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It takes a lot of practice.
Because I don't want to assume anything - Have you played Scrabble before, Kath?
Jin walked back to the maintenance ‘hub’ with a sense of purpose. On the way back, they had noticed several more of those little plaster cracks, in very strange places. Texas didn’t get earthquakes, right? So what was the deal? They hated to be the one to report more work, and have the boss bitch them out for it.
Heading back in the door, they couldn’t even open their mouth before the boss approached. That was odd.
“Hey boss, I’ve got some stuff to call in. Some weird cracks I’ve been seeing-” They went for the notebook, pulling it out and expecting the diatribe to begin.
It didn’t. Instead, the boss jerked his thumb at one of the folding chairs. “Sit down, Ifriti.”
Jin did so gratefully; walking around this massive school with heavy tools did tend to wear them down. “Sure. What’s up, boss?”
The boss sat down too, and had an oddly serious look in his eyes. “Ifriti. There’s the annual personnel review coming up. Some administrative bullshit the school makes us do every year, as if we don’t have work to do. That means I gotta go through all the employee records and verify your shit. Names, addresses, employment history and shit.”
“Okay…” Jin said slowly, feeling an unknown sense of dread creeping around their stomach.
“Your address is fake.” His voice was flat, but his eyes were pinning Jin down.
Jin swallowed, and did not say a word. They could only squirm in their seat.
“I looked it up – I gotta look them all up – and it’s a church, of all places. Why?”
“I-” Jin couldn’t speak, for the bile that was rising up in their throat. “I-” To tell this man the truth would be giving the man far too much credit. He wouldn’t care and Jin knew that. Besides, they had already lied and been busted, which just looked bad for any job.
“Look, I don’t care why you lied. You either fix the form and we all go on with our fucking lives, or you don’t fix the form, and I send it up the ladder. They’ll probably have to look into it more. Probably fire you if they don’t like what they see. So?”
Jin’s heart was about ready to bounce from their chest. There was no fixing that form without a second lie, which would easily be caught. The truth was worse somehow – no one would give a single shit that Jin was living out of their old car. So this was it? Back to the street? Back to having nothing?
“I can’t fix the form.” Jin managed to get out before rising from the chair and fleeing, feeling this morning’s breakfast rising up quick. They managed to stagger to the nearest bathroom, shoving aside students, to barely make it to an unoccupied toilet. Everything came up, and up, until they were left dry heaving on the side. Something broke inside, and they started to simply cry, like a child.
After that, they staggered from the bathroom after rinsing their mouth, and started to walk the campus quite aimlessly. Should they just pack their shit and leave now? Or wait for the axe to come down on their neck?
Heading back in the door, they couldn’t even open their mouth before the boss approached. That was odd.
“Hey boss, I’ve got some stuff to call in. Some weird cracks I’ve been seeing-” They went for the notebook, pulling it out and expecting the diatribe to begin.
It didn’t. Instead, the boss jerked his thumb at one of the folding chairs. “Sit down, Ifriti.”
Jin did so gratefully; walking around this massive school with heavy tools did tend to wear them down. “Sure. What’s up, boss?”
The boss sat down too, and had an oddly serious look in his eyes. “Ifriti. There’s the annual personnel review coming up. Some administrative bullshit the school makes us do every year, as if we don’t have work to do. That means I gotta go through all the employee records and verify your shit. Names, addresses, employment history and shit.”
“Okay…” Jin said slowly, feeling an unknown sense of dread creeping around their stomach.
“Your address is fake.” His voice was flat, but his eyes were pinning Jin down.
Jin swallowed, and did not say a word. They could only squirm in their seat.
“I looked it up – I gotta look them all up – and it’s a church, of all places. Why?”
“I-” Jin couldn’t speak, for the bile that was rising up in their throat. “I-” To tell this man the truth would be giving the man far too much credit. He wouldn’t care and Jin knew that. Besides, they had already lied and been busted, which just looked bad for any job.
“Look, I don’t care why you lied. You either fix the form and we all go on with our fucking lives, or you don’t fix the form, and I send it up the ladder. They’ll probably have to look into it more. Probably fire you if they don’t like what they see. So?”
Jin’s heart was about ready to bounce from their chest. There was no fixing that form without a second lie, which would easily be caught. The truth was worse somehow – no one would give a single shit that Jin was living out of their old car. So this was it? Back to the street? Back to having nothing?
“I can’t fix the form.” Jin managed to get out before rising from the chair and fleeing, feeling this morning’s breakfast rising up quick. They managed to stagger to the nearest bathroom, shoving aside students, to barely make it to an unoccupied toilet. Everything came up, and up, until they were left dry heaving on the side. Something broke inside, and they started to simply cry, like a child.
After that, they staggered from the bathroom after rinsing their mouth, and started to walk the campus quite aimlessly. Should they just pack their shit and leave now? Or wait for the axe to come down on their neck?
Jinny frowned. This girl was not getting the picture. “I don’t think you have anything I want.” She looked on resolutely as she was also sized up. It was a bit of a surprise to her, however. Usually she was the one to do that, not the other way around. She found that she didn’t mind it.
She didn’t miss the tiny flicker of pink, either, and wondered what that was about. The girl was very obviously metahuman, unlike Jinny who could hide it until necessary. What sort of power did she have, exactly? Maybe…
“Tell you what. If you can manage to impress me sometime, I’ll consider it. Not now, but… sometime. ‘Kay?” With that, she stood up.
“Come on, I want to go outside.” That was for Slade. It was very rare that she spoke in that kind of tone to anyone, let alone him, but it seemed she was trying to keep up appearances. After gathering up her paperwork, she headed for the door. Her chin was raised high, and it would be clear to her uncle that she was copying his ‘Move or be run over’ sort of walk.
Once outside, however, and out of range of other people, she slumped and exhaled. “Don’t they know it’s rude to stare?” She scowled, huffing softly. It seemed the morning was wearing her down already. “I didn’t like that. But I’m probably going to have to get used to it, aren’t I?” Sighing, she started walking the grounds in an aimless way.
“Do you think they’ll expect something of me? Like, something extra?” Her nails went to her mouth and she began to chew.
“This is already better than regular school in a lot of ways. But I…” She fidgeted, then voiced her thought. “I really don’t want to disappoint you.”
She didn’t miss the tiny flicker of pink, either, and wondered what that was about. The girl was very obviously metahuman, unlike Jinny who could hide it until necessary. What sort of power did she have, exactly? Maybe…
“Tell you what. If you can manage to impress me sometime, I’ll consider it. Not now, but… sometime. ‘Kay?” With that, she stood up.
“Come on, I want to go outside.” That was for Slade. It was very rare that she spoke in that kind of tone to anyone, let alone him, but it seemed she was trying to keep up appearances. After gathering up her paperwork, she headed for the door. Her chin was raised high, and it would be clear to her uncle that she was copying his ‘Move or be run over’ sort of walk.
Once outside, however, and out of range of other people, she slumped and exhaled. “Don’t they know it’s rude to stare?” She scowled, huffing softly. It seemed the morning was wearing her down already. “I didn’t like that. But I’m probably going to have to get used to it, aren’t I?” Sighing, she started walking the grounds in an aimless way.
“Do you think they’ll expect something of me? Like, something extra?” Her nails went to her mouth and she began to chew.
“This is already better than regular school in a lot of ways. But I…” She fidgeted, then voiced her thought. “I really don’t want to disappoint you.”
Mirage was settled into one of the jet’s seats, staring off at nothing. How had that mission gone wrong so fast?
Personally, she felt rather accomplished. She had done her part, and done it rather well, at least in her own mind. Her illusions and staff had both come in handy. Although she had very nearly lost it after two guards stared right through her. Thank goodness she’d been practicing invisibility since she was a child. Being spotted would have been… well, “bad” wasn’t even the word for it.
It was quiet in the jet. Rain was silent at the controls, she wasn’t sure if the others were sleeping, and poor Daphne was huddled in blankets near the back, where the engines were. She felt sorry for her fellow hero. Even though it helped to know that she wasn’t the only one on the team that struggled with confidence, she knew having a power that you couldn’t fully control could be… deadly.
Getting up and stretching her back, she crossed the seats to where Daphne was seated. Without preamble, she began to speak.
“It’s not your fault, Daphne. We’re all still learning. Those of us with unique powers… well, we have to learn with the current, don’t we?” Although she didn’t know it, the closest English expression was ‘learn on the fly’. Without warning, she wrapped up Daphne in a soft hug.
“I’m sure you’re all warm and cozy in your blankets. It’s okay to come out when you are ready.” Her voice was low, so only Daphne could here. Flashing the other girl a gentle, sharp-toothed smile, she retreated. Maybe that would help, maybe it wouldn’t.
Then she startled, her senses finally noticing Ja, on the ceiling of the jet very near Daphne. “Gah! Um.” She looked up slowly, waving. “Hi Ja. How are you feeling?” She noted that he had been somewhat morose once they all got over the adrenaline.
Kijani watched Prince Eskel leave, and sighed faintly. She was glad he was listening, and hadn’t made a rash decision. She almost didn’t hear Master Yoda, simply nodding along to his comments.
“Wait a min – what?”
She looked down at her diminutive Master, who was smirking ever so slightly. “Do I wish he were Adam? Wha - no - I mean, why would I want that? Adam is no prince. If he was, I probably wouldn’t like him as much as I do…”
As what she said passed her lips, she blanched. “Attachment is – you said I can’t – I’ve been focusing so hard on training, I haven’t had time to – ”
Realizing she was stammering and making little sense, she took a deep breath.
“I need a walk, Master. I’ll be back.”
With that, she left the hut and set off at a jog. Away from Eskel. Away from Yoda and his prying questions. She moved through the swamp, paying very little attention to where she was headed. Without meaning to, she found the largest tree in their area of the planet. With weak knees and a heavy heart, she sunk under it and shut her eyes.
The next thing she was aware of was the cold. It seemed to seep into her bones as she got up and started to walk. There was no sound but her own footsteps, as she moved on what seemed like water. Her feet seemed to be leading her somewhere, and so she simply walked.
The rushing of water hit her ears. Before she could blink, she was surrounded by water, covered in it, consumed by it. Everywhere she turned was dark and wet, and she couldn’t find the way up. Shutting her eyes, she let the Force guide her. She swam on and on, lungs burning, and somehow she was looking up at the surface. Three faces looked down at her, hands out stretched to receive her.
They were all her.
The first was dressed in queenly robes. Her dreadlocks fell down her back, and she had an elegant and ramrod posture. She was older, and somehow looked very much like her mother. Her golden eyes were resolute and stern. Eskel was behind her, hand on her shoulder.
The second was robed like a Jedi Master of old. The robes were soft white and tan, and her lightsaber hung prominently from her belt. Her chin was raised, gaze earnest and calm. Adam was behind her, hand on her shoulder.
The third was dressed in black. Her hair was shaved to a short black fuzz, and she held a dazzling deep burgundy lightsaber in her hands. Her eyes were bright, too bright, almost manic, and she was smiling. There was a leather gloved hand on her shoulder, and as she looked up -
Vader came into view.
Kijani awoke – choking, shivering, drenched in a cold sweat. She coughed hard, as if clearing water from her lungs. Her heart thundered in her chest as she got her bearings. Even her clothes were somewhat damp, as if she had truly been trapped underwater.
She knew that dream, that vision, had been very important. Her choices had been laid bare.
She set back off for home at a run, bursting in the door.
“Master Yoda! Something happened…” And she started to explain.
“Wait a min – what?”
She looked down at her diminutive Master, who was smirking ever so slightly. “Do I wish he were Adam? Wha - no - I mean, why would I want that? Adam is no prince. If he was, I probably wouldn’t like him as much as I do…”
As what she said passed her lips, she blanched. “Attachment is – you said I can’t – I’ve been focusing so hard on training, I haven’t had time to – ”
Realizing she was stammering and making little sense, she took a deep breath.
“I need a walk, Master. I’ll be back.”
With that, she left the hut and set off at a jog. Away from Eskel. Away from Yoda and his prying questions. She moved through the swamp, paying very little attention to where she was headed. Without meaning to, she found the largest tree in their area of the planet. With weak knees and a heavy heart, she sunk under it and shut her eyes.
The next thing she was aware of was the cold. It seemed to seep into her bones as she got up and started to walk. There was no sound but her own footsteps, as she moved on what seemed like water. Her feet seemed to be leading her somewhere, and so she simply walked.
The rushing of water hit her ears. Before she could blink, she was surrounded by water, covered in it, consumed by it. Everywhere she turned was dark and wet, and she couldn’t find the way up. Shutting her eyes, she let the Force guide her. She swam on and on, lungs burning, and somehow she was looking up at the surface. Three faces looked down at her, hands out stretched to receive her.
They were all her.
The first was dressed in queenly robes. Her dreadlocks fell down her back, and she had an elegant and ramrod posture. She was older, and somehow looked very much like her mother. Her golden eyes were resolute and stern. Eskel was behind her, hand on her shoulder.
The second was robed like a Jedi Master of old. The robes were soft white and tan, and her lightsaber hung prominently from her belt. Her chin was raised, gaze earnest and calm. Adam was behind her, hand on her shoulder.
The third was dressed in black. Her hair was shaved to a short black fuzz, and she held a dazzling deep burgundy lightsaber in her hands. Her eyes were bright, too bright, almost manic, and she was smiling. There was a leather gloved hand on her shoulder, and as she looked up -
Vader came into view.
Kijani awoke – choking, shivering, drenched in a cold sweat. She coughed hard, as if clearing water from her lungs. Her heart thundered in her chest as she got her bearings. Even her clothes were somewhat damp, as if she had truly been trapped underwater.
She knew that dream, that vision, had been very important. Her choices had been laid bare.
She set back off for home at a run, bursting in the door.
“Master Yoda! Something happened…” And she started to explain.
Trying to helpfully drag Bright Ops into this mess. No Player left behind.
@bloonewb
Jin nodded happily, as Vyarin asked for assistance. "Yes, I will help." Of course she would. If any of her sisters had shown interest, she gladly would have taught them too. "Oh, your... eye... I am forgetting." She genuinely had - sometimes men had injuries of battle, even practice battles, or hunting accidents. She had learned to overlook them, working with men. Just as they had learned to overlook her breasts, for the most part. "I will help again!" There had to be some kind of way to assist, even though Prince Vyarin would likely never be a good shot. Maybe a bigger target perhaps?
She realized she was probably taking up too much of his time. This was supposed to be a ball, after all. If Father saw, he'd probably try to pair them. The Prodzy prince was pleasant, certainly, but she was not ready for that. (Also, was it her imagination, or had she caught A Look from Annalise earlier?)
"Please be excused of me." She curtsied properly as soon as there was a brief break in the music, and left Vyarin's side. One day, she'd visit Prodzy, and maybe come back with a nice customized longbow.
Scanning her eyes around the ballroom, she noticed a newcomer. It was hard not to notice him; his ears were tipped and his hair was frost white. If her memory served, this was the prince they had been missing.
She approached him and curtsied again. "Good evening." Her eyes took everything in, from the uniform, to the sword, to the distant expression. "...If you are who I think you are, you are quite late."
@Bright_Ops
Jin nodded happily, as Vyarin asked for assistance. "Yes, I will help." Of course she would. If any of her sisters had shown interest, she gladly would have taught them too. "Oh, your... eye... I am forgetting." She genuinely had - sometimes men had injuries of battle, even practice battles, or hunting accidents. She had learned to overlook them, working with men. Just as they had learned to overlook her breasts, for the most part. "I will help again!" There had to be some kind of way to assist, even though Prince Vyarin would likely never be a good shot. Maybe a bigger target perhaps?
She realized she was probably taking up too much of his time. This was supposed to be a ball, after all. If Father saw, he'd probably try to pair them. The Prodzy prince was pleasant, certainly, but she was not ready for that. (Also, was it her imagination, or had she caught A Look from Annalise earlier?)
"Please be excused of me." She curtsied properly as soon as there was a brief break in the music, and left Vyarin's side. One day, she'd visit Prodzy, and maybe come back with a nice customized longbow.
Scanning her eyes around the ballroom, she noticed a newcomer. It was hard not to notice him; his ears were tipped and his hair was frost white. If her memory served, this was the prince they had been missing.
She approached him and curtsied again. "Good evening." Her eyes took everything in, from the uniform, to the sword, to the distant expression. "...If you are who I think you are, you are quite late."
@Bright_Ops
Jin's eyes lit up as she was understood. "Yes, archery!" She nearly shouted it in Prodzy, the word finally having popped into her head with all his gesturing. "I very like archery!" Father would just die if he knew how much of a mess she was making with the language. His Prodzy was elegant. A little formal, probably, but that was his way.
"Oloyeva make bows!" So he had someone in the family who made bows. This was good news. Although she was still working out the whole 'father-brother' thing. "Do you... to enjoy archery?" Hopefully he would say yes. That would give them something real to talk about. Talk as much as they could manage with the language barrier, anyway.
"Oloyeva make bows!" So he had someone in the family who made bows. This was good news. Although she was still working out the whole 'father-brother' thing. "Do you... to enjoy archery?" Hopefully he would say yes. That would give them something real to talk about. Talk as much as they could manage with the language barrier, anyway.
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