Henry's clock went off. The meta looked over at the digital clock. 5AM.
The hardest part about getting up this early was just that, getting up. Once you were up though, things were easier. In the end it was worth it though. Henry, much like Jaska and other animal based meta humans, had incredible hearing and sensual capabilities, for Henry it hurt to be within the building when the alarm went off, so he improvised. Henry had become relatively used to such early awakenings, and was up and around before most people opened their pretty little eyes. School didnt start for another four hours. He had time for his morning routine.
He had no need for a shower, he didn't perspire like a human did any longer. He didn't really get oily or dirty the way mammals did. His body smelt like salt water - the beach, where he spent almost all of his free time, whether it be surfing or fishing. He was much happier to be a member of staff now. He had a bigger room, and a personal fridge, and no room mate. He was able to store his surf board in the open and actually personalize his residency for a change. He threw on his wetsuit. He had a few of them. Fitted for his huge body, and for his comfort too. They ran down to his ankles, which left a good amount of leg left exposed. His legs were built like a birds, which elongated angle bones that caused him to walk on his toes. Almost like a Raptor's. It ran up his body, but had no sleeves, leaving his muscled arms exposed. Some of it was natural, some of it was earned.
His first activity of the day was opening his computer and sending an email to his family. A quick message, he sent them an email every day, and attached a picture of himself, or a group photo, or something he had found. He got to see them once a year if he was lucky, and he had missed out on a lot growing up without a mother and father. It had led to him being very independent sure, but was that always a good thing? Independent, not distant. He snapped a quick photo of himself giving the 'peace' symbol, and sent, then closed his computer. He grabbed his phone, and one of the many letters he had on his desk, and a sleeve that had a clip on it, which he wrapped around his bicep and attached his phone too. He slipped the letter underneath the phone, and plugged in some bluetooth headphones. It wad now 5:45.
A morning jog before hitting the gym, jog to the wall, one lap just outside of the inner wall, and then jog back. By the time he had returned it was 6:30 in the morning. He had seen another person, a new one, coming out as he came back in. Poor girl, if she wanted to get longer jogs in, she'll nee to get out earlier. Out of breath, he stopped at the gym to get a drink and continue on with his workout. Dead lifting, Squats, sit ups, push ups (wide armed and one armed), pull ups with both his arms and his tail, stretching, and few laps in the pool. He normally would do more, but he was crunched on time and he wanted to have time for breakfast.
He stopped by the cafeteria, getting a huge stack of pancakes, bacon, ham, hash browns, sausage... You name it, he probably had it on his plate. As he ate he slipped the letter he brought with him out of his phone sleeve to read over. He tore it open with his claw, and flipped it open, taking out a card. As he opened it a postcard fell out and onto the table. His eyes flashed to it, to make sure it didnt fall in his food or off the table he was eating on. Seeing it was safe, he returned his attention to the card without really processing the picture yet. He pushed his empty plate away, and checked his watch, which was expensive looking and made of stainless steel. His mom had sent it to him on his 20th birthday. He absentminded toyed with the silver chain around neck. He had gotten that when he turned 21. He heard the alarm go off in the distance. It was 7:30AM. He began reading the letter, it was written in neat cursive, definitely his sister's handwriting.
"Hope you're doing well Scales! We miss you over here! Cant wait to see you again, visit sometime, kay? I love you!"
-Samantha Olin
PS: Consider this your invitation!
Henry furrowed his eye ridges at the letter for a moment, and looked back down to the post card. It was a picture of his sister, most likely having been snapped by the server at the fancy restaurant they were in. Sammy looked incredible, dressed in a beautiful red dress, her asian complexion angelic, her brown hair groomed into a fine braid. The look of shock and awe on her face...
The man in front of her was kneeling down on one knee, he was handsome: Caucasian with slightly tanned skin, tall, dark brown hair and chocolate brown eyes. His face, from the side at least, looked angular and masculine. He had the James Bond look to him: tall, dark, and handsome. But unlike James Bond, he had a bright and shining smile and friendly eyes. He had talked to the man over a voice chat in the past, but he had never seen Henry's face. Scott was his name, and from what he had heard Scott was good humored and the nicest young man on earth. He was in a suit, and holding a black box with something sparkling in it.
Henry's eyes welled up with tears. He was rushed with a wave of nostalgia. Suddenly he was four and his sister was seven, and they were playing in the back yard with their black lab Monroe, who was just a puppy then. Then he was brought to reality, a grown man, a powerful meta human. His sister a strong and beautiful young woman who would soon become someone's strong and beautiful wife. Henry broke down.
He set down the note, and pushed his empty plate aside. Vespera, Valjean, if anyone saw him they would surely make fun of him. But his sister was getting married! He had always been as close as he could to his sibling. He loved her so much and he was so happy she had ended up with someone who made her so happy. He would have to inquire with management about taking two weeks of leave in the next eight months or so, to be there for the wedding. He would have to write her back.
After wiping away the tears, he stood up and returned the plate to be cleaned, keeping the letter and postcard in hand. It was 7:45, people were beginning to come into the cafeteria now, having finished their morning preparation. He left and made a quick stop back at his dorm to drop off his things and change from his wetsuit into a casual blue button up shirt and long khaki pants. He placed the postcard and letter up against the fridge, among many other cards, and used a magnet to keep it to the spot he planted it.
Time to head back down to the cafeteria and socialize with those groggy teenagers who were just waking up. He was ready for the day now. He realized that Jaska would probably need something fresh like he had preferred when he first came here, and he grabbed a cod from his fridge and put it into a plastic grocery bag. If he came smelling the fish, great, if not, he would eat it.
He left his room, feeling nostalgic and happy after the letter he had gotten, and headed back to the cafeteria, only to run into Dana. Not literally of course, but he came pretty close as she was just behind the door. She looked worn out. He could guess why.
"Woah, hey Dana, you need some help?" He said, cocking his head to the side. Not really waiting for her to answer, as he knew well enough she would say yes, he grabbed the handles of her chair and moved her out if the doorway. He wheeled her into the lineup as well, since she would probably need help carrying her food. "When you order, I'll pick it up and take it over. You know me, I've already eaten. Just grab us a table." The reptile man said, giving his friend a smile, hoping she'd manage to snag one of those circular tables with the comfortable chairs. Those were niiiiiice...