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[swordfucker]

Guren Ichinose | Red | #A5211F

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[swordfucker]

[Dave's a good kid. He's going to have to ask everyone where they heard of him from, now. It helps a lot.]

All of you newbies are really focused on strict rules like that. It's not that I don't understand. I'm a Lt. Colonel in the army back home. But the atmosphere is a little different here.

Those of us who agreed to form this have been here for about two months so far. Dangerous things kept happening, and as we all expressed a desire to want to protect each other, they came up with the idea of the defense force. I was nominated, and when no one else stepped up, I did. Most of them are kids, after all. 16 is the usual age.

It's meant to be its own classification. The defense force. We're all each other's family, and so an ability to work as a team is a must. Everyone involved has experience or abilities of their own in their respective worlds. I'm responsible for all of their lives by organizing this, so I'm not going to put anyone on the front lines if they only know how to organize projects. That said, I'm not going to refuse a person with an honest heart who wants to help but can't necessarily fight. If it's needed, I set up training or other tasks that they can help out with.

Abuse of position hasn't been an issue. If it becomes one, I'll deal with it quickly. We'll be having meetings every two months so everyone can speak their mind, and I'm going to be shifting teams that often, as well, depending on how things work. It relies a lot on trusting me, so I can get if you're not comfortable with that. The new people who arrived here don't know me at all, after all.

Does that cover enough, or do you have more questions?

[girod]

That does actually answer all of my questions. And I'm sorry if it sounded a bit like an interrogation. I've been in situations not entirely dissimilar from this before and I've seen things go very poorly.

That said, I would like to volunteer what assistance I can offer on that front, if your roster isn't full up at the moment.

[swordfucker]

I've had actual interrogations and I've had honest, cautious inquiring. Either is fine with me. Everyone who asks always says they've seen things turn out poorly. The bonds people form here with each other make things different. We're not a police force, or an army, even if I might compare it to one of those things for ease. We're a family.

The more people who show up here, the more we need helping out, so it can never be too full. But I'll have to ask you a few things now, since I never met you in person. What can you offer? Strengths? Any experience? If you don't feel comfortable being honest over a forum, even in private, we can meet up. Some people have asked for that, too.

[girod]

I would prefer to meet up, if you don't mind.

And yes, I'm familiar with that kind of organization. It's the one I trust most of all in situations like this. I'm glad it's the way people have chosen to band together.

[swordfucker]

Good. Alright, it saves me some time, too. How about by the forest near Ruga, in about an hour?

[girod]

That would be just fine. I'll be there, nearest to the town area for safety's sake.

[swordfucker]

[Guren decides that he'd rather have these newbies concerned about the forest even at the edge than tell them that it's safe to go in just a little. Even if going in just a little has been fine for the most part, he doesn't want to find out when it's not.

Guren doesn't feel like he needs to reply. He just heads to the meeting spot and waits, hands in the pockets of his uniform, eyes on the sky, bored.]

[girod]

[ Clark had thought of flying down, but he decides instead to walk out. So what Guren's going to see is a rather large, broadshouldered man in loose office clothing that give no indication of whether most of his size is weight or muscle. He's got his glasses on for the moment, cutting the blue of his eyes and his hair is a touch messy, as he usually is while in this persona.

He hasn't talked to Bruce about this, but he feels it's important. There's far too many kids here for him to play coy, for them to allow for games.
The person in charge here needs to know what he can do and factor them in if they're going to minimize casualties and harm done to the residents here. He won't sign up with a militia or a police force, but something like this...

This he can do.]

Guren?

[ He holds out a hand as he makes his way over. ]

Clark Kent.

[swordfucker]

That's me.

[Honestly, the guy could have shown up in a clown suit and Guren would have sighed in relief to see an adult. An adult buff(?) nerd in a suit is like hitting the jackpot. He doesn't really do handshakes all that often, but he can manage this much politeness for Clark, and takes his hand in a shake.

In his uniform, he's tall and confident looking, intimidating for the right people and just serious for anyone else. He's not quite as large looking as some people here, teens included, but he's got a katana at his waist that he clearly uses.]

Generally, everyone tells me what their capabilities and uses are, and I sort them into the right area to help out. If you have any questions about me, personally, you can ask them, too. I don't really hide anything, but I don't always bring it up, either.

[girod]

[ And this is his last chance to turn back, but he's already told Bruce what he thinks and it's his chance to take, when it comes right down to it. ]

All right. Well...

[ He's never done this, exactly. Just... explained. ]

Would you like experience as well or just abilities?

[ ...he's trying to be helpful.]

[swordfucker]

Both. It's usually easier to hear them together, so I can get an idea of what kind of world you come from and how your strengths apply, too.

[Simple, straightforward, so he's just watching Clark expectantly.]

[girod]

[ All right then. ]

I'll assume that many of the young people with 'Quirks' are a part of your force, given their education.

[ He waits a moment, but he will plunge ahead, just to get this done with. This is all very uncomfortable, after all. His identity is... incredibly important to keep secret for any number of reasons and while he knows the necessity of this situation, he can't help but also know the risk. ]

My world also has superheroes, people with abilities far beyond what most people can do, tasked with using their powers for the common good. We don't have a system quite as advanced as they do, given that our percentage of metahumans is astronomically lower. And we certainly have a higher number of baseline humans, those without special abilities in the traditional sense, who also serve the common good.

[ He bows his head the once before looking up again. ]

I'm one of the founding members, and one of the leaders, of the most well-recognized superhero organization in our world. My code name is Superman, as I keep my identity private to protect my loved ones and to allow me to have a normal life, so you can imagine why I wanted to meet privately.

I have great speed, great strength, the ability to fly and I'm nearly impervious to most harm. Even then, I heal with great speeds, especially if I have access to solar radiation. I don't need to eat or sleep or breath oxygen, necessarily, and I can fly through space without harm. I can see through solid objects, produce heat rays through my eyes, and my senses are extremely advanced. I can blow with the force of a tornado, or cool my breath to freeze things.

I've trained with a number of fighters to learn proper combat, and I have a great deal of experience with alternate worlds, time travel, mutants, aliens, robots, fairies, scientific experimentation, demons, gods, natural disasters, and just about anything in between. I have means to prevent mental manipulation as well as to prevent harm to my soul on the astral plane. I do have something of a weakness to magic, but it's nothing I haven't worked around before.

[ He scratches behind one ear and looks over at Guren. ]

And I think that's about it. I hope that was enough of a rundown for you?

[swordfucker]

[Oh jesus christ.

Well. It's not the first person who's come to him with a secret identity, even though hilariously, none of the hero kids had that. This, though. That's a large number of powers, and he doesn't know where to start verifying them. Normally, he'd ask to spar, but if everything he says is true, he'd have difficulty even with his demon. No, he'd probably lose...?

It's hard not to look a little stunned at all of that, but Guren wipes it away pretty quickly.]

That's a lot to take in. [Give him a second, he's repeating the abilities in his head. He's got ridiculous memory, thankfully...] First, you're not the first person who's expressed that they have a secret identity. I won't share something like that, but it's important to know your capabilities so that I can organize things properly. If you want, I can arrange for it to be kept a secret. "Clark" working inside the town, organizing with Akechi, and "Superman" helping on the frontlines. Something like that.

Secondly... Normally, I try to verify the abilities of someone strong, but that's a long list. Heat rays are a unique one, so can you show me that?

[girod]

[ He nods and goes to get a few leaves from one of the trees. He goes primarily for the ones that look mostly dead already, and especially if he can pick them off the ground, he does. Then he returns. He holds one up so Guren can see. ]

I have my Superman uniform with me and I'm used to playing dual roles, as you might imagine. I'm not sure how well it'll work in a community as small as this one, but the safety of my secret is not worth even one person here getting hurt when I could have helped. Or at least, that's how I feel about it.

[ He waves the leaf, since he'd gone off topic, before holdint it straight again. Then his eyes gain a red pinprick in the center and a tiny hole is burned in the leaf.]

I can do anything from surgery to-

[ He loosens his cuff, pushes his sleeve up, and holds up the rest of the leaves like a deck of cards. His eyes go red again and the entire sheaf of them burst into flame.]

To something less delicate.

[swordfucker]

[That's incredibly useful. Guren watches quietly, running everything through his mind. Someone like this... there's bound to be a huge weakness, something that makes all of those abilities balance out. But he doubts someone so strong would be willing to give that up, anyway. Guren also isn't sure he needs to know unless it's brought up by Clark, first. As long as they're all in a group, anyway, they can look out for each other.]

That's impressive. ["Superman" is right, he guesses. Is this guy really human? His hand rests on his own sword, and he looks back to Clark's face.]

If everything you're saying is true, then you won't feel this at all, but there's one more thing I want to try, just to see for myself. Is that fine?

[girod]

[ He looks at the blade for a moment before nodding, but he does hold up a finger. ]

Two things: I'd like to remove my shirt, if you don't mind, since I'd rather it wasn't damaged for no reason.

And for another, is that blade magical? It might have gotten lost in the rest, but my resilience is significantly less helpful against magic.

[ He offers a lopsided smile.]

I'd just rather not be run through, you understand.

[swordfucker]

[Oh my god, this man was about to let him cut him with a sword?? Guren feels bad.]

Ah, wait— I don't mean like that. It is magical, sort of. I don't want to cut you with it.

[He taps the handle with his hand again.] I've made a contract with the demon inside of this sword. It gives me more strength, and it's the only way to kill vampires in my world.

But by just releasing its aura, I can test the strength of someone's spirit. Someone with good psychic resistance won't feel a thing. Anyone else will feel an oppressive aura, but the strong-willed can keep standing through it, even without seals to block it. I've got a feeling it won't be a problem for you even if you are less resistant to magic.

[girod]

[ He considers that for a moment before nodding, ducking a little at the misunderstanding. ]

I've met a few people in similar situations.

[ Jason Blood comes to mind, as a matter of fact.]

But go ahead. I'm ready.

[swordfucker]

[At least he can trust a guy who's willing to take a blade from a stranger... But alright. He draws his blade, a black katana with a red stripe down the middle, and lets it touch the ground.]

Mahiru.

[It's an easy command, a call of someone's name. Then, black tendrils leak from all around Guren and his sword. They look a little like hair, it's kind of gross? Just like he said, anyone with high psychic resistance won't feel a thing. Otherwise, it's incredibly intimidating, like something squeezing at your heart... but those with strong will power and strength can stay standing through it without special seals.]

[girod]

[ Clark watches, curious, and lifts his head a little as he feels... something. He has resistance, but it's a conscious thing, a will he has to exert.]

Interesting.

[swordfucker]

Hah.

[Guren lets it last for another few seconds before he pulls his sword out of the ground and slides it away. It's only when it's completely sheathed that the blackness slips away.]

Did you feel a thing? [He had a student who didn't once, a rarity. And a few who were able to resist, also a rarity. But the people here, in this place... It was like almost all of them were rarities.]

[girod]

A pressure.

[ She has no problem admitting that.]

But nothing I couldn't handle easily, to be honest. If you increased the pressure, I might have to make some effort, but I think I'd be able to fight through it.

[swordfucker]

Most normal humans can't. It's just the feeling of a black demon series weapon. They're stronger than most demons.

[But, well, that gives him plenty of an idea.] Thanks for telling me everything that you did. If you don't mind waiting a little while for people to get settled in and for me to sort out strengths, I'll arrange for ways that you can help us out.

You'll be signed up as two separate people, if you're interested in that.

[girod]

I would be, if you don't mind.

And I'll let a few people I know from home know that your force is accomodating to people in our position.

[ He straightens his glasses.]

In the meantime, feel free to call me if you need anything.

[ A pause before- ]

From anywhere in the town, really. I'll hear you.

[swordfucker]

The more help I can get, the better. Especially now that more people arrived.

[There's people he knows from home? People like that, then? He's very interested, but he won't push. Something like a secret identity is more sensitive than that. Akira took time in coming to him with the same thing.

But wait—]

...Anywhere, really? Are you constantly filtering out everyone's conversations? [That's... suddenly awkward, and he imagines very difficult.]