[OPEN] Lightning makes no sound until it strikes

[topmeup]

WHO: Max Carson and YOU
WHERE: Maurtia Falls, De Chima, other porter cities as desired
WHEN: First half of September
WHAT: Max trying to reconnect with people, figure out where he's going in life, and maybe make some new friends along the way. Re-prioritizing.
WARNINGS: Potential flirting and maybe a little language



Homebody | Maurtia Falls #005 | Semi-Open
[Max has spent so much time out of the house lately, but he made sure to take the time to be home this week. He did promise David he could come by on Wednesday to look at is tech and so planned to spend that day hunkered in his room or at least somewhere in the house. And being around the house for a while meant people could check him out at home. Or even help him plan the movie marathon he wanted to take over the living room for a few days later. He even moved the furniture around to make it more comfortable and so he could set up a projector on the biggest wall. Gonna do a movie night, Max is gonna go all out. Someone better stop him from only having rom-coms though.

If you live in the house, he'll be slipping a note under your door with an invite. If you just happen to visit the house a lot, expect an open invitation and maybe a phone call to make sure whether you're coming or not. He needs to know how much food to prep.]

Is this going to be enough? Maybe we need more caramel popcorn.

[Oh did you think that you could walk by out of the house and he wouldn't notice? Did you think you weren't invited? Well, let him tell you to your face how much he wants you there. Did you not see all the food he put out?]


Training | Aegis Force HQ | OTA
[He's been a part-timer for a long time, but with how things have been going, Max sometimes wonders if that's enough. Maybe he should be doing more. Maybe he should be doing less? Is being around only part-time really as much of the help to the people as he used to think it would be? With how often shit keeps happening, he's not so sure. He wonders if he should make the job more full-time. Not like he didn't already kind of do that before--before he went home and came back with a bit of a power malfunction.

It's been months since then but he's still working on trying to regain full control of his abilities. Hard to do when it feels like his powers have grown stronger and the amount of energy he needs is higher, but he hasn't given up. So every other day he's taken to hitting up HQ. After dropping off a bang of chocolate-covered coffee beans to Viv at the front desk and a quick chat with Hector where he's in the garage, Max heads to the training room. If someone else is there, he won't ask them to leave, and if they seem amendable he may even ask if they want to join him.]

You know, partners are better than doing it on your own. Or so I hear.


Light Me Up | De Chima | OTA
[MAXIMUM DANCE PARTY SPONSORED BY TAKE IT TO THE MAX ENERGY DRINKS.

A dance party held at one of the new extreme dance clubs causing a crazy with the shifting floors and trampoline levels? As if Mr Freedman would miss a chance to get in on something like that. Safety is a priority, but everyone who enters still signs a permission form to prevent rampant law suits. The first 150 people get in free and get a free coupon for a case of drinks, but the real fun is inside. The music is loud, full of base, and meant to get people jumping as much as dancing. Max is moving around, enjoying the fun and also making sure no one is going overboard. Yeah, he's not technically on the job that way, but he doesn't want any injuries ruining the night for anyone. If he sees someone he recognized, he'll be sure to stop and say high, even through the loud music.

And then comes the special event close to midnight. A light show inside the building. Completely off the cuff, courtesy of Max himself. The colors flow through the room like bolts and waves, flicking, glowing, and even glittering. Who knew he could put some basic training techniques to use. And he wants to make sure the last few appearance of Max the Spokesman are something to remember.]


Wildcard | OTA
[Max visits all the porter cities on the regular, so he could be just about anywhere, if you want. If you would like to do something different, toss up a starter or hit me up at chocolateisbrainfood so we can talk!]

Comments

Homebody

[helpdesk_hero]

[The invitation had been extended and David absolutely took it in the spirit was was offered in. A kindness, and he didn't turn those down. Not when there might be answers for him. So he'd come along as he was supposed to, showing up that afternoon with a light knock on the door and upon being taken into Max's presence, he offers out his gloved hand.]

Thanks for the help. Don't know if your tech will work, but no one else has another idea on what to do, other than me having to stay covered up all the time.

[topmeup]

[Max shakes David's hand when comes in and reminds himself that hugging him might not be welcome, considering.]

For real, bruh, it's no big. Come on up to my room. I can take the watch off up there.

[He wiggles his wrist a bit before turning around and motioning for him to follow him up the stairs. He's the room furthest from the stairs.]

[helpdesk_hero]

[Oh, David would welcome a hug, provided they're careful about skin to skin contact.]

It is a big. You're losing something that makes you feel comfortable, for a time, in the hopes that maybe it works for me. Which I can't even test, because even if I put it on, I can't touch you.

[but he does follow Max, because why wouldn't he follow the young man?]

[topmeup]

It's not as big a deal for me as you think it is. I usually take it off when I'm chillin' in my room anyway.

[He opens the door and the room is spacious, mainly from it's simplicity. Max isn't someone who likes having too much stuff in his room. Especially electronics. There's a full-size bed, a desk and chair, and a TV on the wall. The items that might stand out are the basket full of yarn by a bean bag on the ground by the window, and the mid-sized generator by the closet door.]

On sec, bruh. Had to replace TVs too many times. [He immediately moves over to the TV and unplugs it before popping a socket protector into the slot that sits right there on the floor.]

[helpdesk_hero]

[And there's the difference between them. David's barely been here a month and he's already covered his room with electronics, trying to improve and revise the tech in his glasses. Then again, he doesn't have a TV. He does, though, smile at the yarn.]

Knitting or crocheting? My mother did the latter. I don't remember a single bit of how to do it, though.

[Interesting, though, to see the socket protector. Almost seems like what Max needs is a switch that shuts down power to his room. For safety.]

[topmeup]

[Max wishes he could have that, but they don't cover those kind of renovations to the houses.] That? Knitting. My Gran taught me years ago, but I've been getting back into it since I got here.

[And with that, he unstraps the watch and holds it out for David to take. He can feel the difference immediately, but thankfully he's been training again, regaining the control he'd had before. There's a bit of static in the air, but nothing too noticeable.]

Here ya go.

[helpdesk_hero]

[David hesitates for a brief moment, as if getting close enough to take the item might get a bit of drain happening. But he'll trust in Max knowing himself. He accepts the offered item and takes a step back. In the end he opts to sit on the floor, most comfortable there as he turns the device over in his hands to consider it.]

Have you ever leant this to someone? See if it suppresses their powers as well?

[topmeup]

[Max moves over to the beanbag and plops himself down easily.]

That, specifically? Nah. I know other people had similar ones back home, but they each were a little different. Tweaked to fit each person. One of my old teammates back home had psychometry. Could see a person's past or future by touching an object they'd touched. Not a lot of memories, but flashes of things or a minute's worth if he concentrated hard enough. He had one to avoid overload or he couldn't touch anything anyone else touched.

hahaha Max, David's going to think you jinxed him in the near future

[helpdesk_hero]

[Psychometry. David shudders at the very thought. If someone had that and it was as wildly uncontrolled as his own gift was, there would be nothing that would be safe to touch. The very idea gives him a headache.]

I really feel bad for him, then. This is hard enough to deal with.

[He adjusts his glasses and just looks at the device for a while. His systems are already making detailed scans of the exterior. Perks to having really good computers on your face.]

training

[lesterzeppelin]

[ Apollo hasn't been doing much training lately. He hasn't been doing much of anything physical lately, though that isn't a surprise to anyone who knows him. If he can get out of working out, he totally will.

That said, Jonathan - in an attempt to make Apollo Leave - mentioned that Max was a) here and b] in the training room. So he sneaks in, careful not to interrupt the session at hand, and takes a seat on a nearby bench. He's got a copy of Max's medical file too, noting changes in power where necessary.

This part, he admits, is selfish; he cares a lot for Max, but he sure wouldn't do the same for anyone else. Maybe it's just him, but ever since Max came back - with a tenuous hold on his powers - he wanted to write down the differences. Check them against past records. Maybe see if there's a pattern.

Once the session ends, he grins, tucking the file away and pulling one leg up under him - ]

I don't know. You seem to be kicking butt all on your own.

[topmeup]

[He's come back a long way from how unsteady he was then, but he knows he has more to go. His powers are stronger than they were which mean they're more volatile if he doesn't get it right. If he doesn't push himself to the limits to make sure he's not going to get someone kill. Again.

But when he sees Apollo, he can't help but smile. He's a little sweaty from the work out, a little tired from using that much energy, but that face? That face always brings out the best for him.]

Yeah, but you know how good of a team player I am.

[lesterzeppelin]

I mean, in theory I know - [ here, he sits up straighter, holding out a water bottle, ] but I could always use a few reminders.

[ Of the more physical variety he means, because he isn't going to get dragged into the Danger Room today if he can help it! ]

[topmeup]

Really? [Max gratefully takes the bottle and a long swig of it before he pulls it away. Then he dumps a little bit of it on his head and neck. He's hot.]

So what kind of demonstrations are we talking here? I always take requests.

[lesterzeppelin]

[ Boy, that workout must've worn him out. Apollo makes a mental note to get more water bottles on his way back to the infirmary. ]

Hmm, why don't you surprise me? [ Before his words can be used against him, he holds up a couple of fingers - ] And don't think about the Danger Room, because I'm so not working out today.

[topmeup]

[Max laughs, but it's breathy.]

And here I was thinking that we could have a little fun getting our adrenaline going.

[lesterzeppelin]

Absolutely not, [ he laughs too, shaking his head fondly. ] I'm all for adrenaline, but I don't want us to be known as the guys who can't keep their hands off each other.

[ . . . ]

Unless we're already known for that?

[topmeup]

[Max pauses, because he hasn't actually thought about that. Are they know as the handsy couple on the Force?]

You know, I ain't sure. I'm probably known as the guy who touches people all the time, so it wouldn't be too hard to make that jump.

Homebody

[desmodusdraculae]

[Kirk had considered just.... slipping out of the house the night on the invitation, and chalk up his absence to bad memory, but when the night came, it felt as though Max was onto him, and he didn't get the chance. So now he's propping up a nearby wall, raising an eyebrow at his roommate as he asks about food.]

You are aware I'm the last person to ask, right?

[After that embarrassing episode in the basement a few months back, Kirk really hadn't expected a question like that. It isn't like he has to cook for more than one, ever, himself.]

[topmeup]

If you wanna give me some of that fake blood you were working on, I'd cover your bowl in that. Or try, at least.

[Max is a pretty decent cook who learned well from his folks and his Gran. But blood is not something he's used to working with.]

[desmodusdraculae]

I'm not going to ruin anyone's night by wasting popcorn with that.

I can't eat popcorn. [Okay, he can, but it will do nothing for him.] And I'm not going to gross out your guests by feeding mid-movie.

[topmeup]

I had a separate bowl just for you. Didn't know what you liked, or if you even ate it.

[There's a bright yellow bowl off to the side that he points to.]

And they aren't my guests. We all live here. And Lester may as well live here.

[desmodusdraculae]

I... appreciate the offer, but what I make in the basement is the only thing that sustains me.

[Still, he stares over at the bowl. Not out of temptation, but rather that Max did that for him in the first place.]

Perhaps, but... [But he doesn't know any of these people other than his housemates and Lester due to him being over so often.]

[topmeup]

[Max gives a little shrug then.] Okay. Not gonna push about it. If you ever create candied plasma or whatever, let me know. I'll make sure to include it for you.

[Because Max still isn't quite sure everything you do down there, even if he has helped clean it up. This is why he sucks at trying to heal people.]

Now, don't back out on me now. I'll even let you pick the first movie.

[desmodusdraculae]

[Kirk's sort of stunned silent for a bit, because "candied plasma" sounds like it could potentially be a great idea. No one would think twice about him pulling out what looks like a lozenge. He has no idea where to even begin doing such a thing, but that's never stopped him from learning something before.]

I'll let you know.

[He glances over at him.]

Why are you so insistent upon me being here? You have your friends.

[topmeup]

[Doesn't look the least bit surprised by the question. He's had his fair share of stoic and gun-shy friends who are wary of people liking them. It makes him sad to think they've lived a life where they couldn't trust people. But Max isn't going to hold it against him.]

You're my friend, too. Just in case this is news to you. And you live here. Like I'd leave you out.