Curtis couldn't believe his eyes. Everything was going to hell in a hand basket. Luckily Carson had enough composure to get up and actually close the blinds. Maybe now they could at least get some talking in before the mall went completely crazy.
"
I can do something, I think." it slipped out in something of an unsure voice, the wavering voice was almost childishly perplexed. He directed it mostly to Curtis, trying to block Ash from his line of vision because the snake didn't seem as interested in him as the blonde girl and he wasn't about to question it. As much as he preferred animals to humans, snakes had never appreciated his company much. He had always liked dogs the best anyhow, if his dad hadn't been such a neat freak then he would have tried to adopt as many as he could. "
Two days ago, at this party, y'know. People keep blathering about it and this place is small. Anyway-"
Spinning his hand in some motion that was supposed to inspire him to keep talking instead of clamming up out of fear.
Ah, hell. He was becoming a hermit anyway. Right? Right? Words began to tumble out before anyone could stop them. "
I was a little disoriented and I don't know- God, I just thought I was drunk or something but I didn't even drink that much- This girl like told me this kid was trying to get my attention? And I don't know any kids so I was rightfully confused but I like got a good look at him and he was me. He was me when I was like four and I tried talking to him but he was like four, and he kept telling me I looked like his dad- huge insult by the way, I look nothing like my father- and he kept smiling like an imp which means that I used to smile like an imp and that's horrifying. Why didn't my parents toss some holy water on me and call it a day?" laughter, nervous, pitched laughter.
Did this kid ever shut up? "
Point is, I guess, I think I can do that. Whatever that is, y'know? I- I think I can make more of me but- I haven't tried it again because I've been scared senseless and I'm still scared senseless, even more than I am right now. Can you imagine that? Do you know there's a legend about seeing doppelgängers and dying? I'd rather not die anytime soon- I- Sorry. I'm being endless. Just- Yeah."
"Wow Carson. That's crazy. What a wild story." Rose commented and patted his shoulder gently,
"I hope that works out for you well buddy... Mom! Is that you waiting outside the coffee shop? I hear you mom! I'm coming!" and with that, she made a bolt for the door.
Before Curtis could even ask her to stop Ash had thrown more flames towards the door.
"
Whoa, whoa, whoa, sugar," Ash made a throaty growl, flicking his wrist toward the door. A torrent of flame roared from his hand, flames splashing against the door and dropping down to shroud the door in a wall of smoldering metal and rumbling flames. "
Careful, girly. I'm can play nice, but fire ain't too picky on what it likes to cuddle with. He offered her a hand and motioned with his head to the room and the small group of powered people. "
Now," Ash's lips turned in a chesire cat grin, "
Let's all act civilised and get to know one another. We got about ten minutes before the fire department shows up and I'm not letting that flame go away. Play nice and I'll do the same sugar. You don't wanna get smart and you don't wanna get mean, cause I'll win, honey. I'll win and you'll be right back where you started."
"
Everyone just calm down", Curtis said as he allowed the tiles to fall onto the floor, "
We're all just a little excited because we know we aren't alone. Ash, brother o' mine, will you pretty please get rid of some of this fire? We aren't all as ready to cope with it as you are, and in return I'm sure Rose won't try to run away! Right Rose?" Curtis shot Rose a pleading look when he said her name. He didn't want to see anyone get hurt, or much more damage done to his favorite cafe either.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Meanwhile~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Phi walked across the parking lot leading to Pavar's Mall. While he could sense a few more metahumans in the town it seems that at least five of them had taken refuge inside of the mall.
Those fools, he thought to himself. With all of them so clustered together it would be quite easy to dispose of all of them properly. After another minute of walking Phi finally reached the entrance to Mall, one of the electronic doors seemed to be malfunctioning. He made note of the faulty door while he entered the building. His appearance got him more than a few glances as he made his way towards the cafe across the food court. It didn't matter. In his line of work you had to use all the protection you could get, which in his case was the best suit of armor Upsilon could build. Phi finally made it to the door of the cafe, the scent of metahumans on the other side was almost palpable. He slowly placed his hand on the door. It was hot. One of the metas must be a pyrokinetic. Those can get annoying. With the door so hot a calm entrance we out of the questions. Phi took a step back and kicked the door in, quickly stepping inside once the door swung open. He did a quick survey of the room, three males and two females. All metas. Phi drew his large handgun from the holster on his right hip and pointed it at the male bathed in flames. "
Its been a long day. Now this is my last stop before I can head home for some much needed rest. You all can give up or I can end you all by force. The choice is yours." He cocked the gun in his hand, not moving it from its position.