So that was the plan. Slow paces kept him from idling too suspiciously outside of the building. His eyes were trained on his phone. Something started rumbling towards his direction. He glanced up.

Huh.

Was that a blue-ish green or a green-ish blue?

Ernie managed to get his rope up in the knick of time, right before he was cleanly knocked off his feet.

"[color a2d9ce]AHH![/color]" Callan had been looking down at her permission slip while running. A terribly awful decision in hindsight. At the very last second, her eyes met with Ernie's, desperate to try and communicate at least eight different things at once.

[i]Get out of the way.

Sorry you had to die like this. 

I'll be at the funeral.[/i]

She squeezed her eyes shut in an effort to at least avoid seeing the aftermath. Certainty she [i]tried[/i] to stop, but ultimately ended up falling as well. Right on top of him with her arms outstretch and face buried in the front of Ernie's jacket. He was miraculously more sturdy than she thought he'd be. Opening her eyes a fraction of an inch, she noticed the tell-tale glow and released the breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. 

"[color a2d9ce]E-Ernie,[/color]" Callan stammered, voice slightly muffled.

[color 00a99d]"...Yeah, hi."[/color]

Ernie had a few principles to live by. One of them was to keep blackberries out of as many recipes he could. They stained his hands. Another was to avoid being horizontal outside of sleeping hours. There was very little reason to dirty his clothing. It was because of this principle that he was currently trapped a Matrix-esque backwards lunge, suspended by his golden rope but pinned by Cal's weight. Hopefully his jacket hadn't touched the ground.

[color 00a99d]"Do you, uh..."[/color] Ernie mumbled, noticing that the girl was [i]very[/i] close all of a sudden, [color 00a99d]"could you..."[/color]

"[color a2d9ce]Y-yeah s-sorry,[/color]" she stammered again, face burning even hotter as, finally over the initial shock of almost killing someone, Callan found herself struggling to find any solid ground to push off of. Her arms flailed uselessly for a moment before she quickly noticed exactly how Ernie had managed to fall while partway suspended in air. Eventually she realized she'd have to place her hands on his torso in order to get off without sprawling onto the concrete. Muttering more apologies as she did so, Callan carefully pushed herself back up into a standing position. 

"[color a2d9ce]Are you okay?[/color]" she asked, pushing her hair out of her face as Ernie pulled himself up the rest of the way using his rope. 

[color 00a99d]"I'm fine, just...surprised,"[/color] he breathed, inspecting the bottom of his jacket, [color 00a99d]"It'll take a lot more than a football tackle to take me down."[/color]

He found an almost invisible line of dust near the bottom seams. Ah, crud. Another thing on the to-do list. Suppressing his frown, Ernie turned his attention back to Callan. His eyes widened marginally, guilt lining the back of his mind. Shit, when was the last time he'd even tried to talk to her? It felt like he rarely even caught a glimpse of her these days, unless she was unconscious or mortally injured.

[color 00a99d]"You're not in your room?"[/color]

"[color a2d9ce]Oh,[/color]" Callan had been so caught up with everything else, she almost forgot how long it'd been. "[color a2d9ce]Yeah, I'm... trying to get out more,[/color]" she chuckled nervously, still needlessly fixing her hair with one hand as she shoved the other into her pocket, tightly clutching the permission slip.

"[color a2d9ce]I was goin' through a rough patch after DC... but I'm alright now,[/color]" she tried to smile reassuringly. 

[color 00a99d]"Yeah, after everything that happened there, I can't blame you. We all let each other down that day."[/color]

Over her shoulder, Ernie could see Rosa inside the building. She was...flopping one of her hands in a soldier's face for some reason? Either way it didn't seem like she was leaving at the moment.

[color 00a99d]"It's great to see that you're feeling better! I know I should've visited but..."[/color]

But there wasn't a reason. She just hadn't been a priority over this whirlwind of weeks. Ernie averted his gaze.

"[color a2d9ce]Dude. Ernie, it's okay,[/color]" she smiled again, waving her hand in front of her face, "[color a2d9ce]I was bein' a real wuss so I wouldn't even have answered if you did. And I know it was tough for everyone involved, so... you know. Don't worry about it. ...okay?[/color]" 

Ernie shook his head. No, he could totally understand why she'd want to shut them out. They were monsters. D.C. had made that clear for everyone to see. Hell, maybe it would have been better if he just shut himself away too. That Lily mess wouldn't have happened. And Angelique...

[color 00a99d]"You're not a wuss, man. I totally get it. I'm just glad you're back now."[/color] A bitter chuckle escaped his lips before he rolled his shoulders. [color 00a99d]"It's been ages, huh? Honestly, last time I saw you was when you were fighting that Amigo. And before that, you were being carried away from the Hazel thing in D.C."[/color]

"[color a2d9ce]Ohh, yeah,[/color]" Callan groaned, "[color a2d9ce]That girl can sure land one heck of a punch... I'll give her that much.[/color]" She squirmed uncomfortably. Callan didn't like the idea of being so vulnerable for so long and getting pounded repeatedly by a giant ethereal hand wasn't very far up on her list of things she liked to remember. She hadn't even woken up until she was in her room at Zhang's Estate. 

"[color a2d9ce]B-by the way...,[/color]" she Callan began hesitatingly, "[color a2d9ce]Any idea what happened to me after I got knocked out?[/color]"

Ernie grimaced at the memory. [color 00a99d]"Uhhh, Sander finished Hazel off. And then he carried you both away to the evac zone. I-if you saw that leaked footage, that would've been the clip that got him his nickname."[/color]

His eyes averted once more, but for a completely different reason now.

[color 00a99d]"I told him to find some clothing...if that helps."[/color]

The insinuations of Ernie's final sentence sank in slowly. Her expression shifted into one of sheer horror. Callan buried her mouth and nose in her hand, shoulders becoming stiff. She wished she could melt into the floor. 

"[color a2d9ce]Sh-she... she vaporized my clothes...?[/color]" Callan asked, closing her eyes, her voice shaking with hopeful desperation.

[color 00a99d]"Uhhhhhh,"[/color] Fuck, he'd made a bad move. It wasn't like he had wanted to see--urgh. Naked stuff was the worst. [color 00a99d]"I..."[/color]

Behind Callan, it seemed that the squad of soldiers was starting to shift. No, no, he needed that information.

[color 00a99d]"Look, I--"[/color] he said more hurriedly than he liked, [color 00a99d]"Rosa is--I, uh, I need to go."[/color]

And go, he did.

[color 00a99d]"But I promise we'll hang out sometime,"[/color] he shouted over his shoulder, disappearing into the building, [color 00a99d]"Text me when you're free!"[/color]

That would be a yes. Callan was suddenly so happy that she'd chosen to hole herself up in her room after DC. God, she wasn't sure if she'd ever felt this embarrassed in her entire life. 

She didn't even get a chance to say goodbye before Ernie left, apparently late for an appointment with Rosa or something. Not that she minded. It took a few more seconds before she was even able find the nerve to walk, trying to think positive thoughts about the permission slip and her plans for that night. 

Anything but the idea of her naked ass being hauled across Washington D.C. by [i]Sander[/i], who was probably just as naked if their past fights were anything to go by. 

She found a nearby bench to collapse into, desperately in need of a mental recouping. Honestly, she wanted to go home and hide under her covers for a good several hours, but she had a full schedule today. Burying her face in her hands, Callan sat like that for a good 20 minutes.[/hider]

[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/jw3F1O9.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/SqhcfKy.png[/img] [/center]
[center][sub][color=silver]ℂ𝕠𝕝𝕝𝕒𝕓𝕠𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 ℙ𝕠𝕤𝕥   / /   [@ERode][@Baklava][/color][/sub][/center][hr][hr][center][color=silver]𝕋𝕙𝕦𝕣𝕤: 𝕆𝕔𝕥. 𝟠, 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟘   / /   𝕌𝕊𝔸ℝ𝕀𝕃ℕ 𝔼𝕒𝕤𝕥   / /  𝕆𝕦𝕥 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝔸𝕓𝕠𝕦𝕥  / /   𝟙𝟟𝟘𝟘[/color][/center][hr][hr]
[hider=How's Your Fine?]
A part of himself wanted to stop.

He [i]crushed[/i] that part of himself as he strode through the grounds of USARILN East, stowing away the combat phone that had been such an excellent way of finding people before. Brent supposed that he could just ask instead. Supposed that this was a bit stalker-ish, creating these chance encounters by using these trackers. But the arbiter didn't care. If he had all this information about her whereabouts, he was going to use it before he got cold feet, before he decided that it was better to leave her alone for a bit longer.

He couldn't do that anymore. Couldn't slow down and couldn't act as freely as he had. And, as that bobbing turquoise head appeared around the next bend on the road, Brent picked up his pace.

A part of himself wanted to slow down, prepare a bit more before saying 'hi' once more.

He [i]crushed[/i] that part of himself, dug deep into the scabs of that particularly pathetic conversation, and prepared to break more than a few bones to fix that bridge once more.

[color=B0C4DE]"Hey Callan,"[/color] he said, calling from a 'safe' distance.

If she ignored him, that was fine too.

Callan had never had much of a problem with napping-- even in the worst of circumstances. But today was different. She hadn't felt this excited for a [i]long[/i] time. When sleep stubbornly continued to allude her, it seemed only natural that a walk around campus might tire her out. Every few minutes, she stopped to summon a weapon, feeling the effects of it drain her stamina at an alarming rate. She'd have to be careful pacing herself later tonight when she finally got a chance to let loose in Ground Zero.

In the middle of adjusting her headphones, Callan heard her name and stopped. She recognized the voice immediately-- Brent. 

She hesitated for a moment before turning to face him, pulling her headphones down around her neck and switching the music off on her new phone. Phone number three, if she was remembering correctly.

And there he stood. The only person with the guts to recognize what she'd done and say it to her face. There were plenty of mixed feelings that rose to the surface. Shame, fear, disappointment, discomfort. He'd put on such a face before mentioning Sav, too. She'd never quite figured that out, but his words had still stuck with her. Another phrase in the choir of things that haunted her every time she dared remember.

[color=B0C4DE][i]"...you could have done better."[/i][/color]

And she would.

"[color a2d9ce]Hey, Brent,[/color]" Callan answered with no small amount of uncertainty. 

That was as far as he had planned. There were abstract stuff, of course, like getting her trust, mending that bridge, tearing off that scab, but the words themself...there had been nothing planned past the first exchange, the first greeting. The loss of Sav was still something that numbed him, but now...Gregory. Angelic. And a truckload of maids and butlers who had no right to get caught up in that storm of Mexican bullshit. How about a myriad of folks in DC that were crushed, assimilated, or frozen? How about...

No.

[color=B0C4DE]"Feeling better?"[/color] he asked, maintaining his distance even if her superpowered legs cared little for it. [color=B0C4DE]"Haven't seen you at all on the island."[/color]

"[color a2d9ce]Uh,[/color]"" she wasn't sure what she had expected. Maybe he was going to let her have it for what happened back at the estate. Or maybe D.C. She could've been way 'better' in both cases, but... why now? 

"[color a2d9ce]Yeah, I'm fine. Had some things to sort out, that's all.[/color]"" It took a moment before she finally felt confident enough to meet his eyes, but when she did, all her nervousness seemed to melt away. "[color a2d9ce]What about you?[/color]"" she asked pointedly, "[color a2d9ce]You alright?[/color]""

[color=B0C4DE]"Glad you worked things out. Marcus was worried."[/color]

There was a pause as he considered her own response, amethyst eyes locking onto her own, not budging an inch. They more or less broke over Sav, huh? But now Gregory and Angelic were gone too, and yet he felt...less and less about it. Was [i]this[/i] something that he had adjusted to as well? When so many others said how it never got 'easier'? Thoughts to lock away.

[color=B0C4DE]"Could be better,"[/color] Brent said, finally, [color=B0C4DE]"Could...definitely be better. Not sure if I should be happy about being alright though. How's your 'fine'?"[/color]

'Marcus was worried.' Her train of thought almost completely derailed at that and it showed. Just for a moment, though. Because there was that word again. 'Better.' Though this time it didn't seem to be directed at anyone in particular. 

[i]How was her 'fine'?[/i] She knew she messed up in Wisford, but did she really owe him that sort of answer? Opening up to her roommates was one thing, but getting that real with someone as suspiciously tactful as Brent was something else entirely. He stared back at her with just as, if not more serious resolve. Weird, considering what she remembered of his interview. A stark contrast to the one Marcus and Emma did. 

[color 8A3DFF][i]"I mean, looks aren’t everything, y’know? I don’t know how much you’ve talked to him but… he’s kind of… I don’t know how to put it, kind of off putting.”"[/i][/color]

Callan frowned at the memory. The words that came out of her mouth surprised her, but she managed not to show it. "[color a2d9ce]Why do you care?[/color]" she asked, her tone more curious than angry, though the irritation was definitely there. She almost immediately regretted it. Basing her opinion on someone else's was a dreadful habit, even if she did trust Emma. 

[color=B0C4DE]"Because..."[/color]

Slight hesitation, before he pressed on, even though he had lost his original train of thought. Spontaneity, so unstable, so dangerous.

[color=B0C4DE]"I want to know where you are, after Washington, after Bald Head Island."[/color] A breath. A moment to gather his abstract thoughts, which provided him with no stimuli even when a [s]close[/s] friend of his died. [color=B0C4DE]"How are you feeling?"[/color]

"[color a2d9ce]I...[/color]"

She still didn't want to answer-- but that was unfair. They were teammates, after all. The well-being of one person could affect the whole team and Zoe and Hazel were perfect examples of that. She of course could understand that much.

And two more people were gone. People she'd hardly known. But if this scenario was anything like what happened with Savannah, then...

"[color a2d9ce]I'm here,[/color]" Callan replied, "[color a2d9ce]Very much here.[/color]" 

She sighed, "[color a2d9ce]Sorry if it didn't seem like it these past few weeks, but yeah. I'm feeling alright, all things considered. Washington was... it was kinda hard for me to deal with.[/color]"

[color=B0C4DE]"I'm glad you're alright."[/color] A bit of tension left his shoulders. [color=B0C4DE]"It was hard on a lot of us. Still is."[/color]

Angelic, utterly destroyed by the ramifications of her actions. Siena, regressing into monstrosity in response. Zoe, falling further and further. Hazel, still in whatever nightmare state she currently was in. Ernie and Marcus, both wrestling with their own demons. And Kusari, a total, complete meltdown.

[color=B0C4DE]"For what it's worth,"[/color] he said, [color=B0C4DE]"I'm sorry for running away."[/color]

Callan nodded in agreement, stopping short at Brent's apology. It made her so uncomfortable, she couldn't help but smile, finally dropping her gaze.

"You don't owe me an apology, Brent," she smirked at herself, shaking her head in disbelief, "[color a2d9ce]I screwed up back there. I screwed up [i]bad[/i]. I don't even blame you. I can't imagine how I'd feel if somebody got one of my friends killed because of a stupid miscalculation like that.[/color]" 

She swallowed hard, "[color a2d9ce]I think about it [i]every day[/i].[/color]"

[i]He wasn't apologizing for what he had said.[/i]

But he bit down on his tongue and nodded, understanding the unending cycle that Callan was putting herself through. He didn't need to say it, that his real regret was running away before allowing herself a response. Didn't need to say it, that he was apologizing for abandoning the group in Bald Head Island, in Washington. That if he had stuck around, maybe things wouldn't have turned out as horribly as they did.

Ernie had been wrong about one thing.

The Proteus in Washington wasn't a pro strategist either. Not if he had allowed that hellhole of an evacuation attempt to occur.

[color=B0C4DE]"Don't let it break you,"[/color] he said instead, [color=B0C4DE]"Because you did well. Both in Washington and in Bald Head Island."[/color]

While he had floundered, too slow to prevent Gregory's bisection.

'Well.' Callan couldn't say she agreed, but she wasn't one to ignore a compliment when she heard one. And as usual, it went straight to her head. 

"[color a2d9ce]Trust me, I'm far from broken,[/color]" Callan smiled bitterly, "[color a2d9ce]But I've still got plenty of work to do before our next fight.[/color]"

[color=B0C4DE]"Get it done then,"[/color] Brent managed. [color=B0C4DE]"I got your back, so just focus on what's ahead."[/color]

She nodded. "[color a2d9ce]Same thing goes for you. Deal?"[/color]

Brent laughed, unexpectedly. [color=B0C4DE]"Guess that makes sense, with the round Earth and all."[/color]

His hand reached out.

[color=B0C4DE]"Deal."[/color]

Callan hesitated, staring at the Brent's outstretched hand for a moment before stepping forward. For all her indecision, the grip was firm-- her version of gentle, more or less. She confidently smirked, shaking his hand once before letting go. 

Brent didn't seem so bad, did he? Maybe a little weird, but... there was something about him that Callan found... refreshing. It reminded her of the conversation she'd had with Marcus that morning. Maybe thinking poorly of him had just been an easy way to deal with it all. Having the chance to say sorry would'nt have done anything to help anyway. It was a selfish desire from the start. A meager hope for something that would make her feel less guilty. Well deserved and certainly nothing to get defensive about. 

But he was right. It was time to focus on what was ahead. 

"[color a2d9ce]Alright, well. See you around, Brent,[/color]" Callan waved, reaching for her headphones and turning to leave. 

[color=B0C4DE]"Eyup, stay cool,"[/color] the arbiter replied, leaving as well.

It was a good five minutes of awkward silence before the two actually parted ways though.[/hider]

[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/55cuDim.jpg[/img]  [img]https://i.imgur.com/SqhcfKy.png[/img] [/center]
[center][sub][color=silver]ℂ𝕠𝕝𝕝𝕒𝕓𝕠𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 ℙ𝕠𝕤𝕥   / /   [@Piercing Light][@Baklava][/color][/sub][/center][hr][hr][center][color=silver]𝕋𝕙𝕦𝕣𝕤: 𝕆𝕔𝕥. 𝟠, 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟘   / /   𝕌𝕊𝔸ℝ𝕀𝕃ℕ 𝔼𝕒𝕤𝕥   / /  𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕋𝕣𝕒𝕔𝕜  / /   𝟚𝟙𝟛𝟘[/color][/center][hr][hr]
[hider=Knock on Wood]
What exactly constituted stalking? Do you have to relentlessly follow someone for days? Surely only doing it once didn't count, right? Kusari was thinking of pointless things really, all she had done was search the campus all over for Callan. And here she found her in the same place she'd first spoke to her, sleeping outside by the track once again. Kusari didn't wake her up right away, instead just looking at the girl for a moment. This was definitely stalking now.

She needed a moment, or rather, she wasn't sure if she wanted to speak to Callan after all. But she needed to speak to someone, being alone with her thoughts wasn't helping. [color=662d91]"Callan."[/color] Her voice was more tired than she thought it'd be. The girl likely didn't hear her anyhow with her headphones on. Kusari leaned down and lightly shook Callan's shoulder in an attempt to wake her.

Callan's headphones were definitely blaring too loudly for her to hear Kusari's first attempt to get her attention.

[i][url=https://youtu.be/CQsUNvYBch0?t=3m37s]You're[/url] good at being bad
You're bad at being good
For heaven's sakes go to hell
Knock knock on wood[/i]

The music was soft, but the lyrics were more or less clear. Callan had thought herself sneaky, laying down behind the first two sets of bleachers with her hood up and arms crossed. The small shake worked a little too well. Callan's eyes flew open and she began to lurch forward  "[color a2d9ce]M'up![/color]" she exclaimed as if caught in the middle of sleeping when she shouldn't be. 

She blinked up at Kusari, the sillouette of her head and shoulders illuminated by the buzzing track lights behind them. Callan pulled down her headphones and sat up a little more slowly, too disoriented to say anything right away.

[color=662d91]"Ah, s-sorry."[/color] Kusari said. [color=662d91]"Didn't mean to... whatever."[/color] She cleared her throat and sat down next to Callan with her legs crossed. [color=662d91]"I uh, wasn't able to sleep yesterday."[/color] She stated, her voice sheepish. It was true, she hadn't gotten any sleep since they'd arrived back at the school. The bags under her eyes could have told Callan that on their own. [color=662d91]"I thought I could just get over it but I can't. I actually... I really did die back then."[/color] She covered her face with her hands as a jolt of pain went through her chest. She leaned forward, taking a deep breath before straitening herself again and placing her hands on her legs. She'd suffered all sorts of pain recently, but this was more debilitating than any of it. She didn't feel like herself, the more time passed she felt ever more pathetic and weak. 

[color=662d91]"I saw my own body Callan. I was dead and I don't think all of me came back."[/color] She likely wasn't making much sense between her context devoid words and shivering tone, but she hardly knew what to say, she just needed someone to listen.

"[color a2d9ce]It's fine,[/color]" Callan muttered, glancing down at the time on her phone. She still wasn't too happy with Kusari, but... she wasn't about to just leave. Not until curfew, anyway. Besides, she really did feel bad about what happened to Kusari. It couldn't have been easy. 

Callan pulled herself up towards the bench directly above where Kusari had decided to sit, pausing before she sat down. A look of alarm crossed her face as Kusari continued speaking, rousing her fully from the grogginess her unscheduled nap had resulted in. Was... was Kusari losing her mind? She'd tried to put what happened out of her mind as well, but... evidently with far more success.

"[color a2d9ce]Kusari,[/color]" Callan sat beside her instead, "[color a2d9ce]Look... it... maybe you just...[/color]" Words were really failing her. She had no idea how to fix this sort of thing. To make matters worse, she was pretty sure she knew what Kusari wanted. She'd been exruciatingly honest about the way she felt. Meanwhile, Callan couldn't keep herself from uselessly pining over someone else. 

She forced a small smile, hugging herself for support before finally deciding on what to say, "[color a2d9ce]You know... I was really upset when I saw you like that. You really scared me back there.[/color]" She hesitated for a moment before adding. "[color a2d9ce]It would've really sucked if you died.[/color]"

Kusari didn't say anything for a moment, creating an awkward silence. Of course Callan wouldn't believe her, let alone fully understand what she was talking about. Even still, it was true that Callan would have been upset had she stayed dead. But for how long? The world wasn't going to stop on her behalf, many of them had died already and all they could do was move on. She couldn't help but imagine what it would be like if she were gone. People talking about her in the past tense, gradually just... getting over it. She didn't want to become nothing but another bad memory. 

[color=662d91]"Thank you."[/color] Kusari looked Callan in the eyes as she put on a bittersweet smile. [color=662d91]"You're a sweetheart, you know that? I can't think of many reasons to live, but you have to be pretty high on the list."[/color] She spoke without thinking again. She quickly realized what she'd said and turned her head. [color=662d91]"Sorry, I uh, didn't mean it that way."[/color] She mumbled as she twirled her braid between her fingers.

Callan's face immediately felt warm and she laughed nervously. "[color a2d9ce]Oh, haha. Well-- y'know,[/color]" she leaned back on one arm and ruffled the back of her hair, "[color a2d9ce]I, uh... I seriously just hate seeing you like this, so... i-if I can help, I'd like to... do that....[/color]" Her nervous smile softened as she uncertainly added each syllable, ameythst eyes flickering to Kusari's fingers as they twisted around the long white braid. She silently recalled the time when Kusari had accidently sliced the poor thing clean off, idly wishing Kusari herself could recover as easily as her hair seemed able to.

Kusari noticed how fidgety Callan was for a moment, and she believed she knew why. It wasn't as if she were that naive, from her point of view Callan was clearly trying to find the right balance of words between being a good friend and [i]leading her on.[/i] That or the girl was more unaccustomed to someone being interested in her than she thought. Maybe her filter had truly broken down completely finally, or maybe she enjoyed feeling normal around Callan, but Kusari decided to tease her a bit.

[color=662d91]"Is that so?"[/color] Kusari leaned back to be eye to eye with her. [color=662d91]"What type of [i]help[/i] did you have in mind?"[/color]

If her face had been warm before, it was absolutely flaming now. Callan froze like a deer caught in headlights, the meaning behind Kusari's suggestion sinking in at a rapid pace. Immediately, she felt goosebumps erupt across her skin. "[color a2d9ce]Th-that's not what I meant![/color]" she hastily clarified, sitting up.

This reaction was more than Kusari had expected, it was just too perfect. [color=662d91]"Pff."[/color] She let out a puff of air as she turned her head, trying not to burst into laughter. The dam couldn't hold however, and she found herself holding her gut as she went into a giggling fit. [color=662d91]"Oh man..."[/color] She wiped her watering eyes and took a breath to calm down. [color=662d91]"I'm sorry, you're just really cute when you're flustered like that. I think you've been helping me already Callan, more than you know."[/color]

"[color a2d9ce]Hmph![/color]" Callan snorted derisevly, giving Kusari a gentle shove in the shoulder with her elbow. A shove which was probably a little more rough than intended.

"[color a2d9ce]Yeah, right,[/color]" Callan rolled her eyes-- suddenly a little suspiscious of whether or not Kusari had been lining her up for that joke all along. She held that embarrased scowl for a moment or two before shaking her head. "[color a2d9ce]Well, I guess it's worth it if it makes you feel better,[/color]" she reasoned out loud before swiveling around in her seat to face the track. She leaned back on the upper seat behind them, propping her elbows and feet up so that she comfortable sprawled across three seats. 

"[color a2d9ce]What are you doin' out here so late, anyway?[/color]"

Kusari nearly toppled over from Callan's shove, was she really not used to her strength yet? At any rate it seemed she was off the hook for now. Now Callan was asking her what she was doing out so late, the same could be asked back couldn't it? [color=662d91]"I can't sleep, and I couldn't stand sitting in my room alone. So I came to find you... Not sure what to do now. Maybe train?"[/color]

Callan stiffened a little at the suggestion. "[color a2d9ce]This late at night?[/color]" she rose an eyebrow, feeling the weight of the permission slip in her pocket all of a sudden, "[color a2d9ce]Isn't it almost curfew?[/color]"

Kusari couldn't help but touch the cuff around her neck at the mention of a curfew. [color=662d91]"What are they gonna do, shoot me?"[/color] She said with bitter derision. [color=662d91]"It should be fine as long as I stay on campus, right? If not I guess I can work out in my room."[/color]

Callan eyed the collar quietly, recalling what they'd told her back on the island. She didn't like how much it reminded her of Hazel, but it wasn't her place to say it wasn't at all necessary. 

She resolved not to say anything about Kusari coming to find her-- though it did make her remember the last time she'd discovered her sleeping on the bleachers. It seemed so ridiculously long ago.... 

"[color a2d9ce]Absolutely not,[/color]" Callan shook her head and stood up, slinging her bag over one shoulder and holding one hand out for Kusari. "[color a2d9ce]You [i]just[/i] said you didn't get any sleep the other night. The last thing you should be doing right now is training.[/color]" Ulterior motives aside, Callan did feel that Kusari was in no shape to push herself. "I'll walk you home and we can hang out a bit if you think that'll help. Curfew's not until 11, so we got time."

She smirked, "[color a2d9ce]Don't think I've forgotten about that list of shows I gave you.[/color]" She mentally kicked herself for making such an offer, but she'd already made up her mind. She and Kusari were... very different. But she was willing to let it go for now. Just for now. 

[color=662d91]"Ah, Callamom has arrived."[/color] Kusari joked, taking Callan's hand and standing to her feet. She wasn't exactly dead set on working out so she had no reason to fight her on this. [color=662d91]"That sounds nice actually."[/color] She said, not mentioning that Callan would be alone with her in her room. Perhaps at another time she would think something of it, but she'd given up on Callan already. At least that's what she kept telling herself.

"[color a2d9ce]Oh, no. Terrible pick for team mom,[/color]" she scoffed as they began walking, "[color a2d9ce]If anything, that'd probably be....[/color]" Her mind drifted to Angelique for some bizarre reason. She hadn't spoken with her very much, but she'd always noticed how friendly and outgoing she was. 

[color 9e0039][i]"I just wanted to know if you were alright."[/i][/color]

She could so clearly remember Angelque's voice-- even with the number of times she'd ever heard it directed towards herself being so few. 

[color 9e0039][i]"I'm glad you are okay."[/i][/color] she'd said back at the hospital in La Plata, [color 9e0039][i]"If you need anything, or want to talk, my room's just across. Have a good night, Callan."[/i][/color]

Callan almost didn't notice that she'd been quite for a second too long. "[color a2d9ce]Well, anyone other than me, really,[/color]" she finished with a short laugh. 

Kusari didn't notice the lull in conversation, her mind was busy wondering if her room was clean or not. She could remember the path from the door to her bed, that was about it. That was probably a bad sign. [i][color=662d91]Oh well.[/color][/i] She decided to face whatever state her room would be in as her and Callan arrived. [color=662d91]"Honestly, Zhang is team mom. If only Child Protective Services could help us... No more wire hangers mom, I swear."[/color] 

Kusari was tired.

Arriving at her room, she opened the door with mild apprehension, only to let out a relieved sigh. How could her room be messy when she hardly owned anything in the first place? She walked over to her bed and flopped down onto her back. [color=662d91]"Alright, so what are we watching?"[/color] 

"[color a2d9ce]Heh,[/color]" Callan chuckled half-heartedly, still not quite used to Kusari's more morbid sense of humor. When nothing else came up after that, Callan let the conversation idle until they reached her dorm. Kusari's room was... depressingly empty. She eyed the two empty beds, remembering Sander and Christmas had moved out before they left for the Wisford mission. She opted not to comment on that... even if it would give Kusari a chance to explain herself. 

"[color a2d9ce]Aw, what?[/color]" Callan flipped the light on and inspected the TV in the living room. "[color a2d9ce]You haven't upgraded your TV,[/color]" she frowned, unsure of why she assumed that would be anyone's first priority. "[color a2d9ce]I don't have my stuff so we can watch Netflix on here without a smart TV,[/color]" she mused, "[color a2d9ce]But, uh... that's alright. We can just use my tablet.[/color]"

[i]Would that be okay?[/i]

Callan pulled it from her her bag and hesitated, glancing between the couch and the bed that Kusari was lying on. "[color a2d9ce]Uhm....[/color]" She tried not to overthink it. Probably unwise, all things considered. Callan made her way over to the bed, seating herself on the further edge as she began scrolling through the different shows. 

Kusari sat up and looked at her television. Now that she thought about it she'd never even really used it. There was always something else distracting her. She looked over to Callan as she searched for something to watch. [color=662d91]"I don't have eagle eyes you know."[/color] She said, noticing how far the girl was sitting on the bed.

A figurative red devil appeared on her left shoulder. [color=662d91][i]This is your chance to get closer to her![/i][/color] The devil screamed into her head. Kusari let out a fake cough and shook her head. She couldn't risk her friendship with Callan like that, as far as she knew it would be impossible anyhow. But how should she play this?

A figurative angel clad in white floated down onto her right shoulder. [i][b][color=662d91]Do it.[/color][/b][/i] Her conscious was completely compromised. Kusari bit her bottom lip as her face took on a menacing glare. Again, this was sadly her embarrassed face. Thankfully Callan's eyes were on her tablet, giving her enough time to calm down.

"[color a2d9ce]Sorry, I was just, uh...[/color]" Callan hurried up her search, landing on a show that she thought Kusari might enjoy. She scooted a bit closer, obviously reluctant to get [i]too[/i] comfortable. "[color a2d9ce]Here,[/color]" she leaned over, reaching across Kusari's legs to prop the tablet up against the bedframe before hitting play. 

Kusari's right eye twitched as Callan reached across her legs. Had she always been this easy to rile up? Perhaps being tired did it, or the fact that they were so close together on her bed. Regardless, she felt good being with someone, away from her thoughts that crawled up in her solitude.

The first episode started up, but Callan remained where she sat for the first several minutes. Her attention quickly became glued to the screen after that, every so often noticing Kusari out of the corner of her eye. Though she was really just interested in knowing whether or not she liked it. A mostly chill action comedy with a good deal of the darker sort of humor Kusari seemed to enjoy. Eventually, she found herself more engrossed in the show than she thought she might be. It'd been a while since she seen it. 

"[color a2d9ce]Scooch over,[/color]" Callan whispered, still watching the screen. It was clear she wanted to lay down. 

[color=662d91]"Huh? oh, sure."[/color] Kusari was thoroughly invested into the show Callan had picked, to the point that she almost forgot that she was right next to her. Almost anyway. [color=662d91]"This is a pretty good show, I'm glad because I was prepared to rip it apart otherwise."[/color] Kusari said as she gave Callan room to lay down. As they continued to watch she suddenly found her eyes becoming glossy. She wished she could have met Callan in better circumstances. The looming threat of death would forever be above Callan and everyone else. It just wasn't fair. 

She rubbed her eyes and focused back on the tablet. At least she could have moments like this.

"[color a2d9ce]You? A harsh critic? [i]No way![/i][/color]" Callan teased, settling into a more comfortable position. Once again, exhaustion prooved to be the best cure for expelling cares. Her nerves, which always seemed to be at least a little on edge around Kusari, managed to settle enough for her relax. Mostly.

It was a great way to kill the time and definitely took her mind off what she planned on doing later. Captivating as the show was, however, Callan couldn't help but start nodding off a few more minutes in. The room was dark, the bed was warm, and she'd done a right awful job of trying to physically prepare for her impending all-nighter. She put up a hell of a fight though. Eye lids drooping, her head bobbed precariously for a moment before she finally buried her face in her arms and fell asleep. 

Kusari only noticed Callan had fallen asleep once an episode of the show ended and she turned to look at her. This wasn't okay for a number of reasons. Kusari picked up the tablet and after fumbling with it for a few moments was able to put it into sleep mode. She turned back to Callan and hesitated for a moment. Her hand was above the girl's head, she was tempted to do... something, but she knew better than that. She moved her hand to the girl's shoulder and lightly shook her. [color=662d91]"You weren't planning on sleeping over I'm guessing."[/color]

"[color a2d9ce]Wuh?[/color]" only half-roused from her sleep, Callan didn't even bother opening her eyes. "[color a2d9ce]What time is it?[/color]" she asked, her voice muffled by the sleeve of her hoodie. 

[color=662d91]"Late."[/color] Kusari simply said. [color=662d91]"You have somewhere you need to be? You aren't gonna come back covered in blood again are you?"[/color]

"[color a2d9ce][i]No,[/i][/color]" Callan grumbled, sitting up just enough to reach for her phone, "[color a2d9ce]Jus' gotta leave before the-- [i]CURFEW![/i][/color]" Seeing the time on her phone, Callan sat up quickly, scrambling to get off the bed and gathering up her things. 

[color=662d91]"Oh, alright."[/color] Kusari grabbed Callan's tablet and handed it to her. [color=662d91]"Thanks for... You know."[/color]

Callan took the tablet and slid it into her bag, pausing once she finally zipped it back up. She smiled sincerely, "[color a2d9ce]You're welcome. Sorry for the uh... for falling asleep. But hopefully you can get some rest now, too.[/color]" 

Callan threw the bag over her shoulder and moved to leave. "[color a2d9ce]You might be invincible, but you still need to take care of yourself, you know. Anyway, I'll see you around, Kusari.[/color]"
[/hider]

[center][img]https://orig00.deviantart.net/0977/f/2016/253/2/7/c_i_t_y_by_bitchbases-dah4cnq.gif[/img] [/center]
[hr][hr][center][color=silver]𝕋𝕙𝕦𝕣𝕤: 𝕆𝕔𝕥. 𝟠, 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟘   / /   𝕌𝕊𝔸ℝ𝕀𝕃ℕ 𝔼𝕒𝕤𝕥   / /  𝔾𝕣𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕕 ℤ𝕖𝕣𝕠  / /   𝟚𝟛𝟜𝟝[/color][/center][hr][hr]

[hider=Misery Training Pt 1]
[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/yHuxoVx.png[/img][/center]

[color a2d9ce][i]Alright, you can do this...[/i][/color]

Ground Zero at night was like something straight out of a movie Callan would never in a million years want to watch. And even if she did, she definitely wouldn't want to do it alone. She glanced at either of the soldiers by the gate, feeling a little guilty for asking that they double the guard. But this was a necessary precaution. Just like her agreement with Zoe-- unfortunately well worth the inconvenience in her opinion.

She could see the lone figure of the girl on top of her building. Template. Likely the most mysterious component of the fake city and its residents. Still standing at the gate, she felt oddly disoriented looking in. It took a moment before Callan noticed it wasn't just her eyes playing tricks. The buildings and people were becoming distorted. Small details flickered like changing channels on a television screen. The warping of a sign, the disappearance of a small piece of debris resting in the gutter... Every so often, she even noticed that a damaged building would return to pristine condition, only for some shop in the distance to take on a collapsed roof or shattered window. 

One visage in particular made Callan's hair stand on end. A girl she thought looked an awful lot like Template. First here, then there. Flickering in and out of existence and just... standing there. 

Did this happen [i]every[/i] night? Overcome with creeped out curiosity, Callan almost couldn't resist asking one of the guards. Before she knew it, the flickering stopped and she was given the go ahead to enter.  

She took a few shaky breaths to steel herself, rolling her shoulders and bouncing on her heels for a moment before she built up the courage to enter. The air was cold, easily adding to the eerie atmosphere in Callan's imagination. Even so, she kept going until she finally found the area where they'd played flag football. Evidently, there was no need to clear it of fake people so late at night. She was surprised she had managed to remember where it was, especially with all the changes those resets had probably caused. Her cuff beeped, signaling that her restraints had been lifted. 

"[color=a2d9ce]Okay![/color] Callan practically shouted, dropping her duffel on the ground beside her. Her voice didn't echo like she thought it might. Another shaky breath and she closed her eyes. "[color=a2d9ce]Come on out.[/color]"

A rush of air rising from the ground in front of her violently rustled the fabric of her hoodie. Aquamarine curls whipped around her face and she squeezed her eyes tighter, waiting a moment after it stopped before she began searching the sky. "[color=a2d9ce]Ugh,[/color]" she groaned.

"[color=a2d9ce]Get down here, stupid![/color]" she shouted, reaching for the reigns. Misery was just barely visible against the night sky, stretching its wings across the moon in a way that... almost seemed like it was enjoying itself. Hands wrapping around the invisible bonds, Callan decided to wait. Ideally, Misery would listen to her commands by word alone-- but even though she could sense that something inside the creature [i]did[/i] obey her, Callan had never been in a position to test it. 

To her astonishment, Misery obeyed-- if a little reluctantly. Upon landing, however, the creature's ear flickered and its massive, shuddering head turned to snarl at a nearby diner. Teeming with Ground Zero citizens. Callan had to throw up her arms to shield her face from the sudden barrage of dirt that was kicked up as Misery began her mad dash. 

"[color=a2d9ce]Pbbt,[/color]" Callan spit dirt from her mouth, not managing to catch where Misery had headed until it was too late. Screams erupted from the building as Misery ripped the diner open like a lion with a freshly obtained carcass, slashing out the insides and discriminating against no one. 

"[color=a2d9ce]God,[/color]" Callan had to remind herself that they weren't real people, but even just the idea that they [i]could have[/i] been made her heart pound in her chest. 

"[color=a2d9ce]STOP![/color]" she shouted. Misery didn't listen. Callan started running. 

"[color=a2d9ce]I SAID STOP![/color]" she tried shouting louder, but with the same results. Nearing the disaster zone, Callan felt the full force of one panicked customer shove into her shoulder, knocking her to the ground. 

Misery's head whipped backward at an unnatural angle before two furious glowing orbs locked onto the offender. Her eyes quickly followed the beast's line of sight to a lady clutching what looked like a limp child to her chest. Blood-- too much blood escaped down the boy's pant leg and for a moment Callan counted herself lucky that the child's face was hidden against his mother's chest. What happened after that seemed reflexive for all parties involved.

Misery lunged at the woman, who promptly screamed and tripped, falling to the ground just before Callan managed to scrambled in between the two. 

"[color=a2d9ce]STOP![/color]" the arbiter screamed again. And Misery obeyed.

...or so she thought. 

Behind her, the woman whimpered and cried, struggling to her feet with her baby still in tow. 

"[color=a2d9ce]Just stay by me,[/color]" Callan tried to caution, "[color=a2d9ce]I'll--[/color]" Too late. Everything seemed to move so slowly all at once. Misery blocked out the moon once more, stepping over her like an ant or spec of dust. One claw was all it took. With a wet crunch the woman was there and then she was gone, batted so far down the street that Callan might've thought she'd been obliterated were it not for the distant crash, followed by a car alarm. 

Callan stood still, her breathing shallow. She felt sick. Misery carefully stepped back over its master and craned its neck towards the diner once more. Before it could make up its mind to move anywhere again, Callan gripped the reigns tightly. 

"[color=a2d9ce]What the hell is [i]wrong with you?![/i][/color]" she shouted, tone full of venom as she jerked the reigns sideways. Misery went crashing down into the dirt. Breathing erratically, Callan waited. Fresh blood ran down Misery's jawline as it opened its mouth. Blood that did [i]not[/i] belong to Misery-- assuming the thing could even bleed at all. Repulsed by the sight, Callan thrust the reigns down again, waiting for the creature to stand before doing it again. 

[i][color 662d91]You're a good person Callan.[/color][/i]

And again.

[i][color 662d91]You didn't choose to do this, to be shackled and forced into battle. You're a tool.[/color][/i]

And again.

[i][color 662d91]Heroes have a choice, and it's choosing to do the right thing when a way out is behind them that makes them special.[/color][/i]

And again.

[i][color 33ec06]It wasn't your fault.[/color][/i]

[i][color B0C4DE]You could have done better.[/color][/i]

[i][color 00ffbb]Do you even know where they're at?[/color][/i]

[i][color=ff57ff]I think you were trying to do the right thing.[/color][/i]

[i][color 33ec06]Nobody did anything wrong[/color][/i]

[i][color=00a99d]Was it really you causing the trouble though?[/color][/i]

[i][color palevioletred]How many more people have to die before you figure out how the world works?[/color][/i]

[i][color 662d91]Those people in D.C wanted us dead the moment things got bad, I had to... Had to kill people--[/color][/i]

"[color a2d9ce]WE DON'T KILL PEOPLE![/color]" Callan screamed before unsummoning Misery altogether. 

She fell to her knees, already feeling the exhaustion of her ability. Almost as if [i]she'd[/i] been the one to tear the diner apart as well take that beating....

"[color a2d9ce]Dammit,[/color]" Callan pounded her fists on the ground. She could still hear the screams. The car alarm kept wailing. A crackling fire was already beginning to engulf the building behind her. [color a2d9ce][i]They're not real. Calm down... calm down...[/i][/color]

[i][color 33ec06]It's definitely got its ups and downs, but we're the superheroes now! Destiny, fate, whatever it was that put us here; we've got to make the most of it, you know?[/color][/i]

That's right. Marcus was right. She had to make the most of this. She was here to practice. Even if things felt helpless now, they would get better. She'd gain control. 

[color a2d9ce][i]Something bigger than my current feelings?[/i][/color]  Callan sniffled, bitterly remembering what Rosa had told her. 

[color a2d9ce][i]Like my inner desire for senseless killing? Yeah. Right.[/i][/color] 

She didn't get it. It didn't make sense. 

A few minutes passed before sirens sounded in the distance. The screams died down, but she could still hear crying. It sounded so sad.... She wasn't sure how the fake cops in Ground Zero worked, but she wasn't eager to find out. Better look for a different spot. 

Standing up quickly, Callan ran back to grab her bag and sprinted through the streets until she came to another open area. It wasn't quite as spacious as the one before, but it would have to do. 

[i][color 33ec06]The best that we can be![/color][/i]

Callan looked over the surrounding buildings. Several windows were alight. A couple walked along the path behind her, arm in arm.

"[color a2d9ce]Sorry,[/color]" she whispered bitterly; her duffel bag hit the ground in a small puff of dirt.
[/hider]