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Location: Redline PRT Headquarters
Date/Time: November 11th, 2022. 5:57 PM
Interactions: N/A
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A pair of scuffing footfalls against the pavement paused in their step along the walkway, the figure standing as still as a statue while others passed by with hardly a notice or care, those that did turning their noses up or pretending they saw nothing. A small palm reached out to catch the soft drift of snow as it added to the light dusting to the ground. Dark eyes tilted to the sky, a slight frown placed on the delicate face and brows furrowing in concern before a deep sigh left her lips, creating a puff of vapor as she shoved her hand back into the worn baggy pullover and picked up the pace. Aaliyah was really starting to hate the appearance of snow, the symbol just meaning a miserable night of trying to keep warm enough to survive the concrete jungle or even to find some hope of sleep. She had been lucky that a few fine citizens had pitied her and when that hadn’t been an option a few abandoned buildings had been better than the alley ways. There had been a few mishaps where she had to avoid authority or nice people trying to get her to an orphanage or back home to her family as they ‘must be worried sick’ which meant quickly bailing before avoiding those areas.
If she had learned anything in the last few months on the streets, it was not to draw unnecessary attention to herself so traveling by foot for now was for the best in many situations unless it was dire enough for a portal. The last thing she needed was to be roped into some kind of criminal activity or gang against her will because they found her useful but that aside, having to fight all the time or watch your back from multiple people without backup because you said no to an offer wasn’t the smartest of choices, portals or not. It was for these multitude of reasons that she had chosen to willingly step up as a volunteer for the Ward Initiative once the information had reached her ears. She wasn’t completely desperate before but she had been too kind, giving up money and sharing what she could so by now, she needed to be a part of this but that wasn’t her only reason. Yes, she needed the money and a place to stay but the main focus was on the people of this city. What was the use of having a gift like this if she couldn’t use it for the greater good? She had been trying her best to help here and there, most not really thankful but that was okay, she just was glad they were safe. She wasn’t all that sure of what she could do or how she could help more but if it meant the difference in a bad situation for someone else then she was all there to try.
A faint beeping caught her attention, causing her to curse under her breath at the warning alarm from the close to busted watch attached at her wrist. She hadn’t reached her destination yet and she still needed to reach PRT headquarters afterwards. Aaliyah swiftly ducked in an alleyway, doing a quick head check before an unnatural glowing purple hue appeared on the brick wall before her, spreading and ripping open the fabric of time and space to provide a new location on the other side of a glowing ring. She stepped through without hesitation, sealing the portal behind her as a shock face stared at her for a moment before pouting. “Girl! Are ya tryin’ ta give this old woman a heart attack!?” the woman sassed, turning her attention to the boy laying on a small mattress that had seen better days. He sat up with a huge goofy grin before coughing a bit harshly with a snuffle, “Allie! You’re back! I thought ya had left for good!”
”Well, I couldn’t just disappear without a proper goodbye from the best little man around. I also have a gift, though I know it’s not much. Tada!”, she said, snaking her hand into her sweater where she had been holding a paper bag and plopping down next to him.
”Hopefully it’s still warm but I know you were wishing for burgers the other day.”, Aaliyah said. “Wow! This is…” he coughed roughly again, nervous panic building in her as she rubbed his back gently. “Sorry, this is amazing but ya shouldn’t have.” he said softly with a small awkward smile.
”It’s fine, I promise. What are a few odd jobs when I get the reward of that smile.”, she answered as he dug into the bag. She looked back to the woman who was frowning at her, the same disapproving gaze she always did when she wasted what little she had on someone else. She had heard the lecture on repeat but it wasn’t something that would change.
”Don’t think I forgot about you.”, she stated with a soft smile. “Ya better not have. Just get yourself straight, dat is a good enough goodbye for me without all the gift hullabaloo.”
”Too late! I already got it so you better use it.”, she answered before tossing a small bag at her. It was caught and tears came to the woman’s eyes upon looking inside.
”That should help him and there are a few more supplies in there that should last for a bit if you use them carefully. I am not sure how well this will go or if I’ll be able to be back but I’ll try. Thank you, for sticking your neck out for me here and helping me when I needed it. You are good people, Molls.” Aaliyah said with a bright smile. The woman wrapped her up in a firm hug and cupped her cheeks. “Thank ya, dearie. Now get outta here. Don’t worry, we were fine before ya arrived and we will be after ya go.”
She nodded, not sure if she would be able to use her voice. She stood up, looking at her watch and almost wincing at the time since she was close to being late. Good thing portals were instant travel because it would have been embarrassing to be late.
”How do I look?”, she asked with a spin. She obviously didn’t look fabulous, with sneakers that were worn out with its original color being questionable, dirt and muck on the ripped jeans, a much loved hoodie that was multiple sizes too large with patch work sewing and a few light stains on the blue fabric, and of course her Afro which probably was sporting a leaf or two somewhere since she hadn’t brushed it out. “Like a million bucks…don’t let them intimidate you.” Aaliyah gave a nod before opening up the portal and stepping through to be met with PRT headquarters, she looked back and smiled.
”Take care.”, she said with a wave, before letting it close and the two of them disappeared from her sight. She took a deep breath, walking with determination as she entered the building, the receptionist waiting at the front. She knew how this was probably going to go but all of this was so excessive and stupid to her. It would be so much easier to just appear without all the fancy checks but it was fair that they needed to be cautious as well as keep things safe on their end.
”Hello….I'm a victim of crime. I'm here to complain that my sister has been hypnotised by the Mutants into auditioning for a movie role as Amazon.”, Aaliyah stated overdramatically even bringing tears to her eyes, figuring if she was going to say the stupidest phrase in existence that she might as well milk it all the way. The receptionist gave a curt nod, not giving away anything about if she was annoyed or pleased with the mini performance and buzzed an Officer who shortly entered into the room, escorting her to the elevator. She felt a nervous wave of panic, trying not to hyperventilate as she looked at the small cramped space. One wouldn’t be able to tell she felt any of those negative emotions as a bright smile was still placed on her lips as she stepped up just to the edge of the door. She glanced up at the Officer and innocently questioned with a hint of hopefulness,
”There isn’t any chance that you would just tell me the floor we are going to and I’ll just meet you there, is there?” She was met with a silent stare and found herself shakily walking into the elevator, closing her eyes and trying to keep calm and collected while gripping the railing until her knuckles turned white.
The ding of reaching their floor was like a sign from the heavens and she had no shame shoving the Officer aside to hastily exit first into a…prison? Huh, interesting. She followed behind, taking a look around as they did so since he seemed to be leading her further to the back. When she was greeted with a wall, she tilted her head figuring he was maybe someone like her or that this was a meeting spot until a retinal scanner popped out. The wall unfolded itself, unveiling yet another elevator, going even further down to who knows where.
”Nope, enough of this. I’m done.”, she flatly stated with a small salute to the Officer before placing a portal next to the elevator by picturing herself in an empty space next to the Director in her mind as she did so, stepping into the sight of….was that confetti? She was utterly confused about the mess she just walked in on as her portal snapped closed behind her before the Officer could be a problem.
”I expected a welcome but the confetti is a bit much don’t you think?”, she joked, trying to be friendly but feeling awkward around those her age. She hadn’t really been around others very much and had a limited experience since school.
”I apologize for almost being late, there was something extremely important I had to handle before hand.”, Aaliyah said directly to Fukuda before looking at the others that had already arrived.
”My name is Aaliyah and it is a pleasure to meet everyone.”, she smiled before taking the closest available seat away from the pile of confetti. ‘
I hope I didn’t miss much…’, she thought to herself.
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