Tales From October Volume II

"Hello Harrison. Is is safe to assume that your being here means I shouldn't be?"

"I do not like it when people assume Mr. Creech. But in this case, yes, that would be the truth of things."

"Yeah, yeah, people who assume make an ass out of u and me. That aside, assumption is quite common."

"Be that as it may, I don't like it when people assume things within earshot, as it were. So I'd thank you kindly not to."

"Okay, point made."

"Thank you. But it remains as it was yesterday, you are not supposed to be here."

"It would be nice if they would tell me what was up."

"Mr. Creech, that is beyond my purview. So talking to me about it serves no purpose, other than to annoy me. Though I am not easily annoyed. You could try that patience with enough effort. I'd rather you didn't though."

"I hear you Harrison. I'll have to call them."

"Yes Mr. Creech, you'll have to call them. Have a good day."

"Thanks Harrison, you too."

Tales From October Volume II

I was out like a light as soon as my head hit the pillow as I was that tired. But it was a well earned sleep so I slept the sleep of the deserving.

But morning came
Like no time at all
Had but passed
And to rise I had me to

Aye the call of work
Such as it was
If yesterday
Was anything
To go me on
I'd not need to here but be
Though still I felt it right

So off to work I was, though based on the day before, I could have just stayed home.

Tales From October Volume II

"They left us all, the strordinaires and the nefarians. And many thought it was for the best. To say you don't remember that stretches the bounds of likelihood."

"Well yes, but there has to be more to it than that. We know they left, we just don't the why of it."

"So you chose to be difficult with him then? Don't be like that."

"I am not difficult by nature and he started it with his hostility."

"Be that as it may, you it's not the way to make friends. And you'll need friends if you want to as much good as you claim to."

"I'm a strordinaire, of course I want to do good."

"Just keep in mind what I said."

"Tykyn, the name's Tykyn."

"Tykyn eh? I was always more a fan of Tarican. But you're here and he's not. Then again, that was the first Tykyn, you're not him, so maybe you'll be better than him. Only time will tell."

"Yes, time will tell."

"But I'm busy here and have to go, so if you'll excuse me."

And back to his work
He went as he should
Like me myself
Though in the time
Of my talking
The fire had been put out
So needed no more I was

Tales From October Volume II

I handed her over to the paramedics down below and was about to return to the blazing building when an angry fireman ran up to me.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"Saving lives. And I'm glad I was able to help."

And his look of anger softened then, but still his eyes they smoldered with an anger. "Fine, you saved lives this time, but I was glad when all you strordinaires disappeared. And I thought we were rid of you. Apparently, we weren't so lucky seeing as you've come back."

"I'm sorry you've had problems with strordinaires in the past, but that was before my time. I'm new to this and I only mean to do good."

"They intended the same thing too. And we all remember how that turned out."

"I don't actually."

And he but stared at him
With angry amazement
Before he turned he did
And stormed away

Tales From October Volume II

And still I searched some more
Growing more and worse
In a desperation
Fearing for what I'd see
In the bitter smoke
And burning flames

"Hello, is there anyone still inside?"

So this I cried me out
A time or three
And heard no reply
Which filled me not with joy
For I knew what I knew
And knew this bad to be

But what but else
Was I to do
As not could I leave
No not could I leave
As that would be
A saying of death
To any hope
Of saving another here

'Twas then of course
That I spotted a woman
To smoke succumbed
So with a cry of joy
I flew to her
And scooped her up
Yes in my arms
And thought hopefully
Of what I'd done

Tales From October Volume II

There were no other cries though as I quickly searched the other apartments, looking through the other windows, hoping I'd not have to fly into the flaming building to search up close and personal.

But I was certain that I heard more cries than those of the two I had rescued. I knew then that I would have to enter the building and do that up close and personal search. I didn't like it, but any people inside deserved that extra effort.

So I found a window open
And in I flew
Not wanting this to do
But needing to do it yes indeed

I searched as quickly as I could, one apartment at a time, hoping against hope that I'd been wrong, while knowing I hadn't been. I'd heard more than two screams. And since there were no more screams, the distinct possibility was that some people had succumbed to smoke. Be it unconsciousness or death.

Tales From October Volume II

I paused for but another second, as I thought of my exit, not wanting the trouble of an identity hassle, but realized that would have to wait. So I raced to the roof, feeling the power rise as my adrenalin surged.

And off the roof I leapt
But nay not straight into
A graceful flight
For I careened alas
And felt me out of it
Which hardly was
The way I needed be

The onset of a little panic cured that shakiness and then I soared towards the swiftly burning building, determined to do whatever I could to help.

I arrived and immediately flew to the screaming people trapped in the upper floors. "Quickly, jump into my arms and I'll take you to street below."

"Oh thank you thank you. We've missed the comforting presence of strordinaires."

"That can wait Janet, he has to save us first."

"Yes Ralph, I know that, I was just happy to see a strordinaire after all this time."

Ralph rolled his eyes and leapt into my arms, followed, after a few tense moments of fear by Janet. I dropped them at the street and flew back up as the first firetrucks arrived on the scene, shuddering at the thought of being in a relationship seemingly such as theirs.

Tales From October Volume

Eventually, after some bored searching on the internet, I grew weary again as the fatigue from my first strordinairianism fully came upon me. And I didn't feel guilty about it in the least. I'd earned the right to nap.

In any event, when a fatigue like this hits, it is hard to resist the need to rest. So that is exactly what I did.

It was dark when I bolted upright, woken from my long nap by the sound of loud bang and the desperate cries of help.

And to the window I raced
To see in horror
The bursting into flames
Of a nearby building

I gasped aloud
And into action leapt
Throwing on my suit
Wishing for a second
That clean is what it was

But only for that moment
As the pressing call
To goodly action
Pushed all other thoughts
But yes away
As I knew I had to save the day

Tales From October Volume II

We hung up and I felt good about things with Terri, as well I should for what date is perfect? Though admittedly, ours went off the rails, it had been good until then.

I smiled as the thought of making it hard on any criminals who I happened across. And why not? I am a strodinaire now, why shouldn't I do some patrolling after work?

Work. Yeah, work. Enough about that. But that situation will not be this way for long. I'll have another job in short order and that will be a good again.

So yeah, I've much to be feeling good about really, including my being a strordinaire. And I will only get better at that. The villains had better watch out in other words.


October II

Tales From October Volume II

"Why? What's wrong with this week?"

"I got swamped with work Jonathan. If I wasn't, I would. Next week looks much better for a second date. But this week will pass quickly enough and we will enjoy ourselves next week. all the more."

"Okay, thank you for telling me now, rather than tomorrow, when I would have been ready for our second date."

"You're rather disappointed aren't you Jonathan?"

"I am disappointed, but better a delay to our second date than you calling to say you didn't want a second date at all."

"It'd be silly not to have a second date with a good man."

"Well thank you, it's good to hear you say that after our first date ended as it did."

"Enough talk about the first date Jonathan, it wasn't that bad okay?"

"So there's nowhere to go but up then?"

"Exactly. Now I'm enjoying this, but as I said, I have a busy week and I should really get going now."

"I know. I'm glad we had this talk though Terri. Until next week then?"

"Yes! next week for certain Jonathan. Thanks for taking it so well."

"What kind of man would I be if I didn't?"

"You'd not be the man I think you to be Jonathan. And that would make me sad."

Tales From October Volume II

"Hi Jonathan. I'm glad you called because we need to talk."

"Hi Terri. How are you?"

"I'm good Jonathan, but I have bad news. This week isn't good for a second date after all."

"It isn't? Oh, that's too bad. I was really looking forward to having a better date this time. Though the fault of that first date ending on a down note was all on me and not you."

"I wanted to go out again too Jonathan and our date wasn't that bad, it just wasn't as good as it should have been. It's not your fault you didn't know about Thursday being so popular a night to see movies."

"No, but it doesn't make me feel any better that it spoiled what had been a great date until then."

"Well, you'll know better the next time silly. But that next time just won't happen this week I'm afraid."

Tales From October Volume II

"And I guess shrinking out of sight and walking away is your thing I'll have to get used to. See, that frustrates me but you don't see me saying you have to stop doing that."

Jonathan waited for another angry retort from Friday, but one was not forthcoming. The sulk prone robot had walked away.

And there he stood
The rookie strordinaire
With his new life
In its beginnings
Just wishing for
A smoother way of it
Like his old life
Had some of that

Thus thought of that he did
Like with her but newly met
And maybe just maybe
In that good but goodly way
If played but well
The cards they were

"Terri." And he knew there was no good point in putting off that call any longer.

Tales From October Volume II

"And again you choose a flip reply. is it any wonder you frustrate me Jonathan?"

"Well, this is what I am Friday, so get used to it. After all, I am Tykyn now and it's not like you're going to just take the suit from me, it's mine until I die, well die for keeps."

"As you say, I will not remove the suit from you, so yes, you are Tykyn now."

"Good. So just get used to my way and we'll be fine right?"

Friday said him nothing
And just shrunk away
But out of sight again
As seemingly was his wont

Tales From October Volume II

"I died Friday, that's the truth, whether you believe it or not, I know that I died."

"Impossible Jonathan."

"Whatever, we'll just agree to disagree."

"No, that will not do Jonathan."

"It won't eh? Who's the boss here Friday? Me or you? Me, that's who. So just drop it okay. I need your help, not your control."

"You need much Jonathan." That then said, Friday shrunk out of sight."

"Fine, be that way, I've taken my first steps as a strordinaire and survived. I'll only get better. If you don't want to help, then don't help."

And grew him tall
To his full size
Is what he did
Whislt fixing with him
A cold hard glare

"I am programmed to help you Jonathan, so yes I will help you. But that does not change the fact that you are frustrating."

"A robot that feels frustration? Who knew?"

Tales From October Volume II

"Losing is not a good thing Jonathan. It would have been better had you not leapt into action with no training. You are fortunate you did not die."

"I did die. But I'm better now. And as you no doubt overheard, the second fight was better."

"Yes, I heard you Jonathan. Unfortunately, you failed in your first day as a strordinaire and that bodes not well for you as a strordinaire. You will have a reputation that will be difficult to overcome."

"Really? I'll find my way and whoever I face will take me lightly and be shocked when I beat them soundly. That's win win Friday."

"Take this seriously Jonathan. Being a strordinaire is not a lark."

"I am taking this seriously Friday. I'm not one to take things lightly."

"Then don't be so flip with how you answer me. And do not say ridiculous things like you died. That's just annoying."

"Well Friday, I did die. What would I have to gain by saying I died when I didn't?"

"I don't know Jonathan, but you can't expect me to believe you that you died. The suit is in no way capable or ressurecting the dead."

Tales From October Volume II

Yet the fearful state
Would no good but do him
As yes a strordinaire
So he gritted his teeth
And took a deep strong breath
Before he further slumped he did

"Later, there's no need to rush this. It feels like bad news and after the day I've had, with a fight I clearly lost and a draw in the next, I don't need more bad news."

"You fought?"

And up into view
Good Friday was
From shrunk so small
To metal so tall
In the blink of an eye
Yes there he stood
Looking angry hard

"Well, nice of you to show up Friday. It would have been nice if you'd told me you weren't going to be around today."

And it would have been better for you not to have fought at all, yet you did."

"I'm a strordinaire now Friday, to not have fought with the life of a woman in the balance would have marked me as a coward."

"I see."

"No, you don't. You weren't there, I was. And losing as I did is leagues better than knowing I let a woman die because I'd yet to fight a single fight as a strordinaire and was worried about being beaten."

Tales From October Volume II

But tired as he was, he was not about to rise out of the bath to make a call that didn't bode well. Besides which, he still hadn't bathed as he'd just rested in the water. So it was time to actually bathe.

Later, after he stepped out of the bathroom, wearing a towel around his waist he sighed and sat down at his computer desk and slumped in his chair, a combination of tired and fearful of what Teri had to say.

Tales From October Volume II

The phone then rang
As the bath it felt so good
That it began
As a napping place
So it rang and rang again
With Jonathan only perking up
At the sound of Teri's voice

"Jonathan? I guess you're not there, but when you get back, call me please, I'd like to talk to you."

And hung his head he did
Poor Jonathan
As yes he felt
That not a good thing
Was her need to talk to him

Tales From October Volume II

Jonathan sat awhile longer in front of the screen, finished the typing of his blog, but at a loss with what to do next. He'd wanted to see his parents, before that got waylaid by the events of the day and was now something he wasn't up for, so what to do indeed.

A wave of fatigue hit him hard and he slumped back in his seat and closed his eyes for a moment.

He bolted awake and shook himself, rising quickly out of his chair, refusing to allow himself the ease of such a laziness of dozing off in costume, such laziness, as he saw it was not in his makeup.

In any event, he felt tired and in need of a bath, to both refresh himself and wash off the failures of the day, before succumbing to a nap, not exactly deserved, considering the day, but nothing outrageous either.

And that is what he did
Slowly though it was
He slipped him out
Of his fighting togs
Which he hung with care
Before he applied the same
To his own frame
And took him a bath

Tales From October Volume II

I flew home slowly, feeling like a failure that yet another enemy had slipped away from me, which had to mean, at least, that he was alive, right? Surely he hadn't died and someone had stolen his body away in the moments from the time he fell until the time I landed.

But enough wondering about that and my other failure in this my first day as a strodinaire. I'd died and come back to life, at least, I'm pretty sure I died, yet here I am, alive to tell the tale.

And I have learned something of my powers, that I can fly and that I am strong, I'm hopeful that I will discover more powers because flight and strength don't seem enough, seeing as I've been somewhat manhandled already.

So, can I be a better strordinaire?


October II

Tales From October Volume II

"I'm not evil Tchuudyn, I wouldn't drop you. I'm contnent to merely beat you and leave it at that."

"And then what Tykyn? What have I done beyond menace you, however slightly I have?"

"Which is why I said I was content to merely beat you Tchuudyn. Or were you not listening?"

"Oh, I'm listening Tykyn, I'm just not impressed with you. Apparently, you are more than a pretender and havce actual powers, I grow weary of interacting with you and will now take leave of you."

"That's not a good idea Tchuudyn, not unless you can fly or are invulnerable, because this is rather high up to be doing something that foolish. Unless you have some kind of death wish that is."

"Worry more about yourself than me rookie, because I'm certainly not worried about you."

And with a wicked grin
He somehow slipped himself free
Of Tykyn's grasp
And fell him fast
From sight and sound

"No!!!" Tykyn cried in horror and raced after his swiftly falling form, hoping desperately to catch him. But to no avail as he landed and saw not a sign of him, alive or dead. "No! I had him safely in my grasp and still he slipped out of my hold. What happened to him?"

Tales From October Volume II

"I'll show you what I can really do Tchuudyn. And when I do, you will never again see me as someone to be beaten easily."

"Ha ha ha! I am surprised you've withstood me as well as you have, but aside from that, you are nothing short of an annoying but that I will now swat away so that I might find a challenge, if such a challenge still exists for me."

"No, don't laugh at me, you haven't the right to do that."

And thus to prove it
He grimaced and cried
Then flew him forth
Oh but fast enough
To catch off guard
His new enemy
And race into the sky with him

"What do you say now Tchuudyn? See how easily i snatched you up and brought you here? Up in the sky?"

"And just what are you going to do, now that you have me here, high above the ground well beyond my ability to survive if you dropped me."

Tales From October Volume II

"Ohhh, I'm not done yet Tchuudyn, no matter what it looks like, I won't give up without a real fight."

"Well, seeing as I stand above you now, having beaten you easily, I think it is over. And you'd do well to accept that you are indeed beaten and just leave it at that, before I really hurt you. And yes, I can really hurt you Tykyn, so be smart and do not get up to fight me again because it will only end badly for you."

"So you expect mere words to substitute for fighting?"

"Do you really want to be beaten so badly your bruises will have bruises?"

"I died today Tchuudyn, so the prospect of the pain you speak of doesn't frighten me in the least."

"Ah, bravado is it? Though you will regret it, I will allow you experience the pain of a lifetime that you will now face."

And true to his intent
He leapt him away
And lightly landed
Ready for a fight

"Well Tykyn, what are you waiting for? Come at me and face the pain you have yourself asked for."

Tales From October Volume II

"Where's your power now pretender? You can fly, but can't seem to do anything else."

"This isn't over yet, you caught me by surprise with the speed of your leap, but to think I'm done is sheer foolishness."

"Is it? I think not."

Then back to the fight
It yes so was
As Tchuudyn pressed his advantage
And pounded relentlessly
On the rookie strordinaire

Then thrown away
As if but trash
He landed hard
And but laid him there

Yet not done
Was angry Tchuudyn
As back to Tykyn he leapt
To land upon
In apparent triumph

Tales From October Volume II

"I know Tchuudyn, what do you think I am, a fool? We will fight and I will win, which is a good change from my first fight, which I lost badly."

"No, I will not be stop by the likes of you, a mere flying man who cannot possibly do more than that. So be ready to feel the pain for I am more than ready to make you feel it. And feel it you will."

"Oh yeah? Bring it forth Tchuudyn, because I feel more than ready for anything right now, so let's do this now."

"Impudent worm, I will crush you and dance on your broken corpse."

And to the air he leapt
A sudden fast bound
That yes caught Tykyn
By hard surprise
Thus down they fell
With Tykyn taking
The brunt of the fall