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

[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."

[midst_of_threads]

"What do you mean stronger? Is it changing them?"

[there_is_no_such_thing_as]

"They will be fine," Henry says "The power is... careful, I don't think your old creatures will change and you will have to decide using whatever new it is giving you... Yeah, there is something about it that is very... careful, it doesn't want chaos."

"You are sounding like Aunt Annabeth when she was faking a seance," Gabe comments.

[midst_of_threads]

"What is it giving me?"

[there_is_no_such_thing_as]

"I think it is improving your control over your power. I think your creations will get more... Dexterous? Disciplined? Something on that area..."

[midst_of_threads]

"What about Gabe?"

[unadalturedstrength]

"Yes, my turn!"

[there_is_no_such_thing_as]

Henry focus and then says "I think there is some sort of... trade-off in your power and it is making it better... The stronger you get the less rational you are! It is giving you more strength for a lesser cost."

[midst_of_threads]

"Did either of you have anything weird happen before yesterday? Could someone in your family have actual powers?"

[there_is_no_such_thing_as]

The two look at each other and quietly reach a conclusion.

"Nothing weird and we don't know of anyone that displayed powers. Gabe's father and his side of the family might have but it wouldn't explain me."

[midst_of_threads]

"What could they do?"

[unadalturedstrength]

"Nothing. What Henry meant is that we don't know enough about him to be certain that he doesn't have powers. He is a complete stranger."

Gabe sounds completely unfazed while saying that. Henry reaction is just a single nod of agreement.

[midst_of_threads]

"So we really have no clue why we can do all this stuff."

[there_is_no_such_thing_as]

Henry opens his mouth, then closes, then opens again and says "Yeah..." he slumps on his chair and Gabe puts his arm around Henry's shoulders.

"I am tempted to go visit some relatives and check for powers."