Brain surfing

[Raven]

Kailen sighed, taking the long way home from work so he could stop by the grocery store. Despite working a job he enjoyed, the young man didn't seem happy. Anyone who knew him now would tell you he never really had been, though it got worse three years ago. No one knew why. There were two people who had the courage to ask, and none of them got more than a fowl look before Kailen went on his way.

[Gifted]

Along the way he passed an advertisement that appeared to be motion-sensitive, because the moment he passed it an audio track played, in a voice hauntingly familiar from times long past.
"Stand by this country. Vote for change. Because Clark cares."

[Raven]

Kailen jumped violently, spinning around to try to find the girl who had just spoken.

[Gifted]

There wasn't anyone around, since it was an audio track on an ad he'd passed that had spoken.

[Raven]

Kailen clenched his jaw. He was losing his mind. He looked around more slowly before finally noticing the ad and glancing at it.

[Gifted]

It was an ad inviting all interested to a political rally in a nearby park where quite a few monuments and flags were erected, a good place for a potential presidential candidate to give speeches. the candidate herself was on the ad, and though it had been many years, she was intantly recognizable.
She was a very attractive professional young woman, with white-blonde hair with a delicate, uniform wave to it that fell over her shoulders and carefully applied makeup that made her lips look bright red and her eyes look bigger. She was smiling warmly and confidently, wearing a dark blue business suit with a white shirt with blue pinstripes on underneath, the collar layered overtop. Stephanie Clark had clearly done well for herself, and looked young, healthy and happy.

[Raven]

The differences between them were painfully obvious to anyone who looked on. No one would have guessed that Kailen Belacqua and Stephanie Clark could have gone to the same school, let alone have been friends. That they were related was unthinkable. Kailen wore a hoodie that was at least two sizes to big on him. The cuffs were worn in a way that hinted it was a jacket he wore every day, and that he had for a long time. His hair was long enough to frame his face, but he did keep clean shaven. He smelled like cigarette smoke, though he hadn't actually wasted his money on drugs in years. Compared to Stephanie, Kailen looked like a criminal, or maybe a hobo. And the difference in levels of accomplishment weren't much closer either. One was running for president while the other hadn't actually completed high school.

A strange sense of betrayal overcame Kailen, but this was an opportunity. It didn't even cross his mind as he made note of when and where the rally would take place that he didn't have to go greet his old friend. She was one of the only people left, and Kailen wasn't leaving her.

[Gifted]

The rally was actually in progress when Kailen got there and sure enough, Stephanie was standing at the base of the monument, under the flags, speaking at a podium. There had to be a thousand people there, cheering and booing appropriately at moments in Stephanie's impassioned speech.
Even to an untrained eye like Kailens, it was clear Stephanie had massively improved her skills with age. Her hand movements weren't as copious or as erratic, seeming smoother and conveying more of what she had to say. She commanded great attention seemingly effortlessly now, and she had no trouble or conflict behind her face. Her words and expression never faltered.

[Raven]

Kailen couldn't help bright be vaguely impressed, but at the same time he felt a little sick. This wasn't Stephanie. He didn't want to believe it was Stephanie. He waited at the edge of the group and tried to ignore the crowd. At first he tried to ignore Stephanie too, but he soon became curious as to what it was she even stood for. Surely Stephanie had directed this at least a little. She had to have dreams from before he knew her, who was to say being president wasn't one of them? Without her parents, Steph would probably make a good president. And knowing more couldn't hurt right? That was something she'd taught him - information was the best weapon. So he sat back and listened to the end.

[Gifted]

Her speech lasted about half an hour more before it ended. Then Stephanie proceeded to come down from the podium and walk down the aisle that had been made for her through her crowd, chatting with the occasional lucky person lining either side as she made it down. She seemed to form an instant connection with the people she spoke with, and moved on with grace after a few seconds of friendship. She admired and hugged one couples baby, and congratulated a teenager for getting into university. She answered several questions on her policy from regular civilians who'd shouted questions at her without referring them to someone else when she was well within her power to do so. And she handed out her business cards like candy, giving one to all those she could reach in the crowd, grasping hands and touching arms and waving and winning the love of everyone.

[Raven]

Kailen wondered if most of her voters would even care about huge policy and pushed his way to the aisle. He'd get her attention, then they could talk.

[Gifted]

Kailen managed to push his way to the front right near the end of the aisle, next to a sleek black limo that pulled up on the road. Soon enough Stephanie had made her way to his position until she was passing him.

[Raven]

"Steph!" Kailen called, trying to get her attention.

[Gifted]

Stephanie turned towards him at the particularly clear voice, though it was clear by her expression she hadn't registered whose voice it had been, and was just looking to greet another supporter.

[Raven]

Kailen waved his hand to try to get her attention.