#017 having closed the bookshop for the night, walked home as customary holding Mr. Wilkins to her chest. The few days had been somewhat tense as his girl had been avoiding speaking any further about her mother. To her the subject was closed and long dead and buried, but to Mr. Wilkins, he simply needed to know more in order to protect his girl. Seeing that he couldn’t get more information on that subject, Mr. Wilkins tried a different tactic. “Seventeen, you’ve never told me how you got your name of seventeen?”
#017 is quiet for a moment in thought before replying, “It was the first name I was ever able to choose for myself.”
Mr. Wilkins cocks his head to the side in bewilderment. “I fail to understand,” Mr. Wilkins said in confusion.
“When I was born, I was named Victoria by Atlas, after Queen Victoria of England. Atlas wanted me to have as much potential as she did, but what he failed to recollect is that Queen Victoria spent the first years of her life trapped in her family’s home until she took the throne,” #017 drily stated. “And after and given what we just recently learned, Atlas added me to the Project in a desperate attempt to return my Esper abilities to me.”
Mr. Wilkins carefully says, “Do you regret killing him, now?”
#017 seriously ponders the question, before gravely answering. “No, I don’t, I made a promise to those I killed; my friends who were not given a choice and had their lives stolen away from them. A promise is a promise and promises must be kept.” Mr. Wilkins nods in understanding as #017 hesitates for a moment, before softly saying, “But at times, I do find that I miss him.”
Mr. Wilkins sighs in subtle relief, before further enquiring, “Then was the Project somewhat successful in returning any abilities?”
#017 doesn’t respond making Mr. Wilkins swiftly say, “Okay onto the previous subject. So how did you get your name?”
#017 continues, “When I was enrolled into the Project, I was renamed Alexandrina, the actual first name of Queen Victoria, a subtle reminder from Atlas to always remember who I was. When the project ended, Mom, Dad and Gabe kept calling me, Alexandrina. I hated the name, but I kept it to make them feel at ease.
But it was not until I was taken to the prison facility, where I was accidentally given the choice to choose a number for myself between ten and twenty. I choose seventeen and that became my name. And since then, I have decided to remain as such.”
“I see,” Mr. Wilkins tactfully said, but failing to understand the importance of his girl choosing a prison number as her name, when she could have chosen any new name for herself.
#017 abruptly stops on the sidewalk in front of the house and stares at the front door, before turning around and staring at the street. Mr. Wilkins instantly reacts and studies the inner house area for heat signatures. Inside their house are several figures seating down and several standing, and most definitely armed figures.
Mr. Wilkins opens his mouth to speak, but #017 subtly covers his mouth and motions with her fingers for the teddy to remain silent. #017 calmly walks down the front driveway and to the front door. With a relaxed air, #017 unlocks the front door and enters the house, firmly closing the door behind her.
“Welcome Victoria Starr it is a pleasure to make you acquaintance. And please pardon our rudeness, but we must confirm your identity and verify you are an adequate teacher for the academy. Please have a seat,” said, a very petite woman with wavy hair in a pretty kimono.
#017 counts the figures, two more seated figures and five guards that are visible in the house and no doubt just as many posted outside. #017 takes a seat in the leather recliner and waits for the woman to speak.
The woman eyes #017 carefully studying her face for any signs of recognition. Failing to see any, the woman sighs with some relief. “Miss Starr, my name is Soren and I am a member of the Esper Council. And the two seated members at my side are also members of the Esper Council as well, Lady Ishanvi and Master Ferguson,” Soren said and paused pointing to the old Indian woman in a green sari and the even older, elderly man in slacks and a blue knit sweater and a propped wooden cane on his legs.
“Miss Starr, we would like to start by asking you some questions to verify your identity,” Soren politely said. Miss Starr remains silent and upon failing to notice any negative emotions, Soren glances at her two counterpart members who motion for the examination to begin.
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Soren clears her throat and asks, “Miss Starr, are you Victoria Starr, the daughter of Atlas Starr?” The old man’s eyes glisten with hatred and a cold darkness, that suddenly vanish leaving a feeble old man’s dry eyes in place. However, #017 had not failed to notice the sudden emotion.
“Yes, I am,” #017 said as Soren uses her ability to verify that is the case. Soren’s ability is that of listening to the thoughts of the mind. The girls mind is strange as the truth is blatant and obvious in a large open room, which is most odd. Most people attempt to even hide the truth in their mind like hiding a toy in a room, but this was not the case. Strange and stranger still, but nothing that could be used to condemn the girl.
Soren taps her finger on the table in silent confirmation of the truth to her fellow council members who nod in confirmation. “Miss Starr, do you have any psychic abilities that qualify you as an Esper? Soren asked.
#017 reaches into her pocket and pulls out a spoon. Soren smiles warily as do the rest of the members of the council as the spoon begins to bend on its own. “I don’t have much of an ability other than that. With the only exception being Mr. Wilkins, of course,” #017 steadily said.
Soren eyes widen in surprise as the two other council members brows furrow in bewilderment. “Sorry, but who is Mr. Wilkins?” Soren carefully asked as the two other council members slowly activate their abilities. The guards swiftly catch on to the council members actions and slowly reach for their weapons.
#017 holds the teddy bear out and says, “Mr. Wilkins is my teddy bear.”
Soren smiles warily as the council members cancel their abilities and the guards snicker in sullen embarrassment. “Okay and what is so special about Mr. Wilkins?” Soren asked.
“Well, Mr. Wilkins is Mr. Wilkins,” #017 truthfully said.
Soren sighs in exasperation and says, “Miss Starr, this is not funny. We are here to conduct a serious interview, please be more serious.”
#017 coldly replies, “I am. Mr. Wilkins, it’s your turn now,” setting the teddy bear down onto the floor.
Soren smiles ruefully as do the guards, the two older council members on the other hand tsk their tongues against their teeth in frustration at the waste of their time. The teddy bear in the butler suit suddenly stands on its own feet and says, “It is a pleasure to meet you all, I am Mr. Wilkins. How may I be of service?”
The guards freeze as do the rest of the occupants in the room. The council members all use their abilities to sense another ability user or ability, but sense nothing. The council members gaze with awe and greed at the teddy bear. Soren stiffly says, “How are you moving?”
Mr. Wilkins says, “Simple my dear, it’s because I’m alive. My girl simply one day wished hard enough and here I am. Beats me, frankly. If you can’t figure out, why should I? I’m just a teddy bear after all.”
Soren nods dumbly as Lady Ishnavi swiftly jumps in and asks, “Mr. Wilkins, can you inhabit other physical bodies?”
“No, not that I’ve ever tried,” Mr., Wilkins replied.
“He’s not a ghost nor does he have a soul. He technically is not alive nor dead. He simply is,” Master Ferguson matter-of-factly stated.
“Well, that certainly is unique. Can you explain the circumstances for this bizarre miracle, Miss Starr?” Soren asked.
“I simply wished upon a star and Mr. Wilkins came to be,” #017 gravely said.
Soren scans Miss Starr’s mind for any sighs of lies, but finds nothing. Soren taps her finger in confirmation as the other two members speak into her mind. “It is not a surprise, Soren. You are young and yet believe you have seen everything. But I have seen many self-taught Esper’s and it may be that in this case, the girl literally willed the teddy bear in being. The good and bad news is that it is impossible feat to accomplish again,” Master Ferguson stated.
Lady Ishanvi adds, “Yes, but still, an impossible feat given her ability level. An impossibility that could not have occurred and yet here it is, it happened against all impossible odds. But I suppose that life enjoys surprising us and most especially in our old age.” Master Ferguson cracks a smile in reply as Soren remains quiet.
“Is she a danger to us?” Lady Ishnavi swiftly adds.
“No, she harbors no feelings of ill towards us and failed to recognize us,’ Soren swiftly replied.
“Are there any more questions?” #017 asked.
“No, you have satisfied the council and your references are impeccable. The position is yours,” Soren quietly said.
#017 nods her thanks as the council members rise to their feet. However, several guards aid Master Ferguson back to his feet. Master Ferguson uses his cane to stand as Lady Ishanvi simply closes her eyes and they all simply vanish.
Mr. Wilkins scans the area and makes a circle with his hand motioning the area was clear. #017 not taking any chances drags Mr. Wilkins to her room and shuts the door. They each log onto their respective tablet and begin to chat via an online game forum chatroom.
Mr. Wilkins screen name was Peanut Butter Lover, while #017’s was Jelly Hater.
Jelly Hater: Are we clear of bugs?
Peanut Butter Lover: I found 2 already, but I’m still running scans.
Jelly Hater: Tell-Kenny-Sis does not copy over to apparatuses. But, that we need to watch out 4 players that can control machines or electricity.
Peanut Butter Lover: Yes. But how did U mange to avoid the beam?
Jelly Hater: Build a castle labyrinth dungeon and allow them to only enter the first floor. They never find the treasure troves in the rest of the rooms.
Peanut Butter Lover: Was that learned at the project site?
Jelly Hater: Yes.
Suddenly a player known as Bat2 types: Wat r u guys talking about?
Both players known as Peanut Butter Lover and Jelly Hater log off immediately leaving Bat2 alone in the chatroom.
Bat2 types: U guys SUCK! Before wandering off to brighter and better chat forums.