Victor Artoras's Story

Amira ‘Red’ Devaroh


Amira was up by 5:35 am. Meditation passed the half an hour or so she had to kill. Even though she had been at camp for several years she did not leave the cabin until 6:00 am on the dot. Better to not piss off Jeremiah on the first day back. Dressed in black shorts, a white tank, and grey running shoes with her hair pulled up she headed out on her morning jog. She had been cutting out this path in the woods for three years now. She knew where every fallen log, every rocky ledge, and every vine infested part of the trail was. She could almost run her path with her eyes closed. She took deep even breaths as she picked up her pace, sweat beading on her forehead. She spotted her old cedar tree with a slight indent in the middle and grinned. This is where her trail got fun. About a year and a half back she had started picking up parkour...and now she incorporated it into her run every morning. She ran up the tree, using her momentum she pushed off the center indent and grabbed a branch, swung around twice Olympic style and landed on another branch. She felt it bow under her weight and sighed.

"Couldn't have gained that much..." She grumbled to herself as she shot forward jumping for another branch, then swinging from another. She loved her morning run and was fairly proud of her athletic abilities. After a half an hour of branch bouncing she landed lightly on the ground and continued on her run.

Amira only stopped her run for one thing, the relatively large creek a little further than halfway through her run. She paused long enough to wash herself down in the stream, braid her hair and catch her breath....and then she was off again. When she got to the end of her route, at the edge of camp, she started her cool down stretches.

Checking her watch she smiled. It was only 7:00 am. A new record for her.

Amira spotted Jeremiah and waved but didn't bother trying to make conversation. He was busy and she wasn't much of a talker in the morning...in her opinion, it would be a perfect world if everyone only hugged and drank coffee before 10:00 am.

Amira finished her stretches and went to her cabin. She changed into a black Godsmack v neck tee, a pair of skinny jeans and her wedge boots and headed to the kitchen. She liked to help out in making the food when she could.

"Hey guys" She called to the staff. She got a warm welcome back of hugs and pats on the back before she started making breakfast with the rest of the staff.

Jace was more than happy to help Amira with breakfast. When it was done, she settled down at a table with the others, drinking a glass of milk and eating eggs, sausages, bacon, and a slice of toast. She needed a lot of protein because of all the exercise she did and all the muscle she was building. She was quiet as the others ate. She didn't talk much, except for a good morning and hello.

She finished quickly and helped the kitchen once again. She has been at this camp for the longest time, so she knew these staff members really well. They were like her family, and it's where she spent most of her time. She smiled at Jer as he walked back into the cafeteria in jean, converse, and a t-shirt. The t-shirt was a little too small on him, as it was nice and tug over his bulging muscles.

Jer made his way back into the cafeteria, seeing as Ross was the only to get up and go to breakfast. He pulled on his shirt, feeling it was too tight. He needed to buy new shirts... He was working out to much.

He greeted Victor as he made his way towards the cafeteria, and as entered the building, he saw his sister was already done with her meal and in the kitchen helping the staff. He smiled at her, before grabbing breakfast himself and greeting the campers.

He saw Ross trip on his way in, and smiled. He patted his back gently before saying, "Mornings are rough, kid. I know." He turned to the others, "Good morning everyone." He made his way to Amira, greeting her with a warm smile. He was glad to have her around. She was so helpful with everything.

"Thank you for helping with the kitchen, Amira." He paused, talking a bite of his eggs. "How are you this morning? Ready to start combat training this morning?" Out of all the activities, combat training was Jer's favorite. He helped them with not only their hand-to-hand combat, but utilizing their powers in the combat. It was interesting to see what ways these kids could use their powers. They were so darn creative. It made Jer feel old, even though his was still in his 20s.

“Guess I’m either a glutton for punishment….or I've secretly become a bad ass ninja…you’ll just have to wait and see.” Amira said to him with a smirk and a giggle. Jeremiah rolled his eyes, knowing that she couldn't have improved so much that she could beat him, but her confidence was nice. He watched at Kitty and Amira spoke and watched as Gregory entered the scene.

“He really needs to lighten up…” Jeremiah turned to look at Amira, only to see her shake her head. He sighed, remembering other campers, like Amira, who came in just as he did. Distant and cold. Having powers can feel more of a burden than a gift, and Jeremiah knew that more than anyone. "He's just had a tough time, Amira...He'll come around."

“Hey Jeremiah I'll meet you at practice… I’m going to go check on Greg… he always seems to have so much on his mind…Maybe he just needs a shoulder?” She murmured as she started across the room. She turned back and grinned at him. Jeremiah nodded. He was going to do the same, but it's better if someone his age talked to him. “Don’t worry I’ll be there on time to kick your butt” she said with a flip of her bright red hair and a wink of her storm grey eyes. Jeremiah couldn't help but laugh.

He took in a deep breath as Victor walked over and started eating. CHe raised an eyebrow, watching him eat. "So, dude, do I really have to take my campers down for combat training? It'd be damn embarrassing for them to see me get picked up and thrown around like a rag doll man. I mean, come on; I've got no straight up hand-to-hand skill. It's all cloak and daggers and setting other people up to fail before they even get in the ring. You know that more than anyone else." Victor said between mouthfuls, jabbing his fork in Jeremiah's direction. "I guess pretty much all of my campers have a good amount of combat skill, and it's just me that has to skulk around and wait till things are unfair for the other person, but come on man. I'm all about mobility, not punching a dude's skeleton out of his body."

Jeremiah tilted his head, "Victor, you're over estimating these kids. That and you don't team them my kind of combat skills, You have your own style, and show them that. These kids are mostly teleporters like you. And if they fight like me, send them to my group. If they get out of control? Call me over. I'm here to help everyone, not just the campers." He patted Victor's back gently.

He sometimes felt bad for having beaten Victor as bad as he did. Jeremiah does not tolerate any criminal activity, and Victor was just on the wrong side of the law. Considering Victor's crimes were not as awful as other's maybe Jeremiah should have toned down the beating, but he can't go back in time to change that.

Jace looked up, hearing her name being called. "Hey Jace," A girl's voiced called out brightly, "What's up?" Jace turned to see that it was Kitty. She smiled wide in reply.

"Good morning!" She looked down at her soap covered hands and the back to Kitty. "I'm just helping my friends with the kitchen. Do you... want to help?" Jace held out a sponge for Kitty to take.

She looked into the cafeteria to see new kids had come in. James, Noah, Gregory... Jace went back to her dishes as she watched her older brother talk to Amira... She knew Amira liked her brother, and she hoped that Jeremiah would get the hint. She turned to Kitty. "Tell me honestly. Don't lie to me. What do you think of my brother?"

She wanted to know if Amira was the only one who liked Jer, or just everyone else was really good at hiding it. Jace put down the plate she was cleaning and turned off the facet, then turned to look Kitty dead in the eye.

Jer saw James walk in and sit by himself, and looking again, he saw Noah alone as well. Jeremiah smiled and patted Victor on the back and said, "Gotta go be camp head right now, so see you at training," before walking off. He walked to James, talking his plate form in front of him with one hand and grabbing his chair, with him on it, with the other hand.

He lifted the chair and set him down next to Noah. Jeremiah placed James' food on the table and then sat across from them. He smiled at them. "James, this is Noah. Noah, this is James. You both know me." He began to say. "I have watched the two of you for a while now, and you are both very quiet, but I feel like the two of you would make good friends."

Jeremiah looked at James specifically, being that Jer was his mentor. He really did feel that these two could be good friends. From what he knew of them anyway. He didn't want anyone suffering through this camp. It was supposed to be a relief from those who would mock them for their powers. These two kids were a little easier than Gregory. These two were just shy and quiet. Gregory is just completely distant and reserved. "What do you think, kids?"

Jace was surprised to see Victor come to talk to them... He usually stayed away from her, but she welcomed his greeting with a smile. "Ah! There you are, Jace. Just droppin' this stuff off. Oh, by the way, I don't think we're gonna spar with Jer's campers. Doesn't seem too fair, pitting the mobility type people against the strength ones. 'Sides, I've never had a fair fight in my life, and odds ain't lookin' so good for the rest of 'em to be fair either." She snickered at that. She new that teleporting was a cheap way of winning a fight, but to be honest, it takes a long time to get used to the power.

"Unfortunately," Kitty began, making Jace give her attention back to Kitty, "I don't think I've seen enough of him to give the most analyzed, correct opinion. Caidence is my mentor, and so I've never really gotten the chance to have a legitimate conversation with him..." Jace watched her placed the last of the dishes on top of a stack she had formed while they were there, and began shooting jets of air at each of the plates and utensils, blowing them dry. Jace jumped into help, handing her the dishes to be dried. "However, from what I've seen, I can tell that he cares about the welfare of those below him...as any good leader should."

She gave a gentle smile as she continued to clean. "He's a vigilante...He is a vigilante, right?"she asked Jace, glancing at her for a brief second. Jace nodded as Kitty continued to speak. "My mom being a crime-fighter herself, I know how busy and stressful it must be. Putting your life on the line every day to save people you don't even know..." She shook her head in amazement. Kitty was done drying the dishes and utensils, and was putting them back in the cabinets and drawers where they belonged. Jace watched her pause for a moment, before she continued on her way.

"The fact that your brother is taking the time out of his career to train people just like him is extremely generous...honorable, even..." Kitty said, turning around to face Jace, "So I guess because of that, it's safe to say that we need more Jeremiahs in this world."

She smiled at Jace for a few moments, and let the words she had said sink in. Jace was glad to hear such kind words of her brother. She had never actually thought of his brother in those terms of honorable and generous, but everyone saw him in a different light. Jace smiled as Kitty walked toward her. "So, if we're done or when we're done, I think I'm going to go outside and do some tree-climbing. I have to practice for...combat...Would you like to come with me?" she asked Jace with a smile, "I heard you're not so bad at climbing trees, yourself!"

Jace would have loved to go, but she knew that being late for combat training, even by a minute, would end badly with her brother. She bit her lip and shook her head. "I would really want to," She replied, shifting her wait side to side every few seconds, "but I really can't be late to combat practice. My brother would kill me... We can go later!" She said optimistically. "During lunch. We grab a quick bite to eat, and head out."

Jace started making her way out of the kitchen in a slow wobbly walk. She hoped that Kitty would follow and they would head to combat training together. "It'll be nice to go hang out with you."

"I don't know old man. But you can keep your condescending attitude and your hands to yourself next time." James said before storming off. Jeremiah heaved a heavy sigh. He fucked up again. He always did with making good first and just genereal impressions on others. He tried to help, but really sucked at it.

"I don't think that friendship's going to work out," Jeremiah looked up at Noah. "He doesn't seem too keen on the idea." Maybe he should start drinking coffee.... or some energy drink of some sort. He was going to need it later today. He was on a bad foot with James and Noah.

"And I'm not quiet, just tired. I'm still adjusting to the time difference," Noah continued. Oh yeah.... Jeremiah completely forgot that these kids came from different parts of America... and sometimes the world. "I'm sorry to have bothered you this early in the morning. Sometimes I forget that it's not my play to say who should and should not be friends." Jeremiah said before leaving the table without another word. Jer's only hope now was that James would not hold a grudge. Noah seemed a little softer and probably would not hold too big of a grudge, but James seemed incredibly upset.

Tip number one for dealing with James, do not force him into awkward situations.

He headed outside to prepare for training. He headed to the grassy plain, and saw Victor glancing at his phone. But he stopped, seeing bright red in the trees. It was Amira for sure. He jogged over, seeing her as she leaned against a tree. She seemed exhausted and worn out. Nothing like she was this morning.

He walked to her, tapped her shoulder and spoke softly. "Everything alright, Amira? Ar you okay to go to training or you need tot take a break?" Jeremiah was always sensitive around girls. He never new if they were on that time of the month or if it was something else. He learned through his sister that it was better to be safe than sorry.