"Fighting! You were fighting in school!" What is the matter with you?" the shrill voice on the other end of the telephone was clearly audible from across the room. Jase had put on some headphones to give the freshmen privacy.
"Mom... Mom... Mom..." Bryan waited while she continued to yell into the phone. "Mom, please don't cry. It's not a big deal. It was just a little scuffle in the locker room."
Mrs. Baxter sniffled, fighting back tears. "Are you doing this to get back at us? Are you trying to get kicked out? You know that you can't come back to school here, why are you trying to ruin this?"
Bryan sighed. She knew just how to push the young man's buttons. She knew that crying was a sure fire way to fill him with guilt. He hated it when she cried. "I'm not getting expelled. It's not a big deal." "Your father wants to talk to you." she responded
Instantly, Bryan thought about just hanging up the phone. He decided not to, knowing it would only make things worse. "Boy, what the hell is wrong with you? You get expelled from public school here with your little temper tantrum now this Sister Moltar tells me you are hitting kids with LOCKERS!" Bryan held the phone away from his ear as his father's speech reached it's crescendo. "Are you listening? When you told me you were on the football team, I thought you had gotten it together. That things were going to be better but I guess I was wrong."
"You know, you don't make friends by hitting them with things." "He was picking on me." Bryan spoke up, cutting off his father. "Listen, I don't care. You are in that freak school to go to learn and graduate because a normal school won't have you."
"Dad, I'm getting really good at controlling my powers. I think I could come back and things can be normal again." Bryan fought the urge to speak the truth. He knew his parents enrolled him here in order to avoid dealing with his abilities. The truth was that he didn't want to go back. Ever.
His mother and father wanted a normal family. His older brother, John, had been an all state quarterback and an "A" student. He was even homecoming king. Then came Bryan, he was quiet and nerdy. Much more at home in his room reading comics then being around real people. It wasn't that his parents didn't love him, Bryan just always felt like he never lived up to their expectations.
"So?" Bryan's father deep voiced snapped him out of his thoughts and back into the moment. "I understand. I promise to keep out of trouble and I'll buckle down with my studies."
"Good." the older man replied. "And see if you can talk the Coach into letting you back on the team. Do whatever it takes." "Yes, sir" Bryan replied softly. "Remember son, we just want to you to live a normal life."
"I know dad. I love you guys." Bryan didn't listen for a reply. He hung up the phone and smiled. "Ha! A normal life. Who cares about that?" The young stundent laughed as he walked our t his roommates side of the room.
Gently tapping on Broadway's shoulder, "Hey Jase. Sorry about all that. I'm going out to see if I can find Nennya. I found a cool book for her while I was on patrol last night."
As Bryan opened the door to the school campus, he spotted a girl covered in flames fly past and he laughed to himself. "Normal...". He shooked his head and walked towards the school.
The Life of Bryan (Open by PM)
Moderator: Student Council
The Life of Bryan (Open by PM)
Last edited by Gravwarp on Sat Mar 17, 2007 8:02 am, edited 2 times in total.
Bryan Baxter (Codename: Gravwarp)
Gravity Control / Force Field / Fire Mastery
Global: @The Troll
Fight My Brute!
Gravity Control / Force Field / Fire Mastery
Global: @The Troll
Fight My Brute!
Bryan flipped on the light in his room. Jason was out again, who knew where he was at any given time, being a superstar was time consuming apparently. Bryan chuckled, “Sometimes it pays to be a nobody, I guess.”
It was late; he had been out flying around Overbrook for most of the night. Flying allowed him to relax and think more clearly. By seemingly “divine” intervention, Oby and Bill had gotten him a chance to get back on the Football team just as his dad wanted. His body hurt from the laps he had run.
Bryan had spent the night obsessing about his phone call home yesterday afternoon. At the time, he had been mad with his folks. He had twisted their words around in his mind, to make them seem judgmental and harsh. He knew, deep down, that his parents just wanted the best for him.
In the dark quad, the young man placed a small cup of dried noodles into the little microwave the four roommates shared. He sat absently watching the minutes tick by on the appliance, deftly opening the door before the buzzer sounded. He walked back to his room and snapped off the harsh overhead fluorescent light; leaving the room mostly dark with just the light from his desk lamp illuminating his side of the room while casting Broadway’s in shadows with the small winking lights of his recording gear lighting the darkness.
Bryan sat at his desk, poking the warm noodles with his fork. He looked around his side of the dorm room. He looked at the posters he had put up on the wall. He looked at his schoolbooks piled atop the corner of his desk. He picked up with new schedule and looked at the classes he was enrolled in this semester. He sighed to himself, picked up his Religious Studies book and began the assigned reading. He would keep his promise and really give school his best shot.
It was late; he had been out flying around Overbrook for most of the night. Flying allowed him to relax and think more clearly. By seemingly “divine” intervention, Oby and Bill had gotten him a chance to get back on the Football team just as his dad wanted. His body hurt from the laps he had run.
Bryan had spent the night obsessing about his phone call home yesterday afternoon. At the time, he had been mad with his folks. He had twisted their words around in his mind, to make them seem judgmental and harsh. He knew, deep down, that his parents just wanted the best for him.
In the dark quad, the young man placed a small cup of dried noodles into the little microwave the four roommates shared. He sat absently watching the minutes tick by on the appliance, deftly opening the door before the buzzer sounded. He walked back to his room and snapped off the harsh overhead fluorescent light; leaving the room mostly dark with just the light from his desk lamp illuminating his side of the room while casting Broadway’s in shadows with the small winking lights of his recording gear lighting the darkness.
Bryan sat at his desk, poking the warm noodles with his fork. He looked around his side of the dorm room. He looked at the posters he had put up on the wall. He looked at his schoolbooks piled atop the corner of his desk. He picked up with new schedule and looked at the classes he was enrolled in this semester. He sighed to himself, picked up his Religious Studies book and began the assigned reading. He would keep his promise and really give school his best shot.
Bryan Baxter (Codename: Gravwarp)
Gravity Control / Force Field / Fire Mastery
Global: @The Troll
Fight My Brute!
Gravity Control / Force Field / Fire Mastery
Global: @The Troll
Fight My Brute!
As he woke, she was the first thing he thought of. Before football practice, before homework, even before breakfast: her beautiful, exotic face was the only thing her could focus on. He closed his eyes and recalled every inch of her face, he sighed contently.
The last two days had been amazing, in a way, almost dreamlike. He had spent the majority of the weekend with her. They fought alongside one another, protecting one another. He thought of how well they had worked together, their abilities complimenting each other. Although that had been fun, he had a better time just talking with her.
He smiled as he thought about the two of them sitting apart from one another, each perched on the cold granite surface atop Atlas’s globe. They sat above the city and just talked with one another. The spoke for hours about different subjects, she told him of her family and he of his. They had even joked around with Nate for a while even tried to hitch a ride on the blimp. Bryan chuckled to himself thinking of the evening. He had given her the book there, “The Lincoln Conspiracy”, he had hoped she would like it and not taken it as a sort of joke. She seemed to have genuinely liked it; Bryan was pleased. He had been anxious about giving her that book for nearly a week.
He moved his hand to his cheek as we tuned over in the small dorm bed, he could still feel the soft touch of her lips against his face. Bryan closed his eyes and remembered her shy look as they held hands and walked back to the dorms the night before last. He had been so nervous, barely being able to speak and his mouth completely dry. It had been an amazing and wonderful night.
“And last night was even better!” Bryan said to the empty room as sprung up from the bed. He gathered his toiletries and headed for the showers. It was late in the day and the quad was quiet. As Bryan started the hot water, he again smiled. It seemed hard not to smile today.
As he showered, he thought of their time together last night. Stopping a bank robbery and an attempted arson, it was astounding. She was incredible, he thought about finding himself out of breath more than few times trying to keep up with her. “It was sort of embarrassing”, he thought. He laughed it off now though; if he had been able to keep up, the night would have turned out different.
He stepped out of the shower and began to brush his teeth. He gazed into the mirror but didn’t see his reflection; he could only see the blazing fire in the Chalet hearth. In the bathroom, he blushed as he reminisced of how he had stumbled over his words and tried to hide his nervousness with humor.
She had seen through that and spoke to him honestly and asked him to do the same. Then he was a little ashamed but now he was grateful to her, without that exchange he would have never gathered his courage to tell her his feelings. She responded in kind and they had shared a kiss, his first. He kept replaying that moment in his mind. He could feel the warmth of her soft lips against his, he could still taste the strawberry from her drink, and his hand could still recall the velvet of her cheek against his palm.
He went back to his room and quickly got changed. “How can I concentrate today?” he laughed as he laced up his shoes. As he got his jersey from his closet, he looked at the white tuxedo, hung carefully in its garment bag. “Less than a week.” Pulling the shirt over his head, he placed his headphones in his ears and began running in the chill January noon.
“I feel like I could run for miles!” he shouted not caring who heard. He quickened his sprint as dashed off to run and revel in his memories.
The last two days had been amazing, in a way, almost dreamlike. He had spent the majority of the weekend with her. They fought alongside one another, protecting one another. He thought of how well they had worked together, their abilities complimenting each other. Although that had been fun, he had a better time just talking with her.
He smiled as he thought about the two of them sitting apart from one another, each perched on the cold granite surface atop Atlas’s globe. They sat above the city and just talked with one another. The spoke for hours about different subjects, she told him of her family and he of his. They had even joked around with Nate for a while even tried to hitch a ride on the blimp. Bryan chuckled to himself thinking of the evening. He had given her the book there, “The Lincoln Conspiracy”, he had hoped she would like it and not taken it as a sort of joke. She seemed to have genuinely liked it; Bryan was pleased. He had been anxious about giving her that book for nearly a week.
He moved his hand to his cheek as we tuned over in the small dorm bed, he could still feel the soft touch of her lips against his face. Bryan closed his eyes and remembered her shy look as they held hands and walked back to the dorms the night before last. He had been so nervous, barely being able to speak and his mouth completely dry. It had been an amazing and wonderful night.
“And last night was even better!” Bryan said to the empty room as sprung up from the bed. He gathered his toiletries and headed for the showers. It was late in the day and the quad was quiet. As Bryan started the hot water, he again smiled. It seemed hard not to smile today.
As he showered, he thought of their time together last night. Stopping a bank robbery and an attempted arson, it was astounding. She was incredible, he thought about finding himself out of breath more than few times trying to keep up with her. “It was sort of embarrassing”, he thought. He laughed it off now though; if he had been able to keep up, the night would have turned out different.
He stepped out of the shower and began to brush his teeth. He gazed into the mirror but didn’t see his reflection; he could only see the blazing fire in the Chalet hearth. In the bathroom, he blushed as he reminisced of how he had stumbled over his words and tried to hide his nervousness with humor.
She had seen through that and spoke to him honestly and asked him to do the same. Then he was a little ashamed but now he was grateful to her, without that exchange he would have never gathered his courage to tell her his feelings. She responded in kind and they had shared a kiss, his first. He kept replaying that moment in his mind. He could feel the warmth of her soft lips against his, he could still taste the strawberry from her drink, and his hand could still recall the velvet of her cheek against his palm.
He went back to his room and quickly got changed. “How can I concentrate today?” he laughed as he laced up his shoes. As he got his jersey from his closet, he looked at the white tuxedo, hung carefully in its garment bag. “Less than a week.” Pulling the shirt over his head, he placed his headphones in his ears and began running in the chill January noon.
“I feel like I could run for miles!” he shouted not caring who heard. He quickened his sprint as dashed off to run and revel in his memories.
Bryan Baxter (Codename: Gravwarp)
Gravity Control / Force Field / Fire Mastery
Global: @The Troll
Fight My Brute!
Gravity Control / Force Field / Fire Mastery
Global: @The Troll
Fight My Brute!
He had the nightmare again last night.
This was the first time he had dreamt it since coming to St. Joe’s but he laid silently in the pool of his own sweat, knowing that the nightmare that he thought he had left behind had if fact, never gone away. Rising from his bed, he sat at his desk and turned on the small lamp. He wiped away the cold sweat from his face and placed his head in his hands. After a long while silent thought, he took up a pen and began writing.
Bryan walked to the bathroom in the dark and used the facilities. The Quad was quiet, only occasionally disturbed by the soft noises of the other boys sleeping. He quickly dressed and left the dormitory. Opening up the door to the outside, Bryan was hit with the bitter wind of the cold winter morning. It was still dark outside; the purplish glow from the streetlights lit his path to the main building.
He felt in his jacket pocket, his hand brushed across two folded pieces of paper. He withdrew his hand quickly, almost as if those slips of harmless burned his skin at the slightest touch. Just touching them, flooded him with the guilt that had made him pen them in the first place.
Bryan quietly walked the empty halls, making his way towards his first destination. The locker’s steel surface was cool to the touch, even in the heated hallway. He took a deep breath, gathering his strength to accomplish what would outwardly seem like a minor task. He withdrew the first note from his pocket; he spent what seemed like an eternity gazing at the name he had written upon its outward face. He compressed the sheet tightly and slid it through the vent in the girl’s locker.
After, he had pushed it through so far that her could no longer retrieve it. A fire burned in his stomach, he could taste the bitter acids of his own bile. Bryan immediately wanted to take the letter back, but it was impossible. He had set himself upon the rocky path and he would now have to see it through to completion.
He found no comfort in that thought.
“Why do I do these things?” He thought to himself. “Why is it impossible for me to just be normal and make friends?” He badgered and insulted himself, as he walked to the next locker. Bryan found it was easy to upset himself when he felt this way. It was best not to be in the hallway if he was going to breakdown.
He found the locker for his second recipient, this note took no strength of will to be placed in it’s temporary home. He was comforted to give this note to her and after placing it within the locker; he felt his self-imposed burden, lighten.
Bryan opened the library doors and found the librarian was not surprised to see him this early. He imagined that she already knew why he was here and that he would be here for sometime over the next few days. After all, his new thesis paper was going to require a huge amount of research. Bryan swallowed the lump gathering in his throat, he pretended not to feel the woman’s icy stare on his back, and he sat down to begin the first of his labors for Sister Mary Cecilia.
This was the first time he had dreamt it since coming to St. Joe’s but he laid silently in the pool of his own sweat, knowing that the nightmare that he thought he had left behind had if fact, never gone away. Rising from his bed, he sat at his desk and turned on the small lamp. He wiped away the cold sweat from his face and placed his head in his hands. After a long while silent thought, he took up a pen and began writing.
Bryan walked to the bathroom in the dark and used the facilities. The Quad was quiet, only occasionally disturbed by the soft noises of the other boys sleeping. He quickly dressed and left the dormitory. Opening up the door to the outside, Bryan was hit with the bitter wind of the cold winter morning. It was still dark outside; the purplish glow from the streetlights lit his path to the main building.
He felt in his jacket pocket, his hand brushed across two folded pieces of paper. He withdrew his hand quickly, almost as if those slips of harmless burned his skin at the slightest touch. Just touching them, flooded him with the guilt that had made him pen them in the first place.
Bryan quietly walked the empty halls, making his way towards his first destination. The locker’s steel surface was cool to the touch, even in the heated hallway. He took a deep breath, gathering his strength to accomplish what would outwardly seem like a minor task. He withdrew the first note from his pocket; he spent what seemed like an eternity gazing at the name he had written upon its outward face. He compressed the sheet tightly and slid it through the vent in the girl’s locker.
After, he had pushed it through so far that her could no longer retrieve it. A fire burned in his stomach, he could taste the bitter acids of his own bile. Bryan immediately wanted to take the letter back, but it was impossible. He had set himself upon the rocky path and he would now have to see it through to completion.
He found no comfort in that thought.
“Why do I do these things?” He thought to himself. “Why is it impossible for me to just be normal and make friends?” He badgered and insulted himself, as he walked to the next locker. Bryan found it was easy to upset himself when he felt this way. It was best not to be in the hallway if he was going to breakdown.
He found the locker for his second recipient, this note took no strength of will to be placed in it’s temporary home. He was comforted to give this note to her and after placing it within the locker; he felt his self-imposed burden, lighten.
Bryan opened the library doors and found the librarian was not surprised to see him this early. He imagined that she already knew why he was here and that he would be here for sometime over the next few days. After all, his new thesis paper was going to require a huge amount of research. Bryan swallowed the lump gathering in his throat, he pretended not to feel the woman’s icy stare on his back, and he sat down to begin the first of his labors for Sister Mary Cecilia.
Bryan Baxter (Codename: Gravwarp)
Gravity Control / Force Field / Fire Mastery
Global: @The Troll
Fight My Brute!
Gravity Control / Force Field / Fire Mastery
Global: @The Troll
Fight My Brute!
((With permission from Bryan.))
Several minutes passed, then a silent figure with oddly-shaped ears approached and opened the locker. Textbook, notebook, heater batteries, pencils... paper scrap? She scooped up the note and opened it.
She read it a couple times over, then paced around nervously in front of her locker for a minute or two. ...you screwed up. She sighed, breath visible. You knew that the moment he walked off with that look on his face. You're only screwing up further by not doing something about it. Now try actually using that scrap of confidence you had at the end of the dance.
She had no idea where Bryan's locker was, and she didn't think she could bring herself to be seen slipping notes in it anyway, but the computer lab was just a short walk away. Thank God for technology. She grabbed the nearest free machine, found Bryan in the student directory, and started typing.
From: jjacobs@sjhs.edu
Subject: saturday...
Several minutes passed, then a silent figure with oddly-shaped ears approached and opened the locker. Textbook, notebook, heater batteries, pencils... paper scrap? She scooped up the note and opened it.
She read it a couple times over, then paced around nervously in front of her locker for a minute or two. ...you screwed up. She sighed, breath visible. You knew that the moment he walked off with that look on his face. You're only screwing up further by not doing something about it. Now try actually using that scrap of confidence you had at the end of the dance.
She had no idea where Bryan's locker was, and she didn't think she could bring herself to be seen slipping notes in it anyway, but the computer lab was just a short walk away. Thank God for technology. She grabbed the nearest free machine, found Bryan in the student directory, and started typing.
From: jjacobs@sjhs.edu
Subject: saturday...
"When you can hear 'em talk, cling to them with all force, because those are the ones with staying power." - Ursula Vernon
Bryan left the school chapel; the afternoon sky was orange with the setting sun’s light. The winter wind brought goose bumps to his skin. He raised his hands to his mouth, blowing a blast of warm air on his exposed fingers; he winced as the reek of polish wafted into his nose in return. He had spent the majority of the afternoon, continuing with his penance. Today, it was cleaning and polishing he pews in the school’s chapel.
It was hard on his hands, not painful but his knuckles creaked as he balled his hands into a fist. Clutching that rag for hours on end had made it seem like he would never be able to flex his hands again. He cracked his knuckles and made his way back to the library once again. He had an hour and a half to work on his thesis paper before he needed to be in the Athletic Center for Coach Water’s weight training. His paper was due at the end of the week but he had made lots of progress on it. The research was all but complete and the majority of the remaining work was just typing.
As he entered, Sister Mary Edith greeted him. Bryan politely asked to use a computer; she pointed him down to the computer room. The small room had a few machines available. He took out his notes and sat down at an open machine. As normal, the first thing he did was check his email. The usual stuff was there; football practice information stuff from Summer, a dirty joke email from his brother John, a couple of message emails from various forums but squeezed in between the normal stuff was something new. A message from Joni.
He read it, and he was relieved. Bryan read it one more time and typed up a response.
“You were perfectly in the right. I merely wanted to apologize and thank you, you gave me a larger view of things. A view, I didn’t have before.
Also, don't worry; nothing was ruined. I’m glad you don’t hate me.
Bryan”
He looked at his work and hit the send button before he could begin to over analyze what he had written. Bryan sighed in relief and began the long road to typing up his paper.
It was hard on his hands, not painful but his knuckles creaked as he balled his hands into a fist. Clutching that rag for hours on end had made it seem like he would never be able to flex his hands again. He cracked his knuckles and made his way back to the library once again. He had an hour and a half to work on his thesis paper before he needed to be in the Athletic Center for Coach Water’s weight training. His paper was due at the end of the week but he had made lots of progress on it. The research was all but complete and the majority of the remaining work was just typing.
As he entered, Sister Mary Edith greeted him. Bryan politely asked to use a computer; she pointed him down to the computer room. The small room had a few machines available. He took out his notes and sat down at an open machine. As normal, the first thing he did was check his email. The usual stuff was there; football practice information stuff from Summer, a dirty joke email from his brother John, a couple of message emails from various forums but squeezed in between the normal stuff was something new. A message from Joni.
He read it, and he was relieved. Bryan read it one more time and typed up a response.
“You were perfectly in the right. I merely wanted to apologize and thank you, you gave me a larger view of things. A view, I didn’t have before.
Also, don't worry; nothing was ruined. I’m glad you don’t hate me.
Bryan”
He looked at his work and hit the send button before he could begin to over analyze what he had written. Bryan sighed in relief and began the long road to typing up his paper.
Bryan Baxter (Codename: Gravwarp)
Gravity Control / Force Field / Fire Mastery
Global: @The Troll
Fight My Brute!
Gravity Control / Force Field / Fire Mastery
Global: @The Troll
Fight My Brute!
The clang and clatter of the weight room was in a stark contrast to the quiet halls in the early morning. It was a busy morning; lots of the football players were there. The next play off game was fast approaching and the team was trying their hardest to prepare.
“Egotistical?” Bryan said aloud, as he lifted the barbell back up to its rest on the bench press. He toweled off the seat and he moved behind the barbell. He looked down to his friend as she prepared to lift the weight. “Can you believe Summer said that about me?” He asked her rhetorically. “Do you think I’m egotistical, Sam?”
The petite girl hoisted the load without so much as a groan, “First, don’t put too much stock in what Summer says, she thinks all men are arrogant.” She lifted the barbell a few times grimacing at the weight of the lift, she looked up to the boy spotting her. Bryan kept his hands on the bar, just like they’d been taught.
“Secondly,” She added with a wry smile, “you have been acting a lot different lately, you know ever since your big date.” She placed the weights back in the rest and they moved together to the elliptical trainers. As they both set their paces he replied.
“It wasn’t just my date with Nya. I mean, yeah, that was a big part of it… but the Mana thing...” he paused thinking of the right words. “I just… I don’t know… I guess I just want to have as much fun as I can.” His face became very serious as he spoke. “Besides… I’m popular here. I guess, I’m kinda just enjoying that for a change.”
The two kept pace with one another; running in place but not talking for a long while.
“Well, you better be careful.” She smiled at him and added, “With this new outlook on life, you may not have room in you locker for books with all those mysterious love notes you’re getting.”
“You’re a laugh riot, Sam.” He said with feigned anger. “When will I learn not to talk to you?” He shook his head derisively.
They both laughed and kept running.
“Egotistical?” Bryan said aloud, as he lifted the barbell back up to its rest on the bench press. He toweled off the seat and he moved behind the barbell. He looked down to his friend as she prepared to lift the weight. “Can you believe Summer said that about me?” He asked her rhetorically. “Do you think I’m egotistical, Sam?”
The petite girl hoisted the load without so much as a groan, “First, don’t put too much stock in what Summer says, she thinks all men are arrogant.” She lifted the barbell a few times grimacing at the weight of the lift, she looked up to the boy spotting her. Bryan kept his hands on the bar, just like they’d been taught.
“Secondly,” She added with a wry smile, “you have been acting a lot different lately, you know ever since your big date.” She placed the weights back in the rest and they moved together to the elliptical trainers. As they both set their paces he replied.
“It wasn’t just my date with Nya. I mean, yeah, that was a big part of it… but the Mana thing...” he paused thinking of the right words. “I just… I don’t know… I guess I just want to have as much fun as I can.” His face became very serious as he spoke. “Besides… I’m popular here. I guess, I’m kinda just enjoying that for a change.”
The two kept pace with one another; running in place but not talking for a long while.
“Well, you better be careful.” She smiled at him and added, “With this new outlook on life, you may not have room in you locker for books with all those mysterious love notes you’re getting.”
“You’re a laugh riot, Sam.” He said with feigned anger. “When will I learn not to talk to you?” He shook his head derisively.
They both laughed and kept running.
Bryan Baxter (Codename: Gravwarp)
Gravity Control / Force Field / Fire Mastery
Global: @The Troll
Fight My Brute!
Gravity Control / Force Field / Fire Mastery
Global: @The Troll
Fight My Brute!
The afternoon sun shown through the window in the room, the clear glass allowing the light to warm up his face yet keep the chill of the wind out. Bryan lay on his bed with his hands behind his head, his eyes closed.
He couldn't sleep, in fact he hadn't slept all night. Honestly, he didn't want to sleep. Bryan was afraid that the cloud of sleep would still from him the resonance that remained in his mind. The feeling of that blissful moment he had shared with her, when their emotions were one. He smiled and gooseflesh rose of his body just thinking of it.
She had called in "The Keening". Bryan still was not sure how she had done it, he truely didn't care. It was amazing. He had felt her emotions, it was confusing yet wonderful. She had really shared herself with him.
Bryan pictured her face as the sunlight passing through the leaves outside, made the light dance across his closed eyelids. The past week had been difficult; he had wrestled with the feelings, the uncertanties, the desires that had crept into his mind. He had fought those feelings and come out with a renew sense.
He breathed deeply, the smell of the fire and of the scent of cooked fish still lingered on his shirt. They brought a smile to his face as he lay there. He couldn't sleep. He loved her. Bryan smiled to himself and echoed the words he had spoken to her last night.
"I love you Nennya."
With those words, he did sleep comforted in the certainty that she loved him in return.
He couldn't sleep, in fact he hadn't slept all night. Honestly, he didn't want to sleep. Bryan was afraid that the cloud of sleep would still from him the resonance that remained in his mind. The feeling of that blissful moment he had shared with her, when their emotions were one. He smiled and gooseflesh rose of his body just thinking of it.
She had called in "The Keening". Bryan still was not sure how she had done it, he truely didn't care. It was amazing. He had felt her emotions, it was confusing yet wonderful. She had really shared herself with him.
Bryan pictured her face as the sunlight passing through the leaves outside, made the light dance across his closed eyelids. The past week had been difficult; he had wrestled with the feelings, the uncertanties, the desires that had crept into his mind. He had fought those feelings and come out with a renew sense.
He breathed deeply, the smell of the fire and of the scent of cooked fish still lingered on his shirt. They brought a smile to his face as he lay there. He couldn't sleep. He loved her. Bryan smiled to himself and echoed the words he had spoken to her last night.
"I love you Nennya."
With those words, he did sleep comforted in the certainty that she loved him in return.
Bryan Baxter (Codename: Gravwarp)
Gravity Control / Force Field / Fire Mastery
Global: @The Troll
Fight My Brute!
Gravity Control / Force Field / Fire Mastery
Global: @The Troll
Fight My Brute!
It was late again, they always lost track of time together. Bryan snuck quietly into the quad, he was exhausted. Today had been so long but he already knew he wouldn't sleep again tonight. He lay on his single bed alone. The loneliness was only exagerated after the hours they had spent close to one another in the hot water.
Bryan sighed and closed his eyes. He focused on the rhythm of Jason's light snoring, even asleep the guy could carry a tune, Bryan thaought to himself as he watched the numbers of the digital clock change.
He was worried about her. She had shown him the fur coming off her legs, she was sick. Something was wrong and Bryan had that feeling like it was going to be something he couldn't stop.
At the time, he had said that maybe it was their closeness that was causing it to happen. In the evening light of the pool, it was a stupid thing to say...
but in the dark, doubt's paralyzing claws were finding purchase within his imagination.
-----
Bryan was wrong. He did sleep that night. That night though, he was robbed of the normal dreams of a fifteen year old boy that had discovered his true love.
No, that night the nightmare returned again.
Bryan sighed and closed his eyes. He focused on the rhythm of Jason's light snoring, even asleep the guy could carry a tune, Bryan thaought to himself as he watched the numbers of the digital clock change.
He was worried about her. She had shown him the fur coming off her legs, she was sick. Something was wrong and Bryan had that feeling like it was going to be something he couldn't stop.
At the time, he had said that maybe it was their closeness that was causing it to happen. In the evening light of the pool, it was a stupid thing to say...
but in the dark, doubt's paralyzing claws were finding purchase within his imagination.
-----
Bryan was wrong. He did sleep that night. That night though, he was robbed of the normal dreams of a fifteen year old boy that had discovered his true love.
No, that night the nightmare returned again.
Bryan Baxter (Codename: Gravwarp)
Gravity Control / Force Field / Fire Mastery
Global: @The Troll
Fight My Brute!
Gravity Control / Force Field / Fire Mastery
Global: @The Troll
Fight My Brute!
Bryan fidgeted in the oversized leather chair, these meetings always made him nervous. “These weekly evaluations were the worst thing about going to school here.” Bryan thought to himself as he listened to the sound of charcoal brushing against the harsh grain of heavyweight paper. He looked up as her heard her speak.
“I hear that you’ve become a bit of a celebrity recently.” Ms. Atwood said to the young boy as she peered at him over the pad held in front of her. Bryan shook his head slightly, “I’m just doing some promotional stuff for a local restaurant chain, and celebrity is definitely not the word for it.”
Valerie chuckled at his response, “Oh, I did hear about a certain hero’s face gracing a discarded paper wrapper…” She smiled at him but continued speaking. “No, I meant your new ‘cavalier’ attitude while off campus and your flirtatious interaction with many of the female students. A few other students have mentioned it to me and, quite frankly, it disturbed me a bit. After all, if what I’m hearing is true; it seems quite a departure from the shy young man who started school here not long ago.”
Bryan sighed and began to reply. “I’m just having fun that’s all.” He looked away from the counselor. “I like joking around with the girls. I have fun making them smile and laugh. I’m not doing anything wrong. Why does everyone act like I am?”
Ms. Atwood could see the boy was becoming upset, “Bryan here is no reason to get offended, I was merely asking you a question. We’re here to be honest with one another and to talk about things, right?” He nodded silently in response. “Good.” She smiled and spoke all the while her hand still moving furiously across the page hidden from view.
“So let’s talk about this a little more. These girls you are hanging out with? Are they new students or some of the older girls?” He looked at his shoes while speaking. “They are newer girls, I guess.”
“So… tell me why do you think you are drawn to spend so much time with them.”
“I dunno… I guess, ‘cause I know how hard it can be to make friends in a new school.”
“That’s very noble Bryan. Did you ever think about how this relates to the thing we spoke about last time?”
“Oh… my ‘condition’?” He replied with a smile.
“It’s not a condition Bryan, it’s a mindset. A Hero Complex can be a good thing for a young man that desperately wants to fit the classic hero concept and has the ability to do so. You can’t forget though that there are real negative implications that are very real.”
((To be continued…))
“I hear that you’ve become a bit of a celebrity recently.” Ms. Atwood said to the young boy as she peered at him over the pad held in front of her. Bryan shook his head slightly, “I’m just doing some promotional stuff for a local restaurant chain, and celebrity is definitely not the word for it.”
Valerie chuckled at his response, “Oh, I did hear about a certain hero’s face gracing a discarded paper wrapper…” She smiled at him but continued speaking. “No, I meant your new ‘cavalier’ attitude while off campus and your flirtatious interaction with many of the female students. A few other students have mentioned it to me and, quite frankly, it disturbed me a bit. After all, if what I’m hearing is true; it seems quite a departure from the shy young man who started school here not long ago.”
Bryan sighed and began to reply. “I’m just having fun that’s all.” He looked away from the counselor. “I like joking around with the girls. I have fun making them smile and laugh. I’m not doing anything wrong. Why does everyone act like I am?”
Ms. Atwood could see the boy was becoming upset, “Bryan here is no reason to get offended, I was merely asking you a question. We’re here to be honest with one another and to talk about things, right?” He nodded silently in response. “Good.” She smiled and spoke all the while her hand still moving furiously across the page hidden from view.
“So let’s talk about this a little more. These girls you are hanging out with? Are they new students or some of the older girls?” He looked at his shoes while speaking. “They are newer girls, I guess.”
“So… tell me why do you think you are drawn to spend so much time with them.”
“I dunno… I guess, ‘cause I know how hard it can be to make friends in a new school.”
“That’s very noble Bryan. Did you ever think about how this relates to the thing we spoke about last time?”
“Oh… my ‘condition’?” He replied with a smile.
“It’s not a condition Bryan, it’s a mindset. A Hero Complex can be a good thing for a young man that desperately wants to fit the classic hero concept and has the ability to do so. You can’t forget though that there are real negative implications that are very real.”
((To be continued…))
Bryan Baxter (Codename: Gravwarp)
Gravity Control / Force Field / Fire Mastery
Global: @The Troll
Fight My Brute!
Gravity Control / Force Field / Fire Mastery
Global: @The Troll
Fight My Brute!
Bryan could feel the segue coming even before Ms. Atwood looked up at him again from the pad of paper. “How has your depression been lately, Bryan?” She stopped drawing and watched him intently as he answered. The question hung in the air between them for a long while, as he hesitated,
“I’ve been feeling very good lately.” He answered her question truthfully. “I mean; I’ve been down a few times but nothing like before. I mean… you know except after I was in the hospital.” He looked down at the floor as he spoke of the incident.
“How about the nightmare? When’s the last time you had it?” Valerie looked at him with concern.
“The same. I haven’t had it at all since I left the hospital.” Bryan replied with a smile, his relief was obvious.
She nodded knowingly and returned to her drawing with a smile. “How about Nennya? Are you two still seeing one another?” Bryan blushed a bit at he question. “Yes, we are.” He replied while subconsciously reaching down fiddling with his silver watch. Realizing what he was doing, he smiled widely and added. “She got me this for an early birthday present.”
Ms. Atwood smiled pleasantly at the young man. “I had heard about your birthday party. Only a couple of weeks now, Happy Birthday just the same though.” She continued drawing as she spoke. “Get anything nice besides your new timepiece?’
He recounted the list of presents he had received. Highlighting the new boots Kelly had gotten him, the strange totem given to him by Isaac, and the wonderful ice sculpture Joni had given him. The counselor took definite notice when he spoke of the last but she continued on drawing.
She laid the charcoal down and looked at her work for a bit before turning it around for Bryan to see. The boy almost let out an audible gasp at the black and white image that stared back at him. The image was a spitting image of a painting Bryan had seen in his Religious Studies class. The drawing seemed to be of the martyrdom of Saint Sebastian, but there were subtle differences and an entire change in the cast of characters.
It was not Saint Sebastian bound to a stone pillar but Gravwarp, his costumed body hanging lifeless; pierced in a dozen places by arrows. The archers responsible were weeping; seemingly distraught at having executed the hero. They laying down their bows but none rushed to help him, they looked to be consoling themselves while he died. There was something even more strange about the image. Though Gravwarp’s body was obliviously dead; Bryan Baxter, dressed in rags, stood in the background alive and well. He was standing amongst a mass of people, each with their hands bound. The ragged young man stood before a young woman, he seemed to be removing the lashes from around her wrists.
As Bryan looked closely to the image of himself freeing this girl, faces in that mass of prisoners came into focus. A few stood out as clear as day; Joni, Vesper, Mana, Kalie and Kai were amongst the group. All had had looks of relief and admiration, all of them staring directly at the boy in rags. Bryan finally did gasp as he stared at the scene playing out behind his symbolic death.
The girl he was untying, it was Nennya. Though he face was obscured from the perspective, the pointed ear and spots on her cheek were obvious.
Bryan felt faint…
(To be continued...)
“I’ve been feeling very good lately.” He answered her question truthfully. “I mean; I’ve been down a few times but nothing like before. I mean… you know except after I was in the hospital.” He looked down at the floor as he spoke of the incident.
“How about the nightmare? When’s the last time you had it?” Valerie looked at him with concern.
“The same. I haven’t had it at all since I left the hospital.” Bryan replied with a smile, his relief was obvious.
She nodded knowingly and returned to her drawing with a smile. “How about Nennya? Are you two still seeing one another?” Bryan blushed a bit at he question. “Yes, we are.” He replied while subconsciously reaching down fiddling with his silver watch. Realizing what he was doing, he smiled widely and added. “She got me this for an early birthday present.”
Ms. Atwood smiled pleasantly at the young man. “I had heard about your birthday party. Only a couple of weeks now, Happy Birthday just the same though.” She continued drawing as she spoke. “Get anything nice besides your new timepiece?’
He recounted the list of presents he had received. Highlighting the new boots Kelly had gotten him, the strange totem given to him by Isaac, and the wonderful ice sculpture Joni had given him. The counselor took definite notice when he spoke of the last but she continued on drawing.
She laid the charcoal down and looked at her work for a bit before turning it around for Bryan to see. The boy almost let out an audible gasp at the black and white image that stared back at him. The image was a spitting image of a painting Bryan had seen in his Religious Studies class. The drawing seemed to be of the martyrdom of Saint Sebastian, but there were subtle differences and an entire change in the cast of characters.
It was not Saint Sebastian bound to a stone pillar but Gravwarp, his costumed body hanging lifeless; pierced in a dozen places by arrows. The archers responsible were weeping; seemingly distraught at having executed the hero. They laying down their bows but none rushed to help him, they looked to be consoling themselves while he died. There was something even more strange about the image. Though Gravwarp’s body was obliviously dead; Bryan Baxter, dressed in rags, stood in the background alive and well. He was standing amongst a mass of people, each with their hands bound. The ragged young man stood before a young woman, he seemed to be removing the lashes from around her wrists.
As Bryan looked closely to the image of himself freeing this girl, faces in that mass of prisoners came into focus. A few stood out as clear as day; Joni, Vesper, Mana, Kalie and Kai were amongst the group. All had had looks of relief and admiration, all of them staring directly at the boy in rags. Bryan finally did gasp as he stared at the scene playing out behind his symbolic death.
The girl he was untying, it was Nennya. Though he face was obscured from the perspective, the pointed ear and spots on her cheek were obvious.
Bryan felt faint…
(To be continued...)
Bryan Baxter (Codename: Gravwarp)
Gravity Control / Force Field / Fire Mastery
Global: @The Troll
Fight My Brute!
Gravity Control / Force Field / Fire Mastery
Global: @The Troll
Fight My Brute!
As the color slowly returned to his vision, he heard Valerie calling his name. “Bryan? Bryan?” She had a visible look of concern on her face. Bryan was just glad he had only gotten light headed for a moment and not fainted dead away. Ms. Atwood helped him over to a coach on the other side of her office and told him to lie down, Bryan did not argue.
She sat down in a chair beside him and spoke to the boy, the look of deep concern never faltering. “My that was quite a reaction.” She said in a kind tone. The best Bryan could manage was to let out a weak laugh. Her tone became serious again. “So, I guess this imagine has a certain amount of meaning to you?” Bryan swallowed hard and looked away from the counselor, he tried to find the words to speak.
“Last night, Nennya suggested that I do some introspection. I hardly slept all evening; my mind was racing about everything. I’m not sure about what some of those things mean… I don’t know why I’m dead and alive at the same time? I’m pretty sure though that, every person I thought about last night was in your drawing. And the one person that I thought of most is facing away from the viewer… Nennya.” He sighed deeply and continued. “I don’t know why I was so upset to see her there and turned away… I don’t know why.” Bryan pinched the bridge of his nose and squinted, he fought back tears.
“Let’s talk about it Bryan, that’s what you are here for.” Her soft voice soothed Bryan; he collected himself. “She asked me if I was interested her because of my sense of fairness and justice. She also asked if I dated here to somehow rebel against my parents.” Bryan sat up on the sofa and looked through the window behind him, looking out on the grass covered quad.
“I denied both… I admitted it though; I did go out to lunch with her that first time because she was different physically. I wanted to be nice to her but that same day, she spoke to me in an intriguing and mysterious way. She told me that I talked to her like my powers.” He laughed remembering the day, thinking of seeing her with shrimp tails on her fingers. The statement confused Valerie but Bryan did not elaborate.
“As I thought about it last night, I wondered whether I was subconsciously doing those things. Dating her to rebel or seeing her just because I feel like she deserves to have a handsome boy fawn over her.” He still refused to look at Ms. Atwood. “I wondered if maybe she is right. Maybe, I’m doing those things without realizing it.”
He sat quietly for a long time. Valerie sat with him, studying the drawing closely. “She’s psychic, you know…” he finally said matter-of-factly. “I thought I was so sure about how I felt and why… but this little doubts are there now. Did she put them there though…” his voice lowered, “or were they always there?”
She sat down in a chair beside him and spoke to the boy, the look of deep concern never faltering. “My that was quite a reaction.” She said in a kind tone. The best Bryan could manage was to let out a weak laugh. Her tone became serious again. “So, I guess this imagine has a certain amount of meaning to you?” Bryan swallowed hard and looked away from the counselor, he tried to find the words to speak.
“Last night, Nennya suggested that I do some introspection. I hardly slept all evening; my mind was racing about everything. I’m not sure about what some of those things mean… I don’t know why I’m dead and alive at the same time? I’m pretty sure though that, every person I thought about last night was in your drawing. And the one person that I thought of most is facing away from the viewer… Nennya.” He sighed deeply and continued. “I don’t know why I was so upset to see her there and turned away… I don’t know why.” Bryan pinched the bridge of his nose and squinted, he fought back tears.
“Let’s talk about it Bryan, that’s what you are here for.” Her soft voice soothed Bryan; he collected himself. “She asked me if I was interested her because of my sense of fairness and justice. She also asked if I dated here to somehow rebel against my parents.” Bryan sat up on the sofa and looked through the window behind him, looking out on the grass covered quad.
“I denied both… I admitted it though; I did go out to lunch with her that first time because she was different physically. I wanted to be nice to her but that same day, she spoke to me in an intriguing and mysterious way. She told me that I talked to her like my powers.” He laughed remembering the day, thinking of seeing her with shrimp tails on her fingers. The statement confused Valerie but Bryan did not elaborate.
“As I thought about it last night, I wondered whether I was subconsciously doing those things. Dating her to rebel or seeing her just because I feel like she deserves to have a handsome boy fawn over her.” He still refused to look at Ms. Atwood. “I wondered if maybe she is right. Maybe, I’m doing those things without realizing it.”
He sat quietly for a long time. Valerie sat with him, studying the drawing closely. “She’s psychic, you know…” he finally said matter-of-factly. “I thought I was so sure about how I felt and why… but this little doubts are there now. Did she put them there though…” his voice lowered, “or were they always there?”
Bryan Baxter (Codename: Gravwarp)
Gravity Control / Force Field / Fire Mastery
Global: @The Troll
Fight My Brute!
Gravity Control / Force Field / Fire Mastery
Global: @The Troll
Fight My Brute!
Re: The Life of Bryan (Open by PM)
Bryan once again sat in the now familiar leather chair. It seemed like it had been a lifetime ago since he first sat down here in Ms. Atwood's office. In many ways, it was.
The rapid scratching of the charcoal pencil and the ticking of an unseen clock were the only sounds in the room. Ms. Atwood had only asked him the few cursory questions that she began each of the monthly meetings with, now she quietly sketched as he sat and thought back on everything. Slowly the boy’s eyes closed and he thought back on the past year.
He remembered the screams of Gravwarp’s fans and the constant tips to Serge to repair the torn shreds of his costume after getting to close to them, each clamoring for a piece of him. The time spent waiting for agents and lawyers to hammer out the price, in order to buy the young boy’s alter ego. Bryan saw the disappointed look in his parents’ eyes after turning down the money, but it was balanced by the looks of respect, pride and relief in the eyes of his friends.
Bryan still recalled the relief he felt at the short attention span of the general public and how easily he and Gravwarp could go from overnight sensation to has-been in the span of a few months. He could still smell the overpowering smell of cooking lamb meat and the clean air of the southwest. He could feel the rush of wind in his ears as he flew through the twists and turns of the Grand Canyon. That one perfect night under the stars, the crackling blaze of a campfire and the feeling of a loving arm across his chest.
The peace his last memories brought him were rocked by remembered explosions and the unmistakable sound of Rikti teleporters. The feelings of helplessness and anxiousness while he and his friends huddled in a bunker under their school. In his mind’s eye he relived Shawn’s death and the sense of helplessness that had threatened to swallow him up. Emotion welled up behind his glasses as he thought on the scaled bully that Bryan once thought he hated so much.
Bryan remembered that knot that balled up in his stomach when he first took to the skies of crash site in his black uniform. He could still feel the worry that ate at him in those dark days when Nennya was trapped on the Isles. The stark fear that washed over him when reunited, the girl he cared so much for, had become a bloodthirsty killer.
He could still hear the words that passed between his friends and himself, as they became cadets while he chose to stay in costume. He could feel the earth shake under the collective might of Sam and the villain she had been paired with. The secrets Erika had shared with him while on the front lines still reverberated in his thoughts.
But even those dark memories faded; burned off by the remembered brilliance of an afternoon sun. The splashing and laughter from countless hours spent swimming in the baking heat of Overbrook’s newly built high-rises. The cry of gulls that nested along the old boardwalk in Talos, where he could still see Nick explaining radio waves to Tiffany as they tuned in a local station. Laughter and joking echoed over a crash in the dorms, as a park resulted in Biff sitting in a sabotaged chair, then the state of panic as he sought his revenge.
Imagined sweat beaded on Bryan’s forehead as he thought back on the long summer afternoons spent running in full gear. The shrill cry of Coach’s whistle still echoed, cutting through the dirty jokes and good-natured ribbing in the locker room. The painfully crunch of being hit by an opposing player, followed by the unadulterated joy of finding out that he was lying in the other team’s end zone. The proud feeling still burned, when he hoisting Sam on his shoulders as her miraculous kick kept the teams hope alive.
He reflected too on the sad and awkward times. The unfortunate trip to the aquarium with Joni was still a sore subject. His very recent break up with Nennya still hurt. He remembered back to the time he spent in the hospital watching over Eddie. Having to spend the last few holidays away from home, and knowing that his folks were glad to get back to their normal life even at the cost of their youngest son. And the sadder realization that he too, was happier without them.
Emphasized by those gloomy moments, the quiet times seemed so much more important. Sitting on that balcony with Violet, when she first asked me to call her by her given name. Dancing with Ves while DJ Zero spun tunes in the Pocket D. Riding with Jason in the back of his limo. Discussing life with Kelly by the huge fountain. Floating with Lycia at Homecoming.
Quietly a voice roused him. “Bryan?” Ms. Atwood’s pleasant voice spoke to him. “Bryan, are time is almost up.” She began to turn the spiral bound notebook toward the young student. He shook his head, “Can we go over that next time?”
“Of course,” she answered, “Is everything alright?” Her voice was tinted with concern.
Bryan smiled a bit as he collected himself and glad he had wiped the cobwebs from so many memories, both good and bad. “Yeah,” he nodded in response to here question, “Everything is just fine.” For the first time in a long time; he knew that, indeed, everything was going to be fine.
OOC Note: It's been almost a year since the last post in this thread. I wanted to take an oppurtunity to thank everyone that I have had a chance to spend time with IC over that time. With huge thank you's going out to the incomparable Persiflage (who has been such a huge part of Bryan's personality and a pure delight to brainstorm with), Sam (for being the Hobbes to his Calvin), Ves (for keeping Bryan active on the hero scene), Erika (for putting an imaginary boot in my OOC ass when I needed one). It's been great everyone, thanks.
The rapid scratching of the charcoal pencil and the ticking of an unseen clock were the only sounds in the room. Ms. Atwood had only asked him the few cursory questions that she began each of the monthly meetings with, now she quietly sketched as he sat and thought back on everything. Slowly the boy’s eyes closed and he thought back on the past year.
He remembered the screams of Gravwarp’s fans and the constant tips to Serge to repair the torn shreds of his costume after getting to close to them, each clamoring for a piece of him. The time spent waiting for agents and lawyers to hammer out the price, in order to buy the young boy’s alter ego. Bryan saw the disappointed look in his parents’ eyes after turning down the money, but it was balanced by the looks of respect, pride and relief in the eyes of his friends.
Bryan still recalled the relief he felt at the short attention span of the general public and how easily he and Gravwarp could go from overnight sensation to has-been in the span of a few months. He could still smell the overpowering smell of cooking lamb meat and the clean air of the southwest. He could feel the rush of wind in his ears as he flew through the twists and turns of the Grand Canyon. That one perfect night under the stars, the crackling blaze of a campfire and the feeling of a loving arm across his chest.
The peace his last memories brought him were rocked by remembered explosions and the unmistakable sound of Rikti teleporters. The feelings of helplessness and anxiousness while he and his friends huddled in a bunker under their school. In his mind’s eye he relived Shawn’s death and the sense of helplessness that had threatened to swallow him up. Emotion welled up behind his glasses as he thought on the scaled bully that Bryan once thought he hated so much.
Bryan remembered that knot that balled up in his stomach when he first took to the skies of crash site in his black uniform. He could still feel the worry that ate at him in those dark days when Nennya was trapped on the Isles. The stark fear that washed over him when reunited, the girl he cared so much for, had become a bloodthirsty killer.
He could still hear the words that passed between his friends and himself, as they became cadets while he chose to stay in costume. He could feel the earth shake under the collective might of Sam and the villain she had been paired with. The secrets Erika had shared with him while on the front lines still reverberated in his thoughts.
But even those dark memories faded; burned off by the remembered brilliance of an afternoon sun. The splashing and laughter from countless hours spent swimming in the baking heat of Overbrook’s newly built high-rises. The cry of gulls that nested along the old boardwalk in Talos, where he could still see Nick explaining radio waves to Tiffany as they tuned in a local station. Laughter and joking echoed over a crash in the dorms, as a park resulted in Biff sitting in a sabotaged chair, then the state of panic as he sought his revenge.
Imagined sweat beaded on Bryan’s forehead as he thought back on the long summer afternoons spent running in full gear. The shrill cry of Coach’s whistle still echoed, cutting through the dirty jokes and good-natured ribbing in the locker room. The painfully crunch of being hit by an opposing player, followed by the unadulterated joy of finding out that he was lying in the other team’s end zone. The proud feeling still burned, when he hoisting Sam on his shoulders as her miraculous kick kept the teams hope alive.
He reflected too on the sad and awkward times. The unfortunate trip to the aquarium with Joni was still a sore subject. His very recent break up with Nennya still hurt. He remembered back to the time he spent in the hospital watching over Eddie. Having to spend the last few holidays away from home, and knowing that his folks were glad to get back to their normal life even at the cost of their youngest son. And the sadder realization that he too, was happier without them.
Emphasized by those gloomy moments, the quiet times seemed so much more important. Sitting on that balcony with Violet, when she first asked me to call her by her given name. Dancing with Ves while DJ Zero spun tunes in the Pocket D. Riding with Jason in the back of his limo. Discussing life with Kelly by the huge fountain. Floating with Lycia at Homecoming.
Quietly a voice roused him. “Bryan?” Ms. Atwood’s pleasant voice spoke to him. “Bryan, are time is almost up.” She began to turn the spiral bound notebook toward the young student. He shook his head, “Can we go over that next time?”
“Of course,” she answered, “Is everything alright?” Her voice was tinted with concern.
Bryan smiled a bit as he collected himself and glad he had wiped the cobwebs from so many memories, both good and bad. “Yeah,” he nodded in response to here question, “Everything is just fine.” For the first time in a long time; he knew that, indeed, everything was going to be fine.
OOC Note: It's been almost a year since the last post in this thread. I wanted to take an oppurtunity to thank everyone that I have had a chance to spend time with IC over that time. With huge thank you's going out to the incomparable Persiflage (who has been such a huge part of Bryan's personality and a pure delight to brainstorm with), Sam (for being the Hobbes to his Calvin), Ves (for keeping Bryan active on the hero scene), Erika (for putting an imaginary boot in my OOC ass when I needed one). It's been great everyone, thanks.
Bryan Baxter (Codename: Gravwarp)
Gravity Control / Force Field / Fire Mastery
Global: @The Troll
Fight My Brute!
Gravity Control / Force Field / Fire Mastery
Global: @The Troll
Fight My Brute!
Re: The Life of Bryan (Open by PM)
The summer was nearly over as Bryan once again sat waiting in another airport terminal. The music from his MP3 player masking the TV above his head, the lyrics oddly syncing up with the lips of the cable news talking head.
He thought back on all the time he had spent waiting in the poorly padded or hard plastic seats that airports always seemed to have, his back ached a bit at the thought. This summer had meant a lot of his time was spent just like this; first it was traveling to Space Camp and the three stopovers, then traveling back to Rhode Island, then flying back home to Pittsburgh, and now going back to Paragon City.
"Whatever made me think I could go home?" Bryan thought to himself.
It had been a mistake from the very start. His mom and dad had been quietly enthusiastic about him coming home and no longer going to that "strange" school. They had been the ones to encourage him to come home and try to go back to his old school. Bryan had made it five weeks before things got bad.
Bryan's parents had successfully petitioned the School Board to allow their son back into public school. A certified letter from Sir Arthur Winston, had shown that Bryan was in full control of his abilities and that control should allow him to be given a second chance. The vote was taken and narrowly passed.
His enrollment had come through just in time for Bryan to try out for the football team, to his parents delight. The first practice was rough, the Coach was a young man that wasn't on the teaching staff when Bryan left. His style of Coaching consisted mostly of screaming and whistle blowing, with the occasional embarrassing of a player and lots of lap running. It was night and day from Coach Waters.
Gaining a position on the team had been no real feat, the team had two or three excellent players but the rest were below average. The receivers couldn't memorize plays and Bryan could making him open for catches, instead of practicing the boys took the easy route. The angry players began rumors saying the mutant was cheating. When he had heard about what they were saying, Bryan tried not to let it bother him and he quietly quit the team.
The real fireworks started when his old bully David Lanyon spotted Bryan at the local pizza joint, the boy immediately began picking up where he had left off years before. He hurled insults, Bryan ignored them. Angered, he then threw food which Bryan easily sent off it's mark. The scene disappointed Bryan, he had hoped that things were going to be different but he knew deep down he wasn't going to be able to come back here.
He told his parents and they were angry, as if the boy was responsible for the problems. Crestfallen, Bryan knew he had to go back. This simply wasn't going to work. The issue with the football team and the inevitable fights were only part of the problem, Bryan realized he had no friends here at all. The few friends he had before had either moved away or weren't interested in being friends again. He missed his friends at Saint Joe's. He even admitted to himself the he missed a few of the kids that weren't his friends.
Bryan smirked as he this attendant began announcing the boarding routine, snapping him back to the present. He removed his earbuds and tucked them into the inside pocket of his letterman's jacket. Bryan continued to smile as he took his seat on the plane.
He smiled because he knew the real reason he was going back. It wasn't just for his friends, whom he missed. It wasn't just because he missed his teammates and his Coach. It wasn't just because he wanted to get back into his costume. It wasn't just because he missed the smell of roasted lamb and tsatsiki sauce, he actually did miss those too. Bryan smiled knowing that he was going back for one real reason.
He was going back for her.
He thought back on all the time he had spent waiting in the poorly padded or hard plastic seats that airports always seemed to have, his back ached a bit at the thought. This summer had meant a lot of his time was spent just like this; first it was traveling to Space Camp and the three stopovers, then traveling back to Rhode Island, then flying back home to Pittsburgh, and now going back to Paragon City.
"Whatever made me think I could go home?" Bryan thought to himself.
It had been a mistake from the very start. His mom and dad had been quietly enthusiastic about him coming home and no longer going to that "strange" school. They had been the ones to encourage him to come home and try to go back to his old school. Bryan had made it five weeks before things got bad.
Bryan's parents had successfully petitioned the School Board to allow their son back into public school. A certified letter from Sir Arthur Winston, had shown that Bryan was in full control of his abilities and that control should allow him to be given a second chance. The vote was taken and narrowly passed.
His enrollment had come through just in time for Bryan to try out for the football team, to his parents delight. The first practice was rough, the Coach was a young man that wasn't on the teaching staff when Bryan left. His style of Coaching consisted mostly of screaming and whistle blowing, with the occasional embarrassing of a player and lots of lap running. It was night and day from Coach Waters.
Gaining a position on the team had been no real feat, the team had two or three excellent players but the rest were below average. The receivers couldn't memorize plays and Bryan could making him open for catches, instead of practicing the boys took the easy route. The angry players began rumors saying the mutant was cheating. When he had heard about what they were saying, Bryan tried not to let it bother him and he quietly quit the team.
The real fireworks started when his old bully David Lanyon spotted Bryan at the local pizza joint, the boy immediately began picking up where he had left off years before. He hurled insults, Bryan ignored them. Angered, he then threw food which Bryan easily sent off it's mark. The scene disappointed Bryan, he had hoped that things were going to be different but he knew deep down he wasn't going to be able to come back here.
He told his parents and they were angry, as if the boy was responsible for the problems. Crestfallen, Bryan knew he had to go back. This simply wasn't going to work. The issue with the football team and the inevitable fights were only part of the problem, Bryan realized he had no friends here at all. The few friends he had before had either moved away or weren't interested in being friends again. He missed his friends at Saint Joe's. He even admitted to himself the he missed a few of the kids that weren't his friends.
Bryan smirked as he this attendant began announcing the boarding routine, snapping him back to the present. He removed his earbuds and tucked them into the inside pocket of his letterman's jacket. Bryan continued to smile as he took his seat on the plane.
He smiled because he knew the real reason he was going back. It wasn't just for his friends, whom he missed. It wasn't just because he missed his teammates and his Coach. It wasn't just because he wanted to get back into his costume. It wasn't just because he missed the smell of roasted lamb and tsatsiki sauce, he actually did miss those too. Bryan smiled knowing that he was going back for one real reason.
He was going back for her.
Bryan Baxter (Codename: Gravwarp)
Gravity Control / Force Field / Fire Mastery
Global: @The Troll
Fight My Brute!
Gravity Control / Force Field / Fire Mastery
Global: @The Troll
Fight My Brute!