[Madelyn Green]

i'll be the bigger man while you act like you're innocent

As reluctant as she was to admit it aloud, Madelyn was forced to at the very least admit to herself that Paladin had a point. While she would have liked to use the excuse that she was simply trying to insure that the kid didn't get away, the larger truth was that she had been furious that he'd gambled with her life as he had. She was a human being and yet he'd turned her into little more than a bargaining chip when she'd only been trying to help. Surely, Paladin could understand why she had reacted in the manner that she had.  Still, she supposed that gaining mastery over her ability couldn't hurt.



"Ok, fair enough. He threatened my life and I was pretty pissed off about it, but I wasn't trying to kill him. Punish him maybe in the sense of making sure that he got captured, but definitely not kill him. To be honest, I'm not even sure that there is a lethal component to my ability.  However, I am in no way ready to test that theory because you're right. I don't want to have that on my conscience." While Maddy wasn't bashful when it came to discussing her ability, the brunette often did feel a little awkward about the topic. Most likely because all the conclusions that she'd drawn about the inner workings of her power were more of a result of her own research and theories as opposed to actual scientific findings.



A pensive expression flickered across the nineteen year old's face as she replied "It really took alot of practice to work up to being able to freeze a whole person. For a long time I could only freeze inanimate objects, then eventually I learned how to freeze animate objects but still only small ones that weren't moving very fast. Now, I can freeze most things of an average size of varying speeds. Regardless of what I freeze though, it has always been perfectly suspended animation.  No movement at all. "



The teen carefully considered Paladin's words, her brown quirking in bewilderment as she responded "Training your powers extensively does seem pretty great and undoubtedly useful in the field. I am sure that there is much benefit that can be derived from it. I guess its just hard for me to leave my safety and well being in anyone else's hands. I am not sure that I can ever be the type to simply wait for my knight in shining armor to arrive to save me, but I am fairly sure that I can put more effort into learning how to mind my own business and not get in the hero's way."



As Paladin indicated that she didn't wish to see Madelyn get into any kind of trouble, somehow the teenager couldn't help but to note the superhero's sincerity.  Maddy shook Paladin's hand eagerly, listening intently as she outlined the perks of the hero program which seemed to range from a deep sense of satisfaction to chic costumes. A soft giggle erupted from the young woman's throat as she added "Well, that costume is pretty chic and I'm certain that the fame is nothing to sneeze at. How do you manage that by the way? Are you able to have a private life at all?"



For some weird reason as a breeze drifted in from outside tousling Paladin's hair, Madelyn found herself briefly transfixed by the movement of the strands before finally shrugging off the trance adding "Really?  Most that are aware of it consider it to be a bit of a nuisance. You're the first to see any value in it."

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[Alice Morrow]

Paladin Am I more than you bargained for yet? + Madelyn Green + wearing

Paladin nodded in agreement. "I think it's hard for lots of people to do that, and even harder when you're a meta, but it doesn't make it any less important." She sighed, "It's not about not getting in the way, it's about keeping you safe. Things are bad enough with one set of metas involved, but when powers start flying in both directions someone is going to get hurt. Just have a little faith OK." Grinning, Paladin was pleased to hear that Madelyn was at least amused by her attempts at humour. She was trying to connect with the other girl after all. The next question was one that Paladin was used to, it seemed to come up at virtually every interview, after all, she was a common sight on the streets of San Francisco, and people must wonder what she did with her spare time. "Yeah, I mean my identity is protected, so it's better than being an actor. Paparazzi can snap all they want when I'm in costume, but the moment I'm out, who I am is a federal secret. It's finding the time to have a private life that's the problem. Something always comes up." Paladin nodded, "Oh yeah, your power is awesome. I'm can't believe people think it's annoying? I'm pretty much just able to punch people and no-one has told me that my power's a nuisance." She moved back towards the door a little, gesturing for Madelyn to follow her. "You could be an amazing Hero with a power like yours. I usually have to beat people into submission, you can just lock them in place. That would be amazing. And don't let people tell you that it's a nuisance. Your power is part of you now, it's nothing to be ashamed of."

© seadra of gs

[Madelyn Green]

i'll be the bigger man while you act like you're innocent

Although Madelyn was fully aware that using one's ability against a human in anger, even those that richly deserved it was bad, the brunette couldn't seem to silence the part of her that had felt good about using her power in that way. Sure, she hadn't necessarily gone by the book, but she hadn't really obstructed justice either. The criminal had been apprehended and taken alive no less, which with the volatility of her ability was nothing short of miraculous. She had actually felt rather proud of the display of control over her power until Paladin had started in on her. Why was she expected to preserve his life when he was more than willing to take hers and everyone else's in the bank if it had come down to It? She hadn't asked for these abilities or the responsibility that came with them. 

Maddy had always been prone to having trust issues and she imagined that her reluctance to place her life in someone else's hands was simply one more manifestation of that. "I suppose in my case self reliance has always been both a blessing and a curse. The damsel in distress role has just never fit me. It seems to me that the best way for me to have faith in a knight in shining armor is to be that knight."

While the brunette realized that this was in fact real life, her fascination with comic books and the heroes there within had taught her that all superheroes possessed a mild mannered alter ego of some sort. As Paladin seemed to suggest that there was some truth to her speculations, the nineteen year old found herself wondering who Paladin's alter ego was.  What was her real name? Did she have any hobbies? Or maybe a day job? Offering Paladin a casual shrug in response, Madelyn replied " Well, it is good to know that you don't have to be Paladin all the time. Like you aren't going grocery shopping or pumping gas in your costume. I barely have much of a life as it is from a social perspective that is so I don't think that would be much of a problem for me. Don't people on your life ever wonder why you something is always coming up or do you have some people that know the truth?"

As Maddy reflected back on the most recent instance in which someone had voiced their frustration with her power, the teenager's cheeks flushed a little. " Well, I suppose that the circumstances surrounding  its use may play a part in one's assessment of its usefulness. I imagine that anyone you've punched or thwarted in their attempts to engage in criminal activity might feel that your power is a nuisance. To say the least." As Paladin beckoned her to follow Madelyn obediently fell into step with her adding "Well, assuming that I can get a handle on that whole blowing things up part. That is really what tends to make people think that my ability is annoying. You are right about one thing though. My powers are a part of me now and I am not ashamed of them. "

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[Alice Morrow]

Paladin Am I more than you bargained for yet? + Madelyn Green + wearing

Paladin nodded, and I'm all for people to be their own knight in shining armor, but with powers… you can't take the risk. If you'd killed him then you'd never have forgiven yourself." Maddy wasn't the first person to idly muse that Heroes actually went about their daily lives in costume, she wouldn't even be the first to genuinely think that Heroes just went about normal life in their costumes. Still, she had hit on a point that was often a challenge for Heroes, including Paladin. The blue haired Hero shook her head ruefully in response to the next question however. "You have no idea, as far as a lot of my friends are concerned I am the flakiest person alive. There are a few people who know who I am though, one or two other Heroes, my closest friends, that kind of thing. It's impossible to do this job without having someone you trust to confide in. Sometimes we get lucky and we get a job like this one where no one gets hurt. Sometimes things aren't quite as easy. That and you always need someone to cover for you when there's an emergency. Otherwise I'd spend half of my life making excuses for why I had to run off." Cocking an eyebrow, Paladin shrugged, "I suppose it's true, things can be a lot more challenging until you've really got a handle on your abilities. Especially if they're flashy like yours sounds. I know I'd be pretty pissed if you blew up my TV. Amazed that you could do it, but pissed that I then had to buy a new one. So you can't really blame people, as long as they forgive you. After all, it's not your fault. It's not like your power comes with an instruction manual. I'm still learning how to use mine properly, and I use mine every day." She frowned, knowing there was little she could do for the girl besides suggesting she join the Program. Resources for metahumans were few and far between, and those that did exist tended to have long waiting lists. "Look, the best advice I can give you is to find somewhere private and get a load of things from the trash. That way you aren't having to pay whenever you blow something up. You can get a handle on your ability without people judging you that way. Maybe find a close friend who can help you out. Having someone around did a lot for me when I was starting out." She turned to watch the police officers loading the two metacriminals into the containment vans before speaking again. "If you join the Program they'll do all of that for you, but unfortunately right now there aren't a lot of resources available for people like us. It'll get better though." Paladin smiled brightly, "It always does."

© seadra of gs

[Madelyn Green]

i'll be the bigger man while you act like you're innocent

Having grown up the way that she had with the family that she had, Madelyn had spent a fair portion of her life in the damsel in distress role. It wasn't until she ventured out on her own and was forced to fend for herself that she became self-reliant. To most, Maddy was sure it wasn't such a big deal, but the brunette took pride in how far she had come from being a reluctant socialite to an advocate for the needy. Any step towards once again becoming dependent on anyone or anything felt like a step backwards to the teen. Still, the nineteen year old had to admit that she could use some help with getting her ability under control and there wasn't necessarily any ability training facility outside of the hero program to do so.

At least not that she was aware of.  As she'd seen heroes striking a pose in their flashy costumes, Madelyn had often wondered how these heroes handled their newfound fame as she imagined that until the event most of these people were just everyday joes/janes living from paycheck to paycheck scarcely noticed by passersby. Or at least that's what she preferred to think as it would be far less impressive to believe that people whom were already well to do or superstars in their own right were becoming overnight celebrities. A smirk lined the teen's lips as Paladin explained her struggles with maintaining an active social life. "To be honest, I am a relatively flaky person now so I am not really sure if too many would notice any additional flakiness. I am glad that heroes are permitted to confide in someone as I imagine that it is a pretty heavy secret to keep to yourself and constantly running off without being able to explain is bound to hurt some of your relationships," Madelyn replied.

Truthfully, Madelyn didn't blame people who got upset with her when she unintentionally damaged their property while trying to get a handle on her powers. It was as Paladin said, she hadn't been given an instruction manual so anything that she'd learned thus far had been based on trial and error. As Paladin suggested that she work with someone close to her practicing with discarded objects that likely wouldn't be missed by their owners, Madelyn began to formulate a list in her mind of people that she could entrust her secret with. Paladin's acknowledgement that there were little if any resources for people like themselves saddened Madelyn a bit.

Still, the blue haired hero seemed optimistic that would change which made Maddy hopeful. Something of a social activist, Maddy's mind began to whir wiith thoughts about how to best campaign for such changes.  It would take alot of time, effort, and most of all... money. Money that het father would be most unwilling to part with. Of course as a hero, she would likely be rather well compensated. She would truly be independent then and not forced to abide by her father's ridicuous demands in order to ensure her eligibility to access her trust fund.Placing the thought on the back burner for now, Madelyn lifted her gaze to meet that of Paladin's as she said "Seems like the best deal I'm going to get to be honest. I mean no one else is offering to help me learn to master my abilities and certainly not pay me for it. So, where do I sign up?"

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