[Center][h1][color=gold]Michael[/color] & [color=6ecff6]Nyssa[/color][/h1]
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Michael had been a bit on edge since hitting the old woman who had crossed so suddenly in front of the SUV. He was quite quiet, at least until he was addressed by Nyssa after parking and exiting the vehicle. He had been planning on leaving and grabbing a meal, so talking to Nyssa in her office right now was the only option he had. Michael had wondered what Nyssa wanted to discuss. Worst case, he got fired and would have to go to his roommate Floyd for a new side gig. He'd survive, right?

[Color=gold]"Sure, we can talk now."[/color] Michael answered. The two, with the security detail, made their way to Nyssa's office.

Nyssa had to admit she respected Michael for wanting to get on with it straight away, plus it was a nice temporary distraction from the mess going on around her. Well, it wasn’t all bad, and considering the short time frame, everything was going better than even she expected. Vincent, her head bodyguard, led them to her temporary setup office. She could catch up with the situation at the camp once she had spoken with Michael first. Once they arrived at the office Nyssa asked the security detail to wait outside as she wanted to speak with Michael in private. Resting her hand on Vincent’s left shoulder she reassured him it would be okay to just wait outside the door and make sure no one would disturb them. She trusted him implicitly for he had been protecting her since she was little. 

[Color=gold][I]No guards? So maybe I'm not getting fired. Why would I anyway?[/I][/color]

Once the room was cleared of her guard and Vincent shut the door, Nyssa went round to the side of her desk before delicately going through some paperwork from her case which was in a folder. Looking towards her driver. 

[color=6ecff6]“I have a couple of things I would like to discuss with you, but I will get straight to the point with the first one, I saw what happened in the car…”[/color] Nyssa paused for a moment letting out a soft sigh, it had been a tough few days for her. Michael's eyes widened some, first wondering what Nyssa could b Le referring to. At least until the second question was shot off.[color=6ecff6]“So I want you to be honest with me, how long have you known?”[/color] After asking this she found the folder she was looking for and put it on the side of her desk. Her gaze was fully back on Michael at this point. 

It was a little intimidating, but he kept on a confident face. There was no use acting stupid, but would he just tell his employer he had powers.

[Color=gold]"Can you be a little more specific Ms. Devout? If it's about the music, I can switch up the playlist. Go with some Faouzia or Katy Perry. Anything really."[/color] He tried to plead. Maybe it was about that and not his screw-up with his powers.

Nyssa was not totally impressed with his response, Of course, she knew how he felt, especially after all the laws the president pumped out. Little did he know that she knew exactly how Mike would feel. She had powers too and is also part of a powerful corporation. Leaning back against her desk and folded her arms. [color=6ecff6]“Don’t play coy with me, Mr. Hayes, I will get straight to the point, I saw your little sparkle display.” [/color]

[Color=gold][I]Shit![/I][/color] It was written on his face. And then came the lowered gaze of defeat.

[Color=gold]"Okay… you got me, but listen. I just got my powers today. Literally this morning."[/color] He looked behind himself at the door and then took a big step forward and made his voice a bit quieter. [Color=gold]"If you could just keep this between us. I'll get some more control and the sparkle display will never happen again."[/color] 

There was a moment of silence from Nyssa, gauging him as she thought. [Color=6ecff6]“I believe you.”[/color] pausing for a moment, she surprisingly never backed away when her driver had stepped closer. [color=6ecff6]”I apologise if I was to forward with you Mr. Hayes, I can understand your situation with being Altered and with the passing of those laws will have you exceptionally concerned, especially after what happened in town yesterday.”[/color] She relaxed a little. [color=6ecff6]“Should anyone ask about… your newfound gifts, I will deny having any knowledge of what you are, however, If you can’t avoid the accidental display of your abilities in public, of course, it will be much harder if others know.”[/color]

[Color=gold]"Okay… and thanks. Trust me,  I won't go around trying to be a superhero… or villain. Driver by day and driver by night."[/color] He appeared to have calmed down, especially since he was keeping his job.

Nyssa had finally cracked a smile during the whole conversation. To her it felt like Michael had a pretty good grasp on his current situation, she was thankful for that as she too had to come quickly to grips with things herself. [color=6ecff6]“Good.”[/color] she would reply before unfolding her arms and turning around to pick up the folder she pulled out earlier before facing him once more. [color=6ecff6]“So the second thing I wanted to talk about is your job Mike.”[/color] Once again she became more formal within the privacy of the office. 

Nyssa handed over the folder to Mike for him to look over. He eyed it but did not open it. Most of his attention was on Nyssa. [color=6ecff6]“You see, despite what stupid laws our dear President Forrester put in place, I already saw a loophole, Astraea Corporation does not fall under the category for occupations or professions that an altered is banned from, and as such you won’t be losing your job.”[/color] She allowed that to sink in for a moment. 

[color=6ecff6]“In that folder is a new contract, plenty to look through, but the gist is the pay is pretty much the same, however, Astraea will cover your medical expenses should for any reason you get hurt while working, and considering it is San Francisco, I have also thrown in hazard bonus pay, however, you don’t have to sign or anything like that straight away, take it with you and go through the paperwork and give it some thought before you decide okay.”[/color]

He opened the folder slightly, glimpsing a very wordy document at the top of the rest. No doubt the rest were just as wordy, but a long read was worth the prospect of essentially a bonus… well more than that. Hazard Pay and medical coverage while on the job was a big step up. He briefly smiled before his face showed a slight wariness. 

[Color=gold]"Things are going to get more serious aren't they? Or you at least predict things will."[/color] He shut the folder.

Nyssa moved over to the window to look out of it for a moment, overlooking the makeshift prefab camp she pushed to get set up once again crossing her arms, it was probably obvious that things were weighing heavily on her but she would do her best to keep her focus, but even she could tell things were going to get harder by the minute. [color=6ecff6]“I mean look at this.”[/color] she pointed out of the window. [color=6ecff6]“When I pushed to get Astraea into humanitarian aid to help others, I never imagined in my lifetime I would have to be giving here, I think things are already serious Mike. I won’t lie, I fear yesterday was only a glimpse of things to come. I only hope to god I am wrong.”[/color]

[Color=gold]"You and I both… But she's still out there. People like her and Forrester are gonna make things tough. Especially people like me."[/color] He knew he stated he would become a superhero, but what else can stop an altered like Lori except another altered?

Nyssa was tempted to hint she was like him, but refrained herself, the fewer people that knew the better for now. Instead, she adjusted her suit before turning to Michael. [color=6ecff6]“I agree, If one is not careful, power can corrupt.”[/color] Nyssa paused before a smile crept onto her lips. [color=6ecff6]“I just remembered something my mother told me once. She said 'I believe there’s a hero inside all of us, that keeps us honest, gives us strength, makes us noble'… It's a fond memory, but I believe in it. Despite the evil things happening out there.”[/color] Michael smiled back at her.

[Color=gold]"It's a good thing to believe in. To hold onto."[/color] He gave a few self-assuring nods and shut the folder in his hands. [Color=gold]"I'll look this over today and tell you what I think, Nyssa. Wouldn't want to keep you from all this good you're doing."[/color] He nodded at Nyssa, 

[color=6ecff6]“I appreciate it, Mike. I am only doing what I hope anyone else would do”[/color] Nyssa smiled. [color=6ecff6]“Take your time, I honestly don’t see myself going anywhere in a hurry, but you know where to find me or contact me, But for now, I shall let you go. It looks like I got a busy camp to run, when you leave can you tell Vincent to come in and Mike, Stay safe out there okay.”[/color] Nyssa nodded.

Michael backed away with a bright smile. Nyssa had to be the greatest boss he ever had by far.

[Color=gold]"Sure thing. And you take care too, Nys."[/color] He returned the nod before turning towards the door. After opening it, he made his exit. Vincent was eerily close to the door, making Michael slightly jump. [Color=gold]"Oh! Uh… she wants to talk to you."[/color] Michael informed with an uneasy smile. 

Vincent nodded in response, his face stern as usual. Michael was sure the man had a high body count. He wouldn't ask though.