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Post by trinn on Oct 5, 2009 22:53:18 GMT -8
Before Etta could think very much about Sam's cut-off reply, there was a light tap on her shoulder as a young voice spoke. Turning, she smiled at the young boy, reached for her purse only to remember it was still at her boutique. "I might have some change in my pocket." she said, checking both jean pocketts. They were both empty. Poor kid. All he needed was a dollar in change and she culdn't help him out. "I'm sorry." she said, hating to let him down. "I seem to have used up all my change. But, maybe my friend has some." Etta looked over her shoulder at Sam, hoping he wouldn't mind. "Do you happen to have change for a dollar?" She tilted her head at the kid, hoping Sam would oblige.
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Post by Max452 on Oct 5, 2009 23:16:58 GMT -8
Micah politely waited as Etta searched for some change. He wasn't surprised that she didn't have any - it wasn't the point.
Micah grinned when she turned to Sam. Micah noticed Sam's impatience, knew the look that yelled out: "Stop fooling around." Micah smirked. The man may seem tough, but he was just really a big ole teddy bear. That softy.
Sam raised an eyebrow at Etta and then glared at Micah to hurry up. "No." He said simply and went back to watching the arcade, noting possible escape routes while he was at it.
"It's okay, Henrietta." Micah said and sat down on the empty stool next to her. "And don't mind Sam, he's usually this grumpy." Sam let out a "humph" and simply folded his arms. He turned towards the video game. "Do you mind playing a round with me? Its been awhile since I got to play video games." He said as he inconspicuously placed a hand on the machine. "You know how to play Pac-Man right? You just eat all the dots and try to run away from the Shadows. You'll be Mrs. Pac Man." He told her as the screen came to life and two Pac-men (one mrs. Pac-man) appeared in the middle of the screen and the game started.
Moving the old-fashioned joy-stick, Micah moved Pac-man along, trying to run away from a Shadow. "So, I hear you wanted to meet me?" Micah said with an amiable grin.
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Post by trinn on Oct 5, 2009 23:40:58 GMT -8
Etta stared at Sam, feeling a bit angry. He hadn't even checked for change! Hearing her name, Etta turned her head slowly back around to look at the kid. No, this couldn't be rebel. He was so young! She continued to stare as he took the open seat beside her. "Uh, yeah." she said, her answer a little belated. "I remember Pac-man." Turning to face the arcade screen, she was surprised to find it already booted up. Setting her tulip on her lap, Etta gingerly touched the joystick, only half-heartedly paying attention to Mrs. Pac-man.
"Yes, I did." Etta paused, unsure how to continue. She had come to meet rebel because she had wanted to thank him, but it had been more than that. It was because running away had seemed cowardly. "I, well, first I wanted to say thanks." she jerked the joystick to the left, narrowly avoiding a shadow. "And, I don't really like the idea of running away." As her bowed pac-man ran around the course, Etta felt oddly related to it. "I don't want to be Mrs. Pac-man." she said, her voice catching. "I don't want to be chased around by shadows." Realizing she sounded more childish than the rebel kid beside her, she sighed and tried to find the right words. "I've never been much of a fighter. I don't like fighting. But I can't stand the thought of innocent people being rounded up like rabid animals. I want to help us." She looked over at rebel, dooming mrs. pac-man to a shadow.
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Post by Max452 on Oct 6, 2009 0:11:32 GMT -8
OOC: Yay! You caught my pacman symbolism! lol
"You're very welcome." Micah said as Pac-Man ate more dots. "And I'm glad you feel that way. I was hoping you could help, but I wanted to offer you a chance for a better life. Its the least I could do." He pulled his joystick up, allowing Pac-Man to eat one of the special dots, causing the screen to go black and white as his Pac-Man now chased the Shadows.
Sam turned an eye at Etta, the corner of his mouth almost forming a grin. He didn't know that she felt that. Then again, he didn't know she existed until three or four hours ago. He watched as Pac-Man devoured a Shadow.
"You see, Henrietta, there's something darker...larger...and more powerful than us." Pac Man ate a shadow. "Its lying in the shadows...and no matter how much we try..." The power Pac-Man ended and the recently eaten shadow was released, "the Shadow keeps coming back. We don't know who he is, but we know that he wants people like us to disappear." Micah paused, "We need people like you, to help us spread the word to others like us; to recruit them. People are just afraid of us, but if we show them that there's nothing to be scared of, then maybe...just maybe we'll have a chance, but we need to stick together." He didn't react fast enough and Pac-Man got eaten. "Or everyone loses." Micah said, taking his hand off the joystick. "I know, I'm asking a lot; there are huge sacrifices that are going to be made. But I know, if we stick together, get the word out, we can defeat this darkness. So, do you wanna help? oh, and the fighting thing...I'm sure Sam wouldn't mind." Micah smiled at Sam, who pointedly looked away.
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Post by trinn on Oct 6, 2009 0:22:53 GMT -8
OOC: lol. Very well done, I must say.
Rebel was young, there was no doubt, but he spoke like a man aged in years. He was already doing so much to help. Etta wondered what had happened to him to cause him to lead this fight. Part of her wanted to take him to France and raise him there, away from all this chaos. He deserved to be a kid. But if she did that, she would be taking away hope for all her kind. Also, she doubted rebel would want to go, or that Sam would allow it. No, she would not run away from this fight.
"Yes, I want to help." she said, her voice firm in her resolve. "In any way possible." Etta glanced at Sam, who didn't seem to be paying attention. He was watching the rest of the arcade attentively, ready, Etta knew, to give his life for the rebel.
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Post by Max452 on Oct 6, 2009 0:40:15 GMT -8
Micah gave Etta a huge smile. "Good. I'm glad. Now, I better get going." Micah turned halfway in order to access the backpack he always had. Unzipping it, one could see several 9th Wonders comic books and some clothes. Fiddling with the clothes, Micah handed Etta a cell phone. "Here. You're one of us now. I'll be able to contact you with that." He looked at Sam, who was now looking at the boy carefully.
"You going to be okay?" Sam asked, glancing around the arcade room briefly.
Micah smiled at him. "I told you would care." The boy replied simply, which caused Sam to scoff. "Don't worry. West and Sparrow are nearby. (OOC: Have you read any of the graphic novels? West is in them!!! hehe) Oh, I almost forgot. I didn't pick up anything about you being the one to help her; you're still good." Micah turned to look at Henrietta once more. "Thanks." He smiled again and then turned when a tall teenager walked up. "Micah, its time." West said, glancing at Etta and Sam quickly.
"Bye. It was nice meeting you, oh, and don't let him push you around." Micah referred to Sam and hurried off with West.
**
Sam watched Micah disappear into the crowd of kids and wished the kid didn't have to grow up so fast. "Well, welcome to the team." Sam said as glanced at the phone that was given to Etta. "I suppose you'll be staying with me. We might have to change your looks though." He warned her, before gesturing for them to exit too.
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Post by trinn on Oct 6, 2009 0:58:14 GMT -8
OOC: What! I didn't even know there were graphic novels! I've gots to check those out, especially if West is in them. lol
Taking the phone, Etta gave it a quick glance. It seemed pretty basic, which was good. Making calls and the occasional text was enough for her. Etta watched the exchange between Micah and Sam, finding it oddly touching regardless of Sam's gruff demeanor. A tall, dark haired teen walked up then, hurrying Micah out. "Nice meeting you as well." she said, before he was bustled away.
"Thanks." she said to Sam, looking again at the phone. She'd never been part of a team before, and as such was a little excited about it. At mention of her looks, Etta touched a strand of her curly hair, which fell just below her jaw. The only way to change her look was to go shorter, unless she wanted to get extensions. Scooping up her tulip, phone in hand and folder still clutched under her arm, she turned away from the pac-man game and walked back to the cadilac. After climbing into the boat of a car, she turned to Sam with concerned eyes. "If I have to change my looks, I'm getting extensions."
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Post by Max452 on Oct 6, 2009 11:42:53 GMT -8
OOC: Yup! He's all flying around and being a hero. lol
Sam returned with Etta to the car and hopped back in. He grinned when she mentioned extensions. "I was thinking more of dying it or something, but I guess that could work. You'll have to lay low for a bit until this whole thing blows over. I could probably do something when I go in for work..." He started the car's engine and began driving to his apartment.
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Post by trinn on Oct 6, 2009 11:53:56 GMT -8
Changing hair color might also be easier. Flipping down the sun visor, she was glad to find a mirror on it. Staring at herself, she tried to imagine a different look. She could straighten her hair as well. That would make it a little longer. Add another a different color, and she would be revamped. The most drastic would be to go blond. But she thought that might be too obvious. Maybe brunette.
Flipping the sun visor back up, she sat back in her seat and stared out the window. "Wait, you have another job?" she asked then, looking over at Sam. "I guess working for the rebel doesn't exactly include an income."
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Post by Max452 on Oct 6, 2009 12:04:47 GMT -8
Sam shrugged. "Well, actually not quite." He adjusted himself so he was leaning an elbow out the window and angled more towards her. "I'm still working for Rebel when I'm at my job. You see, Rebel has me playing a double agent with the government. The unit that I work for tracks down our kind and takes them away. I've been feeding Rebel information while he's doing the same for me. Like today, he sent me in get you before my bosses find out. The thing that is bugging me though, is who they sent to get you; I've never seen those guys before nor am I familiar with the hardware they were packing." He rubbed his chin, wondering if there was another department that had been assigned and he didn't know about it. "But like I said before, I'll go in tomorrow to see what's going on."
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Post by trinn on Oct 6, 2009 12:31:43 GMT -8
Etta listened with interest to Sam's explanation. She really hoped rebel didn't have the same thing in store for her. Working both lines didn't seem like something she'd be good at. Not as good as Sam, anyways. "Well, I hope you do get some answers. I'm kind of curious myself to know why they sent these guys to get me. It's not like I'm dangerous or anything." Far from it. If these people had done any background info on her, they would have realized she was not inclined to be violent. Looking down at the tulip, Etta realized she didn't really know what Sam could do. She debated whether or not to ask, wondering if it would be considered rude. In the end her curiosity won out. "So, what exactly is your ability?" Trying not to sound too interested. Maybe telekinis, Etta thought, remembering the incident with the gun.
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Post by Max452 on Oct 6, 2009 15:13:25 GMT -8
Sam scoffed. "It doesn't matter if we have a proactive power or not. The government still thinks we're all a threat. Its my job to make sure we have a fighting chance." Sam said gruffly as they slowed at a traffic light. He glanced through the rearview mirror, making sure that they weren't being followed. He turned his head towards Etta when she asked about his abilities. He gave her a half smile. "I can make my body turn into metal and I can control metal too." He said simply and continued to drive once the light turned green. He made a couple more turns and finally wound up at his place.
He parked the car a block away and gestured Etta to follow him. "I'll ditch the car later, but I'm sure you'll like to freshen up and eat something." He commented as they walked over to a simple apartment complex. They went up three flights of stairs and then Sam introduced Etta to is little home. "It ain't much. You got your basic living room, kitchen, bathroom, and tv." He pointed to them as he spoke. "You can sleep in my room while you're here." He pointed to the bedroom and then towards his study. "I got a futon I can sleep on in my study."
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Post by trinn on Oct 6, 2009 17:28:37 GMT -8
Being metal would have its advantages, particularly against gunfire. And to be able to control it... there was metal in almost everything. A very useful ability, Etta decided. Eventually they reached Sam's place, and Etta followed him obediently up to the apartment. She didn't care if it wasn't much. The people who lived in it made it a home, not how many rooms or items there were. Etta was a little taken aback by Sam's generosity. "I can just sleep on the couch." she said quickly. "It's the least I can do. You saved my life, after all."
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Post by Max452 on Oct 6, 2009 18:42:03 GMT -8
"Naw, its no problem. Besides, the bedroom is right next to the fire escape. If anyone comes barging in through the front door, you can escape easier." He shrugged, making that as an excuse for her not to sleep on the couch. "I'm use to sleeping in random places, anyways." Sam twitched a smile. "Um, so are you hungry? I could make us some sandwiches...I don't have much; don't have time to shop a lot." He replied sheepishly. "Or are you tired? I got some basketball shorts and a T-shirt for you to sleep in? We can go out tomorrow to get you some new clothes, but for now, my ragged clothes will have to do."
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Post by trinn on Oct 6, 2009 19:05:30 GMT -8
Etta wondered briefly how likely it would be that someone would barge into the place. While she was escaping, what would Sam be doing? Probably defending his home. The day had been so unexpected, Etta was quite ready to crawl into bed and pass out. But she wanted to do something for Sam. "Why don't you sit down, and I'll make some sandwhiches." To free her hands, Etta handed her tulip over to Sam. "I insist." Hoping she wasn't being too forward, Etta made her way to the kitchen, setting her folder and newly aquired phone on the counter. Opening the fridge, she raised an eyebrow at the scanty provisions. Well, at least there was meat and mayonase. Taking these out, she then found the bread, and a butterknife. She looked up once, to make sure Sam was sitting.
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Post by Max452 on Oct 6, 2009 19:19:20 GMT -8
"Um, okay.." Sam blinked, surprised. "Thanks." He blinked again when the tulip was placed in his hands. What am I suppose to do with this? he wondered to himself. He took a sit at the dinner table, not really sure what to do. He never had anyone do things for him; he had to learn at a young age to fend for himself, especially during one of his mother's "fits". As Etta was busy in the kitchen he stared at the plant in front of him. "So, Henrietta, I'm guessing you're from France since your aunt is there? I spent some time over at Marseilles and Toulouse for a couple of years."
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Post by trinn on Oct 6, 2009 19:42:45 GMT -8
Looking up from her task of spreading mayonase, Etta smiled at Sam's question. "Personally, no. My grandpa came over because he had the urge to explore. So they tell me, anyways." she said with a smirk. "My aunt moved back to France to get in touch with her heritage. She actually lived in Marseilles for a time. I hear it's lovely." Finished with the sandwhich's, Etta grabbed the carton of milk he had and poured a couple glasses. Dinner made, she carried Sam's over to the table, setting cup and plate before him. "Bon appetite." she said with a grin, the returned to the kitchen to grab her own food.
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Post by Max452 on Oct 6, 2009 19:55:21 GMT -8
"Merci." He replied as he stared at the food. He really needed to go shopping. He stared at the meager bread. "Sorry it isn't much." He apologized as she went back to the kitchen. "Marseilles is all right. Personally I disliked it--too much water." He said, finding it ironic that he was given an ability that coincided with his dislike. "Do you get to visit your Aunt?" He asked, wondering if he was being annoying for asking questions, but he figured, the more he knew about her, the better he could protect her.
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Post by trinn on Oct 6, 2009 20:11:12 GMT -8
Etta tossed a hand, waving off his apology. She genuinely liked simple sandwitches, especially peanut butter and jelly. However, she did find his water comment a little odd. Most people loved water and beaches. Of course, with a body that could become metal, large bodies of water weren't the most idea. "I've only visited her once, when I was sixteen." To help my parents get over Hector's death, she added to herself. "It was ok." she said, shrugging. "My aunt doesn't like plants in the house. Something about bugs." Etta rolled her eyes. Her aunt had a phobia with insects, and unfortunately, she related bugs to plants. Why anyone would be afraid of creatures smaller than a thumb, she had no idea. "You don't mind plants in the house, do you?" she asked, eyeing her tulip with concern.
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Post by Max452 on Oct 6, 2009 20:21:35 GMT -8
"I don't think so." He stared at the plant, not really use to have something living in his place. He took a bite of is sandwich and then drank a little of the milk. "I'm use to wandering a lot, so I never really had anything besides what I needed to survive." He shrugged. "I suppose the Army did that to me." He gave a half smile at the thought. The Army was the only thing constant in his life. At least he had that, right? He finished his sandwich rather quickly, making him realize how hungry he was.
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