1st Step; Video

[choreographics]

[It's been a few days since Ryan's arrived in Heropa, and after the weekend in Nonah he's come to realize that he's actually not going anywhere anytime soon. He's actually a hero…like…with real powers. The whole thing's bizarre, but when the video pops on anyone watching will just see a blonde teenager with a newsboy cap firmly planted on his head sitting on the floor of his room at Residence #004, despite the fact he should possibly be in school right now. Whatever. He'll figure it out later.]

So I have a question. What if I don't want one of my powers? I can talk to someone about making an exchange, right? What if I want to trade out one of them for something less…[He just makes a vague hand gesture. He's not sure he feels like disclosing that his powers freak him out a little.] Like…like, I don't know, flying? Or…shooting lasers from my eyes? Something?

[There's a sheepish smile accompanying the sentence.] Okay, so I don't really know a lot about this whole hero thing. It's one thing to play pretend on stage my whole life, but this? I don't even know where to start. [A lull of silence follows as Ryan thinks of how to continue, but he seemingly grasps onto a totally other thought just then.]

Oh! But hey, speaking of, who can I talk to about getting a wireless microphone? I've got something I want to try.

Comments

[Video]

[5thchild]

I don't really think powers are something you choose, I'm sorry.

why do you dislike yours?

[Video]

[choreographics]

[He doesn't immediately answer the second question, latching onto the first instead.]

If we don't choose them, who does? Haven't you wondered why they gave us what we have? All I'm saying is that if they're going to be giving me stuff I want to have some say in it.

permavid

[demonspawn]

"Talk to someone about making an exchange?" Seriously?

[choreographics]

Yeah, why not? [Well yes, why is this such a weird concept? He deals with exchanges and upgrades all the time.]

video;

[larker]

Yup. I heard they do those power exchanges down at the post office every second weekend.

video;

[choreographics]

Isn't anybody helpful here?

[klutziness]

look i've been here for a while and i'll tell you: changing your powers isn't something you can do by choice
it sucks, but there it is

[choreographics]

[That…that's text. It causes him to pause for a moment to read…and re-read…the words. It's a lot more focus than he's had on most of the other conversations but when he responds he's keeping it as a video.]

By choice. But there is a way to do it? Have people done it not by choice before?

video

[gottaswing]

[Chad is walking, but also looking at the screen of his phone, communicator, whatever. One hand for the phone, the other for the basketball. Everything a modern teenager needs, in his opinion.]

Hey, Evans. [Wait. Let's do this. Let's pretend he didn't just visible take a steadying breath first.] Ryan. D'you wanna meet up?

video

[choreographics]

[That stupid basketball. But then again he wouldn't be Chad Danforth if he didn't have it at all times, would he? Ryan's not an idiot. He remembers Chad carrying that thing with him everywhere including homeroom.

The question throws him for a loop though.]

With what? [He's not dumb, but he can act dumb at least.]

video;

[shutterbugged]

[And here's a guy in a spandex bodysuit perched on a wall.]

Huh. And here I thought I'd heard all the newbie questions, but this one's new to me.

To be honest, kid, I don't know if I've ever tried asking. But if the Porter here's anything like the one we knew in the City, she'll have an... interesting sense of humor. I wouldn't risk it, personally.

[But then, Peter's always loved his powers, despite all the strain and heartbreak that's come from using them. On a hunch, he encrypts the rest of the conversation.]

Is this a matter of not liking your power, or something more? There's no shame in asking for help if you need it, you know – that's why we have a network. But it would help to help you if you could give a few more details.

video;

[choreographics]

[Okay first thing's first. The color scheme's okay, but spandex? Really? And then it sort of clicks…]

I like being different, what can I say? [There's a small shrug (and really, he's got to stop doing that because of the way his shoulders move thanks to one of his new powers), but he's intently listening because finally, someone's got some answers. Sort of.] "The City"…what city? As for the Porter, I'm thinking maybe I can negotiate. I'm pretty persuasive. [Or influential. Or manipulative. Take your pick.]

[However, he's almost grateful the moment he realizes the conversation's taken off of a public grid and his expression falls into something a little less poised and little more perplexed. He strongly debates just waving it off and making up something else…but nah. He takes a deep breath instead and sighs.]

Both? Probably both. They told me I have three things and it's like…I don't know how to use one, I don't like another one and I don't want the last one and I don't know how to use it anyway. I get it. I get that we don't have a choice and I get that other people are used to this whole thing but I'm not and I don't like not having choices. Does that make sense?

video

[yourpiecenow]

Wireless microphone.

Why.

[all the other questions are dumb madison only focuses on the good stuff]

video

[choreographics]

Call it a science experiment. Can you get me one or not? [Because hey, if she can, he might actually tell her why.]

[slightlyoffchilt]

I've experienced a power exchanged.

[Wording...]

But not willingly, mind, it was rather accidental.

[choreographics]

Accidental. How accidental is accidental?

audio;

[filthyworld]

Not sure you could handle any of those powers you want.

audio;

[choreographics]

And why not?

video;

[kattobings]

You can shoot lasers from your eyes?!

[ Cue this kid almost sparkling at you. ]

video;

[choreographics]

[He almost hates to disappoint.]

Not quite! I'm looking to make a deal with somebody to trade one of my powers to do that.

( video )

[abadidea]

[Isaac can totally respect not wanting to keep a power. There's one he wouldn't mind getting rid of himself.

Alas. Still, when he responds, he's smiling, an older man, and while it's obvious he's seen some things, it doesn't seem like it's been too recent of an ordeal.]

Maybe I'll trade. What are you offering? I'm Isaac, by the way. Isaac Clarke.

( video )

[choreographics]

[Someone's taking him seriously about a trade? ...someone's taking him seriously.

Yay! Okay, no, Ryan, calm down. Think about that for a moment.]

Well, Mr. Clarke, I'm Ryan Evans. Nice to meet you. [A pause, followed by a grin.] I'm offering a couple of things, but let's talk for a sec. What's your expertise?

[imitari]

I don't... think so? That'd be kinda weird, wouldn't it? I mean - imagine how people would take advantage of that. Not something you wanna think about.

The wireless microphone might be easier, though.

[choreographics]

Weird maybe, but not entirely impossible. [Ryan that's because you come from a life where pretty much nothing is impossible as long as you sing about it.] Maybe it should be like a test then? Pass some of these trials, get an exchange. Or a buy one, get one free! Use your useless powers once, get something better.

[Alas. That does seem to be the case.] I'm thinking you might be right though, yeah. Any suggestions?

video.

[glowsferatu]

If you don't like them, then it's generally just too bad. Our handlers have as much control over our abilities as they do our presence, which is nill. Otherwise, I'd have changed mine long ago.

[ like, for instance, the human form she appears in now. ]

video.

[choreographics]

Our handlers. [It's the wording choice that amuses him, if only because his mind immediately flitted over to people like managers and agents for the stars. Those were handlers. These people...not so much in Ryan's opinion.] If they don't then don't they know who does?

[There's a pause though. At least he's not the only one.] Would you change all of them, or just some?