While Grace poured over microbiology resources online, William began his meditation.
Once they both became absorbed in their own worlds, the young couple retreated to Mark's bedroom.
Glancing at his work belt, Mark began considering the headache of quitting his job without raising too many eyebrows. I still have to quit and turn in the service weapon, both without my bosses seeing my face or noticing my height.
"Hey, I gotta go quit my Ritz job, wanna come? We can make it a day." Mark wanted nothing less than to travel to Manhattan right now. But with his parents currently testing out his hypothesis and the upcoming gathering, he couldn't put it off any longer.
His girlfriend excitedly nodded, excited to walk around the city looking like a Greek goddess. "Ooh yes! We should go get something nice to eat and maybe a movie. What about the new Avatar? Or Now You See Me 3 or Zootopia 2?"
"We need to see Now You See Me 3, remember when we…"
…
Arriving at the Ritz, Mark pulls up his face mask while going through the employee entrance. He walks into the security office and deposits his gun into the weapon locker and radio onto the rack.
"Hey Bill, you got a minute?"
Bill, assistant director of security, looks up from his computer and smiles, "Mark, what's up, bud? I didn't see you on the sheet for a day shift?" Was he always this tall?
He liked Mark, not because the kid was outstanding or particularly remarkable at what he did, but because he kept a positive attitude, never got a complaint from his supervisors, and maintained the standard they expected. But, he'd seen the signs as soon as Mark asked to talk: fidgety, tired looking eyes, and guilt in his posture. He was going to quit.
Mark's shoulders sag and he has a wry look on his face, "Uh, to be honest, I never wanted to do it this way, but I have to resign, like, immediately. I wish I had the time to put my two weeks in, but a family emergency has, uh, stormed into my life recently. We'll be moving soon and… yeah, it's just a bit difficult right now. I'm sorry."
Bill sighed. "I understand. I also wish we could've gotten your two week notice, but I understand how suddenly life can happen." He extends his hand for a handshake, "Thank you for your work here, Mark. You were a valuable team member." Bill looks like he wants to say more, but stops himself and just maintains the professional look.
Mark shook back, feeling bittersweet about how he finished his first real full time job. "Thanks Bill, I appreciate your understanding. Thanks for the opportunity and the experience." He really did enjoy working there. Good co-workers, nice bosses, and solid pay really was a rarity, but life comes at you fast.
After finishing all the final details that come with leaving a job, such as returning the uniform, registering the firearm and ammunition count, and any other Ritz issued equipment, Mark was one step closer to fully closing the final chapter of his mundane life.
Walking back to his car, Mark was a bit absentminded, until he sees a small crowd gather around his car. Even in the nice parts, New York is still New York.
Gathering around his car was a small group of what could only be described as hooligans. Teenagers, seemingly between 15 and 19 years old, dressed in baggy clothes, chains, and off-kilter snap back hats, seemed intent on harassing his girlfriend who was minding her business at his car.
Despite her recent 'power-up', Mark still felt his heart clench at how scared she must be to be surrounded by strangers. Finally, Mark will get to show off his physical prowess against some scrubs.
CRASH!
Mark's bravado instantly deflates when he sees one of them fly 5 feet away, landing on his back, thinking to himself, Is this real life? How did a tiny girl like her just send me into orbit...? Olivia stands there, flawless as usual, but with eyes hungry to deliver another round of ass-whooping.
Her next words stroke Mark's ego just the right way, "I thought you kids were going to show me a good time? You can't even take me, much less…" she points at Mark, "him."
The hooligans collectively turn around to see an angry Mark looming five inches above their tallest member. Despite wearing baggy and warm clothing, they can still recognize a muscular physique when they see it.
One of them, apparently with the most fragile ego, whips out a knife, "Fuck outta here before I cut you and your bitch bruh."
Mark's mood reaches its peak. YES! I CAN SHOW OFF! HAHAHAH! He does an unnecessary stretch and knuckle crack, and before he can get a word in, "FREEZE! DROP THE KNIFE!"
Of course NYPD is most active in midtown, fucking idiots. But, come on! I haven't gotten to do anything, why is Olivia allowed to get in some action before me?
The kids panic and scramble, even the previously knocked out one gets up and bolts. The slightly overweight cop jogs after them for a bit before calling out the situation on the radio and approaching the model-looking couple.
"Are you two okay?"
Mark forces a smile, "Yeah, I think we're both okay. Thankfully, my girl can handle herself." Tch. Damn cop stole my thunder…
…
Despite the hiccup, Mark and Olivia continued with their day. They went out to eat at a local sit down spot that tourists didn't often visit. At the restaurant they didn't stop getting stares and whispers, Mark even caught someone taking a sneaky picture. This is so inconvenient... Looks like Olivia's loving the attention,though.
Mark had to give a few guys who looked like they wanted to approach the table to flirt a death stare. He mumbled under his breath, "Shameless bastards, can't you see she's way out of your league." He then remembers that she's always been out of his league, so he sends God one more thank you for making him hot.
After their meal, they went to see Now You See Me 3. Mark whispers to Olivia, "Even here, we're getting stares. Can these people just focus on the fucking movie?" His social battery was rapidly draining, and he wasn't even talking to anyone else.
Halfway through, he began to actively tune down his senses so he can ignore the piercing stares he was constantly perceiving. The dark wasn't making these people as sneaky as they thought, either, because of his night vision. Somehow, Olivia just seemed like she was made for it. She basked in their attention, like they were her loyal followers and she was their Goddess.
Mark, on the verge of breaking down, begged Olivia for her secret. "How are you doing it? I can literally feel their eyes roaming our bodies. I want to crawl out of my skin."
She leans into his ear, so he can feel the tickle of her breath, "I have my big strong man to protect me, otherwise I'd be giving everyone the stink eye." That seemed to do the trick and Mark relaxed instantly, she knew how to play his ego in just the right balance between flirty and soothing.
Walking out of the theater, Mark began his post-movie monologue. "You know, I love those movies. They're so unserious and just go crazy with whatever the hell they wanna do. They try to explain things, but it's very hand-wave-y. But, they KNOW it's hand-wave-y and they lean into it. It's great. It's perfect junk food."
Olivia was the true movie-buff between the two of them, "HAH, I know right? I like it more when a movie ignores the obvious ridiculous elements and just fully lean into their plot device. Like in Back to the Future, Marty just accepts that Doc made a time machine, and they work from there. That's partly why it is my favorite movie of all time."
Mark nods along, and while they were talking, he gets a call from his Mom. "I did it." She says it like it was natural that she'd succeed so quickly, not an iota of excitement in her voice, just the casual certainty that she accomplished her goal.
"Awesome! I'll hurry home, and check on Dad's progress. How do you feel?"
"Amazing, like I'm filled with energy. I can almost feel the plants in our house breathing, it's very surreal."
Her talent already seems to be manifesting. I guess, I didn't consider WHEN it would. I thought they would just have a more obvious effect later in cultivation, not right in the beginning. Add it to the checklist of mysteries to solve once I'm stronger.
45 minutes of grueling mid-day traffic later, and Mark arrived back home with Olivia, who was still in great spirits from her beat down of a local ruffian. Her personality hasn't changed, but she seems to have gained the boldness of a supernova: impossible to ignore and unapologetically badass.
Mark stares at her, mesmerized by her being, I find more ways to fall in love with her every day…
Walking through the front door, he spots his Dad looking dejected. Hmm, so you can't just imagine your DNA with no prior knowledge. You really need a clearer picture to influence your own body, at least in the beginning. More testing required.
"I'm guessing it didn't go well, Dad?"
A sigh escapes Williams mouth, "No… it's terrible. After studying, your mother accomplished unlocking the DNA in just under an hour. I took FIVE HOURS TO DO THAT. From the time you left, to just twenty minutes ago. That's how long it took for me to figure it out."
"W-W-Wait, what? You were actually able to do it without knowing anything at all about what DNA or your cells look like or how they're structured?" Mark's jaw drops to the floor.
Well shit, looks like we need to find an optimal middle ground between these two methods. But, discounting study time, having knowledge beforehand really improves the rate in which you can get the visualization part of cultivation done.
His dad shook his head, "Mark, even though I didn't get a degree like you, this new body has given me some crazy memory, I can still remember a bit of high school biology and anatomy."
"Well, I'll sort out the super specific guidelines at a later date, but for now, Mom, send me your study material so I can disperse it after tomorrow's meeting."
Turning to look at Olivia, "Tonight, let's see if we can get you to begin Qi Refining too. After walking around today, you should be feeling more comfortable with your physique."
I need to start on the next stage too, when enough people are working together on this, all the intricacies will get worked out in due time. Tonight, I purify my blood.