The Betting Ring

[Raven]

"It's relevant. Please answer my questions so we can both be done as soon as possible."

[Gifted]

"Yes, I am but I don't exactly use my power much... it's not useful except maybe to incapacitate an attacker or move someone without causing them pain."

[Raven]

"Oh? What is your power, Roseanne?"

[Gifted]

"I cut off all senses to one person and one person only. I discovered it when my father fell down the stairs and broke his hip. I was able to numb him util he got to the hospital, but apparently he couldn't hear or see either."

[Raven]

Julian pretended to take note as he said, "Okay, I think we're almost done here. Going back to your career, what do you feel makes you qualified to speak to youths about those topics, Roseanne?"

[Gifted]

"Because I lived through both. I developed anorexia when I was fourteen."

[Raven]

"And the drugs?" Julian questioned.

[Gifted]

"Why is this any of your business again? I make a career out of selling my story so no other kids have to live through what I did. A horny son-of-a-bitch junkie kidnapped me when I was fifteen, I was an anorexic so thin you could snap me like a twig and completely incapable of fighting back. The guy held me down and forcibly injected me with my first dose of heroin, and then after I was addicted he forced me to pretend to like him, to party with him and have sex with him otherwise he would stop giving me the drugs. I couldn't run away because he was gifted as well and used his power on me whenever I so much as tried to make a decision for myself, and I was addicted to heroin with absolutely no idea how to get it without him. His whole family thought I was just another of his whore friends who crashed on his couch and it took his upstanding brother being stuck with us at three parties before he realized something was up with me. The guy saved my life, snuck me out of there and got me into rehab. I was treated for both my addiction and anorexia and made a full recovery. Is that what you wanted to know?"

[Raven]

"Yes. Now, I assume you've learned to defend yourself since then?"

[Gifted]

"I took self-defense classes until I was 25 after that." Roseanne nodded.

[Raven]

"Wonderful. I'll be back to speak to you later."
The screens went black again, Julian left the room, and Nikka entered. They'd been running late, and the others hadn't had enough time to explain everything to this one. They hadn't expected some of the contestants to give as much trouble as they did. She just hoped the betters didn't think into it. Next time she'd have to start earlier. Nikka carried a glass of water. "I thought you might be thirsty."

The screens came back on to show Adam Belacqua his eyes were hard and he didn't seem confused the way Roseanne had. "Tell us about yourself, Mr. Belacqua."
Apparently any desire Adam might have had had been removed. His voice, when he spoke, however, was filled with hate. "I'm a high school health and history teacher. I lived through the gifted hunts, being a gifted myself. I influence people's emotions."

"History? What do you spend most of your time teaching?"
"I teach US history. We spend a good deal of time on world war two." Adam sighed. He'd always preferred the twenties to the wars.

"Mhm. And do you have any fighting ability, Adam?"
Adam looked like he honestly wanted to hit him. "I've been in my share of fights... More than my share. I was a violent kid."

"What is it you're fighting for, Mr. Belacqua?" Julian asked.
Adam seemed honestly surprised. "I have to get out to my wife and son. I have to be there to protect them."

"And are you willing to kill for that?"
"I'll do whatever it takes," Adam answered, quietly.

[Gifted]

Amber rolled her eyes. His power was lame.

Tyler carefully took notes on the contestants, liking Adam.

"He sounds decent." Jade said, but she hadn't yet decided if she wanted him.

[Raven]

"I wouldn't be so sure," jack said. "There are a lot of Belacquas on this list."

The next was Ben, and at that point it became obvious that they were restrained, because everything about Ben said that he would punch Julian, if he were able. He was leaving forward, and you could see it in his eyes. "So Ben... Tell us about yourself."
Ben spoke with loathing dripping from every word. "Well, my name is Ben... I'm a professional hacker, and a coffee would be great."

Julian ignored that statement. "And what's your power, Ben?"
"Power," Ben answered cheekily. "It's electricity."

"Do you have any fighting ability?"
"Well, I'm not sure, but I think I fought almost the entirety if the gifted scandal, not to mention my dad and the foster kids before that, so I would say so."

"What are you fighting for, Ben?"
"I've always fought for my sister, and that won't stop now."

"Are you willing to kill for her?"
"I have before," Ben said.

[Gifted]

Amber nodded approvingly. She wanted that one.

Tyler liked Ben as well, but he'd already spotted a problem. The boy fought for his sister? What if she was one of the girls here? What if she wasn't any good? He used the tablet to send in a question.
Are you willing to die for her?

[Raven]

Julian relayed the question, and Ben hesitated. "Yes," he answered. That was where he became uncertain though. Yes, he would, but what would be the use if it were all for nothing? If he had no other choice, yes, but who would protect her then?