Kitty On My Foot... and I CAN Touch It!

Summer 2021, Week 5

Monday morning

Royal Metro Evo Room, Old Towne

Luke Gilmore

Luke knocked on the door solemnly to the Evo Room. 'Let's just see how this plays out' He opened the door gently.  

Lavrentia

They look up at the knock, and a soft "Come in," is heard from within. They see Luke come in, and smile. While they hadn't had a lot to do with him yet, he was a good and hard worker, and a good asset for the library. "Hello there."  

Luke Gilmore

"H-hey. Umm, I was wondering if we could talk about...something. You're the expert on Evos, and...Sorin said you could help me out." He begins fidgeting with the sketch in his pocket, just in case they need a demonstration. He just stares at the ground, finding it difficult to make eye contact with them. I just hope this will help me learn how to use my "gift." I'd love it if I could make others happier.  

Lavrentia

"Sorin! He's an excellent friend to have." They smile reassuringly. "Come in, come in, I won't bite. You've proven yourself a friend of books so no need to bare the fangs." They chuckle a bit. "So, what is your question?"  

Luke Gilmore

He fidgeted a little bit and let out a soft sigh. "Um, y-you probably already know, but I'm an Evo with a couple of powers. I would like to...w-work on them. M-make them more useful."  

Lavrentia

"I knew you were an evolved human, yes. But not everyone is open or wants to talk about it - so I waited until you were ready." They smile. "What do you think you have, so I can get an idea for someone willing to talk and help or books to point you towards."  

Luke Gilmore

He looks around the room to find a nearby book cover with a lady on the front. It looks easy enough for him to move around. "Here, let me show you a bit of what I can do." He holds out a his left hand with the palm facing upwards and his fingers outstretched. The lady on the cover starts to smile, and she gives a little wave before going back to the resting position.

[Drawn to Life, Basic Action, -0 EP]

 

Lavrentia

"Oh, that's exciting! It seem like a reasonably powerful use of manipulation." They nod to the relevant section. "Something else, too, maybe, but that is definitely manipulation. I haven't come across people who have used it for book covers, or other art, as I'm assuming your power isn't limited?" After his quick nod, they continue. "But there might be some people who are similar enough and can help you out, or you might even grow together by helping them."  

Luke Gilmore

"That's...close. I don't think it's manipulation though. It's more like...I can bring friends from another far off place. They call it 'The Inky Realm.' Here, I can, umm...show you what it can really do."   He pulls his notebook out of his pocket to reveal an almost lifelike drawing of a tabby cat. He focuses on it for a moment, and a warping a disfigured shaping of ink comes off of the page. It twists and morphs slowly into a small cat that's identical to the drawing. There is now nothing left on the page where the ink came out of. It hops down and begins to purr as it rubs up against Luke's leg. It's like...I'm bringing my friends into our world.

[Drawn to Life, Normal Action, -3 EP (12/15)]

 

Lavrentia

"That's a very special talent you have." They smile at the cat. "I don't know that there is any who can bring things from an alternate dimension to life, but i do know someone who comes from another world entirely. Possibly even a new reality. While not the same, clearly, they might have an idea for what it's called." Their brow furrows slightly, thinking. "It is a marvelous skill. You say you want to help people - I'm guessing these people are children or the youth?"  

Luke Gilmore

He perks up a little, and gives a rare smile. "Yes! I hope that every kid gets to live a happier and safer life than what they get today. I also hope I can change the minds of crooked people too someday...it...i-it never does any good." His smile fades as he recesses into his old memories. Never again. I won't allow what happened to me to happen to anybody else. He rubs his tired eyes with his right hand, and shows a scarred stub where a missing finger should be.  

Lavrentia

They notice and their eyes curl. "Well," they begin softly, "it seems you've managed to move on from the...well, I hate to call them people, but its what's kosher, isn't it? Well, the people who've done this to you. And you have a skill that can help cheer up many."   They pause, in thought. "There are plenty of children's activities at all the branches of the library. Would you mind spending some of your shifts with them? Not everyone likes children, but if that's where you want to start, its hard for the parents who might not like your...magic, as the kids might think, to say no to something free that they attend already. Or a partnership with the children's ward of the public hospital - I have contacts with them."  

Luke Gilmore

"I'll take either! Umm...sorry you noticed my hand...it's...n-not a good reminder." He tucks his right hand in his pocket, ashamed of everything that happened. "I think it'd be best to start with the kids here. I could even write stories for them. I used to do that for my younger brothers and sisters at St. Marsh's."  

Lavrentia

"It might not but it means youre a survivor, and that's pretty cool." They move on. "That's just fine, I'll tell Gene over in charge of children's stories and see if you can't get started tomorrow or Thursday. Is there anything else you need help with?" They pause, and let him speak, then smile. "You have been an excellent help the last few weeks with the evolved humans. Your next coffee or pastry from the cafe, put it on my tab, you deserve the treat."  

Luke Gilmore

"Gene...alright. Th-thank you! I could use the extra coffee. Umm, I don't...think I need anything else. Wait, that's right. Do you, umm, by any chance know where evos get their powers? I was curious." He fidgets a bit with a pen that he just pulled out of his pocket. His foot was also tapping to the beat of 'My Apocalypse'  

Lavrentia

"I don't know yet, but that's one of the things I research. My own ability can paint a familial picture - whether adopted or not. Right now, I am limited to grandparents and sooner, but with practice, I might get to go back farther and get an even better picture." They shrug. "All I know now is that generally, if a person does have abilities, they either emerge during puberty or under times of extreme duress - such as after a misguided person choosing to murder several people or cause problems for the city."  

Luke Gilmore

"Okay. L-let me know I you can find out more, okay?" He looks over at the clock and remembers his plans for today. With a sharp inhale, he starts to become a bit more nervous. "Do umm...is there anything else you need from me at all? I've gotta get going soon is all, so I'm just..."  

Lavrentia

"Oh? Oh, no, if you do have any other questions, however, please don't hesitate to leave a note on my desk, or send an email, or even just hunt me down." They smile. "Glad I could help you out, I'll get in touch with my contact and see what can be done."  

Luke Gilmore

"Thanks so much. Have a great day! I'll keep in touch" He gently closes the door and hustles on over to a nearby Cafe to talk about a public news article he was writing. Busy times...  

Lavrentia

They return to the task at hand, which is ever organising the growing Evos collection.