Microstory 926: Goats and Elephants

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I added this entry, because I didn’t speak much on animals themselves in my second post. I’ve had a lot of different favorite animals, for different reasons. Each time I add one, the others don’t go anywhere; they just all stay my favorite. I like penguins and polar bears, even though I don’t much like the cold. I like okapi, because they look like they should be related to zebras, but they’re not. I remember discovering them when a character mentioned them during the series finale of Six Feet Under. I had not once watched that show up to that point, but my aunt and I had nothing better to do. I ended up noticing a small okapi figurine in a museum gift shop soon thereafter. I still have it, and keep it on my desk. I like dogs and cats, because I’m a human being with a heart. I used to hate cows, because I thought they were stupid, which is less true than you probably believe, and even if not, that’s no reason to dislike them. I got to know a calf once, and she was great; never talked back to me. I like horses and donkeys, because they’re majestic and beautiful, and horseback riding is in my blood. And I like goats and elephants. I’ve met a few goats in my day, and though they weren’t the nicest of creatures, they were cool, and they always look at you like they secretly understand your language. Elephants are just great, because...well, look at them. Ya know, they bury, and mourn for, their dead, and when a mother dies, the rest of the herd will try to raise her young. They’re one of the few animals naturally born with souls. Not even dogs can boast that. I’m afraid I’m not feeling well, and need to go back to the Church of the Porcelain God, so this is where I leave you.

Microstory 168: Freeman Sesto

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Gus Arnett’s brother, Freeman Sesto could generate and manipulate the cold. He could slow down the atoms in the immediate area, thereby lowering the temperature. He could excite them to a certain extent—enough to melt any ice, but not enough to make the area significantly warmer. One side effect of Freeman’s ability was that he could survive freezing or scorching temperatures. And so, after leaving home, he decided to move to the continent of Antarctica. No one was living in the area permanently at the time, and the few people that were there were scientists. One such of these scientists was observing the behavior of penguins when she came across Freeman, naked and enjoying the sun. Being the rash and reckless type, he openly explained to her about his ability. After getting to know her a little better, and meeting some of her associates, Freeman unexpectedly found himself in the military. He belonged to a special centurion that was composed of members of the Quad Alliance between Usonia, Canada, Britain, and Aotearoa. Under the guidance of his new Executor, Freeman chose to not reveal his secret to anyone else in the centurion. He used his ability sparingly, notably to keep his squad cool while in the deserts of the Middle East. He both fought in the Caspian War, and protected Kazakhstan’s borders from its many invaders during part of the Soltüstik Intrusions. Upon leaving the military, he tried his hand at private contracting, but ultimately found it unfulfilling. He ended up reuniting with his brother in England where they started their pre-Bellevue group. Later on, when the group merged with Bellevue, he discovered one of his former squadmates to be an original member.