An Outdoorsman's Guide To The Calls Of Common Thieves

Super-empaths

07/04/2024 - 08/04/2024

poster boy - Lyn Lapid

"So, where to first?" Ryan says as we walk down the street.
"Well, I've been to the record store, the dispensary and the flower shop. What else can we see?"
"Let's start from here and work our way round."

"This is a new ice cream shop that opened a little over a year ago. The couple that own it are really nice and ..."
Ryan and I walk around the town as he explains little bits of history for each and every building. It's amazing how he knows so much about Haven. He jokes, I laugh, and we keep on going all the way around, even stepping into some places and seeing all of the cool things people sell and buy. How can one town have so much life? And how can one man know so much about it?

Every time we laugh together his cute smile afterwards appears brighter, as he becomes confident that I enjoy his cheesy jokes. As we stroll through the streets, I start to pay less attention to the buildings and more attention to him. We pass places I've seen before, and as we do I wave to my new friends inside, and they wave back. 

"I see you've made some friends."
"Yeah, I'm glad. Everyone here is lovely, so it's not difficult."
"We're glad you're lovely too."
"Thanks, I try."
"Oh look, we made it back to the record store." He says as Alex and Steph step out.
A: "Hey guys!"
Both me and Ryan say "Hi!" in sync.
S: "How was your first day here?"
Z: "It was good."
A: "I see you got a private tour. How many dad jokes did he make?" Steph and Alex laugh.
R: "Hey! Not that many-"
Z: "I promise you, it's a 5 star rating for the jokes alone." We all laugh.
R: "Maybe we should start a tour guiding company. For new people."
A: "Sounds like it could be useful."
S: "I can see that."
Z: "I would get a tour. Speaking of, There are some stairs in my room, do they go anywhere?"
A: " You haven't seen the rooftop yet?"
Z: "Rooftop?"
S: "We have to show you."
Z: "Lead the way."
We start to walk towards the Black Lantern.
S: "So much happens up there. We've had rooftop concerts, rooftop game nights-a few sweet rooftop makeout sessions-"
Z: "Sounds pretty popular."
A: "When you've got your instruments it would be a great place to practise."
R: "Or just to watch the sunset or sunrise."
Z: "Very popular."

Follow the Sun - James Mclean, A. Void

As we make our way into the Lantern and upstairs, Ryan opens the door to the rooftop.
Z:"Woah."
R: "Pretty cool, right?"
Z: "Are you kidding me? It's amazing!"
A: "I didn't know you redid the garden Ryan."
S: "Really betting on the fact that she likes flowers." 
R: "No- I was just- I wanted to redo it."
Their squabbles started to zone out as I walked around the perimeter, looking at the beautiful flowers Ryan had planted. My hand brushes against the petals as the sun sets in the distance. 
Z: "It's beautiful! Is there a watering can, or some kind of hose I can water them with..?"
R: "Don't worry about it, I've got it all covered."
A: "Shit Steph, she does like flowers." She whispers.
S: "I think we should give them some alone time." Steph elbows Ryan before her and Alex head back down.

Ryan sits in one of the chairs and I sit in the other.
"How did you get into gardening?"
"My mom. She had insomnia, and on some nights she would take me here, and we would just plant things."
"No way, my mum loves to garden too."
"Maybe it's just a universal mother thing."
"Maybe. Sounds like you have some good memories up here."

"Do you play anything?"
"What, instruments?" I nod. "I can play basic chords on the keyboard. And I manage the tech behind Stwph and Alex's concerts."
"Oh, so you're the DJ?"
"I mean, I'm hardly hyping up the crowd by switching on the mic. You play the harp right? And the violin."
"Yup. Since I was around 6 or 7."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"Cool."
"Do you listen to music?"
"I go to all of  the concerts going on here, but I mostly listen to nature guides."
"Like bird calls and stuff?"
"Yeah. Bird calls and how to recognise them."
"Ahh I remember, you're the nature superhero!"
"I've got to know who I'm saving first."

"Well, it's getting a little dark. I should probably go." We get up.
"I'll see you tomorrow, ranger."
"See you later, doc."

Back in my apartment, Steph and Alex are sitting on the couch and I join them. 
Z: "Hey, what's up?"
S: "Just chilling. What did you guys talk about?"
Z: "Just music, and mums, and DJ-ing ..." I trail off and laugh a little remembering our conversation. 
A: "It's confirmed." She says with a smirk on her face.
S: "Did she say it? Or think it rather?"
Z: "Say what? Think what?"
A: "She likes him."
Z: "No I do not-!"
A: "Ha! She does!"
S: "Bullseye!" They high five.
Z: "Hold on, how are you so sure?"
S: "You wanna tell her?"
A: "I have, like, this power. It allows me to see people's .. emotions. They appear like auras around them, and I can hear what they're thinking and, if it's strong enough, feel what they're feeling."
Z: "... is this a prank?"
S: "She's legit man."
Z: "Ok then, what am I thinking right now?"
A: "You're confused, and ... scared that I'm going to tell Ryan."
I stare at her, dumbfounded. How ...how? How can she...?
A: "I don't know how, or when or why."
Z: "So you're also some kind of superhero?"
S: "See I knew you wouldn't run away screaming."
Z: "You guys won't tell Ryan right?"
A: "I don't know why you're worried. In case you haven't noticed already, he has a colossal crush on you."
Z: "Really? No wonder he was reading that page so hard." 
We all laugh.
S: "He's got it bad for you, Z!"
A: "Whenever you two are together, there is this yellow aura with a bit of pink mixed in surrounding you."
Z: "So, happiness? Or joy?"
A: "Exactly."
Z: "That is so interesting. Hey, do you mind seeing me for an appointment sometime? I would love to write something down about this. I have never seen anything like it."
A: "No doctor has ever been so positive about it before ... sure, I'd love to talk about it. You might be the one to find out why."
S: "That's great! It would answer so many questions." 
Z: "Who else knows?"
A: "Only Steph, Ryan and you."
Steph's phone dings.
S: "Oh shit the time!"
A: "Ready to go?"
S: "Yeah, it's super late. See you Z!"
Z: "Later!"

After changing and brushing my teeth, I flop onto my bed, thinking about what just happened. A super-empath and a nature superhero? Is this town full of undercover saviours? Or am I just bad at naming people? Either way, I start to drift off to sleep.