strawberry fields

penny macallister - 20 - plant manipulation

[greatresponsibility-a]

As big and fancy and beautiful as it was, Anderson Tower was confining. It was all corridors and training rooms and reminders of new-found responsibility. It was a hundred-or-so-story, multi-billion-dollar monument to the freak Noah was, to the shit he’d gone through to get there. 

Everywhere he looked, he saw Natalie. He saw her in the coffee tables, the giant windows, the training dummies. He was here, being a quote-unquote hero, and she was six feet under in suburban Massachusetts. Tonight, like most nights, he needed to get out, needed to get away from it all. Noah didn’t know Metro City well enough to go out on his own yet; he’d probably get lost or mugged or something. So he made his way to the roof, wandering through the little door and out onto the massive concrete expanse.

The world was big up here, and Metro City so small down below them. Even some stars dared to shine–just a few, brave enough to work through the lights of the city underneath. They weren’t bothered by the goings-on of such little people. 

Maybe Natalie was up there with them.

Noah reached in his pocket for a cigarette. There was no smoking in the Tower; he knew it was an awful habit, but he could heal anything instantly, surely a smoke was justified. He dared it to hurt him.

Lighting it up, he saw the lone figure across the way. Penny.

“Oh, God, no,” he said, sitting down next to her. “It’s just me.”

[pottedpenny-blog]

“Just you,” She repeated, the hint of a laugh in her voice.  “Basically the opposite of an authority figure, huh?”  Satisfied with knowing Noah wouldn’t tell on her for her slightly illegal activities, Penny lifted her pipe to her lips once more, this time actually lighting its contents.  A few hits later, she glanced at him again.  Without thinking twice, she unwrapped the blanket that was draped across her shoulders, flinging it across Noah’s back so that they could share.

“You looked cold,” was all she could offer as an excuse.  And that was partially the reason, but mostly, she thought he looked sad.  A blanket was the best way she could think to offer some form of comfort to him, other than a hug, but she figured a hug would scare him away sooner than it would help him.

On second thought, a blanket was the second best way.

“Do you wanna smoke about it?” she asked, pulling her bag of weed from the pile of blankets and dangling it beside him.  “Free of charge.  I don’t really wanna be high alone.” An excuse, yeah, but it wasn’t total bullshit—smoking was always more fun with friends.  “Don’t feel like you have to say yes, though.  This is a peer-pressure-free zone, right?” She nudged his shoulder with her own.  “But it’s here if you want it.”

[eagleevan-blog]

Evan had been at the EPTP for quite some time, and he’d grown rather fond of a few hideouts around the place. A few years were enough to pick out all of the best ones. Not only did Evan clearly have no fear of heights, but it was a great place to get a view of the stars. Space was one of Evan’s favorite things, and he couldn’t think of anywhere better than the roof to see it and all of its wonders.

One of Evan’s favorite things about the roof was that he felt he had no reason to hide. The shadows were his favorite place, but on the roof they were hardly necessary. In fact, on the roof he almost wished that he could use his wings and get some control over them there. But it was nice to know that there was control when he most needed it, even if sometimes he didn’t really want it. All he could think was that it was nice no one else ever went up there.

He was wrong, it seemed. Evan’s heart seemed to speed up its beating. “Um, no, not really.” The boy stuffed his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “Just looking for somewhere to hang out. But um, I’ll leave you be, you were here first.”

[pottedpenny-blog]

“Not really?  Does that mean you’re sort of an authority figure?” Penny teased with a Cheshire Cat grin, tilting her head to the side.  “Nah, it’s okay.  You can hang out here all you want, I don’t mind.  As long as you don’t rat me out to Mr. Amazing for lighting up on his roof, that is.”  On queue, she took a hit from her pipe, holding the smoke in her lungs for a moment before breathing it out again.

“Anyway, I like the company.  That is, if you don’t mind keeping me company—which, if you do, I understand, because I can be pretty annoying.  But I’m willing to share blankets and weed, if that entices you.” She offered, lighting the bowl once again before turning her gaze back to the sky stretching out above her.

She sat for a moment like that before she spoke again. “If you don’t mind me asking, what are you doing on the roof?  I didn’t think anyone else knew how to get up here, to be honest.” She flicked her eyes back to him curiously.

[pottedpenny-blog]

From the first time she stumbled up there, Penny considered the roof of Anderson Tower to be her own secret hideout.  In actuality, the roof wasn’t a hideout, nor was it necessarily secret, it was merely difficult to get to unless you were pretty dedicated to finding it.  On nights when she couldn’t sleep, she would find her way to the ladder in the back stairwell and climb up through the little door, lay out some blankets and look at the stars in a place that was so high up the light pollution couldn’t quite reach.  It wasn’t a perfect view, but it was as good as she could get in Metro City.

Sitting atop a pile of blankets with yet another blanket draped around her shoulders, Penny was crouched over, looking at her lap.  Perched on one leg sat her favorite glass pipe, which she was packing with a bag of her best weed.  Her iPhone, lost somewhere in the mess of blankets she brought, was softly playing “The Joker” by Steve Miller Band; sure, it wasn’t vinyl, but she didn’t think she could drag her record player up the ladder.  She hummed along peacefully, bobbing her head to the beat as she continued her process.  Once she was satisfied, she picked up the bowl and her lighter, bringing it to her lips.  However, just before she lit it, she paused—did she just hear something?

Lowering the bowl, she glanced over her shoulder, eyes wide.  She quickly relaxed, however, upon seeing who it was.  “Oh,” She smiled gently.  “I thought you were some sort of authority figure or something.”

[moonandtldes-blog]

“Do you?” He extended his pinky finger out, his eyebrows slightly raised in an attempt at a grave expression. The hint of a smile playing on his lips made act non-credible, yet he carried on. “Pinky swear, stamp, print, sign and all?” The combination of words was probably gibberish for most, including the girl, yet he pronounced it anyway. “Okay,” he agreed, his smile ever present.  “So. Considering we just gave each other monumental favours,” he was kidding, although mostly about his own, “does that mean i get a name?”

[pottedpenny-blog]

“I do.” She replied, taking his pinky with her own.  “Now it’s bound forever, and if I ever break my promise, you have permission to kill me.” She joked, not even trying to keep the smile off her face.  “Fuck!  I completely forgot about names.  God, you know what would be funny as fuck?  We could try to guess each other’s names.  No, wait, that’s a bad idea, I’m bad at guessing things.  It’s Penny.  Mine, not yours.  Obviously.”

[felixchens-blog]

  “An all-powerful pot grower can’t roll?” he laughed, incredulous. “Sure, deal. I’m not bad these days.” He’s been smoking it since he was in his teens, he should be.

[pottedpenny-blog]

“Of course I can roll.” She threw a hand over her heart, acting hurt.  “I just wanted to work out a little deal, so you didn’t feel indebted to me.  Besides, rolling takes too much fuckin’ effort.”

[greatresponsibility-a]

He watches her throw down the magazine, sliding his feet out of the way so as not to be hit. With his powers dampened, he’s not healing as fast as usual, and stands   at risk of a paper cut. Or a bruise. Or what- ever dumb injury magazines could give.

“Mr. Grumpy, eh?” He smirks. She isn’t wrong. “He usually enjoys be- ing a reckless bastard with no regard for personal safety. But,” he points towards his wrist, “I’m not healing too great today.”

[pottedpenny-blog]

“A fitting nickname, wouldn’t ya say?” She voiced innocently, but she couldn’t keep the shit-eating grin off her face.  “Welcome to the painful world of us mortals.  Just because you have to heal at a normal rate doesn’t mean you can’t be a reckless bastard.  It just means you have to be a careful reckless bastard.  That is, have a fabulous friend along for the ride to gently nudge you in the right direction.” She smiled broadly.  “That’s me.  I’m the fabulous friend.”

[freddiecarcosc-deactivated20160]

“It’ll backfire at some point,” they said in almost jovial reassurance. The thought of all of this blatant advertising bringing the fires of hell down around their heads was amusing. “It might get a bunch of attention, but that means eventually, some of it will be unwanted. Hopefully none of the big guns are comfortable up there.” Not that Freddie themselves was excited about having to deal with the mess the EPTP would cause - because, of course, it would come down to the budding heroes and their training to save the day. “Really? You might be able to make a forest overgrow to the point of destroying cities or something.”

[pottedpenny-blog]

“Well, they’ve gotta learn some way, right?  Although I can’t say I’m really looking forward to it, because I’m sure we’ll get the worst of the negative attention, being the faces of the EPTP and all.”  Penny said with a sigh.  “Okay, I guess you’re right about that.  But I don’t think I’m really at that level yet.  Like, I can hardly grow a cactus, let alone an entire forest.  Of course, cactuses are particularly difficult...” She trailed off.  “But, that’s not the point.  What I mean to say is, if I wanted to overthrow the EPTP, I’d probably go to training a bit more.”

[lolaoconnor-deactivated20170102]

Carolena grinned at the older girl, swinging their joined hands. “I’m happy to have your official seal of approval. Not sure when I would get around to having an actual high from my own body, but you’re the first person I’ll go to.”

[pottedpenny-blog]

“Well, whenever you feel like it, you know where to find me.” She winked, then laughed.  “Until then, I suppose listening in on my thoughts’ll suffice.  Though, I don’t know how well it works with the wristbands and all.”

[emerie-ducain-blog]

Emerie stayed silent for a moment, fighting the urge to say right the moment it had been suggested. She did miss exploring–missed running and weaving and just moving freely. “And what exactly am I joining?” she asked, playing dumb, though a small curve of a grin was inching its way across her lips.

[pottedpenny-blog]

“Oh, I don’t know.  There are endless possibilities.  First on the agenda is finding a good hiding spot, of course.” She decided.  “After that, I’m up for whatever.  We can smoke, if you want.  Or we can just chill.  Whatever you feel.” She paused, tilting her head. “So?  Are you in, or what?”

[felixchens-blog]

  “It’s not that I don’t appreciate Valentine’s cards from strangers…” His PO Box had contained a few dozen this morning, he’d read through maybe seven before he’d got bored. Decided to leave the rest as an ego boost for later. “But an actual Valentine would be nice… Surely somebody must enjoy my company.”

[pottedpenny-blog]

“Hey, let’s turn that frown upside down, yeah?  Tell you what; I’ll be your honorary Valentine.  We can cuddle and everything.” Penny offered with a grin.  “And then, we can attempt to blow heart-shaped smoke rings and raid the kitchen.  How does that sound?”

[bldymary]

“officially eighteen years old!! what did you get me?”

[pottedpenny-blog]

“Shit, happy birthday!  Full disclosure, I had no idea.  But, hey, adulthood!  Maybe I’ll just give you some money, so you can get a pack of cigs or some lottery tickets or something.  Either that, or I’ll grow you a flower.  Take your pick.”

[emerie-ducain-blog]

Frowning, Emerie continued her search through the cupboard, spitting out a curse when the contents of her search weren’t shelved with the other assortments of powders and drinks. “Ah, hell. Where is it.”

[pottedpenny-blog]

Penny, who had wandered out of her room in search of something greasy and fattening to eat, was surprised to find Emerie rifling through the drawers in search of something.  “Whatcha lookin’ for, homie?” She asked, hopping up on the countertop.

[pottedpenny-blog]

"You must be a garden, cause I'm digging you."

“If you’re a garden, I’m a garden.  I dig you, too.  11/10.”

[pottedpenny-blog]

i want to plant my seed inside u <3

“Clever.  I like it.  10/10.”

[pottedpenny-blog]

"Your father must be a drug dealer, cuz you dope!"

“Aw, how sweet!  Points for accuracy.”

[moonandtldes-blog]

“And how many secret keepers do you know?” he teased her again, his tone jokingly implying that she didn’t know many. A laugh bubbled out of his throat as soon as the words were said though, and Sean shook his head, grin still apparent. “I’m just messing with you, I’ll share my findings if I find any secret passages.” His mouth was left agape for a few short seconds before he finally replied: “Are you being serious right now? Dude.” A smile cracked his shocked expression. “Thanks, man! I’ll–” water your plants would have been a great way to finish that sentence, and the idea did cross the boy’s mind, but that was obviously not going to happen, “–owe you.”

[pottedpenny-blog]

“Okay, full disclosure, I don’t know that many secret keepers,” She confessed. “But thank you.  I won’t tell anyone, I pinky swear.” She laughed at his reaction.  “I’m totally serious!  I’m happy to share.  I think everyone should have some, if they want, you know?  And since you’re obviously not getting any around here any other way...” she trailed off with a shrug. “You don’t have to owe me, okay?  Besides, if you’re telling me about the secret passages, we can just call it even, right?”

[felixchens-blog]

  “What about both?” He eyed her, smiling. “Anyway, doesn’t one normally lead to the other?” He liked Penny, she made him laugh. “I’ll pay you back later if we smoke one now.”

[pottedpenny-blog]

“Hey, sounds good to me.  Naps and blunts are two of my favorite things.  But don’t worry about the money—I grow my own, and I’ve got plenty.  I’ll tell you what, we’ll call it even if you roll it for me.” She proposed, tilting her head.