Aggro 4.12
– o – o – o – o – o – o – o –
Greg Lucas Veder tilted his head, blinking obtusely at the well-dressed man sitting on his couch next to his mother, a pair of mugs resting on the coffee table in front of him. After a few moments of this, he turned to his mom, the blonde woman smiling nervously at him, and repeated the same action.
Several long seconds went by before Greg took in a long breath, closed his eyes slowly and shrugged before finally speaking to the strange man. "So, I'm gonna assume we haven't met before?"
The man's mouth turned upwards into a slight smile at Greg's odd comment and he let out a small chuckle. A well-manicured hand rose to scratch at his the side of his ear, brushing the side of his thick, brown hair before moving down to a smooth-shaven chin. "Well, I don't think we have." With a slight raise of his eyebrows, he glanced towards Greg's mother and gestured for her to speak first. "Ms. Veder, if you don't mind?"
"Greg," The teen turned to his mom as she began to get up from the couch but after a moment, as if thinking better of it, she sat back down and glanced back at Greg with an awkward, almost sickly, expression. "Sweetheart…" She seemed to trail away, unsure of what to say.
Under his breath, Greg muttered a quick "Observe" only to freeze as he read what came up.
Marcus Cutler Lv 14
PRT- Special Agent
HP: 280/280
A special agent within the PRT for the last seven years, Marcus Cutler serves to handle the more investigative and sensitive duties that cannot be delegated to the regular officers within the PRT who function more as a police for parahumans. Carries a Glock Model 22 sidearm. A fan of Les Miserables and monster trucks. Has connections with Fortress Construction.
"Mom, seriously." Greg interrupted again, a hint of nervousness trailing into his voice as he read the description of the PRT agent in his living room. "What's going on?" Seriously, though, why is the PRT here?
This made no sense right now. How did anyone know he was a cape?
"Greg, sweetheart, Mr. Cutler just wants to… talk to you about… something. So, please, just… just listen." She sat down again, raising her cup to her lips as she eyed her son.
Greg sucked on his teeth, desperately wishing this was not what he thought it was. "... Okay. I'll listen, Mr. Cutler."
The man in question gave him a smile, Greg choosing not to trust it on principle. "Again, my name is Marcus Cutler and I work for the PRT. Now, I know you might be wondering why I'm here-"
"A little, yeah. I might have been wondering that."
Cutler stopped for a moment, pursing his lips slightly before a grin opened in full force. "Anyway, Greg… Can I call you Greg?"
"Sure," Greg allowed himself a smile as a thought jumped into his head. "I'd prefer if you called me Mr. Veder, though. As my mom says, I am the man of the house."
"Like I was saying," the agent began again, "Mr. Veder, my name is Marcus Cutler. I serve as a Special Agent with the PRT and I'm here because we received a call - an anonymous call, mind you - that you were likely a new parahuman and we at the PRT simply wanted to provide you with any assistance you might need in dealing with your new status."
Greg blinked rapidly, his mind slamming to a halt as he received confirmation of what he had been fearing. For a moment, he said nothing, simply staring at the special agent who dropped such a bomb on him.
"So… I don't want to ruin this cape theory the PRT has about me, cause between you and me, being a cape would be pretty darn cool, but you guys do know that I'm not a cape, right?"
The suited man raised a hand to scratch his chin and nodded at Greg, as if acquiescing to his point. "It's perfectly understandable that you believe so…"
"Uh, no-no-no," Greg interjected, pausing for a moment to shrug off his backpack. "There's no belief here. I'd love if it if I was. If you've seen my room, you'd know that." he continued, pushing past his nerves by just saying what came to mind. "Thing is, I'm just not a cape. It's that simple. Mom, you believe me right?"
Greg turned to Susan Veder, already assured that his mother would have his back. Instead, she seemed to have not heard his question, gazing intently at the cup of tea in her grip. "Mom?"
"Greg, it's not that… you've been acting a bit…" His mother glanced up at him slowly, almost as if she had to pull her gaze away from her cup. "… odd recently and there's a lot of changes you've been going through…"
"Puberty? You mean puberty?" Greg snapped, hands falling to clench at his sides. "Just 'cause the puberty fairy gave me an extra big sprinkle of puberty dust, I'm suddenly a cape, Mom? You don't believe me just because I'm suddenly going outside once in a while? Is it that weird?"
"Sweetheart, it's not that I don't believe you…"
"But you don't," Greg interrupted again, his tone lacking any bite as he slowly spoke the three words. "Why? Why don't you believe me, Mom?"
Susan shook her head, her mouth opening and closing as she tried to find words that just weren't coming. After a few seconds, she just gave her son a weak smile and shook her head. "I'm sorry, sweetheart."
"Wait…" A thought went through Greg's mind and he froze, mouth falling open slightly as he stared at his mom. "D-did… Mom, did you call the PRT on me?"
"No!" Susan flinched as Greg asked her the question, her cup of tea sloshing wildly as Susan tried to steady it with shaking hands. "Greg, I-"
"Again, Mr. Veder, I must repeat that the call was anonymous," This time, it was Agent Cutler who chose to cut in, raising a hand before Susan could say anything else. "The individual who made the call, or calls, requested that their identity be withheld and it is the stance of the PRT to never release any private information relating to parahumans who have not taken on a cape identity or individuals who report any information relating to them."
"Of course it is," Greg said with a frown as he turned back to the agent. "But you can still come in here and accuse me of being a cape without any proof."
"Mr. Veder, we received a series of…" Marcus tilted his head slightly as if thinking, before continuing, "tips from an individual who noted several aspects you were purported to exhibit. Aspects that we often relate to the appearance of parahuman abilities in young people."
"Aspects?"
"Again, I'm not at liberty to disclose the particulars of the information they released to PRT," Another smile that Greg didn't believe crossed the agent's face as he adjusted his tie. "I hope you understand."
"No, I understand." Greg lifted his eyebrows, humming slightly. "I understand that you have information on me that I'm not allowed to know about from someone that you won't tell me about and that might not exist at all, Agent Cutler." Greg snorted, shaking his head. "You know, If that is your real name."
"Sweetheart, could you please stop and let Agent Cutler finish?"
Greg blew air from his pursed lips, and slumped his shoulders in an entirely undignified manner. "But, Moooom..."
"Greg, if you're so sure that you're not a parahuman, then… then what's the problem?" The older woman gave Greg a pitiful glance that almost made him want to tell his mom everything he'd been hiding. A moment's thought was all it took to push that instinct away, Greg unsure of whether he could even trust his mom anymore, especially if she was the one to report him to the PRT.
"I don't trust 'im," Greg replied. "Well, not him-him. I'm sure Cuts is an okay guy but I just met him so I can't really speak for that yet. You get me, right, Cuts? Can I call you Cuts?"
"I'd…" The PRT agent blinked, shaking his head slightly. "I'd prefer if you didn't, actually."
"Fair enough, Cuts. I'm just..." Greg sighed, shrugging his shoulders, "not that eager to let some PRT guy tell me what I am just because of some phony, anonymous report that I can't be sure actually exists."
The next few moments were filled with an almost oppressive silence as Greg finished speaking, his words almost hanging in the air as both adults found themselves blinking as they processed his statement. Greg folded his arms, staring between his mother and the agent as he tapped his fingers against his arm.
"Well," Agent Cutler broke the silence, "that's certainly a strong opinion but there is a way to clear all this up. It's rather quick. Just a simple test that we can do for parahumans."
"Hmm." The young blond gave the older man a sidelong glance, clicking his tongue as he folded his arms tighter over his chest. "Is it geometry? 'Cause, you know, I kinda suck at Geometry. So, I'm pretty sure I'll fail that one. Ask my mom. She's seen my last few report cards."
"Greg, stop it. Please." Susan turned slightly to face the agent, resting her mug on it's coaster. "A test? You mean something like a physical? Or a blood test?"
Greg raised an eyebrow at the mention of a physical, unsure of whether or not something like that would be able to detect if he was a cape or not. He wasn't sure if he could maintain the lie in the face of actual proof but it wasn't like they could prove he was Prodigy, or "White Knight" anyway. Either way, I could just say that I didn't know, right?
"No, no, nothing like that at all." Agent Cutler replied to Susan's question with a smile, rubbing the slight stubble visible on his chin. "Much less invasive. No prodding or poking or anything that uncomfortable."
"Oh, that sounds nice. Perfectly safe too, I assume." Greg frowned at the way his mother responded to Cutler, her tone coming off to him much the same way she would talk about going to the dentist. "Right, sweetie? Doesn't that sound nice?"
Greg hummed slightly, not really eager to respond considering his mom has already made up her mind. Fighting too hard would just make me look more suspicious, anyway.
You have gained 1 WIS.
"There is one slight stipulation," continued Agent Cutler, "that… Mr. Veder might have a problem with."
"What does my dad have to do wi…" Greg frowned slightly as the agent's words hit him. "Oh, yeah, you mean me. Ugh, brain fart, sorry about that."
Shaking his head, Greg thought over the man's words. "What do you mean, 'might have a problem with?'" I might have a problem with a lot of things, he mused to himself. If you haven't figured it out yet, the PRT showing up at my house is one of them.
After another pleading look from his mother, the teenager let out a long sigh and shrugged his shoulders. "Sure, drop another bomb on me, why don't you?"
"We can only hold the test down at the PRT Headquarters, so we'll have to head down there if you want to get down the bottom of this anytime soon." The PRT agent concluded his statement with a smile, one that Greg was really beginning to dislike.
Susan smiled at her son, her expression wavering slightly as she noticed Greg's own tight frown. "That shouldn't be a problem, right, Greg?"
"One question," Greg held up a finger as he fixed the agent with a raised eyebrow.
"Go ahead, Mr. Veder."
"... Am I being detained?"
– o – o – o – o – o – o – o –
Spoiler: STATUS
Greg Lucas Veder Age: 15 (and three-quarters!) Title: Ninja - In Training Level 19 Experience 2510/32000 Health 1447/1447 Mana 480/480 Willpower 486/486 STR 61 SPD 62 (+2) VIT 82 INT 50 WIS 15 (-80%) CHA 19 (+9) (-90%) Stat Points: 21 Perk Points: 3 Cash: $20068.57
Traits
Nerd-Geek Hybrid: Your obsession with video gaming, computers, fantasy/sci-fi literature and 80's/90's pop culture has left you in the rare middle of two circles; the obsessive fandom-loving geek and the intelligent, knowledge seeking nerd. Sadly, your hobbies have left you with an aversion to physical exertion. (50% bonus to INT gains, -50% penalty to STR, SPD & VIT gains.)
Ambiguous Disorder: Ever since you were a little kid, you've always been a little bit off. Impulsive, obsessive, socially obtuse and emotionally needy, you're a bit of a weirdo. It was easily written off as normal behavior when you were younger but now you're fifteen. Yet, you still come off as someone over five years younger. Maybe Mom should have had you tested like Dad said? (-80% reduction to overall WIS, 90% reduction to overall CHA.)
Casanova Bloodline: As a Veder man, you have a great smile, natural charm and a confident approach to life that draws the ladies in like a moth to a flame. Your great cheekbones don't hurt either. It's how your dad got your mom to go out with him while dating at least three other girls and sleeping with two others, at least that's what he always told you - even when you didn't ask - all the time. (+ 9 CHA)
Dragon-Blooded
Fire and fury flows through your veins, blood of the dragon.
The mythical hero Siegfried was baptized in the blood of a magical dragon and became nigh-invulnerable, immune to nearly all forms of damage. You, on the other hand, were splattered in the blood of a not-so-magical dragon. (+ 250 HP, + 10 STR, + 10 SPD)
Dragon-Souled
For some, baptism by fire tends to be a symbolic term. Not for you, though.
Facing the heat of Lung's flames head-on has purified the strength of your will and the power of your soul. The beginnings of draconic power grow throughout your being. (+250 MP, +250 Will, +10 INT, +10 VIT)
Peak Human
What is peak human, anyway?
Somehow, you have surpassed the physical threshold of humanity, surpassing those inherent limits man is beholden to. (Unlocks perks for STR, SPD, VIT and INT once a stat crosses a benchmark of 50 pts)
Perks
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Baby Steps (1/3) [Ranked Skill]
With Catlike Tread...
Allows very light movement across surfaces, allowing you to move or stand on surfaces that would normally not support your weight.
Bulwark
Facing off against an opponent who far outclassed you has given you an ability to withstand impossible pain in the face of impossible odds.
Takes 50% less damage from opponents over five times your level.
Danger Sense (2/10) [Ranked Skill]
My common sense is tingling.
You gain a sixth sense that allows you to sense the presence of incoming danger.
Developed Mind (1/10) [Ranked Ability]
I like to think of myself as enlightened.
Every time you gain a level, you gain an additional 5 MP for each rank of this perk.
Dragon Blood's Gift
What is a knight without armor? A dragon without scales? A lion without teeth?
All equipped armor and gear is self-repairing at a rate of 1% a minute, so long as it is constantly being fed mana or will in some manner.
Fire Dragon's Aura (1/10) [Ranked Skill]
Bathed in Dragon Fire and Blood, I shall fear no flame
At a rate of 1 MP per second per rank, draw upon your pyrokinesis to generate an aura of fire. Your equipment and body are immune to the heat, of it and anything cooler than it. It is, however, actual fire, so try not to burn down your house. In addition, you can literally breathe fire instead of air while this is active.
Growing Will (1/10) [Ranked Ability]
Some people say you're rather willful.
Every time you gain a level, you gain an additional 5 Will for each rank of this perk.
Lifegiver (3/10) [Ranked Ability]
Health is more than just not getting sick.
Every time you gain a level, you gain an additional 5 HP for each rank of this perk.
Not Quite Dead
People die when they are killed… usually.
Survive after your HP sinks below 0 and a harmful status effect is active.
10% Chance to recover with full health when HP drops to 0.
Quick Healer
Don't worry, it won't scar.
You heal rather fast, at a rate of a tenth of your VIT every fifteen seconds.
Surefooted
I don't trip.
Allows perfect traction over any solid ground, eliminating the chance of slipping and falling over your own feet.
Toughened Body
Charles Atlas would be proud.
Simply put, you're already tougher than most people. Now, well, look at the title of this perk. All physical damage is reduced by half your level number, in addition to all other damage reduction.
Transformation Sequence (1/3) [Ranked Skill]
"It's Morphin' Time!"
By willing yourself to transform, you can equip any full outfit within your inventory, transforming in a flash of blue light, mana glitter and/or a whirlwind of aerokinesis obscuring you.
Skills
Gamer's Body (Passive) Lv. MAX
Allows you to live life as if were a game.
Sleeping restores HP, MP, Will and removes most negative status effects.
Gamer's Mind (Passive) Lv. MAX
Grants immunity to mental status effects, emotional and mental trauma and severely dangerous emotional states.
Basic Aerokinesis Lv 12
"Winds, guard me!"
Exert the force of your air control over a range of 35 meters. (140 mph)
Cost: 20 mp per second of sustained use at max range & power.
Basic Pyrokinesis Lv 3
Burn, baby, burn!
Generate flames and control them up to a range of 3 meters.
Cost: 20 MP per second of sustained use at max range.
Dash Straight Lv 11 (XP: 35%)
Force equals Mass times Acceleration.
You may suck at physics, but you know that much.
Through reinforcing the body, you smash your fist into a target while moving at high speed. Damage scales based on distance moved. (1.5x Damage Cap)
Damage: 165
Cost: 25 Will + 2 Will for every meter power sprinted
Mana Glitter Lv 4 (XP: 65%)
Sparkle like the pretty bishounen you were always meant to be. Or a princess. Or a pedophilic slightly-rapey vampire. Who's judging you?
Release particles of mana from your body in the form of iridescent sapphire sparkles. Max Range increases by 25% with each level. (2.5 meters)
Cost: 1 MP per second
Mana Platform Lv 1
I call it walking on air.
Using raw mana, you create semi-solid platforms under your feet that last only as long as you remain still. (.25 m)
Cost: 1 MP per 2 seconds
Observe Lv 9 (XP: 15%)
A skill to find out basic information relating to the chosen object.
Cost: 1 MP
Raging Combo Lv 13 (XP: 15%)
A blistering barrage of belligerent blows built to batter baddies.
By repeatedly using weaker forms of Angry Straight, you pummel your target with raw frustration and anger. (36 Hits)
Damage: 390
Cost: 65 Will
Reinforcement (Apprentice) Lv 13 (XP: 15%)
A discount version of the Kaio-Ken for the squishy wizard.
Increases your effective strength, speed and health by 5% per level with this technique from a base of 50%. Does not increase actual points of vitality or willpower. Improved control means that weaker usages of Reinforcement is within your grasp for lower costs. (110%)
Cost: 5 Will every 2 seconds
Subskill: Burst
Cast from hit points. Yeah, it's one of those skills.
* * A short, yet extremely concentrated and focused burst of reinforcement applied to the extremities for an insane burst of ability lasting 1 second
* (x 2.5 top Reinforced SPD/STR
Cost: 20 Will, 40 HP
Subskill: Layer Reinforcement
* Increases the quality of non-living items, increasing their sharpness, durability, and hardness.
* This form of reinforcement can be used on non-living substances for a base quality increase of 250% Each level improves this by 25%.
* (550%)
Cost: 2 Will every 5 seconds.
Surface Adhesion Lv 9 (XP: 35%)
You ever wanted to be Spider-Man? Don't lie. Of course you did.
This skill allows you to stick to walls and hang on to ceilings and vertical surfaces without a risk of falling. While not denying gravity, this allows you to adhere to surfaces unaided.
Cost: 2 MP per second
Structural Analysis Lv 5 (XP: 35%)
Judging the concept of creation, Hypothesizing the basic structure...
Grants the ability to gain a rudimentary understanding of the internal structure and functional design of simple, non-living objects.
Cost: 2 mp per square half-meter of object.
Weapon Charge Lv 17 (XP: 75%)
Conceptually do twice as much damage with a weapon. Broken?
What's that mean?
Boosts weapon damage x 2.
Length of charge increases by 1/2 second for every level. (8.5 sec)
Cost: 8 MP
Abilities
Acrobatics Lv 21 (XP: 35%)
Parkour!
An ability that enables you to pull off backflips, frontflips and any manner of jumping-based ground-movement technique with greater ease.
Awareness: Mana Lv 8 (XP: 25%)
Mana, magic energy, magicka, prana, ether, thaum, spiritual energy, magatsuhi or even chakra… Call it what you want. It's all the same in the end.
You have gained awareness of Mana, the spiritual energy found within the human mind and soul. Gaining awareness of your magical energy has given you some semblance of control over it.
Awareness: Willpower Lv 6 (XP: 15%)
Willpower, ki, chi, qi, stamina, aura, mantra, physical energy, life energy, od, or even hamon… Call it what you want. It's all the same in the end.
You have gained awareness of your Willpower, the physical energy found within all living organisms. Gaining awareness of your physical energy has given you some semblance of control over it.
Ballroom Dancing Lv 1
I wouldn't call it dancing yet. More like a full-body dry heave set to music.
Represents your skill in the art of dancing in a fancy, romantic manner when with a partner.
Basic Anatomy Lvl 5 (XP: 85%)
Anatomy is to physiology as geography is to history.
Gain a basic understanding of the human body.
Increases [Critical Hit] damage by 10% per level. (50%)
Beginner Combat Lvl 5 (XP: 15%)
I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.
The next level of combat, Beginner Combat is a fusion of fighting and footwork into the ability to learn new styles of combat, fusing them into a novice martial combat capability.
Increased bare-handed damage by 2% per level. (10%)
Blunt Weaponry Lv 5 (XP: 4%)
Carry a big stick. Speaking softly is optional.
Measures your skill with using a blunt weapon.
Increases damage with a blunt weapon by 2% per level. (20%)
Breath-Holding Lv 13 (XP: 15%)
Asphyxiation is a terrible way to die.
Increases time able to stay conscious without air by 30 seconds per level. (6.5 min)
Bullshitting Lv 6 (XP: 15%)
First, you tell a lie; then you believe it; then you become it.
Increases chances that any lie you tell is successful by 2% with every level. (12%)
Disarm Lv 3 (XP: 55%)
Take their weapon from their warm, living hands.
Increases chance of disarming the enemy by 2% with every level. (6%)
Driving Lv 4 (XP: 25%)
NASCAR, here we come.
Measures your skill at operating a four-wheeled motorized vehicle.
Gunplay: Rifles Lv 3 (XP: 35%)
Slightly better than a stormtrooper.
Improves aim/accuracy/stability with a rifle by 5% per level. (15%)
Improves damage with a rife by 2% per level. (6%)
Kissing Lv 5 (XP: 75%)
Looks like practicing on a peach actually paid off.
Represents your skill in the art of smooching.
Language: Japanese Lv 7 (5%)
Gratuitous Japanese indeed.
Reflects your speaking skill, and understanding of, the Japanese language.
Meditation Lvl 10 (XP: 30%)
Breathe in the good shit. Breathe out the bullshit.
By finding your inner focus, you push out all earthly distractions and enter a state of mental and physical harmony, allowing a greater understanding of your mind and body. While meditating, your Mana and Will recover at a rate of 10% faster per level into this ability. You retain this bonus for a period of ten minutes post-Meditation. (100%)
Parry Lv 8 (XP: 60%)
To deflect an attack is a double-edged sword;
Risking more damage for the chance to inflict the same.
Increases the effectiveness of any attempt to divert or deflect a physical attack by 2% with every level. (16%)
Reflexes Lv 14 (XP: 15%)
DODGE!
Increases your innate reaction speed by 10% per level. (140%)
Resistance: Blunt Force Lv. 56 (XP: 25%)
Going from punching yourself in the face to actual self-mutilation?
Bold move, Veder. Let's see if it pays off.
Reduce all blunt force damage by 0.75% with every level from attacks less than 100% of your health. (42%)
Resistance: Cold Lv 6 (XP: 80%)
The cold never stopped bothering you.
Increases resistance to cold temperature by 1% with every level from attacks less than 100% of your health. (6%)
Resistance: Electricity Lv 8 (XP: 25%)
Everyone knows electrocution is harmless.
Increases resistance to electrical damage by 1% with every level from attacks less than 100% of your health. (8%)
Resistance: Heat Lv 46 (XP: 75%)
"You have to respect anything that can just stand there, on fire."
Increases resistance to heat damage by 1% with every level from attacks less than 100% of your health. (46%)
Resistance: Piercing Lv 21 (XP: 50%)
The thrust or stab is risky because it can kill and yet not stop
Reduces piercing or stabbing damage by 0.75% with every level from attacks less than 100% of your health. (15.75%)
Resistance: Poison Lv 3 (XP: 15%)
I wonder what counts as a poison...
Reduces damage and effects caused by poison by 1% every level that will cause damage less than 100% of your health, in any way, shape or form. (3%)
Resistance: Slashing Lv 9 (XP: 90%)
The cut will stop but not kill.
Reduces slashing or cutting damage by 0.75% with every level from attacks less than 100% of your health. (6.75%)
Seduction Lv 1 (XP: 5%)
I didn't mean to turn you on… or did I?
Manage to draw the attention of a member of the opposite sex using your innate attraction skills. Increases chance of [Critical Hits] on enemies by .5% every level. (.5%)
Singing Lv 2 (XP: 30%)
Stick to doing musicals in the shower for now.
Represents your ability to hit the correct notes, harmonize and anything to do with the art of vocals.
Sneaking Lv 11 (XP: 20%)
Ugh… stealth missions suck.
Allows for 2% quieter movement per level while trying not to be heard. (22%)
Stamina Lvl 11 (XP: 15%)
Whatever I lack in talent I have in stamina.
Increase Will by + 5 with every level. (55 Will)
Swordplay: Single Blade Lv 25
All swords are the same.
Represents your martial skill with the art of a single blade.
Increases damage with a blade by 2% per level. (50%)
Taunt Lv 10 (XP: 10%)
"And this! Is when I taunt you!"
Draw the attention of a target through nonsensical, idiotic, but occasionally piercing, verbal attacks. Increases chance of Critical Hits on enemies by 2% with every level.(20%)
Thrown Weapons Lv 4 (XP: 75%)
Throwing your sword always works. Except, you know, when it doesn't.
Increases the skill, range and force by which items and weapons can be thrown by 2% with every level. (8%)