The Silhouette and The Forge
Chapter 3
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Making my way down aisle after aisle in the store running with a shopping basket as I grab whatever I can off the shelves as I make my way over to the pharmacy. Ranging from simple things like regular batteries to household cleaners for the chemicals in them to lighters. There was so much to pick from. At times it was overwhelming knowing I was on the clock and yet have so much in front of me.

Instead of making me nervous or afraid, it feels intoxicating. The thrill of it, which I never thought I would say that. It's just like when I first started driving, it was terrifying at first but once I got over that it was so much fun. I guess I might be a career criminal after this.

Then I again I don't think I want to deal with the super powered people chasing me down. At least until I could hold my own, but that is what I can assume off of my power gains so far, which may be a long way off. Speaking of power, I miss another chance at one.

Sighing to myself at how annoyed I am by not getting any direct combat related powers, I start looking around at the signs above each aisle hoping I could find a pharmacy and I get distracted by some vitamins in bottles on an end cap. Oh, and some body wash, conditioner, and shampoo. Don't mind if I do. Now back to the pharmacy where oh where are you at.

Ah, there you are! Spotting it all the way in the corner of the building near the front entrance with metal shutters lowered down to the ground locked in place. No wonder it took me so long to find it, it was on the exact opposite side of the building from where I entered in from.

Well, I better get to cutting as I make my way over to it and look at the front windows to see if I have company like I did in the pawnshop. And this time I don't, thank goodness for that. Getting shot at and especially having a grenade nearly killing me had an effect on me. Grabbing one of the discs out of my pocket, part of it slides back and folds onto itself with the now familiar low buzzing noise of the saw whirring to life.

Putting it against the metal fence I get to cutting, far more efficient and faster than I was the other times. It doesn't take me long to cut through the shutters as I make steady progress. After a couple of minutes, a sizable portion of it falls in towards the pharmacy.

I now have a sizable hole big enough for me and a cart to push through it. I go through the hole pushing the decently filled shopping cart and start grabbing whatever I can get my hands on. I first start off with the large number of medications at the front of the pharmacy where you pick up prescriptions.

I then spend some time grabbing pain killers, cough syrup and all kinds of other things that I need to make the drugs and compounds that I now know how to make. Especially the addictol and stimpaks. Those two alone will prove their worth in gold without a shadow of a doubt in my mind.

Of course, I have had other ideas on what I could do with that and my newfound experience of doing surgeries with it. That will have to wait until I can fully go through with it once I have some established resources if I want to.

I will cross that bridge when I get there, for now I focus on the here and now. Which is me having finished filling up the cart and using the pharmacy employee door that the prescriptions are in to open my personal reality. Taking the cart, I shove it in then head in myself to make some room because I am going to need to get another shopping cart.

I hurry shoving the long blue carts with the stuff from the back further into the entry hallway placing them along the wall in a line with the shopping cart right behind them and head back out and grab another shopping cart. While I am heading back, I ponder if it's worth the effort to cut open the door to the pharmacy to get to the prescriptions.

After a few seconds of thought I decide not to since I don’t really need them, and it would take longer than I like especially when I could go for something such as where they keep the money which would be a better usage of my time in comparison.

I notice at the end of the registers is a door next to the clock out station. I remember picking up some of my friends when we were still in high school from work to go goof around before we grew apart. The few times I went in when they were late at the local grocery store, I remember them talking about where they usually take the money from the registers when they are done.

They would put it in a room behind a door next to the clock out station, right beside customer service where someone counts the money. I stop what I am doing with the cart and make a beeline for the customer service desk. What I ended up doing was wasting way too much time for my liking. Cutting around the handle of a wood door to get it open only to have to do that to one more time.

What took the longest of that time was not the doors. It was after I got into the main room and spotted the safe, I took a lot of time cutting into it. After I got the front cut off, I find a decent amount of money stored in it. Not overfilling per say, but a sizeable amount that will keep me afloat for maybe a few months if I am careful with my spending and depending how expensive living in this city is.

I head back out to the registers to grab a plastic bag to hold the money in as I head back to the safe and start filling the plastic bag after setting it on the ground since I can’t see crap when I am holding it with as many of the bundled dollar bills as I can get into it. Part of me doesn't want to take all the money from the safe feeling as if I am screwing someone over, but I crush that aberrant thought instantly. I doubt this store is hurting for money that badly.

As I am justifying what I am doing to myself, I am once more grabbing at a star only to lose my grip on it. This is getting old fast. I need something that can get people to back off. As I find myself thinking this, I remember I don't have time to pout. So, I go back to filling the bag with money.

Eventually I finish stuffing the bag with the money, having emptied the money of the safe and the bag is almost full. So, it's a decent amount sure but not as much as I would have liked. I then think if they have any atm's in here but stop myself. After seeing a digital clock on the wall, I take note that it's been another hour since I got in here and grabbed all that I could and especially ate up so much time for this safe.

It's debatable if it was worth it, but right now I need to get out of here. I run back to the back of the store taking the bag of money with me as I get to the door to the back area, I open my personal reality and put the bag in it quickly and shut the door and get out as quickly as I could. As I walk out of the store, I then realize they more than likely had cameras in that place. What if they saw me? Then I realize what exactly would they see?

A ghost or some invisible person breaks into the place and steals two long carts and a shopping cart of product from canned foods and drinks to off the shelf pharmacy drugs and vitamins along with an assortment of other products that is easily replaceable. The only thing even odder than that is the doorways I open up. Alright, what could they possibly do with that?

At that thought of self-assurance I continue on my way. I never saw a floral department and as much as I wanted to get some plants from there the gains I got from this spree of mine was enough for now. If I need plants for my alchemy, I can use the money I stole to get some from a flower shop or something.

I run from the store on my trek to find somewhere to sleep for the night. I keep running for a time once the gunfire I hear is at a decent distance from me, stopping at what I assume is a safe alley I take out the phone and see if I can find a cheap motel to stay at for the night. It doesn’t help with all the gunfire; it seems it's starting to spread further like a wildfire. That's not good.

Preferably one that is not close to this mess. I really want to get some sleep. I mean I am hungry and thirsty, but above all else I need to sleep after everything that has happened by this point with how exhausted my body feels right now. Though the big issue that I am seeing once I start getting more specific on what cheap motel I need, the distance I am going to have to run… Well, I better get moving.

And so, I spent the next two hours or so walking across Gotham while keeping aware of everything going on around me since I can still hear gunshots in the distance even as far as I have gotten. Initially I did run for some time about half an hour when I noticed that I was getting tired faster than I had before. I mean I could still run quite fast without stopping for a good amount of time but not like I could prior to this.

Once I noticed this, I noticed that my hands started to turn visible again. Well, that was nice while it lasted as my body slowly fades into view and I get a chance to view my clothes. I can now say with one hundred percent certainty that I got hit with shrapnel from that grenade as I look over my clothes. Little holes everywhere. Though I take notice that none of the holes seem to go near any major organs like around where my heart is.

You know I normally say my luck is rotten, but after seeing this I think I will take rotten luck in general if it means me living through things that would otherwise kill me. But as I am resting, I take notice of a somewhat large and clean reflective piece of glass near a dumpster. As I look myself over, I conclude that whatever force brought me here has a sense of humor and seems to take pleasure at my misfortune.

Because what I see looking back at me is not the face I remember seeing as I brushed my teeth before heading off to bed. This is not the 25-year-old man's face that I have grown so used to. This is the pale bean pole body of what I was when I was a teenager.

Somewhere around I think 16 since that was when I started growing my dark brown hair longer which the hair I am looking at is reaching my shoulders. My hair was cut to a buzzcut when I was 20, because long hair for any of my jobs wasn't allowed apparently. Even for a janitor, it looks 'unprofessional'.

And I have to do a double take at how horrible I look right now. My skin looks way to pale for its own good, which yeah, I played way too many games when I was this age, but it was that or find another way to blow off some steam once I got out of school. But it was the bags under my eyes and all the dirt and grime covering it is what gets my attention.

I looked wore out, and now that I have a chance to slow down, I feel it now. Adrenaline is one hell of a drug. Well, that and the potions, considering I wasn't feeling a thing all this time. Then I look over the rest of me, and yeah it wasn't good. Holes all over my clothes, a lot more than what I had initially seen.

And of course, this weird source of powers is at it again. I have information going across my mind, of how if I mess around with advanced technology, I can get a better understanding of it over a very long period of time. That and if I had access to magic, I could use it to imitate the technology in question.

Well, isn't that grand, I can emulate tech with magic, yet I have no magic. This really sucks, I mean sure I could understand tech better, but I would have to go and steal it while trying to not get shot at or beaten within an inch of my life. That is not worth the risk, I'd rather not get folded into a pretzel by Batman thank you very much, especially when my reward for trying to understand it would take a long ass time to get any reward out of it.

Back to looking at the evidence of me getting hit with shrapnel and ignoring the awful power I got and the burning in my chest at potentially failing at life because of such rotten luck. When I look at my shirt and pants there is blood on it. Lifting my shirt and pants leg partially, I see a decent amount of dried blood on my skin.

Wow, yeah no I can't say this enough, but if I had not taken the fortify health and regen potions, I would be dead without both. Now I am feeling a lot of regret at not looking to see if that grocery store had a floral department or not now. But it is what it is, and the clock was running on the chameleon wearing off along with everything else.

After looking myself over, I then consider something else. Because I seem to have been returned age wise to a teenager when I was out of shape with how skinny I am, I realize why certain things happened the way they did. Like how I would get exhausted so quickly even with the stamina boosting potion in me. That and Bill tackling me to the ground so easily. I wasn't in the greatest of shape at that time and weighed next to nothing.

Though I did have decent flexibility since I was able to lift my leg high enough to kick the door which I could not do that when I was 25 even if my life depended on it. And I have a big incentive to get stimpaks and especially some regen potions now. Despite looking like I did when I was 15 to 16, there was a difference I did notice. That difference was some muscle that I could see. It was enough for me to take notice of it, but not stick out too much either.

The regen potion was repairing my muscles and bones from not just the grenade going off but all the running I did. It combined with the fortify stamina and stamina regen were helping me get in better shape without me noticing. At my realization after all of that, I then realize my need for information on which version of DC Comics I'm in now that I have a moment to think.

Picking up the phone since I don't need to use it on the ground and try to find something that could give me a hint. And so, I stayed like this gathering what information I could for several minutes while catching my breath.

Alright, so from what I could gather the justice league got formed "unofficially" in February 2003 after an alien invasion happened. I say "unofficially" is because the league hasn't gone public with it. The public is aware of their alliance they have but they have not said anything on it. It's currently May of 2004 and I can't tell if this is a comic or one of the animated shows. I never really read the comics. I looked some stuff up on them but never got into them.

Now this sounds more like the Justice League cartoon I remember as a kid. But it's not that either. The attackers were not the Imperium I think they were called from the show. The only other shows I remember besides the Super Friends or whatever the old one was called that made Aquaman seem useless, was Young Justice.

And I doubt it's that since the events of that took place in 2010 I think? And I have no idea on the events that happened before the events of the show itself at all and what some of the stuff that happened during the show is a bit dodgy for me considering I watched it years ago. None of which helps me since for all I know the comics do the same thing.

Since I have proven myself clueless on which of the versions I am in, I should probably focus on what part of Gotham I am currently in. Which I was in such a hurry and panicking on me wasting time I didn't realize where I had started off at. I was in the Crime Alley area, I think. Then I moved through the Bowery since I am currently there now.

I can go back to realizing how screwed I was on where I ended up at. So, of all the places I got stuck in Gotham I had to be put in one of the shittiest parts if not the worst part of it. Unless you want to consider whatever hole the Joker currently lives in. I rather not deal with that.

Well, one thing that really doesn't help settle my nerves is when I look to see if they have dealt with any of the stuff from apocalypse or Darkseid. Nothing but stuff from the bible and other religions. Knowing that at any time Darkseid could show up and it will be the end of everything since no one seems to be aware of him, and I have no way at least to my knowledge to get the hell out of here.

I think that's enough phone time for me since I don’t want to make myself needlessly stress out, and as I look up, I notice that it's starting to get light out and I check the time on the phone.

As I check the time, I have knowledge poured into my mind on how to be incredibly fashionable? Are you kidding me? This is what my power gives me? How to be super fabulous! Well, if it helps me pick up hot women and relieve some stress with them, I will take it. As I go back to checking the time my other hand starts smoothing out parts of my clothing and fixing them in certain areas without me realizing once I look up at the mirror on how I look.

And I take back my sarcastic and caustic comments on this power. Despite looking slightly like a thug, I look good! I mean who would think that smoothing over some parts of my clothes, changing how I wear them on me slightly would have this big of an impact. The kicker is the holes and blood on my clothes are hidden a lot better somehow, if anyone is going to notice they would really have to look me over. Well, that will prove handy.

But back to checking the time, it is currently a quarter to seven in the morning. Yeah, depending on if whatever sent me here did it when I was in the middle of sleeping. If that is the case helps explain why I feel absolutely drained right now. Between that and just everything that has happened since I got here. Alright, well I better get back to walking my way to the cheap motel that is still some ways from me.

And so, I make my final trek for today, as I somehow failed to notice the sun rising. I guess I was too caught up in the moment to notice. I spent my time while walking to the motel keeping an ear out for anything that would be trouble. Such as the constant sounds of gunshots in the distance. Which was closer than I like it to be. It would seem that it is in fact spreading. Well that is just grand.

Noticing a few people are around this area, I keep an eye on the people in case they try to pull something. Which not going to lie, kind of weird seeing people out and about when a gang war is going down. Three guys that look barely into their teenage years break off from the wall of a building they were hanging out at as they see me and start following me. Just great, I have to deal with this now. So, I stop walking and turn to face them, knowing full well it's a very bad idea to turn your back on a potential attacker.

As soon as I am facing the guys, they stop moving. "Hey holmes, that is a really nice jacket. You mind letting me have it?" The one in the middle says with a cheery smile while having his hand in his pants pocket. I am pretty sure my knew power I just got is getting me into trouble. As I look them over quickly before I respond, taking note the other two don't seem to have any weapons on them while the middle one has something since they are not reaching for anything while he is.

Yeah no. I am not giving my jacket which is one of the few things I have left of my old life to this guy. "No." I respond back with a neutral tone of voice having had enough of all the crap I have dealt with since I got here. The guy's smile turns into a scowl while his two friends behind him tense up. Please just back off. I don't want to deal with this. Looks like a lot of the people around the area are now watching with interest on what is going to happen.

As I do a look around of the area without moving my head to keep the guy in my line of sight, he takes his hand out of his pocket and has a flip knife and pops the blade out. "Alright, I'm giving you one last chance. Give us the jacket and whatever you got in your pockets or else." He says to me with a growl. I immediately think to just kill them and call it a day with no small amount of venom directed at them. But I stop myself then and there. I don't want any more trouble when I could potentially avoid it.

As the guy gestures for his two friends to go to me, I pull out my pistol causing them all to freeze in their tracks with wide eyes as I point it at each of them forcing them to back up. "Drop the knife." I say to the leader. He does so immediately while he and his friends raise their hands where I can see them. They are sweating while staring at me with wide eyes.

"Are you going to kill us?" The one on the right asks me with a fearful tremor in his voice making the other two look at him.

Instead of answering his question, I respond back with something that I think unnerved the three of them. "Do you know what I have dealt with today?" At this question they all have confused looks, but before they can think to say something I continue venting all the frustration and anger I feel at what has happened to me since I was abducted from my home.

"I have been chased, shot at and blown up with a grenade." I state with such calmness you would think I was talking about the weather but that contradicted what I was feeling. The anger, and frustration burning in my chest that I have suppressed since the beginning, while I struggle to not pull the trigger on the gun, as everything I have dealt with and all I have felt is being directed at these three idiots.

I continue, ignoring the looks of fear and nervousness they have at seeing my grip on the gun tighten as my knuckles turn white. My power activates; however, I am far too distracted at the little bastards and my anger at everything that has happened. As memories of knowledge of how to design and modify weapons goes through my mind with lightning speed. I can see swords and knives to even guns of all kinds.

As nice as it is to have something to use for guns and other weapons, I could care less right now. "Of course, since I am still here and dealing with you three little fuckers, I think you can connect the dots of what happened to those people." I continue talking to the guys, all the while maintaining my calm tone of voice. Not just what I said but how I said it, I can see the realization dawn in their eyes at what I had just said and how it may very well be true.

"And if you don't believe me, take a good long look at my shirt and clothes." I tell them, and they do. And I can tell at the looks in their eyes they don't like what they see. They realize who they were messing with was the last person they should have ever tried to rob. I know they realize this because their breathing picks up, and they are now sweating bullets as they stare back into my eyes with pure fear.

I also take notice that the hustle and bustle of people out and about has died down, akin to all noise the wildlife makes in a forest going silent in the presence of a predator being around. I don't take my eyes off the three to see what everyone else is doing. As some time passes as they continue to look at me in a trance, I decide to break the tense silence.

"You and your friends here really screwed up." As I say this the one in the middle tenses up as he seems to contemplate fighting me or running, while the other two seem to resign themselves to dying as their bodies relax. I continue to struggle with my darker emotions to not shoot, as a dark part of me just keeps whispering to just do it. No one will do a thing; the police are preoccupied with the gang war.

And it's not like Batman will come out of nowhere to save these three when they have the rest of the city and all the villains in it to deal with. But as quickly as that cold and calculating voice speaks, I silence it. I get my anger and everything I am feeling right now in an iron grip. Reigning it all in, taking several deep breaths as I breathe in through my nose and out my mouth several times.

The one who started this all is still staring at me tense like a coiled spring ready to go in a moment's notice. However, I can tell he is well and truly afraid, his hands ever so slightly shaking. I then decide to end this before one of us does something we will regret. As the leader of their little group opens his mouth to say something to my statement, I cut him off.

"I want you three to leave. Start walking back, and I don't want to see you ever again." I catch the three of them completely off guard to what I just said as their faces show nothing but confusion. "And before you get any ideas, I know you just saw how tempted I was to shoot you three and be done with it. Do not make me regret this." I say going from a calm to cold tone of voice.

They don't relax fully but do as I say as they start backing up rapidly. Once they get far enough, they turn their backs to me and break into a full-on sprint as if the devil himself was coming for them. The instant they are out of my line of sight I quickly look around noticing all the people around the street I am on as they all stare at me, all manner of emotions showing on their faces. Some filled with interest, others indifferent to what is happening as they go about their lives to just plain fear by keeping their distance and walking away.

This place really is a hellhole if these people care so little about three kids nearly getting killed in front of them, what the hell is wrong with these people. Then again, I don't have much room to talk, I think to myself as I holster my pistol thankful I was able to get a grip on myself. As I start walking away from the apartments in the area, I think about what I just did. Or what I almost did, thinking to kill them as if they were nothing but a nuisance and a chore as my first thought. Like I was taking out trash to the curb.

Just like the state I entered when I killed those gangsters back when I got back out of the workshop. The messed-up thing about is I don’t feel anything that most people describe when they kill someone else even in self-defense. Nothing. I don’t what to make of that. I mean it’s not like I am a monster considering I could have just shot those three kids and moved on, yet I didn’t.

I guess Furgus was right about what he said to me all those years ago. About how some people just don’t feel anything to stuff of that nature, and they are just naturally good at it. At the time I thought he was full of crap on that, but now that I am looking at what I have done I realize now how right he was.

And to be honest, it’s best for me not to dwell on such thoughts as to why I don’t feel anything about what I did because if anything that way leads to madness and not to mention me being this way may very well save my life in this place. That and this isn’t the time or place to have introspective thoughts.

Dropping that train of thought for the time being, especially since I still need to figure out what I am going to do once I have everything sorted out and situated such as a place to sleep and feel safe. With that settled, I start moving further down the street.

As I make a few steps I find myself am grabbing for another star and I managed to keep it in my grip as flows into me. Knowledge fills my mind on how I can efficiently and skillfully clean my knives and weapons in general along with my tools to do so. Once I am back after processing what I had gained I stop in my tracks as I take notice of how dry and parched my throat is, and my stomach growling.

As much as I want to get some sleep and just find somewhere to relax at, I need to eat and drink something in case I don't get another chance. I know finding a safe place to go to sleep is important, but I can't put off not getting something to eat and drink anymore. Especially after this long odyssey I have found myself on. Foregoing a bed and some sleep won't kill me to get a little food and something to drink to hold me over until I can find one.

I think to open my personal reality but stop myself, thinking how bad of an idea that would be. When I don't have a safe place to do so without someone getting curious and checking it out as I get a drink and something to eat is just asking for trouble. Then I will have to find something to eat around here somewhere. I get back to walking not wanting to be a sitting duck for someone as I wander with the phone out and looking for any nearby places that serve cheap food.

Keeping an eye on the map I have pulled up on the phone while keeping an eye out on the people around me in case someone else wants to pull something. Most of them seem content to give me some distance as they saw what I did a moment ago. Though one person seems to get my attention, a girl looking about the same age as those boys. She is Asian looking, with shoulder length black hair that looks somewhat shaggy.

As I keep walking, she is all the while staring right at me, she doesn't move to follow me which makes me feel tense. I make sure to take note of her face and what she is wearing in case she causes me trouble later. She is wearing a green t-shirt and black form fitting jean shorts.

I eventually look away when she makes no attempt to follow me or cause trouble. I round a corner and look back, feeling as if I am still being watched. I start walking faster while keeping my empty hand in my pocket in case I need to get one of the other discs out. Nothing happens as I make my way to the crappy rundown looking restaurant that the sign in front says, 'Tony's Burger Emporium', I give whoever Tony is some credit.

Not a bad name to give his building. But then again, the standards I have are not too high when I just robbed a grocery store with the most generic name ever. Honestly, it's sad when you think about how little they must care for not trying to come up with a good name. I feel some relief at nothing going wrong as I make my way into the building as a bell above the door goes off.

"Just a moment and I will be right with you!" a woman's voice calls out from behind the counter as I go to take a booth that could shield me from someone walking into the building in case they try to cause trouble I can either run away or fight. I make a mental map of all the emergency exits that I can see, the door I just entered in through and a fire escape behind the counter. That and the window that is covered by some posters and advertisements blocking me from outside view. If I really need to, I can just smash the window and jump through it.

As I wait for someone to come and take my order, I hear the bell of the door chime as it opens. As the person gets near as I am checking out the rest of the store, I notice it's the same girl that was staring holes into me before. She moves closer to the booth I am sitting in as she sits across from me all the while I am still staring at her, I keep one hand hidden down below the table and have it resting on my gun while the other is still on the table.

"Leave." I say to her, however she doesn't make any attempt to do so. I don't want to cause a scene especially if I shoot a girl barely into her teens so instead of the gun, I take the only disc I have used and quickly stand up and point it at her making her stop and look at me in confusion. The look melts off her face as she sees the saw blade come out of it and start spinning.

What catches me off guard instead of backing off or being intimidated, she just looks at me and asks, "Who do you work for? And are they hiring by any chance?"

As I am trying to figure out what the fuck is wrong with this chick, I am failing to grab another star. Not now damnit. "What?" I ask completely surprised at just what the actual fuck is going on.

"You might want to put that away, unless you want someone to see you threatening a thirteen-year-old girl with a weapon like that." she states calmly to me. Realizing she has a point since whoever is in the back will be here at any moment. Shutting the saw down and putting it back in my pocket I sit down in my seat opposite of the girl.

As I continue to stare her down completely confused by what is even happening. "My name is Jade by the way. And you still haven't answered my questions." Still baffled at this girl and wondering if her mother dropped her on her head, I take a moment to respond.

"Daniel. And I have no idea what you are talking about." I sternly respond.

She gives me a knowing smile, "Sure you don't, just as I am most certainly not looking for not so legal work. So?" As I am thinking once more about what is wrong with this place and the people who live here.

As I begin thinking of just getting up and leaving, a menu is placed on the table in front of us as I am startled by the waitress right next to us. As she gives me a look, particularly eyeing my clothes as she seems to linger on them. "Relax, so long as you don't cause any trouble you are fine." She says to me in a reassuring manner.

"Here are your menus.” She says as she places to menus on the table in front of us. “And what would you two like to drink?"

"I will take some Pepsi." She says while I am still processing what is wrong with this girl and just what the hell is going on here.

"What about you?" the waitress asks me.

"Lemonade. I will have some lemonade." I finally say as I am trying to figure out what is even happening at this point.

"Alright, I will be back with your drinks in a moment and when I get back just let me know what you both want to eat off the menus." She says as she walks back behind the counter to the back.

"You still haven't answered me. And don't play dumb, I saw what you did with those three and I see the state of your clothes." Jade says to me, having an expectant look about her.

"I don't work for anyone," She sighs but before she can say anything I continue, "In fact, like you I am looking for work. I guess you could say I am new in town."

This gets her interest. "Really? I am surprised someone like yourself is struggling to find work in Gotham no less." She says, catching me off guard as I give her a confused look. At the look I give her she chuckles, "So you're telling the truth on being new at least. That disc you had on you, you made that right?" at her question I don’t give any kind of response, though this doesn’t seem to bother her.

"Why are you so fixated on thinking that I work for someone?" I try to change the subject of the conversation away from what I can do. I don’t like the idea of people learning of what I can do, especially if they learn that I can get more knowledge and potentially powers out of whatever this is. If they learn of that, I don’t even want to think about what would happen to me.

"Because I saw how you handled yourself with those three, I also see that you are able to hide things like the holes and blood on your clothes in plain sight in front of everyone. Not very many people can do that, especially when it's all over you." Before I can say anything, she continues.

"Look, if you can't tell me who you work for that's fine, and I get you not wanting to say anything about the gear you have on you. I could work out a deal with you at least to get some of that equipment like that disc you have." She asks me while relinquishing on figuring out who I 'work' for and finding out who made this stuff.

"That's if that is not the only thing whoever made this stuff can do?" This gets my attention.

"No, it's not.” This gets her attention more so, but before she says anything I continue realizing I may have an opportunity to make something of this. I mean the fact she didn’t bat an eye at the saw pointed in her direction in comparison to the three guys with the gun says something. So, I am going to take what I can get by this point if it will help me get ahead in this place.

“Look, I think you and I can help each other out." I say to her really getting her interest. As time goes by, I discuss a proposal with her on what I can do for her, and what she can do for me.

Perks gained:

-Crystal Mechanics (Final Fantasy Type 0) (100CP)
The Byakko Crystal's blessing revolves around the synthesis and comprehension of technology using magic. After all, sufficiently advanced technology is no different from magic. You can understand the workings of advanced technology after tinkering around with it a bit. You can also replicate technology you see by using magic, but until you've attempted it countless times, the end product always seems to feel a bit...lesser in comparison to the original.

-My Fashion Sense is Tingling (The World Ends With You) (50CP)
You have an impeccable sense of fashion. You can make an appealing outfit out of just about anything. In addition, you will always have an innate knowledge of what is fashionable in the area wherever you go, allowing you to remain on top of your game no matter where you are. In fact, you'll usually be a trendsetter.

Weapon Modifications (Archer) (100CP)
You design and modify weapons with flair, creativity, and skill.

-The Honed Edge (Pocky & Rocky) (100CP)
With just a bit of time and polish you can restore any blade to its true sharpness, as if it were just crafted. Rust and tarnish to away with ease as well. Your tools and weapons are always in the best shape. SOME effort does need to be put into this care of course.