[Though her cellphone is useful and Amelia is actually open to technology (it's another fun thing to study, she's a nerd) the old pen and paper method is comforting.]
The skull probably isn't of earthly origin.
And why? [Amelia scoffs and crosses her arms irately though it isn't because of Henry's question.]
I've dealt with creatures from outer worlds and although there's usually a reason for their patterns and activities among humans... Every now and then you'll have other beings who facilitate purposeless fear.
[And that might be the only point which makes it even more frightening.]
If he has a purpose, he isn't telling. I've tried approaching him directly but he's aware of who and what I am. He always slips away at the sight of me.
...I did throw a baseball at his head the first time so...
[Facilitating purposeless fear isn't always so bad; though he supposes the fear he always generated from a parallel dimension away definitely had its purpose.
He looks dubiously at her.]
You probably didn't make the best first impression. [Even Henry knows how critical it is to play nice until you absolutely need to drop the facade.] In that case, are you hoping that I'll be less susceptible to his influence?
[Henry's mental defenses are, unsurprisingly, stronger than most's.]
I wasn't thinking about how to make a good first impression when he was about to offer skull juice to a child.
[sure she had to disrupt the baseball game she was invited to at the park, but the team was very impressed by her arm strength even when they had no idea why she threw the ball]
I was thinking you'd be less susceptible and see what would happen if you took the skull. One of my theories is that it's not really the man doing the aforementioned actions but the skull itself.
[Fair enough, but now he has that rather amusing mental image playing in his head.]
And if he doesn't like me taking the skull? What then? Just what am I allowed to do, and what's off the table?
[Killing is such an easy option. Crushing the skull with his powers, too. But if he has to play by her rules, he wants to know where he stands in regards to violent action.]
It depends on where the confrontation takes place.
[Amelia flips through her notebook to land on the page where she's made a crude drawing of the skull man and scribbled down some notes.]
The most irritating thing about him is that he's been appearing in moderately crowded areas such as downtown or the park at peak hours. At least with the park we can isolate and deal with it as needed.
[And surprisingly...]
I would like to at least try and see if he can be bargained with or if he'll take blood by force if the drink isn't accepted.
But if he doesn't deviate from that action do what you must. When it comes to these creatures you do not let them push you around.
[Henry eyes the drawing for a moment, then once more looks up at her -- maybe a little vaguely surprised (clearly, she isn't messing around when it comes to these creatures causing mayhem, which is fine by him), but he still wishes to clarify. Because-]
But if you think the skull is the main culprit, then maybe the man's innocent. Lost in an illusion, or mentally manipulated.
[But hey. If she's cool with him killing him too if needed... then shrug emoji all around!]
You could check with your telepathy, couldn't you?
[He does bring up a good point although Amelia's opinion is that the man is just a shell. Neither Adam or Lien could face match him in their own databases which could mean the shell was an unknown person who was easy to puppet without anyone noticing.]
I'll be close behind you, by the way. You're helping me deal with this upfront but you're also another pair of eyes.
And I will intervene so you won't get hurt. You're not running on full power after all.
[He could. He's sure he could. But if the result is "yes, this is an innocent man under the influence" but he still tries to harm Henry... Well, he's taking that as full permission to do what's needed to defend himself. His expression, a very mild smile, reflects that.]
Thank you. [He says the phrase plainly, just automatically.] I'm sure I'll be fine, either way. The real trick will be getting straightforward answers out of the man before the situation resorts to violence.
But no way to find out until we try.
[And though this is mostly obligation to help him find a way home, color him... curious.]
Mr. Creel, you may call it mundane, I call it a solution.
[She can't help it, her teacher voice is back.]
If you depend on one skill set you limit your options in a crisis. All avenues must be as available as possible! Though my spell craft is my main ability, I also hone myself physically.
It keeps me fit and an element of surprise for any fool who thinks I'm a frail witch.
We'll scout the park tomorrow after school. I'll meet you there as soon as the bell rings.
[As she nears the end of the school year, Amelia has been rather busy. The skull man's activity in the town had irked her, adding more to her already heavy workload... But it's sort of. Nice? Relieving? That she can have Henry help out. She has friends, yes, but they're usually doing their own thing and she rarely likes to bother them by asking them to drive into town.
She hopes this works out and that he feels less restless as an odd guest in her reality.]
๐น๐น๐น
[Late afternoon, Amelia makes her way to Ivory Park, trying to spot Henry. There are several families or random people out in the park, enjoying its well-maintained beauty and an ice cream cart that travels through the area serving popsicles and ice cream sandwiches to kids and teens who just got out of school.
When Amelia sees Henry, she's about to wave to him but he'll see her be distracted by some people, probably parents who are talking to her enthusiastically while their teen tries to be casual with their teacher in this outside setting.
It's funny; Amelia's actually smiling pleasantly and although their conversation isn't important, she's giving them her full attention.]
[He's there before her, finding shade beneath an old tree while he waits for her to arrive. Henry kills time with people-watching, a sketchbook tucked beneath his arm to at least give him the illusion of a reason for him being there. He might have actually drawn something while he was waiting, too, though it's impossible to know what that may have been since it's closed for now, the only proof for which are the faint graphite smears on the tips of his right hand.
Finally, she arrives, and he straightens to go to meet her -- but it seems as though she's been distracted by people; teens and their parents, so he surmises that this must be the parents of her students, who she focuses on completely rather than what Henry believes should be the task at hand.
Well, that's fine. He won't interrupt... verbally. But he does continue walking over until he's basically in the bubble of conversation.
[When Henry approaches, Amelia tenses up slightly... Because the student is Khanh, the one who spotted Henry first on the beach and witnessed his powers firsthand.
When she looks at the blonde man, her brow furrows for a brief second. But it quickly relaxes and she just waves to him in that weird awkward teen way. Her parents finally let Amelia go and say their goodbyes.]
"Oh, this is your artist friend, right? We won't keep you then Ms. Steinbeck."
"We'll see you at graduation then! Thank you for helping our Khanh to get into UCLA!"
[When Khanh finally leaves with her family, the witch's shoulders relax. And when they're out of earshot, she murmurs to Henry.]
[The memory is not very sharp on his end, because he was in... not the best mental state, shall we say. But he remembers this student face. The fear in her eyes when she witnessed his powers.
Even now, he cannot bring himself to feel even a mote of guilt about it.
But to Henry's credit, he remains friendly-looking, with the same little smile plastered on his features that Amelia should be used to seeing by now. He waits patiently for the exchange to end.
He quirks his brow, tilts his head closer to her a little skeptically.]
Were you afraid it wasn't? The girl would have ran off screaming, otherwise. Still, aren't you popular?
Well, it's less a wipe and more of suppression. You have to be a very powerful psychic to be able to take something away.
[She readjusts her glasses and turns to him fully.]
So you aren't totally wrong. If it was a faulty job, just the sight of you would have been a trigger to open the floodgates.
[As for his comment about her being "popular..."]
I won't go so far as to say that I'm a great teacher. I've much to learn when it comes to connecting and instructing each changing generation. But... It's nice. Being able to take part in a young person's life in a small way.
Good to know. Maybe someday I'll expand my own toolset.
[He says it like it's a joke, but it's very hard to tell with Henry and that smile of his. His psionic forte revolves around memories, pulling out the worst ones and making people relive them; but could he do the reverse if he tried, and erase them completely from the mind? He wonders. He's never had a reason to.
But that's a thought for later, maybe. Henry listens to her sentiment about being a teacher, quiet.]
Is it your hope that a part of you will remain with them, well into adulthood?
[Amelia could have mentioned offhandedly that memory suppression or erasure is a highly coveted skill within the esper commune but it's his latter question that makes her look contemplative.
It doesn't take much reflecting for her to nod in confirmation.]
I haven't thought of it that way in a while, but yes.
[She gestures to Henry so that they can start walking down a path that goes further into the park.]
When I was relatively younger I didn't know how to deal with people.
[There were reasons, of course, none of which she had any control over.]
Although, I suppose even as a child, I was considered introverted.
[He follows, walking alongside her, sketchbook still tucked beneath his arm.]
So was I.
[On both counts. Didn't know how to deal with people, introverted. In a way, not much has changed; he just wears a mask of politeness and personability better.]
There's nothing wrong with that. People generally aren't worth dealing with.
[Being a teacher can be very unforgiving, especially with the decks stacked so high against them constantly.]
But there are other days when I can't help but see the lives of the people around me as stories, each moment a blank page. And then sometimes I meet someone who has a full story that I would have never guessed without getting to know them.
[He sounds more surprised than offended. He cannot think that he's anything more than blank pages to her, especially when he's been keeping parts of his story under lock and key for now.]
Well, I don't know much apart from what you disclosed. From what you've told me, the pain of those experiences has probably cut you deeply to the core.
[It isn't difficult to realize the implications of being taken to a lab for his powers as a child and growing up into adulthood.
She's uncertain if any of what she's doing for Henry, in light of what she knows, is a good idea but her instincts as a witch are probably telling her it's a way to balance things out. Or maybe she's just trying to convince herself that.]
But even that aside, if there's anything I know about psychics, it's that they're born into this world with a crushing weight.
[Espers feel so much, they see and hear the thoughts and emotions of their fellow man too early in their lives. Others will relive the past or take on the pain of others, or be subject to future visions they cannot control, including the vision of their own deaths. Unlike witches whose magic helps create the impossible, and whose minds are shaped by arcane and otherworldly knowledge, the abilities of psychics take the whole of themselves in order to brandish their powers.]
A young woman that I work with, an esper, framed it as, being easy to rob yourself of joy.
[There is a long and lengthy pause before Henry bothers to reply. One that runs so long that it's a wonder if he will at all. The pain of those experiences has probably cut you deeply to the core.
She's not wrong about a lot of things. That, probably, is just as accurate as the rest, his time spent in HNL cementing many of his current character traits, good and bad. All the sharp, broken edges in him made even keener in those twenty years.
Just as she's right about psychics being born with a burden that's difficult to carry. How would life had turned out differently for Henry Creel if his powers hadn't manifested when he was twelve, if he could not delve into the minds of others and learn just how hypocritical so many were? How many masks they wore? Maybe his discontent would not have spiraled as it did; maybe he would have been able to carry through life, perhaps not always happy, but with the potential to grow. To meet people who would help him.
But so much of that is too... vulnerable to admit. For a man like him to even be aware of, having to turn that self-awareness inward, and that is not something that Henry is good at. He refuses to be.
And so-]
Really? I think that's strange.
[The way he says it, it sounds like he believes it.]
I've always thought of my powers as an advantage. A gift. The ability to see what people are really like. And maybe that led to others taking advantage of that power, but I'd still not trade it for anything.
[Amelia gives Henry a peculiar look after he replies to her.
The ability to see what people are really like.]
Well then. You wouldn't have advocated for getting your powers back if you disliked them.
[She decides to be casual about it as she usually is when deciding not to delve too deep into another person's words. They're here for something else right now.
As they approach the bridge built over the small pond, she stops and points.]
And there he is. Hiding in plain sight as it were.
[The man with the skull is dressed in a plain collared shirt and trousers and stands idly on the bridge right smack dab in the middle. It made senseโ anyone who wanted to cross would have to pass him.]
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sunfloras2023-04-20 07:42 pm
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The skull probably isn't of earthly origin.
And why? [Amelia scoffs and crosses her arms irately though it isn't because of Henry's question.]
I've dealt with creatures from outer worlds and although there's usually a reason for their patterns and activities among humans... Every now and then you'll have other beings who facilitate purposeless fear.
[And that might be the only point which makes it even more frightening.]
If he has a purpose, he isn't telling. I've tried approaching him directly but he's aware of who and what I am. He always slips away at the sight of me.
...I did throw a baseball at his head the first time so...
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He looks dubiously at her.]
You probably didn't make the best first impression. [Even Henry knows how critical it is to play nice until you absolutely need to drop the facade.] In that case, are you hoping that I'll be less susceptible to his influence?
[Henry's mental defenses are, unsurprisingly, stronger than most's.]
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[sure she had to disrupt the baseball game she was invited to at the park, but the team was very impressed by her arm strength even when they had no idea why she threw the ball]
I was thinking you'd be less susceptible and see what would happen if you took the skull. One of my theories is that it's not really the man doing the aforementioned actions but the skull itself.
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And if he doesn't like me taking the skull? What then? Just what am I allowed to do, and what's off the table?
[Killing is such an easy option. Crushing the skull with his powers, too. But if he has to play by her rules, he wants to know where he stands in regards to violent action.]
Going to assume you'll frown at killing.
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[Amelia flips through her notebook to land on the page where she's made a crude drawing of the skull man and scribbled down some notes.]
The most irritating thing about him is that he's been appearing in moderately crowded areas such as downtown or the park at peak hours. At least with the park we can isolate and deal with it as needed.
[And surprisingly...]
I would like to at least try and see if he can be bargained with or if he'll take blood by force if the drink isn't accepted.
But if he doesn't deviate from that action do what you must. When it comes to these creatures you do not let them push you around.
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But if you think the skull is the main culprit, then maybe the man's innocent. Lost in an illusion, or mentally manipulated.
[But hey. If she's cool with him killing him too if needed... then shrug emoji all around!]
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[He does bring up a good point although Amelia's opinion is that the man is just a shell. Neither Adam or Lien could face match him in their own databases which could mean the shell was an unknown person who was easy to puppet without anyone noticing.]
I'll be close behind you, by the way. You're helping me deal with this upfront but you're also another pair of eyes.
And I will intervene so you won't get hurt. You're not running on full power after all.
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[He could. He's sure he could. But if the result is "yes, this is an innocent man under the influence" but he still tries to harm Henry... Well, he's taking that as full permission to do what's needed to defend himself. His expression, a very mild smile, reflects that.]
Thank you. [He says the phrase plainly, just automatically.] I'm sure I'll be fine, either way. The real trick will be getting straightforward answers out of the man before the situation resorts to violence.
But no way to find out until we try.
[And though this is mostly obligation to help him find a way home, color him... curious.]
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[sometimes she says things so seriously it has to be a joke... But she's kind of serious... ๐ฅฒ]
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[Yeah, no. He suspects she's serious, and he hasn't even known her for that long.]
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[She can't help it, her teacher voice is back.]
If you depend on one skill set you limit your options in a crisis. All avenues must be as available as possible! Though my spell craft is my main ability, I also hone myself physically.
It keeps me fit and an element of surprise for any fool who thinks I'm a frail witch.
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[Her tone. It is a little amusing, and his smile twitches.
He's not sure he agrees, but he humors her.]
Then I leave any well-rounded heavy lifting to you. I was never very physically strong, not when there was no need to be.
lil time skippy
[As she nears the end of the school year, Amelia has been rather busy. The skull man's activity in the town had irked her, adding more to her already heavy workload... But it's sort of. Nice? Relieving? That she can have Henry help out. She has friends, yes, but they're usually doing their own thing and she rarely likes to bother them by asking them to drive into town.
She hopes this works out and that he feels less restless as an odd guest in her reality.]
[Late afternoon, Amelia makes her way to Ivory Park, trying to spot Henry. There are several families or random people out in the park, enjoying its well-maintained beauty and an ice cream cart that travels through the area serving popsicles and ice cream sandwiches to kids and teens who just got out of school.
When Amelia sees Henry, she's about to wave to him but he'll see her be distracted by some people, probably parents who are talking to her enthusiastically while their teen tries to be casual with their teacher in this outside setting.
It's funny; Amelia's actually smiling pleasantly and although their conversation isn't important, she's giving them her full attention.]
no subject
Finally, she arrives, and he straightens to go to meet her -- but it seems as though she's been distracted by people; teens and their parents, so he surmises that this must be the parents of her students, who she focuses on completely rather than what Henry believes should be the task at hand.
Well, that's fine. He won't interrupt... verbally. But he does continue walking over until he's basically in the bubble of conversation.
Hi.]
no subject
When she looks at the blonde man, her brow furrows for a brief second. But it quickly relaxes and she just waves to him in that weird awkward teen way. Her parents finally let Amelia go and say their goodbyes.]
"Oh, this is your artist friend, right? We won't keep you then Ms. Steinbeck."
"We'll see you at graduation then! Thank you for helping our Khanh to get into UCLA!"
[When Khanh finally leaves with her family, the witch's shoulders relax. And when they're out of earshot, she murmurs to Henry.]
Good. The memory wipe was effective.
no subject
Even now, he cannot bring himself to feel even a mote of guilt about it.
But to Henry's credit, he remains friendly-looking, with the same little smile plastered on his features that Amelia should be used to seeing by now. He waits patiently for the exchange to end.
He quirks his brow, tilts his head closer to her a little skeptically.]
Were you afraid it wasn't? The girl would have ran off screaming, otherwise. Still, aren't you popular?
no subject
[She readjusts her glasses and turns to him fully.]
So you aren't totally wrong. If it was a faulty job, just the sight of you would have been a trigger to open the floodgates.
[As for his comment about her being "popular..."]
I won't go so far as to say that I'm a great teacher. I've much to learn when it comes to connecting and instructing each changing generation. But... It's nice. Being able to take part in a young person's life in a small way.
no subject
[He says it like it's a joke, but it's very hard to tell with Henry and that smile of his. His psionic forte revolves around memories, pulling out the worst ones and making people relive them; but could he do the reverse if he tried, and erase them completely from the mind? He wonders. He's never had a reason to.
But that's a thought for later, maybe. Henry listens to her sentiment about being a teacher, quiet.]
Is it your hope that a part of you will remain with them, well into adulthood?
no subject
It doesn't take much reflecting for her to nod in confirmation.]
I haven't thought of it that way in a while, but yes.
[She gestures to Henry so that they can start walking down a path that goes further into the park.]
When I was relatively younger I didn't know how to deal with people.
[There were reasons, of course, none of which she had any control over.]
Although, I suppose even as a child, I was considered introverted.
no subject
So was I.
[On both counts. Didn't know how to deal with people, introverted. In a way, not much has changed; he just wears a mask of politeness and personability better.]
There's nothing wrong with that. People generally aren't worth dealing with.
no subject
[Being a teacher can be very unforgiving, especially with the decks stacked so high against them constantly.]
But there are other days when I can't help but see the lives of the people around me as stories, each moment a blank page. And then sometimes I meet someone who has a full story that I would have never guessed without getting to know them.
Like you.
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[He sounds more surprised than offended. He cannot think that he's anything more than blank pages to her, especially when he's been keeping parts of his story under lock and key for now.]
In what way?
no subject
[It isn't difficult to realize the implications of being taken to a lab for his powers as a child and growing up into adulthood.
She's uncertain if any of what she's doing for Henry, in light of what she knows, is a good idea but her instincts as a witch are probably telling her it's a way to balance things out. Or maybe she's just trying to convince herself that.]
But even that aside, if there's anything I know about psychics, it's that they're born into this world with a crushing weight.
[Espers feel so much, they see and hear the thoughts and emotions of their fellow man too early in their lives. Others will relive the past or take on the pain of others, or be subject to future visions they cannot control, including the vision of their own deaths. Unlike witches whose magic helps create the impossible, and whose minds are shaped by arcane and otherworldly knowledge, the abilities of psychics take the whole of themselves in order to brandish their powers.]
A young woman that I work with, an esper, framed it as, being easy to rob yourself of joy.
no subject
She's not wrong about a lot of things. That, probably, is just as accurate as the rest, his time spent in HNL cementing many of his current character traits, good and bad. All the sharp, broken edges in him made even keener in those twenty years.
Just as she's right about psychics being born with a burden that's difficult to carry. How would life had turned out differently for Henry Creel if his powers hadn't manifested when he was twelve, if he could not delve into the minds of others and learn just how hypocritical so many were? How many masks they wore? Maybe his discontent would not have spiraled as it did; maybe he would have been able to carry through life, perhaps not always happy, but with the potential to grow. To meet people who would help him.
But so much of that is too... vulnerable to admit. For a man like him to even be aware of, having to turn that self-awareness inward, and that is not something that Henry is good at. He refuses to be.
And so-]
Really? I think that's strange.
[The way he says it, it sounds like he believes it.]
I've always thought of my powers as an advantage. A gift. The ability to see what people are really like. And maybe that led to others taking advantage of that power, but I'd still not trade it for anything.
no subject
The ability to see what people are really like.]
Well then. You wouldn't have advocated for getting your powers back if you disliked them.
[She decides to be casual about it as she usually is when deciding not to delve too deep into another person's words. They're here for something else right now.
As they approach the bridge built over the small pond, she stops and points.]
And there he is. Hiding in plain sight as it were.
[The man with the skull is dressed in a plain collared shirt and trousers and stands idly on the bridge right smack dab in the middle. It made senseโ anyone who wanted to cross would have to pass him.]
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