. (terryinthesky) wrote in downfallrpg, @ 2010-03-15 17:04:00 |
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Entry tags: | 2015-08-29, juan, juan and terry, terry |
From The Rooftops To Beyond...
Who: Terry and Juan
When: 9:00am
Where: Rooftop and beyond
Terry tugged up the sheets that were hanging over the edge of the hotel, the sign he had worked so hard to complete. It was a sore thought that now it was more of a hindrance than anything, that he'd possibly wasted so much time on something that could be their undoing. As he started tugging up the last few sheets, Terry let out a heavy sigh. He should have invited someone along, just for the company of conversation at least. Even if it were minimal, it would be better than the silence of his own company and the shrill noise the wind made as it blew through the buildings.
Waking up a little later than normal felt nice, but Juan couldn't shake the bad feeling he had after the previous night. It was a very disturbing though that people were like that in the world. He knew there were bad people before, but in such a horrible situation, you'd think people would try and band together. Juan sighed and got dressed. He strapped his violin securely over his back and closed his eyes. He wanted to practice teleporting longer distances now. The day previous, he'd gone to the roof and inspected it a bit and now he'd try teleporting there from his room. Under his eyelids Juan visualized the roof of the building. There were a few air condition units around the sides and two skylights. He could still see very clearly the sheets hanging from the side of the building flapping in the breeze. In the blink of an eye, Juan was on the roof. He opened his eyes and yelp when he saw he was about a foot away from the dark-headed man, "Ghh!! Terry!" Juan teleported away from the older man out of fright. What if he had teleported INTO Terry?!
Terry started at the sudden appearance of Juan, holding the sheets to his chest as the boy vanished and then appeared again a further distance away. "Juan," he said, answering the sort of surprised greeting the boy had given him. The wind howled past them on the rooftop, forcing Terry to have to tuck his hair back every few moments. "Trying to scare me off of the roof?" he joked, smiling lightly as he continued to scoop up the rest of the sign. He noted the violin strapped to the boy's back and wondered at it. It was interesting that he would carry it with him everywhere, though Terry supposed if it were the only thing Juan had lft, then it would make sense.
"Ahh! No! That!" Juan sighed to calm himself and walked back over to Terry, "Sorry! That almost... never happens." It was a bit of a lie, but he really didn't have much room teleporting around people so half-truth? He shook his head, "I was just practicing, honest! I didn't realize anyone would be out here so earlier." There was that talk of having guards and such patrolling around, but he was sure there was nothing set up so soon... if so, then they really did pick the right people as leaders. Juan straightened the strap of his case and looked at the sheets. "So we really are taking them down?" he sounded dejected at the idea. Those signs saved a lot of people and now... they could hurt those same people. Juan moved to grab the other end of the cloth to help fold, "I guess I should be useful somehow around here, yeah?"
Snorting a quiet laugh, Terry shrugged and lifted his end of the sign up. "Don't worry about it," he told the boy. "It's not a big deal, I promise. I wouldn't expect you to know how to control every aspect of your power so soon after having discovered it. That would be... ridiculous of me." He was glad for Juan's help though, and started to fold the sheets with him. "Yeah, we're taking them down. It's unfortunate that it's come to this... but we don't want to risk the lives of those we've already saved. It's... sad, really. And as far as being useful goes, if you'd like to help out you're more than welcome. I can always use another set of hands around."
Juan nodded, "I've been practicing a bit. I can get to just about anywhere I've physically been inside the hotel with little to no injury." He proudly held up his elbow which has a large scab on it. "Hit a table moving from the seventh floor to the first," he laughed and continued to fold, "Have you found you can do anything yet?" Not everyone said they had a power the night before, Terry included, so Juan was curious to see what others were going through in that regard. His power was pretty apparent from the first moment it happened, though a little jarring. "I understand we need to protect our own... but why would people do this? I've been racking my brain, but just don't get it." Going silent for a moment Juan smiled hopefully at the older man, "Once I get control over my power, I wanna help transport stuff to the hotel from outside. I could get things back here in a flash once I get long-distance teleporting worked out better."
Terry listened to Juan carefully, taking everything he said to heart. He understood the way younger people worked, and the kinds of things they wanted from their elders. Respect was one of those things, and luckily Terry was relatively good at that. "No, I still haven't discovered anything. I'm beginning to think I'm one of the few who just didn't change. Which... is fine, I guess. It means I don't have to learn anything extra, on top of just how to survive now. Though your power, Juan... like you said, it could potentially be very beneficial. Teleporting supplies long distances would be amazing... but then, you said you have to have been there, physically, to make it work. So maybe we could go someday and establish places to teleport to and from..." ...like the grocery store.
He smiled brightly as they kept talking, "I'll keep at it, I really think I'm getting the hang of it." Other than a few bumps and bruises, Juan could pretty much teleport to each major floor of the hotel and some at several points, "At the very least, I could be a messenger or somethin' around the hotel. I've got nearly every floor memorized." As they finished the first sheet, Juan took it and teleported back to the door to the stairs. He placed the sheet just within as to make sure it doesn't get blown away in the strong wind the roof. He ported back to Terry and grabbed the next one. Juan wasn't really trying to show off or anything... it just felt normal to move this way--quicker at the very least. "If you think it'd be safe," safe being the operative word, "I'd like to go with the next group for supplies to test this strategy." He knew he wouldn't be much help in a fight, but he sure as hell knew he could get away if there was any trouble.
Terry watched Juan as he teleported back and forth across the roof with a distinct level of quiet fascination -- and something akin to jealousy. He felt that Juan was lucky to have landed such an amazing feat as this, to have been gifted with something incredibly useful. Regardless of its limitations, it was still awe-inspiring. "So long as you promise to listen to us," he told him, only wanting to do his very best to keep Juan safe. "If I tell you to get the hell out of wherever we are... you've gotta do it, okay?"
Holy crap! It worked?! Juan couldn't help but grin. He loved feeling useful. It was something he didn't really get a chance to do at home. His massive amount of older brothers could tackle any job easily. They usually would delegate him to the task of... being the youngest/entertainment. While he loved to play, he still wasn't really DOING anything to help a project. So when Terry agreed, Juan was just beside himself. So much so he almost forgot the current task at hand. "Of course! I promise to listen!" it wasn't like it'd take very much for him to get out of a bad situation. With his new ability, his body usually did it for him without asking. And while it made him feel like a chickenshit, it was probably the best self-defense tool he had. "Any idea where we might be going to next?" He wanted to prepare. Unconsciously he fiddled with the strap to his violin case. He looked down at it and realized it'd probably be best if that didn't come with him on something like this.
A half-smile on Terry's face, he watched the younger boy carefully as he grinned and had what appeared to be some kind of inner celebration. It was endearing and even refreshing, having that youthfulness around. One didn't find that very often anymore, and so this was sort of a nice change of pace. "I'm not sure where we'll be going next," he said honestly, shrugging his shoulders as he began to carry the sheets toward the door, "but it'll likely be in search of food or supplies. Perhaps some kind of scouting venture, just to see what the territory around our home is like. With these other people, we all have to be really careful. Much more so than even when there were just the monsters to worry about."
Juan listened intently to everything the older man had to say. He nodded when appropriate and tried to add in where he could, "Do we have a map of the city? I know most of us have lived here, but having a static guide like that could never hurt." It was a legitimate thought by Juan's standard. Sure he knew the area around where he lived fairly well, but this was an entirely different side of town. "It would also be a good way to pinpoint where the other group is by sightings?" years of playing too many videogames and watching cop dramas sure did pay off in situations like these, "Usually people don't venture out too far from their homes when... doing things like what you saw at the grocery store... it'd also be good just to mark places with supplies." He shivered as they neared the stair remember the description of the girl from the night before. "Hey! Ya think we should hit up a local police precinct? If they haven't already been looted, it'd be a good place to pick up weapons and stuff," even though he was a little afraid of the situation with the other group, which needed a better name than 'other group', Juan had many ideas he wanted to share to help at every possible turn.
"That's a good idea," Terry said, considering the map thing. It was smart, and it was something they hadn't set up just yet. Perhaps he would do that soon, then, post up a city map with markers... "There is a police station down a ways that we could visit. I think, Juan, that people have been so busy being scared that there hasn't been time for much else. Maybe that could be your first outing with us, going in search of more weaponry." It was a thought, at least. Terry wasn't sure how comfortable with it he was, just in that it involved guns, which was something not many people had been given experience with. They would need to start training people, though, if they were going to be able to withstand a possible attack at some point.
"I know... I've been really scared too," He was afraid to admit it, but really he'd mostly been hiding since he got to the hotel,"but... that's why after you told us about the other group that I really wanted to start doing something! If there are people like that out there, then being scared won't help protect us." He babbled when he was excited/scared/bored/tired-- okay, so he just babbled, but he really hadn't talked to anyone about this sort of thing so this seemed like as good a time as any. "I don't really know much about guns," Juan admitted openly. Now wasn't a time for any sort of 'secrets' that could jeopardize missions, "I barely knew how to or could physically fire the shotgun I found on the first day... I gave it to Joyce as soon as I met her. But I'd only be helping transfer them, right? I won't mess with them until someone really showed me HOW to use one." He'd been shown enough of those 'Don't play with guns or you'll shoot yourself in the face' PSAs through grade school to know at least that much about gun safety. An idea hit him as they talked about the station and Juan looked up at Terry and grinned, "I'm sure, other than just guns, we could find a really good map of the city at the precinct. Two birds with one stone!"
Terry smirked as he headed downstairs back into the hotel, not looking forward to the trek back downstairs. It was a very long way down. "I can help you learn how to fire a gun, because... you should probably know how to handle them as well as you can, realistically. You never know when you may need to. We'll work that out in due time." He glanced back. "I'll talk to the others about going to a precinct soon. It's really not a bad idea..." Even if it crossed Terry's mind that those buildings had likely already been looted days ago.
Noticing the tired look in Terry's eyes Juan nudged the man's shoulder,"Want help getting downstairs?" The smile that crept onto the young boy's face was somewhere between mischievous and proud, and it took everything in'im to keep it at a smile, but Juan had teleported people before so he was pretty sure he could do it again... right? It had been a few days since then and even at that time something felt... strange about those jumps. He pushed that out of his mind and decided to keep a 'sure' look about himself.
Terry cocked his head to the side curiously, unable to resist the temptation of what Juan was offering. "You mean... teleporting?" he asked, hoping he hadn't just imagined the tone the boy had used. He turned around to face Juan, holding the sheets to his chest with an eager smile. "Sure. Let's do it." If he was going to be stuck without a power, he should be allowed to enjoy what the others had been given, right?
Juan grinned madly. He was happy to share his power with people. The first few times he did this, the circumstances were a little strange, but this should be safer and a chance to actually show Terry what he's capable of. He stood next to Terry and looped their arms, "I ah... need to make physical contact with people to bring them with me." It was slightly awkward looping arms with another guy, but Juan assumed the older man wouldn't mind. He cleared his throat and gave the slightest of bows, "Could you please tell me what floor you need, sir?"
Nodding easily, Terry tightened his arm just slightly around Juan. He felt his heart jump at the promise of a brief adventure, not sure how it would feel or what to think about it. "That's fine," he told Juan, bracing himself, his muscles tensed. "How about the ground floor?" he asked. That seemed like an easy enough request. Hopefully they wouldn't end up outside... or in a closet or something.
Hearing the request Juan closed his eyes and began to focus. He'd practicing going to the ground floor many times in the past for food and such so something like this should be easy! The room formed in Juan's mind. The room was mostly cleaned and open, but a scattering of wood splinters could be still be found around the corners of the room. Juan imagined these being chairs and tables for waiting guests. He'd even memorized the pattern of the oriental carpet whose pattern now dominated the room.
In what could only be described as a 'frameskip' the two appeared in the lobby... a foot in the air.
Terry had no idea what to expect when they teleported, but took in a deep breath and waited. When the actual process happened, he felt his heart-rate sky rocket, his muscles all burning as his energy levels went into a mess of total chaos. Their sudden arrival in the lobby didn't help any, and immediately Terry fell, his feet hitting the floor before his legs buckled and he toppled downward onto his hands and knees. His muscles were shaking as he stayed like that, eyes widened as though he'd nearly fallen off the side of a cliff. "Oh my god," he whispered, unable to believe how drained he felt. He'd been tired already, worn down, running on a handful of hours of sleep for days -- but now... he was going to need to do something about it, sooner rather than later. "Remind me to never let that happen again," he said, joking with Juan -- despite being quite serious about it.
"Whoaaa," the landing was a little shaky again, but it seemed worse for Terry, "Oh... Terry! I'm sorry!" Juan had forgotten about the impact on others which meant he failed to mention it to Terry. He quickly kneeled next to him, "I... kinda forgot what that did to other people! I'd only teleported people two times before... are you gonna be okay?" He offered his arm for steadying the suddenly tired leader. "It's only temporary, but yea... it kinda knocks you on your ass if you're not used to it." He looked around the lobby. The mark he wanted to hit on the patterned rug was about a foot to the left of them, but Juan considered this jump a basic success. "But hey! We're in the lobby!" he tried to smile and turn the situation to an encouraging one, but he supposed teleportation was only really cool being seen and not experienced.
Trying to see the humor in it, and the still amazing ability Juan had, Terry waved one hand dismissively as he stood up. He tried to shake off the feeling the teleporting experience had left in his muscles, and assumed it would fade after a while. "Definitely a success, and just as good as I would expect for someone still learning about their powers, Juan. No worries. That would be really helpful, especially in times of emergencies..." He hoped something like that was never needed, but he wasn't naive enough to believe it wouldn't happen. Carefully, Terry stooped over to gather up the sheets he'd dropped, intending on storing them in one of the closets on this level... until they needed them again, which hopefully would be soon.
"The biggest thing is that food and supplies don't get tired," Juan added positively, "I'm feeling fine as well, so transferring a good deal of weight--" He paused and laughed nervously,"Not sayin' you weighed a lot or anything, but, well, you know what I mean. It's not really a problem for me as long as it's not too much." Sticking his foot in his mouth was another of Juan's very amazing talents so he decided to stay quiet as he helped Terry straighten the sheets, again. Once the sheets were neatly stored away, Juan put his hands on his hips, "Need help with anything else?"
"No worries, no offense taken." Terry wasn't easy to offend, after all. Once the sheets were stored, he sighed and turned back to Juan. "If you don't mind, I actually think I might go lay down for a bit... maybe take a half hour nap to get caught up on some of the sleep I'm already behind on. Is there anything else you need before I take off?" He smiled at the boy, pleased to see him so eager to be useful. It was endearing, and something definitely worth his respect.
Juan gave a half-hearted (half-joking) salute to Terry, "Sir no sir!" He laughed and shook his head, "Naa, I'm good. I'm going to go practice moving... chairs through the hotel. If you see any strange chairs in the middle of the hallway, think of me!" In a flash Juan teleported from sight... then tapped Terry's shoulder. As the older man turned to reach, Juan smiled at him madly and then ACTUALLY disappeared from the lobby.
Terry laughed a little at Juan's antics, shaking his head as the boy disappeared for what was apparently a final - and abrupt - time. He brushed his hair away from his face and headed off toward his room, actually intending on taking a nap if it were at all possible...