Stories from RhyDin & The Rings

he first time I ever used my powers to hurt someone, accidental or not, I was 5.

I had been feeling this weird tingling running down my arms and into my hands and fingers for a few weeks now, coupled with strange crackling static noises. I slowly began noticing that electronics would glitch when I was nearby and I started shocking random objects and people as I ran chasing my older brothers through Dockside. Ma had once explained to me that one?s personal electromagnetic field can disrupt a lot of things, so none of these things were particularly out of the ordinary when living in a house full of electrokinetics. However, I didn?t tell anyone that they continued happening when I was by myself.

It was a normal summer afternoon, cloudy out and slightly humid, as I hunted my brothers out through the winding maze of the Marketplace.

Ma and avia were doing their usual shopping while we were up to our typical kid mischief. Our favorite game was tag, and as usual, I was it first. Near a small cafe, I covered my eyes and began counting. With a belt of laughter, I heard the boys scramble off noisily before they faded into the thrum of the Marketplace?s heartbeat. ?One, two, three,? I began counting, peeking between my fingertips to see which way they went before continuing, ?Four, five, six, seven, eight, nine..TEN! Ready or not, here I cooome!? I yelled in a singsongy voice.

I bolted down the road I saw them escaping through, moving away from the heavy throng of the Marketplace. Ma warned us not to stray too far away, but we rarely heeded her directions. I had been running for a few minutes before I felt for them by sensing their unique bioelectric fields, zigging and zagging through the awkwardly assembled buildings. I finally caught up with them and saw Orion?s bright blue hair and beige shirt tails disappearing around the corner of the next building. I bolted down the alleyway, the tingling sensation beginning in my fingertips as I surged with adrenaline. Having been so focused on finding my brothers, I had not been paying attention to any other living beings in the vicinity.

A man sheathed in shadows stepped from an alcove, blocking my path. I had no time to skid to a stop, barrelling straight into his torso and bouncing backwards onto my butt. ?Ow!? I cried, my tailbone bruised and my hands scraped and bleeding from the cobblestones. ?What have we here?? he sneered with a dulcet falsetto that was as smooth as honey, lowering to his hind haunches. His hand, or rather claw, extended to lift my chin up for further inspection of the small girl.

Through a tangle of green hair, I looked up at the man I had run into. He was bigger than a house, he was so huge, and I could have sworn I saw horns protruding from beneath his hood. His face was still shadowed, but I had a feeling I didn?t want to know what it looked like. Cowering at his feet, I shook and tried to keep my green eyes downcast. Casually, he looked around the empty street, daring someone to come out and claim me. Seconds dragged by like an eternity before her looked back down at me and tsked, extending a hand to assist (more like drag like a ragdoll) me to my feet. ?Seems you?re all alone, little girl, no one to save you here?? The hood drew closer, his hot breath sticky against my ear as I stood at his mercy, ?I will have you for myself, my precious little slave.?

I cannot recall exactly what happened in that moment as I was consumed by my sheer terror of this man. No, he can?t take me from my family! I thought to myself. I tried wrenching my hand out of his grasp, but he held fast, his other reaching into his long, dark robe to brandish a shining golden collar. It glittered briefly in my peripheral before being joined by a bright bolt of electricity that lit up the dimly lit area.

The slaver fell to the ground writhing in pain and screaming in a language I was unfamiliar with; the golden collar lay open beside him. I was in shock, unable to talk or move while gaping at his wound. A grotesque burn remained where I had instinctively sent an electric bolt into his hand. The skin looked decayed, both ashen and a yellow pus-filled circle ringed by red around his palm. A mottled with a mixture of black and bruises scorched up his arm, revealing layers of dermis and muscle that had virtually exploded from a fourth degree burn.

Making the mistake of taking in a deep breath, the cloying smell of charred flesh invaded my nostrils. Gagging, I fell to my hands and knees and heaved up all of ma?s breakfast. The slaver, still thrashing on the ground and cursing while trying to figure out how to deal with his wound, reached for me. Startled, I stumbled back to my already cut hands, scrambling like a crab until I hit the rough, firm surface of a wall. Then, I opened my mouth. I screamed and screamed and screamed until someone arrived to help.

I still wake up from nightmares about it.

Avia and avus both exclaimed that it was the first time they had ever seen an elemental's powers manifest so early, it usually didn't begin until 10 or even until the teenage years for some.

Needless to say, I began my weekly training the very next day.

Ma found me before bedtime, pulling me into her bosom for a light squeeze. I trembled in her embrace and saw the sadness flickering in her smile before she could suppress it.

"We'll start easy, okay Andy? Just lay down and close your eyes..." she began, laying me down and stretching coltish limbs out. "I want you to try and feel the electricity inside you. Wiggle your fingers and toes, visualize the power going to them."

It was scary how easy I was able to feel the power come to me. I gasped, opening my eyes in a flash of terror to find my mother's own shock briefly mirrored as she felt the rippling charge of power. Pretending to not be surprised, she easily relaxed her features and admonished me before continuing, "Close your eyes Andy! Now... Raise your hands and try to arch the charge between your fingertips. Don't be alarmed if you begin to get a numb feeling in your fingers, that?s perfectly normal I promise."

I relaxed easily at her calm demeanor and admonishment, a smile twitching at the corners of my mouth. Closing my eyes again, I raised both hands over my midsection, visualizing in my mind's eye that I wanted the charges to touch. Ma gasped, clapping her hands together amid an excited girlish titter. "Oh, Andy.. You're amazing," she awed, her voice low and full of admiration. I peeked open an eye and saw tears glistening on her face. Following her gaze to the point of marvel, I sucked in a breath, too, mesmerized.

This continued on for the next few nights before she suggested trying an electro-ball. Unfortunately, my nights had been plagued by nightmares of what I had done and I was scared to do anything other than call to my power.

"But what if I hurt you, ma..." I asked in a quiet voice from where I was hunched in the corner of my bed, safely tucked into the space where the walls intersected. My mother laughed. I loved her laugh. It was full and rich and came from deep in her belly.

"Sweetling, have you forgotten I'm the same" she replied sweetly, easily forming an electric snowball. "This is all you're doing. We're not throwing it at anyone, no harm is intended. I promise." I promise... Famous last words.

Instead, I steeled a deep breath and tried to mimic my mom. Closing my eyes, I tried to center the current of power into a ball in front of me. Nothing happened. Twice more I tried, but the power just crackled before fizzling out.

"Pretend you're making a snowball," my mother suggested, her voice whispery in the background of my concentration. Swirling my hands around, I felt the electricity beginning to pulsate in my palms. Peeking open an eye, I saw a small crackling orb suspended between my hands. I grinned, feeling triumphant, and began bouncing the ball from hand to hand.

Ma clapped her hands excitedly, barely able to contain her enthusiasm. "Oh, Andy," she crooned breathily and I looked up to see her proud smile. I smiled, too, giddy with the rush of what I accomplished. Ma called for the rest of the family who quickly came pouring in to watch my trick. I threw the ball to avus, my grandpa, who caught it easily and added two more balls to the mix and began to juggle.

I erupted into laughter, my fear of such power momentarily forgotten.

Andy was thrilled to see the VIP tickets that came with her pre-order of the High & Lows albums and she immediately texted Magnolia, forewarning her to be ready for a night of fun. Magnolia was two years older and she picked Andy up the night of the party She also managed to make the green-haired girl feel like she was under dressed.

"Wow, you look great," she mumbled, messing with her gloves nervously. Mag flashed an award-winning smile and winked. "C'mon, let's get a few drinks in you and then you'll be feeling really good."

She was still feeling feeble until they pulled up to the Dockside Baronial Manor. Except it was a colorfully strobing warehouse with Gothic accents. "Woah, this is awesome!" she grinned, practically jumping out of the vehicle. If she wasn't showing her inexperienced youth, she certainly was after they entered. With saucer-sized eyes she soaked in the decor, pleased by the layout and the crowd. Helping herself to some hors d'oeuvres, they passed through the gothic dinner party, grabbed drinks from the bar, twirled through the fog-filled dance floor, and sailed into the VIP section to see what was up. Also to hopefully find a stash to leave Misery's gift with the hopes maybe one day she'll remember her and she could score some backstage access! She'll keep dreaming on that one.

Magnolia made sure she had several of each drink (um, hello, they were free!) in addition to the food she was happily consuming. Loosening up, the girls danced together, and with plenty of others, making new friends and hoping to see the main events up close to fangirl and gush about how much they loved their album and them. These were her idols, so it was like a dream come true for Andy. She may or may not have found herself involved in a contest to see how TRASHed she could get with the specialty shot of their namesake against a few other partygoers.

If anyone got close enough to brush against her, they most likely experienced a little more static electricity than they were used to experiencing.

Completely obliterated and with swag bags in hand, perhaps some new friends' made and their numbers stored in their phones, the girls stumbled out of the party to hail a Nexus ride back home. They'd get the car tomorrow, after suffering through a terribad hangover.

Andy:


Magnolia:


Gift for Misery:

Andy rolled up solo, her usual partner in crime out gallivanting with the newest flavor of the week. She basked in the gentle purring of her newest acquisition for a moment before shutting it off and swinging her leg over to stand. Giving a cursory look around, she picked up her towel from the seat and sauntered straight for the festivities. Or more accurately, straight for a sweet spot on the beach that provided an ample view of all the delicious nearly naked people. It wasn't until she ate her fill and consumed two rounds of each drink that she decided to join in the games was a good idea. Boozy sways and shrieks of laughter all night evening until she finally collapsed back on her towel to enjoy the light show.

She even snoozed away after before sleepily riding home.

Andy had her hair up in a messy bun as she strolled around town on her bike, her hands covered by what looked a lot like biker gloves. It was by pure accident that she found herself joining the TRASHing party in Dockside, the raucous sounds of music and a good time. It was funny how much she'd change since turning 18, coming out of her shell and partying it up. She mingled, danced like crazy, indulged in a little bit of everything and perhaps a little too much alcohol as she was puking her face off by the time she made her wobbly, none-too-straight bike ride back home.

She probably should not have come, but it was worth lying about.

After biking away from the house, she pedaled for the New Haven Manor just shortly after noon. Politely, she parked her bike off to the side and left it leaning against a tree. The black tee was pulled off and stuffed into the basket of the bike, revealing a red and white polka dot swimsuit. Keeping her sandals and jean shorts on, she slung a black towel around her shoulders and started for the manor. She easily fell in a few steps behind a group of 6 or 7, appearing to be in with them, but anyone with a keen eye would note otherwise. Aside from the green hair, the fact she was wearing gloves was probably memorable, but this was Rhy'din so it wasn't exactly weird, right?

Truthfully, she knew absolutely no one, and that was just fine with her. Andy fit just right in, joining a group for Cornhole. While she very studiously avoided the pool area herself, it's very possible she hip-checked Lyall as he studied one of the pools, hopefully managing to cause him a good splash into the chlorine infested waters. She cackled at the splash, turning her head to look over her shoulder and smile wickedly. Then she was off, hopefully getting as far away from the pool as possible before anyone could retaliate. She nibbled on meaty food from the feast, enjoying the ribs the most and even tempted fate by taking an offered Badsider. Grimacing, she lifted it for a sip, and was quite surprised to find out she actually enjoyed it. "Not bad," Andy commented, nodding her head in approval. At some point she made thanks to the gracious host, trying to remain as nondescript as possible in case anyone found out about her outing.

Before the sun began it's descent into the horizon, she left as inconspicuously as she arrived (with a rubber duck in tow, so maybe not so suave) so that she could meet her unfortunate curfew.

Andromeda spent a larger portion of her morning than she cared to admit figuring out how to design a new logo and update their ad in Rhy'din News classifieds without short-circuiting the entire network.

RL&P - The Power to Make it Happen

Celebrating 100 years powering Rhy'din with all-inclusive power source and fixtures-
Family owned, family operated, with YOUR family in mind!

RL&P, founded a hundred years ago, is a full service electrical contracting firm specializing in the installation and maintenance of electrical systems for Commercial, Industrial, Governmental, Institutional Facilities and Residential Homes throughout Rhy?din City and surrounding areas as well as the only provider of independent power source.

Please contact us today for a competitive quote for your next project!

(( Logo designed by Designmantic.com; I do not own the copyright to this logo ))