Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Good morning, this is the PRT non-emergency hotline, my name is Maddie. Please be aware that this call may be recorded. How may I help you?

Yes, ello sorry to bover you I am an exchange stoodent at Brockton U for dis spring semestyr and I am also registered wizz, heu, the French Parayooman civil serviceez. I haven't managid to find any kind of, heu, form or document about registrashun or affiliashun or foreign exchange on you webseet. I'm not sure I've call the right number. Your webseet is very confusing. Maybe you can elp me or redirect my call pleese?

I'm sorry, sir, let me confirm I heard you right. You are a foreign national residing in the city and wish to enlist with the PRT?

Heu... Yes maybee? I am unsure how it works wizz you in the US. I aven’t find the form to declare myself. Yes, I am a parayooman and registered in France and now I am in Brockton for the soon five monfs. I don't know how I do?

Okay sir, let me redirect your call. Please hold.

Fank you very mootch.

...

(a few seconds of Vivaldi's Summer)

...

Good morning, this is the PRT non-emergency hotline, my name is Mary. Please be aware that this call may be recorded. How can I help?

Ello?

Hello sir you've reached the PRT. Non. Emergency. Hotline. May I ask what is this about?

OK sorry I was redirectid to yoo. I just finisht explaining to your colleague that I am looking for, to find a form on your Peeartee website for registering my service but I can't find it and it was the only number I found.

Er... sorry sir what kind of form are you looking for?

I am just arrived ehre by plane last week, I want to... signal myself for you to coll me if you need my help? I am a bit confused by how to do that here. I am fully registerayd back ome and I have a valid stoodent vizza because I'm an exchange stoodent at BeeYou but I don't know if my... heu... para-file? was transferid to you or not. I have all the justifications to fill the form againg but I can't find it. Please help me.

Er... Okay? Please hold a second-

(hey Maddie I have a guy, Mexican or something who keep asking about, like, a file and to enlist with us or something. D'you know anything about this?)
(Yeah the French guy? I switched him to you because I thought you'd like his cute accent.)
(Yeah maybe but I can't understand what he wants.)
(Didn't he tell you he wants to enlist or whatever?)
(Well I think he did?)
(There you go, send him to HR, stupid.)
(Shit I forgot to mute!)

Okay sir are you there? Sorry about that. I think I got it, let me transfer your call.

Pfff... yes fank you.

Wait what's the num...

...

(twenty seconds of Vivaldi's Summer on loop for roughly five minutes)

...

PRT Contracts and Billing Department, this is Marcia speaking. How can I assist you?

Ello sorry the lady from the hotline sendid my call ere, I don't know if you are the right, heu, interlocutor. I am a parayooman from France and I wish to register myself to you, but I didn't find any form to do so pleese.

I'm sorry, I didn’t quite catch that. You want to do what to me?

I said I did not find the form to register wiz you. Not you you, you all of you in the puhertay. For Re-gis-tra-shun.

Sir, there's no need to raise your voice. Let me transfer you to HR.

Okay, heu, fank you?

What did y-

...

(twenty seconds of badly compressed Vivaldi's Winter on loop for at least ten minutes)

...

PRT Human Resources Department, Mary-Ann speaking. If this is about a job offer, we are always recruiting. However, you need to send your resume through our website. I've been informed that you are a foreign national. Please be aware that any recruitment may depend on your visa status.

Ello yes fank you. I'm not sure why zis is so difficoolt. I was sent here from another department, but I don't fink is the right place? I am not looking for a job at the puhertay. I am looking for a way to register myself so I can work with your services as a parayooman, heu, aide? elp? You know like an, er, adjoint for the pompyee? I do zis at home. It’s easy. I just need ze form.

Sir, please speak more slowly. Hablo Español? Tenemos muchos hispanohablantes aquí en el departamento si eso fuera más fácil para usted.

Oh putain... Heu... No hablas Espagnol. I don't speak Spanish. I am almost beelingual wiz a very sleet axen in inglish you know, I'm not speaking ozer languagees. Lissen. I. am. not. looking. for. a. job. at. the. puhertay. I. am. a. parayooman. I. am. looki-

What, you are a parahuman!? But you can't work for the PRT!

I-I know zat. I am looking to register so I can-

Sir, I can't continue speaking with you if you are a parahuman. How did you even get this number? I thought this phone was secure. Oh no oh God oh fuck do I have to go into M/S isolation again?

Madam, please madame, non no pleese I want to elp only. Don't panic pleese. I was transferred to you c'est tout, heu, that is all, pleese.

Okay. Okay. I'm okay. Let me transfer you.

To wh-

...

(fifteen seconds of badly compressed Vivaldi's Winter on loop for what feels like half an hour)

...

Why's this phone ringing? Hello? How d'you get this number?

Yes ello, my call was transferred ere. I am look-

Urghh, let me transfer you.

...

(thirty seconds of crystal clear Pachelbel's Canon In D Major on loop for at least a full quarter of an hour)

...

Good morning. You've reached the PRT East North East reception lobby, this is Monica. How may I assist you?

Ello. I'm sorry to bover you but I am being transferred back and forf since zis morning. Pleese don't transfer me zis time! Zis is my problem. Pleese lissen. I am an esktchange student at Brockton You until summer. I am French. I am a parayooman and I am registered back ome to elp with the parapompyee, heu, what's the word, emergency responders? I don't know who to talk to so I can elp when I am ere. In France there is a form for zat because I am only a category cee. I don't know how to do it ere. I can give you my identification numbers. My name is Tee-

HOLD! Okay, please slow down. First, if you are a parahuman, please don't give out your name, sir! Second, this is the PRT. I think you want to touch base with the Protectorate.

It is not the same fing?

The same thing?! Hell no! Parahumans go with the Protectorate, and regular humans go to the PRT. It's dead obvious.

Ah. I have not found the Protectorate number to call. What is it? Oh, or can you redirect me?

...Yes. Yes, I can transfer you.

Thank you madame.

Please hold.

...

(holding beeps for something like ten minutes, then random clicks and whistles)

...

click.

Console, who's this?

Heu.. Ello? I am at the Brockton Protectorate?

This is the Console. Who're you? How did’ya get on this line?

Heu, sorry, I was transfer from the PRT accueil, heu, reception. I did not call you directly. I am a parayooman, but only category cee and I am an exchange student from France at Brockton U. I want to register to elp you around when I am eere?

Is this a joke? Benny is that you?

Dis is not a joke. I want to register as parayooman please?

Dude this is an internal emergency line. Clogging a parahuman emergency number is a crime. Identify yourself now!

Oh, oui attendez wait. Ah there it is. My code is Ayf Urr zeero one zeero six free eight nine, heu... ah! hyphen, zeero seven zérozérozéro free. Category cee. My name is Teeboweehburh. I don't ave a, what do you say, suit name.

Huh? Who?

Teeboweehburh. It don't matter. Can you transfer me to not an emergency line with the Brockton Protectorate? Pleese?

Wait I dunno know how to transfer this thing... Hey Rory help me out!

click

...

(20 seconds of strangely tinny Journey's Don't Stop Believin' on loop until the end of eternity)

...

This is Miss Militia. Talk to me.

De quoi... Mizz Milichuh... Ok wow...

Hello? Who is this?

Okay ello, sorry I was a bit, heu, awstrook. Sorry to bover you Mizz, I was transferred to you because I am trying to reach anyone who can elp me. You see I am an exchange stoodent at the Brockton University for this semester. But I am also a parayooman, and I am registered with ze, heu, I don't know how it translates let's say, French parahuman civil service. I was trying to find a form on ze PRT webseet to register so I could help you around while I'm here. You know how to do zis? I'm with the parapompee at home if zat elps.

I think I see; you could not find a way to register because there is no such form, certainly not on the PRT website. There aren't really any foreign heroes exchanges in Brockton Bay except with Canada's Protectorate branches. Well, not above board, at any rate. As far as I know, you'd be the first. No, you'd need to come down to the PRT for an interview and we'll work out an arrangement. Rest assured, we never turn down a hero cape, whatever the circumstances. We need the help too much. At the same time, we also have to vet each new cape individually, face to face, the sooner the better. Can we meet this afternoon?

This afternoon? Well, that would be difficult, I have courses after four most days. I was thinking maybe on Friday or even Saturday if you're open on the weekends.

Of course, we're open 7/7 all day and night. Don-

Héhé, ça ça change d'à la maison...

I didn't get that?

Sorry I mumbled over you; I meant no disrespect. Continue.

I was saying We're open 7/7 24/24. Wouldn't you want a meeting as soon as possible, so you can do some good? You know what, when were you planning your next patrol? BU is on several of ours and New Waves's patrol routes, we can arrange meet without any true procedure.

Patrouille what patrouille? No, you don't understand again! I'm only category cee. Itz been over too hours sinz I first colled! I want to register to elp! It's easy. It was easy when I went to Spain, it was easy in Belgique also. Why it isn't easy eere? I have class soon.

Sir. I understand. You're a foreign national on foreign land. Truly, I know how all this can be overwhelming. You don't know the ways, you don't know the people, you don't know the rules. That's normal. Take a breath. I hear you are distraught and that you want to help. Now, think about how I feel. You've been dropped on my lap through very unconventional means. I don't know you and I have no idea if you're genuine or not. I am giving you the benefit of the doubt, because I know from our logs you've really been bounced around for... let me see the log... wow. An hour and seventeen minutes. Not many pranksters would keep on for that long. Also, as you can guess, every inbound call is logged, recorded, and traced.

Yes, we do ze same at ome.

Of course. As I said. I want to give you the benefit of the doubt. But I do need a few guarantees. You say you can't be bothered to meet formally until the weekend, and then you say we can't meet up for any kind of joint patrol. Why is that?

Well, I can meet most mornings, but not too early. But you didn't offer mornings, so I didn't. And back home I don't usually patrol, I am mostly on call for emergencies with the parapompee. And I have not thought about patrolling here yet because my gear is back home. I am only a Category cee, I told you.

Yes, you've been repeating that term category C and para-pump-ee... We don't use the same terminology here.

Oh! Sorry yes Category C means I am not qualified to be a true Heeroz like in the Suits or the para-Gendarmerie and stuff. I mostly help with the Pompiers and the SAMU, that's the firefighters and, what do you call it, ambulances? First responsers? responders?

I see, well around here we do not reject any hero from doing their part. Whatever strengh your power may be, there is always a way to help. Would you be open for a meeting tomorrow morning at nine so we can talk face to face?

Nine? Thats a bit early... No! Sorry no that's possible. I mean yes, I can make it. At the PRT or the platform?

Platf- Oh you mean the rig? Well, either would do, but the PRT headquarters would be easier for you to get to. It's on the BBTA Line 3.

Yes, I have a map. Do you need my code?

Your code?

Yes, it is FR0106389-070003. Category C.

That's a social security number or something? No, I don't need that. I only need your cape name. A PRT agent will call you later today to give you a passphrase to give the lobby.

Oh, It's my parayooman identity number. I thought you'd need it so you could link with my file at home. They need it all the time in the CEE. Sorry. And I told you I'm only a category C, so I don't have a suit name. And because I'm a category C its no need so there it is My normal name is Teebow-

Wait no!

-Ehbur. I know you guys have trooble spelling it right so there it is: Tee Aych Ay Bee Ey You El Tee, Aych Ee with an acute accent Bee Argh Tee. Thibault Hébert.

Chapter Text

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♦ Topic: Hello! I want to know about your local capes.
In: Boards ► Places ► Europe ► France ► Central regions ► Clermont-Fd
►Owlbert (Original Poster)
Posted on March 25th 2008:

Bonjour! Hello! Sorry I don’t speak any French.

I’m 12 (going on 13!) and live in Brockton Bay, USA.

I was wondering what’s the cape scene like in the city of Clermont-Ferrand?

Who do you think is the best cape, what are the villains up to? Is it dangerous? How many gangs are there?

I tried to look around on Digg and Wikipedia but there wasn’t anything that wasn’t in French.

Merci thank you!

Also what’s up with your cathedral? I saw pictures. It’s spooky.

[edit] [delete thread]

(Showing page 1 of 4)

►Jaimelesbananes
Replied on March 25th 2008:

There’s no such thing...

► Owlbert
Replied on March 28th 2008:

Oh. How come?

I’m a bit disappointed. There’s nobody else to answer me?

[edit] [delete message]

► Jaimelesbananes
Replied on March 28th 2008:

Have you noticed there’s only a dozen posts in all of the Clermont sub-board? Half of them can be summarised by “anybody here ?” and then crickets. There’s barely a hundred posts in all of the “régions centrales” combined since 2000.

Also PHO is an English-speaking forum. I would have suggested for you to ask again on PHEL instead but if you don’t speak French that won’t help you much.

Again, Clermont-Ferrand doesn’t have much of a cape scene. It’s barely even a city. Nobody in France cares about it. Why would anybody in America be interested by it ?

► Owlbert
Replied on March 28th 2008:

What’s PEL?

[edit] [delete message]

► Jaimelesbananes
Replied on March 28th 2008:

Parahumains En Ligne. It’s the French separate PHO, it's more active than here, but unmoderated and more badly formatted.

Kid, there’s nothing in Clermont-Ferrand, it’s the ass-end of nowhere. There’s nothing to tell you about. Don't go there.

► Bougnat_63
Replied on March 29th 2008:

@Jaimelesbananes

Mec t’es lourd. Ça va bien cinq minutes tes blagues nulles sur Clermont. Tu peux pas aller emmerder Sainté ou Limoges pour changer ?        (*)

@Owlbert

Hello! Sorry about Jaimelesbananes, he’s a notorious troll and half the reason there’s not much traffic in this regional board. Clermont-Ferrand is not a huge city and is sometimes derided by Parisians.

I will say though that he’s half right when he says there not a huge cape activity in Clermont. I’m from nearby, and I can give you some intel. What raised your interest about here ?

► Owlbert
Replied on March 29th 2008:

Thank youuu! ;)

Well, I met someone from there and got curious. ^^

He’s a student here at the university my mom teaches at. (did you know Brockton Bay and Clermont-Ferrand are sister-cities?)

He stayed in Brockton over spring break and was all alone so my mom invited him home for Easter. We must share some distant ancestry because we have almost the same surname although he pronounces it weird. He showed us a bit about the Auvergne and it looks very pretty but he said he didn’t know much about the heroes you have and was “bad at explaining things”.

I was thinking about making a short presentation at school.

And what’s up about that cathedral?

[edit] [delete message]

► Bougnat_63
Replied on March 29th 2008:

EDIT : sorry, got a bit carried away. Added a TLDR at the end.

Okay there’s the gist.

First, you have to know two things. Clermont is not quite a major city by French standards. I looked up Brockton Bay and its about a third of its size (both the city proper and urban area). Second thing, it is located barely a two hour drive from Lyon, which is half again bigger than Brockton, and is both the 4th-biggest city in France (used to be the 2nd) and is in the process of being rebuilt after The Behemoth attacked the city twice eight and five years ago, which attracted a lot of capes to keep the peace and/or to hide their nefarious deeds in the wrecked areas.

These two things explain why it is a relatively tame place in the cape department. As far as I know its cape roster hovers around 15-20 (“heroes” and “villains” combined). There’s virtually no known cape in the surrounding towns except nearby Vichy, but we don’t talk about that here.

There’s no Suits presence, which would have been the hero team you’re most likely to have heard about. I've heard the current Trois de Pique was originally from around here.

You know Michelin, the tire company? I’m not sure if you get those in the US anymore. Anyway the company’s headquarters is located here and they have a small corporate team. Its lead is Monsieur Bibendum, who’s a speedster that can bounce on any surface. Nobody ever remembers the name of the other team members but there’s two tinkers, a brawler, a changer and a brick. Actually, although they are officially based here they are rarely around except for emergencies and some events. They mostly operate in Paris and they frequently tour the country for publicity reasons, as do most corporate teams. We don’t care much about them, they’re pure sellouts.

This mostly absent six-people team is literally the largest parahuman group in the city.

There is a small ARUPE branch (or PEERA in English, for pan-European emergency response agency) that deals with most parahuman-related threats. There’s only three permanent members : Cabrette, the leader who can change into large mammal-like animals, Mercure who can fly super fast and project his voice to explose things, and Nectarine who’s a scent-based mind-controller. They often rotate up to four other heroes from just about anywhere, but they rarely stay more than a week at a time.

Obviously the local Police and Gendarmerie and the firefighters have a few parahumans each in their ranks. They are not considered heroes or even capes, and have no costume name. They literally are civil servants, but their identity is hidden from the public.

There’s a few independent vigilantes, some of whom are most likely to be the same people that work with the police and firemen. Vigilantes are heroes that are not employed by any agency or company; some are legally recognised, some are not, and some are more shady than others. For example Bravonèla is rumoured to be part of a movement of Occitan independentists, and it is known that Turluron uses excessive force in his arrests.

There are five-ish known villains, only two of whom could be considered to be part of a team, “Les Vergnois”, they are on and off attempting to seize control of the banlieue they live in, in the north of the city. The most famous villain is Doctor Maboule, a tinker who’s mostly a joke who literally have a lair on the top of an extinct volcano, and most of the time her schemes are more like a cartoon villain than anything dangerous, but sometimes she vaporizes a building she doesn’t like. You might find articles about her on the internet and find them funny. DO NOT LOOK FOR WHAT SHE DID AT THE FESTIVAL DE LA TRUFFADE LAST YEAR.

The last big parahuman incident were the 2004 riots, you just might have heard of them, when a gang of Lausanne-born capes tried to take control of part of the Michelin factories. They were eventually stopped after a huge showdown, but the neighbouring housing estate caught fire and a human controller villain tried and failed to take control of it in the commotion.

Most of the problem villains around here are not local, but they come through because Clermont is roughly at the centre of the country and out of the way at the same time, so it makes it a notable transit hub for drug trafficking. There’s no month without at least one high speed chase somewhere along the A75 highway, especially since the A7 was cut off by The Behemoth.

I think that’s about it.

EDIT : TLDR : Not much really to say. The most interesting stuff usually happens in nearby Lyon. It’s a rather sleepy town suit-wise, with tiny teams, more heroes than villains, the strongest of which is usually, but not always, a joke. Most of the trouble come from outsiders.

You can PM me if you want links or a bibliography for your homework.

[Last edited on 03-29-08]

► Jette_au_loin_42
Replied on March 30th 2008:

Um actually everybody knows Nectarine is the villain who took half of La Gauthière hostage during the riots, and then rebranded.

And please do not send Jaimelesbananes to the Saint-Etienne board again. We’re nice people and don’t deserve it. You’d know if you were not clermontois.

Anywho… Owlbert, you shouldn’t say out loud you’re under 13. We all know nobody respects that rule but better not flaunt it you know ?

End of Page. 1, 2, 3, 4

(Showing page 2 of 4)

► Arthur_le_minitoy
Replied on March 30th 2008:

I’ve lived in Clermont for close to two years and I agree with most of what Bougnat said.

However I’m compelled to take offense on what you said right there : [is in the process of being rebuilt after Behemoth attacked the city twice]. I’m sorry but have to correct you. There was only one Behemoth attack on Lyon.

I’m from Bourg-lès-Valence. I can tell from the ruins of my parent’s house he did not hit Lyon the second time. If you were truly French you’d know that, and I’m deeply pissed off about everybody and their grandmas whining about the “two times Lyon was attacked”. The second attack was ten times as bad as the first (which barely hit half of one single city) and should be treated as such. Lyon is almost rebuilt by now while most of us from smaller towns along the Rhône valley had to relocate and are still waiting for any kind of insurance payment, let alone any rebuilding effort.

Also his proper name is Gargantua and Behemoth is only an americanism.

► Bougnat_63
Replied on March 30th 2008:

@Arthur_le_minitoy

Dude. I was explaining to an American 12-year-old what the parahuman scene in Clermont looks like. Sorry if I forgot to write a thesis about Gargantua’s (a name he most likely never heard) attacks from a time he was still in maternelle and might not even know about.

Listen. I’m sorry about your house, but we all know from your rants in the Rhône-Alpes board that the ground it used to sit on is still there to be rebuilt once the region is decontaminated, and your whole family’s still alive. That’s more than a lot of people.

Stop whining in a thread that does not remotely concerns you.

► Arthur_le_minitoy
Replied on March 30th 2008:

@Bougnat_63

WTF ?? Me whining ?!

Ambérieux-en-Bugey

Saint-Vulbas

Charvieu-Chavagneux

Saint-Laurent-de-Mûre

Mions

Givors

VIENNE

Roussillon

Saint-Rambert-d’Albon

Saint-Vallier

Tain-l’Hermitage

Tournon-sur-Rhône

VALENCE, BOURG-LES-VALENCE, PORTES-LES-VALENCE

Livron-sur-Drôme

Cruas

MONTELIMAR

Le Teil

Pierrelatte

Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux

Bollène

Pont-Saint-Esprit

Va te faire foutre.   (*)

► Bougnat_63
Replied on March 30th 2008:

@Arthur_le_minitoy

Dude it’s not about you whining in general, it’s about you flooding this thread off-topic.

It’s not a competition about which Gargantua attack was worse for fuck’s sake.

► Arthur_le_minitoy
Replied on March 30th 2008:

@Bougnat_63

If the 12-years-old American was so important to you why are you attacking me in english anyway ? He didn’t even read your post. Nobody cares.

T’as ni couilles ni cœur espèce de sac à merde. (*)

[User temp banned – 1 week]

► LaGoutue69
Replied on March 30th 2008:

As far as I’m concerned, if an Endbringer hits a city’s airport, even if it sits outside city limits, it basically has hit the city. Lyon Saint-Ex has not reopened yet.

Mions, Saint Laurent and Givors are basically Lyon anyway.

And everything between Lyon and Roussillon was still abandoned by then because of the chemical spills.

EDIT : whoa les gars vous êtes obligés de vous insulter là ?        (*)

[Last edited on 03-30-08]

► Bougnat_63
Replied on March 30th 2008:

@Arthur_le_minitoy

You know that thing, time zones ? He’s most likely asleep.

I’m not the one who started flaming at 9 in the morning on a Sunday. No-life.

► PierreleGrand (Moderator)

Replied on March 30th 2008:

@Arthur_le_minitoy

@Bougnat_63

You will stop arguing this instant.

You know the rules. No derailing, no insults, no disrespecting survivors.

Arthur, this is your third warning this month, enjoy your temporary ban.

Bougnat, I expected better from you. Consider this your first warning.

► Owlbert
Replied on March 30th 2008:

Guys, I’m so sorry, please don’t fight because of me. The attacks sounded truly horrible. I remember reading about the second one, but it was right after Seattle and London so it wasn’t top of the news here.

[He’s most likely asleep.] I’m a girl actually.

Thank you @Bougnat_63 that was very informative. I didn’t know there was another agency than the Suits for capes in Europe, and it sounds weird to me that there are capes in the police. Is the ARUPE(or PEERA?) like the Protectorate? I’m confused by all these terms.

EDIT : And can somebody please explain to me what’s up with Clermont-Ferrand’s cathedral.

[edit] [delete message] [Last edited on 03-30-08]

► Bougnat_63
Replied on March 31th 2008:

@Owlbert

Sorry about the pronoun. I shouldn’t have presumed.

Now, about your question.

I’ll try to be more concise than yesterday’s doorstopper, but you have to know that anything, and I mean anything that have anything to do with European law and administration, especially concerning capes, is a pure mess if you look too closely.

The Suits is like the Protectorate, if the Protectorate was not shadowed by the PRT. It used to be a fully independent hero teams until the early 90’s but now it is a half-independent half state-sponsored organisation. Any state in Europe (and not just in the EEC) can form and operate any number of Suit teams it deems necessary. It’s mostly self-regulated but overseen at the state level and has to follow the Oslo Convention on Parahuman Behavior (don’t worry about it, it’s 50% a bill of rights and 50% like the Geneva Convention, designed for capes). Think New Wave with masks on and with oversight from the government. They sometimes do some good I guess, between the ads on TV. Their costumes look super cool, but you probably already know that.

The ARUPE/PEERA is like the PRT if it had capes in its ranks and was not restricted to only parahuman-related emergencies, like natural disasters for example. It is supposed to be fully controlled by the EEC, and it strictly applies regulations edicted from the European Parliament, but is operated state by state, is composed only of national capes, and each branch has to apply its own country’s law (or lander, canton, or autonomia if applicable). Therefore there are things that the Suits can do and the PEERA can’t, and vice-versa, and it might vary from country to country. For example, the Suits can arrest, but can’t detain or interrogate criminals, but the PEERA can, and in France the PEERA can only work within each branch’s jurisdiction unless there’s an agreement with another branch (for rotations or emergencies) while the Suits can be deployed across the whole continent as needed. Its capes also have to follow the OCPB. They sometimes manage to be effective in some select situations. Their costumes are super dull because they have to follow a bunch of regulations to ensure their protection, its basically grey armor with a few items of decoration.

The ARUPE can affiliate independent vigilantes if they agree to the terms of the OCPB. That makes them "heroes" instead of only "vigilantes" for the media.

The Police (in the cities) and Gendarmerie (in the countryside) are allowed to have parahuman agents, but only under oversight of the PEERA (the European agency, but not directly local branches), and only within a quota, and only low to mid-level capes (we call them categories B and C). I believe most other countries does not allow that. The Gendarmerie is a special French thing, and actually it’s part of the military (but not of the army), which has its own bag of issues as far as EC law is concerned.

The firefighters (pompiers) can freely have capes on their ranks, but it’s a mostly voluntary organisation (except Paris and Marseille). Theorically a parahuman can be a volunteer firefighter while also having a civilian job and a licensed vigilante by night… Any power-level can be a volunteer, but usually high-level parahumans gravitate more towards the Suits and ARUPE. Oh and firefighters in France don’t only fight fires, they also operate some ambulances, basically we can call them for any emergency except if there’s a crime involved. They are cool.

On the last three cases they wear regular uniforms with extra armor and a full face hood, marine blue for police, khaki for gendarmerie and red for firefighers.

I hope that’s clear enough !

Edit : if you’re confused by the terminology, we usually don’t use the word cape in French, and the word we use can translate to either costume or suit (it’s the same word in French). Costume is more appropriate, but because of the famous Suits organisation, (which is translated into “Costumes” in French) we mostly use the word “suits” instead of “capes” when speaking English. Therefore in Europe you can be a suit while not being a Suit. None of those terms are offical anyway. Also "hero" is not an official term either. You're either affiliated with an organisation, or have a license and have signed the convention or you're not supposed to be anything but a civilian.

Oh and we usually don’t call a parahuman a suit if they are only part of the police or a firefighter we just slap para in front of everything.

Edit2: Aaand that’s another doorstopper. Sorry.

TLDR : it’s complicated, and every European suit organisation tends to step on each other’s toes all the time. Everything is somewhat influenced by the European Community of States (EEC) but nothing is fully controlled by it. Also the names we use don’t make sense.

[Last edited on 04-01-08]

End of Page. 1, 2, 3, 4

(Showing page 3 of 4)

► SuperPapa (Verified cape)
Replied on March 31th 2008:

Mec, I’m French, I’m a suit, and I still don’t understand anything about European suit regulation.

Are you a lawyer or something?

You’ve probably killed the girl with your legalese.

Edit : hey, I’ve always wanted to ask, do you know why is it called European Community of States if its still shortened the EEC?

[Last edited on 03-31-08]

► Bougnat_63
Replied on March 31th 2008:

Hey it’s Europe, you know how it is. It’s always election year at some level or another, no government lasts a full mandate, and every six months there’s someone to try to add their own rule on top of the former governments’ rules even when it contradicts the EEC’s laws. As far as I know they forgot to change its acronym when they changed the name and status in 93 (at least CEE still works in French).

I’m a L2 law student. Sorry?

drhouse_shrug_aleph.gif

► Ta_Tronche_sur_Mer
Replied on April 1st 2008:

@Owlbert

Hey you’re americaine right? You know what we call Leviathan when he attacks an American city on April 1^st?

A poisson d’avril.

[User temp banned – 24 hours]

► PierreleGrand (Moderator)

Replied on April 1st 2008:

@ Ta_Tronche_sur_Mer

Bam, toi t’es banni.   (*)

► Owlbert
Replied on April 1st 2008:

@ Bougnat_63

Wow, it sure sounds complicated. But thanks I guess for explaining.

@ Ta_Tronche_sur_Mer

I don’t get it? Is it about Seattle?

[edit] [delete message] [Last edited on 04-01-08]

► SuperPapa (Verified cape)
Replied on April 1st 2008:

Kid don’t worry about Ta Tonche, it was indeed about Seattle’s attack back in 2003. Leviathan looks a bit like a fish, and on April 1^st it used to be tradition to play April fools (poisson d’avil, or “April’s fish”) by sticking fish drawings on people’s backs. Obviously it’s less common now.

I’m not from Clermont but if you have any other questions you can ask.

► Owlbert
Replied on April 1st 2008:

Yes I have one more question! Can anybody tell me how come the city’s cathedral is black? It’s on every picture. Is it dirty?

[edit] [delete message]

► MmePatate
Replied on April 3rd 2008:

OMG Owlbert you can’t just ask buildings why they’re black.

► Ti_bébert
Replied on September 26th 2008:

@Owlbert

Hey Owlbert are you all right? I still haven’t heard from you.

[Last edited on 09-27-08]

► PierreleGrand (Moderator)

Replied on September 26th 2008:

Careful, your post is days aways from being considered necroing.

You seem to know this user, you can reach her by Private Message.

End of Page. 1, 2, 3, 4

(Showing page 4 of 4)

► Lagentillearaignéeduquartier
Replied on May 12th 2010:

@Owlbert

[Can anybody tell me how come the city’s cathedral is black]

It’s because Sauron built it.

► PierreleGrand (Moderator)

Replied on May 12nd 2010

Don’t necro. First warning.

End of Page. 1, 2, 3, 4

Chapter Text

File forwarded in accordance of the PDGSE-PRT free movement and transparency accords. This file is stored and released in accordance of the Oslo convention.
Reason for the storing of computer search history in breach of citizen privacy: "repeat instances of flagged key-words on known parahuman-owned device while abroad". Threat level: low to medium (auto-assigned).
Date(s) of key-word trigger : 31/01/2008, 20/03/2008. Search history time span ; 2wks prior, 1wk later.

See linked file for parahuman persona details. Note : Category level C.

[flag_1]

2008-01-18
Brockton Bay what to do on a weekend
Brockton Bay museums map
Brockton Bay museums list
Brockton Bay museum

2008-01-19
New England old towns
Brockton Bay old town sights
Brockton Bay old town map
Brockton Bay old town location
Brockton Bay old town adress
Oldest building Brockton Bay
Oldest still standing building Brockton Bay
Brockton Bay history wikipedia
Brockton Bay great fire 1917
Brockton Bay parks
New Hampshire hiking trails
https://www.geocaching.net/map?lat=43.0326&lng=-70.8661&zoom=11&asc=true&=coords&hf=accnt=Ti_Bébert&ip=1
https://www.accuweatherbet.com/fr/us/brocktonbay/weather-forecast/334460
https://www.amazon.us/winter-jacket
https://www.amazon.us/snow-boots
https://labanquepostale.fr/votrecompte/balance
Brockton Bay tourist office
Brockton Bay attractions
Brockton Bay attractions free
Brockton Bay attractions cheap
Brockton Bay attractions -Boardwalk
Lord Street Market opening hours
Lord Street Market opening hours january
https://www.accuweatherbet.com/fr/us/brocktonbay/weather-forecast/334460
Brockton Bay attractions indoors
https://labanquepostale.fr/votrecompte/balance
Steam download

2008-01-21
Steam download slow
Steam region unlocking
how to unrestrict dormitory wifi
SuüdVPN download

2008-01-25
Brockton Bay what to do on a friday evening
Brockton Bay student life
What is greek life
Brockton Bay student life -greek
Brockton Bay nightlife
Brockton Bay bars university district
BBU campus map

2008-01-26
Brockton Bay bars university district good vibes
Brockton Bay bars map
Brockton Bay nightclubs map
Brockton Bay nightclubs student age
USA legal drinking age
New Hampshire legal drinking age
Can you enter nightclubs or bars if you are too young to drink USA
Brockton Bay nightclubs 18+ map
BBTA night bus map

2008-01-31
Brockton Bay nightclubs 18+ LGBT friendly map
Brockton Bay nightclubs 18+ LGBT friendly list
Brockton Bay nightclub LGBT friendly
Brockton Bay bar LGBT friendly
Brockton Bay gay club
Brockton Bay gay bar
Brockton Bay gay village
Boston gay village
Manchester gay village
Manchester New Hampshire gay village
Portland gay village
Portland Maine gay village
Brockton Bay city size
Manchester NH city size
Portland ME city size
No gay bar Brockton Bay reason
Brockton Bay riots 1998
What is Empire 88
PHO EE88 Brockton Bay
Neo nazis USA history
EE88 gay bashings
Brockton Bay gay bashing statistics
USA gay bashing statistics 
USA gay bashing statistics comparison France
EE88 gay bashings police reaction
EE88 gay bashings Protectorate reaction
Legend coming out video
Legend gay rights
Legend VS nazis fight video
Legend pwning nazis video
Legend VS nazi fight Brockton Bay video
Brockton Bay Legend last visit
Why has Legend never visited Brockton Bay
Armsmaster LGBT+ rights stance
Protectorate code of conduct
Protectorate political neutrality
LGBT protection Brockton Bay
LGBT safe space Brockton Bay
Palanquin age limit
Can you get into Palanquin if you are underage but also a parahuman
BBTA night bus map

2008-02-02
Discrete dating site gay

[flag_2]

2008-03-09
Brockton Bay nice restaurants map
Brockton Bay ChezPierrot reviews
Brockton Bay ChezPierrot french cuisine authentic
Brockton Bay nice restaurants map
Brockton Bay nice restaurants university district
Brockton Bay restaurants university district
https://labanquepostale.fr/votrecompte/balance
Brockton Bay restaurants university district on a budget
Is a park a good first date location
https://www.accuweatherbet.com/fr/us/brocktonbay/weather-forecast/334460
Is a pub a good first date location
Is a pub a terrible first date location
Brockton Bay Old Derry's pub happy hour

2008-03-15
American dating culture
French American dating differences
httpx://dragoncom.net/free_auto_translate="going dutch"/FR
Second date splitting bill not normal
Second date splitting bill not normal two guys
Second date splitting bill not normal fancy restaurant student poor
https://labanquepostale.fr/votrecompte/balance

2008-03-18
httpx://dragoncom.net/free_auto_translate="ghosting"/FR

2008-03-20
Brockton Bay cruising areas
Brockton Bay cruising areas safe
Brockton Bay EE88 gay bashings statistics
BBU 2008 finals date
BBU 2008 days until finals
PHO Brockton Bay
Protectorate patrol route university district
New Wave patrol route university district

Brockton Bay university district gym LGBT-friendly
Brockton Bay university district gym
https://labanquepostale.fr/votrecompte/balance
Brockton Bay university district gym cheap student discount

2008-03-22
BBTA bus Easter sunday

Chapter Text

Protectorate East North East 
Parahuman Response Team East North East

INTERNAL DOCUMENT NOT FOR DIFFUSION
DO NOT REPRODUCE

After Action Report

File # AAR MM_2008-01-10_004
Reporting Agent: Miss Militia
Recipient : head of Protectorate ENE / Director of PRT ENE

Date of incident : january 10, 2008
Location of incident : PRT and Protectorate headquarters, telephone only
Type of incident : Cape contact - peaceful
Threat level : unknown

Incident Summary:
The Protectorate was contacted by a foreign independent cape wanting to coordinate efforts. Follow-up scheduled at 9AM on friday january 11th.

Details of Incident:
See telephone log.

Analysis & Outcome:
See telephone log.

Recommendations: 
The telephone log clearly revealed both a security risk and a lackluster support for his specific situation. While Protectorate heores are usually the ones contacting new capes, and this typically happens in person after a random encounter such as a fight or patrol, not having a identifiable way for a new cape to contact us other than in person may be something to look into (especially in the case of non-fight-leaning idividuals such as thinkers, strangers, movers, etc.). At a minimum, a point of contact for prospective capes should be made available through the Protectorate website.

____________________________________

Protectorate East North East 
Parahuman Response Team East North East

INTERNAL DOCUMENT NOT FOR DIFFUSION
DO NOT REPRODUCE

After Action Report

File # AAR MM_2008-01-11_002
Reporting Agent: Miss Militia
Recipient: head of Protectorate ENE / Director of PRT ENE

Date of incident : january 11, 2008
Location of incident : PRT building
Type of incident : Cape contact - follow-up
Threat level : unknown

Incident Summary:
Cape was a no-show. 

Details of Incident:
Contacted cape (temporary alias : "Baguette", see AAR MM_2008-01-10_004) was scheduled for first-contact visit at PRT headquarters at 9AM. Cape failed to present himself to the lobby and give passphrase as instructed. 

After half an hour of waiting, I reviewed the past hour's security tapes as a safety measure in case of stranger involvement. While nothing to cause alarm was raised, I noticed one individual: a male, white, young (high school to college age) with mildly suspicious behavior. Starting five minutes before the scheduled appointment, exterior cameras caught him walking back and forth on the sidewalk along the length of the block where the headquarters are located, loitering around the bus stop. At 8:59 AM, the individual entered the building, seemingly heading toward the lobby, but abruptly changed direction and entered the gift shop, where he browsed for less than a minute then exited toward the lobby, returned to the gift shop, went back to the lobby again, and then returned to the gift shop, where he stayed for about 10 minutes. After this, he vacated the building. He did not purchase any items, and no items were marked missing from stock.

Analysis & Outcome:
I find it very likely that the individual was indeed our cape in civilian clothes. His abnormal behavior is as of yet unexplained. It might be a function of his power, such as a need for reconnaissance of the premises. It might also be that he got spooked by something or someone. Codename Marcia, who is cleared for parahuman involvement (see personnel file), was manning the lobby reception and did not report anything of note or notice the suspicious behavior at all (this might need a mild disciplinary correction). 

Recommendations:
Identity protection laws prevents us to call back his personal number. I recommend waiting for him to contact us again, and be aware of his presence in case of a later encounter. Typical cape behavior would suggest we hear back from (or about) him within weeks at most. While he denied planning any kind of patrol, time will tell.

____________________________________

Protectorate East North East 
Parahuman Response Team East North East

INTERNAL DOCUMENT NOT FOR DIFFUSION
DO NOT REPRODUCE

After Action Report

File # AAR MMC_2008-03-25_001c
Reporting Agent: Miss Militia/Challenger
Recipient : head of Protectorate ENE / Director of PRT ENE

Date of incident : march 24, 2008 
Location of incident : Hamilton East and Hayworth
Type of incident : Cape second contact - peaceful
Threat level : unknown

Incident Summary:
A previously contacted but not formally introduced cape was encountered during patrol. A brief, peaceful discussion ensued, leading to a scheduled formal meetup and promises of cooperation.

Details of Incident:
The event occurred during the night of the 24th to the 25th, during the patrol of capes Miss Militia and Challenger (see AR MMC_2008-03-25_001a through _001f and any logs you can obtain from Challenger), near the university district.

At roughly 11:30 PM, while on patrol, we noticed a suspicious individual and elected to stop to investigate on foot. We first noticed him in the process of jaywalking, and quickly realized he was wearing a disguise and mask, which prompted us to engage and cautiously approach him with Console approval. Challenger called out to him for his jaywalking from across the street, which seemed to startle him; however, he did not retreat or react negatively. We approached to engage in a conversation.

As soon as I asked for his cape name and intent, I recognized him as the cape I had spoken to on the phone in January (temporary alias : "Baguette", see AAR MM_2008-01-10_004, AAR MM_2008-01-11_002). His accent, while somewhat improved, is quite distinctive. Furthermore, he immediately revealed his full civilian name and his French parahuman ID. To respect his privacy I will not disclose these details in this written report.

The conversation was cut short because Console redirected us toward a street fight on Stratham (see AAR MMC_2008-03-25_001d) after only a few minutes. 
Fortunately, during our discussion, we managed to clarify a few things regarding the missed meeting in January and reschedule a new interview.

Analysis & Outcome:
Our conversation confirmed that his no-show in January was indeed linked to his own nervousness, and also the fact that "the reception lady looked busy." He revealed that the meeting had been scheduled at a time of great stress during the very first week of his arrival, when he was rushing to prepare the start of the semester and still feeling jetlagged. He expressed concern that the Protectorate might pressure him into recruitment, as he does not see himself in a combat position and was unaware of any other roles for Protectorate heroes.

He repeatedly emphasized that he is only accustomed to "help around sometimes for emergencies" which does sound like a step down from the impression I got from his call in January. When asked what prompted his change of heart towards patrolling, he answered "there's not much else to do if you're stuck on campus during spring break and are not much of a party person, and Brockton Bay is not the kind of city I thought it was when I registered at BU", and that it was only his third patrol since his arrival.
Before leaving in a hurry, I offered to reschedule our meeting, stressing that it would not be a recruitment effort and that he should not feel any pressure into joining. I emphasized the importance that we heroic-leaning capes should talk to each other so we could better assist the public.

Recommendations:
While recruitment is off the table (if anything his temporary presence is more of a hindrance than his visa status), we should cultivate a rapprochement between the Protectorate and his cape persona. I'd describe him as a quiet, skittish young man, but he is eager to "help around" and seems to have a good head on his shoulders. As a first-year student he is guaranteed some amount of free time and is at an optimal training age.

It is crucial that we discover what his power is (or if he is unpowered and has been leading us all along, which seems far-fetched), its strength, and how it may mesh with our team. If he ends up working alongside us, we will have to to consider how to manage his accent at the very least, or he may be outed very easily.

We have scheduled a new meeting, on Saturday after hours (18PM), and I recommend that Battery join me in interviewing him, as she is the most junior member of the Protectorate and in the same age bracket as him.

Let's jut hope he won't be a no-show this time.

_____________________________________

Protectorate East North East 
Parahuman Response Team East North East

INTERNAL DOCUMENT NOT FOR DIFFUSION
DO NOT REPRODUCE

After Action Report

File # AAR CMM_2008-03-24_006
Reporting Agent: Challenger/Miss Milita
Recipient : head of Protectorate ENE / Director of PRT ENE

Date of incident : march 24, 2008 
Location of incident : somewhere near campus idk
Type of incident : /
Threat level : /

Incident Summary:
MM met a cape she knew from a phone call or smth? 
He seemed harmless at a glance, harmless from upclose, and a harmless froggy wuss when talked to.
Had to remind him jaywalking is a terrible villainous crime. Didn't take the joke well. Sheepish kid. Stutters a bit. His accent is way less sexy than in the movies. Also he should workout if he's really even a cape, I mean honestly.
It sounds like he has no friends in town, and that’s just sad.

Details of Incident:
We met a guy. He's French. We talked. We left. MM might interview him later.

Sorry I wrote all the details in the summary part.
 

Analysis & Outcome:
No.

Recommendations:
We shouldn't need to write a report after stuff like this. I mean come on!!!!!!

Chapter Text

PROTECTORATE INTERNAL MESSENGER P-ENE
PIM is powered by (c) Dragoncom. 

Private Chatroom : NOT_THE_STUCK-UP_GROUP

Members in Chatroom: @BATTERY @ASSAULT @DAUNTLESS @CHALLENGER @MEDUSA
Members currently active: @ASSAULT @CHALLENGER

7:47PM @ASSAULT: hey @BATTERY, R U out of the intrv w New Guy yet?
7:59PM @ASSAULT: Hey @BATTERY, R U out of the intrv w New Guy yet?
8:11PM @ASSAULT: Hey @BATTERY, R U out of the intrv w New Guy yet?
8:12PM @ASSAULT: Hey @BATTERY, R U out of the intrv w New Guy yet?

Entering chat: @BATTERY
8:13PM @BATTERY : Yes I've just gotten out. Calm down please.
8:13PM @ASSAULT: Hey @BATTERY, R U out of the intrv w New Guy yet?
8:13PM @ASSAULT: oh
8:13PM @ASSAULT: cool
8:14PM @ASSAULT: so what can U tell us
8:15PM @ASSAULT: spill!
8:15PM @ASSAULT: spill!
8:15PM @ASSAULT: spill!!
8:15PM @ASSAULT: Spill!!!
8:15PM @ASSAULT: Spill!!!!
8:15PM @ASSAULT: spill!!!!!
8:16PM @ASSAULT: spillllll!!!!!
8:16PM @ASSAULT: come on puppy tell us all about it
8:17PM @ASSAULT: cmon @BATTERY TELL US!!!
8:18PM @BATTERY : I'm writing my report. I'll tell you what I can as soon as I finish it. Can you just wait five minutes for once??!
8:18PM @BATTERY : And for the 1000x time STOP CALLING ME PUPPY!
8:19PM @ASSAULT: oh booooo!
8:25PM @CHALLENGER: Yeah boooo!!
8:26PM @CHALLENGER: But srsly. Spill.
8:29PM @CHALLENGER: He didn't not impress me much when I saw him the othr night wth MM.
8:30PM @ASSAULT: Wait U knew abt him?
8:30PM @ASSAULT: all this time?
8:31PM @ASSAULT: and U didnt tell ME!?
8:31PM @ASSAULT: pls tell me everything!!!
8:33PM @ASSAULT: anything
8:35PM @ASSAULT: pls @CHALLENGER!!!!!!!!!!
8:36PM @CHALLENGER: Calm yo tits.
8:37PM @ASSAULT: TELL MEEEEEEE 
8:37PM @ASSAULT: I WANNA KNOW NOWWWWW
8:38PM @CHALLENGER: Inexperienced. Costume made of ratty old civilian clothes and $ store mask. Young but not Wards age. White. Male. Not a big talker. Shy and nervous.
8:39PM @ASSAULT: ok ok typical newbie we'll ease him in no prob
8:39PM @CHALLENGER: We talked fr like 10mn tops. 
8:39PM @CHALLENGER: More like MM talked at him.
8:40PM @CHALLENGER: He didn't like my humor.
8:41PM @CHALLENGER: That's about it.
8:41PM @ASSAULT: thats not much at all! come onnnn nothing else?
8:42PM @ASSAULT: whats his power?
8:43PM @CHALLENGER: Dunno. Didn't demonstrate. Didn't say. 
8:43PM @ASSAULT: ooow thats boring
8:45PM @CHALLENGER: He sounded a bit boring tho.
8:45PM @CHALLENGER: Xept fr one thing…
8:46PM @ASSAULT: what thing? tell me!
8:48PM @BATTERY: I'm back, let me read your posts and I'll tell you what I can. 
8:49PM @BATTERY: OMG @CHALLENGER you forgot the best part!
8:49PM @ASSAULT: what part!? 
8:49PM @ASSAULT: tell me woman!
8:50PM @ASSAULT: will nobody tell me I wanna know cmooooonnnn
8:51PM @CHALLENGER: Yeah I didn't say on purpose.
8:51PM @CHALLENGER: See how he squirms?
8:52PM @BATTERY: haha! You're devious. 
8:52PM @CHALLENGER: Works everytime with this guy.
8:53PM @ASSAULT: cmmon… 
8:53PM @ASSAULT: Puppy
8:53PM @ASSAULT: Cally
8:53PM @ASSAULT: cmon
8:53PM @ASSAULT: this is torture. Your torturing me
8:54PM @BATTERY: She is.
8:54PM @CHALLENGER: We are.
8:55PM @BATTERY: It's a bit too easy don't you think Cally ?
8:56PM @CHALLENGER: Yea I always told U he's easy.
8:56PM @ASSAULT: i'm notttt!!!
8:58PM @ASSAULT: but will you fucking tell me?
8:58PM @CHALLENGER: whooosh!
8:59PM @CHALLENGER: OK lets ge over this
8:59PM @CHALLENGER: The thing about him is...
8:59PM @ASSAULT: its what
9:00PM @ASSAULT: whats so special about him
9:01PM @CHALLENGER: Wait for it.
9:02PM @ASSAULT: im dying here
9:04PM @BATTERY: He's French.

@CHALLENGER left the chat

9:04PM @ASSAULT: wait wat does that mean
9:04PM @ASSAULT: hey where dyou go?
9:05PM @ASSAULT: thats it? @BATTERY anythg else?

@BATTERY left the chat

9:05PM @ASSAULT: @BATTERY what else can U tell
9:07PM @ASSAULT: wait nooo

Entering chat: @DAUNTLESS
10:00PM @DAUNTLESS : Yo! What did I miss?
10:10PM @DAUNTLESS : Guys?
10:25PM @ASSAULT: hey man
10:26PM @ASSAULT: it seems theres a new guy around
10:26PM @ASSAULT: the girls know abt him
10:27PM @ASSAULT: didnt tell me nothin
10:33PM @DAUNTLESS: Oh yeah French mover guy ?
10:34PM @ASSAULT: wait wat you know abt him????
10:34PM @ASSAULT: how do yo know
10:34PM @ASSAULT: did the girls tell u and not me?
10:37PM @DAUNTLESS: What do you mean? Both MM and B mailed us their interview reports hours ago.
10:38PM @DAUNTLESS: I just checked, you've been cc'd to both.
10:38PM @ASSAULT: WHATTTTT FML
10:44PM @ASSAULT: ok I read them
10:44PM @ASSAULT: so hes a mover guy? 
10:45PM @ASSAULT: laaamoo!!!!
12:15AM @DAUNTLESS: Yeah about that. I was thinking of adding Velocity to the chat group?

Chapter Text

Dear diary.

It's been a while since the last time I wrote. -Sorry!-
Why do I even apologize to a journal, get it together girl.

I felt the need to write so I could organize and reflect on my thoughts over what happened today. Yesterday I mean. Time is weird when you have a night patrol and only get home at 8AM.

Dear diary, several things happened -today- yesterday. Last things first, to get those out of the way.

I had a graveyard patrol today. 3AM-6AM. Generally, it's either the most action-packed or the absolute most boring time to patrol. This time, it was boring. And this one was even more unusually quiet - not even a nighttime robbery to stop! Then again, it often is on weekdays, what with students on spring break and this miserable weather. I get that the climate in Brockton is supposed to be mild for New England, but in March, at night? Windy drizzle that felt fucking miserable and colder than hell. I'd even prefer a true snowstorm.

I was paired with Sh-Dauntless tonight. I think I wrote about him in some earlier entry?
Fighting together's fine but it's always a bit awkward patrolling with him, when everything's quiet. We don’t talk much. He's an okay guy I guess but I'll never understand how he could have lived with his power for years without ever thinking of DOING anything with it. I can -just about- get why some people choose -and what a shit choice- villainy over heroics, but doing NOTHING for YEARS? I'm picturing his house filled with old stuff he randomly empowered no more than twice without thinking. Wasteful.
Just to think how powerful he would be right now if he had been serious about his gift early on... The whole city would have been different.
I can't wrap my head around this. His behavior. It feels like squandering his talent.
To think how much mine- NO STOP.

Yep, I just went back and reread what I wrote about him last time. Exact same thing almost word for word.

Deep breaths. Let's just say better late than never, leave it at that and move on.

(Also, he’s OLD)

What else? Ah! I managed to give Assault a taste of his own medicine for once. He's always so infuriating! Well, I infuriated him back. I think? It was over our chat board. Cally helped. I'm just sad I couldn't see his face. I like to imagine him turning red with impotent anger.

For once!

Serves him right with his puppy this and puppy that. At least he's not as disparaging as before. It's weird. Sometimes it feels like he's using the word more... endearingly I guess? Whatever, he's still the same annoying asshole he's always been.
He's not even that funny.
Yeah sometimes I laugh at his jokes.
Puns that are so bad it's good are still not good at all. It's not like I like him!!!!
And going to the gym more often lately isn't going to change my mind, Ethan.

He's still pushy as fuck, especially since we're both Protectorate now. Flirty even? I don't know, it's weird.
He used to be this stupid overpowered "grown-up" fucked-up villain in my head, but now I am an adult woman, and I realize he can't buy alcohol yet. Well, for a few months. Well, legally at least.
I bet he has a fake ID.
I bet he's got 10 of those.

Anyway.
We talked some time ago. A few months ago, right after I graduated to Protectorate. Cleared the air, now that we're proper coworkers. 
Gotta have some trust so we can fight properly, right ?
Especially since our powers actually synergize so well. And isn't that mortifying, considering... everything I had to give up to - NO STOP
I wanted his own version of things. Of what he'd done. And why he switched sides.

I don't think I told you about that dear diary.

It wasn't easy to make him stay still for one single serious conversation, let me tell you.

Can you believe in this fucked-up head of his what he thought he did was vigilantism?
It boiled down to his thoughts about the Birdcage. Explained his thinking that no possibility of parole or appeal for resentencing should be unconstitutional, that as long as there was any possibility of an innocent being Birdcaged -or sent to death row for that matter- he found it abhorrent. That prisons should not only be used not to punish, but to rehabilitate criminals, or whatever. At no point did he even talk about the victims, or the damage done. It made my blood boil. He even had the gall of using these pieces of shit Ramrod and Fleece as examples! Shown me articles about trials that weren't that ironclad, that were rushed or held in absentia or where evidence was flimsy at best.

And then he showed me the story of Vortice, or Christine Jacobson, 19, from Raleigh, who died inside the Birdcage within six months of her conviction, and was posthumously exonerated when it was revealed she had been mastered the whole time AND her autopsy revealed she was three months pregnant?!

I'll admit that one struck a chord.
Not that it excuses any of his actions! I mean, obviously?!
And even if I agreed with this, I reminded him that he also regularly broke criminals and thugs out of ordinary prisons, so his argument was moot.
That shut him up! Yup!

Well. Anyway, I made him squirm today, even just a little bit. And that's a win.

It was all about the new guy.
Yes! There's a new guy. And he's not even a little kid Ward for once!
Except not really. Not really a new guy I mean. I mean yes he's new and he's a guy and not a ward but…
He's kind of just visiting for a while. He's an exchange student at BBU, and he expects to go back home before summer starts. And he’s French.
Can you believe that? I didn’t know there were students’ exchange programs anymore. 
MM asked for me to shadow her for his “entrance interview”. Probably because he’s around my age? It was a good experience for me to be there at least. See what it’s like.

Anyway.

It was boring as fuck!

If he wasn’t foreign, with his honhon accent, I’d find him the most boringest blandest nerdiest whitebreadest guy I ever met. I kinda still do even with his accent and special circumstances.
God, it’s hard to even find much to say about him!
For the longest time I even doubted he was a cape at all! He didn’t feel like a cape. All flustered and fidgety. Guarded. No matter how often MM reminded him it wasn't like a job interview. It was a pain and a half to extricate long sentences from him, and I’m not even talking about his English level.
I find I’m having trouble describing him. He had glasses, thick-ish and squarey. Dark hair but kinda short? A bit like he had a buzzcut a few months ago but he’s letting it grow without styling it. He was average height and I’d say average build but Cally thinks he’s more on the thin side.
He reminds me of those guys who lock themselves inside all day playing nerdy videogames.
Not my type.

Anyway. So we asked -well MM asked the questions- about him, his powers, his life as a cape, or what he was looking for with us at the Protectorate.

By the way, that girl is a saint! She kept pretending to be interested in what he was saying! The whole time! I guess she had to be acting. Definitely. No one in their right mind would keep aahing oohing and smiling and please can you tell me more on this and that, for an hour straight. I’m so impressed by her patience. For real, I need to learn to better my active listening, so I’d act more like her.
Anyway, we talked about his caping life. Or more accurately, lack thereof.
Apparently he had his power for close to a year, but it seems he doesn’t do much with it? I dunno it’s weird. Wait for it : he never fights crime. Like at all. He doesn’t even take self-defence classes, martial arts, hell not even going to the gym, nothing!
First he told us he is part of a team of local first responders back home, which, ok fine that’s marginally useful but then when pressed he backtracked from it? He was all like “honhon no no you see I am not reely wizz ze firefiterz I am in ze reserve but zey don’t call on me never because I am only a category C you know how it eez right mon ami hon hon hon” or whatever. At most he had some drills with othervolunteer firefighters and reservist rescuers, some first aid training and… that’s about it. Said he doesn’t mesh well with the local team and that they don’t like that he prioritizes his studies. That they don’t know what to do with him and how to use his power.

Which is… I mean. Hello? a teleporter? what BETTER power do you want for a quick response team??! Maybe unless he cannot carry any kit with him a bit like Velocity? But still OMG!

At least he looked like he was somewhat ashamed of his lack of experience. As he should!
Honestly he reminds me a bit of younger Dauntless.
What a waste of power. I bet I could have found a way to make it work with a teleporting power if mine hadn’t been avail- WAIT STOP

Anyway.

Then we asked if he was okay with a demonstration. He looked as jumpy as ever, but he agreed. He asked for the door to be opened “because ze room is so small and ze air needz more space to move”. And then he teleported away. I was taking notes at the time but I managed to just catch his departure, but not his arrival point which was just out of sight in the opposite corner of the room.
It wasn't flashy but it made a loud bang.
Well, loud, more like loud-ish, and not much of a bang or a boom. More like a big balloon popping, but still loud in a tiny room. I don’t think I felt any kind of pressure wave so I don’t know if he was overcautious with the door thing, or what.
He then popped back to his chair and funnily enough, I again just caught him popping out but not popping in, becauseI'd just turned my head to look at the corner where he'd just appeared in.
All in all, not that interesting as powers go.
Pop-in/pop-out, that’s it?
I bet there’s hundreds of teleporters with much more oomph to their power. Mouse Protector, Strider, just from the top of my head.

Anyway, after this, MM made him promise to come for a power-testing interview and a few other meets and greets, and he agreed to "maybe try" some combat classes, because "you never know." If there’s one thing I got from the whole deal, it’s that he is NOT the fighting type. As he said. So many times.

What kind of cape is he even? I never met a parahuman who insisted so much on NOT fighting. Yeah right. Not fooling me.

As a rule, you don’t get powers if you’re not the kind of person who looks for trouble. At least a little. So, what’s he avoiding? What’s he hiding?
I know it’s both a cliché (ha! French!) and a big no-no but I keep wondering how he got his power.
Maybe he’s so cagey because he’s like me and- NO STOP!

And yes, MM made me come to work two hours early just for that shit. I was beginning to be kind of pissed off towards the end, not gonna lie.

I’ll admit I kept my interview report fairly short. I wonder if this journal entry isn't longer already.

Holy fuck, almost midday already?
Bedtime, girl!

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