‘Welcome Incoming Students’ the large green and gold banner over the gymnasium reads. The mass of students containing future heroes, powered and non-powered, cascades on to the bleachers and the seats on the gym floor. At front of the room stands a podium on a raised platform the Dean of Students and next to him Councilman Nathan Xavier. As everyone settled in the Dean begins to speak, ”Today it gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to Colossus College of Heroic Studies. We are incredibly grateful that you all have chosen to advance you knowledge and skills at our fine institution. However, given the increase of dangerous incidents causing substantial collateral damage and civilian injuries, new rules have been put in place recently, both on and off campus. These new campus rules are all in your student handbooks and we will go in to the more in-depth when we break into our small groups, but the one I would like to address specifically is the new campus flying ban, initially we tried to just ban ‘distracted flying’ but there were still too many mid-air incidents, again it will be discussed in-depth later. With that being said I will turn the mic over to Halcyon City Councilman Xavier and he will give some updates about off campus.”
Councilman Xavier is a tall but slightly built man with salt and pepper hair and a full beard, he steps up to the mic clearing his throat, ”Welcome students and thank you dean. It is my deepest pleasure to speak with you, the newest up and coming heroes in a long history of Halcyon City. I know this will be unpopular but new rules have gone into effect to protect the city, the civilians, and even you our future heroes. These include registration, licensing, and insuring of powers. The students of this fine establishment will be granted provisional licenses and be covered by the school’s insurance while engaged in official business. Once your education is completed you will be tested and if you pass you will be granted a full license. Again I know some are unhappy about this but remember this is also to protect you from lawsuits and liability. Thank you and have a great year.”
A few more speakers get up and talk about student health and financial aid, most students let it go in one ear and out the other. The head coordinator for the orientation then takes the stage, ”Okay everybody, time for small groups, you were all given a colored bracelet at the start and told to keep it, now it’s time to find the staff member with the matching colored placard. This will be your advisor and will be answering your questions.”
What do you do?
|
Lucas had sat and given both members to speak his undivided attention, he had of course read the updated school handbook as well as it's previous editions via the AEGIS archives and understands the weight of everything that was said, though even a junior agent like himself would have to obey the rules he was certain he could help stretch it for himself and perhaps the team a little.
Ah Bastion (sir/ma'm) it's good to see you on your feet and straight back into it. It'll be an honor to be trained under you, even though i'm short a bit of equipment, never hurts to learn new tricks though right.
He would shake hands and deal with pleasantries with the students on his team and Bastion alone. He would then straighten his suit once more looking around and seeing himself quite over-dressed. maybe i shouldn't have dressed so formal on the first day.
Phoibe arrives wearing her chiton and chymas wrapped over her shoulder her hair braided down her back looking down her hooked nose imperiously at the gathering.
greetings Teacher, greetings battle friends
Hayden walks over to the group with a handful of differently-colored borrowed bracelets, sizes up her companions and promptly tosses the non-matching colors into a nearby garbage bin. "Hi! I'm Hayden, deefinitely joining this team," she said, eyes sparkling.
She's middling height and slender framed through her torso and limbs, but with a bit of flare to her hips. Her skin is tanned to a tawny gold, dusted with fine blonde hair along her arms and legs and in a light trail below the piercing in her navel.
She's dressed in what is probably an outfit rather than a costume: A pair of lime-green high-waisted daisy dukes, an unbuttoned peach men's dress shirt that's been cut off somewhere around the 5th button, and beneath it all, some kind of leotard or swimsuit with the pattern of a vintage old paper cup.
"Hey, I remember you guys. Pandaemonium, right? Big snake." She winces at Bastion, "Bigger dog."
Angel approaches her group with some trepidation. Her appearance is human enough, and it would be difficult to tell that she is an artificial being without a detailed internal examination. She wears blue jeans and a t-shirt with the image of another well-known hero on it. Her reddish-orange hair cascades around her shoulders and her green eyes are wide and alert. She holds up her colored bracelet as she approaches, to show that she is in the right group.
"It looks like I am in this group," she says. She looks over each of the other members. "Lucas! It is good to see you! Wait, was I not supposed to use your name?" She looks genuinely concerned.
Please, everyone, call me Angel." She indicates the paper name badge on her left breast, obviously very proud of it.
|
|
Lucas held up a hand, "Actually Angel, it's fine to call me that here at the school, or anytime we're not out heroing really. But that does remind me, we should look at assigning you a civilian name as well as a super name." He chatted with her(it?) a bit and overlooked her choice of outfit, trying his best not to shoot daggers at Hayden who's outfit was at least 4 Dress code violations deep. He hoped the mentor would deal with that so he wouldn't have to chide her later.
"I fear, I've over-dressed for the start of classes by a lot given the look of all the other students. I thought college was supposed to be professional especially during gatherings like this." He motioned down to his fancy black and white two-piece suit and tie and then towards the assembly who were various sorts of Jeans, shorts, T-shirts, and the occasional tank-top.
He pushed aside that conversation though and pressed on with Angel, "How do you like your dorm so far, I know we haven't had a long time to settle in yet."
Hayden bites the corner of her lip contemplatively, "I could probably make the jacket work, if you wanted to offload some of the overdress. Not sure it's enough to salvage your look, but it definitely couldn't hurt.
"I figure Angel's a good enough name for more than use... You've got those light-powers, right? Planning on using those to make a costume in the long-term? Especially if you add some, uh, flare to your appearance it should get you past casual un-masking."
Joshua stifled a yawn as he listened to the various speakers, mentally cursing himself for staying up late. When the speeches were over and the crowd began to break up into their smaller assigned groups the young wizard regarded the bracelet he’d received and nodded to no one.
It didn’t take long for him to pick out the a few familiar auras. As he neared the small group he couldn’t help but smirk as he noticed Hayden discarding a handful of colorful bands.
With an exhale Joshua blows up at his shortened bangs, running a hand though his recently cut hair.
Gone was the long hair he always had to pull back into a ponytail. In exchange though the sparse chin hairs he’d been sporting now formed an honest goatee. Spending the summer abroad studying under a fire mage that didn’t mind getting his hands dirty with manual work had help fill out his younger, skinny frame as well. Thinking back on it he could swear he could still feel his muscles ache.
”Still, I hope he and Lucy finally hook up.” He thought with a grin, missing the two, and their guild-mates already.
”Joshua.” A familiar voice called to him. A young girl walked towards him and his grin turned into a full smile. The girl carried herself like someone older then she actually was but he knew the her she kept in reserve.
”Jean, it’s great to see you again. I had no doubt you’d make it in.” He offered one hand and gave Jean a thumps-up with the other. His smile beaming like a proud older brother.
Jean rolled her eyes in an exaggerated motion and gave him a scowl, but he could see the hint of embarrassment in her cheeks. ”You are still an idiot.” She said even though she still took his offered hand.
He shook her hand and with a quick yank, had the girl in a one arm hug and was ruffling her hair. ”And you’re still too serious.”
Jean laughed in spite of herself as she push him off. She straightened her hair again and frowned. ”Well, I'm glad to see you're back.” She cleared their throat. ”I guess I’ll see you around campus.” With a smile and a wave Jean hurried off into the crowd.
Joshua watched as she left, slipping his hands in his pockets and smiled. She was a good kid and had a lot of potential. He was looking forward to watching her grow as a hero.
He turns, noticing Angel had joined the small group and heads towards it.
"Hey guys." He called as he got closer. While he still wore jeans like he always did, but they looked newer. It worked with the new light grey plaid button-up shirt and vest he sported. A far cry from the jeans, t-shirts and flannel he use to wear, but his uncle insisted he needed to start dressing like an adult. Joshua knew he couldn't argue the point even if half the guild dressed down for the most part. The leather belt with bronze bear buckle looked normal enough, but anyone with the ability to sense magic or magical energy could feel it coming off the buckle, as well as the twisted ring on his right index finger and the linked-plate bracelet on his left wrist.
"Long time, no see."
Catching only the end of what Hayden was saying he looked at around with a little concern. "Did someone figure out who Angel was?"
Phoibe turns and looks to those approaching and nods to each as they join the group her ancient mind still getting used to a young body again one day suddenly just age and die at her mortal end but be young until then or until she prayed at the temple and let the power go to another worthy soul. Strange every time it happened. Sometimes she waited days, other times it seemed like ages. she thought
Joshua, it is good to see your time honored skill once more among mankind and that you join us is a gift. Tell me when you cast do you call upon swift Hermes or wise Athena?
Joshua smiles at Phoibe and chuckles.
”I guess that would depend on what I was trying to do.” He said and gave a boyish grin. He didn’t want to insult anyone’s beliefs, but he wasn’t very religious himself. Some casters were, others though held that their ‘faith’ was in their magic or themselves. Joshua had studied enough to know beings of great power have appeared through out history, and some may even have been honest-to-god... well, gods.
So, if some of them happen to still be around and listening, he didn’t won’t to make them mad if he could help it. Just in case.
Hayden smirked, "Ruling out Hecate already? Brave boy to snub Mommy Darkness herself, plus hexes are bestest imo." Her smirk broadened, "Nah, she's probably not listening. And I don't think anyone learned who Angel really is, but umm... I mean how many secrets are there really that are uncovered by knowing your name, Anj? Y'know?"
"I wouldn't dream of offending the lady of the Moon." He countered, lifting his hands in a placating manner and chuckled.
"Names can be powerful things." Joshua's eyes hardened and his tone grew serious for a moment. He glanced at Hayden. "You of all people should understand that."
He relaxed and smiled again looking back at the others and nodded respectfully to the hero, Bastion.
|
|
Lucas stood quietly while the group reconvened and discussed though he felt they were a few short. "Truth be told I was unaware that anyone outside of a handful of fringe groups even prayed to the ancient Greek gods. Is that how you draw your power Phoibe?" He questioned her completely skeptical that the gods or even fairy even existed let alone dolled out powers to anyone who asked.
He pat Angel on the shoulder, "You can have your hero name changed, but I think there are systems you have to go through so people know." The hand was firm, not in a constraining manner but one more one trying to promote confidence in her having a say in the matter.
there was a time when the gods looked upon capricious man and gifts were given from wise Athena or swift Hermes. Man took those gifts for granted and the gods and nymphs and spirits lay now silent. I am a minor God, but my power remains as there are enough spurned seeking justice yet with my need on their lips if not my name. I have not seen nor heard another God nor Goddess in longer then you might imagine for time Phoibe says quietly
Joshua bit his lip and looked around at the small group, an uncomfortable silence hanging in the air for a moment.
”Well now, I’m sure you’re not they only one like yourself still walking around.” He tried to sound encouraging. ”You just have to keep your eyes and ears open. It’s a big world after all.”
Internally the wizard cringed. Wow. That sounded cliche and corny, even to me.” He thought to himself.
"What are gods?" Angel asks, honestly not knowing the answer.
Hayden smirks, "Eh, a 'god' by any other name might smell like feet. There's a lot of very old, very powerful things out there who love it when puny mortals no offense fall over themselves talking about alphas and omegas. Don't get too caught up in the theology of it all. It's just pacts and power."
the power to bring rock into mountains from nothing or ride the moon across the sky pulled by your chariot or lift the very earth upon your back seems small when you describe it dear Hayden. Tell me oh muses of music and poets who first fell to the blade of swift Achilles dipped into the river of death and made immune to weapons but for his heel. A Goddess for her love held a child's heel and made him almost impervious to weapons until another goddess guides a lover's hand upon a bow and struck him in the only place he could be harmed. Their power and story lived upon the ages and is told even now to speckled faced boys and girls and on electric screens. Phoibe says walking around the group as if a Greek chorus, speaking at each eighth around the circle in a bit of a different pose or higher or lower voice.
Joshua blinked at Phoibe.
”Ooooh Kay.”
He managed after a pause.
” Maybe we can save this conversation for theology class. It might be a little heavy for small talk.” Joshua tried to change the mood with a smile and a chuckle. ”I’m sure teach...” He glances at their advisor sheepishly. ”I mean, Professor, would like to get on with the tour. Once everyone joins us, of course.”
|
|
Lucas gulped a bit at the tension before his he looked between Joshua and the others, "Agreed though to answer Angel's question, gods are essentially supers but different. At least that is one running theory."
He took a good look through the crowd searching for anyone with a band colored like the groups. "Where could they possibly be, nearly every other group has started to file out."