𝜤 🔥 video

[arsiento]

[ The feed turns on shakily and abruptly, showing at first a view of mostly sky, but then it catches more blurry glimpses of scenery -- what might be recognizable as downtown Nonah, if someone were to squint or was just very familiar with the area by now -- as it moves again, as if being wrestled from someone. Voices can be heard above the fainter sounds of traffic, although there's the steady pulse of a nearby car stereo playing loudly and, occasionally, an engine revving.

Then the communicator steadies, being held at its owner's side; the camera now gives an un-aimed view the street, though at a somewhat diagonal, catching about half of the car in question in the shot. A guy's voice, about a foot away, says: "--the sickest shit I ever seen, man! Orale, show the guy, Angie!" And then the communicator moves again, the man holding it taking a step back as Angie breathes fire about five feet into the air. Only the fire and not Angie herself is visible on the screen, although within moments the speaker is stepping close again.

"You see that? It's legit, right? Just one selfie, man! Just one, come on!" ]

Then what, you'll finally beat it? [ Diablo's not speaking into the communicator, obviously, so his voice is muted, though still audible. ] I got nothing to say about no heroes, kid. Whatever you want? It ain't got nothing to do with me.

[ "Yeah, yeah, whatever! Damn, why you got to be such a bummer, dude?" The communicator raises again, rotating around to show two people: #1, a heavily tattooed man in a letterman-style jacket, "Diablo" embroidered on it like a nametag, looking impatiently at #2, who appears to be a teenager with slicked back hair ("AA" shaved into the sides), a lightning bolt tattoo on his neck, and large mirrored sunglasses. ]

Okay, how--

[ But, smiling delightedly, the boy waves into the camera, declaring: "Heeeey, imPorts! Que onda, stay crazy, guys -- we still believe in you! We got your backs now, so take it easy! Ride or die, man!" before he laughs and runs out of frame to join his off-screen friends; the car motor revs again. Diablo, still holding the communicator, does nothing for a moment except flick his eyes irritably and skeptically in that direction, then turns the camera around to capture the kids driving away. The car's plate reads "DOUBLE A". ]

Man, the hell was that. [ And now the camera once again rotates, his skeptical gaze gracing the screen. ] If that's what you all got around here, then no wonder they be importing in heroes like furniture.

[ Well... "heroes," as the still-dubious expression on his face may go on to suggest. He shrugs, then shakes his head. ]

But hey, y'know-- it's whatever. Anyone know where's a good shoe place around here?

Comments

[arsiento]

You said you got criminals for patients, so-- it just a question, you know? [ A pause, then: ] Not really.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Most people don't focus on that detail. In fact -- those who do are projecting. Historically.

[arsiento]

Oh yeah, man? How you figure? I ain't say nothing that wasn't true.

[slightlyoffchilt]

It is just experience talking.

[arsiento]

Okay. Let's hear it, then -- what you think I'm projecting?

[slightlyoffchilt]

Incarceration experience.

[arsiento]

[ A pause, and then a shrug. ]

I ain't hiding it.

[slightlyoffchilt]

[Interesting.]

What did you say your powers were, again?

[arsiento]

I didn't. [ But: ] It's the devil's power -- fire.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Like -- pyrotelekinesis? Control over fire?

[He'll let the devil thing slide without comment.]

[arsiento]

[ That sounds like a made-up word. ]

Like that, yeah.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Hm. An explosive ability, no doubt. The sort of thing that cannot be removed from your emotions... How confident are you, in controlling your ability?

[arsiento]

[ He stares flatly into the camera. ]

Ain't nothing you gotta worry about. I'm handling it.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Are you, though? Because I have absolutely no doubt that people in your... Position, with what we already know about your history, well. No shame in extending a hand for a little help, is there?

[arsiento]

[ Hm.

But: ]

Ain't no one that can help me. Think I don't know already what somebody like you gonna have to say?

private;

[slightlyoffchilt]

I think you would be an ideal candidate for a new program that Mr. Luthor and I are starting.

private;

[arsiento]

[ Oh, man, now that's familiar -- but everything else so far has already been familiar enough, too, that Diablo isn't that surprised; he's almost been expecting something like this.

The name Luthor also seems vaguely familiar, but only vaguely. Not enough for him to think about for longer than a moment. ]

What kind of program?

private;

[slightlyoffchilt]

Task Force X. Enigmatic name for a program, I know, but it is for a good cause.

private;

[arsiento]

What?

[ Is this the Twilight Zone? ]

No kidding, that's a thing here too?

private;

[slightlyoffchilt]

[A beat.]

"Here, too"? This is a fresh program, only recently establishing its roots -- am I to understand that you're familiar with the name?

[Just a name, however. Chilton would remain a little skeptical.]

private;

[arsiento]

Thought you said you already knew my history. You mean that ain't the reason you asking?

[ ???? He really doesn't get how this place works. ]

Yeah, I know it.

private;

[slightlyoffchilt]

I can profile your history, I'm not claiming to know the details.

What was your program like? Your Task Force X?

private;

[arsiento]

[ He considers his response to that question very carefully. ]

Community service.

private;

[slightlyoffchilt]

Vague answer. [A beat.] And you had a recruitment process?

private;

[arsiento]

Something like that.

[ He wouldn't, but it's easier to just split the difference; he almost doesn't care anymore, these things might as well happen. ]

What's your program actually about?