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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[ 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'm sorry you had to go through that. You were very brave.

[ Dragon Kid is busy giving a quick sound bite, so Origami can be and is out of the picture. (For once he's not going to photobomb her.) But Sam might make it on an edited highlights special for moments that won't make a good episode but are good enough for a few minutes of fame.

As much as he tries to put on the hero act, Ivan's more relieved that this hostage situation ended without grave injury, and he thinks that a distraction might help. He doesn't miss how Sam puts a hand on his neck. ]

Um... what's your name?

Sam... [ He leaves off his last name not for any real important reason; he's just too scatterbrained to remember to include it as his free hand bunches up on the edge of the bench. He stares at his feet for the most part too, but hazards a glance upwards after a moment of looking tense and uneasy. ]

[ Sam, just like the mayor's son. Only without the crying and telekinetic powers. ]

I guess I don't need to offer my name, but you're going to be all right now, Sam. Dragon Kid won't let her out of her sights.

[ Though, Ivan wishes he could do something more to help. Maybe he can offer to get some water? Or maybe change his form so the hero who got him into this situation isn't before him. Maybe he should shapeshift back to that woman? ... Ah, but that numbness he feels tells him that he still can't use his power, so that's not an option. ]

[ He is just slightly manlier than a babe. A fact any fifteen-year-old should be...proud of...?? Who knows. He might still cry. ]

I--yeah. S...sorry. You could've caught her sooner if I'd been paying attention...

That's still not your fault. She could have used anyone as a hostage, but you kept it from escalating.

[ Ivan doesn't know if anything he's saying is really helping, but he does believe that because Sam didn't put up a struggle or start screaming or panicking, it allowed for a more peaceful resolution. (For one, Ivan might have started to worry and panic alongside him, and that wouldn't have helped anyone.) ]

Ah, I think... Yes! I do. What's your favorite animal?

[ Origami carries origami paper with him, even when in his hero suit. ]

My favourite...? [ Animal? It takes him a moment to figure this out. Mostly because of the shock of everything, but it's at least got him focusing on something and making more eye contact. This is improvement! ]

That'd be...a dog. I guess?

[ Even within his hero suit and dulled sense of touch because his power's suppressed, Ivan is able to quickly and skillfully fold a dog before Sam's eyes. If Sam had any question as to if Origami Cyclone actually folds origami, the answer is yes. ]

Here. This is for you.

[ And to think all this time he thought it was some sort of named gimmick. The way Origami's hands move is so practised and sure Sam can't help but get caught up in the skillful motions, until he realizes he's being handed the small creation.

Gingerly he holds up his hands to take it and if they manage to touch again, that same dampening of power will ping back as before. ]

Th, thanks...wow.

It's not much, but you're welcome.

[ As Ivan's folding, he feels his power return, to his relief. Yet... when he hands over the origami dog to Sam, everything feels instantly distant again. Ivan tries to shapeshift to confirm that something happened to his power again. He can't shapeshift again.

Could it be? ]

... Are you...?

[ He doesn't say anything out loud because he doesn't want to out him as a NEXT while there are many people still wandering around. It's not his decision to make, and Ivan knows how much trouble powers can be. ]

....? Am I what? [ Sam doesn't get it; he doesn't feel the same rush and swell of power nor its subsequent dampening. Origami's hand feels like a normal hand to him and there isn't anything fantastic about the touch--other than touching a real live Hero, anyway.

He can't see Origami's face, but there's something about his tone that makes him hunch his shoulders self-consciously. At least, monetarily; he doesn't get long before some of the crowd's attention is drawn back to the Hero and he falls quiet again.

He's going to be in so much trouble when he gets home, Sam realizes. Especially if his mom saw the TV broadcast. ]

[ Ivan lifts his head and goes quiet as a voice comes in over the speakers. Agnes reports on how security cameras catch the use of some kind of portal to pickpocket the goods. Nolan had been a NEXT, and snapping played a role in it.

When he stops listening, he gives a quick apology for getting distracted and then notices the crowd looking at him. Dragon Kid must be done with her sound bite... ]

... Are you a hero? If it hadn't been for you, that woman would have escaped from being brought to justice. So, that makes you a hero.

[ It's a clumsy save, but the hint of being a NEXT is... faintly there. And Ivan does mean what he says, as corny as it sounds. A police officer starts heading their way to take a statement from Sam for the police records. They'll get Origami's account later in writing. ]

[ It is a bit clumsy and Sam's caught off guard by it because he takes it literally; he can't think of any way in which he'd actually been a Hero back there, but he supposes Origami's trying to make him feel better and that actually means a lot. So even if he sniffs a bit and runs a hand under his nose, he manages a tiny grin and a weak laugh before the police arrive.

And tell him that they will definitely need a statement from him...and also need to notify his parents. He's a minor--which means technically he needs an adult present. So much for hoping his mom wouldn't find out. ]

Right... [ He deflates some, but tries to send a grateful expression Origami's way. ]

I dunno about me being a Hero but...you saved my life. So--thanks. You'll always be the bravest Hero to me. Hang in there Origami!

[ Part of him will wish later he'd asked for an autograph or something. But his book bag, sketchbook and comic for the day included, are both somewhere among the crowd, right where they'd fallen from his shoulder after Nolan grabbed him. ]

[ Sam does have one thing going for him. He lives in Stern Bild. No one in their right mind would think Stern Bild was a completely safe place, so unless Sam isn't supposed to be in the shopping center to begin with, he... hopefully won't get into too much trouble from his mother. Ivan's not sure. He didn't have a "normal" family life to judge how mothers are supposed to react. (He always seemed to be in trouble.)

The way Origami's head jerks up slightly at the compliment betrays his desire to hide how surprised he is to hear that. He bites down the urge to say the other heroes are far braver than he is because... well, because they're amazing heroes. ]

I shall do my best to protect this city and her people.

[ At least, Sam will have the origami dog as a keepsake. And Origami doesn't get nearly as much fan mail as some of the other heroes. Maybe he could explain himself better that way in private.

For now, however, Ivan will let Sam give his statement, so he doesn't have to worry about saying anything he doesn't want a hero to hear. ]

[ Origami's far kinder than he gives himself credit for and Sam appreciates it. He doesn't even know in what way yet, but he will be relieved not to have to recount the whole thing in front of someone he looks up to. Doing it in front of his mom and later getting a slight lecture from detective father though... That part is a little rougher. Mostly it's the "don't go running off to see a crime in progress" sort of talk. Common sense stuff. He doesn't wind up grounded or anything which is good.

But he is told he should do something to thank the Heroes properly for rescuing him. And he's not opposed to it; Sam's just not sure what he could possibly do that would match a rescue like that. He doesn't exactly have extreme sponsor funds or any memorabilia they couldn't get themselves. All he's got is a sketchbook and some pencils and a hobby doing scribbles--so that's what he sends. Origami and Dragon Kid both get stylized comic-like sketches of themselves with a thank-you letter attached. His mom suggests adding a photo too so they know who it is sent the letter bit Sam thinks that's too embarrassing.

So she puts in a family photo when he isn't looking and writes her own thanks. Her son is hopeless sometimes. ]

[ What a day. Origami gets a small earful over not getting his sponsors' names in the footage today. Word came back that he hadn't even attempted a photobomb. Points or publicity. Those are things he needs to remember. They can't solely depend on Origami's popularity with the younger crowd because of the "Where's Origami?" game they play, and if he's not trying to get into the shot, then even that will go away.

The next few days have a renewed effort in his heroics and photobombing. During a break, he starts going through his fan mail. Ivan hadn't been expecting a thank you note much less the drawings or a photograph or the note from Sam's mother. The comic drawing is put into a plastic sleeve to protect it and hung on a magnetic board in his small office in Helperides Finances. The picture is hung next to it.

He writes a reply back on a sakura decorated stationery using a brush pen to give his writing a calligraphy look. (Although he drafted the letter on the computer first.) Ivan thanks him once more for being brave and how Sam was instrumental to the criminal's capture. Though, since Sam's mother had sneaked in a note, Ivan doesn't ask if Sam is a NEXT... or if Sam even knows that he might be a NEXT. ]

[ It is officially, hands-down, the coolest letter he has ever received and the best day of his life when he receives it. For probably a whole hour he can't even open it he's so excited; he shows it off to his mom and to his younger sister Molly and ironically she's the one who winds up tearing it open.

So there goes that whole thing.

But he reads it, spends the next three days giddy beyond all belief before he can figure out a way to reply again. Even the letter he got was cool...he wasn't expecting a reply at all. Sam wants to frame it. ]

Dear Mr. Origami Cyclone!

You don't need to thank me I think you and Dragon Kid did all the work! I think I was just in the way hehe :) I would have been toast without you. I can't wait to show everyone the awesome letter you sent! They'll never believe it.

I saw you on Hero TV the other day! Keep up the hard work!! All the guys think Blue Rose and Barnaby are the best because they swoop in all the time, but you saved me even without all day. You rock!

From,
Sam #1 fan!

[ It's silly but that's what it amounts to when he finally sends his response off. He's more than half-hoping he gets a response this time, compared to the zero-percent chance he expected when he sent the first. ]

[ It's not often that Ivan gets a reply to a reply from anyone other than Edward. (Even if he can visit Edward in prison, Ivan still writes him to make up for the times he can't.) He smiles brightly as he opens up the new letter. The other heroes ask him what's going on, and Ivan shows off his letter to them. They laugh and comment on how he's moving up.

He can hardly wait to write a reply, though it may take a few days to get mailed off because he couldn't get to a post office. It'll be sent out faster than if he goes through Helperidese Finances and their mass mailings. ]

Dear Sam "#1 Fan" Grigory,

It makes me happy to read that you enjoyed my letter back. I still have your drawing hung on my wall, and Dragon Kid showed me the drawing you sent her. I think she's hanging it up too.

I really do mean it when I say we wouldn't have been able to catch the criminal without you though. That criminal was a NEXT who could open portals. However, at that time, she couldn't, just like I couldn't shapeshift then. I'm not entirely sure, but you may be a NEXT with the power to block other NEXT powers, which is a really useful power against NEXT criminals. A part of my power is active all the time without me having to activate it. It's possible you have something similar.

Thank you for your words of encouragement. I will do my best to improve and protect Stern Bild and the people in it.

Shu shu shu!

Sincerely,
Origami Cyclone

[ He uses the same stationary and the brush pen. Also enclosed into the letter is another origami dog, different than the one Ivan had folded Sam earlier. Hopefully it survives being mailed well enough. ]

[ Of all the replies he expected to get this...well, it's definitely not one of them. Everything starts off normal and fine; it's exactly the letter he's been envisioning until he gets halfway through the third paragraph and has to stop and re-read it several times with wide eyes. A NEXT?? Him?? But he hadn't done anything--or, he didn't think he had...had he? Nothing felt different when he'd been near either Nolan or Origami. There isn't even a history of NEXTs in his family as far as he knows.

Did he really have a power that could do what Origami said...? He's not even sure how to go about testing it; there aren't any NEXTs in his class or anything. And it's not as if he can just go wandering up to Hero TV and just ask to see them. ...Right? ]

[ When Ivan doesn't get a reply, he wonders if he said too much in his letter. He thought it was important for Sam to know about the possibility in case of emergencies. It'd do no one any good if it kicked in while being saved by Sky High in midair, for example.

After debating on what to do for several days, Ivan hastily writes one more letter. It's written in blue ball pen on a plain piece of lined paper that looks like it was torn out of a notepad. ]

Dear Sam Grigory,

I'm sorry if I alarmed you with my last letter. That wasn't my intent at all.

If you can't confirm whether or not that was you, maybe you can visit the Hero Academy to see if you can block one of the students' powers. Or I could try meeting you to see if it happens with my power again. I can't go into why, but I have some experience with what it feels like when your power is suppressed.

Sincerely,
Origami Cyclone

[ Sent again from a post office. ... Is this the right thing to do? "He's a hero" could be a reason for both sides of the argument. ]

[ Aaaah, he knew he should've replied sooner! The moment Sam gets a second letter he feels beyond guilty and actually somewhat anxious. He's half-expecting to be told the government or something wants him to go to NEXT school (let him have his crazy fantasies) or that he's in trouble for not having reported his would-be powers sooner??

But it's actually nothing so severe and he winds up gaping at the letter after he reads it. Origami Cyclone's offering to meet up with him?? In person?! Regardless of what it's actually for there's no way he could say no to that. ]

Hi Mr. Origami Cyclone!

I'm sorry I didn't reply to the other letter, I was really surprised and I didn't know what I should do. I guess I was a little freaked out I mean I never thought anyone like me would have a power?? Not that I know if I do or anything. Do you think I should go to the Academy???

It'd be really cool if meet you though....

Signed:
#1 Fan Sam Grigory

Dear Sam Grigory,

It's really up to you if you want to go to the Hero Academy. If being a hero is something you want to try and become, then enrolling in the Academy might be something to look into.

But we should first figure out if that was you back then. I can't promise I'll be able to keep a meeting given my job, but if I'm not whenever we decide to meet within ten minutes, you can probably assume I was called.

Do you know the park with the big water fountain on the Silver Stage off of 15th Street? Would you feel comfortable meeting there during the day? Would your parents let you?

Sincerely,
Origami Cyclone

[ The park is a nice place where people can meet and talk without also being off alone. Ivan tries to keep in mind that Sam is younger than he is, though not by much, and has parents who care about him. He... also hopes he doesn't sound like a total creeper by making sure they meet in a public place during the daytime. (Besides, nighttime is prime time for criminals.)

With that, he sends it off. This isn't exactly part of his hero duties, but if Ivan's honest, something's familiar with Sam, something that he can relate to. Origami's letters are becoming less and less formal. Less the hero and more the person behind the suit. ]

[ Are you kidding as soon as he receives that letter there is literally the world's loudest "YAHOOO!" from his house and his mom has to remind him to be quiet so he doesn't wake Molly up from her nap. It is the most amazing, awesome, and least suspicious letter of his life. Because if it comes from a Hero then it is automatically not suspicious.

Ivan could've asked to meet him on a dark, stormy night in the worst part of town and his first response would've been SURE THING LET ME GRAB MY COAT. Even if he doesn't wind up with a power he still gets to hang out with Origami Cyclone in the flesh. It's a dream come true. ]

Hi Mr. Origami Cyclone

I can definitely do that! I can come after school--I'll let my mom know! I think she'll be pretty okay with it. She says if I ever got the chance to thank you in person again I should so! When do you wanna meet??

-Still your #1 fan! Sam

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