Esper Story: Gaius

Phew. Good time for a break.

Cup of tea, Gaius?

At this juncture? No thanks.

Haha. You sure? At another juncture then?

Pardon me, but that right there is why people misunderstand you.

Misunderstand me? What?

It's all about first impressions. You're very different to what I thought when I first met you.

Really?

I took one look at all your medals then and assumed some things.

Oh?

...My first impression of you was you were a bit arrogant.

But you're really a fantastic example to us all, calm under pressure, ever-reliable. Quite contrary to what I first thought.

So why go out of your way to attire yourself with all those medals?

Is it a matter of honor? As a soldier?

You could say that.

Please, my good man. Enquiring minds want to know.

Our experiment has reached a crucial stage.

Yet, instead of focusing on the task at hand, my colleague decides this is the perfect time for an irrelevant discussion...

Haha. I'll help after I finish my tea.

Alright then. Care to satisfy an old man's curiosity?

Why go to the effort to keep the medals on?

Let's compare how I looked a moment ago to how I look now. Who would you be more inclined to trust?

Who would a random member of the public trust more easily?

Gaius sans medals is more amiable. With? More dignified and... stately.

The public prefers a stately leader over an amiable one.

And the stately leader will be the one called on to reassure helpless civilians when tragedy strikes.

An interesting notion. So the medals are for the benefit of others?

Not... personal reasons?

...Perhaps there was an element of pride when I was young.

We're not spring chickens anymore.

War is a young man's game.

You wouldn't have wanted a show-off for a commanding officer, right? When you were young?

...It was never my intention to "show off".

Intentional or not, it affects people's impressions.

Would you rather be unapproachable? As their leader?

You're nowhere near the frontlines. You could allow yourself to present a different side to others.

When I was on duty several days ago, I ran into a young mother and child who'd come very close to Miramon.

I couldn't help but notice how wonderfully reassuring she found my presence...

That's why I wear them.

Some people need to see them.

I'm sorry, but we're closed. Please come back tomorrow.

Closed at 10 am?

Right. To put it more clearly, closed the moment you set foot in here.

Is there a problem between us?

I'm not sure. If there is, you're the one with the problem.

Who gets a haircut every three days?!

Then, if you please, can you simply cut whatever has grown in the last three days?

Are you being intentionally strange?!

You're not welcome here, even if a Union hero. Studio's closed!

Let me ask one question before I leave.

What have I done to deserve your ire?

You're bad for business!

You're not interested in hair cuts. You're here for a 1mm shave. That's it.

It's called a "buzz cut", and it's the least skill-intensive of our range.

Well, it simply reflects my preferences.

Well, you know what? Rumors don't care about your preferences.

People are saying... I'm just good for buzz cuts.

Or even that I've hooked you into some sort of scam. It's just the opposite!

That's very silly. I'm sorry you have to put up with that.

Whatever I can do to clarify things, I will.

Why bother? There you go. Now I look like the unreasonable one.

Perhaps I'm at fault?

Sheesh. Could you just stop coming here all the time? You have some strange obsession over the shortness of your hair.

Not at all. It's just a habit I developed in the military.

A simple shave is neat, clean, tidy, and doesn't get hair in my eyes.

Still. Every three days is too much. Every two or three weeks is perfectly adequate.

Hardly any hair grows after a few weeks.

Okay. I'll think about it.

As for today...

Not happening. I told myself enough is enough!

I'm not compromising, not even after today's discussion!

...Alright. As you wish.

But, I could consider restyling your hair instead...?

Can't have you come over for nothing. What do you think? Are you willing to give it a try?

Sure. No harm in exploring alternatives.

How's that?

Not bad, right?

Well, uh, my scalp is a bit uncomfortable.

I used hairspray. You'll get used to it.

Mr. Gaius, please! You're overreacting!

I feel like I'm wearing a helmet...

Do people really like using that on their heads?

Pfft... Hahaha!

Hahaha. I'll just wash it off if you don't like it.

But you put in a lot of effort.

Just follow me. Here, take a look at yourself.

A great hair style is a tremendous way of gaining new confidence.

...Except you're clearly not enjoying it. That's why I'm only trying this now.

Right. Thank you.

Feeling better?

Much better! Like myself again!

Hahaha. So the great Union hero does have a sense of humor after all!

Just give me a minute to dry your hair.

*Ahem* Before that, could you cut my hair a bit shor...

Out of the question!

You really want it to be shorter? I'll just shave it all off.

...That won't be necessary.

Thank you for your time, Miss Chloe.

I'll take my leave.

Okay, Mr. Gaius.

See you next time. Just make sure you wait at least a week or two.

And I'll make sure to take good care of your hair.

What happened?

Huh? What's with the blackout?

......

Anybody else here?

Miss Sienna, are you still in the greenhouse?

Yes, it's pitch-black in here. What happened?

One of the lab techs blew the local transformer on the power line. It's cut electricity to the entire block.

Please wait a moment. I'll come in soon to guide you out.

Don't worry about it. Some of these plants need constant illumination.

With a blackout, they'll only survive if I step in and use my powers.

But it may take a while for us to fix the mains...

Ma'am, sure you're okay in this darkness alone?

I'll be fine. Just fix the power asap!

Okay, Miss.

Who's there?

Oh? They fixed it already?

Hi, Sienna, it's me.

Gaius? What are you doing here?

I could tell you were using your powers. So I came to check in on you.

What caused the blackout? Do you know?

The lab. They overloaded the power somehow.

Some of my plants need grow lights to survive. Otherwise, they'll wither and die almost right away.

I was sustaining them with my abilities.

Those lights?

Yep, the giant ones.

These are linked to the lights.

So this is what a master of lightning can do, huh?

I don't know how to thank you. You've repelled the darkness and brought life to my plants!

Merely my duty, Miss.

I didn't realize you could do this kind of thing with your powers.

I've only ever seen you rain down lightning on enemies. Never realized you could be so... gentle.

Haha. This isn't my first time functioning as a power generator.

I generate power for the shelter on occasion too.

Oh, that's how they got the lights going! Was wondering about that...

I mean, how can a place like that get electricity without a nearby power station? Or any wires of any kind...

Heh. I guess they had a "power bank".

*Gaius smiles* We were light on options.

I feel like I've really gotten to know you today, Mr. Big Union Hero!

Flattered!

I also heard you created a beautiful sea of blooming flowers around Woodsville with your powers.

To beautify the area for all the local homeless, I assume?

Yep.

I dare say we have a lot in common!

Package for you, Mr. Gaius.

...A lady just gave it to me to pass on to you. She was wearing a dress with a fire print, if that helps. It's still hot.

Please, come in.

See you later.

Huh. A peach pie?

From a girl in a fiery dress...

Li Guang, stop!

Don't tell me you're avoiding me?

Oh, not at all. I didn't see you.

Care to explain?

Hmm. Smells good. Peach?

For me? That's so nice of you!

Don't be silly. I know you sent it to my office.

Emm... Well.

No?

I don't want to cause a misunderstanding. I owe it to you. For the rescue.

I heard you like peach pies so I learned how to bake one. Well, what do you think? Tasty?

I haven't tried it yet.

What?! Try it now! It took me the whole afternoon!

The pastry won't be crispy any more if you wait too long!

I should thank you then. But how about we share the pie, half and half?

Why not?

Perfectly baked... and delicious! I'm a genius!

Huh. So this is what a peach pie tastes like...

Wait, what? You don't like it?

Not at all. My late wife loved baking, and she made plenty of peach pies.

And you follow... or followed... very different recipes.

She favored sour jam and slightly burnt on the outside. It was quite bitter, come to think of it...

And you prefer that? Sorry to have just done the standard bake. It must have cultivated some unique tastebuds.

Well, yes. It was my wife's cooking after all.

And a rose by any other name would smell as sweet...

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to...

It's okay. I'd rather reflect on our time together than not at all.

Still, I never dwell on the past.

After all, I promised Hannah I'd help figure out the Miracles and make the world a better place.

Gaius, you're amazing. Really.

I can't imagine what you've gone through. But it seems you've risen to the challenge ten times over!

I wanted to cheer you up, but you cheered me up, I think. Tell me, is there anything I can do for you?

Thanks.

No, no. I appreciate the kindness, young lady. You have a bright future ahead of you.

Oh! I think I know! Another peach pie!

...With sour jam and burnt on the outside!

I know just the trick: hardly any sugar and a long stay in the oven...

I'll bake one for tomorrow!

......

There's no need.

Hey, did you hear? They say the top brass will be training with us.

Who?! These fists need to see some action, soon!

Don't get ahead of yourself. What if they put us through the wringer. Like last time.

I don't care who it is, bring it on! I'll let my Fire Fists do the talking!

Let your Fire Fists do the talking? And how exactly will they do that?

He's just joking around, Mr. Gaius. Thanks for taking the time today to come here, sir!

So I'm against you... Great!

Huh? What do you mean?

Heh. Fate has a way of bringing us together.

He's been itching for a chance like this since I invited him to join the Union.

Now's your opportunity. Today's session is simple. You two fight me as a joint force. You'll pass whenever you win. If you win.

We're good to go, sir.

I'm not the kid gang member you met in Hazlitt. I'm an Ops Chief veteran now!

Talk is cheap.

Lewis, you've got plenty of raw potential, but where's your finesse? Precision, my man.

Cut out the flashy stuff. No unnecessary movements.

*Pant* *Pant* Okay...

And Bardon, you're too slow!

Slow to move; slow to think.

Fast enemies are going to give you a lot of trouble if you don't shape up.

Understood, sir.

Crap... It's not enough. I didn't connect even one punch!

Ha!

Calm down, Lewis.

Leading with emotion will just make it easier for your enemies to find an opening.

Damn it!

When are you going to realize that?

Listen, you both have strong suits. But obvious weaknesses too.

Any weakness will be exploited upon by the clever enemy. Even a small defect can make the difference between life and death.

W-we're not that bad, are we?

Perhaps. Break your bad habits or they'll break you.

The most minor mistake could be your last against a strong opponent.

Lewis, your greatest strength is your ability to unleash all that power at once.

Fancy moves look good, I grant that...

But power moves by themselves aren't match winners.

Really?

An enemy with a strong defense might withstand your initial attacks.

You'll be wide open. And then their counterattacks will quickly put you on the back foot.

For example, look at how Bardon attacked me.

You just blocked my attack. Speed didn't... it didn't count.

From the outside, your attack seems very formidable. But I'm experienced enough to just calmly prepare a solid defense.

If you were fighting each other instead of me, neither of you could seize the upper hand for an effective strike.

Turning to you, Bardon: you're way too slow.

Your skills are well-balanced, yes, and you're calm and collected. I can tell you're actually thinking about what you're going to do next.

Yeah. I was trying to predict your next attack... and prepare a counter.

But never think too much. It slows your attacks down... a lot.

Case in point: that's how I was able to dodge all your attacks easily.

He's got a point, Bardon. You do play it safe.

Meanwhile, I was trying to counter each of you with the best of your own styles versus your biggest weakness.

Try thinking outside of the box. Learn from each other.

Alright! That's a dose of inspiration! My fighting spirit is burning again! I'm gonna make you recognize the strength of my Fire Fists!

What?! Are we still going, Mr. Gaius?

I'm exhausted! I can hardly stand up...

That's not like you, Bardon!

Come on! One more round!

That's the spirit, my boys!