章 2749: 4.2
Dad despite being married to a bookworm didn't know about any libraries in Brockton Bay besides the one I visited. So instead he compromised and took me to a bookstore in the mall. While most of the books on display were works of fiction there was a good selection of history books and biographies. What caught my eye however were self help books! Most of them were books about how to stop bullying, make yourself successful, how to get rich and to be happy. Less than a third of them increased my speech skill, the rest were useless.
Kind of ironic now that I thought about it.
The bullying that plagued me was gone, I didn't need to see them ever again, I didn't need to deal with apathetic staff members or a corrupt facility.
But what if Arcadia was no different? What if the students were just as mean? What if the teachers were just as apathetic? The system could be corrupt beyond saving. The biggest question that shook me was… what if my friends, the Wards, were just like Emma? Would they befriend me only to cast me out?
Would Shadow Stalker turn on me after I got her to open up? Would the others simply ignore me? Would they insult, hurt and bully me? It was so easy in my mind to see them taking the place of my old tormentors.
Missy was cute and innocent just like Madison.
Carlos had dark skin with a great body just like Sophia.
Dean had a great smile and looked as if he could be a model just like Emma.
Dean was nothing like Emma, he tried to help Shadow Stalker after all.
They were heroes, they were better than that.
Except Shadow Stalker was proof that they weren't. They didn't all get along and I wondered how deep that sentiment ran. I was being too distrustful, I needed to get my mind off it. I put down the last book on the shelf. It wasn't a very big shelf but it had enough books that it had increased my speech shard.
I could now level up again and as usual I made myself tougher.
Now I had three of these level up things in reserve. That was a mouthful, I needed another way to refer to them. I was going to work with the other Heroes soon enough and they'd need to know how my powers worked so we could coordinate better. It would be more difficult explain how they worked if I kept spouting off long winded phrases.
I suppose I could continue with the video game convention and just call them all perk points. PPs. Hehe.
I was such a child sometimes.
"Hey Taylor." My dad called out. "Anything catch your eye? Or are we just window shopping?" Right, from his point of view I had just spent the last ten minutes or so picking books up, opening them and putting them back down. I looked around the store and found that it was fairly empty.
I assumed that it was a combination of the fact that it was school hours on a weekday and possibly the fact that the book store wasn't very popular in the first place. Only a single staff member was at the cashier, half asleep with their head resting on their hands.
"It's part of my powers." I whispered to him grinning. "Makes me stronger."
He looked surprised by that. Then he grinned, the sort of grin that set off alarm bells in my head. "So knowledge is power?" He asked making me groan. "You gonna throw the book at them?"
"Dad, stop, you're terrible." He was still grinning.
"I bet these are great for anatomy." He told me picking up a book that had nothing to do with what he just said. "After all, they all have spines."
"Why?" I asked, hoping to be spared from this torment. Why was dad making dad jokes? I just had to answer my own question didn't I?
"I can keep going if you want."
"STOP!" I cried out. It was then the cashier seemed to wake up.
"Uhh Sir? Ma'am? Can I help you?" He called from across the store.
"No!" I answered too quickly. "Just looking!"
"Are you sure Taylor? I can buy you something if you want." I shook my head. "Well if that's how you feel." He shrugged and we left the store soon after.
"Taylor?" Dad asked as we continued to walk. "How about we get you a phone?" Wait what? That wasn't like him at all. Besides the fact that he hated mobile phones I was pretty sure we couldn't afford one.
"Are you sure dad? I mea-"
"It's okay." He leaned over to me and whispered. "Your new bosses gave us a bit of a budget, said if we get certain things for you that they'd reimburse since you'll need it for work. It won't cost us a thing."
I grinned at that. That meant that I could probably buy something that could go on the internet! The newer models could probably out perform our computer at home. Then again, getting a brand new shiny phone would probably look suspicious. People would look at me and wonder how someone like me could afford it.
"Is there a limit?" I asked.
"Yeah, we have a budget, nothing crazy but it's not nothing and they'll pay all ongoing costs." That made sense. I didn't want people thinking that I was getting money from the PRT, it would probably unmask me if people dug too deep.
"Oh, that's good then." I told him.
"Yeah, wouldn't want people thinking that you stole it would you?" That thought honestly hadn't occurred to me at all. The fact that someone would see me with a shiny toy and come to the conclusion that I had stolen it or at least had stolen the money to pay for it.
"No, you're right, I'm a good guy after all."
Eventually we found a phone store. At first I went after the most brick like models I could find. They weren't very high tech but they not only seemed cheap but also looked as if I could use them as a weapon! If I was ever caught out by gangers in my civilian guise I could totally knock someone out with a phone!
RING OUT!
Oh god, I was turning into dad! I could imagine it now, walking into the Rig and getting hit by containment foam.
"You're not VIM!" The heroes would cry out. "She has long hair and a kick ass sexy body!" I would then find out that I was bald. "MASTER STRANGER PROTOCOLS ENGAGE!" Mechanical arms would then rise from the ground and pull me into a cell filled with scanners and cameras that only served to violate my privacy. They would make sure I was alone, so that I couldn't mind control anyone.
I shuddered. I didn't want to be alone again. Alone, trapped… and…
"How about this model?" The dealer asked shoving a machine that was more screen then phone into my face. "It just came out last month, it has full touch capabilities and everything!" That seemed a bit more extravagant for me and I told him so.
"Yeah, I doubt we'd be able to afford it." Dad agreed. "But your bosses said it was important."
"That's why we have these phone plans!" Undaunted the dealer continued. "Instead of paying the full price you can choose to sign in on a contract for one to two years, paying a certain amount a month depending on the plan and get the phone for free!" He showed us the various options we had.
Perhaps for someone with our budget, it was technically affordable, but rubbish in the long run if my maths was any indication but it would be a very compelling piece of evidence on why I could have it.
"HEY!" The taxman would shout. "With how much your father makes, you can't possible have paid hundreds of dollars to afford that phone!"
"Ah! BUT!" I would counter pulling out a paper contract. "I DIDN'T pay all the cash at once! I paid in twenty four easy payments of fifty dollars!"
"You're off the hook for now HEBERT! But know that the tax man is always watching… also paying over one thousand dollars for a phone is a rip off!"
"HA! Jokes on you, the PRT are paying for it!"
"CURSE YOU AND YOUR TECHNICAL THRIFTINESS!"
Back in reality I contemplated the contract with an infinitely more serious expression on my face.
"Hey dad?" I asked. "Would that work?"
He frowned in equal seriousness, no doubt years as the head of the Dock worker's union was giving him insight into the inner workings of corporate accountings.
"Yeah, I think they'd be okay with it all things considered. Sure." I wondered who did the accounting for the Heroes? Surely with how much power armor would cost they would have a ridiculously high budget for my stuff as well.
I grinned and giggled. If Armsmaster's offer to pay thousands of dollars for my potions was any indication, my budget might be in the millions! I might be able to get crushed diamonds! I didn't know if they could even be turned into potions but the possibility filled me with joy. The fact that I couldn't eat them to test what effects they could bestow had no place in my thoughts.
I wondered if that hypothetical potion could make people indestructible?
I imagined an army of PRT troopers walking through a hail of bullets with impunity. Of Clockblocker suplexing Kaiser. Fenja and Menja being used as bats by Shadow Stalker to knock out the Merchants with Lung in the background being ineffective as he continued to breath fire on a laughing and unharmed Vista.
"Uhh kiddo?" My dad piped up. "You're scaring the dealer, you were doing an evil laugh."
"Oh, uh sorry, yeah the phone, I was just thinking about what I could do with the phone yeah haha." To his credit the dealer didn't seem put off at all despite what dad had mentioned earlier.
"Right this way Ma'am, just sign here and here, and your dad signs here and the phone is yours!" I gave a brief glance at the paper work and filled it in as needed. It didn't take long since dad had already finished most of it. "Congratulations Ms Hebert, the phone is yours!"
I decided to celebrate by spending two of my three perk points.
Potion stuff again! This shard of power felt like it increased my potion's ability to heighten my skills by a small but noticeable degree. Things like 'light armor' or 'one handed' strikes would be better. Not for the first time I wondered if Armsmasters suit of armor counted as heavy or light armor for the purposes of my potions?
I also chose something that allowed me to identify ingredient's properties more easily. I assumed this meant that I'd find more uses for the stuff I was already using. While this wouldn't be a straightforward power boost I would never turn down the opportunity to boost my utility.
Leaving the store I began to play around with my new phone. It was strange but it was novel enough that it kept my attention. I'd master it in no time!
"So, how about we get some lunch?" Dad asked. "I was thinking something new that we haven't tried before."
"Not pizza?" I asked.
"Well if you want pizza we can do that instead."
"No, I'm just wondering why something new?"
"Well I figure with you going to a new school, getting a phone we should treat ourselves."
"I can cook if you want, it's literally no trouble." I grinned and it seemed that he understood that I was talking about my instant cooking powers.
"Well, I wouldn't say no to more sweet rolls but like I said I think we should get something new, keep with the theme of new beginnings, to put the bad stuff behind us… like…" He looked around. "That place." Pointing towards a sushi store he approached it. Shrugging I decided to follow having no better idea of where we should eat next.
Then I was assaulted by random Japanese screaming.
"IRASSHAIMASE!" I jumped back in fright almost expecting the worst. It wasn't Lung, they were too high pitched and judging by their friendly demeanour it looked like it was supposed to be a friendly greeting. I consciously calmed myself down. I was grateful that my hands hadn't erupted into flames.
"Uh hi." Dad greeted them before taking a seat. Despite being the one to come in, he was starting to look a bit hesitant about the whole experience.
Honestly with that initial fright I was afraid that this was secretly an ABB hideout, however the place seemed nice enough and this was inside a Mall.
"Don't be racist Taylor." I scolded myself. "Not every Asian food place is controlled by a gang."
Looking through the menu I decided to get the bento box special, a good variety of several foods. Dad did the same and before we knew it the food had arrived.
"Excuse me?" I asked the waiter. "What's this orange stuff?"
"Oh that's salmon roe, also known as salmon eggs." He replied politely. "It's very tasty." He assured me.
Thanking him I put some in my mouth. It was at this point my eyes lit up.
Salmon Roe lets you breath water? I could make potions that let people breath underwater?
"Can I have a box of this stuff to go?" I asked. If we were being reimbursed for the phone, then
there was no doubt in my mind that the PRT would pay for this too.
The waiter looked only happy to comply. He laughed. "Wow, I don't think I've ever seen anyone like the stuff enough to do that, I'll talk to the chef, see what he thinks." Walking back into the kitchen I decided to try a bit of everything else.
Eventually the waiter came back with a small container, about a quarter size of a peanut butter jar.
"The chef didn't want to give any of it away but he's willing to part with this for forty dollars." That was more expensive than both of our bentos! Then again, it's not like anything else here was good for my powers.
"I'll take it." He seemed surprised but was happy enough to put it on our bill.
I began to wonder what else could be used for my potions. If eating out at new places revealed more ingredients then perhaps I should start making it a habit to eat at new places.
I stabbed at the deep fried chicken with my fork and bit into it. Nope nothing.
Rice, also nothing.
Salmon also nothing. Wait, I've made grilled salmon before, of course it wouldn't do anything for alchemy.
Yet salmon eggs did. Arbitrary!
Brown pillow thing? Also nothing. It was filled with more rice. Wait, why did they serve this when we already had rice? It was like giving someone some roast beef with your steak!
I supposed the brown pillow cover did have a bit of sweetness to it but why not serve that separately?
Whatever, onto the sushi, also nothing.
Everything was delicious but otherwise useless.
Dad on the other hand was just as frustrated with his meal as I was but for completely different reasons. Where I decided to use a fork, dad opted for the chopsticks.
He didn't know how to use chopsticks.
"Victory!" He announced as he finally picked up his chicken distracting me from my own meal. Said chicken promptly fell into his bento again. "Oh screw it, I'll get a fork as well." Getting up he went out to grab a utensil.
Taking a quick look around to confirm that no one was watching I used my power to steal dad's portion of salmon roe that rested atop his sushi. I was sure he wouldn't mind.
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Also, I don't say this enough but thank you again Taron for beta reading my stuff. I do appreciate it.
theblacklightprojekt said:could you but Taylor's imagination moments in italics.
That's a good suggestion. DONE!
Edit: MOAR GRAMMEiR EDITS! (Thanks for readers pointing them out) Luckily no spelling mistakes... yet.
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