maskormenacelogs | catch-all for May

Entry tags:

catch-all for May

WHO: Tadashi Hamada + various + YOU
WHERE: De Chima locations + probably Heropa
WHEN: throughout May *vague hand wave gesture*
WHAT: A lot of stuff? A lot of stuff: open prompts for anyone after the cut + pre-prepared starters in the comments!
WARNINGS: Nothing I can think of atm

[OPEN to anyone: De Chima]

You're walking in De Chima. There's people around and your phone is charged. Out of the corner of your eye you spot him: Tadashi Hamada.

It's a relatively nice day (for once) with not as much rain. And Tadashi is out on a day off buying some new supplies for their garage-lab and a few other things. Tacky ass thrift green jacket and everything to hopefully cover how burn-scarred his arms and hands are from his fire abilities.

But always making a stop for coffee. He waits in line patiently, smiles when he sees anyone looking at him. And you know, he's proud? He's proud of how well everyone worked together during the mess that was April. Working together to find a cure, to help keep the uninfected safe and quarantined, the unbelievable team work he saw when Heropa came under fire (literally and figuratively) to evacuate everyone they could and put out fires. Why not pass that on?

When it's his turn to order, he doesn't even think twice. Orders his regular and then pays for the orders of the next four people behind him, whether it's an espresso shot or a mass bulk order for the entire office. People deserve something good happening after all that.

He stops by the grocery to pick up some things for dinner next week and - man these people are having a hard time carrying everything. He'll stop and help them carry some bags, even help load their car on his way in. That one person needing help reaching something on a high shelf, he'll reach up and get. Help this person put a heavier item into their shopping cart. If the person at the register in front of him is short a few dollars, who would he be if he didn't offer to cover it?

All in all, a pretty good day! Out and about helping people and imPorts who need a hand with something.

[OPEN to anyone: Heropa]

Eventually Tadashi will make his way to Heropa to assess damage. All things considered, it's still... No, it's terrible. Buildings and homes alike in smolders and ashes. People still recovering from the plague on top of the fires. He's not sure what there is he can do to help here. But. Well, there are still people needing to be healed from burns and other injuries. He'll do what he can with that, native and imPort alike.

He'll stop anyone that looks like they're having trouble with an inury and offer to heal, or help them look for that one missing keepsake in the wreckage.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Good. He was...something, out there.

['something' doesn't even begin to cover it. the only time he hesitated was when he saw the bodies, and even then, that's easily understandable. even Robert was shaken, though he's better at pushing himself through that kind of thing than...well, a fourteen year old.

even if that fourteen year old is one of the most incredible people he's ever met.

but now they're at as good an opening as he can think of to ~~hang himself~~ continue with things, and he knows, he knows that if he tries to further hide it, or seems like he is at this point, it's not going to go well. it's not going to go well either way, but- rip off the bandaid.]

...there's, ah. Something I should tell you about what happened, if you don't already know.

[Hiro probably already told Tadashi - he can't think of a reason why he wouldn't - but he may as well admit it himself.]

Yeah, he really is something.

[Even Tadashi can't help the fondness in his smile at that. He's seen so much of a change in his brother here than the brother he left standing on the bridge at the expo hall. And he's so proud of how far Hiro's come, even if it took his dying to push him.

But now the meat of the conversation. Callaghan seems like he wants to say it himself, so...]

What happened?

Well, you already know he got hurt. I tried looking out for him, but that's not the point. [his fingers rub in to the corner of eye. is that an apology in itself? it could be. at the same time, it could not be. but like he said, that's not the point.

Hiro's response was to get angry. he has the feeling Tadashi won't be dissimilar, but that'll make it all the worse; as said, Tadashi doesn't lose his temper easily. probably one of the few things that could would be someone messing with Hiro, and Callaghan is keenly aware of his status with the boys.

but better to have this out in the open. and it begins with what seems like a change of subject;] I've been keeping something from you because I had...hoped...it wouldn't come up, but I suppose that can be added to the things I thought were good ideas. I have a second 'power', Tadashi, and it involves...using other's.

[his voice grows quiet at the last point. that could be apology; by the way he's glancing down at the coffee in his hands, it seems to be something else, as well.]

...when he was hurt, there were people still in trouble, and I used his to get them out of there.

Edited 2015-05-04 01:53 (UTC)

[Tadashi sits back and lets Callaghan talk. The older man gets to the start of his point and Tadashi already knows what he's going to say. Or thinks he does. He listens, lets him admit what he's done.

But the thing is: Hiro did tell Tadashi what happened. And Tadashi knows that isn't the whole story.

He waits and ... He knows it was for a good reason. He knows it was to help people, but even now Callaghan is leaving out some choice details. He keeps his tone even, not angry but not amiable either.]

So. You took [not 'used', took. Fine difference.] my brother's technokinesis and his intelligence and used them, then gave them back.

Right?

[there's a difference between 'leaving out' and 'was waiting a moment'. Callaghan nods]

I...did...

[...and then looks up, frowning slightly. not in anger or anything, just- a press of his lips together]

...and he told you, by the sound of things.

[Callaghan's not angry. a bit tired, but not angry.]

Did he also tell you that I don't want a repeat scenario?

... No, he didn't mention that.

[Mm. And Hiro is spiteful enough that he'd either forget or leave that out. He pinches the bridge of his nose. God, everything happens so much. It just doesn't stop. His eyes catch sight of his burns again and pauses. This whole thing is just a mess. Of all the people for the porter to drag here, why Callaghan. Why not Gogo, or Wasabi or - hell - Fred?]

As long as that never happens again. [He moves his hand and fixes Callaghan with a pointed stare, a lingering threat under his tone.] Don't ever. Take my brother's intelligence again.

[not surprising. really, with that damage between them- and god, the worst part is at this point Callaghan would do anything to avoid hurting Hiro out his brother. for what they've done, he should take a bullet for them. and yet -]

He felt threatened.

[quiet acknowledgement - excuse? - for that.

in a way, however, Tadashi's reaction to feeling threatened - rather, to Hiro being threatened - is more terrifying. Robert is reminded of a saying, though he's not sure where he first heard it; demons tremble when a good man goes to war

and though Robert is no demon, it's his turn for a chill, and he can only nod. the fact that he didn't mean to take it - what's even the point of saying that? ]

I promise.

[He slacks, slouches in his seat. With that out of the way, he's gotten his ground rules set (no messing with his brother) and he's reconfirmed that Callaghan is doing what he can to help look out for Hiro. Hiro was fairly nonchalant about Cal taking his intelligence, but more upset about having his technokinesis taken. But for Tadashi? His little brother's brains are as much a part of his brother as his spontaneity and Hiro's love for gummy bears. The fact that someone can just take that whenever scares him.

He finally takes another sip of his (now lukewarm) coffee and sets the mug back on the table, finger idly rubbing against the rim.

That momentary flare up of anger drains out of him quickly and now he's at a loss. He'd wanted to talk to Callaghan about a lot of things, but now... What was there?]

So just those two powers, huh?

Nothing else. If you still have concerns, I can show you the file. I figure full disclosure is the least I can offer at this point.

[he smiles humorlessly]

Besides. You may be able to think a way they could be useful, as much as I wish I didn't have either.

Not likely.

[What use could he think of for the power to piss people off and stealing someone's abilities?

He glances back down to his coffee, considering a refill and ....hm.]

What would you do if you asked someone's permission?

[He thinks he has an idea but he's going to do it in the most roundabout way possible because the thought of outright asking him to do this makes his skin crawl.]

[he figured, but makes a small 'hnh' nonetheless. then the question, and he's visibly surprised. ]

... if they said no, then I'd drop the subject. If they said yes...

[...]

...I could show you how it works, if you wanted a demonstration. All I need to do is touch and focus.

[That'll work. Callaghan offering himself definitely works for him.]

Sure. I'm - curious, all the same.

[this could also answer a question Callaghan has - why hasn't Tadashi healed himself?

but he nods slowly, takes another draw of his coffee, then reaches forwards, setting his hand on the table palm up.]

Give me your hand. It doesn't seem to hurt, if that's what you're worried about, but you don't need to move away until I return it unless you want to.

[there's a subtle meaning there; I understand if you don't trust me ]

[He watches Callaghan's hand contemplating. He truly is curious. And if it does the way he thinks he does, he could get Callaghan to heal these burns for him.

Carefully, he places his hand to Callaghan's and watches him.]

[right, then. Callaghan takes a breath, then focuses on pulling it all. that furrow in his brow is back, small but evidence of that effort]

Healing and...technopathy, right?

Yeah. Healing and technopathy.

[Ugh this is already weird. But too late to back out now, isn't it? He nods, focusing on those.

...There is his pyrokinesis too but does he have to spell that out? Is that important?

What Callaghan gets isn't two, but three powers. The most obvious being the technopathy, the one that hits first. He'd only notice while sitting as a light hum in the back of his head, of something buzzing. Whether it's a zipper or watch clasp touching his skin. But then, it's more than that. The feeling of the mechanisms and how they work together. How they fit together and move together, and Callaghan now instinctively knowing and - what's more - visualizing it perfectly through touch alone. Electronic mechanisms? A whole other level of feeling. A watch or the comm device, gives a warm tingling to his fingertips, like a part of him seeping out of his skin and along the circuit boards and wiring of each piece. The feeling flows along with the electrical current, giving him a perfect mental picture of what the inside looks like,how it all is pieced together, if something is out of place or broken... And even then, there's still more, a character, a personality to each piece of technology inside, that he can feel. Tadashi had described it to Hiro once, that it was like holding a pencil or a rod and raking it against concrete; you could still feel the pressure and roughness but at a distance. But that was months ago, before Tadashi had really honed the ability. Before instinctively feeling each and every part, every circuit, every nut and bolt is a part of him as long as he's touching it.

But then a second feeling is there. A warmth, a light in the palms of one's hands that radiates outward. Only outward, a good, strong warmth that feels comforting. But it only goes out - never inward. Never towards himself, a gift that only gives, never takes. Like the technopathy, touching an injury, instinctively being able to feel the injury and knowing how to fix it. But it's exhausting too, like life being drained away if used too much. Even further than that, there's an undercurrent, a warning. The potential for so much more, the healing's desire to take on all the world's pains and make it so no one suffers them again. To take that pain and make it one's own, but just under the surface, unrealized, like that light is stuck in a filtered bulb.

Under that. Under the buzzing of electronics, under the brilliance of healing warmth, is another. A smoldering, ashen thing in the pit of the stomach, balled up tight like it's waiting for just the right moment to release itself. A unwelcome heat, waiting for ignition. It seeps into the blood stream making everything too hot, almost unbearably if left unchecked. Like even the smallest switch could ignite and burn everything.

When Tadashi blinks again, he doesn't feel all that different. Thank the stars for his power limiter, but he watches Callaghan curiously.]

Edited 2015-05-04 04:31 (UTC)

[circuitry, a warmth, and then- that warmth heats, and Robert is reminded of nothing so much as the time he'd tried something that mentioned 'cinnamon' but sent him reeling. that may be in part due to the heightened awareness - he at least had experience with Hiro's, but this is more like he's at the front of a lecture hall and the crowd is all babbling at once.

and that there's that spice in his veins. that does not help.

the hand not touching Tadashi's balls in to a fist by his head as he sucks in a breath. okay, just- focus. ignore the zipper, ignore the heat, oh god it feels like his own hand is burning and for the briefest of moments it is, the white knuckles by his head seem to flicker with something else, and he does not want this

and the burning, at least, seems to push back. that is to say, push back in to Tadashi. what flames began are gone, but Callaghan's too relieved by the respite that he can't do anything for another moment before letting out that breath in a heavy exhale.]

...You have a third.

[that's so very neutral because on one hand, he doesn't know if Tadashi did know. well, he got the file, so surely he would have known- was he hiding this for the sake of hiding, or...?

can't trust
can't share
can't
can't

Ah.

[That small recognition that he definitely knew about it but it slipped his mind for a second. Since he keeps his limiter on all the time, it's easy to forget sometimes. But he'd never even gotten to see his file; Hiro had thrown it out the day Tadashi arrived seeing that it had some rather sensitive information he didn't want his older brother seeing.

It's any wonder he doesn't take that limiter off except when barreling through a burning city. He reaches to scratch his thumb against his cheek nervously.]

...Pyrokinesis. Sorry.

Ah.

[repeating the words, but it's hard to tell why- Callaghan takes another inhale-exhale, closing his eyes for a moment before deciding to...push back, again. lowering his hand to move on top of Tadashi's, he tries to figure out if he can quiet the sound, too, while stating the obvious;]

That's...[and he nods towards the limiter]...doubly useful, then.

[and with that...the world is quiet aside from the sound of the coffee house. and a few stray eyes looking towards them, but he tries to ignore it and tries instead to start on the real reason for all this-

focusing on that lingering warmth, and then focusing on Tadashi's arms, and...spreading it. not to return the power, he's keeping a 'grip' on it, but he quickly finds out that it's not a matter of sending the energy to Tadashi's wounds.

it's drawing the wounds in to himself.

a moment of hesitation, and then his hands tighten around Tadashi's as he pulls. this is different from when he's drawing another's power- this is using that power to draw something else]

[He's not sure if this is how this is supposed to go. He didn't witness Callaghan taking his brother's abilities; was it this time consuming as well? How much time had he taken on the battlefield to do this before?

But then there's something else, the pull against his hands and arms, like new skin and muscle being stretched. It should be unpleasant. But it's warm, like Ken's persona healing, but different too. There's a hint of a feeling, the barest sense of someone wanting to remove the injury.

And a minute later the feeling's gone. He looks down at his hands, healed and brand new skin.

Callaghan instinctively knew what Tadashi was going to suggest. Not only knew but just did it. He rubs at his hands, smiling a little at him.]

I-- Thank you.

[it's still warm. and it's not...pleasant, either, but it's not painful. it's more that he's drawing those scars in to himself, and for his trouble, gets an exhaustion as well. Callaghan's shoulders sag a bit, and yet another breath escapes him]

...you couldn't do it yourself, could you? It doesn't work on yourself, because it's already on you, as opposed to...

[well. everything else. a final little 'push' and he loses the rest of the warmth, but not the tiredness that's been brought with it. and he reaches up for his face, rubbing at the skin wearily]

...I need a minute, I'm sorry. But...thank you.

[for the fact that he was actually able to help, and that Tadashi gave him the opportunity to do so.

he'll take this weariness any day, if it means being able to do something like that for him.]

Edited 2015-05-04 18:37 (UTC)

Yeah. Everyone, everything, but me.

[His smile gets a bit rueful. Because of course, right? But then he catches a glimpse of Callaghan's hands and there's a flash of minute horror - what just happened? That shouldn't have happened--]

Wait - Mine didn't do that did it? It- That shouldn't happen.

Somehow, I'm not surprised. [that's a wry smile, there...but it fades, slowly, as he recognizes Tadashi's alarm.] Do what...? Make me want to go lie down for a bit?

[actually you know what? that's what coffee's for. he'll just be reaching for his now.]

No, that's normal?

I mean -- That. [He nods to Callaghan's now freshly scarred hands, the same degree Tadashi's had been.]

[

huh. he does grab the coffee, but he doesn't take a sip until he looks over his hand(s)]

...I think you should be telling me. I just focused on...well, pulling it in, for lack of a better way of saying it.

[he should probably have more concerns than he does about them looking so awful.

maybe he's just tired.]

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