TwiLyghtSansSparkles

It does seem to be that selfishness plays a role. And after reading "Mitosis," I tend to think that Epic weaknesses have something to do with their past. Maybe it's based on the last time, pre-Calamity, they were vulnerable? Just look at Fortuity's weakness: physical attraction. While it could be argued that he places himself in control of all interactions with women, there is an element of vulnerability there. Additionally, Steelheart's weakness practically screams vulnerability. And Mitosis: music he made with his band, where he specifically says he wasn't in complete control. Again, vulnerability. That could very well be the case: that giving up the power is the only right thing to do. Or it could be that he's trying to make the point that vulnerability purifies power: that those who are completely untouchable are going to use power for horrific purposes, even if they want to use it for good.

That is a terrifying thought. Still, Prof is spreading out his power over a relatively small group of people. Conflux, on the other hand, has an entire city of a million or more that he's gifting to. Also, he's not giving the power to people so they can do what he does; he's basically charging batteries that people can then use in their cars or homes or elsewhere. I think the "rule" so far seems to be that of checks and balances: Prof has a few checks and balances, so while they do keep him sane, it's much more difficult for him to maintain control than it is for Conflux, whose checks and balances (proverbially speaking) number a million or more. Although the stranger display = more twisted person theory does seem to be supported. Steelheart was practically godlike, and he believed it. Conflux can charge batteries, and he's super nice.

If I'm enjoying the book I'm currently reading, I'll stick with it until the end. If I get bored, I'll usually pick up another book in the meanwhile until I'm motivated to read the first book again. For me, though, if I cannot put a book down until I'm finished, and I carry it with me to work and church and the store so I can read a few words when I have a spare minute, that's a sign the book is going to be one of my favorites.

I couldn't tell you, since I don't have Steelheart on hand, but that does seem reasonable. I think I remember something about how the wind would blow every time Steelheart showed up. I also wonder if other Epics couldn't gift in a more indirect way. Take Fortuity, for example. So far as we could tell, he couldn't transfer his precognition into any sort of object the way Prof or Conflux could. However, what if he were to, say, shift his focus from himself to another person and write down what he sensed would happen to them, or tell them directly? Would that count as gifting, since he would be shifting the focus of his power from himself to someone else, thus allowing them to "use" it?

Per Altermind's orders, Scorch relayed the commands through his mobile to the battalion leaders, who relayed it to their men. By the time Altermind arrived at the crater, his police officers were already checking the ID cards of those nearest the gates. They would work their way inward, but it seemed unlikely that the culprit had made it further than a mile or two. Despite the whirlwind of activity, the responses coming through his mobile in rapid succession, Scorch did take time to note Flashpoint's reply as it came over the line reserved for him, Scorch, and Altermind: "HQ? But Bo-oss! I can catch him, I know I can!" Scorch had to wipe a smile off his face as Altermind approached, demanding details. "This was here when I showed up. From what I've been told, nobody knows where it came from." "There was an explosion, sir," the battalion leader added quickly. He had borrowed some gauze and burn cream from a squad car's first aid kit. "Whoever caused it left in a hurry. We didn't see their faces." "I'll bet that Epic caused it," Flashpoint muttered over the mobile. Scorch hid a smirk. He and that Epic would share some quality time later on, with no interruptions.

(((She can't transform living things, if that's any comfort. And she has some weird weaknesses too. On another note, that was kind of the goal. mahahahahaha. )))

Thank you, Kobold. I almost spat tea all over my computer screen, that made me laugh so hard.

Repeating what I've said on that topic: Northwesterner. Cold, dark weather + most of the year = more sarcasm than straight talk. Good-natured insults + Internet = happy times for TwiLygyt.

As well you should. They are just as tasty as they look. It is only natural that you should embrace treachery for a single bite.

Do the Wafflesworn enjoy banana crepes?

That would make sense. I've always kind of held to the theory that gifters aren't as rare as they seem. I might even go so far as to say that all Epics are gifters in some way, but most prefer to use their powers for themselves, so they don't know they can give them away. But I also don't think that every Epic can gift to people. Just look at Conflux. He was a gifter, but it seems to be that when he tries to give his power to other people, it hurts or kills them. Yet when he "gives" them to inanimate objects, it purifies his powers and keeps him from being corrupted. Still holding to my theory that Steelheart was that sort of gifter. He turned the entire city of Chicago into steel, which seems to place him into the same category as Conflux on that level. Maybe he couldn't give his super strength or flight away, but maybe he could transfer it into objects that he had turned to steel, thus leaving them for others to use? I know I'm rambling a bit, but it seems unlikely that a Mormon/Christian would make an entire "race" of people who are, essentially, beyond redemption.

I do believe i shall. How does it work for other things? Veggie kebabs, for instance?

I thought you only ate Fruit Roll-ups?

Hang on, still grilling…. Anybody mind giving that chipotle raspberry sauce a stir? And please tell me BT brought beer!

The movies are a bit easier to follow, I think. Part of the problem is that Tolkien didn't really know where he was going with the story when he started, so there are two whole chapters devoted to a character (Tom Bombadil) who never shows up again. He does play a small role in the story, and he is mentioned later on, but the movies cut his scenes with (I think) no detriment to the overall storyline. And the thing is, Tom Bombadil is a good character. He's fun, he's helpful, and he's funny and wise in his own crazy way. But he doesn't contribute as much to the story as, say, Galadriel (an Elf queen) or Aragorn (a Ranger with more to his past). So even though some fans thought it was terrible that Bombadil was cut, I didn't mind so much. Just a matter of opinion, really.

Wind whipped through Scorch's hair as he nudged the motorbike into gear. It tore at his leather jacket and his bare cheeks. Cottages and duplexes flew past, blending with pines and oaks into a blur of color. Had he not been angry, he might have smiled. "Sorry, Scorch, but you're not as good at getting information out of people." He growled, but it was lost to the wind and rumble of his motorbike. The last part of Altermind's speech was irrelevant. "Sorry, Scorch, but you're not as good." That was what mattered. That was what Altermind had really said. That was what he had meant. You're not as good as Flashpoint, and that's that. Scorch increased speed. So what if he couldn't fly? Flashpoint was a glorified spark plug. He wouldn't know which way to tie his cape if Altermind didn't nudge him in the right direction. Flashpoint couldn't roast an imbecile in his car or burn a home to the ground. As Scorch neared Thoughttown's eastern boundary, he spotted a group of guards gathered around what appeared to be a crater in the middle of the asphalt. Scorch pulled his bike to a stop near the crater. "The hell's going on?" Three guards looked up at him, fear evident on their faces. The one with a battalion leader's insignia on his uniform saluted. "There appears to have been an explosion, sir." The explosives had blasted a hole about ten feet wide and five feet deep. He couldn't help being impressed. "Yeah, you think? Who let this happen?" "Nobody, sir." "Nobody." Scorch took a step forward, enjoying the rush of power as the leader stepped back. "You were hired to guard the fence, and somebody blows a hole in the road, and you're saying nobody let it happen?" He swallowed. Scorch tossed a fireball—a small one, but large enough to burn a hole in his sleeve. The guard bit his lip, sucking in a breath as his skin blistered. He wouldn't show weakness. Altermind had trained them not to show weakness, which was irritating when all Scorch really wanted was a nice, curdling scream. "Altermind know about this?" "N—no sir." Storms. That meant the task of reporting fell to him. At least he could pass it off as doing his job, even if it did send his plans of confronting the new Epic up in smoke. Scorch tossed another fireball over his shoulder and punched Altermind's number into his mobile. "Hey, Altermind? We've got a problem at the east border."

Tolkien created the world the books are set in before he ever sat down and thought of a story. As a result, the world feels incredibly real and vivid: everything from languages to local customs is described in detail. A LOT of detail. Like Delightful said, they're a bit long winded, and after years of heroic quest fantasy that par of the series might feel a bit trite. Still, they're very well written and basically the granddaddy of all modern fantasy books, so I'd say they're worth the read.

Yay!

Mmhmm. That's who I was quoting.

Lord of the Rings? Gandalf?

He is a fool, but an honest fool.

It's about Seattle, actually. But most of my extended family is in Oregon, so I spent a loooot of time there lol.

"How about making sure he does his job, huh? Ever think of that?" Scorch could see his position as Joint Chief of Security slipping away as he spoke. If this Epic was as powerful as Altermind seemed to think he was, he would have Scorch on permanent truck duty. Flashpoint, having heard the orders, glanced smugly at Scorch. "Sorry, Scorch. Maybe next time you'll think things through." "Oh, I've thought things through." He stood a moment and, unable to think of any cutting remarks, threw a fireball purposely wide of Altermind's throne. "Make sure they're doing their jobs—ha!" He stalked off, listening for the sound of Flashpoint accepting orders and taking flight. Once he heard it, he crept out of HQ and snagged his motorcycle. He would have that Epic in a burning heap on the ground if it was the last thing he did.

Here's a song about my favorite city in my home state. If you can guess, you've probably been there. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55NWpxaa-mI

"Just the cards. Kittens. Couple toys." His heart sank as he recalled the first thing he'd seen. "And a couple imbeciles running outta an apartment, but Boss! They're idiots! Run from anything!" Seeing Altermind signal Flashpoint sent a stab of panic through him. "Don't send him, Boss. I'll go." Going himself would allow him to deal with whatever Epic had shown up in Portland before he made an undoubtedly favorable impression on Altermind.