Intentional, Infectional

Pro...Be-ero

She shot awake, jumping off the Steel bed with her eyes shaking horribly. She wanted to hyperventilate, she wanted to feel her Heartbeat to calm herself...but sadly, those weren't in her anymore.

Beirah closed her eyes, putting her hands to her head to center herself slowly. Trying to understand things like this isn't going to solve anything, so she had to calm down...just calm down...

"Beirah?" She snapped to attention, spooking Mandalay with how fast she turned. "Did...you have a nightmare?"

She didn't answer for some time, Beirah soon moving her legs off the Steel bed. "I believe I have seen a memory of my time in the past ten years."

Manadlay's eyes widened, immediately reaching for her hand while minding the sharp parts. "Do you want to share what it was? Was...was it horrifying?"

"It was...traumatizing."

She had stalled in her speech, something she hadn't done before, something her usual personality just didn't do. Mandalay stood up and gently pulled her into a hug, pushing her head to her chest.

"You'll be okay Beirah, you're with people who care about you. Me, Ryuko, Tomoko, Yawara...you even worked your way into a big sister role for Kota. We all care for you Beirah, so don't be afraid to reach out to us in your time of need."

Beirah listened to her words, then let the rhythmic thumping of her heart fill her ears. It was soothing, the hug and the beating, to hear at least someone with it was nice.

"Thank you Mandalay."

"You can stop with the Hero name Beirah, you've known us long enough. From now on, just call me Shino, okay?"

Beirah's eyes shined behind her goggles, as she slowly pulled away from the hug and stood straight. "Affirmative."
—————

"Your test results Miss Lyst."

Beirah took the paper from Nezu, her eyes going to the score just above the main section of the paper. She stared at it for a few seconds before looking back to Nezu.

"Is this adequate?"

"You did get a passing score, if barely. I understand why you did however, and it all related to how you think!"

She stared at the Chimera, wanting him to continue as he stood from his chair. "You see, most tests involve figuring out the best response in a dangerous situation, always testing your Moral Compass. However, you're unbelievably methodical, and care for getting the job done rather than doing it with any real caution towards not only the Civilian casualties, but the Villain ones too."

Beirah looked at her hand, the jagged fingers and metal frame clicking together as she moved them around and fell into thought. Nezu seemed to realize she was zoning out, and clapped to get her attention again.

"But! You have qualities about you that are invaluable as well."

"That is?"

"You have the capacity to accept when a situation has gone down, and you don't hesitate to jump into action. Such feats are welcome in a Hero, no matter how small time or famous they are."

He went to a cabinet to his side, opening it and pulling out a small box, which he opened to reveal a license with her face on it. "Nevertheless, you passed! Now that you've done that, you're officially a Pro Hero, or rather, Pro Striker!"

"What am I to do then?"

"For now, I'm seeing two options available to you: You can go out and work alongside local Heroes in their efforts, which can help you gain popularity even with the dislike of your new title."