Survivors (A Statesman/Sister Psyche Story)
By
BlueBattler,
Posted on: 2008-04-28 20:09 in Roleplaying
Statesman. Not only a great gero, but a gigantic [censored] as well. Good luck making him look good, Bluebattler. I wish you luck.
The Bar has a name, but hes just about the only one that remembers it. Its been around even longer than he has. It has the best beer in Paragon.
Sean, the bartender greets him personally as he comes in. Mistah Cole, its good tsee ya again.
Its good to see you too, Sean. Its a lie. He was there at Seans christening. He was there when Sean returned home from the Vietnam War with the same haunted eyes hed seen on his fellow Doughboys back in the trenches. In a few short years, hell be there at Seans funeral
It seems like half his eternal life is spent attending the funerals of those he cares about.
No one else greets him or recognizes him. His face has been in the history books since their grandparents were children, but these days he can walk down the street without his mask on and not get a second glance. Statesman is a larger than life figure in red and blue, not a man of average height and build wearing a nondescript jacket and an old fashioned haircut.
Sistah Psyche is waitin fer ya, Mistah Cole. Ill bring ya a draft. Would ya be wantin somethin teat too?
The beerll be fine, Sean. Im not very hungry.
Sean leads him to the table and then hurries off to get the beer.
Hello, Shalice.
Marcus.
Shes nearly as old as he is, but her clothing and hair dont seem out of style at all. No one recognizes her as the famous Sister Psyche. She could be just another young professional woman out on the town
a bit overdressed for The Bar, but very stylish nonetheless.
Shes drinking wine. She sips delicately as she looks at him.
He resists the urge to squirm. Hes the most famous hero in the world, not an errant schoolboy being brought before the principal. Hows Justin? Is he all right?
He knows that Manticore is fine, but he cant stand the silence or the look in her eyes. Again, he resists the urge to twitch.
Hes fine. He says thank you for the wine, by the way.
Your welcome.
Here ya are, Mistah Cole. Let me know if ya need anything.
I will, Sean. Thank you.
Hes your friend, Marcus. It wont hurt you to look at him when he talks to you.
Yes, yes it does. The candor surprises him.
Shalice takes another drink of her wine and just looks at him.
Why, Shalice? The question surprises even him when he asks it.
Why what, Marcus?
Why did you do it? How could you marry Manticore? Knowing what I went through with Monica, how could you be so stupid as to marry a mortal?
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(off to a fine start. looking forward to seeing how this develops. 
)
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Faces of the City
He braces himself for an attack-- physical, mental, or verbal. Shalice has so many options. At this point, all he can do is wait.
Her eyes flare, but she simply takes another drink of her wine. So thats it.
Thats it?
Everyone wondered why you didnt attend the wedding. I think Justin even half-suspected those rumors about us might be true.
Well, thats something anyway. And the smile almost-- almost, but not quite-- reaches his eyes this time.
We used to be laugh about that, you know.
We?
Monica and I. The tabloids used to have a field day every time you and I appeared together at a public function wearing civilian clothing. Surely you knew that?
Never had much time for reading papers. He takes a drink of his beer for lack of anything more to say.
I remember the first time I talked to her about it. I was going to assure her that nothing would ever happen between us. I was going to tell her your thoughts showed she was the only woman for you. She laughed when I brought it up. She looks at him, then, and her eyes are damp. She said she didnt have to be a telepath to know that. She knew that you loved her, Marcus. She knew it with all her heart. I remember being amazed that someone could love someone so much. The smile that comes to her lips softens her beautiful features and makes her eyes as young as the rest of her. Now I know how she felt. Thats why I married, Justin, Marcus. Because I love him with all my heart.
I know. Thats why he hadnt said anything. You cant tell someone not to follow their heart. Hed known that when he was just a man.
Nothing is certain in life, Marcus. I may lose Justin like you lost Monica. I might see him die in battle. He has the same risks. Not even mortals have any guarantees about having a lifetime together. All I know is that life without Justin wouldnt be worth living, no matter how long or short it was.
What about children? It comes out as a whisper, and he cant look at her as he says it.
What about them?
Maybe youve made peace with watching Justin age and die while you remain the same, Shalice. Children are another story. Do you know how much it hurts me to see Alexis these days? Shes my daughter, my little girl, but every time we go out people think shes my mother
or grandmother. Im going to lose her just like I lost her mother. Do you have any idea what that does to a parent? To know that youre going to outlive your child? Its like a knife in your heart.
So youd rather Alex had never been born, then?
No. But he will never let it happen again.
Marcus. Shalice squeezes his hand, and hes mildly surprised that he cant remember the last time a woman has held his hand. I know you just wanted to spare me. Youve always wanted to save those you love from pain. Thats why you became Statesman. Why you didnt become Recluse.
And then Shalice slips away and is replaced by the implacable Sister Psyche once more. At least not yet.
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Somewhere, theres a distant rumble of thunder, and he reigns in his temper lest he say or do something hell regret later. I dont understand.
Youve changed, Marcus. Youre not the same man I first met. She takes another drink, and hes aware fully that its not his dear friend Shalice speaking. No, its Sister Psyche; the woman who can read a mans heart and soul just as easily as she reads his mind.
Im still here. Im still fighting the good fight.
But the way youre fighting it has changed. Again those eyes pierce his soul. Do you really think that twenty years ago you would have let Sirens Call remain as it is?
Its a sound tactical decision.
Yes, it is. Justin agrees with you. But its a decision you wouldnt have made once. Sunbursts reputation is in tatters. Heroes go there, risking their lives, never knowing that its all part of a game between you and Recluse.
He shifts nervously in his seat. Its necessary. Stefan wont be beaten in a single battle. Ive tried that. He has to be dealt with on a long term basis. Sometimes you have to make sacrifices for the greater good.
The sad thing is, Marcus, I think you believe that.
There are always casualties in war, Shalice.
Statesman isnt a general, Marcus. The heroes of Paragon City arent your personal army to do or die as you see fit.
You dont think I know that? You dont think I know what happens to the kids who put on a pair of tights because they read the comic books or saw the movies of me and think its fun? I was the first, Shalice. They look to me for leadership, for inspiration. Im supposed to be the worlds greatest hero. His lips twist in mockery when he says that. And sometimes I have to send those same kids to do the things that you and I cant. I have to watch them lose their idealism-- and sometimes their lives. And I have to tell them to do it, to keep on doing it-- because it has to be done!
Shalice sighs and finishes her wine. Im glad that some part of you still cares, Marcus. But Im still worried about you. The more you pull away from everyday humanity, the less human you become. Youre starting to think like Stefan, Marcus. Youre starting to put your long term goals over the things that used to matter to you most-- youre starting to put them over the lives of the people who trust you and believe in you.
I-- And he pauses because there seems to be nothing he can say to that.
Someday, Ill be gone, Marcus. We all will. And when that happens-- when youre alone-- who will be able to see beyond the mask of Statesman and talk to the man underneath the legend? Who will be there to tell you when youre wrong?
He looks down.
Shalice stands up. The man is still in there, Marcus. I can feel him fighting to live, but hes sinking. No ones an island. Not even Statesman can live in the world alone-- not if he wants to be the man Monica Richter fell in love with all those years ago.
What should I do? He hasnt been human-- he hasnt been a man-- in so long
Live, Marcus. Dont let the future keep you from living in the present. Shalice bends down and kisses his cheek. Theres a blonde at the bar whos been eyeing you since you stepped in. Why dont you go say hello?
I--
Just say hello, Marcus. Do it for me. Do it for yourself. A soft whisper in his mind. Do it for Monica. She wouldnt begrudge you that. You know that she wouldnt want you to spend the rest of forever alone.
Ill try. And Shalice?
Yes?
Justin is one lucky man.
Oh, he knows. He knows. And with a ripple of mental laughter, she walks out of the bar, leaving him alone once more.
He finishes his beer and goes up to the bar. Ill have another one if you dont mind, Sean.
Sure thing, Mistah Cole.
The blonde looks at him. The only thing she has in common with Monica is her hair color. Her eyes are different. Her features are thinner, sharper. Not unattractive, but just not Monicas girl next door look. Hi there.
Hello.
You just get dumped?
Oh no. Shes a friend. She and another pal of mine just got married. Do people say pal these days? And for the first time in decades, the same roguish Errol Flynn grin that Monica fell in love with decades ago comes to his lips. My name is Marcus.
Hi, Marcus. Im Cindy.
Pleased to meet you, Cindy. Would you mind it terribly if I offered to buy you a drink?
No, Marcus. I dont think Id mind that at all
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*applaud*
I liked it alot.
Only one small detail, Monica was a brunette and looked like a real life version of betty boop. At least i think it was betty... But anyways, she was brunette. Besides that I completely loved this story. Great job.
Need help making your own CoH comics or read other's comics at cohcomicindex.com
www.jkcomics.com for Justice-Knights comics series and more!
Storylines:
Introductions, Obey,
I am in awe. This is brilliant work.
5 stars 
Very well written, i applaud your work!
Wow. Very nice. *applaud*
This receives the Kid Eros seal of approval. Nice job.
"Bombarding the CoH/V fora with verbosity since January, 2006"
Djinniman, level 50 inv/fire tanker, on Victory
-and 40 others on various servers
A CoH Comic: Kid Eros in "One Light"
dang. With stories like this to compare to, I feel like I should just give up writing.
You don't see it stopping me, Cuddles.
My Stories
Look at that. A full-grown woman pulling off pigtails. Her crazy is off the charts.
Nah, Cuddles. Let it inspire you instead. I've noticed that it takes just one really good story to get a whole bunch of people off their butts and posting their fan fiction. It sort of tapers off until the next one comes around, and there's another flurry.
Tell the story you want to tell. That's what it's all about. Comparing it to a different story is only useful if you're hoping to learn something from the contrast. Blue_battler is "tapped into" the signature characters. His talent is showing facets that haven't neccesarily been explored before. This story is an excellent example of that.
YOUR talent is probably something else. Your "muse" is different. Let it lead you to tell YOUR stories. Follow your muse and don't get bogged down in trying to rate your "quality" versus someone else. Heck, tell YOUR stories, and let that be enough. If anyone else happens to like them, that's gravy.
Cuddles,
Slick is exactly right.
Write for yourself, first of all.
Second, this is not a competition. Believe me, none of us are gonna get paid for this.
My COX Fanfiction:
Blue's Assembled Story Links
Nice
Just found this and LOVED IT!!!!!!!!
I like it very much.
I think that demi-god heroes like Statesman and Superman are vulnerable to becoming distanced from humanity. This story shows us how much the love of a good woman can do.
/sniffle
www.paragonwiki.com is a great source of information for this game.
New or returning to the game? Want advice from experienced players who want to help YOU?
The Mentor Project: Part of the New Player Council.
He hates moments like these.
The young heroes stand before him battered, weary, but triumphant. In spite of incredible odds, they have thwarted Lord Recluses latest scheme for world domination. They look to him to vindicate their pain, their suffering. They want him to tell them they have made a lasting difference in the world. He is Statesman, and they look to him for meaning.
He doesnt tell them that within a matter of days Recluse will be free and as strong as ever, working on yet another scheme to destroy Paragon City and all those who oppose him. He doesnt tell them it will never end. He doesnt tell them these things because he is Statesman, and that is his burden to bear.
He praises their courage instead. He thanks them for their bravery. He salutes them for their dedication, their heroism. He tells them they are an example of the best and bravest that Paragon City has to offer. The words come easily to him because it is the truth.
He doesnt tell them it never ends. He cant. He is Statesman
He forces a smile for their sakes and salutes them as they leave him. They have won the day, and thanks to them countless people will live to see another dawn. They are true heroes, and he respects them for all that.
And he wonders which of them will die fighting the good fight. He thinks about those who will grow old and bitter, regretting a youth spent in a never-ending battle. He mourns those who will turn to the dark path and become the very things they have fought against this day.
He smiles, but it does not reach his eyes. He smiles and waves and thinks about how so very tired he is of living a lie
Marcus.
Shalice? Is something wrong?
We need to talk, Marcus. Just the two of us.
He sighs. He might have known this moment was coming. Now is not really a good time.
I wont be put off this time, Marcus. Recluse is down-- at least for the moment. Its past time we had this talk. Meet me in Kings Row at The Bar.
Shalice-- He tries once more, but he knows hes already lost this fight. Delaying the inevitable would only make it worse. Ill be right there.
Pressing the concealed button on his helm that teleports him to the Freedom Phalanx Base while simultaneously activating the hard light hologram that will take his post while hes gone, he finds himself grateful once more for Positrons brilliant mind. Even a guy with the power of Zeus has to take an occasional bio break every once in a while, and the hologram would alert him if his presence was required.
As he puts on civilian clothing, he checks the computers to see if hes needed. For once, though, all seems quiet in Paragon City.
It figures.
Never an Archvillain around when you need one, he mutters to himself as he heads for the Kings Row teleporter.
[i]Marcus, Im waiting.[i]
Believe it or not, Stefan, I think youre the lucky one tonight.
My COX Fanfiction:
Blue's Assembled Story Links