Wizardness

I had just turned 15, when it happened. My mother was so excited, she exclaimed, “OH, look someone’s getting their powers!”
My “powers” were so embarrassing. I could manifest flowers. That’s it. They couldn’t grow, they couldn’t choke anyone. They didn’t protect me. They were literally flowers. I could be the worlds greatest florist.
Let me take a step back. I’m the oldest son of the worlds most important, not powerful, but important hero. He runs the Powered School and a group of heroes called The Teachers. Dad, who goes by Silence, is a tactical genius as a solider. He wins not by brute strength, but by getting the most out of his people.
My mother is one of the most powerful people on that team. She can teleport, is invulnerable, super strong, you know god tier powers. She might not be able to fly, but when you can teleport the way she can, what’s the difference? Her name? She just goes by Mother. Apparently, she had a different name, but she was so motherly to EVERYONE, they just called her Mother.
Everyone expected me, Al, son of Mother and Silence, to have some extraordinary set of powers. I was not gifted with super intelligence. I struggled in school. I was slow and unathletic. The only varsity team I was able to join was Heroes Unleashed, a team based video game. We won our state, New York, and got second in nationals. We’re ranked for the upcoming Olympics and a serious contender for medaling.
The worst part of my powers manifesting is that I was celebrating winning States when they manifested. I was pumping my fists and high fiving when a bouquet of flowers appeared in my hands.
Everyone laughed, thought it was a magic trick. I wish it was. Mother, told me that some people uncover new powers over time. It’s been 3 years. I’m going to be joining a pro gaming team as an alternate. Hopefully I’ll be a starting team member soon.
I’m not able to join the Powered School, because there isn’t anything worth teaching me. I’m a horrible failure. I will never live up to my parents. I’m an embarrassment to my friends. Most of my friends got awesome powers, like Tim, he can speak any language, hold a ton of conversations at once, and is a genius. He’s already working as a diplomat and has negotiated peace deals between two countries that have been at war for decades. Then there Samantha, she’s got God Tier level powers. She can fly, generate any material she wants with a single thought. She’s trained herself to react with protective shields without thinking. She’s already saved the space station and built huge add-ons. She just made more oxygen and water for them. She’s building a base on Mars for astronauts to be greeted with.
I gave her a huge bouquet when she landed. She just looked embarrassed for me. I cried later that night. What else can I do? My friends don’t even want to get flowers from me. It’s like a reminder to them of my inadequacies. My failures as a hero.
Mother is supportive. Silence, though, isn’t nearly as supportive. He looks at me with a mix of disappointment and shame. Like I’m a reflection of a failure within him. That he’s at fault that I can only manifest flowers. He flies into rages when I give him flowers after a tough mission. Even if they are manly flowers.
Mother loves them. She often brags about how the flowers reflect my kind heart and suits me.
I think I keep giving these flowers to Silence to point out to him that this is his fault. That I should have different powers. I resent this. I didn’t ask to be his son. I didn’t ask for the expectations. The constant, “Can’t wait to see what powers you’re gonna have!” Then to manifest the ability to give flowers. It’s pathetic.
Al signing off (August 3, ‘77)
Well, I actually stopped a bank robbery today. It was crazy and accidental and I got really lucky. I was depositing my pro gamer check, cause I got promoted (sorry! it’s been a few weeks journal).
I normally deposit my checks through my phone, but this one exceeded my phone’s limit, which is CRAZY.
So, I’m in the bank and I’m talking with the teller about where to put the money. She was a cutie so I gave her a flower. She blushed and put it into her jacket.
Just after doing that, The Nose burst into the bank. Now, the Nose, is well known for his ability to sniff out merchandise for his bosses. Of course, that would make him very sensitive to other smells.
He comes in guns drawn demanding access to the vault. That there’s stolen merchandise in there that must be returned. Now, the Nose is very recognizable, because of his titular nose. So, I just created all sorts of foul smelling flowers. I completely buried him in them. To the point that he was tripping over the flowers.
He started to go into convulsions and the guards were able to apprehend him without anyone getting hurt.
Maybe there is some sort of use for this flower power. It also got me thinking, maybe I can just make the flower smell without needing to make the flower.
Al signing off (Sept 15, ‘77)
Well, I think I’ve made peace with who I am. A few days after the last entry, I was captured by Ms. Electric and Furball. They took me to Sir Dolton. Apparently Sir Dolton had hired the Nose. Long story short, my left hand was damaged to the point I will never game professionally again. I was saved by Silence, Mother, Tim, and Samantha. And of all people, The Nose.
How they found me was ingenious on my part. I created a very distinct odor that was almost unnoticeable, but was detectable by some of the tools the Powered School has. I started to create it as soon as Ms. Electric cornered me. I also dropped a bunch of petals with a similar scent, so they could link the two.
After being saved, I had to do some serious soul searching. It was hard. I went to therapy, I used a totally different journal, since I couldn’t type. I talked with friends.
Samantha was getting married to Tim, she asked me for a special perfume. We spent days getting the perfect mixture of scents for her big day. I also did the flowers for the event with a great wedding coordinator.
As a result, I’ve decided to open a hyper exclusive perfume shop. I will match any sent or create a custom sent just for you. In a strange twist of fate, The Nose is going to be working for me in a work release program. Apparently, he really loves this sort of work.
I have made so many people happy with these perfumes. It’s, kind of amazing. I guess you don’t need to run around saving the world, to make it a better place.
Al signing off (December 31 ‘79)