JunkMail

The Promise - Second Star to the Right, and Straight on 'til Morning.

T h e P r o m i s e

---

Arianna was more shocked than she was anything else. A man that looked like he wore Pac-Man on his head had busted in, and then... busted out. The woman he had been with had taken one look at them and had ran. A wise decision, she mused.

Her form shifted, taking on Amelia’s appearance, down to the finest strand of hair. Her eyes narrowed, and she made the shape of a gun with her fingers, pointing it in the direction of the door that Amelia had left through. “Pew.” She said, her thumb coming down to meet her index finger.

_{“I heard something! In that classroom!”}

Arianna frowned, and turned to the man she had been interrogating. He was slumped in his seat, unconscious. “Looks like our date will have to continue elsewhere.”

She hummed, her form shifting back to her own once again, she reached out and touched the man and melded over his form, shifting again to take the appearance of his unharmed state. She seared through the restraints, and stood up.

“This way!” She called, her voice no longer her own. Several guards rushed into the room shortly after, and she pointed towards the window. The guards and security were on it in moments. Arianna and her victim walked away.

Archie

_{♫ ♫ ♫}

---

Seeing that the table had been caught, the behemoth pounded the ground in frustration in an act that was reminiscent of simian rage, his fists leaving dents in the floor. It roared, a terrible combination of man and... something else. The girl with the group illuminated brightly, becoming an impossible to ignore red and yellow spot of heat in his vision. He snarled, grabbing another table and slinging it towards Lynn with a vengeance- intending to snuff that annoyance out.

The reptile’s attention shifted and it was on Natalie’s case in an instant- its more primordial nature electing to stop her before she reached the rest of the group. The giant leaned forward onto all fours and rocketed towards the woman in a flurry of claws and teeth, the power behind his claws gouged deep, ugly scrapes into the floor as he bum rushed her. He raised his arms as he came upon her, heaving his gigantic upper body and bringing the two tree trunk sized appendages down on Natalie- attempting to crush her where she stood.

---

@He Who Walks Behind@Silver Carrot

The Promise - Second Star to the Right, and Straight on 'til Morning.

so because that probably happened over a bit of time, feel free to ignore Amelia for a short while before she bamfs back on the scene

@levinfist

watch out amelia archie’s coming right at you!

oh no she’s wearing airpods!

oh god oh fuck she cant hear us

The Promise - Second Star to the Right, and Straight on 'til Morning.

Archie

---

Few in the world had felt rage.

Not the trite anger one feels when they get beaten at a video game, or the irritation when something goes wrong that day.

No, rage was a black, bubbling feeling that carves a hole in one’s chest and makes you sick, that demands a way out, that makes you want to pick up a rock- not a weapon, a rock- and beat someone until they break. To swing and swing and swing until there's nothing left but shattered bone and pulped flesh.

It's a feeling that demands vengeance. It demands violence. But most of all, it demands understanding. That the world could be fair. Or that this is what you get. Or that one wasn’t so different from the rest. It wants to make the other person understand that they deserve it.

Archie felt rage.

His parents were never good people. His mother was the more insidious of the two. She didn’t have the resolve that dad did, so she lashed out with words. A special kind of evil, it was. Then she left. When she walked out, Archie felt rejected and worthless. After all, mother knew best.

His father was just like any drunk- always drinking, always squinting, always sloppy. Yeah, just another of a thousand. That was dad. He was mostly harmless, or was, until he had gone out and gotten himself killed and left him alone in the world as a child.

Archie, laying on the ground, felt it. The rage. The sanguine reds and blacks that accompany that sick feeling, deep down in your gut. The feeling that made his muscles shake and his heart pound. The pressure behind his eyes. It wasn’t fair. Why him? Why pick him for everything? Huh? He hadn’t done anything to deserve what had happened to him! He was seven years old! They should feel this. They should be the ones hurting. They should. They should. His chest burned. He heard words being spoken to him, but they were all wrong. All he heard was the words of his neighbors turned captors.

Bitch.
Coward.
Worthless.
Stupid.
Idiot.
Animal.
Freak.

It all came rushing back. His vision swam from the concussion, and when he looked at the strangers trying to help him he saw only the familiar faces, whom had hurt him.

Archie felt force on his person. Heat and throbbing in his head as if he had been shot again. Hands holding him down- as if they were going to hurt him again. No, he would not have it. He wouldn’t let them hurt him again. A scream tore from Archie’s throat, and his hands flew up and grabbed Lynn’s arms with strength that was unbecoming of his size. He was yelling still- in agony, and in rage. Archie felt his jaws begin to break. The screaming continued and he forcefully shoved her off of him. He rolled onto his hands and knees, his screaming being abruptly silenced by the contents of his stomach exiting his body through his nose and broken face, reduced to a gurgle. Everyone around him stepped away, either by reflex from his vomit or out of fear for his health. Was he having a seizure?

Archie struggled, his back arching unnaturally upwards as his very muscles became uncomfortably tight. His arms came upwards to his face, desperately scratching with what was rapidly becoming less nail and more claw. He filleted himself, slicing through skin as his eyes themselves changed. He kicked wildly with his legs, thrashing his broken body and rending muscle from bone as they lengthened and reattached themselves. He closed his eyes, curling in on himself, suffering through the torture.

As soon as it came, the pain faded away. Slowly and steadily what was once Archie swelled and rose to its feet now an enormous, unnatural amalgamation of man and beast. There were no guards left, and thus no nullifiers. Most of the students were all alone. The behemoth craned its neck over mammoth shoulders, overlooking those that remained. Its gaze fixated on Lynn, recognizing her scent. I won’t let you hurt me again.

It reached over, grabbing an entire table with one enormous hand and ripped it from it’s bolts. Metal groaned and tore against the force, and the entire piece of furniture was hurled towards the small group of remaining students with indiscriminate aim. The giant was lashing out, trying to hurt them like it had been hurt, itself.

---

@He Who Walks Behind@levinfist@Silver Carrot@Ceta de Cloyes

The Promise - ASTRO-NUT

Bump. We're still open and actively accepting players!

The Promise - Second Star to the Right, and Straight on 'til Morning.

T h e P r o m i s e

---

Her fist connected with the man's face, eliciting a wet splat as blood and saliva were strewn across the floor. The man's head lulled as he recovered from the strike. He breathed, labored and heavy, more blood dripping from the cuts on his face and onto his shirt, unable to wipe away the refuse as he had been tightly and painfully bound to the chair he was sitting in. He was still, indignantly refusing to look his assailant in the eyes.

"I have a client, and I'm on the clock. Talk."

He did not move. Her hand grabbed his hair and pulled his gaze up to his forcefully. He met brown eyes. She would be considered pretty, if her face hadn't been contorted in frustration and she hadn't been the cause of all of his pain. He smiled, "C'mon beautiful, smile more."

The woman seethed, and turned, throwing her arm an impossible distance forwards towards the classroom's human skeleton display. Her body stretched with the punch, and caved the skeleton's entire ribcage in. She wheeled around again and grabbed the man by his bloodied collar- getting right up in his face once more.

"You tell me where Detmer is, or I swear to god they wont recognize you when you're found."

That managed to get to him.

"I- I cant. If I talk, they'll kill me!"

Arianna's brow furrowed, bringing her hand back for another punch, except this time aiming for his femur. "And I'll kill you if you don't."

The whiteboard and classroom, up until this point had already been prepared for the new arrivals of the new school year by the teacher who had been positioned in it this year. The whiteboard read: "WELCOME TO AP BIOLOGY!"

---

T h e P r o m i s e

---

A chime went off, in the cafeteria, which very few actually heard. Perhaps the volume, or the friendly tone was the cause, but few actually noticed that the countdown had reached zero on the presentation. A woman, dressed in business attire strode on stage in front of the podium at the center. Other officials flanked her sides, and took their seats in several chairs lined up behind her. The conversation tapered off as they went back to observing the crowds. Occasionally, there would be laugh at the random individual finishing their sentences. A silence filled the auditorium.

’Welcome, class.’ A voice echoed through the stadium, but it was not spoken. Rather, broadcasted into their very minds. The woman smirked, and after pausing for a moment, she continued. "I'll... keep this brief." She began, speaking now. Her tone sharp, and commanding. Her strange nature had to captured the attention of all of cafeteria occupants, whose eyes were now glued to the odd figured on stage.

"Who's that?" one person whispered.

"It's Headmaster Dunbar. Didn't you research the school?" came the snarky, but whispered response.

"As most of you are aware, I am Headmaster Hannah Dunbar. You have been allowed to come to my station in the pursuit of knowledge. While getting here was no easy feat, I'm here to tell you your trials are far from over." Dunbar took a moment to take a sip from a bottle of water that had been placed on her podium before continuing.

"You, students, are here because you are exceptional; I expect you to prove this during your time here. Some of you have been chosen for your academic prowess- you should hold your studies in the utmost regard.” She began, her eyes scanning the crowd. They fell on the freak table. “Some of you have come here to be studied, documented, and to learn control- you are expected to perform at your best.” Her eyes moved further, towards the back of the room now.

“Some are here on lottery, and some are here because they have no choice." The woman's voice was blunt and unforgiving, and more than a few students actually caved under the pressure of his words. She continued. “We also expect you to branch out into the community and create new bonds. The Promise is a place of learning, and a place of growth. Parahumans are a small species, and thusly your neighbors are likely people you will know your entire lives. Use your time and resources wisely, and your time here will be the best you have ever spent.”

She took a break, scanning the room and allowing the student’s words to sink in. “Congratulations on being selected to attend The Promise, and good luck. After all,” she said, raising her hand and pointing out at the great window that displayed the world below them.

“The whole world will be watching.”

The woman bowed, and stepped away from the stage. Another person, a young man this time and obviously her assistant, stepped up to the podium.

“I will now introduce hand the presentation off to the station assistant. Cara?"

”Good afternoon, students!” The AI spoke up. ”My name is Cara. I exist to handle many features of the station, and if you have any questions about anything, just ask via text our out loud if you want. I will answer to the best of my ability. You should all be receiving your class schedules, lodging, and introductory allowance now.”

Several chimes went off as student’s phones received messages from the AI.

"I am also going to introduce the division heads. Each one of these individuals manages an aspect of our station. Some will oversee you personally, while others handle jobs behind the scenes. As I state their names, they will stand.”

“Josiah Stanton. Head of Research and Development.”

A tall, thin man with glasses stood.

“Elizabeth McCoy. Head of Student Relations.”

A woman in a green business dress and vibrant red eyes stood.

“Markus Wrath. Head of Technological Development.”

A large, intimidating man stood.

“Fry Owens. Head of Healthcare.”

A portly man rose from his seat, and waved to the crowd.

“Susanna Castillo. Head of Power Instruction and Control.”

A lithe woman in a full business suit rose from her seat.

“Gennedy Hardin. Head of Security.”

A man with a permanent scowl rose from his seat, which seemed to have caved in some from his weight.

"With that, your orientation has ended. Please follow the directions listed on your mobile devices for gaining access to your lodging. More information will be provided to you as the night goes on. Please see your Resident Assistants or ask me if you have any issues. You are free to enjoy the welcome party as long as you wish. Feel free to speak to or ask the Headmaster of and of the Division heads any questions before you leave."

The Promise - Second Star to the Right, and Straight on 'til Morning.

@Ceta de Cloyes Looks good. Accepted!

The Promise - Second Star to the Right, and Straight on 'til Morning.

Archie

---

"Here and there,"

Archie didn't catch onto her hint at attempting to end the conversation. He smiled at Lynn, and shrugged. "I read that here and there are units of measurement for love. Was never sure if it was measuring distance, or time though."

Archie recoiled some at Natalie's sudden outburst, realizing very quickly that he was not talking to people that knew him, and that these people were strangers. He was not used to parahumans in general, having only heard of them and even having had a negative opinion of them until he had become one himself. It dawned upon him how similar they were to regular people. So easily crushing the spoon was impressive, but a reminder that she could just as easily do that to his neck. He wouldn't dare say it, but he was somewhat glad that the collar had calmed her down.

Her words rang in his head, though. Wanting to be normal and fit in? That resonated with him, now that he was what he was. Even among the freaks he was still a outlier. Maybe not at much as Natalie, but it was still there because of how he was brought aboard. When she slumped and turned away, he didn't think about his next action and simply put his hand on her back again. A wordless expression of empathy, a way to say it was okay. Hopefully that would be enough. He gave Lynn a look that hopefully communicated that he had been spooked and to please not set her off again. Mostly because he was closest to her. Amelia seemed to have a better idea and took it in a positive light, but Archie had the suspicion that drawing attention to her outburst would only make Natalie feel worse.

"So uh, what do you do?" he said, looking to Amelia in an effort to get the attention off of Natalie for her benefit. People liked talking about themselves, right? His brother sure had. "And you?" He questioned Lynn, too.

---

@He Who Walks Behind@levinfist@Silver Carrot

The Promise - Second Star to the Right, and Straight on 'til Morning.

gently pokes

@levinfist

bruh moment

the discord is hot bro just go and shitpost with us there

The Promise - Second Star to the Right, and Straight on 'til Morning.

Archie

---

"It's Natalie, hi, Archie."

Archie didn't verbally reply, instead he gave Natalie an earnest smile and nodded. Her jump earlier twisted his heart some. Perhaps it was the southern hospitality in him, or the fact that he recognized the look of grief when he saw it, but it was an emotionally painful thing to see in someone. The more curious side of Archie urged him to press on the issue, but the more tactful part of him won out. He didn't skip a beat, or even recognize that she had reacted negatively lest he embarrass her further.

Natalie sounded like she hadn't spoken in a while. Or at least, didn't speak often. She struck Archie as a person who wasn't confident in her own skin. He, on the other hand was a pretty easygoing person. Sure, he had been dealt a pretty shitty hand in the grand scheme of things but he tried his hardest to suppress that part of him. He had grown up afforded his own space, the means to entertain himself, and warm food every day. That was not to be ignored. Sometimes people leave, and that sometimes is unexpectedly. He had also learned manly life lessons along the way, like how the best fishing rod is a shotgun, and a wench can be one of two things.

"Lynn, where are you from?"

Now, both of these girls looked like they had it rough. Rougher than him for sure, but they all seemed to take different approaches. While he did his best to bottle things up, and Natalie retreated into herself, Lynn here seemed to be a bit more hardened by the world she had grown up in. Lots of little scars here and there, a few tattoos- the most visible of which was a skull on her forearm and the edges of something on her collarbone. He had a lot of scars, too. But his were usually pretty small and relatively shallow. A mishandled fishhook here, a slip of hot metal there. Hers were jagged and looked like they had been deep. He only knew the difference because his adopted dad had a nasty scar from shooting himself in the foot when he was Archie's age and it had gone all the way through.

These scars weren't quite like that, but they were bigger badges than his. He opened his mouth to ask if she had ever broken any bones, but decided not to in favor of not ending up with any himself. Either way, she looked like one tough cookie. She definitely acted the part. He had dated a girl like that in high school, now that he thought about it. "Always liked a girl who was a real spitfire." he mumbled, holding his chin in his hands and spacing out while looking at his food. Evidently not realizing that he said it out loud. If Archie even realized this, he didn't miss a beat and immediately responded to Lynn's eyes and hair as they changed color. "Dude, that's so cool! You're like the lava lamp I had at home!" Oh, she had asked a question. His mind changed gears almost instantly, displaying conversational adeptness that was surprising for someone as unaware as himself. "Colington Island. Little place off the coast of North Carolina." he answered honestly. "Spent my whole life there. Mostly working on boats with my old man."

He didn't really think to, or care to specify that his 'old man' wasn't really his biological father. Being himself, he had forgotten that he was not speaking to people he had known his whole life. "Yourself?"

Another person joined their little table. She had the same 'Fuck your and your whole ass entourage' vibe to her person than Lynn, but had much less of the 'chained attack dog' part of Lynn's personality. Not that either really put Archie off. He was a people person, and no amount of rough edge was going to stop him from at least trying. He had grown up around people like this. His brother particularly was an odd mish-mash of all these people and getting along with him had not been a challenge once Archie figured him out. As long as he didn't touch his stuff and gave him a wide berth when he was in one of his moods, things were okay. Pleasant even. Of course, Archie had no idea what his brother was like now. The last time he had seen him was two years ago when his brother had been arrested and promptly sent to prison for armed robbery and resisting arrest. He furrowed his eyebrows at Amelia's comment of them not being 'with the program'. "We're up here? What do you mean we aren't with the-" he trailed off, quickly loosing his train of thought as she gave her name.

Amelia, she generously announced herself. He broke out in a smile and extended a hand excitedly for her to shake. "Archie, nice to meet you!"

---

@levinfist@He Who Walks Behind@Silver Carrot

The Promise - Second Star to the Right, and Straight on 'til Morning.

@levinfist

Amelia is an absolute chad I love it