[center] [h2] [color=39b54a]Enki[/color][/h2] [/center]
[center] [img]https://drfhlmcehrc34.cloudfront.net/cache/7a/2e/7a2eca87d796d9fd03a702d75817da61.png[/img] [/center]


[b]"...even in a one-to-one setting if you prefer."[/b]

As the man behind the podium finished his speech, Enki pulled back from the crowd that had gathered in front of the electronics store's display window. Enki watched and listened to the crowd intently, making a note of their reactions, before writing it down in their notebook.

Enki reflected on the events that had transpired since their arrival as they began making their way towards the Final Guard HQ at a leisurely pace. Serstol was [i]big[/i]; they'd spent days simply exploring and wandering, and yet seemed as if they'd only scratched the surface. Part of that was due to sheer size, and part of it was because of variety. The food here seemed particularly noteworthy in that department, though they hadn't been able to actually try any of it. That was probably the most glaring issue they'd have to tackle: money. Still, it wasn't like there weren't any options. A conventional job was likely out of the question, but then, parahumans often pursued [i]other[/i] avenues of employment. 

Enki flipped back the pages of their notebook as they rounded a corner, skimming over their notes for each respective day. 

[list]
[*] [i]Stares.[/i]
[/list]

That was perhaps their most common remark. It wasn't all that surprising in hindsight; Enki not only stood out physically, but their clothing did so as well. That probably meant that some people had figured out they were a cape. Enki smiled at the thought. The attention wasn't wholly unwelcome—it wasn't like they were planning on keeping a secret identity, though the idea did feel a tad romantic in retrospect. Enki flipped to a new page, writing the idea down, before moving the pages back again.

[list]
[*] [i]Secret crime-fighter?[/i]
[*] [i]Secret crime-[b]maker[/b]?[/i]
[/list]

The page read: 

[i]Current priority: meet and learn about city's factions and groups. Heroes first, villains after.[/i]

[i]Currently known factions:[/i]

[list]
[*] [i]First Guard (not accepting capes.)[/i]
[*] [i]Junior Guard (might be seen as inappropriate?)[/i]
[*] [i]Tag Team (limited info. Should confirm rumours. Location might prove challenging.)[/i]
[*] [i]Transients (small group, not openly recruiting. Bad reputation due to press?)[/i]
[*] [i]B&S (white supremacists. Violent. Best to exercise caution or avoid altogether.)[/i]
[*] [i]Fallen (Cult villain group. Endbringer worshippers with ties to old world. Violent; exercise caution.)[/i]
[*] [i]Taggers? (rumours about group painting graffiti. Supposedly anti-government, pro cape. Warrants investigation.[/i]
[/list]

As they finished reading, Enki added another name to the list.
 [list]
[*] Final Guard (new hero group. Accepting of heroes. Old world Protectorate equivalent?)
[/list]

Enki circled the newly added name, before smiling.