insurgent

[he’s about to throw out his nets when the boat rocks and he nearly loses his balance] [yelps, wobbling a little, before he hears the splash] [now it’s just a wry smile]

NAME

Tomos Powell

AGE

22

ROLE

Fisherman

APPEARANCE

White teeth behind tanned, freckled skin gleam in a lopsided smile. He’s a man born on land but meant for the ocean — windswept locks bleached from the sun, fingers rough and calloused from days of hauling in his heavy fishing nets. Swimming comes just as easy as walking, but those brown eyes anchor him firmly to home. Sturdy, light trousers and a linen shirt mark him clearly as another one of those fishermen, unassuming and...well, mediocre. That’s just how he likes it, however. The simple life is what he craves, and if he had his choice, he’d sit out there on his bone-white boat until the Caribbean stars twinkle into view.

BACKSTORY

They’ve always been here, the Powells, for as long as anyone could remember. A merchant, a pirate, a do-gooder priest; someone came to the Caribbean from Wales generations ago and settled down into a life of fishing, and since then all the Powell men have taken to the family tradition. Some would chafe at this lot in life, but for Tomos Powell, this was something of an idyllic, peaceful dream.

A steady supply of food to put on the table, family constantly around him, and the opportunity to explore if the desire ever caught his fancy? Well, that was more than enough. If his mother would stop nagging him about getting married already, then everything would be perfect.

I was never mad at you in the first place. Heroes tend to do more damage than the villains, I’ve found. [Shakes her head, grumbling.] My alias doesn’t get any excitement, just ambulance driving.

[the absence of touch is something she certainly notices, but she just wipes her eyes and gives a small, slightly amused, huff] I wouldn’t say fun is the right term, but sure, that’s one way to describe it.

I– [she takes a shaky breath, pauses, then nods] [a small smile] Thanks. [thank you for putting up with me- thank you for not abandoning me- thank you for believing in me-]

Was it really September? I can’t believe I was gone for nearly a year.

Because people keep destroying the fuckin’ city. [A rare curse, and she links her arm with his, feeling a bit touchy.] If we could have a normal city with normal emergencies, I wouldn’t want to tear my hair out. 

[she rests her head on his shoulder and tries to control her breathing] I thought I was strong enough, I thought I could do something– [another small sob] I told everyone I was strong again but I couldn’t even do this.

[She opens her mouth to say something, but elects to lean her head against Tomos’ for a moment.] Sounds great. I think someone is watching a movie in the main den, maybe we can listen while we wait. 

He deserved it. [She pauses, looking conflicted on the matter.] You know how I feel about hurting people but, he was complicit in all of this. My coworkers- [There’s some trouble explaining, hopefully he can pick the bits out of her head.]

[oh no, it’s the lip tremble] I-I don’t- [her voice cracks, and it’s like a dam bursting, full sobs finally escaping her] I don’t know– it all happened s-so quick and I tried to fight him and I think someone stopped him but I didn’t know if it had been reversed and- and– [more crying]