{ earth destroyer }

twenty-seven || earthquake generation || park

[elizabethxzhang]

petermulligan​:

“A crack…” Peter trailed off, mulling over the idea as she answered. “So it’s a hole. A big ol’ hole.” He thought back to movies he’d seen recently, end of times type things that were really the same story over and over. “Does lava ever come out of them? Or is that fake movie mumbo jumbo and lava doesn’t really pop up out of the earth at random?” He mimed something popping up with his hand, pressing his fingertips together and pulling them apart as his hand moved upward. “Well sure, most powers here are really more dangerous than cool underneath it all. But you could put it back together if you broke it apart, right?”

“I suppose it could be described as a hole, yes. Not always circular though.” She explained, and then shrugged. She wasn’t used to being asked so many questions; her mind was already growing dizzy from them. “Ah--” She narrowed her eyes slightly and then let out a small giggle. “I’m not really sure. I haven’t encountered lava as of yet. But I also haven’t created a fissure that was extremely... deep.” She pressed her lips together into a thin line. “Yes and no. Just depends on the day.” She ran a hand through her hair and then tried to change the subject. “Enough about me. What’s your power?”

[elizabethxzhang]

petermulligan​:

Peter tilted his head, grinning, as she tried and failed to keep her laugh to herself. It faltered as she jerked slightly, leaving Peter wondering what he had said wrong or maybe, she felt something in the earth that he couldn’t. “I won’t pretend to know what an earth fissure is.” He shook his head, wishing he’d had his friend, the walking encyclopedia with him, “But it sounds cool. I’m sure it’s less cool than I’m thinking, but it sounds cool.”

--

“An earth fissure is...” Elizabeth pressed her lips together into a thin line, pondering on how to even explain it. “It’s pretty much just a chasm in the ground.” She motioned towards the floor. “A portion of separated earth, like a crack. But the ones I make tend to be... larger. Large enough for people to fall into them.” He had hoped that she explained well enough for him to understand. “I mean, more dangerous than cool but... I suppose it’s neat to those that aren’t used to that sort of thing.”

[elizabethxzhang]

petermulligan​:

“Yeah, you know…” He trailed off, miming the action of surfing with his arms and a wiggle at the waist.·“I’d say you’ve got a handle on it, that was a real gentle wave, you stopped it when I got in, beautiful.” Peter clicked his tongue and gave her a thumbs up.·“But you might be on to something with starting at the lake first. More water, less concrete.”

Elizabeth couldn’t help but smile as she watched him pretend he was surfing. She placed a hand over her mouth, trying to disguise her amusement but failing horribly at it. A small laugh escaped her lips. “I appreciate the compliment, I--” She jerked back slightly at his comment. Did he just call her beautiful? Or did he call the wave beautiful? Elizabeth turned slightly, shaking her head back and forth. You’re over analyzing a simple conversation, Eliza. She thought to herself as she turned back, noticing him giving her a thumbs up. “Less likely to make anything break and fall on top of people.” She muttered. “Although, still a chance to accidentally suck people into potential earth fissure’s I create.” Still dangerous.

[elizabethxzhang]

petermulligan​:

Sure, Peter could exercise his power at work. There certainly was enough equipment for him to battle through and plenty of people willing to spar with him considering he never lost as long as they didn’t use their own power - which he loudly considered to be cheating. Training wasn’t mandatory in Park, more of a guideline than an actual rule, but Peter liked wandering into the gym about twice a week to try a new fighting style he found himself able to pick up after watching a single video. 

He was doing just that as he walked in, head down and eyes trained on his phone, headphones securely in his ears. Peter didn’t even realize there was another person in the gym until the floor started to shift, rolling like a wave beneath his feet. He looked up, bewildered, though his hard glance softened as he set eyes on a woman near the center of the gym. He pulled the headphones from his ears as she opened his mouth the speak, offering a genial smile and half wave, “All good, no worse than surfing. Kind of cool, actually. You could open a surfing attraction down at the pool.”

“A surfing attraction?” Elizabeth asked, having never thought of such a thing before. “I suppose I could. Just have to make sure I control my power.” She shrugged her shoulders. Thankfully, she could stop her power whenever it got too out of hand but she had never practiced it around water. “It might be better if I start off at the lake first. I wouldn’t want to ruin the pool.”

[elizabethxzhang]

Living in Grimstone Park only created more need for Elizabeth to master her power. She, of course, was no where near mastering it, but it no longer had a hold on her like it used to. She was happy that she was no longer causing random earthquakes when she was emotional, but not wanting to slip back into that uncontrollable madness is what drove her to train every single week, sometimes even multiple times a week. It wasn’t mandatory in Grimstone Park, but it was in her mind. 

Elizabeth shuffled her feet on the ground, creating a wide, even, stance as she used her power to cause vibrations to radiate through the ground. It wasn’t enough to cause the ground to shift and break, but it was enough to cause whoever wasn’t ready a bit of a balance check. She hummed to herself, letting the energy from the earth fill her body as she turned and began walking, trying to control the earth to the point that the vibrations would focus more around her and not in the whole facility. 

Her eyes flickered towards someone walking into the facility and she quickly dropped to the ground. She placed her hands on the floor, using her energy to will the earth to stop shaking. Her breath was coming in pants now as she flicked her head up and smiled at the person in front of her. “Hope I didn’t give you too much of a ride there.” 

[elizabethxzhang]

the-one-and-the-same‌:

“And you don’t, it’s one of the things that’s sets me apart from her” Gabriella she was meaning. “I look after our appearance, she does not.” She reinforced. “I know what fun is and that’s not it, that’s called asking for whiplash.” Valentina idea of fun was shopping, partying. “We have different views as to what classes as loving”

Elizabeth opened her mouth and then closed it. “Her?” She glanced around, wondering if the girl meant anyone else around them. “Who are you talking about?” She turned back towards the girl, Elizabeth’s eyebrows furrowing in confusion. “Come on, just try it. You may change your mind after.”

[elizabethxzhang]

bianca--ortiz‌:

Once a year the government liked to pretend that Grimstone Point and Grimstone Park were like any other towns in the world, but that was the farthest thing from the truth. Bianca wondered if they did this for their amusement if this was like their version of The Hunger Games, granted there were no brutal murders during this week, but she was sure that the government did watch their every move. “Next” those words pulled her out of her thoughts and the raven-haired girl looked up. “Just one to bungee jump.” She said to the person in the ticketing booth. 

“Are you gonna jump to or are you here just making fun of the faces that those that jump make?” She asked the person next to her. 

“I’m jumping with you, of course.” Elizabeth said with a smile as she nudged Bianca in the shoulder. “I wouldn’t let my best friend go alone.” She reassured the other as she glanced towards the person running the ride. “We’d like to go together.” She insisted, giving the ticketing booth employee one of her sweet smiles. “Bungee jumping with my best friend is on my bucket list.” She looked her arm into Bianca’s. It wasn’t, really, but she would enjoy it anyway.

[the-one-and-the-same]

How did she get down here again? However it was, she is stood in front of the  Tilt-a-whirl arms on her hip “If we go on there my hair gonna get ruined, can’t you find another ride.” she said nodding towards a different ride, Valentina was not going to ruin her hair for anyone. 

[elizabethxzhang]

“Why are you so worried about your hair getting ruined?” Elizabeth asked the girl, eyeing her closely. “It’s called having fun. You know how to do that, right?” She challenged the other as she stepped towards the Tilt-a-whirl. “You’ll never really live if you are always worried about ruining your precious hair.”

[elizabethxzhang]

How scared of your power are you? How far do you think you've come in your journey of learning to control it?

I’m not as scared as I used to be. With some help from friends, I’ve learned how to control it better. Eli and Joseph have helped me a lot. Bianca has also went out of her way to help me feel more comfortable. I think I’ve come pretty far. I used to isolate myself and force myself to be calm all the time. Now, I’m able to show more emotions without causing an earthquake and I can drink without worrying that the alcohol is going to affect my power. It’s baby steps, but I’m proud of myself! @eli-mako @bianca--ortiz @josephxfender

[elizabethxzhang]

@sheslight​

Elizabeth needed to get out of her house and what better to do that with a friend? She quickly texted Crystal and asked her to meet her at the club. She needed a fun night away from everything. Away from her thoughts. Away from isolating herself. It was easier said than done, of course, but she was determined. 

“I wasn’t sure where we should hang out so I picked here!” Elizabeth shouted over the music as she saw Crystal. “And I’ll pay for drinks.” She said with a smile. “I just can’t get too drunk, okay? Wouldn’t want this place to crumble to the ground due to an earthquake.”

[elizabethxzhang]

harleyhidalgo‌:

“And why would she do that?” Harley asked, brows slightly furrowed but his interest was definitely piqued. He had definitely been avoiding his roommate, so Bianca certainly wouldn’t have had the chance to put him up to anything, but he wondered why the female felt that he’d have needed to be put up to it. “That sounds sweet, but sure thing. Pineapple upside down cake martini, on the rocks, for this lovely lady please!” He exclaimed to the bartender, still nursing his own drink. “Haven’t seen you for a while, Elizabeth, how you been?”

“She always says I need to get out more.” Elizabeth said and then shrugged her shoulders. She hoped Bianca would be proud of her once she realized that Elizabeth was doing just that. Normally, she wouldn’t even go drinking. At least, not drinking heavily. But today, she was feeling confident. She could handle a few drinks without it causing her power to screw up. “It is sweet. Just the way I like it.” Elizabeth offered Harley a grin. “I’ve been okay. Trying to control my power, like always. Not much else has changed, really.”

“What about you, Harley? How have you been?”

[harleyhidalgo]

Harley was at the bar (again), sitting and enjoying his drink as he looked around the place. He was unsure if he was looking for someone he recognised, or looking to avoid people he knew. Things had been rough, the past week or so, and just so fucking confusing that he felt he needed to just have a good night out getting absolutely shit-faced. His friends wouldn’t agree with his coping mechanism, he was sure, but he couldn’t care less at the moment. He smirked as the other moved towards the bar, taking a mouthful of his drink before turning to them, “What’re you having? I’ll buy.” He spoke, a slight slur to his words. He wasn’t drunk yet, but he was certainly tipsy.

[elizabethxzhang]

“You’ll buy?” Elizabeth asked, her eyebrows raising slightly as she glanced towards Harley. “Did Bianca put you up to this?” The girl was always trying to get Elizabeth out more and if she didn’t have to pay for her drinks then she was definitely more willing to go out. “I’d like a pineapple upside down cake martini on the rocks.” 

[elizabethxzhang]

eli-mako‌:

The earth had stopped shaking, which Elijah was thankful for. The last thing he wanted for Elizabeth was another bad memory of her power. Her power was such a destructive one, but it she could control it, it could be wonderful. Though truth be told, Eli felt a little bit sad for her that she would not gain the control that he had. Their powers were two different branches of the same tree, but different enough. “Yeah, that makes sense. I imagine there’s more energy needed to stop that.” In that regard, Newton’s first law of motion played a part for both of them. “Oh yeah, tons of times. Not always earthquakes and definitely not as powerful as yours. But when I’m mad or upset, it can get a life of its own. I’ve made buildings collapse.” It wasn’t his finest moment, hardly anyone knew what kind of damage he had caused in the past. He’d rather have people thinking he was a weak and insecure kid than a guy who had accidentally killed people. “Earth is powerful force, isn’t it?” He smiled weakly.

Elizabeth knew that even though Eli had a little more control over his power than she did, she was still happy she had him. He was the one person that she genuinely felt like could relate to her. She didn’t want anyone’s pity. She didn’t want anyone to coddle her, really. All she wanted was some kind of understanding and it seemed like Eli was giving her that. “Just a little bit.” She said with a small smile. Causing an earthquake was easy but stopping it was like trying to stop a high speed train. Almost impossible for her. 

“Really?” She asked, her voice sounding hopeful. If he had done these things, things that may not be as bad as her but similar, and came out on the other side, then that meant she could as well. Right? She let out a breath, not realizing that she suddenly felt relieved to know this about Eli. “I’m just glad I’m not the only one.” She said, her smile sad as she looked at him. “It is. Unfortunately for us.” She couldn’t help but giggle at it. She felt better knowing that she wasn’t alone. “Thank you, Eli. I know just talking might not seem like much but, it’s helped.” 

[elizabethxzhang]

eli-mako‌:

Eli felt an overwhelming wave of guilt for not being able to help her like he wanted. Where was Ian when you needed him? He probably knew how to help her, he always knew that sort of stuff. He agreed with her on that water and fire were different, but he also agreed with himself that everything has a natural opposite effect. He saw the dirt on her fingers. With a subtle motion he levitated the small amount of dirt right off her fingers and kept it levitating for a while. “I can.” He replied to her comment that nothing could stop the earth. He let go of the dirt and returned it the earth. He could feel the vibrations starting, with her being the source. Elijah wasn’t the least bit worried, he had a power that could protect him from whatever was about to happen. He put his hand on hers. “It’s okay.” He said with a steady, calm voice. He tried to match the frequency of the vibrations that she caused and tried to copy her, only giving off the vibration that cancelled hers out. Hopefully that would counter the effects of the earthquake that was about to erupt.

Elizabeth watched as he used his power, rising the dirt from her fingers. A pang of jealousy shot through her chest as she watched it. She tried to become one with her power so bad, and to actually like it, but nothing she did seemed to be enough. 

She began thinking of the negation bracelets again. Maybe there was a way for her to get one? Then she wouldn’t have to worry about her emotions causing earthquakes. Her eyes flickered to look at Eli’s hand as he placed it over hers. As she focused on being calm again, the earth began to calm underneath them. She wasn’t sure if it was her or Eli that had stopped the vibrations, but she was happy to have him there anyway. “Thanks.” She said her eyes flickering up to meet his. “It’s not too hard for me to stop it when it first starts. But when it’s already a bit out of control...” She chewed on the inside of her cheek as she finally pulled her hands away from him and straightened her back. “Thankfully, there’s nothing that has caused such an earthquake recently.” Elizabeth pressed his lips together and then asked. “Have you ever caused an earthquake? Or... damage like one?”

[elizabethxzhang]

eli-mako‌:

The question left Eli at a loss for words. How did he not lose control? “I think.. my power is strength based, I need to embody stability. Those are not things I excel at. So even if I lost control, I wouldn’t be strong enough to actually do so much damage, I guess. I don’t know, it’s not helpful, is it?” He sighed. Eli didn’t want to say that he didn’t quite understood his power like she did. All he knew was that it sometimes felt very heavy to use it. “I guess our strength comes from different sources. Maybe someone whose power is also emotion-based, would be more helpful.. I’m sorry.” God, did he feel like shit now. Getting her hopes up and failing her.

He though for a moment. “Ian’s power is fire, right? If you used water or coldness, he wouldn’t be much of a threat anymore. If we could find out what stops you in your tracks, power-wise, we could use that in keeping your power contained.” It was an idea hanging together by a couple of threads, but it was a starting point. 

Elizabeth had always felt some jealousy towards Eli. He could manipulate the earth, not just generate earthquakes, and now she had one more thing to be jealous about. His power didn’t react like her’s. She found herself letting out a breath of disappointment but she forced a smile. “It’s fine.” Ian had already helped her in the past, she just hoped that Eli could give her more advice, being that they had similar powers. She knew she shouldn’t have put so much hope in the idea. 

“Fire and water are different, Eli.” Eliza said as she glanced downward at the ground. She moved her fingers in the grass, tugging at the blades and getting her fingers dirty. “Nothing stops Earth.” She could feel the earth calling to her, as if reassuring her. “At least, nothing that I’ve found." Her mind automatically went to the time when she was trapped in a force field and forced to use her power. To cause chaos and hurt people. Just like she had done as an infant. At the thought, the earth began vibrating beneath them. “Shit--” She bit down on her bottom lip and closed her eyes. “Sorry, sorry.” She said loudly as she dug her fingers into the ground, willing it to calm down. 

[elizabethxzhang]

eli-mako‌:

Eli pondered the question she asked. “I think it’s more of a risk that I’m not strong enough. I rarely lose control.” He noted, simulating the event in his mind. It was definitely not easy, Elizabeth packed a lot of power. Maybe more so than he could contain. But then again, what other option is there? “One way or another, in the long run it would be best if you controlled your power, right?”

“I’m not sure, but I would love to try.” Eli has always been fascinated with super powers and how they work, as evidenced by his love for superhero comic books. “That.. makes sense. To me.” He smiled. Connection to the earth was ever present in his mind. It was as if his senses were picking up so much, as if the earth was talking to him. So he definitely understood where she was coming from. “If we could figure out your weak spot, what would nullify or weaken your earthquake, we could use that. Right now I’m thinking that an isolated block of earth could stop the range from it becoming too massive.” Maybe. “What if I could push a boulder into the air, not connected to the earth. Maybe that would limit the damage.”

“Really?” Elizabeth asked as she looked at Eli closely. She wished she didn’t lose control. “How do you do it?” She asked, moving a little closer to him, intrigued and interested in hearing his tactics. “How do you not lose control?” She asked again. Surely, another person who had a similar power could give her some insight, right? “Of course. But my power is more tied to my emotions than anything.” If she knew how to separate the two, she would. She had made some progress over the years, but every time a huge event happened, she kept falling back. With the recent one being the sickness. 

“Weak spot?” She asked, pressing her lips together into a thin line. “What do you mean?” She was really trying to follow, but she couldn’t help but be confused by what he was saying. He was so smart. Elizabeth honestly felt dumb around him, not having thought about any of the things he had brought up in such a short amount of time. But she wanted to try. “I’ll try anything you suggest.” 

[elizabethxzhang]

eli-mako‌:

Those words certainly did rang true in Eli’s mind. “Don’t I know it.” He chuckled softly. Whether she wanted to talk about it or not, Eli was fine with either. Eli wasn’t much of a talker either, at least not about what was going on his own mind. Another thing that made Eliza and him alike. But when she spoke again, he knew there was something that was different between the two of them: Eli had a dark side that loved the chaos and destruction that came with his power. “I’m just saying.. if you need to release that pent-up energy, I could fix it for you. I could use the training, too.” He smiled weakly. God, how he wished he was strong, like his brother.

The first genuine smile broke and lightened up Eli’s face when he heard her speak of an idea that might be a big help to her. Usually, the knowledge gained in his physics study wasn’t something he could help others with, until now. “I mean, I can’t say for sure, but maybe if you can explain to me how your power exactly works, I can design something that would fit. I think rubber would be a great counter. It could be like… a sandbox, only the box is made out of thick rubber and it’s filled with earth. You could train your power and learn to use it properly, without destroying the entire lake.”

Elizabeth chewed on the inside of her cheek as she began thinking about his suggestion. Could he stop her earthquake from knocking down the buildings in town? Could he actually help her control it and keep it just around the two of them? Eliza wasn’t sure. She was too afraid to find out. “And what happens if we both lose control?” She found herself asking, her eyes flickering up to meet Eli’s. 

“You could design something for me?” She asked, now intrigued by the idea. “My power is the earth. There’s no... sound waves that come out of my hands or anything. It’s literally just... the earth calls, I make it shake and break. Fissures in the ground, forcing buildings to shift and fall because of the earth breaking underneath it.” She didn’t know how else to explain it. “I’m not sure if rubber could help me with any of that.” She’d like it to, but she was unsure.