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[@Hitman][@SilverPaw]
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God Jeremy hated flying...

Why HERO couldn't just have had a nice, safe headquarters on the ground like they used to, he didn't understand. One engine issue, either accidental or intentional, and all HERO's leadership could be taken out just like that! He didn't think he'd ever really get it. Other people seemed to find it cool, or inspiring, but he much preferred the stability of solid earth.

[color=A7F374]"Whoa, this s so cool! I've never been in a real aircraft before! Do you get to do this all the time here Mr Stray?!"[/color]

He sighed at the voice that came from beside him, turning to look at his young companion.

[color=96EACE]"Yeah, I 'get to.'"[/color] He sighed. [color=96EACE]"I personally don't think there's any funner experience than sitting in a tiny metal tube hurtling through the sky, with absolutely no control of whether I live or die."[/color]

Graham paused for a moment, tilting his head to the side as he tried to figure out why his teacher had phrased it like that. It didn't [i]sound[/i] very fu-

[color=A7F374]"Oh! Wait! That was 'sarcasm' right?"[/color] He asked, feeling pretty confident he'd gotten it. He was proven correct when the old man let out an [i]actual[/i] smile, if only a tiny one.

[color=96EACE]"Well, wouldja look at that. You're really starting to get the hang of it, aren't you?"[/color]

[color=A7F374]"Yeah!"[/color] The shapeshifter said happily, adjusting his glasses to keep them from falling off when he bounced in place. [color=A7F374]"I could tell because the stuff you said didn't [i]sound[/i] like you enjoyed it at all. Also you smell like fear."[/color]

Jeremy decided to ignore that last comment, instead nodding to him.

[color=96EACE]"Good. That's progress. Don't get too ahead of yourself though, that was an easy one. Starting today, you're going to have to talk to new people on your own, [i]without[/i] me around to come and save you. If you don't want to get tricked again, you'll need to keep working on it, got it?"[/color]

[color=A7F374]"Right! I won't let you down Mr Stray sir!"[/color] Graham said, grinning so widely that Jeremy half expected his face to split in half.

Jeremy half winced at the response, though he couldn't [i]quite[/i] help the small smirk that appeared on his own face at the same time.

[color=96EACE]"God, don't call me sir, I'll break out in hives..."[/color] He said, before feeling the thump of the vtol landing at the academy, sighing in relief. [color=96EACE]"Well, looks like we made it in one piece. Ready for your first mission as a hero?"[/color]

[color=A7F374]"I think so!"[/color] Graham answered, only hesitating slightly. [color=A7F374]"I'll do my best!"[/color]

[color=96EACE]"Well, sounds good enough to me."[/color] Jeremy said with a nod. [color=96EACE]"Alright, let's get going. Time to show the world the [i]real[/i] Graham."[/color]

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It was only a short walk from the landing pad to the docks, where it looked like Principal Lee was busy greeting the other young heroes involved in the operation.

[color=96EACE]"Now Barbara, please. I know it's been a year, but you aren't telling me you've gotten senile enough to forget my face [i]already,[/i] are you?"[/color] Jeremy asked with a chuckle, before looking down to Graham and nodding.

The bespectacled boy nodded back, and approached the principal.

[color=A7F374]"Hey, I'm Graham! I've been travelling with Mr Stray as his apprentice for the last year, so I'm hoping I can be a decent hero like the rest of you guys. If there's anything I can do, just let me know!"[/color]

Jeremy nodded faintly, almost imperceptibly to anyone who hadn't already been watching for it. Sure, the introduction might've gotten a little stiff around the middle depending on who you asked, but it was a lot better than when [i]they'd[/i] first met at least.

[color=96EACE]"Please, Blaze, mind your language. They're just misguided, I'm sure. Not to mention we're also in a school."[/color] He said, before turning back to Lee. [color=96EACE]"But yeah, unfortunately I didn't get a whole lot of information on these kids from the Director before she sent us down here. What can you tell me about the misguided little bastards?"[/color]