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 Posted: Mon Apr 17, 2006 2:09 pm
Charles sighed tiredly. This he didn't like. Quite honestly, he couldn't think of anyone else who was going to like this, but with Flashcharge out of comission for awhile, the petty villains not just in his area, but in several places, were taking advantage. Flashcharge was still in the hospital and, despite his obstinance, would not be able to get out for several weeks. Darebone could only do so much on her own. Photon...Photon had been refusing to do anything for years and couldn't be counted on.
That was what this meeting about, guardians and children separated. He had sent an urgent enough message out that all should be present. He had already braced himself for the responses, not expecting anything good from this.
He addressed the adults second, really more scared of their reaction than that of the children.
"As you know, Flashcharge has had an accident. He will not be able to fight for a long time. This is a lot earlier than we'd anticipated, but we have decided that the children are ready to go and begin to fight some of the villains around the country," he quickly went on, not wanting to allow time for the outburst, "We will be pairing them up in groups, and they will always have at least two trained soldiers with them, but we need their abilities. It is time to apply their training. They will be safe as possible."
He took a breath, going for the bomb that would cause the most trouble, "Rest assured that we will not force the children to do something agains their will. We have given them a choice. You, however, have no say in this matter. If this child wants to fight, we will gladly take them."
He almost visibly winced, waiting for the outbursts. He would have rather gone on in more detail, but he knew it would be futile at this point, seeing how many of the guardians were already excited.
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Posted: Mon Apr 17, 2006 5:44 pm
[If you didn't want a repsonse just delete I'm eager to get back in the running.]
Akila was seated idly chewing and occassionally popping here gum. She was probably younger then some of the other guardians or at least acked the part hence her rather childish approach to the matter...boredom.
After taking in the moment to hear what Charles had to say she winced. She wasn't sure if Erol was ready to go head long into the fray like this. She'd messed up with his training on many occassions, constantly taking him out on trips that didn't generally pertain to his training. Crap! She thought standing to her feet to protest.
Before she could do so Charles continued she sat down looking around the room. Some guardians were perhaps upset others more confident in their child's ability. It wasn't that she didn't trust Erol or his powers she didn't trust the way she has brought him up. Would he be ready? So many thoughts went through her mind but as Charles made it clear that no guardian had a say in the matter part of Akila felt a bit relieved.
If she couldn't stop Erol's decision then she'd feel a little better knowing it was something he felt confident in. "Well are we at least able to talk to them. I'd feel better knowing if Erol is ready for this rather then send him off without thinking it through?" She'd at least ask, it wouldn't hurt. Besides if Erol wasn't ready he would tell her.
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Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 3:32 pm
AriyaLauna listened solemnly. She'd been more distant to everyone around her since she'd heard about the incident in Egypt. And she had been willing to take whatever precautions necessary. The attitude between her willingness to work with Charles and her simple foot-stomping the moment Megan even hinted at misbehaving showed she had wanted to be serious.
But this she hadn't expected. Her head jerked up, eyes flaming with indignation, "They are children!" She snapped, "How DARE you? You monster!"
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Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2006 2:24 am
Aww, poor Flashcharge all beaten up and in the hospital. A rather bored looking Ruriska made a mental note to send him some flowers when she got out of this meeting, which she hoped would be soon. It was a meeting that gave her some very nervous fluttering in her gut, and although she hid it well, Ruri wanted to dart back outside, find Raleigh and run as fast and as far as she could. But then again, running wasn't her thing. Sighing a little, and looking much more bored than she actually was, Ruri watched Charles carefully. He didn't look too happy with any of this, whatever it was.
When he did spit it all out, Ruri sighed once more, deeper this time. It wasn't entirely unexpected. All those supers were bloody useless; it figured that the kids would have to get their hands dirty. In an instant Ruriska had realised that her child would say yes. It was not in Raleigh to refuse this chance to prove his worth, and make a name for himself. Mouth curling into a wry smile, Ruri considered the very few options she had. As Ariya, who was sitting nearby, made her point of view extremely clear, Ruriska couldn't help but cringe. That woman was nice, but she could be darn strange sometimes. Then again, anyone who didn't have alcohol on Christmas was just plain weird according to Ruri.
While waiting for everything to quiet down a little before speaking, Ruriska grinned happily, something that didn't bode well for anyone involved. She looked entirely too smug, for someone who'd just learnt that her adopted son would be going out to fight villains with superpowers. "Don't look so gloomy Charles baby. You know, because of this sacrifice I'm making, I think it's high time you accept that maid proposal I gave to you a while back." The grin broadened, and she sat back in her chair with her arms crossed over her chest. "Raleigh will be fine out there, simply because... I'm going with him." It was said in a very matter of fact way that left no room for argument at all. Of course, if Charles decided to say something... well, Ruri was always looking for a good shouting match.
As far as she was concerned, Raleigh wasn't fully protected unless she was with him. If she had to stand to the side she would, but she wanted to be there, just in case.
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Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 12:16 pm
Babs' first reaction to what Charles had told them was, basically - fear. She knew Malcolm wasn't ready, and he knew that about himself, but she also knew him well. He would say yes to the challenge, and that was what worried her. The boy could barely make it through an entire training session - how would he be able to handle real villains?
She bit her thumb nervously, wiggling around in her chair as Charles' spoke. When Ariya blurted out her...feelings...to him, Babs perked up and felt slightly relieved that someone felt the same way (if a bit more dramatic). Then, of course, Ruri had to do something totally out of the question. Babs felt a debate coming on, and slid right back down in her chair to where she had been previously, and stuck her thumbnail back in her mouth again, prepared for the worst from Ruri.
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Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 8:03 am
Charles looked at the guardians, Akila's question had come about the same time as AriyaLauna's exclamation. While he was preparing himself to ignore the woman he'd known would be a pest and answer Akila, Ruriska dropped a bomb on top of him. Instead of answering anyone at first, he ended up staring in shock at Ruriska for several seconds, his lips moving a little as if to answer, but it was clear that he wasn't sure how to even start.
Instead of answering anyone at first, he ended up staring in shock at Ruriska for several seconds, his lips moving a little as if to answer, but it was clear that he wasn't sure how to even start. Finally he took a breath, seemed to be much more composed. He slowly pulled his sunshades down from his eyes and stared at Ruriska, the look saying that he not only thought she was crazy, but he wasn't going to accept such nonsense. He turned that look to AriyaLauna, his frown deepening, his glare getting a little harder. Did those two always have to cause problems? He looked to each of the other guardians, a silent warning not to get too excited.
Then he turned back to Ruriska. "NO!" He held up his hand, willing her to be silent as he addressed the other women.
He looked at AriyaLauna, "No."
And turned to Akila, "They have thought it out. We discussed it at length. If they bring it up, you may allow them to talk about it. I ask that you keep your own opinion out of the matter."
Charles' voice clearly conveyed that he expected the guardians to obey and not argue.
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Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 2:12 pm
AriyaLauna had been sufficiently quailed enough by Charles' look to remain silent, despite her hands slapping the sides of her chair angrily at Charles' response to her.
She remained silent just barely long enough for Charles' explanation to Akila to get out.
"NO? What is that supposed to mean? How dare you suggest us not speaking with our kids? Do you think you can just lord over our lives like that? You make me feel like I'm in a freaking harem like in the King and I. A bunch of women supposed to bow to every retarded requested you make! Well, I won't have it. This is called ABUSE. This country underlines protection for it's citizens, has LAWS against making children work in dangerous situations, and doesn't look kindly on dictorships. You hired us to be parents for these children, and now you take that away. What are we--just---And anytime we show we care, you start acting like we're commiting a federal crime. It's sick."
She folded her arms together, leaning forward slightly. Once done speaking, she glanced at the others, too angry to let usual insecurities come up, but was shaking a little, from fright and not anger. Other than the slight trembling and quick glance, her glare was steady on Charles, and everything else about her was defiant, offended, angry.
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Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 3:29 am
The smile dropped, shoulders stiffened, green eyes flashed in warning. Ruri's current attitude was fairly clear to even the most unobservant person, and even if they possibly were dense enough to miss it, you could bet that within a few moments her voice would make everything extremely clear. For a second Ruriska had been feeling triumph. Obviously Charles had been speechless over her announcement, and that was a good thing since it meant he couldn't say no. Then he had to go find his voice. After her initial outraged silence, she was ready to let rip, but once again Ariya took the first plunge.
The guardian waited, tapping a finger against her leg impatiently as Ariya let out her rant. Ruri was itching to give Charles a piece of her mind, but she kept silent for the moment, if only to make sure when she finally got her chance to speak she wouldn't be shouting to be heard over other angry people. It took long enough for Ruriska to actually settle down, and think over the past few moments. Not that her mind was changed at all, in fact, she was more focused and able to think clearer. Poor Charles.
She waited for her moment and then calmly sat froward in her chair, eyeing Charles with a dangerous glint. "I don't think you understood me before. Look Charles, I've agreed to let Raleigh go on this ridiculous thing without any fight at all, and all I'm asking is a chance to be there. That is my decision whether you like it or not and I'll be damned if you can stop me. I'll follow Raleigh around in a god-damn cab if I have to." Her voice had started out level, but was slowly raising in volume. 'It's a reasonable request, and yes, it could get me killed, but that's my decision to make."
Ruriska watched him for a moment before her hands curled into fists and a hint if a smirk rose on her lips. "I not going to have anymore of this 'no' s**t, do you understand?!"
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Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2006 4:31 pm
Elaine rested her head on her hand and stared at the floor while the other two argued with Charles. Honestly, she didn't feel Malcolm was ready, but he needed the experience more than anything. He couldn't train outside, where all the insects were, very safely...there was always a risk of someone seeing them. So they had to bring beehives inside the apartment, and it just wasn't the same. She wanted him to be able to train where it was best, and that was, as much as she hated it, in the field with the real supers.
She sided and studied the weave of the carpet, keeping her mouth shut until the others were done voicing their opinions.
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Posted: Mon May 01, 2006 8:40 am
Charles had to resist some rather unpleasent urges. Shouting back at AriyaLauna, or snapping at Ruriska would put him on the losing side. He wasn't on that side, and he would not act like that. He would speak with the authority he had, and he did. Charles spoke clearly, slower than his usual too-busy stress. Actually, none of the tiredness or stress that ever slipped out was evident. He was firm, voice alone not allowing the guardians to interrupt, and not even daring them to counteract him another time.
"I am the authority here, and you will do as I say. If not, I can find other guardians."
Ruriska was easier to address, and that's what he went for, "You will not accompany Raleigh on his missions. There have been sufficient precautions already taken, he does not need your apron to hide behind, or your cheerleading. Being a superhero is lonely business. You are to stay off of the field."
He turned to address AriyaLauna, "You are absurd. I never said speaking with the children was forbidden, you are not allowed to sway the decisions I know they have already made. This isn't abuse. This is the greater good. This country operates, and has always operated, on that principle. If you take measures in the name of parenting, I will consider it a federal crime, as you put it, it is treason. This country needs the help of those children. If you don't think you can handle your duties, then you can step down."
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Posted: Sat May 06, 2006 1:52 am
Frowning unhappily, Ruriska allowed her very angry glare fall upon Charles, but decided to otherwise remain silent in order to mule over his words, and figure out some witty retort. None popped up in her mind, much to her great announce. Perhaps it would be best she didn't go along anyway.Of course Ruri wasn't completely swayed, but she at least seeing Charles' part of the argument. There was really no point in fighting with him here, besides, Ariya was doing a good enough job of that right now.
Sighing a little, Ruri moved her glare to the wall, and remained unspoken. One thing was for sure, Charles would be getting a lot of phone calls after this.
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Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 6:42 am
AriyaLauna honestly thought she was going to start crying from simple anger and frustration. She'd done more of that in the past two years than the past ten. Then, it also had given her enough practice that she didn't break down, though her eyes shone with wetness. All it did was to help her angry glare.
"Megan was right about all of you. Monsters and fools." She didn't dare say more than that, she'd either really get upset, or get kicked out. Neither could do any good.
Instead she waved her hand in front of her, "Fine. Whatever."
She folded her arms and glared, allowing her currently bristled posture voice all her disproval.
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Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 11:28 am
These two had put Charles in a vindictive mood. He stood.
"Does that mean you will step down? Good." Charles knew very well what the woman had meant, but she would stop this nonsense or be stopped. He put his sunglasses back on while he let whatever beginning of a protest come, and interrupted, "No? I see. Well, it's your decision. This time."
He went and walked straight out of his room, speaking as he did so, "You will all be getting more information soon. I don't expect to hear anymore complaints." He closed the door behind him and disappeared into one of the side hallways. The guardians would know how to get to Safe Haven from here and pick up the children.
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