Legacy: Part 2

“So this is our room.” Renee said. “Professor Neslurk, thinks it's best we stay as close as we can for now.”

“Professor Neslurk wants us to control ourselves more like.” Lucas replied.

“Lyngarod does, actually.” Renee closed the door. “He won’t admit it, but my shifting drives him a bit crazy sometimes. Theo, Neslurk, is more concerned about your last headache.”

“Stuffy old place like that have many new thoughts. This is more like a city square, easier to… adjust.” Lucas said.

“Well we already moved the bed in, and Strike is drunk so you’re stuck with me anyways.” Renee said, opening the door again. “Yes, there is a bar. I guess we can go there next.”

“Just a classic Vodka and Sprite.” Lucas replied. 

“You're going for that weak sauce!” Strike replied, slamming his fist on the table. “Rum and Coke. The man versions.”

“They have the same amount of alcohol.” Lucas replied. “As does pineapple cider you're actually ordering. A bit of a tradition, I assume?”

“It's Strike's way of saying ‘welcome, person who I dunno if I like yet’” Renee explained. “Though how he manages to time it perfectly every time is beyond me.”

“That one floorboard, perhaps?” Lucas replied.

“seventh up, second to the right. I always wait for someone to press during the tour.” Strike replied, nodding. “You read minds from all over, huh?”

“Strike,” Renee replied. “I didn’t even ask—”

“You pretty much did.” Lucas interrupted. “Best to know how every power functions. So then Strike.”

Strike pushed back the chair he slid out, and Renee raised an eyebrow. “You’re actually going first?”
Strike grabbed his drink glass, and began squeezing it. “Brings back memories, does it?”

“A few.” Renee teased. “Some of them I don’t think you want me to recall.”

“Now you listen. Here. Woman. I still would have done ya then.” Strike spread his arm wide. “No Regrets!” And slammed his open hands together against the glass. 

“Strike can shift his strength to others, or take it from himself.” Renee explained. “He can do a full force assault on anything he wants, and it won’t break.”

“As long as he focused, maybe,”  Lucas said.

Strike stepped up to him swing a stool around wildly. “Nope. As long as I will it I am in charge of the power levels around me. No thinking required.”

“So he claims.” Renee replied. “Though maybe we’ll finally get an answer?”

“Hmm. No, seems to be just, because he doesn’t want anything to break.” Lucas replied. “So far as I can read.”

“And what exactly can you read?” Renee asked. “Desires? Surface thoughts?”

“Honestly, I don’t really know.” Lucas said. “I just look, and know what people want to hear, or don’t want to hear. Their hopes and fears, I guess.”

“So Strike just hopes he doesn’t break anything, and then doesn’t?” Renee asked as Strike set the stool down.

“Mostly. Something seems to be deeper, but I have no idea what.” Lucas explained. “And yourself?”

“I”m kind of the same as you.” Renee began. “My body just changes. I know why, and I know how to pick between forms. I—” Renee jumped a bit as Lucas stared face to face with her. “Yes, okay? I do like this form.”

“You’ve never said you’ve liked a form before.” Strike said.

“Well I have now… shut up.” Renee replied as Strike smirked. 

“Hey, if I'm barking up the wrong tree, then it’s just another miss.” Strike replied.

“There’s other reasons…” Renee replied timidly. “Other desires anyway.”

“Still ain’t my problem.” Strike replied. “So then Lucas. Why don’t you tell me something?” Both looked to Strike as he asked. “Should we be trusting Lyngarod?”