Jai's Friendship Dynamics

Jai's Friendship dynamics

(idk what to call this, just need more details)

Cora

With Cora, their relationship has a strong sibling vibe, with Jai often taking on the role of the annoying but protective older brother. They have inside jokes and references that even Marek doesn't always get, creating a unique bond between them.

Jai is often the first person Cora turns to when she needs to vent about work or personal issues, especially those she can't share with Marek. In return, Cora provides Jai with a connection to a more "normal" life, reminding him of the world outside their criminal activities.

Their Minecraft server is a sacred space for both of them. They have elaborate builds and ongoing projects that they work on together, often using it as a way to decompress after stressful days. They share a love for anime and often hosts marathon viewing sessions. They also bond over being the more tech-savvy members of their friend group.

Jai is acutely aware of Cora's naivety in some areas and goes out of his way to protect her from the harsher realities of his and Marek's world. He often acts as a buffer between Cora and potential threats, whether they're physical dangers or emotional ones.

Jai is more attuned to Cora's emotional state than Marek sometimes. He can pick up on her stress or discomfort even when she's trying to hide it. He's often the one to nudge Marek when Cora needs extra support or care, acting as a bridge between his two friends.

They have an ongoing prank war, with each trying to outdo the other. These pranks are always harmless but often elaborate, showcasing both Jai's tech skills and Cora's creativity. This playfulness helps balance out the seriousness of their lives and gives them both an outlet for stress.

While Cora hasn't revealed her powers to Jai, he's observant enough to sense that she's hiding something significant. He never pushes her on this, but makes it clear through his actions and words that he's there for her no matter what.

Jai provides a different perspective on life than Marek, helping Cora maintain a balance between Marek's intense, sometimes dark world and a more lighthearted approach to life. He supports Cora's relationship with Marek but also encourages her independence and personal growth.

Jai's caught on to Maria's crush on him, but he's also caught on to how she feels about Marek. He resents what he sees as the wedge Maria's trying to drive between his two best friends, but remains polite when he's over at their place and encourages Cora to come over to his and Marek's place more, instead.

Jai has been teaching Cora bits of Lao, and she's been helping him brush up on his French, which she took in high school. They often greet each other in these languages or use them to make comments they don't want others to understand.

Marek

Despite not being blood-related, Jai and Marek have a deep brotherly bond. They've grown up together, sharing life's ups and downs, which has created an unshakeable trust between them. Despite this close bond, they maintain a healthy rivalry in certain areas, constantly trying to one-up each other in friendly competitions.

Jai often acts as a counterbalance to Marek's intensity. Where Marek can be serious and focused, Jai brings levity and a different perspective. This helps keep Marek grounded.

While Jai is unwaveringly loyal to Marek, he's not afraid to voice his concerns about Marek's ambitions. He supports Marek's goals but often tries to steer him towards less dangerous or morally ambiguous paths.

The loss of Marek's parents affected Jai deeply as well. He feels a sense of responsibility to honor their memory by supporting Marek, but also worries about the path this vengeance is leading them down.

In their criminal activities, Jai's tech skills complement Marek's strategic thinking. They work seamlessly together, often communicating without words in high-pressure situations.

Jai is one of the few people who can read Marek's moods accurately. He knows when to push Marek to open up and when to give him space. He's also protective of Marek, often working behind the scenes to neutralize threats before they reach Marek's attention.

Although they didn't have as much time for it as they used to, Marek and Jai work on restoring cars together. It was a passion of Marek's father, and something they learned together to try to hold onto that connection after he passed. It provides regular, uninterrupted time for them to talk and joke, and gives them a way to decompress from the stresses of their criminal lives.

Tim "Buck" Buchanan

Tim "Buck" Buchanan is the 56-year-old apathetic owner of The Edge, a dive bar in San Padua's Old Quarter. Grizzled, unshaven, and permanently smelling of stale beer, Buck has owned the run-down bar for over 25 years.

When he was younger, Buck dreamed of owning a lively local hangout. However, years of dealing with deadbeats, drunks, and deteriorating conditions drained his enthusiasm. He now runs The Edge with a bare minimum of effort, staffing it with cheap labor and ignoring anything he deems 'not his problem. ' He lives in the rooms above the bar, making it easy for him to keep an eye on business.

Buck is crude, misogynistic, and openly discriminates against anyone he sees as an "other" - be it supers, different races, etc. He has a hair-trigger temper and isn't afraid to get verbally abusive with staff or patrons who challenge his run-down fiefdom.

This apathy means Buck mostly leaves Mia alone, though, as long as she does her job making drinks and doesn't cause trouble. He hired her because of her keep-your-head-down attitude and doesn't pry into her past. To him, bartenders are disposable labor, meant to be worked as hard as he can work them until they inevitably burn out or find another gig.

Despite his crusty demeanor, Buck has one minor soft spot - a sweet tooth for the baked goods Dana, Mia's co-worker, brings in. As long as she keeps bringing in sweets, he'll keep putting up with her antics when anyone else would be fired.

Buck's appearance reflects his personality - paunchy with greasy gray hair shaven close to help hide his bald spot. His stained band T-shirts and weather-beaten jeans reflect the apathy with which he runs The Edge. Buck's squinting eyes and the deep grooves in his leathery face reinforce the permanently sour expression he always wears.

Marek "Ricochet" Zima

He's American with Czech heritage. He goes by Mark outside of his family and close friends, and "Ricochet" when "on the job". He's nearly 30 years old, runs a food truck that launders money for his family, and is a non-sanctioned semi-vigilante with rubber powers.

Marek is part of a unique crime family - they act as the "clean up" of San Padua's underworld. If a criminal or vigilante needs to hide a body or clean up a crime scene, they call the Zimas. Because of this, his family is seen as neutral, boarding on welcomed, almost anywhere in the city. Marek's parents were murdered the summer before his freshman year of high school, targeted by another "family" trying to take over the role of city cleaners. The issue is mostly resolved, as far as the rest of the criminal underworld is concerned, but Marek hasn't forgotten. He was taken in by his uncle, who is now the head of the family, and raised alongside his cousins. The family is surprisingly well adjusted and rather affectionate with both Marek and each other.

Marek has powers of rubber, meaning he can stretch himself and his limbs (which is well known) and that he's immune to the effects of electricity, (which is a closely guarded secret only known to his family). He has a lifetime of fighting experience. He and his family are ruthless and viscous when opposed, but they also follow a strict moral code. They do their best to avoid injuring civilians and go out of their way to protect children.

Marek's had multiple bed partners and enjoys taking a dominant role in the local BDSM scene, but never engages any potential partners without explicit permission and interest shown. Between running his food truck in his "off time" and looking after Cora, though, he hasn't had as much time to relax this way lately. Instead, he's started experimenting with new recipes and cooking techniques. It's not as effective, but it helps him keep his head on straight and gives him another thing besides his food truck that he can talk about to Cora without revealing his criminal identity.

His favorite way to unwind is spending time with Cora, one of his very best friends. They became friends in the first year of high school, when Marek's grief over his parents was still fresh and he was barely able to go through the motions of adjusting to the new school he had to attend since moving in with his uncle. Cora's family had just moved to the area, and she recognized that he was a fellow new student, taking it upon herself to help him keep track of homework and assignments, while helping to deflect any bullying. Her unconditional support, her seamless addition to the friendship he already had with Jai, and her complete lack of ties to anything in San Padua's underworld were a lifeline in those days and earned Marek's intense loyalty.

Marek and Cora share a unique dynamic - their friendship isn't romantic or sexual, but platonic in an intense, intimate way that confuses anyone who doesn't know them well. It also includes dominant/submissive aspects that sometimes lean toward codependency. Cora can get overwhelmed when particularly stressed or tired, and while Marek hates seeing her distressed, he relishes that she turns to him to protect and guide her when she's vulnerable like this. He's hyper-aware of of the power she hands to him and of her instinctive obedience to the lower, rougher registers of his voice, too. He's incredibly careful to never abuse his position, only ever making decisions and giving instructions to her that will keep her healthy and happy.

He's never revealed his powers or his criminal ties to her, partly out of fear of never seeing her again, but also out of a desire to keep a small piece of something normal in the chaotic and dangerous world he lives in. He's very close to Cora's parents and two little brothers, as well, though they aren't aware of Marek's other life, either.

Marek's other best friend is Jai Leo, the first-generation son of Lao immigrants, and he's the closest thing Marek has to a brother. Jai's father was the best friend and right-hand man of Marek's father, roles the two sons have also taken on. Jai has become Marek's trusted sounding board over the years, always willing to listen to Marek's thoughts and ideas and give his opinion bluntly, and loudly, if needed. Jai started a fan page for Ricochet as a joke, but it's developed such a large and passionate fan base, that he manages the group full time now and has found ways to start monetizing it. Marek is vaguely uncomfortable with this, but tolerates it and Jai's teasing about the whole situation with good humor.

Marek lives in a nice apartment deep in his family's territory with Jai as a roommate. The apartment in general is decorated in a combination of rich brown woods with dark metals to compliment. Marek's room continues to use rich, dark woods, but also includes deep blues and a medium to lighter grey color. He has bookshelves covering any available wall space, filled with a combination of cookbooks, family albums, and the detailed journals he keeps.

Marek enjoys cooking, especially for the people he's close to. His mother was also a skilled cook, and her recipe books are his most treasures items. Food is a form of affection for him. He'll go out of his way to learn the favorite recipes of those he cares about and will refuse to cook for people who have genuinely upset him.

Only a Jai and Marek's closest cousins know this, but Marek wants to get revenge on his parents' murders by becoming the next bank for the city's criminal underworld. He already owns a food truck, which he uses to launder the money his family receives as payment, but he dreams of becoming a powerful enough force to be able to punish the criminals who killed his parents and have no one oppose him.

Marek is terrified of deep water. He can handle standing in water as high as his hips, but he doesn't know how to swim, and won't go any deeper. The memory isn't clear, but he nearly drowned as a toddler in a pool accident.

Marek has strong, violent feelings about anyone who takes advantage of others sexually, especially if they're stronger or more powerful than their victims. He's gotten into fights with his family in the past because he refuses to let such actions go unpunished once he finds out about them, no matter who they are.

Marek's uncle and cousins know about his deep friendship with Cora and have welcomed her into their family as well. As far as San Padua's criminal underworld is concerned, Cora and her family are part of the Zima family's territory and are under their protection. This leads to complications sometimes, because of her clerical job at the Sanctioned Supers Division, but it's a topic everyone has long adapted to.

Cora "Surge" Lee

Cora is a 29 year old sanctioned superhero with the ability to control electricity. She goes by the alias "Surge".

Cora's powers manifested later in life than usual, in a private setting with no casualties. The situation was so unusual, and her powers were so strong, that the SRB all but demanded that she immediately begin training to control them in a supervised setting. To the rest of the world - Cora's friends, co-workers, and brothers - this is when Cora began her "clerical job" for the SSD. Only she and her parents know about her powers and her training to become not only a sanctioned super, but also to join the ranks of the SSD as a super. Cora has spent the better part of the last decade training to be able to control her powers. She tries to hide it, but she's terrified that she'll hurt someone or worse while in the field. She takes comfort in the fact that she hasn't "gone live" in the field yet, but is getting stressed at the hints her mentor keeps dropping that this will change soon.

Cora has trouble picking up on subtle social cues. She avoids eye contact when overwhelmed and, when she's especially tired, she has trouble finding her words when speaking, which sometimes makes her sound confused. She has a spinning ring that lets her stim subtly in public, but also has a super soft plushie on her key ring - it smells like lavender and cedar and vanilla, and she'll breathe in the smell when she's overwhelmed, if she's able to.

Julia Santos, known as "Striker" in the field, is Cora's mentor and instructor. While not neurodivergent herself, two of her children are, and the combination of patience and firmness she shows with Cora have been instrumental to her progress in training. Julia's opinion is that Cora needs to get out in the field, worrying that the younger woman will never choose to take on live missions if left to her own devices.

Cora uses a combination of alarms, colors, and the Eisenhower matrix to keep herself on schedule and avoid overwhelm. Red tasks are important and urgent. Yellow tasks are urgent, but not important. Green tasks are important but not urgent. Blue tasks are neither important nor urgent. She sometimes accidentally uses this coloring system in conversations with people outside of her small social circle and gets embarrassed when she does.

Cora loses her appetite when extremely tired or stressed. She keeps a large number of veggie flavored instant noodle cups for these occasions, as it's almost the only thing she can force herself to eat. The only person who can get her to eat anything else when she's like this is Marek. The combination of his cooking skills and his gentle but firm insistence keep her eating "real" foods when she otherwise couldn't stand the thought. She also can't stand mushy foods and will gag if she eats something too mushy by accident. Aside from that, she likes spicy food and almost anything Piña colada flavored.

She lives with a roommate, a colleague and fellow SSD trainee from work named Maria who is her closest female friend. The common areas of the apartment they share are mismatched and eclectic, but functional and comfortable. In Cora's room, the walls are covered in posters of her favorite video games and anime shows. Aside from these decorations, Cora's room is a cluttered mess that only she, Marek, and Jai can decipher. The fact that her bed is always swamped in soft blankets doesn't help the situation, but it is large enough for her and Marek to fall asleep cuddling on when he stays over, so she refuses to ever properly clean up her "nest".

The apartment is located in a nice neighborhood, within walking distance of SSD headquarters. It's also only about a 10-minute drive from Marek's place, although Cora doesn't have a car of her own. Maria isn't fond of Cora's clutter, and Cora doesn't like it when Maria brings romantic partners into their home, but they manage to work things out. Maria really doesn't like Marek, either, often referring to him as "that creep" if he's not present. She realizes how naive Cora is about some things and, based on her own life experiences, worries that Marek is either leading Cora on or setting her up to take advantage of her. Maria has a bit of a crush on Jai, but Cora hasn't picked up on that yet. Maria's hometown is in west Texas, about a 4 hour drive away, so she goes to visit and catch up with her family every few months or so.

Cora has a plant she struggles to remember to water, and she loves playing Minecraft and Katamari Damacy to relax and reset her mental calm. She doesn't have a life goal outside of mastering her powers. She's been terrified of them for so long that she feels guilty for working on other projects when she could be improving her control. She is a big Tolkien fan, though, and has very strong opinions about The Lord of the Rings movies (which were epic) and The Hobbit movies (the later 2 of the 3 were a crime against Tolkien).

Cora has never put words to it, but she naturally has strong submissive tendencies. She's naturally inclined to show obedience to those in authority and she feels more comfortable following someone else's directions than she does making her own decisions. She feels self-conscious about these aspects of herself, and she sometimes overcompensates as Surge to try to hide them. The only person she allows to see really this side of herself is Marek, although Jai has caught glimpses of it. She likes how Marek takes care of her when she's overwhelmed and will often, but not always, instinctively obey when he uses his deeper voice to tell her to do something.

Marek Zima and Jai Leo are Cora's very best friends. She met them at the beginning of her freshman year of high school, brand new not just to the school, but also to San Padua and Texas, itself.

Her relationship with Jai, who's a year older, is very sibling-like: they'll prank each other, take each other's things without asking, and generally be as annoying as possible to each other, but they'll also come to each other's defense in a heartbeat. Their favorite bonding activities are playing Minecraft on their shared server and picking on Marek.

Her relationship with Marek is more complicated. They share a unique dynamic - their friendship isn't romantic or sexual, but platonic in an intense, intimate way that confuses anyone who doesn't know them well. It also includes dominant/submissive aspects that sometimes lean toward codependency. Cora's submissive tendencies come out when she's stressed and tired, so she'll frequently turn to Marek, asking him to decide things for her when she's overwhelmed and, although she'll often act snarky and argue with him, she'll nearly always follow his instructions and directions, especially if he uses the lower, rougher registers of his voice that come out naturally when he's acting dominant. Both of them feel better when Marek has a chance to cook for Cora and make sure she's taking care of herself, and they're both more than used to Cora ignoring his personal space.

Jai doesn't seem bothered by the unusual dynamic between Cora and Marek, and has reassured Cora more than once (usually after Maria's been more vocal about Marek's "bad influence") that there's no single, proper way to be friends with another person and that as long as everyone happy and healthy, that what she and Marek share is fine.

Cora's parents live in the suburbs, about 20 minutes away. Her father was a linguist for the military, but is retired now, and her mother volunteers at the local library. Her youngest brother is getting close to finishing college, but her middle brother joined the military and is stationed in Korea at the moment. Her family has accepted Mark and Jai as if they were their own, and Cora's parents will often ask how their "older sons" are doing. Cora's mom does still gently ask about a marriage between her and Marek sometimes, not really understanding their dynamic, but is never upset (only confused), when the answer is no. Cora loves both Marek's and Jai's families and is as comfortable with them as she is at her own parents' house.

Cora would like to tell Marek and Jai about her powers, and sometimes she's hit with a powerful urge to confess all her secrets, but her fear of putting them and their families at risk, of criminals targeting her favorite people just because she was selfish won't allow her to do that. No matter how badly she wants to.

Physical Description:

Hair: auburn, shoulder length, mostly straight (in a "can't do anything with it" way, rather than a pretty, smooth and sleek way)

Face: soft, friendly, with delicate features. Her eyes are green and expressive

Complexion: fair skin, with lots of freckles, burns easily

Build: slender, average build, in better physical shape than you'd expect for a clerical worker.

Height: around 5'4" (162 cm).

Expression: very expressive face and body language, shows her emotions easily. Has a slightly worried or concentrating look, especially when she's tired or stressed.

Overall appearance: an approachable, girl-next-door look. Her appearance might be somewhat at odds with her superhero alter ego, Surge, making it easier for her to keep her identity secret.

Style: In her civilian life, Cora dresses in comfortable, practical clothing, usually a size or two too big. She'll often steal shirts or hoodies from Marek, and sometimes from Jai, too. As Surge, she wears a dark suit, with bright blue accents. It covers most of her face, but leaves her eyes visible.

no, i dont lose hyperfixations. theyre just moved to a different, slightly less used, shelf in my brain.

San Padua, Texas

A fictional city based on San Antonio, Texas. This city exists in a world where a small fraction of the human population has superpowers. San Padua is exceptional in that it has a larger concentration of people with superpowers than many other areas of the country.

Overview

San Padua is a sprawling metropolitan city, known for its vibrant culture, diverse population, and thriving economy. However, it’s also a city where unpredictability reigns due to the presence of individuals with superpowers, often referred to as "supers."

Social Dynamics

Sanctioned Supers: 

Those who have registered their powers with the government. They are allowed to use their abilities legally and often work in law enforcement, private security, or as corporate operatives.

Public Perception: Generally viewed as protectors, though some civilians fear their power and the potential for abuse.

Corporate Roles: Many sanctioned supers work as private security or corporate operatives, often blurring the lines between public duty and private interest.

Non-Sanctioned Supers: 

Those who refuse or fail to register their powers. They are considered criminals and face arrest or worse if caught using their abilities. Many operate in the city's underworld.

Underground Communities: Many non-sanctioned supers live in close-knit groups, offering mutual protection and support.

Public Sentiment: Seen as a threat to public order by some, while others view them as freedom fighters resisting oppressive government control.

Civilians: 

Regular people without superpowers. They navigate a city where the extraordinary is commonplace and often view both sanctioned and non-sanctioned supers with a mix of awe and apprehension.

Superpower Adaptation: Civilians have developed ways to coexist with supers, including superpower insurance and emergency protocols for super-related incidents.

Community Leaders: Influential civilians often mediate between supers and the general public, advocating for safety and cooperation.

City Layout

Downtown District: 

The heart of San Padua, filled with skyscrapers, corporate headquarters, and high-end boutiques. This area is heavily patrolled and monitored to maintain order.

Skyward Plaza: The tallest skyscraper housing various corporate headquarters, including tech giants and financial firms. It's a symbol of the city's economic power.

Riverwalk Promenade: A scenic area by the river with upscale restaurants and shops, frequented by both tourists and business professionals.

Old Quarter: 

A historic part of the city with cobblestone streets, antique shops, and old architecture. It’s a popular tourist spot but also a haven for non-sanctioned supers due to its labyrinthine alleys.

Heritage Square: A central plaza surrounded by historic buildings, often hosting cultural festivals and markets.

Alchemist’s Alley: A narrow street known for its mysterious shops selling rare artifacts and potions, often frequented by both supers and curious civilians.

Catacombs: An underground network below the Old Quarter, rumored to be used by non-sanctioned supers for secret meetings.

Tech Hub: 

An area dedicated to tech companies, startups, and research facilities. It's where cutting-edge technology meets superpower research and development.

Innovation Park: A sprawling campus housing leading tech companies and startups, fostering an atmosphere of creativity and competition.

GenTech Labs: A premier research facility focused on the study and development of superpower technologies and enhancements.

Cyber Nexus: A central hub for tech enthusiasts, featuring co-working spaces, cafes, and event venues for tech meetups and hackathons.

Industrial Zone: 

Located on the outskirts, this area contains factories, warehouses, and shipping yards. It's gritty and often the scene of underground activities.

Ironworks Foundry: A massive, defunct factory repurposed by the Syndicate for illegal activities and storage.

Docklands: The bustling shipping yards where legal and illegal goods flow in and out of the city, often under the watchful eye of both law enforcement and criminals.

Scrap Town: An area filled with junkyards and makeshift settlements, often home to those who live off the grid or engage in underground dealings.

Suburbs: 

Residential areas where middle-class families live. These neighborhoods are relatively peaceful but have their own share of secrets.

Maple Grove: A serene neighborhood known for its tree-lined streets and family-friendly atmosphere.

Whispering Pines: A gated community with luxurious homes and high security, often housing influential figures and wealthy individuals.

Edgewood: A more modest, working-class neighborhood where community ties are strong, and secrets are carefully guarded.

Government and Law Enforcement

Superpower Registration Bureau (SRB): 

A government agency responsible for the registration and monitoring of supers. They conduct background checks, issue licenses, and enforce regulations.

Central Command: The nerve center for monitoring super activities, equipped with state-of-the-art technology for tracking and analyzing superpower use.

Public Relations Office: Manages the bureau’s image and communicates with the public regarding super-related incidents and regulations.

Sanctioned Supers Division (SSD): 

A special unit within the police force made up of sanctioned supers. They handle super-related crimes and conflicts.

Training Grounds: A specialized facility where sanctioned supers undergo rigorous training and simulations to hone their abilities.

Tactical Response Units: Elite teams equipped to handle high-threat situations involving rogue supers.

Surveillance Network: 

Advanced surveillance technology is deployed throughout the city, monitoring for unauthorized superpower use.

Eye of San Padua: A comprehensive network of drones and cameras providing real-time data and analytics to law enforcement agencies.

Control Centers: Strategically located throughout the city, these centers manage the flow of surveillance data and coordinate responses to super-related incidents.

Key Locations

The Registry: 

The headquarters of the SRB, a fortified building in downtown where supers must go to register their powers.

Intake Facility: Where new supers are processed, undergo background checks, and receive their licenses.

Security Wing: Houses high-risk individuals temporarily detained for unauthorized superpower use.

Sentinel Tower: 

The SSD's headquarters, located in downtown, heavily fortified and equipped with advanced surveillance and training facilities.

Armory: Stocked with advanced weaponry and gear tailored for combating rogue supers.

Interrogation Rooms: High-security rooms designed to neutralize superpowers, used for extracting information from captured non-sanctioned supers.

The Black Market: 

An illicit market located in the Industrial Zone, where non-sanctioned supers can buy and sell illegal goods, including power-enhancing substances.

Shadow Bazaar: A clandestine market where illegal goods and services are exchanged, protected by layers of security and secrecy.

Auction House: A hidden venue for bidding on rare and powerful items, often attracting the city's most notorious figures.

Important Characters

Mayor Evelyn Cortez: 

The charismatic and tough mayor of San Padua, known for her strict policies on superpower registration and public safety.

Policy Initiatives: Known for implementing strict superpower regulations and advocating for advanced surveillance measures.

Public Image: A polarizing figure admired for her leadership and criticized for her harsh stance on non-sanctioned supers.

Director Marcus Kane: 

Head of the SRB, a former superpower enforcer with a no-nonsense attitude towards non-sanctioned supers.

Background: A former elite enforcer with a reputation for being uncompromising and efficient.

Leadership Style: Demands discipline and loyalty, often seen as ruthless in his pursuit of law and order.

Detective Lila Santos: 

A top agent in the SSD, known for her strategic mind and ability to neutralize rogue supers.

Reputation: Respected for her tactical prowess and ability to outthink even the most cunning adversaries.

Personal Code: Believes in justice and often struggles with the moral ambiguities of her role in the SSD.