4/29/2022 (4/28/2022 EST) - Moved plot-important information to my PMs!
Letter Bee
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Filipino RPer
STATUS: Noble Arms is now either four years old, or three years and eleven months. The third thread had lasted for more than one year. 14 days ago
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14 days ago
Current
Noble Arms is now either four years old, or three years and eleven months. The third thread had lasted for more than one year.
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1 mo ago
New Interest Check, everybody!
1 mo ago
My Roleplay, Noble Arms: The ASEAN War, will reach its 4th year in June or July. It's been a long journey.
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2 mos ago
Despite its massive flaws, my RP, Noble Arms: The ASEAN War, is still one of the longest ongoing RPs in RPGuild - It turns 4 years old in July and the current thread itself is more than a year old.
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2 mos ago
On 4/14/2026 (on my end), my RP, Noble Arms: The ASEAN War, is now three years and ten months old, and the current thread is one year and four months.
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<Snipped quote by DX3214>
what can i say im persistent!
<Snipped quote by Letter Bee>
aight ^^ will get a thread going to start patching up factions and stuff and see how it goes xD
Note that I might still not have time; it will all depend.
Andrew Bennett/Hope
Showing a surprising capability to ignore the confetti and the minor commotion this caused, Andrew put on his earbuds then walked over to Will, aka Gray Man, before saying, bluntly, "The earpieces work. Which is good, as we still have to go on that clothes-shopping trip." The boy smiled brightly before passing a hand over his hair, which started to turn silver, then suddenly turned black. "Note that The Wards pay us, so I'll be paying for my new clothes."
Then his smile turned to a light smirk as he continued, "You can pay for lunch, though; there's this coffeeshop - Which also sells sandwhiches - which I haven't been able to do more than look at for my entire life..."
Don't be pushy, Andrew! the young man thought to himself. This is the first time you've ever invited someone to lunch! And we don't even know if he, umm... Yeah, let's not go down that road.
Blinking at himself, then turning to the Director, Andrew said to both him and Will, "Okay, did I say anything wrong? Most of my social interaction was between people I grew up with or are older than me or are younger than me. So I really don't know if I am failing at talking to people right now."
This was true, but Andrew knew enough that Will had very little actual hope for himself; he can sense it. And he knew enough to guess that the other boy wanted friends; very few people his age didn't want them unless they were really screwed up and he had an inkling that Will was not that far gone yet. So Andrew looked at Will in the eyes and said, "On second thought, forget lunch and forget what I said if you want to forget - Let's just be friends."
His hair turned brown again, a demonstration of his control over his powers which nevertheless didn't say too much about what said powers were capable of right out of the blue. There would be time for the others to discover the full extent of his abilities and how they were positively terrifying (The Director had already received a full briefing, by the way).
Now, for Morgan and Aaliyah, Workshop and Jane; he could not afford to intentionally neglect them despite the fact that Will was, well... He himself was an adolescent boy who was facing the fact that he liked other boys and the occassional girl, which led to him probably ignoring the others. So the boy then walked over to Morgan and extended a hand, saying, "So, seems we've got a... I checked this in the dictionary, ramboctious fellowship of potential heroes? If so, welcome; we're glad to have a dedicated healer on our side! Also, if you want, we can go clothes-shopping as well, but on a different day than my outing with Will!"
Yeah... Way subtle about your feelings for the other boy, Wananbe-Romeo. Then to Aaliya, "It's a pleasure to meet you too! You were so cool!"
Which was true; portals were a cool power. He then waved hi to Jane and Workshop before looking at the Director and asking, "So, are we waiting for anyone? Do we have an initial assignment? Is Overclock our squad leader?"
Showing a surprising capability to ignore the confetti and the minor commotion this caused, Andrew put on his earbuds then walked over to Will, aka Gray Man, before saying, bluntly, "The earpieces work. Which is good, as we still have to go on that clothes-shopping trip." The boy smiled brightly before passing a hand over his hair, which started to turn silver, then suddenly turned black. "Note that The Wards pay us, so I'll be paying for my new clothes."
Then his smile turned to a light smirk as he continued, "You can pay for lunch, though; there's this coffeeshop - Which also sells sandwhiches - which I haven't been able to do more than look at for my entire life..."
Don't be pushy, Andrew! the young man thought to himself. This is the first time you've ever invited someone to lunch! And we don't even know if he, umm... Yeah, let's not go down that road.
Blinking at himself, then turning to the Director, Andrew said to both him and Will, "Okay, did I say anything wrong? Most of my social interaction was between people I grew up with or are older than me or are younger than me. So I really don't know if I am failing at talking to people right now."
This was true, but Andrew knew enough that Will had very little actual hope for himself; he can sense it. And he knew enough to guess that the other boy wanted friends; very few people his age didn't want them unless they were really screwed up and he had an inkling that Will was not that far gone yet. So Andrew looked at Will in the eyes and said, "On second thought, forget lunch and forget what I said if you want to forget - Let's just be friends."
His hair turned brown again, a demonstration of his control over his powers which nevertheless didn't say too much about what said powers were capable of right out of the blue. There would be time for the others to discover the full extent of his abilities and how they were positively terrifying (The Director had already received a full briefing, by the way).
Now, for Morgan and Aaliyah, Workshop and Jane; he could not afford to intentionally neglect them despite the fact that Will was, well... He himself was an adolescent boy who was facing the fact that he liked other boys and the occassional girl, which led to him probably ignoring the others. So the boy then walked over to Morgan and extended a hand, saying, "So, seems we've got a... I checked this in the dictionary, ramboctious fellowship of potential heroes? If so, welcome; we're glad to have a dedicated healer on our side! Also, if you want, we can go clothes-shopping as well, but on a different day than my outing with Will!"
Yeah... Way subtle about your feelings for the other boy, Wananbe-Romeo. Then to Aaliya, "It's a pleasure to meet you too! You were so cool!"
Which was true; portals were a cool power. He then waved hi to Jane and Workshop before looking at the Director and asking, "So, are we waiting for anyone? Do we have an initial assignment? Is Overclock our squad leader?"
@Dreadheart, I might - might - still be on board, btw.
Provisional GM Post
Ashton Andrews
Ashton looked at Avelyn and said, “Your family first; Narvia's is in the Draken System while mine is in Sol itself, so it makes sense to go to Epsilon Theta, then Draken'Vina, then Earth, where my parents are. Now, can you tell me what Longannet is like? It’s a planetary capital and logic says that it's fairly prosperous for the rich and powerful, but I need to know what your home district is like and the terrain we’re encountering there as well as what clothes would blend in - I presume we’re getting lower-class disguises? We might also need your powers or someone who looks like an adult to avoid any 'truant officers', too...”
He then paused to consider what Avelyn had said next and replied, “You know what? You’re right that I shouldn’t be clingy to Flame; thanks, Avelyn.”
After all, I can trust him to keep me in his thoughts, he thought before looking at Narvia and saying, “Now, tell me about your family; I know that they’re part of a corporation that supported the Coalition War and that your own 'sperm donor' has abused them a lot. Actually, tell me about the Corporation that 'sperm donor' has; tell me everything about that asshole that you can in just a few minutes.”
Then, realizing the trap he had set for himself, Ashton then clarified, "Actually, it's best if you tell us about your family's defenses and private fleet first! I heard that Mars' corporate families are large enough to own their own private fleets and that your father's corporation has its own ships which are large enough to match one of the Ascendancy's remaining flotillas. Is it possible that he'd send someone against us if we move closer to the 'Core Worlds'?"
@Letter Bee@Landaus Five-One@FalloutJack@Starlance@jdh97@Smike@Senhara
Ashton Andrews
Ashton looked at Avelyn and said, “Your family first; Narvia's is in the Draken System while mine is in Sol itself, so it makes sense to go to Epsilon Theta, then Draken'Vina, then Earth, where my parents are. Now, can you tell me what Longannet is like? It’s a planetary capital and logic says that it's fairly prosperous for the rich and powerful, but I need to know what your home district is like and the terrain we’re encountering there as well as what clothes would blend in - I presume we’re getting lower-class disguises? We might also need your powers or someone who looks like an adult to avoid any 'truant officers', too...”
He then paused to consider what Avelyn had said next and replied, “You know what? You’re right that I shouldn’t be clingy to Flame; thanks, Avelyn.”
After all, I can trust him to keep me in his thoughts, he thought before looking at Narvia and saying, “Now, tell me about your family; I know that they’re part of a corporation that supported the Coalition War and that your own 'sperm donor' has abused them a lot. Actually, tell me about the Corporation that 'sperm donor' has; tell me everything about that asshole that you can in just a few minutes.”
Then, realizing the trap he had set for himself, Ashton then clarified, "Actually, it's best if you tell us about your family's defenses and private fleet first! I heard that Mars' corporate families are large enough to own their own private fleets and that your father's corporation has its own ships which are large enough to match one of the Ascendancy's remaining flotillas. Is it possible that he'd send someone against us if we move closer to the 'Core Worlds'?"
@Letter Bee@Landaus Five-One@FalloutJack@Starlance@jdh97@Smike@Senhara
Ken
Ken ended up behind the mysterious girl and concentrated on empowering her and Reverio, although he made sure to boost the latter more as it was his call and his show. He then shouted, “Once the enemy is subdued or dead, make sure to see if he has any weapons on him or magical items which aren’t cursed! That may give us a boost!”
It seemed his newfound morality was still flexible enough to condone murder and theft (or was it looting as the guy would be already dead)? Then again, extreme measures were sometimes - sometimes, and never with glee - needed to protect the smiles of his people, which did not necessarily rest on his shoulders, but… Actually, some of it did. Izumo needed someone who knew what a Constitutional Monarchy was in order to make sure that its smiles cannot be undone by a future Emperor.
Either way, the boy watched Reverio as the latter handled the darkness-wielder, confident that the former would win against the latter… If only because he saw in Reverio’s eyes someone who had killed before, someone who had taken on the burden of taking life. Or was he just misunderstanding? After all, he wasn’t experienced or omniscient… He just had a gut feeling that Rev and the strange girl were more ‘worldly-wise’ than he was, and for now, all he can do was support them while waiting for their victory.
This man Rev is fighting is an experienced murderer - But we are prodigies and thus have the element of surprise. We will prevail.
And it was thus that Ken discovered something he had long disregarded and even dismissed: Faith. Not faith in the Gods, although he had a conventional amount of that, but rather Faith in other people. Don't get him wrong, he liked other people, maybe even loved them and definitely felt fondness too easily, but he didn't have faith in them to come through for him when needed or their justifications for not coming through when he felt he needed it. But now, when he hadn't even asked, people were coming to his aid, and while their reasons weren't completely selfless, they were, impressively, not selfish as well.
Even among the Vigilantes, Ken had not allowed himself to feel like he was fighting by others' side; he had thought of his previous battles as a way to show off how valuable and special he was. But now, without his magic items and with only his support Gift, Ken was able to put the needs of the group first, to put others' needs and time in the 'spotlight' first.
And it was liberating.
I'm learning to trust, I'm learning to shrug off the chains I put on myself. Now that I can put myself second and let others have the center of attention... I know we can prevail.
@KillamriX88@Dezuel@Lewascan2
Ken ended up behind the mysterious girl and concentrated on empowering her and Reverio, although he made sure to boost the latter more as it was his call and his show. He then shouted, “Once the enemy is subdued or dead, make sure to see if he has any weapons on him or magical items which aren’t cursed! That may give us a boost!”
It seemed his newfound morality was still flexible enough to condone murder and theft (or was it looting as the guy would be already dead)? Then again, extreme measures were sometimes - sometimes, and never with glee - needed to protect the smiles of his people, which did not necessarily rest on his shoulders, but… Actually, some of it did. Izumo needed someone who knew what a Constitutional Monarchy was in order to make sure that its smiles cannot be undone by a future Emperor.
Either way, the boy watched Reverio as the latter handled the darkness-wielder, confident that the former would win against the latter… If only because he saw in Reverio’s eyes someone who had killed before, someone who had taken on the burden of taking life. Or was he just misunderstanding? After all, he wasn’t experienced or omniscient… He just had a gut feeling that Rev and the strange girl were more ‘worldly-wise’ than he was, and for now, all he can do was support them while waiting for their victory.
This man Rev is fighting is an experienced murderer - But we are prodigies and thus have the element of surprise. We will prevail.
And it was thus that Ken discovered something he had long disregarded and even dismissed: Faith. Not faith in the Gods, although he had a conventional amount of that, but rather Faith in other people. Don't get him wrong, he liked other people, maybe even loved them and definitely felt fondness too easily, but he didn't have faith in them to come through for him when needed or their justifications for not coming through when he felt he needed it. But now, when he hadn't even asked, people were coming to his aid, and while their reasons weren't completely selfless, they were, impressively, not selfish as well.
Even among the Vigilantes, Ken had not allowed himself to feel like he was fighting by others' side; he had thought of his previous battles as a way to show off how valuable and special he was. But now, without his magic items and with only his support Gift, Ken was able to put the needs of the group first, to put others' needs and time in the 'spotlight' first.
And it was liberating.
I'm learning to trust, I'm learning to shrug off the chains I put on myself. Now that I can put myself second and let others have the center of attention... I know we can prevail.
@KillamriX88@Dezuel@Lewascan2
Kyros Keahi
Kyros had managed to gain entrance into the western-style Imperial Palace by hiring himself out as a bodyguard to one of the delegates, a mid-ranking functionary who nevertheless had enough 'pull' to get him and his wife expedited 'permanent residency visas' in Hizuru and the rest of the Kou Empire. Nevertheless, he stuck out like a sore thumb in his foreign armor, which led to him being sent out to the roof along with whatever 'Gaijin trash' various other delegates had brought with them. Even then, there were Samurai nearby just as in the rest of the area.
It didn't matter; Kyros was just there to collect information, and what he found was interesting enough. Apparently, the loyalty of NInja/Shinobi was not to be counted on despite the Basaranoō's bluster, the Uchiha were at the forefront of the insurrection, and now the stakes were rising.
The warring sides will be too busy with one another, thought the former Knight, That will allow... Us to come in when both sides are exhausted, and finally, reverse the consequences of a century filled with blood. Then we will reverse the recent course of history and take it anew.
The Rumbling and the victory of Alvarez, Eldia, and Hizuru in the Second Great War was a calamity for the world. The cycle of reincarnation lightened the resulting torment, but it was a calamity nonetheless. He and his wife agreed on that, considering the fact that Alvarez's continued aggression against lesser nations was the reason he had spent a decade in chains metaphorical and literal; his youth was over now and he was unprepared for the demands of maturity due to things he did not want to think about.
Augusta had rescued him, had needed him to provide something he had to be willing to give. A secretly lonely woman, one prepared to endure a husband who might suddenly turn around and resent her for her nationality and her once owning him if it meant that he would not see her as an object less than a tool.
He was prepared to accept that, and even the prospect of mutually owning each other, but there was a whispered agreement between them, spoken only in low tones in their airship's private chambers: That their children, the twins, would rule the nation which had enslaved him and lead it down a better path, a path where his other former masters would pay for what they have done to him and so many other slaves. He chuckled at the prospect; Half-Ishgarian children ruling over the Alvarez Empire - How ironic.
The sun shone brightly on the roof as his fellow mercenaries, men and women of much magical talent but little scruples gave him a suspicious glance. But they had nothing to fear; Kyros would play his part as a bodyguard and fight against whatever reaction the Anti-Accords planned next. After that, once he had pocketed his payment, he had a meeting to go to; he was sure the other members of his real side had finished regrouping.
Make sure not to kill any Anti-Accord person you fight, Kyros thought to himself, Let them escape but not after you showed these pricks here you can fight well. And above all... Don't get caught in too deeply into the Pro-Accord's affairs; you're not the most reticent person, after all.
@Floch
Kyros had managed to gain entrance into the western-style Imperial Palace by hiring himself out as a bodyguard to one of the delegates, a mid-ranking functionary who nevertheless had enough 'pull' to get him and his wife expedited 'permanent residency visas' in Hizuru and the rest of the Kou Empire. Nevertheless, he stuck out like a sore thumb in his foreign armor, which led to him being sent out to the roof along with whatever 'Gaijin trash' various other delegates had brought with them. Even then, there were Samurai nearby just as in the rest of the area.
It didn't matter; Kyros was just there to collect information, and what he found was interesting enough. Apparently, the loyalty of NInja/Shinobi was not to be counted on despite the Basaranoō's bluster, the Uchiha were at the forefront of the insurrection, and now the stakes were rising.
The warring sides will be too busy with one another, thought the former Knight, That will allow... Us to come in when both sides are exhausted, and finally, reverse the consequences of a century filled with blood. Then we will reverse the recent course of history and take it anew.
The Rumbling and the victory of Alvarez, Eldia, and Hizuru in the Second Great War was a calamity for the world. The cycle of reincarnation lightened the resulting torment, but it was a calamity nonetheless. He and his wife agreed on that, considering the fact that Alvarez's continued aggression against lesser nations was the reason he had spent a decade in chains metaphorical and literal; his youth was over now and he was unprepared for the demands of maturity due to things he did not want to think about.
Augusta had rescued him, had needed him to provide something he had to be willing to give. A secretly lonely woman, one prepared to endure a husband who might suddenly turn around and resent her for her nationality and her once owning him if it meant that he would not see her as an object less than a tool.
He was prepared to accept that, and even the prospect of mutually owning each other, but there was a whispered agreement between them, spoken only in low tones in their airship's private chambers: That their children, the twins, would rule the nation which had enslaved him and lead it down a better path, a path where his other former masters would pay for what they have done to him and so many other slaves. He chuckled at the prospect; Half-Ishgarian children ruling over the Alvarez Empire - How ironic.
The sun shone brightly on the roof as his fellow mercenaries, men and women of much magical talent but little scruples gave him a suspicious glance. But they had nothing to fear; Kyros would play his part as a bodyguard and fight against whatever reaction the Anti-Accords planned next. After that, once he had pocketed his payment, he had a meeting to go to; he was sure the other members of his real side had finished regrouping.
Make sure not to kill any Anti-Accord person you fight, Kyros thought to himself, Let them escape but not after you showed these pricks here you can fight well. And above all... Don't get caught in too deeply into the Pro-Accord's affairs; you're not the most reticent person, after all.
@Floch
Ken Illustrious Ikari
Ken took Chinami's hand quickly, not bothering to take more than a second's look at her face or Rev's; it won't do to be distracted by his teenage hormones when around people his own age. He reached out to boost her powers as well, drawing power from his blessing from the heavens themselves to increase his new companions' strength. As he could feel whatever enchantment the girl cast wash over him as well, the boy said, "So, what exactly happened and is happening? The 'Good Doctor' betrayed us and weakened our powers, but what are he and his presumed minions trying to do?"
He then looked around and said, "And can you get us to a safer place where we can talk? I can share details of my powers once we're not in a place where the Doctor can burst in."
Presuming that the girl demonstrated her 'teleportation' (or had she just turned invisible?) power again, Ken waited until he was sure they were truly safe, before opening his mouth to say, "Now, my power can boost all Magic and Blessings; basically, I'm a battery of supernatural energies which can and does overflow to empower people and items and can also choose who to empower. But right now, I am not at full strength; I presume the Doctor was behind that?"
His eyes flashed with reflected light, but he waited for either Chinami or Reverio to give an explanation, ready to suggest a potential battle plan once they were done. It was clear that Doctor Nightman could not be allowed to get out of the building, much less give the Rhean Authorities his own version of events. Like it or not, such a well-connected figure as the Good Doctor seemed to be would be able to cast them as the criminals unless they dealt with him fast, and even then... He was the type to have contingencies.
"I made a timed email to everyone I was acquainted with before going to this clinic," Ken said when given the first opportunity. "I also made sure to record a message in my computer and write in my school notebook about Dr. Nightman's offer and my suspicions about him. Even then, though, we should prepare to get in trouble with any 'Friends in High Places' Nightman has; people like him don't get this much traction unless they have people in authority behind his back..."
@Dezuel@KillamriX88@Lewascan2
Ken took Chinami's hand quickly, not bothering to take more than a second's look at her face or Rev's; it won't do to be distracted by his teenage hormones when around people his own age. He reached out to boost her powers as well, drawing power from his blessing from the heavens themselves to increase his new companions' strength. As he could feel whatever enchantment the girl cast wash over him as well, the boy said, "So, what exactly happened and is happening? The 'Good Doctor' betrayed us and weakened our powers, but what are he and his presumed minions trying to do?"
He then looked around and said, "And can you get us to a safer place where we can talk? I can share details of my powers once we're not in a place where the Doctor can burst in."
Presuming that the girl demonstrated her 'teleportation' (or had she just turned invisible?) power again, Ken waited until he was sure they were truly safe, before opening his mouth to say, "Now, my power can boost all Magic and Blessings; basically, I'm a battery of supernatural energies which can and does overflow to empower people and items and can also choose who to empower. But right now, I am not at full strength; I presume the Doctor was behind that?"
His eyes flashed with reflected light, but he waited for either Chinami or Reverio to give an explanation, ready to suggest a potential battle plan once they were done. It was clear that Doctor Nightman could not be allowed to get out of the building, much less give the Rhean Authorities his own version of events. Like it or not, such a well-connected figure as the Good Doctor seemed to be would be able to cast them as the criminals unless they dealt with him fast, and even then... He was the type to have contingencies.
"I made a timed email to everyone I was acquainted with before going to this clinic," Ken said when given the first opportunity. "I also made sure to record a message in my computer and write in my school notebook about Dr. Nightman's offer and my suspicions about him. Even then, though, we should prepare to get in trouble with any 'Friends in High Places' Nightman has; people like him don't get this much traction unless they have people in authority behind his back..."
@Dezuel@KillamriX88@Lewascan2
I'd also be interested in joining, if there's still room.
And I know that technically the Wards team has already been chosen, but I might have an idea or two around it.
Speaking of which, what's your stance on a PC that's older and more experienced?
Or for a recently captured delinquent given an option to turn life around.
We have those. Also, this is an AU where the Wards are just being founded.
Andrew Bennett/Hope
The other kids at the orphanage had some inkling about what had happened, and so did the caretakers, but they also knew Andrew had done what he had done to protect them from... Something. Nevertheless, his departure to The Wards could only have been a relief, considering the likely consequences of his rash actions. Same for his willingness to arrange a permanent stay in The Wards' own building.
So what happened was bittersweet, even to the boy himself, as the latter took public transport (paying for it, of course) to the bus stop closest to the PRT HQ, seeing a glimpse of who he thought was Overclock helping a lost child half his age (he couldn't be sure, though). Despite the bite of his parting and the awareness that some people wished it was permanent which now coursed through him, Andrew smiled as the vehicle he was in zoomed past shops and residences, places of worship, and entertainment.
This was the city he was going to protect, the city people like Overclock fought to keep hope alive. He believed in them; would they believe in him? Would he give them a reason to?
After all, he didn't come by his powers through innocent means; maybe he was just pretending at being a hero. Maybe he wasn't actually as kind and selfless as he thought he was.
The bus stopped; he didn't notice until he was loudly called down by the bus driver. Paying the fare, the boy set himself down on the sidewalk, momentarily basking in the hope coursing through the city in Overclock's wake. Then he walked towards the PRT building, which he had approached before, and this time, the brutalist (?) architectural style didn't give him pause. Walking towards the entrance and approaching the receptionist, the boy was asked what he was doing here, and the response was:
"I'm a concerned citizen. I'm here to report superpowered members of the Merchants loitering at the local retirement home."
He was promptly escorted to the retinal scanner which led to the HQ, which, to a lower-class orphan like him who was currently in a faded blue shirt and jeans and secondhand sneakers, was positively luxurious. Walking over to the Director, Andrew said, "Andrew Bennett here, codename 'Hope'. I'm happy to serve under you in an official capacity from now on - Wait, Overclock is here?!"
After taking a few seconds to confirm that it was Overclock who was standing before him, Andrew hopped over and said, "Overclock! I didn't know you joined The Wards! It seems we're in good hands, right, if you're here?" Then he noticed Levin and the two Tinkers, before waving hi to them all and saying enthusiastically:
"Hello! My name is Hope and I'm happy to work with you guys!" He then walked over to Levin and took a chair beside him before saying, "So, what's your name? Mine's Andrew, but you can call me Andy!"
The other kids at the orphanage had some inkling about what had happened, and so did the caretakers, but they also knew Andrew had done what he had done to protect them from... Something. Nevertheless, his departure to The Wards could only have been a relief, considering the likely consequences of his rash actions. Same for his willingness to arrange a permanent stay in The Wards' own building.
So what happened was bittersweet, even to the boy himself, as the latter took public transport (paying for it, of course) to the bus stop closest to the PRT HQ, seeing a glimpse of who he thought was Overclock helping a lost child half his age (he couldn't be sure, though). Despite the bite of his parting and the awareness that some people wished it was permanent which now coursed through him, Andrew smiled as the vehicle he was in zoomed past shops and residences, places of worship, and entertainment.
This was the city he was going to protect, the city people like Overclock fought to keep hope alive. He believed in them; would they believe in him? Would he give them a reason to?
After all, he didn't come by his powers through innocent means; maybe he was just pretending at being a hero. Maybe he wasn't actually as kind and selfless as he thought he was.
The bus stopped; he didn't notice until he was loudly called down by the bus driver. Paying the fare, the boy set himself down on the sidewalk, momentarily basking in the hope coursing through the city in Overclock's wake. Then he walked towards the PRT building, which he had approached before, and this time, the brutalist (?) architectural style didn't give him pause. Walking towards the entrance and approaching the receptionist, the boy was asked what he was doing here, and the response was:
"I'm a concerned citizen. I'm here to report superpowered members of the Merchants loitering at the local retirement home."
He was promptly escorted to the retinal scanner which led to the HQ, which, to a lower-class orphan like him who was currently in a faded blue shirt and jeans and secondhand sneakers, was positively luxurious. Walking over to the Director, Andrew said, "Andrew Bennett here, codename 'Hope'. I'm happy to serve under you in an official capacity from now on - Wait, Overclock is here?!"
After taking a few seconds to confirm that it was Overclock who was standing before him, Andrew hopped over and said, "Overclock! I didn't know you joined The Wards! It seems we're in good hands, right, if you're here?" Then he noticed Levin and the two Tinkers, before waving hi to them all and saying enthusiastically:
"Hello! My name is Hope and I'm happy to work with you guys!" He then walked over to Levin and took a chair beside him before saying, "So, what's your name? Mine's Andrew, but you can call me Andy!"
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