Dioxide

'How does it feel to be different?' [Dioxide x Caits]

:p i know how that feels hahaha

'How does it feel to be different?' [Dioxide x Caits]

nice nice :)

I can't wait for the end of this May! I'm going to Thailand with my family for a week! :)

Baybridge: Halcyon Days [Superpowers/Semi-Sandbox]

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^{@tsukune & @Dioxide}

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The Cheng Household, Spring Town, Hedgemount
The Night Before_

"Is that a bullet hole!?" Kannix's mom yelled as she pointed sternly at the perforation in her daughter's jacket - which she had never seen before, she'd like to add. It was nearing midnight, but that was no excuse for noise and activity to go down. Crime and petty life wasn't going to stop when the sun went down, so much so that the annoyance from it all sort of became ordinary. Emma would know this, but this was all of Kannix's life - the one she knew, and only knew. Everything else to Kannix was a jarring comparison.

"I'm fine, it's no big deal," Kannix's hand on the stairway handrail, ready to pounce up to their compact apartment. Kannix's mom had waited for her downstairs, spitting venom at passersby, staring them down with the ferocity of a caged tiger.

"Fuck off it's no big deal! Nevermind where the fuck you've been. Why do you still come back home this late? You know it's far too dangerous to be out here alone!"

"Mom, did you forget that I'm like invulnerable? I shrugged off a shotgun blast last week!" Kannix marched upstairs heavy-footed. Her mom followed suit.

"It's not that! Do you not realize the implications of the trouble you're causing? I've seen people from outside our window looking at our building. They know you live here and they know you have a single mother who isn't invulnerable! People who'd very much like our apartment!"

A neighbour swung his door open.

"Hey shut the fuck up!"

"You shut the fuck up!" Kannix and her mom yelled back simultaneously.

The neighbour slammed his door back shut after the Cheng's did. Kannix wanted so bad to just get to her room, shut herself from her mom and the rest of the world. She was tired, and she didn't want any more bullshit as much as the next Cheng. Her mom reached for her shoulder to turn her around. Kannix wouldn't dare use her powers against her. She gave in.

"What? No smart retort?"

No, there wasn't. Kannix just looked down at the floor, unwilling to look up to see her mother's face. It wasn't just the anger she was scared of; it was the shame and disappointment she knew she would be able to see through the sharp steel eyes. The softness that is the reason for her mother's harsh care for her.

"We can't exactly move out of her, Kannix. No place to go. I don't want to say those fuckers would want a piece of us and come after us; but I'm saying those fuckers would want a piece of us and come after us."

"Then fucking let them come! I'll take them all on!" Kannix finally replied, frustration and despondency in her voice, struggling to hold back her tears, choking on her spit, hands quivering. People's hearts would melt if they saw Kannix cry; a tiny, cute, upset little thing. Emma needed more from her, though.

"And then what? Suppose you do take out an entire neighbourhood. You rid Spring Town of its crime and evil dudes. What are you going to do after that? Have you not, for once, thought about your future? The future that you are so willing to risk and lose because you think you're nigh-invulnerable that you can have the world on your platter. No, that's not how it works!"

"...Then what am I supposed to do...?" Kannix (barely) attended school and was very much average. She could go through the plentiful causes and reasons, but she knew that Spring Towners almost never have a good future.

The two were silent. People at the opposite street were gambling from the sounds of it, and someone just lost and flipped the table over.

Her mother fixed Kannix's dishevelled hair and brought her face up to look at each other eye to eye.

"...Do something more. Be something. Not this. This isn't it. This can't be only it. You're so much more..."

God Kannix wanted to refute, to refuse, to reject. How? How? How was she supposed to be more than something? She started crying in her mom's hands. Her plump cheeks shook as she blubbered, snorted, and went all out.

"I thought someone here was nigh-invulnerable. Loooooossseerrr." Kannix smiled and laughed at the tease.

"Go to bed. You're still in trouble, trouble-maker. I ought to whip your ass, honestly."

"Goodnight, mom."

... ...

Morning came and the two had breakfast together. Kannix talked about how she went with a neighbour ("Do I know this neighbour?" - "Probably not, mom.") to see the DOVE rally at Regal Square. ("You get me anything?" - "No, mom.") Kannix chose not to talk about how she might have gotten two dudes into trouble and probably arrested. She did mention her meeting a boy named Rein ("The fuck kind of boy is called Rein?" - "I don't know, mom.") and how the two talked for a while. ("He cute?" - "Mom stop.")

"Can I go out later?"

"And fucking leave me alone again?"

"I'll get us some stuff before I get back home."

"Where are you goi-" her mom stopped half-way and gasped exaggeratedly. "You going to see Rein, aren't you? Aren't you!?"

"Mom stop please I jus-"

"He cute?"

"Mom, pl-"

"Is he cute?"

"...Sort of. A bit of a freak though."

"You're a freak."

"You're a freak too. You raised me to be a freak."

"Still a freak."

"So can I go?"

"Hmmm..." Kannix's mom kept making odd gestures of contemplation, all fake and attempts of comedy considering the request. "You may go. You must bring me some things though."

"Okay, I wi-"

"And!! And... I want to see how he looks like. Take a picture."

"Oh for fuck's sake." Kannix took that as the prompt to be able to leave. Her strides were long and meaningful. She wanted to talk to Rein, if he could find the heart in himself to want to talk to her again. Yes, he did look cute, but... she wanted to talk to someone about last night. Not that many friends, Kannix - hopefully Rein is around.

"Ahem."

Kannix turned just before reaching for the doorknob.

"Hope you don't forget about last night."

Kannix nodded, solemnly and briefly, before reaching for the doorknob again.

"Have you thought about the Academy? You know, the one we talked about last time?"

Kannix had given it some thought back then but she just wasn't so sure or ready to leave her mother alone in a place like this. She wasn't sure about the arrangement because she was too scared to ask. There is that bit of arrogance in her saying that she did not need to be taught by some oppressive dickface who probably couldn't do anything to her physically (literally) She's heard of it, but like, like... she couldn't think of a reason to go or not to go. If on-

Aahhh!!

"Rein's from the Academy! I remember now! I can go talk to him about it!"

Kannix's mom gave a vicious smirk, and Kannix returned the smirk with an even bigger smirk, crinkling her nose, and widening her smile to expose an evil grin.

"You may leave."

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Academy 61, Roseview_

Her tiny butt raced for the shuttle bus, stopping and nearly breaking the door as she got on. Her time in Little Seapond was very brief what with the clashing bus schedules but man what a peaceful, almost boring sight the town was. It was like two different worlds, Little Seapond and Spring Town: one's a piece of shit and one's the grass that the piece of shit would love to ha- wait, no one's going to want Spring Town. Fuck it. Let's just savour the moment, she thought. Through the noise of the hustle and bustle of the passengers, Kannix watched - not look, watched - as the scenery would present new, delightful things to her. Lakes, ponds, people swimming - swimming! - and being so relaxed. Gosh she knew she was making a weird face but she couldn't help it. The others were used to it, she wasn't. It was like a documentary. She'd switch off from it and see what the people were talking about next to her, but something would catch her eye and BAM! A squirrel!

After a while, the route had it so they were passing a large fence and contained itself was the massive, she surmised, Academy 61. Everyone was pulling out their stuff, ready to get off. Kannix was flattening out her white dress. Even she couldn't believe the work she was putting.

Everyone knew where they were going. Streams of people headed in different directions but a large group went to the, again she's guessing here, main building. Luckily for her, she got it right. There's a lobby, for starters.

"Hi, uhm. I'm looking for someone. His name is-"

Shit. How do you spell his name?

"Rein. It's either R-E-I-N or R-A-I-N. Definitely a He though. About... 'yay' tall."

The receptionist perked up from her boredom, her daydream rudely interrupted by Kannix's sudden appearance at the front desk. Forcing herself to straighten up, she peered at the girl through her round glasses, not bothering to hide the annoyance written loud and clear on her face. "You're looking for someone? Student or staff?" She was completely unfazed at Kannix's overly eager chatter.

"Student! I... think! He's a bit too young to be staff, hehehe." She pointed and gestured to reach for the microphone she could barely see jutting out from her short view of the high counter. "Here, I'll call him." Before the receptionist could even react, Kannix pulled the mic down, loud and sharp as it sounded all over the hallways.

"Rein! Rein! It's me, Kannix! Come find me at the Main Building with the old lady!" As she let go, the metal stand snapped back, and the noise was painful for everyone to hear. She smiled and winked at the receptionist, and the receptionist could do nothing but stare blankly, shocked - a truly "What the fuck?" face.

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Though the rally event was technically over, there was still the corollary to sort out - another tedious part of the volunteer work that most of the students weren't happy with. Not when all of their weekend break were gone for something they were pretty much forced to do, whether it was for a good cause or not.

Rein was one of them, but he was careful to keep his face impassive. No need to whine and bitch about it like the others around him. He was amused at the school's decision to keep that lame banner as a memento, but he'd be lying if he didn't feel a slight pleasure at the indirect praise for his work. Definitely not something he felt proud enough to show off to others, but who wouldn't feel a sense of elevation at the recognition, no matter how small it was?

By the time they were finally released from the long, boring debrief, it was almost three in the afternoon. Half of their Sunday was gone, and majority of them had lessons the very next day. Talk about a tight schedule. Rein would like nothing better to head straight back to his dorm room and knock himself out.

...Or not really. There were a few things on his mind he had to mentally sort out before he could really call it a day.

He pulled out his mobile as he strolled towards the dormitory building, raising an eyebrow to see that he had a text message. From Wendy, the strange, tall girl he had met back at the rally. About a meeting in a cafe quite a distance away from the academy later in the evening.

It's going to be a really long day today.

He winced at the sharp, metallic screech that shot through the school building, which made him glared up at the intercom. The irritation quickly turned to a mixture of shock and embarrassment when he heard the familiar, energetic voice of Turkey Leg Girl - Kannix - paging for him before it was cut off by another ear-piercing noise of someone who didn't know how to handle the microphone with care.

What's going on now?

With an exasperated sigh, he pocketed the phone, turning around his heels to head towards the main lobby area.

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Rein found Kannix easily; she was seated at the sofa a short way in front of the receptionist's desk, wearing a dress... that was a disastrous sight with the way her legs were wide open. She didn't seem to care how the receptionist was throwing eye daggers at her. He exhaled slowly, then walked towards her.

"...Do you need me for something?" He was too tired to keep up the meek act, nor did he had any mood to make a witty comment.

"Come on now. Don't be a droopy little freak! I'm not disturbing you, am I? 'cause it'd be cool if you were done for the rest of the day, hang out with 'le moi.'" Kannix twirled her dress, accentuating the hardcore army boots she donned underneath. She had to look up to speak to Rein and though it was common practice, over time the strain on the back of her neck would never go away.

Rein wasn't pleased to be constantly called a 'freak' by Kannix of all people, but he merely pursed his lips for a second before he raised a hand to scratch the back of his head. "Sure, I don't mind." Then he stared at Kannix in the eye. "...Is there something you want to talk to me about?"

Kannix could only stare back. If it wasn't a challenge, she was going to make it one.

"Oh yeah. Lots. I'd take you somewhere but I have never been here. So..." Kannix stepped aside and gestured for Rein to lead the way.

"Sir." Kannix could not help but snicker at herself, and smiled a broad smile.

Rein didn't seem to pick up Kannix's attempt to start a staring contest - or he simply didn't care - and broke the eye contact. Raising an eyebrow as Kannix appeared to be in a weird, giggling fit, he simply pointed a thumb over his shoulder: at a cafeteria behind him. "Are you hungry? We can grab something to eat while we chat, if you want."

"Oh. Hell. Yes."

... ...

Kannix wasn't particularly hungry at that point in time. However, if one was given the opportunity to have good food (and for free too!), one ought to savour such a chance. Kannix didn't want to embarrass herself or Rein by going back multiple trips.

So instead, she brought multiple plates and trays with her - a bit of everything, and keyword is everything. What a delight. Kannix was happy. It really beat having cold food all day back home.

"So, can I ask-" she gulped down some peas, and downed some mashed potatoes with a chug of water. "What is it that you all really do here? Students, and all? I've heard things, but maybe you can shed some light." She waved her spoon over her head, emphasizing the 'light' being 'this place'.

Rein, on the other hand, was hungry, and simply got himself a main course - seafood aglio olio pasta! - with winglets for side dish. He thought for a moment at Kannix's question, his fork twirling around the spaghetti, then he started off, "Well... the Academy Program is set up to give Metahuman children like us an opportunity to go through some form of education - both the normal curriculum that non-Metas have, and a place for us to learn how to control and use our powers safely."

Kannix could not help but roll her eyes at the mention of 'normal curriculum'; she was already doing bad enough in the crap-ass school that she went to. Assert herself, actually try to learn something? Fuck that. How is Math and Literature supposed to get her the fuck out of Spring Town? No one is going to hire a Spring Towner. No one is going to even bat an eye at a Spring Towner. The future was so bleak for everyone there. What mattered was the day and the day itself. It was a blessing to live another day. It would have been a good day. They - regular people - still hated Metahumans. They hated her. Fuck 'em. The fuck was she supposed to do about all this?

"...A place for us to learn how to control and use our powers safely? I mean, yeah, I get it. The tragedies, the baddies we do get every now and then. But I guess I have the hang of my powers!"

She had no idea how to think of this. What exactly... god she did not even know the questions she should ask herself. She wondered: why would she need to be in the Academy? She thought back to what her mother told her. What good would it do? What good could it do? She played with her food, head down, leaning on her hand.

"Is it not pointless? Not just for me - though especially for me - but for everyone else?" Her face wasn't exactly grim, but the seriousness on her face betrayed hints of sadness through her wide-opened eyes.

Rein shrugged. "Maybe for some, it seems pointless," he replied, taking a bite out of a prawn. "But as far as the public is concerned, they'd feel more at ease knowing that we're kept in here, rather than wrecking havoc out there." He sounded resigned - he didn't know if it was due to weariness from the long day, or the idea that the academy was a figurative prison to keep Metahuman kids away from the rest of Baybridge.

"..."

Kannix remained quiet. She chose to stay quiet. She was thinking. So even the Academy isn't an option.

"...You... probably wouldn't get it." The message hopefully got across to Rein through the racket of the cafeteria, still packing people at this time. It's probably never empty here.

"...I... don't know what choices I have. I wreck things, but I'm a bit of a wreck myself. Here I thought..." The food on her third plate no longer seemed appetizing. She collected herself.

"Here I thought maybe the Academy was an option, you know? To-... To-... Can we go somewhere quieter?"

Rein raised his eyebrows at her, with confusion written loud and clear on his face. He glanced down at his half-finished food before looking up again to frown at her. "What do you mean? Did you do something that you have to come here?"

Kannix sat up straight and looked Rein ferociously in the eye, then fervently smiled, donning a new set of emotions so polarizing to what had just been. It's a mechanism she picked up from her mom - smile through the pain. "You're my only, I wouldn't say friend, but something close. The others I had left when they found out I was a Meta and the daughter of a prostitute. I'm not a butterfly, you might have noticed, but I'm not exactly... a cockroach as well. Ugh, identity issues. Annoying, right? You might not be able to help fix my dilemma, but at least you're listening, and that helps.

"Heh...Do you think I should be a student at the Academy? Do you think I can be a student at the Academy?"

Rein listened as Kannix talked. Unlike the previous time, he gave her all his attention, weighing every word she had said in his mind. Ah, so she had been through the typical prejudice that most people had towards Metahumans. And her family background wasn't pretty, either. The girl sounded like a lost soul, trying to find something she could hold onto. Something that would make her feel like she belonged in this world, like she existed.

That probably explains why she likes to show off, likes to seek attention and approval... Why she talks and acts in such a funny way.

...A bit like me. Not the same, but he could share the sentiment, even if it was just a little.

"This is a school for Metahumans," he responded with a small smile. "You'd probably fit in quickly with the kind of power you have. At least most people here would think your ability is something cool. Unlike mine," he added with a slight chuckle - to mask the look of pain that almost showed on his face.

"Oh come on, now. I think you're cool! Speaking of cool, smile."

"...H-Huh?"

Hurriedly, she pulled out her phone - the phone her mother had saved for a while to get for Kannix, and that was a while back - and loaded up the camera app. It took a while, and Kannix almost cursed when it finally showed her face and a confused-looking Rein. She framed and took the shot before he could say anything.

"You don't look half-bad, Rein! It's R-E-I-N, right?"

Rein cringed at the way Kannix emphasized her pronunciation, trying too hard not to make it sound like the other word. "Well... 'Reinald' in full, but you can just call me Rein, yeah."

"Alright, Rein-ald. Take my phone, add yourself to the contacts, would you please?"

Rein was surprised at himself for getting too comfortable with Kannix's hyperactive personality. He hated to admit it, but her randomness, the way she seemed so confident of herself even with the hardship she had been through... he couldn't help feeling attracted to that vortex of positive energy.

"Sure, alright," he said as he took her phone and keyed in his number, making a missed call to his own mobile so that he could record her contacts later... Which also reminded him of something else.

"Hey, um... are you free for the rest of today? I'm thinking if you want to come along with me. Something about dimensional traveling. Are you interested?"

"You asking me out already? Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamn you got game. I don't know what the fuck dimensional travelling is, but if it's more time with Clairvoyant Rein then why not? I've just got to get home first, do some errands for my mom. Message me the details, if you would be so kind."

"Ah... sure?" Maybe he should take that back about getting used to her eccentricity.

She stood from her seat, and ruffled out her dress. Oh, and wiped her mouth, of course - she looked down at the plates of food she gobbled up and she was mighty impressed.

"Oh, and, Rein-ald: from the deepest of my little heart, thank you for this." With that, unaware of whether they were allowed to use their powers inside the cafeteria - if the school premises at all - energized herself, and with instant acceleration dashed away. She remembered how to get back to the bus stop - managed to pick up a leaflet and application form on the way too, just in case. Before she knew it, she was back on the bus, deep in heavy contemplation her way back to Little Seapond, leaving a bemused Rein watching her disappear in a gust of speed.

There was a lot to think about. Nothing's truly settled, but at least... she's got a pair of ears that are willing to listen. She won't admit it, but Kannix is a little more than excited to receive Rein's message.

Now, to read the leaflet to pass the time...

'How does it feel to be different?' [Dioxide x Caits]

So sorry I took so long to post such a short passage. We're about to start an action scene :)

I've been so distracted planning for things

'How does it feel to be different?' [Dioxide x Caits]

Dara and Thy turned their attention to this foreign stranger. The being from earlier. The being with the light powers. The two remained motionless, gestureless, but full of emotion. Their stillness and glare revealed all the hatred and anger at the world.

It was a strange position they were in. The two felt they were getting stronger and stronger. How much should they trust this person? The two watched him speak some weird tongue and make odd movements. Dara searched the being's mind but through arrogance and anger refused to accept the peace that was in this person. What? What? What? What? What? What?

At some point, with how much more powerful they have gotten, Dara assimilated the experiences of being blind, most of this person's memories, and even the ability to speak the English language. Dara had no idea what was going on and Thy took this confusion as an act of defiance and annoyance. តើអ្វីទៅ? តើអ្វីទៅ? តើអ្វីទៅ? តើអ្វីទៅ? តើអ្វីទៅ? What? What? What?

NO

NO NO NO

NO
NO
NO NO NO NO

NO

Thy empowered himself. Rocks were now circling the air around the three of them.

"ខ្ញុំនឹងដោះស្រាយរឿងនេះ។ | I'll handle this." spoke Thy.

The platform that Cody was under suddenly flew in at an angle and would launch him outwards and away from the tower they were at. Thy burrowed Dara deep into the tower, deep into the earth for her to survive.

Thy had made steps from the facade of the massive tower they were in, and the steps moved down like an escalator which brought him down majestically. His slow approach to his soon-to-be victim made it all the more menacing. Dara would handle the monster. Thy will handle this one.

'How does it feel to be different?' [Dioxide x Caits]

Just breathe... :)

'How does it feel to be different?' [Dioxide x Caits]

Oh really? Internet issues? How? O_o

Baybridge: Halcyon Days [Superpowers/Semi-Sandbox]

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Regal Square, Prince-Edfield_

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Kannix had plans to keep the fight going. It did not look like they were seriously getting hurt or anything - anyway, they’re grown men, they’d have been fine! What’s a little bruise going to do with these two? They probably dealt with getting bruises like brushing their teeth, like how Kannix messes with people. She didn’t think herself in anyway malevolent with ill-content; she just thought a little fun here and there wouldn’t hurt!

Then there was the man with the cool dreadlocks who shoved aside tall man like he was nothing! It took a bit to register, but the uniform and the badge only confirmed that the RAVEN was not to be messed with. She was already on her way out of there, the man’s hat still in her grasp. She’d have to work her way through the crowd to get to the exit she knew. Hopefully she’d see Casey on the way, but she was going to just run away from all this.

Her sights were set on a path. She remembered the layout of the booths so she knew that this one booth was next to the opening she wanted to go. The crowd paid no attention to her at all, now that the RAVEN had demanded all of it to him and the ongoing fight.

However, smoke appeared like out of fucking nowhere and she couldn't’ see shit. No one could, and soon they were panicking. Kannix would be trampled and there was nothing the crowd could do. How would one react when robbed of their sight? Kannix instinctively moved towards the opening. No good, people were bumping into her and pushing her off her mental path, and the smell was fucking awful. She had to save herself. She activated her powers, and she was now unmovable. She couldn’t push anyone violently, but there was no way anyone could push her. Kannix could feel them being shoved away as they encountered a literal moving wall (or more really a coffee table).

The smoke started to fade, and she was pretty much out of the general circle of people. Far enough, that she could not see the two men she’d messed with anymore. Casey was nowhere to be seen, but she was not about to steal his bike away from him. That’s enough naughtiness for one day. She’s got her wallet with her. She’ll find a bus home.

With a ready stance to run, Kannix pushed and dashed away from Regal Square.

---

Spring Town, Hedgemount_

The bus had arrived just in time and Kannix got on. It was going to be plenty of stops before she’d reach Hedgemount. Any stop was fine, and knowing this bus route, her route was going to be a short one.

She had not realized at all that it was nearing evening. Her head leaned against the glass of the bus, eyes watching the sky fade into black - she was deep in contemplation, but the rocking motion and engine vibrating the glass made her have to sit up and look at other stuff to kill time.

Speaking of killing… if the DOVE rally was to promote peace, amongst humans and metahumans, hoping for communication, cooperation, and safety, did Kannix - having started a fight that ended up with ninja smoke… - ruin all that?

Whoops. That sent a little chill down her spine, and thinking about her fun now brought dreading guilt and worry. She’d never been arrested, but she was given many, many warnings about her delinquency. Her mother spitting hot coals about her being a wreck and a wild, uncontrollable child was fine - Kannix can always make amends. It’s the fear that she would be taken away from her mother.

As they approached Hedgemount, her concerns were solidified. A mother and a daughter should not be living in Spring Town. It’s not secure nor safe. It was not safe for a single child whose grades aren’t the best to have a future to provide for the family. The neighbourhood itself is fucking terrible. Kannix thought back: she was fast enough that perhaps no one could have seen her, at least clearly. The hat was still with her, but…. she did not want to throw it away. She’ll keep it. Remembrance: for a fun day, and a valuable lesson not to fuck with people with so many authorities nearby. She got off at her stop. She put on the hat, just barely fitting her head, and walked her way back home.

Of course, it wasn’t going to be a quiet way back home. Some gangbangers hanging out at the street took note of a tiny girl wearing a funny, but nice looking hat, and went up to said little girl. Kannix stuck out her middle finger and continued her way.

Why the fuck would she stop for them? She energized herself.

One of the dudes stood in her way but Kannix kept walking. Her face met his abdomen, but it would not stop her march. The man tripped trying to push back, and she was now walking on top of him.

A man reached out to grab the hat but Kannix pulled it away. With a fist, she punched his solar plexus - no need to send him flying. She heard the sound of a gun click from behind her but kept on walking.

“You dead, bitch!”

He fired.

The bullet hit Kannix and was shot back, gazing the man’s right temple. No more shooting from him.

No need to be scared of these men. Kannix kept on walking because she was afraid of something else. The sound of her mom’s wrath when she was to open that door.

Baybridge: Halcyon Days [Superpowers/Semi-Sandbox]

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_{@Altered Tundra}

Regal Square, Prince-Edfield_

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---

Kannix did not move so much as two steps before she realized the fight was already starting. It looked like she'd only have to find Casey later; this was going to be fun to watch. She turned to see a full fist hit the shorter one's head, followed by this, followed by that. The taller one had quite a vocabulary, and could not tell but laugh - hand over mouth to not seem like an idiot with the other bystanders watching. By now, the crowd had spread to make a wide berth of a circle to get out of the people's way.

Ooh!

Yeah!

Tall one fell back - short one got moves! Not wanting them to hurt themselves too much - and with the shorter one preparing a cartwheel - Kannix had to intervene. Kannix was to perform the same power-based propulsion she had done earlier, instead now it was straight forward. This was one of her many skills in her power-set - the ability to dash in blinding speeds as her body pushes against the world's mass.

There, an opening against the opposite crowd.

Kannix launched herself and, with the tall one's hat in her hands, got in the short one's way faster. She flung the hat in his way, hoping to blind and distract him from finishing his intended move. Kannix rolled forward and stood back up to disappear into the crowd once again. Now it was a little obvious that she was playing a part in the fight, and people are giving her looks and moving aside as she circled the area of the fight. Not good, but meh, she's having fun!

Baybridge: Halcyon Days [Superpowers/Semi-Sandbox]

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^{@tsukune & @Dioxide}

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Circling the venue, DOVE Rally
Regal Square, Prince Ed-Field_

Kannix put on Casey's jacket and circled the venue slowly, her eyes gazing and sometimes glaring at the people around her as she snaked her way through gaps and excused herself to cut through lines in front of the booths. Sure, her motive was to get herself something to eat and drink but the more she observed how people were, and the fact that they were so calm to Metahumans using their abilities in the booths... what was she to make of it? She herself was a Metahuman. Was it something to be proud of, why on earth not? The Metahumans who give their own kind a bad name by committing bad deeds - rest in peace those that lost their lives and others in the tragedies they've had - can go fuck themselves. Sure, she's done some mischievous acts herself but none to the scale- uhm, never mind, she thought. She's not as bad, but she could use a bit more work.

The point was the things that linger (and can linger) in the back of people's minds such as the disasters they've had will stick to their forefront memories and impressions are made. Metahumans are bad. Kannix was bad. This rally was trying its best to correct things, but Kannix... she shook her head as she stepped forward in the line she'd queued. Could she really just say "fuck it" to everything?

"Hi, could I have that turkey leg please?"

Probably not. She bit hard and deep into the thick, juicy thigh. She savoured its flavours and decided to fuck overthinking. Off in the far end, she saw her new acquaintance Casey minding his own business. Best to do the same with the general public. Wow this is good turkey, she thought.

She continued circling the venue, weaving through crowds, the massive turkey leg as a deterrent to make way. She looked around some more. Many interesting figures of all types jutted out to her, by appearance and by appeal, as if something about that made her have to notice them. Not exactly noteworthy people, though; in fact they looked droll and generic. Still, she looked back at them every now and then, taking some free drinks other booths, tossing them for the three points into bins. Then a taller African-American girl just about ran past her turkey leg towards her Asian colleague. DOVE rally volunteers. Motherfucker almost knocked her half-finished leg. She'd yell but she could wait to finish for the two to finish their conversation and throw the bone at her. She took bigger bites but then noticed the strange interaction between the two.

Dude was just staring blankly at the air and then at the girl. Kannix couldn't help but giggle, her face contorted in confusion, choking slightly on her food. She watched as the girl walked away content in herself. Shame Kannix couldn't finish her leg in time for her to fling it at her, but she was now more interested at this Asian dude. She walked towards him enough so that he finally saw her in his sight.

"Freak."

Rein's brows furrowed at the sudden entrance of yet another female stranger, this time someone of his ethnicity with a queer combination of a wild appearance and half-eaten turkey leg in her hand. He shouldn't be surprised that not everyone who had come to this rally was a pro-Meta. Some people, like the Chinese newcomer before him, were probably here just for the free food.

He shrugged at the rude greeting, but he couldn't help wondering if she had caught him using his power a little while ago. It wouldn't be the first time someone had commented about his ability to space out pretty much anywhere and everywhere. "Um... so how may I help you?" he asked, maintaining a polite front.

Funny that everyone seemed to need him for something. Him, of all people.

"I'm strangely attracted to you." would be a bad reply to that, though she did just insult the boy as an introduction. But still, she felt slightly drawn to him - the same sort of feeling that she had with Casey, a moment they had not too long ago when she jumped into his way. Kannix swallowed a chunk of meat and replied:

"Okay, I'm ssssooorrrryyy~ that I called you a freak, but why were you just staring at her, though? Are you like, short-sighted or something?" She mockingly waved her turkey leg in front of him as she stepped closer, sizing him up to be almost a head taller than her.

"Okay, I'm sorry again," she giggled, "but please: explain yourself." Kannix smiled, her two front teeth glistening in the ambient light and chunks of flesh lathering her lips.

Correction: seemed like he was a magnet for weird chicks today. Rein tried his best to keep up with what the Chinese girl was babbling to him, enough to get the main question directed at him from among the crude jabbers.

"She's an acquaintance, I guess," he began, averting his eyes from the rather unsightly way the girl was wolfing down the turkey. "Just asking for my help with something, that's all."

"Huh. I'm guessing you're either a Metahuman or you were in some sort of boys' school." Oh yeah, she saw the look that he made as she kept eating her turkey. She's not stopping.

"I'm not so much a lady myself, but I have some manners in me. I'm Kannix. I'm a bit of a freak like you myself." Finally done with her turkey, she scanned behind the boy and, spotting a bin, flung the bastard of a bone at it. Three points again.

Rein watched the girl - Kannix - throwing the finished turkey leg into the air before it landed neatly into a bin behind him, awed at her good reflex. Then he turned back to face the girl once more. "I'm Rein, nice to meet you. So we're both Metahumans, then? What can you do?"

Hhmph. "What can I do, huh?" She could just say it, but she felt a need to show off. How else was anyone going to really understand what she could do. It's not super-strength, but it's not super-defense either. Though it was comforting to know that she could show off: she needed to feel important - not because of pride, but... because... so she could have his attention. There was a hint of sadness to it, she admitted, but her smug face did not betray her thoughts. She felt that familiar sensation reverb course through her body - that feeling of an incredible invulnerability.

"Hit me."

Rein raised his eyebrows at the command. Hit her, a girl? Not like he was particular about gender and stuff, but throwing a punch at a lady (even if she didn't seem like one) in broad daylight - especially at a supposedly peaceful rally - didn't seem like a good idea. He looked at Kannix in the eye, watching her closely. She had a smirk on her face; she seemed pretty confident about it, but he couldn't feel any obnoxious vibe from her.

He sighed. She didn't order him to hit her at full force anyway. Maybe just enough to feel a bit of pain but without hurting her too much would suffice.

"Er, oh-kay..." He raised a hand and balled into a fist, narrowing his eyes at her. "Here I go." And lashed out a half-assed punch to her shoulder.

...Only to feel his fist going numb upon contact. Almost like he was trying to punch an invisible wall, not the person. He pulled back his hand, rubbing his sore knuckle.

"Wow, how do you do that?"

"Not going to lie - I can't explain it in the simplest of English. I can stop things from impacting me like punches and wooden bats. Bullets sting a bit - I'm from Spring Town, so we ghetto-a-f like that. I can also reverse the incoming impact, but that's taking me some practice as well. That's why I can break through walls. Did I mention I can break walls?"

"Though not going to lie - I could still tell you half-assed it. So you're not the physical kind, I devise," ending that sentence with a Frenchy, bourgeoisie laugh. "Do you, like, zoom in on things with your eyes, then? Microscopic vision? You checking out the imperfections on my face right now, aren't you? I lotioned, alright?"

Kannix's convoluted way of talking was starting to give Rein a bit of a headache - he had to make an effort to register the key points of what she was rambling about in his mind. Though, he had to say something in response, or else the girl would get suspicious at the long silence. "Yeah, I'm not exactly a sporty type of person like you. And no, my eyes are as normal as any ordinary human beings." He scratched the side of his chin with a finger. "My power has something to do with the mind, actually. I'm a clairvoyant."

That was only half the whole truth. Not a complete lie as far as whatever stated in the official records, but only the tip of the iceberg of what he was truly capable of. A power that people would kill for, and put him back to the days of eternal darkness. Being treated like a political tool.

He couldn't tell anyone the truth. He didn't want to lose the current 'freedom' he had, the chance to live as normally as he could. To hang out and have fun with friends like this... even meeting eccentric people like Kannix. Even if all of this was built upon one lie after another.

God Kannix felt dumb.

"The fuck's a clairvoyant?"

Rein was surprised that she didn't know what a clairvoyant was, after all the big words she had been using in her conversation with him so far. "Well... basically I can sense and detect the presence of people. Do you still remember the African-American just now before you came? She was asking me to help her search for a person. It'd be difficult to do that in a crowd like this, but my power allows me to pinpoint where they are."

"Ahhh... so you can, like, see girls taking showers, huh?" Okay that was uncalled for. "Heh, sorry. I meant it, but I shouldn't have said it."

"So uh... walk with me? Get me a drink with your volunteer privileges? Show a girl around?" she posed her signature smile - a vicious eye-smile so sweet no being on Earth could deny her. Not to overshadow their time with Casey after all, but he was a kid, and not here at the moment. She shouldn't even be thinking of him. They're just neighbours. They'll catch up later. This guy, though. Rein... he's adorably weird.

Seems like she has a habit of speaking her mind out loud. Rein was beginning to take whatever crass comments she threw at him with a pinch of salt. Beyond her outward rudeness, he didn't feel any ill will from her. Maybe she was just like him, an awkward person in her own way, still struggling to communicate with others better.

"Uh, sure," he replied, gesturing her to go first. "I don't have any duties anyway, so I'm free for the rest of the day. Where do you want to go first?" Though, he should probably address one of the earlier misunderstandings.

"And also... I don't go to a boys' school. Besides, I can't - I'm a Metahuman just like you." A sad smile appeared on his face. "I'm enrolled in the Academy Program, and I'm currently in Academy 61. That's in Roseview."

"Yeah, cool. No, nevermind that. Let's-"

"Hey, faggot, stop standing around like a retard and get out of the way!"

“Maybe take a chill pill. The food isn’t going anywhere, Pablo Escobar.”

"Hm..."

"Hey, Rein. Watch this."

The feeling of power coursed through her again. She prepared herself, looking for the right angle for entry and escape. She had to get it right, and fortunately she had a way of getting it right. The two men were tall, so the trajectory shouldn't be hard. She found an opening, and with Rein as her audience, she smiled almost viciously.

Her shoes creased as her heels arched up, her body leaning forward. With her own mass against the ground's, her powers deflected her off of the Earth's mass - propelling her into the air. With a somersault mid-air, upside-down just in time for her to reach down and swipe the taller of the two men's gaudy hat, she landed (thankfully) safe in an open spot, and disappeared into the middle of the crowd. Small, fast, nimble, she went out of the two men's sight.

"If there wasn't a fight then, there is one now." She saw Rein through gaps of people in the crowd, and winked before wandering off to find her neighbour Casey.