Dr. Atlas Durham MD, PsyD

47 - Metahuman - Civilian Psychiatrist and Therapist - Fear Manipulation - RP Blog for WOTNAHQ

[atlasdurham]

candygraham​:

“They really are!  It’s a big part of why I want to go into medicine, besides the obvious, I mean,” she giggled, clearly referring to her abilities.  Though Candy supposed there were people out there who wouldn’t even both with the non-Meta education if they could already do what she did.  But she did whole heartedly agree with his statement, giving Mr. Astor a happy wave as he left the room.  “It’s part of why I’m thinking about specializing in emergency medicine.  Modern medicine can sometimes only do so much when it comes to saving lives, and if I can help … I’d very much like to.”  At Atlas’ question, she took a glance down at the clipboard and softly sighed.  “Room four, the patient is exhibiting flu-like symptoms and running a high temperature.  But there are enough inconsistent symptoms that I’m not sure it will be as simple as ordering a flu test.  And it’s unfortunately out of reach of my abilities.”

The sound of Candy giggling was infectious, causing Atlas's face to stretch into a small grin as he let out a chuckle.  "That is a very good point.  Though I'm glad that you're supplementing your abilities with more conventional knowledge."  The older meta couldn't help but chuckle at the idea of Candy stripping down to have sex with a trauma patient.  "That is a very lofty goal," Atlas remarked, clearing his throat and trying to shake off the mental image of Candy having sex.  It certainly wasn't appropriate to be thinking such things about his trainees.  "Probably not, but it can't hurt to run one anyway.  At the very least we can rule it out as a possibility and the test only takes a few minutes."  

[atlasdurham]

mysticscribe​:

Atlas’ confirmation brought a small smile to Kelli’s face. She knew it but it was still nice to hear him say it. “Thanks, I appreciate it.” She was certain had she brought such an idea up to some of the other heroes, Finn especially, they would have likely given her a smack for thinking something so stupid. “It’s gonna take some adjustments but I don’t plan on stopping just because my fire’s gone out for the time being.”

Atlas returned Kelli's smile before clasping and squeezing her shoulder warmly.  "Of course.  Such thoughts are to be expected, just know that they have no basis in reality.  You are a part of this team, powers or no."  His smile broadened at her statement, feeling a swell of pride at her resiliency.  "Good.  Just because your abilities are gone doesn't mean your skills are.  I'm sure if we all put our heads together we can come up with ways to try to replicate your powers with technology if that's something you would like to happen.  In the mean time," Atlas nodded at the punching bag she'd been wailing on before.  "You feel like helping this old man make sure his own skills are up to snuff so I can cover while you recover?"

[atlasdurham]

fallenxangelxjude​:

One brow rose at the glare, almost in a dare, but otherwise she didn’t verbally address his clear frustration at the initial line of conversation.  At the same time, she doubted she’d know Atlas as well as she did if she didn’t push him just as she just had.

 “Legality is not a measure of ethics, as Pansaw has learned in blood and death.  C.A.R.M.A.’s past antics were legal, but we both know they were far from ethical.  And if I should be caught … I have ways to escape, unidentified and safe.”  Jude sighed, shaking her head.  “Like I said, I have more to give.”  Though her gaze averted as she said it, sighing because as much as she hadn’t let the BDSM bit go, she doubted he would let this go.  “And because I don’t know them, and therefore don’t trust them to truly watch your back.  You deserve as much, even if you deny you need it.”

All Atlas could really do was just sigh and shake his head.  It wasn’t the first time that Jude had managed to wiggle information out of him about his personal life and past and he was sure that it wouldn’t be the last either.

“I’m well aware of the history of C.A.R.M.A. and meta rights both in Pansaw and the world at large.  Your powers might work on the people you can see but what about all the cameras and recording devices all over the city?”  Though she averted her gaze, Atlas continued to watch Jude, a small smile tugged up on the corner of his lips.  While she had been pushing to learn more about him, he was learning about her as well and that was a classic Jude comment.  “And what about your family if you get caught?  You have people in this city that rely on you and doing this could put them in danger.”

[atlasdurham]

mysticscribe​:

It stung to think that’s what people would see her as, though some part of her deep down thought she deserved it. Kelli hoped that that group would be in the minority, and that they wouldn’t misguidedly extend the ire to the rest of the heroes. “Um also, you know if you guys think it’d be better…not having me around any more…I understand. I don’t want you getting targeted because of me.” She doubted they would, especially after all the time the group had been together but the niggling fear was still there none the less.

Atlas looked at Kelli like she was speaking a foreign language before firmly shaking his head.  Not only was it not his place to try to remove one of the founding members, but it made more sense for her to stay with them.  "I cannot see anyone agreeing that that is the right course of action.  I know I certainly don't.  We're going to be targeted regardless because we're metas and because we put ourselves in between between those who would harm the innocent and those who are just trying to live their lives.  You're a part of us, whether or not you have your abilities."

[atlasdurham]

Atlas Durham || Future Event Bio

Age:  52

Status:  Metahuman

Affiliation:  Hero Squad

With the rise of HAMER and the increase in the number of attacks on metas Atlas has found himself taking on a more aggressive role as Deimos, leaning more heavily on his abilities to strip intel from the minds of any HAMER member he comes across

This increase in the use of his abilities does not sit well with Atlas and his oaths as a doctor, leading him to take on an ever increasing number of patients in his own practice and increasing the amount of time he spends volunteering at the clinic

With an ever increasing number of his teammates stepping back from their activities to protect their families, Atlas has stepped up to fill in those gaps, working himself to the bone to try to be there for those that depend on him and his abilities to protect not only his team but anyone that needs his help

[atlasdurham]

xastcriiax​:

Finn squinted and then smiled knowingly at the drink request. He nodded, turning to grab the bottle and a clean glass, pouring Atlas a drink. “Welcome to Pansaw,” he snorted, sliding the full glass over, “Where everything strange happens yet it never lasts forever.” He thought they should really put that in a brochure or something about their city for tourists. 

“Figured that one out the second you asked for the scotch,” he chuckled, refilling his shot glass and tossing it back with ease. Temporary or not, Finn was using it as an excuse to drink the stress away. “How was that waking up?” he asked with a sly grin. “Bet you learned a lot more about Jude than you wanted, huh?” 

Atlas accepted the offered drink, taking a long swallow from the glass before letting out a rather rueful laugh.  "You know, I expected some level of shenanigans and hijinks when I came out here.  You can't have this many metas together in one place without something happening, but this seems to be a bit excessive to me."

He smiled at Finn's comment, nodding his head.  "Should have known you'd know everyone's preferred drink," he mused.  Rolling his eyes, Atlas chuckled.  "It has been a very strange day all around.  She's always been very open about herself but this is a level of familiarity I did not expect."  Nodding at Finn’s own change, Atlas chuckled.  “How are you handling everything?”

[atlasdurham]

mysticscribe​:

Guns don’t have free will. Guns can’t make decisions. Guns don’t keep going for a while after their owner disappears, the skeptical thoughts argued in her head though she did her best to push them away. Kelli managed a small nod as she took Atlas’ words to heart. No mater what she did in the past, she had taken control of her own life and made something out of it. It would be hard but she would get through this too.

“Thanks….It’s…hard…talking about that stuff.” The only other people she had shared it with at this point were Finn and Hope. While not exactly the same Finn knew what it was like and Hope…it was hard to keep such things from your roommate when you were suffering from a terrible bout of insomnia and night terrors. “It feels petty to say but I’m worried what other people are going to think about me now. I didn’t choose to do this for fame and glory and what not, but I don’t want people seeing me as some meta supremist monster.”

Atlas nodded his head in agreement with Kelli, smiling when she was able to nod as well.  “I know it can’t be easy.  I’ve done some digging into what CARMA used to do to their meta agents, the techniques they used.  It… leaves people in a susceptible state and that kind of damage can and does linger for a long time.”  Atlas was not a vindictive kind of person but he had a special hatred for people that messed with the minds of others like that.  It was why he hid his own abilities from people, the fear that he could manipulate their minds through their fear.  “Some people might sure, but others will see the good that you’ve done since then.”

[atlasdurham]

candygraham​:

“Oh, it’s very much still like that, though I don’t seem to need as much caffeine as the other students.  Bodies are funny that way, aren’t they?”  There was no shock to the edible confession, seeing as she’d only just met Atlas.  Not to mention the medical benefits of marijuana had been well documented for years now; and she often found it did just the trick when it came to any test anxiety.  “Do you have any healing abilities, Dr. Durham?” came the query, though she was all business as they entered the patient’s room.  Candy took the offered clipboard, but positively started beaming at being told she had done a good job.  She had already known that, but to have it acknowledged by someone with a full medical degree was something else all together.  “I’d really like to think so.  I’m just really excited to learn how to heal in the regular way too!”  

"They really are," Atlas agreed with a chuckle.  "It's part of why I wanted to become a doctor, people are incredibly fascinating."  He didn't figure his revelation would surprise Candy, though he was sure some of his other acquaintances would be shocked.  Especially considering his personality now.  "No, not per se.  My only medical skills come from my schooling, not that there's anything wrong with having healing abilities especially when dealing with life-threatening injuries."  He couldn't help but smile when she started to beam at his praise.  It was nice to see someone take pride in their abilities.  Nodding his head as the patient left, Atlas turned to Candy.  "Of course.  Having a base knowledge of medicine will help make your abilities more efficient.  Or at least, that's my hypothesis.  Who's our next patient?"

[atlasdurham]

mysticscribe​:

“Thank you Atlas,” she smiled a little. “I mean as my teammate you at least deserve to know the story.” Kelli took a deep shaky breath, trying to put her thoughts into words. Where to even start?

“When I was still in CARMA I met this guy…Marshall….He worked as a scientist there but was also a meta….he…his powers were also fear manipulation.” It was a hard subject to bring up especially with Atlas. Although they were nothing alike Kelli couldn’t help but make the connection sometimes when she saw Atlas in action.

“Anyway he helped me escape CARMA and I don’t know why but we had this really fucked up relationship. I mean at the time I thought I loved him but he told me point blank multiple times he could and would kill me. How messed up am I that I stayed? That I thought I wanted that?” Kelli hadn’t shared this with anyone other than Finn and Hope and now that she was talking she couldn’t stop the words from spilling out. The dam she built to hold back all the thoughts and feelings for so long was finally broken. 

Along with the feelings came the inevitable tears that she didn’t even bother trying to hide anymore. “And…and then there was talk just like the Nephilim. Metas were better, it was our time, all that stuff…and I…I helped….Marshall and his friends they treated me like a weapon….They told me to burn something down and I did….they said to kill and I-I barely hesitated.”

Atlas nodded as Kelli started, staying quiet while she told her tale.  He tried to keep his face neutral, but when she revealed that the person who had led her astray could also manipulate and control other’s fear, he couldn't help the cringe that came over his features.  That was always his own fear about his ability, that it would corrupt him into someone he wasn’t.

When she started to cry, Atlas walked over and wrapped his arms around her.  Hearing her story brought to mind all the terrible things that his power could be used to do to people, particularly with his background.

When she finished he pulled back a little so that she could see the sincerity on his face.  "Kelli my dear, none of that is your fault.  CARMA twisted your mind with no regard for what the effects would be and this… Marshall continued what CARMA did so that they could use you.  You performed the actions, but he directed you.  We don't blame the gun for the person who decided to fire it."  Taking a breath, Atlas reached down to take her hands in his.  "The fact that you have done so much good with your life since then is a testament to your mental strength and fortitude.  You will get through this as well."

[atlasdurham]

[atlasdurham]

mysticscribe​:

Atlas’s response brought a tiny smile back to her face but it was gone in a heartbeat. “It’s not your fault,” Kelli insisted and turned back to the punching bag. “I know you would have if you could.” She didn’t blame anyone for what happened to her besides herself and the sick fucks that put the needle in her neck. 

Kelli looked ready to go another round with the bag before it seemed like her energy was sucked away and she looked back at Atlas. “Is it bad that if I could have picked I’d rather they just take my powers away? I fucking hate this but I’d rather that then have my whole shameful past laid out for the world to see.” For years she worked hard to try and move on from the part of her life between escaping CARMA and helping found the Heroes, but it always found a way to come back. “I know I can’t undo what I did but I was trying so hard to prove that’s not who I am anymore….I was trying to be better.” 

A sad smile crossed his face as he watched  Kelli, crossing the room and placing his hand on her shoulder when he saw her deflate.  He knew that the Hero Squad had formed from ex-CARMA meta agents that had gotten away from the brainwashing they had instilled.  "You have done better my dear.  Anyone who thinks differently has no idea the good you have done for this city.  I imagine the people riding in that railcar that you saved could care less about what you used to do."  He knew that she would need to talk about her past at some point, though he didn't know if she was willing to do so now.  "You know that I'm always available if you need someone to talk to.  I'll even wave my normal hourly rate," he teased, hoping to make her smile at least a little.

[atlasdurham]

mysticscribe​:

Clipped Wings

This was the most shitty situation Kelli had ever found herself in, and that included being stuck in CARMA and an abusive ex-boyfriend. Having her identity as Firehawk revealed to the whole fucking world was bad enough but to lose her powers too? To have them ripped away by some deranged human supremacists, it made her feel violated and furious. 

Since she got checked out by the medical professionals and informed multiple times, they had no idea how to get her powers back, Kelli had been hiding in the Heroes’ base. It was the one place she felt safe still. That didn’t keep the outside world from trying to find her though. 

While she tried taking out her aggression on one of the punching bags in the training area her phone almost continuously was ringing or notifying her of new messages, all from unknown numbers flooding her with even more questions that she neither wanted to face nor answer.

“Leave me the fuck alone!” she couldn’t help but shout as she threw her cellphone as hard as she possibly could against the nearest wall, causing it to shatter on impact and the cheerful tune to die. Kelli let out a small sigh of relief when silence filled the room before she noticed one of her teammates in the doorway. “Sorry….I didn’t mean you.”

@xastcriiax | @hoperamirez | @fallenxangelxjude | @ionicmurray | @atlasdurham | @storiesof-mnemosyne | @matty-chapman

Atlas had been in the crowd during the Madhouse tournament, assisting with the medical teams and treating those whose injuries didn't quite reach the level of needing meta healing.  When HAMER made its appearance, he had been backstage tending to one of the other fighters and not able to respond before Kelli had lost her powers.  There had been plenty of fear in the arena to power his abilities but he had held back out of concern for what would have happened had that many people been affected by his powers.

Walking back toward where he heard a phone ringing, Atlas pulled up short as he watched Kelli hurl her phone at the wall and put his hands up.  "I come in peace?"  He said softly, a sad sort of smile on his face.  "It's quite alright my dear, anger and frustration are very valid responses to what happened.  I'm sorry I wasn't able to help you."

[atlasdurham]

chainedbolts​:

Watching the psychologist jot down notes, it only now hit Zuri that she’d done it. She’d reached out for help and gotten some, even if she’d broken down like a waterfall mid-way through it - it was her first time getting actual clinical help for her issues and not just keeping them pent up in her chest. The stress and worry of everything had felt like a growing creature in her, almost cutting her open from the inside to get out, but already said creature was easing a bit. Maybe things weren’t going to be so hard after all.

Atlas’ words triggered something Zuri had learned about her own genes a long time ago: whenever someone had control over an element, it more than likely was balanced at either end. Which meant, in the man’s case… “You can increase them too,” she blurted out loud, reciting her own handwritten notes that she’d translated from the textbooks. “’Manipulation abilities exist on a spectrum, and most Metas are created in the middle - their powers reach out in either direction. One who can stir winds can likely also subdue them, and vice versa.’” She leaned forward, resting her cheeks in her palms. “It’s the only way I could remember some of the details about psionic powers for some old research projects. So I’m assuming that you could manipulate my fears to make them worse as well.”

Atlas' eyebrow rose at Zuri's blurted out statement, a rather stern look on his face.  There were a number of textbooks that claimed to be the end all be all about metas that didn't have the full picture considering the research on metas was constantly evolving.  Her final guess as to what his powers were only served to irritate him, especially considering it was very similar to the forced outings of bisexuality and homosexual people of the 1990s and early 2000s.

"I would suggest tempering such outbursts going forward," Atlas remarked, his voice just as even as it was before.  "A lot of modern textbooks claim to be the end all be all of meta physiology but the truth is the scientific community is not quite there yet.  I have met many metas who would prove that statement to be a lie."  Setting his pen aside, Atlas leaned back in his seat as he turned his attention back to Zuri.  "Regardless, we're here to figure out how best to help you, not talk about me and my personal life.  You have made good progress though, so be proud of yourself for that."

[atlasdurham]

xastcriiax​:

Finn had to do a double take when he saw Jude. Or at least, that’s who he initially assumed it was. Sure, that was Jude’s body sitting across from him, but she seemed to be acting slightly out of character from the way she dressed to the way she spoke. Yet it still seemed familiar. He squinted at his fellow vigilante over the rim of his shot glass while downing the liquid. “Have you seen the news?” he asked, grabbing a second shot glass and holding it up in offering if the other Meta would like to join him. “We’re living in fuckin’ Halloween Town where everything’s weird. But at least it’s temporary.” 

He tilted his head, arching a brow as he leaned forward against the bar counter. “You’re not actually Jude, are ya?” 

Atlas nodded his thanks at the offered drink.  "Thank you, though I'd prefer that nice single malt scotch tucked away behind the other bottles."  Scrubbing his face, he grunted as Jude’s hair fell in his face and he had to stop it back behind his ears again.  "No, I haven't actually seen anything about this yet, but that's good to hear.  Having all this weirdness be permanent would not be good in the slightest bit."

Huffing a little bit of a laugh, Atlas shook his head.  "No I'm not.  I would have said something earlier but my brain's a little rattled right now.  It's Atlas, Jude and I switched bodies."

[atlasdurham]

hoperamirez​:

“I’d say it’s a generational problem…but…” she shrugged completely forgetting that Atlas couldn’t see her at this moment. Almost before he had requested it, Hope sent the mapping through to his screen. She felt her own fear rise even though she was way too far away to be feeling the effects of his aura. She couldn’t place it until she realized the obvious and could have kicked herself. “Deimos, we won’t be in contact once you get down there. They have a closed system I can’t get into so I can’t watch on any camera system and comms will be sketchy at best.”

Hope did what she could on her end to delay law enforcement arrival. She rerouted trains, traffic lights, radio messages. Anything she could gain access to. “All I can do is give you time. I can’t stop them. Let’s see you move in that heavy ass armor.”

"I think this is the part where I'm supposed to make some snippy comment about you youngsters and some such nonsense like that, but I don't have one handy at the moment.  Apparently I'm failing as an old person," he tone was light as he joked, hoping that his own nonchalance about the situation would help ground Hope.  The last thing they needed was for either of them to start panicking.  "It'll be alright Mirror, this isn't my first rodeo.  We'll get through this."  Of course, they hadn't really trained for a situation like this before, but he wasn't going to say that out loud.

Watching the pathway appear on his visor, Atlas nodded, knowing all she would see was the screen shake.  "I know Mirror, but we need this intel.  You keep taking the pictures and let me know when they pull up.  I have an idea."

[atlasdurham]

ionicmurray​:

Did he actually want Atlas to be angry? Perhaps. There was something unnerving to Lachlan about the aura of calm that the younger man projected, and boy, wouldn’t Atlas have a field day psychoanalyzing that tidbit? He was wrapped up in that line of thought when Atlas mentioned containment vessels and it took a moment for the words to sink in. “Aye, that’ll do. It’ll cool eventually, but in the meantime I’d rather not add more to my repair bill.” He said, picking up the television as loosely as he could to avoid melting himself along with the rest. What he couldn’t figure right now was, did he just assume that Atlas could tell that something was up or did he actually want to talk to someone sound and solid like Atlas about what had caused it? Hmm. A repellant concept, but it was possible. With how scattered he felt, it was lucky that the lab was labeled well, otherwise he would have dropped the molten mess into someone’s experiment. As it was, he let the molten blob fall into the containment vessel with a wet sounding plop and sighed, staring into its depths. “I can’t bloody stand losing control like that. You talk about your parents talking with you about your abilities, but I didn’t…well, I didn’t have any. So my first inkling of ‘em was in burning down half the orphanage I lived in. Thought I was a freak ‘till I found someone else who could do similar stuff, but…” He shrugged, chewing at his lower lip as he let the lid of the vessel clank shut. “Long, long time ago. Things ended badly there.”

Atlas wasn’t a mind reader, but he’d been a psychiatrist long enough to recognize the signs of someone ruminating in their own mind about something.  He didn’t know Lachlan quite well enough to be able to pinpoint what it was he was thinking, but he was fairly sure it was something that would have landed him on Atlas’ couch.  Of course, that was probably because the vast majority of his teammates had issues that would land them on his couch, himself included.  “That’s understandable.  Wouldn’t want to wreck anything else by accident.”  Atlas remained quiet as Lachlan stared into the containment vessel, giving the man the time he needed to express his thoughts.  It was something he learned early on in his clinical, people often abhorred silence and would fill it themselves if given the opportunity.  Walking closer, Atlas reached out and placed a hand on the other man's shoulder, giving it a companionable squeeze.  "I understand your feelings.  I am constantly working to ensure my own worries aren't projected onto others thanks to my abilities.  While you may not have had parents to explain to you what was going on, you now have friends and teammates who are willing to help you.  You're not alone in your struggles my friend."

[atlasdurham]

fallenxangelxjude​:

“There, now that wasn’t so difficult, was it?” she teased with a soft chuckle, feeling almost a victory of sorts in the admission.  Though she did know it had been difficult for him, if only because he could be quite reserved when push came to shove.

It wasn’t until Atlas posed the question that she realized that it was precisely what she wanted to do.  As capable as she was certain his teammates were, she didn’t know them.  And therefore did not trust them to look after him, at least not in the way she thought he might need.  Those couple of years they’d spent working together had allowed them to get to know each other, and at least for Jude, care for her boss.  She’d never forgive herself if something happened to him, not when she had abilities of her own.  “Yes, I suppose it is.  I have more to give, and standing idly by has never quite been my forte.  Would they have me?”  Or more accurately, would he?  Could he accept her risking herself for the greater good, or to watch his back?

Atlas didn’t exactly growl at Jude, but he did glare at her a bit as he leaned back against his desk.  She knew how much he hated talking about his personal life, particularly when it came anything involving his sex life.

He sighed at her answer, cursing himself for even bringing up the idea of her joining the Hero Squad.  Sure she would probably have gotten to this point on her own eventually, but here he was making it happen that much sooner.  “I’m sure they would.  We are a rather small group, which is part of the point I’m sure.  Though my question is why?  Why involve yourself like this?  This is a dangerous life, not just because what I do is technically illegal.”