Cindersnap - Premature Homecoming [Story]
By
Bindweed,
Posted on: 2008-11-17 19:44 in Multi-Media Fan Creations
I didn't reply last night, owing to reading in between roleplaying (which I find a terribly offensive habit in others, so I'm a naughty boy).
Nice to see my manufactured students starting to become real. Liked the touch with Dinahmite. Must actually write something of my own with the full set in.
Disclaimer: The above may be humerous, or at least may be an attempt at humour. Try reading it that way.
Posts are OOC unless noted to be IC, or in an IC thread.
Full, as you young folks say, of win 
This one was supposed to have been done last week, or over the weekend, but I got writers block. Yesterday, writers block shifted and I was in the zone, so I'm fairly happy with this piece.
One thing I'm not sure I conveyed was how it could have just been a dream, or an oxygen deprived reaction in the brain, but it's very clear on what Ryan -thought- it was. His subconcious could certainly have shaped it though, and I find it interesting that he thinks of life as public transport. It's a long journey with interesting people, but when you get off? You're going to have to wait for the next one to ride.
He, and they, knew he wasn't supposed to be there yet. It wasn't his time. Hence the title and their constant references to him being early. And of course the bit with the oven. As much as he'd like to have stayed though, he made himself leave and wake up. For someone in his position, I think that takes a lot of willpower to do.
Six and two threes. Yes, his family is there and he misses them and feels responsible. However, he's got Robert in the 'real world' and he also strikes me as one of those people who will kill himself trying to do the right thing by those new people he feels responsible for. Hence Ni's conversation with Di last night.
Disclaimer: The above may be humerous, or at least may be an attempt at humour. Try reading it that way.
Posts are OOC unless noted to be IC, or in an IC thread.
Robert, his ward Cara, his friends and students. What he misses in family he makes up for in friendships. One of the reasons he was so exuberant last night. Firstly, he felt like he'd seen them, they were fine, they accepted him. That put a big spring in his step. Secondly, he wanted to make sure he at least conveyed some of his feelings over to the others.
But not in a too sappy way.
He's going to get a firm talking too from Dinah, Zori and Robert.
And if that doesn't work, there's always Ni and the web grenades.
Yes, she will pin him down, beat him soundly, and then dance naked around him singing the "You Need to be More Careful" song. 
Disclaimer: The above may be humerous, or at least may be an attempt at humour. Try reading it that way.
Posts are OOC unless noted to be IC, or in an IC thread.
The long, steel grey bus pulled up to its stop in suburbia, the doors sliding apart as the single passenger got off at the stop. Glancing behind him, the young man grinned and offered a wave to the driver. Thanks.
Stepping onto the curb, Ryan Andrews glanced about and smiled. It was unseasonably bright and sunny, the trees filled with rich leaves in golds, oranges and browns of all shades, and the air was clear and warm. Adjusting the bag over his shoulder, the young blond haired man wandered down the path towards the three bedroom detached house he got off outside.
With the front door already unlocked, Ryan stepped in and slid his bag from his shoulder, before hanging up the black coat he was wearing. Dressed in jeans and an open black shirt, a white tank top underneath, he took a moment to unlace his sneakers. The front hallway had a rack for footwear and coats, and the laminated wood flooring extended back as it branched off into the different downstairs rooms. Dark wooden dressers and chests of drawers had various personal effects on, and from the front room to his left, he could hear the thud of rock music from the TV.
A grin spread across the young man's face as he wandered through, just avoiding slipping on the flooring due to his black socks. In the moderately sized and comfortably furnished room, his brother was sprawled out on the sofa watching MTV.
Yo, Thomas! Ryan grinned, wandering up to the sixteen year old boy.
Ryan! Thomas blinked in surprise, his blond hair having been dyed black a while ago, roots starting to show again. You're home early. He screwed up his face in annoyance as Ryan ruffled his hair.
Yeah, guess the bus made better time than I thought... what's with the brunette look? Ryan laughed. Not sure it suits you.
Oh push off, brother! Thomas moaned, swatting the hand away. It's your fault anyway, I had to do something to get them to stop thinking I'm you. It's like, -really- annoying.
Hmm? Well... I guess we do kinda look alike. You been watching my shows though? Ryan asked.
Mom TiVo's them all. Makes sure we all get together as a family and the like... you -really- are home early. His brother complained.
Hey, don't blame me, blame public transport. Why, you got a girlfriend coming over? Ryan smirked. Or a boyfr-
Shut it! Thomas got to his feet and pushed Ryan away. He -was- smiling though. You know, it's totally gross to see you kiss that guy on screen on Talos Beach.
You're my little brother, Tom. Ryan laughed. Me kissing that girl on stage would count for that too.
... Got a point there. And yes, if you must know, I have totally got a girlfriend, and she's way cool. Maybe you'll meet her sometime.
Maybe I will.... damn, hungry. Ryan said. Know what's for dinner?
Thomas pointed towards the kitchen. Mom and Dad are through there. Go ask them and let me get back to watching TV.
Ryan chuckled and shook his head. His brother was at 'that stage' of being a teenager. At least he wasn't communicating in grunts like some of his students did... Ryan paused a little on the way to the kitchen and shook his head. Was probably nothing, just an odd sense of deja vu and... well, just an odd sense.
The kitchen was fairly common, with a large fridge and central island counter in the middle of the room. Ryan's father, Thomas Senior, was sat at the central counter reading the paper, reading glasses perched on the bridge of his nose and hair a slightly greying blond, kept fairly short. His mother, Wendy, was just putting a joint of meat to roast in the oven. The pair both turned with surprised expressions upon seeing their son.
Ryan, you're home early. His mother said, looking him over with a raised eyebrow. She was a fairly short woman with long blond hair, slender much like Ryan's father. 'Motherly' was another term to use perhaps.
Yeah, the bus got here sooner than expected. Ryan signed to her, before glancing about. Something was definitely off.. the radio was on for one. They only ever put the radio on if he or his brother were in the room, being deaf and all.
Thomas Sr. exchanged a long look with his wife, before looking to their son. How are you feeling, Ryan? He asked.
I feel fine... great actually, and... Ryan's signing trailed off, glancing about again before looking at them. You're talking. He said out loud.
Yes Ryan, we are. Wendy said gently, moving a little closer.
But, you're deaf, and... wait... Ryan closed his eyes in remembrance. You're dead... Thomas is too, and... He looked down at his hands and clenched his fists. ... So am I?
He looked up as his father laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. That's why we weren't expecting you...
Oh. Ryan said, before laughing. Oh hell...
Language, Ryan. His mother chided him.
Oh, sorry... damn... sorry again, I mean... oh jeez, oh great, oh... Ryan looked rather agitated, pacing around a little as he ran his hands through his hair. It all came flooding back. His students, his boyfriend, the training mission in Orenbega... the Death Mage enclosing his grip of dark energies around him, that feeling of chilling cold in his very bones...
Ryan, calm down, you'll hyperventilate. His mother went to hug him close, the familiar scent of her favourite perfume about her.
I.... geez, my students? My friends... Cara, heck, my boyfrie- Ryan paused. Uh, you did know I was [censored], right?
Yes Ryan. We know. His father laughed, joining his wife in the hug. We're proud of you, who you are... well, were. You still are, but not as...
It's difficult to get to grips with at first. Wendy laughed warmly. Robert is lovely, and it's a shame that... She trailed off, before just hugging her boy. We watched as you fought crime... did incredible things. And that you took those cards you were given and turned them into what you helped make, all those people... that's just one of the reasons you're here, sweetie.
It's still too early though... it has to be. His father shook his head. We weren't expecting you for quite a while. Your mother only just put the roast in after all.
Ryan sighed and hugged the pair tightly. Yeah, I know... I mean, I've still got a ton of stuff to do on my To-Do Schedule... and hell if anyone else could make sense of my notes and filing system. He grinned. Queen's 'Radio Ga Ga' was just coming on the radio as his younger brother came into the kitchen.
Well... Ryan said, taking a deep breath. You know me. Never one to laze about when there's work to be done...
You -should- slow down a little though... all that rushing about isn't good for anyone. You're not a superman after all. His mother fretted, brushing his hair back.
Anyone else want to point out any critiques? Ryan grinned, looking about at the three.
Well, I could so beat you in a fight. Thomas grinned, making some friendly jabs at his brother.
Don't you dare. His father said. And I don't think you could... you're doing rather well in your training. Keep it up, don't mess around out there, and keep your heart in the right place.
Exactly, His mother nodded. Your students, your friends, Robert? They love you for that, so keep that feeling close. And we're glad you sorted things out with Robert too... we didn't like to see you fighting like that.
Believe me, it wasn't. Ryan smiled. I... He paused for a long moment, taking another deep breath. I miss you, all of you... but I gotta keep going forwards, right? I'm sorry that stuff happened... you can say not to blame myself but I damn well still will, but... I'm channeling it. Letting it drive me to help others... and I hope I make you proud.
Always... Thomas Sr nodded.
What you father said. Wendy agreed, leaning in to kiss Ryan's forehead, having to get on tip toes in the process. You're getting tall.
Hey, Ryan? We're even... and it's good here... just... well... Thomas wiped at his eyes for a moment and gave him a hug. Take care, bro.
Ryan hugged his younger brother back tightly, nodding. As much as he wanted to linger...
You've had the time, you've had the power, you've yet to have your finest hour Freddie Mercury sung on the radio.
Sheesh, even the radio's telling me to get out of here... Ryan grinned, heading into the back garden. Somehow, somewhere, somewhen, he'd started to wear his New Vigilants uniform again. Looking up, there were just fields and hills and vast expanses of flowers and lakes.
Alright... little unsure of this, so... just going to start running, and see where life takes me. The young hero known as Cindersnap said, waving to his family one last time. You take care of yourselves... 'kay?
We will. We love you, Ryan. His mother called out. We'll pass on your regards to your grandparents!
Love you too... see you when I see you. Ryan smiled, glad that he had his orange shades on to hide the tears. He set his sights far into the distance, imagining his friends calling his name... wait, they were... he could hear them! Crouching down in a sprinting position, he pushed away from the ground on three with a burst of speed, orange energy streaking behind him as he ran faster and faster towards that point.
Ryan opened his eyes, the orange glow surging brightly as he began to pick himself up, dimly aware of the green crystal cage around him, with several more visible through the distortions around his cage. Flames surged about him, coursing out of his body as fiery wings spread from his back, flaring before an explosion rocked the prison complex in Orenbega.
Ryan! He heard his students call, even as he hit the ground running. The robed mages and demons in his way fell quickly beneath his fists and fiery projections and he blurred through the cavern towards them. Nitoichi, Quickfrost, Dinahmite, Dane, Tabby, Sleight, Arcfreeze and Firespark had freed themselves from confinement and had just fended off their attackers.
Hey. Ryan grinned, blazing brightly as he stood before them. The glow faded quickly as Nitoichi drew him in for a tight hug.
Boss... you alright? We thought you were... She left the word hanging, keeping him hugged close till he slowly pushed away, a silly, exuberant grin on his face.
I'm fine. Sorry for flaking out on you. Damn Death Mages... anyway, we can't slack. Ryan said, looking at his students, a mix of worry, relief and some slight indifference on Dinahmite's part on their faces. Let's wrap things up here. Stick together, remember your teamwork and synergies, and let's worry about the robed guys who played waaay too much D&D than the big scary burning demons.
You -sure- you're alright? Nitoichi asked, eying him up. She looked rather skeptically at the overly-energetic young man who had spent the better part of a few minutes making her worry sick.
I'm -fine-. Sooner we get done, sooner we can go home. Let's do this.
The group gathered up and turned to look down the corridor, hordes of defenders, both mage, demon and spirit flocking towards them. Ryan just grinned, his hands catching fire. New Vigilants, attack!
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