Metaheroes Inbox

[atypical_echo]

You’ve reached Mark, for some reason. It’s 2022 apparently, last I checked - just text me. Or, you know, leave a message if you must.

Comments

[atypical_echo]

Same.

[Though he really wanted to figure out what to do with himself. But it wasn't that easy.]

I guess I just need to find something to fulfill me here without making life too dangerous.

[robintohood]

Hence the freelancing?

[atypical_echo]

Oh, no, I really do just love photography. It even helped me get back on my feet back home after all that happened.

[robintohood]

Right. After everything you've gone through, some peace and quiet really wouldn't hurt.

[atypical_echo]

[Mark nodded. It was as simple, and as insanely complex, as that.]

I can't even find a fucking roommate, how am I supposed to even figure out something as complex as living here? It's a mess.

[robintohood]

I guess maybe a guild can help with that. Of course that's a crapshot and you might get paired with someone you don't like.

[atypical_echo]

Yeah, there's always that. But maybe they'd just help pay for my place here? That's really all I need.

[robintohood]

Maybe. Their whole deal is supposedly to do what you feel like, right?

[atypical_echo]

Sort of, yeah. And all some people want is to be left alone.

[And the Metas brought here didn't get that as much, he thought. What if they were being tracked? He didn't like the idea. Sighing he moves to get an angle to take shots of the stage.]

I never asked to be born with abilities.

[robintohood]

You're not alone in that aspect at least. There are plenty of us who just want to be left alone.

[atypical_echo]

And some of us are better at getting by here at that than others.

[By which he means to say Jason, because look, dude is doing well.]

[robintohood]

[Jason softly huffs]

Don't give me too much credit. Part of it has been just dumb luck.

[atypical_echo]

I'd like some of that, thanks.

[Though in some ways this was that.]

[robintohood]

Wish I could. Sorry.

[atypical_echo]

If you ever meet a Meta with luck powers, do call me then.

[robintohood]

Will do. In the meanwhile, you're always welcome here with a non-alcoholic drink, a book, and some showtunes.

[atypical_echo]

[Mark smiles.]

And no one here will give metas fucking trouble if they figure out who we are? Like, I know some people don't trust metas.

[robintohood]

I promise. This bar is meant to be neutral ground. Doesn't matter if you're a meta or not. Doesn't matter if you're in a guild or not. As long as you follow the rules here, you're fine.

[atypical_echo]

[A place where he can be safe and himself?]

Maybe you are a hero, in your own way.

[robintohood]

[A hero. Being called that feels bizarre these days. Jason knows that what he does these days is far from heroic. Hell, the bar itself is a front. It's a family-shared front but still, the building has a secret purpose other than being a safe spot for metas.

Jason rubs the back of his neck and bows his head slightly, playing up how humbled he feels]

Again, giving me too much credit. It just seems to make sense. That's all.

[atypical_echo]

Yeah, but people here don't want to make sense, right? They want us to follow their rules, even when all we want is to be free.

[robintohood]

Yeah... And then for some of us, we don't like that so we have to carve out our own spaces.

[atypical_echo]

[Mark doesn't comment about how much that sounds like a discussion of queer spaces, he's never really been sure if he properly belonged in them. But it's still a relief.]

I think I'm even more glad for being here, doing this.

[robintohood]

Well, I'm glad to have helped you with that then.

[atypical_echo]

I'm glad too.

[Maybe for the moment things are coming up Mark.]