kokyreforest | Portals Up, Portals Down

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Portals Up, Portals Down

[ Dacey Nolan, age 24, walks calmly through the open air shopping center on the Gold Stage. At the window of a designer handbag store, she looks at her reflection in the glass. Tucking some stray brown locks of hair behind her ear, she grins at the people all around her. Saturday's are busy shopping times, and it's getting close to the holiday season. Music is blasting from the shopping center's speakers. Conversations fill the air when music notes aren't loud enough. Surely no one will notice Nolan should she snap her fingers with her right hand, still covered by hair.

Eyes glow blue as three handbags sitting on a shelf fall through a bright blue portal that opens underneath. The portal quickly disappears as her glow does. Nolan starts to walk away, knowing those handbags have fallen through a second portal back at her house, an orange portal created with a snap of her left hand. She starts to hum a Blue Rose song as she continues with her window shopping. What a pleasant day it is. Even the weather is nice.

What Nolan doesn't know is that her string of crimes hasn't gone completely unnoticed. Over-confidence is her vice. Security cameras have identified her as a person of interest. Her face has been present at many of the reported thefts, and it has long been thought a NEXT could be involved, though they don't know the power used.

As with many crimes involving NEXTs, the heroes have been called to action. Each hero is at a different gate to the shopping center. Origami Cyclone waits at Gate 3, around the corner of a large sporting goods store. All he's waiting for is the word from Agnes to start. ]

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[ And Sam Grigory, age 15, is just like every other patron in the mall in that he's completely unaware of anything at all amiss. Even the handbags haven't been noticed missing yet. Just like the rest of the shoppers Sam is engrossed mainly in his own business which at the moment is nothing more routine than flipping through a new comic book he'd picked up from (admittedly) a much higher-end bookstore than he needed to visit. He hadn't come all this way just for the new issue of Incredible Man; no, what had initially drawn him to the Gold Stage was the upscale art store. All sorts of high-end pens and inking supplies could be found there and that where Sam intends to blow his entire month's allowance.

Just as soon as he's finished this issue... It's slow going, especially when meandering through a busy crowd. ]

[ "Bonjour heroes!" fills Ivan's ears as Agnes fills them in on the details. Mario is awaiting to see what action happens and how he should provide extra excitement to the chase.

Origami Cyclone has shapeshifted into a civilian in hopes of sneaking up to the suspect. He doesn't know where the other heroes have gone. Above, he can hear the propellers of a Hero TV helicopter as they film the area in hopes of some good footage. They aren't live yet, given the nature of the crime and uncertainty that they have the right person. It'll only take a quick word to have the show go live. Ivan wonders if the cameras have lost sight of Origami already due to his power; he makes a note to doubly make sure to get into the shot.

Unfortunately for Sam, the way to that art store cuts across a jewelry store where one Nolan is admiring some diamond earrings and wondering how they will look on her. With a snap of her right hand, more goods are stolen and safe back at her home.

Origami Cyclone is heading his direction as well in the form of a young woman with black hair. ]

[ The ginger-haired teen notices neither of them. His nose is stuck so firmly in his book that he actually misses his turn-off for the art store as he reflexively follows the flow of the person in front of him.

Luckily (or unluckily) his foot catches on the ground and he stumbles a little, and that's enough to pull his face from his comic long enough for him to realize whoops, he's headed in the wrong direction. But not enough to notice that in turning quickly to his right to correct the issue he'll wind up smacking right into Nolan and stumble backwards as his book tumbles from his hands. ]

Oof--ah! S...s-sorry! Sorry, I didn't mean....!

[ "Hey! Watch it!" Nolan nearly hisses at at the boy. How dare he bump into her like that? If it wasn't for the fact that her second portal would lead him to her place (loaded with stolen goods), she might have opened a portal under his feet to teach him a lesson. But no. She grumbles and gives an annoyed sigh, forcing herself to calm and not draw attention by making a scene. "Forget it... Just watch where you're going, brat."

Nolan goes to leave, passing by a woman with long black hair who is looking right at her. Tensing up at first, Nolan snaps, "What are you looking at? Mind your own business." Nolan walks in hurried steps away but pauses at an electronics store. Ultimately, she continues to put more distance between them. Besides, electronics can be damaged when they fall. Too risky. ]

Ah, here... Let me get your book.

[ The woman's voice is soft and kind as Ivan kneels down to pick up the fallen comic book and offer it to Sam. He makes sure not to step on the hem of his dress as he does so. ]

It looks to be okay, but are you?

Ah... Y-yeah, I'm okay! [ Besides the fact that he talking to a black-haired beauty anyway and she's seen him look like a total dork, probably. Sam's avoiding looking Origami right in the eyes as he take his book back, looking almost anywhere else. ]

I just wasn't watching where I was going...

But still... there's no reason to get that upset over an accident. Please don't take it too harshly.

[ Thinking that the teenager is looking away from him because he's upset, Ivan tries to cheer him up. Tries. People don't go to Ivan when they need positivist. Ivan smooths out the front of his dress as he gets back up and steals a glance at his target. He has to keep Nolan in his sights for an arrest or at least bringing her into custody to see if she in fact does have a connection to the crimes. ]

If you'll excuse me, I have something I need to take care of.

[ It may look like Ivan wants to go up to the woman to complain about how she treated the boy given how his face turns serious as he looks her way. ]

O-oh...yeah, um-- [ And then Ivan's off, that serious look on her (his) face that makes Sam take pause with a confused sort of blink. Does she plan to catch up to that lady and give her a talking-to? he hopes not--it's already embarrassed enough and he knows it was his fault they collided, he doesn't mind! Really! ...Is what he'd like to say, but instead he sort of gathers himself up and stands there, blinking dumbly until he notices a tiny golden pearl-looking thing on the ground and he leans over to pick it up.

An earring...? It kind of looks like the sort that lady had been wearing. ]

Ah...

Eh?

[ Ivan is a few seconds from leaving when Sam's voice stops him. He spins around, long black hair twirling behind him. He hadn't noticed if Nolan had been wearing earrings, much less one that had dropped on the ground.

They must have collided harder than Ivan thought. ]

What's that? Is it hers?

[ Oh, that provides another opportunity for Ivan to get close without seeming like he's tailing her. (Of course, so could shapeshifting into a new person.) ]

I think so... [ Again he fails to meet Ivan's gaze, but he still glances up for just a second; placing his gaze on the expanse of his forehead instead. ]

She had another one like it. [ The unspoken sense after that being "I should return it" mixed with "or did you want to? I should probably do it but you looked so serious..." ]

[ Ivan needs to work on his acting skills for things other than his Origami Cyclone persona; he's just too obvious with how he's feeling.

He holds out his hand for Sam to drop the earring in. Please let him do this. Maybe he'll be able to catch her before the others and earn some points. Origami Cyclone has been fighting Rock Bison in the rankings all week, and right now Bison has the lead by five points. It's a battle to stay out of last place! ]

That's perfect. I'll go return it to her.

[ To stay out of last place Ivan AIM FOR THE STARS. Something more assertive than "not last", goodness. ]

Oh--uh, s-sure. Okay. Here... [ He doesn't look totally confident on the whole thing (he still feels like he should be the one to return it somehow), but. Sam brings up his hand to place the small earring in Ivan's, but he does it in a way where his knuckles brush the palm of his hand--he doesn't want to drop it, after all. This would be the safest way to do it.

No harm in that, right?

Not. ]

[ To actually be competition was a huge step. To be able to leave last place was another step. Being able to maintain second to last is still a struggle and a worthy goal in his mind! ]

Thanks. She probably will want this back--Eh?

[ There's a bright blue flash just after Sam touches Ivan's palm. Instead of the woman with the black hair, there is a blue hero suit with a giant shuriken on its back. What just happened?! He wasn't supposed to shapeshift back, and why does everything suddenly feel so distant? Like his body is numbed?

Judging by the crowd's shocked gasps and excited shouts of "I found Origami Cyclone!," his cover is completely blown.

"What?! A hero?!" Nolan's face turns angry, angrier than she had been after Sam bumped into her. Her walk turns into a run. ]

There's no where to hide!

[ And no time for Origami to do a kabuki pose either. He has to chase her before he loses sight of her. (Or one of the other heroes gets to her first.) ]

[ Origami Cyclone?! One second he's just innocently handing over a fallen earring to the most beautiful girl ever and the next he's staring straight up into the Heroic face of...well, a NEXT. Two things go through his mind at nearly the same time:

1) Holycrapholycrapholycrap That's really origami Cyclone!!
and
2) She's not a girl?!

And like an idiot he just keeps on gawking as origami's cover is blown and he turns to suddenly dash after the woman from before, hand still outstretched and face pale. ]

........Hero.....

[ Hero. ]

[ That was a real hero just now!! He touched one in the flesh. ~~Mind you it's not like he touched Blue Rose or Barnaby, but still. ]~~

[ HE TOUCHED A HERO. Sam is never washing his hand again ever. ]

G...g-go get 'em!! Hero!!! [ yes, he did yell that out like a giant loser. BUT HE TOUCHED A HERO OKAY. ]

[ Ivan is not used to people cheering for him with such enthusiasm.

At first, Origami has trouble getting through the crowd. His suit sticks out quite a bit, and if he tries to push his way through, he may cut someone. This buys Nolan time. She keeps snapping her fingers with her right hand, but she doesn't get a hint of a glow. Why isn't it working?! She curses and looks over her shoulder to where Origami is gaining on her. The civilians are pooling to the sides of the pathway to give the hero more space. He's one of the faster heroes. If he stops worrying about hurting a civilian, it's over for her.

But the space also creates an opportunity for Nolan to use, and she spots a certain teenager. Having put two and two together on who that black haired woman was, she decides that if she can't run, she'll take her escape route into her own hands. While Origami is still occupied by the mass of people, Nolan reaches for a pocket knife and doubles back the way she came... ready to grab Sam for leverage. ]

[ Heroes are so cool... is what's on Sam's mind as he watches Origami disappear into the crowd. Like everyone else he focuses on the NEXT instead of the one he chases because well. He stands out a whole lot more and if he's appeared that must mean the others will inevitably show up as well. So his gaze remains outward, scanning everything before him while giving very little thought to anyone snooping around behind.

Nolan isn't even on his radar anymore despite the fact that he still has the earring clasped tightly in his hand, lips pressed together in an excited line. He's drawn up in the excitement of getting to watch Hero TV in person--even tries to follow the gathering, bunching crowd a little as a ring of people starts to form. Which of course he gets cut out of, being so short. ]

[ That distraction is what Nolan needs to launch her split second escape idea. Almost pressing the edge of the pocket knife against Sam's neck, she grips Sam hard. "All right, hero. You take one more step closer and the brat here will get it." Perhaps not the best threat ever said, but Nolan's under pressure and never thought ahead to what would happen if she was caught or what she'd do.

Origami goes still. Even if his power was working right, it wouldn't help him in this situation. He can't attack her with his shuriken. His aim is good normally, but his sense of touch being off may make him miss. And he can't think of a form to take that would aid the situation either.

Are any of the other heroes around yet? This is something he'll need help with. ]

[ Sam feels the cold metal blade pressed to his neck and freezes up instinctively; that it's the women before or that he's being used as a hostage doesn't click right away because all he can think is don't move. His first instinct is to gulp and swallow but the orange-haired teen forces even that down as he stares straight ahead. The urge to look back at his captor is string too.

He feels helpless, but he also feels scared and that's almost worse as he looks beseechingly at someone--anyone, Origami--to do something as his arms hang tense at his sides. ]

[ Ivan can hear his heart beating in his ears. A knife is different than a gun. This isn't like the time he was in the Hero Academy. He's a hero now, and the hostage is depending on him to do something. Still, he remembers Edward rushing in, the gun going off accidentally in his hands, the hostage being shot and killed.

He plays it safe. Not very good for television, but he's not risking the teen's life. ]

... Do you really want to add assault to your record along with theft?

[ He doesn't know if talking it out will help, but Nolan knows they're on to her for the robberies. Perhaps she'll see reason. "I'll only get into trouble if I'm caught."

Or not. ]

If you hurt him, I guarantee that you will be in much graver trouble, so please, put away the knife.

P...please, um....

[ Should he talk? He shouldn't right? Origami would handle things or the other Heroes would arrive and there's no way she wants to add more time to her sentence right?? She can be sensible--it's not like she'll get a super bad sentence compared to if she did hurt someone. He hopes she realizes that, decides maybe she can let him go.

And you know, not to slice his head off or something. ]

[ Ivan doesn't move from where he stands, and he's trying very hard to keep his voice calm, not to betray the nerves he has inside. Another plea to let Sam go falls on deaf ears.

"Oh no you don't." Nolan brings the knife closer threatening to break skin without doing so. (It's not the sharpest knife in the first place.) "I'm getting out of here, and he's my ticket."

The crowd murmurs, and Ivan wishes that he could do more than delay Nolan from taking any more rash actions. ]

Is all you want right now is to be let go?

[ "Of course that's what I want! Do you think I want to go to Abbas Prison?" Nolan's aware of the special prison NEXTs go to. There NEXTs powers are dampened, so that they can't... really... use them... Nolan snaps her fingers again. Her power still doesn't activate. It's what Ivan thought. Something here has stopped their powers, just like what Ivan feels when he visits Edward in Abbas Prison. Why didn't he recognize it sooner? He's glad he did though. ]

Very well... Then go.

[ The seriousness in the tone of his voice surprises Ivan, but there is a plan in the works. ]

You can leave right now. I won't stop you.

[ She snaps again, and nothing happens. "You're coming with me," Nolan hisses as she starts to guide Sam to the left.

The thing about having a helmet on is that Origami Cyclone could be looking in another direction without signalling anyone. Backup has arrived. Dragon Kid swoops in from behind and hits Nolan with her bo. Nolan falls to the ground. ]

... She might though.

[ Another capture scooped up by Dragon Kid at the last moment, but at least Sam will be safe now. As Dragon Kid handles Nolan, Origami goes up to Sam. ]

Are you all right? She didn't cut you, did she?

[ Well he's...definitely had better days, that's for sure. He doesn't get the snapping thing or why she seems to hesitate, but that's about all the confusion he can muster before he finds himself being pulled none-too-kindly with the blade still precariously close to his neck...and then it's over, and Sam is only slightly sprawled out on the ground after his legs turn to jelly when he finds himself released.

For one brief moment he thinks this must be it, she's gone and cut him--and then he hears the announcement of Dragon Kid's success and the cheers and Sam finally clues in that Origami Cyclone's just approached him--him--and all he can do is nod in sort of a stupid, freaked-out and dazed sort of way. ]

There's a bench over there. Do you think you can walk?

[ There will be the busy work of the police gathering statements and the like, but Ivan thinks Sam will feel better being somewhere off the floor and perhaps out of the center of attention. And further away from Nolan. The bench is by a planter full of green plants and a tall tree with lights spiraling up the trunk. Very nice Gold Stage decorating and landscaping. ]

I th...I th, think so. [ He just needs a second here to maybe have his legs feel less like jelly. A wobble or two, or three. Then he'll be able to get to his feet slowly (albeit unsteadily) and kind of wander his way over. It feels better when he's sat down and can unconsciously hold one hand over his neck. He can still feel the blade pressed there if he tries. ]

...Thank you. For--saving me.

I read Dolan at first and was like ?????? GOOBY PLS?

Pfffff. And cutie!

he is sou tuff ;v;

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