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Amora twisted the floppy sun hat to get the angle right and stared at herself in the mirror.  "Does this look right, Karen?" she asked the saleswoman.
    "It looks perfect, Miss Rivera."
    "I wasn't sure about the angle.  My agent told me we got a new sponsor with this line of hats and I thought it'd be a good day to test one out.  With all of the sun we've been having I figured one of these babies would help."
    "It does look good on you.  And I'm not just saying that, either."
    "Honesty is the best policy.  I like this one, Karen.  I'll take it."
    "You made a good choice.  Want to wear it out or should I put it in a box?"
    "I'll wear it.  It has a nice feel to it.  Hand me one of your cards.  On second thought, hand me a bunch.  I'll be plugging your name, as I'm sure people will be asking about the hat."
    Karen raised a finger and went over to the registers and came back with a bunch of business cards with her name on them and handed the stack to Amora, who put the cards in her purse.  "I think that'll do it," Amora said.  "Thank you, Karen."
    "Thank you, Miss Rivera.  It's always a pleasure to have you stop by."
    "Likewise.  I'll be back, I'm sure.  You have a good day, now."
    They concluded their exchange and Amora adjusted her purse on her shoulder, stuck her Persols on her nose, and walked out into the public.  She ventured down the sidewalk and stopped by a hotdog stand and bought one from the blushing man who recognized her right off.  She sat down at a little table next to the stand and chatted with the man while she ate, handing him one of Karen's cards while she enjoyed her meal in the pleasant afternoon.

[Deleted]

Her move to city was uneventful but she needed to try and find herself. Her mother had cautioned her on trying to change her major to quickly. She taking a year off of school and moving to New York city to work at the Bronx Zoo. She thought maybe this way she would get to know if working with animals all the time was what she wanted to do. I mean would you want to work with them if you could talk to and understand them?

Her apartment was roomy and she could have a pet if she wanted to, the price was high but she didnt care. She would be working and was hoping to find a room mate to help with the cost anyway. It wasn't like she was going to stay here forever? Or would she? Depending on how the job went and how it went with her "ablitiy".

Today was her day off and she wanted to go explore the city and try some new foods. Maybe find a new shirt or something for the apartment? She packed a backpack with some needs such as a change of socks, a jacket, umbrella, water, snacks, her 2 in 1 laptop/ tablet and a few other things. She also took her double D purse and made sure she had her wallet and carefully zipped it up safe inside the purse. Grabbing her key she locked her apartment and stuck the keys in her front pocket. Walking out she said "Hello" to a few other neighbors in the building as she passed them.

The sun was high in the sky but it was far from warm, thankfully she had her jacket with her. She visited some shops near by and enjoyed window shopping and even got a new blouse that had some lace on it. Her cell phone rang and it was her mother checking in on her. "I'm fine mom, thanks for checking on me. I was thinking of visiting maybe next week is that ok? I want to get a few things from my room also" Jessa had stopped walking and sat down at some hot dog stand. Her mother then dropped a bomb shell that her twin was going to become a "Hero". Her jaw dropped as she let out a rather loud "AWWW" after more small talk she hung up the phone and placed it back into her purse.

The smell of those hotdogs made her hungery. She ordered a couple of them and then sat back down, sticking her purse between her feet for safety, after all this was New York. As she ate she looked around. Her eyes falling on a young lady with dark, shiny hair, she had a hat on and seemed to be enjoying her meal also. Why was it, she knew who this was but couldnt remember who at this time. She couldnt help but just stare at her.

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Amora ate in silence for a few minutes, taking her time.  She looked over to a nearby bench and spotted a newspaper.  She went over and picked it up and brought it over to her little table and began to read the comics.  She liked Arlo and Janis and Get Fuzzy the most.  Only the former was featured in this particular paper so she perused it and glanced over the rest of the paper then set it aside and continued to eat.
    Out of the corner of her eye she saw someone come by and order some hotdogs and sit down nearby.  Amora went back to her meal and watched some pigeons hopping around on the hood of a parked taxi, the napping taxi driver audibly snoring from his lowered window.  Amora watched him sleep and hoped that the pigeons wouldn't disturb him.  Everyone needed a break now and then.
    She caught a glimpse of the other woman again and saw that she was watching her but thought she was looking at the pigeons, too.  She went back to eating then looked at the woman again.  She was staring at Amora, that much was certain now.  Amora was used to people looking at her.  Whether it was in costume or doing her other work, people looking at her was not unusual.  She did not pay it that much mind anymore, which was why she did not call the woman out on it.  Instead, she took it in stride and smiled and gave her a little wave.  "Do I have something on my face?" she said.  "It sure is a nice day, yeah?"

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While there is always plenty to see and watch in New York, for some reason Jessa could not help herself but stare at a lady with a floppy rimmed hat. Did she know her? Have she had seen or met before? She couldnt put her finger on it. She had been so ingrained in trying to solve that burning question that she didnt even flinch when the lady came over to her and spoke to her.

The lady had asked her if she had some thing on her face, it took Jessa a moment before coming to her senses again and became clearly embarressed. She blushed, and was trying to find the right words to explain the situation. "Oh, no!" Jessa said adding "I just think I know you for somewhere, you look very fimiler to me, trust me I honestly did not mean to stare at you!" Jessa had gotten upm sticking her hand out to introudce herself to the lady. "I'm Jessa McWane." The lady said it was a nice day and Jessa knodded "It's very nice out, could be a bit warmer but I love the sun on the clear blue sky today!"

Jessa motioned for her to sit and Jessa then took her seat also. "Can I get you anything to drink?" Jessa asked her.

[Deleted]

Amora could see that the young woman was embarrassed and she regretted making her little joke.  She didn't even have a name yet and she had already caused discomfort.  However, the woman seemed to brush it off as she apologized and stood up and held out her hand and introduced herself.  "Oh, I get that a lot," Amora said, shaking her hand.  "I guess I just have one of those faces."  She was certain that Jess had seen her on a billboard, magazine, or television.  But, despite her public life, Amora tried to keep her fame from going to her head.  It was a battle at times, but she thought she was doing a good job right now.  "It's nice to meet you, Jess," she said.  "My name is Amora Rivera."
    Jess offered her a seat and a drink and Amora sat down across from her.  "Only if you're getting something," she said.  "I'll have whatever you're having.  Otherwise, don't trouble yourself."  She leaned back in her seat and relaxed and looked up at the sky for a few seconds before she looked at Jess again.  "So what do you do, Jess?  Besides enjoy these lovely afternoons, I mean.  What do you do for a living?  Hobbies?"

[Deleted]

Jessa was relieved that Amora didn't think she was crazy. Jessa still could not place where she has seen or know Amora from, however now it didn't matter. Amora had shaken her hand and gave her name. Jessa was pleased to meet someone in New York, this was going to be a big adjustment, living on ones own in a big city like New York.

Yes, she had offered Amora a drink and Amora accepted only if Jessa would drink too. Jessa laughed. "Well, I am cheap date, I drink cola! you sure you want soda?" She teased.

Amora asked her about her hobbies and what she did. Jessa smiled and told her about wanting to become a doctor and that she was taking a year off from medical school to see if she wanted to change her major to becoming a vet working with animals. Jessa didn't know how Amora would react if she told her she was a meta so she said nothing about it. Jessa knew that some people didn't like meta's and are against them even though they are well known and part of todays society.

"I'll be working at the Bronx zoo for the year." Jessa beamed "I like alot of things but enjoy hiking and studying and such, and how about you?" She asked Amora back.

[Deleted]

Jess offered Amora a soda, joking that she was a cheap date.  Amora laughed and said, "Soda sounds great if that's what you're having.  I'm not picky at all."
    Jess went on to tell about herself, that she was taking time off from medical school to see if she would be a better fit going into veterinary school instead.  "I think working at the zoo will be a fun experience for you," Amora said.  "I think both options can be very rewarding careers.  I guess it all depends on whether you'd like to work on people or animals more.  We need plenty of both, that's for sure."
    Jess rebounded the same question toward her and Amora said, "Oh, I do different things.  I model sometimes.  But I like helping people, too.  Truth be told, I'm actually in the Hero Program.  I stay pretty busy with that, as you can probably imagine.  It's all good fun.  For me, at least.  I can't speak for everyone else.  But I get to meet a lot of interesting people.  I do a lot of meet-and-greets, appearances, occasional talks, all sorts of things."
    Unlike Jess, Amora was not concerned about what people thought about her.  If someone criticized her, she usually asked them how many lives they had saved in the past week or something similar.  She obviously was not a nurse or police officer, but she still had a job to do, and she played an important role in keeping the peace in her own little way - or at least she considered it little.  She had no illusions of grandeur, that she could somehow fix the world's problems by herself.  If she could help just one person, she could usually sleep well that night."

[Deleted]

Jessa smiled and signaled for the hot dog vender and asked him to bring two cokes, no ice, no straw. she handed him a five dollar bill and told him to keep the change. It was only a few moments before the beverages came, Jessa would take the glass carefully with both hands and take a few sips. Amora said it would be nice whatever job she settle on, the world could use more of both and it depended on weather or not she like people or animals more. Yeah, she loved helping people in need, but loves animals too and now that she can understand and commuicate with them, even more now.

When Amora was talking about what she did, Jessa suddenly remembered where she had seen Amora, on a billbord near center park! Then Amora was talking about the hero program! Oh good she wouldn't have to worry about Armoa knowing her seceret. "Whats's it like in the Hero program?" Jessa quized her. She had heard stories about the program, both good and bad and wondered about what it was like really. "Amora, I have something to tell you, please don't freak out." Jessa told her and continued "I can communicate and understand animals."

The sound of a passing police car made her jump a little, Jessa still needed to adjust to the busy lifestyle of being in New York. She took more sips from her soda. Wondering about how Amora would react to her ablitiy and wondered now about Amora's power. She leaned over and whispered to her "So, what can you do? What's your power that your in the hero program?"

All sorts of things went through Jessa's mind about what kind or kinds of powers that Amora could posses as she slowly continued to drink her soda, while waiting for her reply.

[Deleted]

Not one to drink soft drinks all that often, Amora took a sip of the Coke Jess had bought for her, wanting to savor it.  She did not understand how anyone guzzled these drinks.  It was the same line of reasoning with food.  Why would anyone eat or drink so quickly that they barely tasted what they were putting in?  It wasn't like you were in a fight, trying to finish it as quickly as possible.
    Jess asked about her time in the Hero Program, bringing Amora out of her thoughts.  Amora shrugged.  "I can't speak for everyone, but I like it, personally.  It keeps me busy, the variety of tasks required keeps the work from becoming monotonous, I get to help people, and I get to meet admirers.  When you help someone, say, by stopping a criminal, you do it so often that you don't really absorb all of the events.  You forget certain details.  And then someone comes up to you one day and thanks you for the time you helped them, even though you don't remember it.  It's a nice feeling, knowing you've done some good.  That your actions matter in some way, have affected someone in a positive manner."
    Jess seemed to be taking this in, then paused as if thinking of several responses fighting in her head when she finally leaned forward and told Amora that she, too, had an ability, specifically that she was able to communicate with animals.  Amora's eyes widened.  "Oh wow, you can talk to animals?"  She glanced up to watch some pigeons flying overhead, wondering what talking to a pigeon must be like before she looked at Jess again.  "That's a first.  I've never met anybody that could talk to animals.  I thought that was just in a Tarzan story."
    Jess leaned closer, whispering, and asked what Amora could do.  Amora shrugged again.  "I can manipulate my size," she said.  "Bigger, smaller, whatever.  My size affects my muscles, too, so I can get pretty strong.  Have you ever seen Attack of the 50 Foot Woman?  Sort of like that, just not as schlocky, I'd hope."  Amora blushed a little.  "At least in that movie the giant woman didn't lose her clothes.  Every time I change I lose mine.  That is, when I don't have my costume handy."

[Deleted]

The way that Amora was talking about the 'Hero' it was definy something she would have to check out, not that she thought she could really do anything for such a program as an animal communitcator. Jessa would be good at helping people though, that was something she loved to do and one of the reasons she wanted to be a doctor.

Amora seemed to think that animal communication was neat and noticed that she had look up and she looked up to see pigens. Jessa laughed "Sorry, I don't talk to birds, for some reason I can't understand or talk to them." She shrugged. Finishing up her soda, she put her hand up for the waitress and asked for a refill, again with no ice or straw. Smiling, Jessa was pleased to meet Amora, as she didn't know anyone in the big city that doesn't sleep.

Amora then told her about her power of size manipulation. For some reason Jessa kringed at the thought of changing. For her changing form hurt and the sound was not pleasing at all. "Doesn't that hurt?" Jessa asked Amora. "My changing form, hurts and I dont even want to tell you about the sounds! YIK!" Jessa added.

When Amora was talking about losing her clothes, Jessa could relate about losing her clothes and ending up naked when changing back to her human form. At least when your an animal, no one bats an eye, but a naked human body and people are agased about it. Amora had said somthing about a costum and thought that maybe smart but she didn't know of any fabric that would be able to change form like she does. Even if she had closthes handy like in a backpack, you still lose that when you change. Jessa couldn't count the number of times, she would lose her purse and such just because she had changed form. Now she has smart locks and other emergency locations to get spare keys and clothes. "Oh thats what I have to work on, finding emergency locations to stash emergency provitions." Jessa told Amora. "Do you have emergency stashes?" She asked Amora.

[Deleted]

Oh, wow, good job, Amora thought.  Show the first sign of interest in her ability and you pick the one animal she can't talk to.  But she did not beat herself up too much over the mistake.  There was no way that she could have known this.  "I wonder why that is," she said to Jess.  "Are birds the only ones you can't talk to?  Have you discovered any others that give you this problem?"  She wondered if it was a certain way the birds' brains were wired or how they communicated in particular.  She couldn't wrap her mind around it, that was for sure.  
    Jess asked her if she felt any pain when she changed.  She shook her head.  "No I don't.  Well, my wallet might if the ruined outfit is particular expensive, or my heart hurts if I really liked it.  But no, no actual pain."  She tried to think of what kind of sounds changing into an animal entailed.  Bones reshaping, perhaps.  "That doesn't sound fun at all," Amora said, frowning.  "I'm sorry you have to go through that each time."  She was pretty sure that Jess was not concerned about how her clothes felt when she was having to deal with her physical comfort.  
    Then Jess wanted to know if she had any so-called emergency clothes stashed away.  "I don't actually," Amora said.  "For the most part, when I'm out on the street, I have a special costume, uniform, whatever you want to call it.  It's specially designed to change with my body, so it doesn't tear.  Real high-tech stuff, but it looks nice.  If I'm not wearing it, I might have some jogging shorts and a t-shirt in my purse, but I can't count on that all the time.  Sometimes it is impossible to keep those things handy.  The few times I've been without people have been nice enough to help me."  Amora pondered Jess's predicament.  "I wonder if there is a feasible way to get a similar design for you, but, then again, I don't know how they'd adapt to the different animals you can change into.  Seems tricky to me, unfortunately."

[Deleted]

Amora had posied a good question, 'how come she could not communicate with birds?' Jessa didn't have an answer for her. "I don't know why that is" She added "I never really thought about it before." Jessa honestly never fully explored the limits or extent of her powers, this was true for her shifting as she had stopped shifting almost totally because of the sound, the pain and the embarresment it caused her. Amora was very lucky to no suffer pain or sounds and it seemed she even had something to not end up naked all the time.

"Honestly, I don't have full control over my ablity yet, I'm still learning things about it all the time, I thought working at the zoo would be a safe place to explore the communication side of my ablity without to much fear of something going wrong." Jessa also addded "If there was some way of changing without pain at the very least, I would do it more, just plan on someone holding my clothes for me." Jessa laughed making a slight joke about the clothes.

"Do you have plans? Want to come over to my place?" Jessa asked her.

[Deleted]

"I think you're doing the right thing," Amora said.  "I had a few cats growing up.  They were good friends and kept me company.  I'm sure that animals can be even better friends to you since you actually know what they're saying and vice versa."  But one thing animals couldn't replace was human companionship, Amora thought.  
    Jess explained that she was still learning about her ability, the ins and outs of it.  She joked that she would do it more if it didn't hurt so much, but she would need someone to hold her clothes for her.  Amora smiled.  "Perhaps it will just take time?  Like maybe your body just has to get used to the new capability?  Adapt to it, in a sense?  I don't know if its like working a muscle or not.  Maybe it depends on the person.  I never felt any pain, even from the beginning, but maybe yours will become more bearable with use.  At least I hope so."
    Then Jess asked her an odd question: did she want to come over if she had no plans?  Amora thought about that, tried to unpack it.  Jess said she had just come to New York.  She was new to the city.  Depending on how recent her arrival was, she very well could still be unpacking in her apartment.  As far as Amora knew, Jess had been telling the truth about her ability.  If she had been a mind reader or something else, it was likely she would have shown some sign during their conversation.  Then again, Amora was not really worried about whether Jess was a danger or not.  Like Amora told many others since the Event, she could take care of herself.  If she found herself in Samson's sandles facing down a lion, she was sure that she could close the lion's mouth.  Besides, this was an offer to break the usual routine.  What did she have to lose?
    "Sure, I can go with you.  I don't have any plans right now," she said.

[Deleted]

When Amora said yes to coming over to her apartment she beamed a smile. Jessa paid for thier food and drinks, grabbed her bag from her chair and motioned Amora in the direction of her place. Her apartment wasn't far, just a few blocks from where they were, it was a nice day to be out side anyway, the sun, the breeze ahh two out of three, as it was chilly out, well it felt that way to Jessa anyway. As they walked, Jessa asked her "What brings you to New York? How long long have you been here?" and asked about local shops, places to eat and other local hang outs for those with ablities. Jessa found it easier to hang out with others like herself because those with ablities tend to understand to some point what another person with a power is going through.

Once at the building she pointed up at her apartment, "it's that one one away from the corner."
The building was almost a sky scraper, it has 50 floors of 10 to 20 apartments per floor, the top two floors had two pent houses each had one side of two floors with a key controled elevator the only one to seve the two. Jessa would make it a point to one day see those two pent houses, maybe. She was happy with the place she got, her floor had 20 apartments on it, half had studios and the rest like hers, a one bedroom flat. Each of them had full wall windows, which she still needed to find curtins for, for now the supplies verical blinds at least did the job.
Really though how many can see you when your like 20 floors in the air?

Her place didnt have much in it yet, the kitchenette had a small table and chairs, she had a tv ontop of a box and a pile of pillows for a sitting area, in her room she had a new twin bed that had been delived the day she moved in. a box for a night stand and several along a way that still needed unpacking. the bathroom had a nice vanity with sink, a toliet of course and a spa tub, in there was a plastic basket with shampoo, soap and stuff, yet it was clean and fresh smelling.

Jessa offered her a chair by the kitchenette and asked if she wanted something to nibble on.
She sat down in a chair across from her and smiled. "So, how did you find out about your power when the event happened?" she asked Amora.

[Deleted]

Jess paid for their drinks and they got up to leave.  Amora walked with Jess and her new acquaintance asked her how long she had been in New York, where were good places to eat, where did people like them hang out.  "I've been here, oh, eleven or twelve years," Amora said.  "It started out as a business trip then I just kind of never left.  Better job opportunities here."  She listed off a few relatively inexpensive places to eat, trying to name places other than the usual chains one could find anywhere.
    They reached Jess's apartment building, a tall structure.  Jess pointed to one corner, trying to direct her to her apartment's window.  Amora squinted into the sun, thinking she could see which window Jess was talking about, then they went inside and rode the elevator on up to her floor.
    They entered Jess's apartment and the first thing Amora noticed was how spacious it was, thanks to minimal furnishings.  She had money when she had come to this city so she never had to grab one of the infamous cramped apartments due to lack of funds, so seeing one of these roomy abodes so open, devoid of furniture was something of a shock to her.  
    Jess offered her a seat in the kitchen and Amora took it and declined Jess's offer of a snack.  Jess sat across from her and asked her how she had come to find out about her power when the Event occurred.  Amora sighed and looked out the window.  "Well, I was heading back home to Mississippi, a little town called Pluto.  That's where I'm from originally.  I had just gotten on a plane.  We hadn't been in the air long, weren't that far from New York City when somebody in the plane must've set off an EMP, sending us into freefall, and at the same moment someone else on the plane disintegrated the whole thing.  I remember falling, seeing everyone else around me plummeting to the earth.  I said a prayer, thinking this was how I was going to die.  But I began to change by this time.  I braced for impact and just," she smacked her fist into the palm of her hand, "slammed into this field, busting this crater into the earth and grooving a long trench into the dirt.  Everyone was hitting the field around me, just screaming as they fell, cutting off as they hit the earth.  They screamed the whole way down, I remember that.  And by the time I came to my senses I was standing in this field naked and alone with the dead.  No one else survived the crash, if you can call disintegration a crash.  Me?  I didn't have a scratch on me."
    Amora stopped talking.  She looked down at her hands resting in her lap, her right hand overtaken by a tremor that had developed after that.  It always seemed to show up whenever she thought about the crash.  She frowned and said in a voice nearing a whisper, "I still see them, hear them in my dreams."