kokyreforest | Portals Up, Portals Down

Entry tags:

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. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ 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

[ Ivan's next letter is very short. After all, they'll be meeting soon, so they can talk more in person. ]

Dear Sam,

How about Tuesday around 4:15? There aren't as many crimes around that time, and I don't have any PR events or meetings that day either. So... I should be able to make it.

But please ask your mother first. I don't want to get you into trouble again.

Sincerely,
Origami

[ And Ivan will get there early. He stands behind a large tree in his civilian clothes. A Japanese fox mask that looks suspiciously like Origami's helmet. He peeks out every few minutes until he tries to calm himself down by folding some origami. Soon a zoo of animals amass around the trunk of the tree he's "hiding" by. ]

Edited (link fixes) 2014-10-27 05:02 (UTC)

[ He totally asked his mom for permission. And sent a reply letter? But probably not in time to be delivered before their meeting or anything. So he decides to just go for it and show up at the allotted time whether Origami gets the note or not.

He'll head for the main fountain first and look around, but he probably stands out more than Ivan does with his bright orange hair sticking up all over the place. He'll be looking around keenly for Origami's usual appearance so he probably passes him over initially...but catches sight of the huge mess of paper on the ground. And then realizes there is actually a dude standing there and he practically jumps out of his skin.

That guy was just standing there so quiet I didn't even notice...! ]

E-Eh?!

[ Ivan yelps when he realizes that Sam has arrived before he noticed, and he drops the origami fish in his hands. Quickly, he half hides behind the tree again, peeking around the side. ]

A-ah. U-um... um... H-Hi Sam...

[ Thank goodness that his mask hides his face because Ivan's gripping to the tree from nerves and would be showing it on his face. ]

Er... It's me... Origami...

[ He's blond, short, scrawny, and a nervous, shy wreck out of the suit. How many hero images has he just shattered? ]

[ Definitely the giant bara Mr. Hero-like one he'd had leading up to their meeting. He looks so much smaller without the costume (armour?) on... Still taller than him, but he expected something more muscle-bound and outgoing than this.

Unless it's a cover?! ]

O, Origami...?! Is that really you???? [ You shrunk ]

Yes... I-I'm sorry... I know I'm not... very impressive outside my suit...

[ Hero suits have a multitude of uses beyond armor.

Maybe this was a bad idea. All he's done is bring down the reputation of the heroes for Sam. Ivan grips the tree as if he's afraid of being blown away. He looks around for anyone who might be looking their way. Then he shapeshifts into the woman he had been when they first met for a few seconds before changing back to his meek self hiding behind a fox mask and a tree...

See? Proof! ... Ah... what is he doing? ]

[ It really is him!! He turned right into the gorgeous lady from last time...! For just a moment his heart skips a beat and then he gets kind of really embarrassed because that isn't really a beautiful lady :c Shortest romance. Never mind that the form was way too old for him. ]

Whoa....!! You really came to meet me! No one'll ever believe me! [ he can still be impressed by that right?? ] Is that why you're hiding like that?? You're afraid someone'll see?

[ He steps a little out from behind the tree showing more of his 5'7", age 18, scrawniness, and shy personality. ]

Um, kind of. I mean, not because of you! But... I can't really let it out that I'll meet with a fan like this... I can, or my bosses can, both of us, get into a lot of trouble.

[ Read: This is something he doesn't normally do, and Sam is a special case where Ivan feels the risk of doing this is worth it. He may not have the public eye as much as Barnaby or Blue Rose, but on a slow gossip day, they might turn to Origami. Or fans might flood his communications with requests to meet him. Or Sam might become a target of some kind...

Growing up within Hero TV has influenced him greatly and altered what's considered "normal." Being allowed to make a friend who's not connected with Hero TV in some fashion doesn't occur to him. ]

Ohhh...I gotcha! Don't worry! My lips are sealed! [ You know he's super-serious about this from the straight-backed salute he gives! And it is absolutely not attention-grabbing at all. Just two weirdos in a park, yup... ]

[ Ivan relaxes a little. A little. He's still fairly nervous. Well, no time like the present. Maybe they should get this test started before more park goers wonder what's going on and thinking they're dealing drugs or something. ]

I think... it happened when I touched your hand, so if you'd hold it out...

Oh! Right, sorry! Um.... [ Oh man oh man, this is it!! The handshake...(Sam actually has washed his hand since the robbery, don't worry). But he'll just as eagerly hold it out now, eyes bright and beaming. ]

[ Taking his hand, Ivan feels the change instantly, and he steps back, though doesn't let go. ]

... It's gone. I don't feel the feedback I normally do when I touch something, and I'm trying to shapeshift, and I can't.

[ It was Sam back there. He's a NEXT. ]

Th...then I really am....?! [ UOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHH ]

Yeah, I think so. Um, let me just...

[ He lets go of Sam's hand and waits. He feels his power return. Then he lightly taps Sam on the shoulder, holding a finger there. Ivan's power vanishes again. ]

I think you have the power to block NEXT powers.

But...I didn't feel anything. Did I glow? I can't tell! [ Surely he'd feel something if his power was activated right?? ]

You didn't glow... but I don't glow when I'm copying things, so maybe you can do something else and glow...

[ Don't ask him how powers work! Do you have any idea how long it took Ivan to figure out how to use his power in a remotely practical way? ]

[ Instead of a completely sexy one? :D ]

Huh... Does that mean that my power does something other than stop you from transforming?? How do I make it go? [ Sam holds his hands palm-up in front of him, closing and unclosing them as if that will somehow make them turn on and stuff. ]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

it looks like he's touching ivan's waist/butt in that icon

Barnaby is very bold, even when doing what Nathan says

it's the yaoi hands

You can't even see his hands there

I just know

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject