#heavenbit

@heavenbit

A trail of white steam exited Eric's mouth as he walked through the snow encrusted pavement of the Fortitude Hall campus. Bundled in many layers of sweats and jackets, Eric exhales a hot breath into the palms of his hands before retreating them into the puffy pockets of his jacket. He hadn't expected to be out in a cold day like this, especially in the middle of flurrying snow such as this. Flakes of white clung themselves to the student's lashes and hugged his rosy cheeks. On his back, a backpack filled with a few winter essentials, mainly movies along with packets of hot cocoa mix.

Eric had heard of this thing called care kits; packages filled with things parents would send their kids in college. Used to help perk up people in the middle of midterms or exam seasons, some filled with extra school supplies like notebooks and pencils. Other times, the kits were filled with snacks. The origins of the snacks could be as simple as from the local gas station to even being homemade. Students were also the kinds of people being given these kinds of kits. Eric decided to make one, not for a student but, for a mentor he thought needed the extra holiday cheer.

Along with the holiday movies and hot cocoa mix, Eric had a couple supplies to make a few baked goods too. Nuts, brownie mix, and some bite sized chocolates. All packed into his backpack and with the way Eric had nearly slipped on his ass a few blocks back, eager to taste the cold winter air. At least the student would have a decent trail mix with the remaining items should the brownie mix escape flour first onto the pavement. There was also an ingredient in his backpack Eric could share with his intended kit receiver should the brownies burn or become ruined in another fashion.

Ever since joining Fortitude Hall, Eric sought to be the best he could be. Watching and dissecting every bit of information being taught to him in one aspect or another. Holland, while not his mentor, was a bit of a inspiring figure to Eric. The list of compliments was lengthy, however, in this cold, Eric found himself unable to focus on much until he was stepping in front of Holland's home. Warm.

"F-Fuck, this…" Eric hisses, shivering under the light of decorated lampposts and walkways adorned with Christmas lights.

The metahuman decided to use his power, growing a bit bigger, hoping the additional mass would help warm his body. It felt as easy as thinking and having the change happen, enlarging himself a couple of inches taller. The rest of his body growing as well in proportion, occupying the space around himself like it was there all along. Eric could already feel a relief, sighing in triumph before hearing a >crack< behind himself. A steady stream of thuds followed as items from his backpack had begun to fall out of the backpack.

Eric's brow furrowed as he turned back as he quickly shrunk back to his "default" size, his hands scrambled to scoop up the items that had fallen. Growing in size enough to accommodate the fallen items along with the ripped backpack. On the bright side, the familiar front steps of Holland's dwelling were visible now, just a few feet from where Eric had stood.

The added size and solid weight allowed Eric to close the distance quickly, though the cold relief may have only been placebo as Eric felt colder now without the backpack shielding his back from the winter breeze. Knocking a couple times on Holland's door, Eric mustered out a low "H-Holland? I'm here with a present."

"Did you want the big blue one? Or the big red one? I can get them both you know. Your daddy's got a really good curve ball." Nero chuckled, bringing his daughter to sit over his shoulders. Deciding to make the most of Fortitude Day, Nero brought along his daughter for the celebrations. It was a joyful time that filled Nero with pride in what he did within Fortitude, even more so as he watches his daughter catch a sliver of confetti that floated towards her. At times he had to wonder if she would inherit far too much of himself. Watching her hand in the air, waving the piece of confetti in triumph, Nero thinks if the town might celebrate her as well in the Fortitude Days to come.

"Oh, hey! Vita, look who it is!" Nero bounces the child on his shoulders playfully as a familiar face catches his eyes. The familiar face of his former mentee appearing more notable amongst the carnival crowd. "Happy Fortitude Day, Holls. You win any of these yet?" He chimes at him, tossing a metal ring effortlessly a top a wooden dowel of the carnival game beside him, Vita giggling cheerfully above.