No Such Thing as Super-Heroes

[midst_of_threads]

There is someone in her forest.

Flynn runs her hand over her creature's back, and then sends it fluttering away into the trees with a flick of her wrist.


Her first creation, her guardian, lets out a small growl.
"I know," Flynn says.
"Go. Get rid of them."

It slinks into the forest, feline features molded from broken glass.
It quickly vanishes from site and Flynn pushes down a flash of loneliness.

Comments

[there_is_no_such_thing_as]

Henry blushes, Gabe giggles.

"Sorry to sink your hopes," Gabe says "I don't swing that way, but Henry goes both directions."

Henry will manage to blush even more, it starting to look a medical condition now. He burries his face on his hands.

[midst_of_threads]

Flynn checks Henry out, "You're cute too."

[there_is_no_such_thing_as]

Henry laughs nervously, looks up, seems to react in some indecipherable way, but then quickly look down.

"You are quite lovely, but... Shower, breakfast, then I can put a foot in my mouth."

[midst_of_threads]

"Yes, breakfast. Good idea! I'll go make some."

[there_is_no_such_thing_as]

"Thanks," Henry say still sounding embarrassed.

The two boys will take a shower and join Flynn at the breakfast table.

[midst_of_threads]

Flynn waits impatiently for them to arrive.

[there_is_no_such_thing_as]

They don't take too long, if Flynn was suspecting non-hygiene related activities, they certainly didn't have the time.

"So..." Henry says still a bit embarrassed "I really want to figure out powers."

"Aren't you going to eat breakfast first," Gabe says after rolling his eyes.

[midst_of_threads]

Flynn has already starting eating and says, "Yea, let's eat first. We can try to figure everything out after."

[there_is_no_such_thing_as]

The two boys start eating. Hmm, scrambled eggs, nom nom.

After everyone finishes breakfast, Henry brings up the topic again.

"Have you heard of anyone with powers in your family?" Henry asks "Weird rumors, or even... Ancient accusations of witchcraft?"

[midst_of_threads]

"No, we're not necessarily normal, but I'm pretty sure there's not magic. What about you guys?"

[there_is_no_such_thing_as]

"Our great-aunt greatest ambition was to become a mysterious magical old lady," Henry says "but no actual power, magical or otherwise."

"If you notice Henry making a face every time he says 'magic'," Gabe comments "You can blame our dear Aunt Annabeth."

[midst_of_threads]

"Why?"

[there_is_no_such_thing_as]

"She believed in everything and nothing simultaneously," Henry says "Without any... rhyme or reason behind it, one day it was gnomes, the other was angels and the third day was the alignment between the planets."

"We think she was being obtuse on purpose," Gabe says "But she was too obtuse for all to be just an act."

"Anyway," Henry says "Maybe it is contagious or environmental? How far from here were you when you first noticed your powers?"

[midst_of_threads]

"I'm not exactly sure where here is. I've been moving around. A hundred miles maybe?"

[there_is_no_such_thing_as]

Henry taps his fingers on the table, while he thinks.

"Everything we can discover today sounds like a long shot," Henry thinks "but if it is environmental it is too subtle or too recent. Plus the Golden Man was discovered too far from here. I am not going to make any attachments to any theory, just yet, but I am more inclined to believe it is somehow contagious... but not enough that I wouldn't try to find a way back to a major city and try researching."

"You are going to read all the news articles that you have been ignoring all these years," Gabe says smirking "right?"

[midst_of_threads]

"I'm not sure any of this has a scientific explanation."

[there_is_no_such_thing_as]

Gabe flinches.

"I am not going to snap at her," Henry says to Gabe, feeling unlike himself but not dwelling on it, he turns to Flynn "Everything is bound to follow some rule, even if the rule is so opaque that human civilization will fall before figuring out," he smiles "I am willing to try a little longer."

[midst_of_threads]

Flynn shrugs, "Sure, but I'd rather spend the time learning to use my powers."

[there_is_no_such_thing_as]

"Oh, I am totally going to try that too..." Henry says then he suddenly reaches for Gabe and Flynn's hands "huh..."

He closes his eyes and seems to be lost deep in thought.

[midst_of_threads]

"What are you doing?"

[there_is_no_such_thing_as]

"Shhhh," Henry says without opening his eyes or moving his hands.

Gabe is about to ask something.

"I am getting the hang of it," Henry interrupts "I am sort of... identifying your powers...?"

[midst_of_threads]

"What are you seeing?"

[there_is_no_such_thing_as]

"It is like seeing a clock and seeing the parts work?" Henry says "but also knowing the mechanism functions. It tells me your ability to create and Gabe's ability to transform and... you both have something..."

He lets go off Gabe and holds the hand against his chest for a moment.

"...Something from me."

[midst_of_threads]

"What do you mean?"

[there_is_no_such_thing_as]

"Yeah," Gabe says "Say explain that again."

"Last night I was feeling the warmth getting warmer," Henry says "it is me... my powers include making other powers stronger... not everyone, but you two are included. Stronger on Gabe than Flynn. Her new creatures ought to get better in some way."