Chapter 5: Out with the old and in with the new (2/2)
”Don't mention it. The names Iris by the way. Streamer name Violet. You might have heard of me.”
”If you're signing up to be a streamer, how could we heard of you if you're not a streamer?”
”Silence fool, well, you most definably heard of my sister. She's the streamer, Ruby. Only the most powerful streamer in the world.”
”I thought it was Vanguard?” Zinnia questioned.
”Let's not get into the number one streamer here. So, I take it you're signing up to work with your sister?”
Iris nodded boldly striking a cheesy pose crouched on one leg with her two arms out either side making a V shape. ”You betcha, together we are going to be unstoppable. Remember the name.”
Zinnia tried copying the pose only to stumble back. ”Say Iris I love the different eye colour! Is it a fake contact, or is it? Umm Hetro. Hetrolomia?
”Heterochromia.” Alton corrected. ”The condition which causes different colours in the eyes.”
”Yup. I was born with this condition the same with my sister. We see it as our lucky charm. It's always been us against the world. Our father is helping us achieve our dream.”
”Well, that's just swell. Really, it is. Don't know what it's got to do with us but good for you.”
”I hear you; I hear you. I'm going happy streaming Dauntless.”
”Ugh, we need to discuss this name situation.”
”Oh, do you not like it? I have other ideas.”
”No, no. It will do. Call me whatever you like. I really couldn't give two fucks.”
Zinnia, looking happy with herself, jumped down from the fence. Iris had faded into the crowd as she tapped her chin with her index finger. ”I liked her. Maybe we could team up with her in the future? Say why did you think she got you mixed up with that other streamer? Avalanche was it?”
”Doesn't matter. Come on, we are almost there. We will have to be judged separately. Don't mess this up. I don't want to be cleaning up your mess.”
********
”This is rather unusual.” The inspector whispered, adjusting his glasses. ”I must ask you, Alton, you came here for the inspection even though on the database you are already accepted and are a fully fletched Streamer. What are you doing here?”
”Well, it's just… I want a fresh start. New streamer name. New account. The full reboot. I have to be judged for that, don't I?”
The inspector looked at the metre on the wall, it was like a thermometer. Still, unlike telling your temperature, it was to check sanity levels. He tapped it with his pen humming. ”Your sanity is slightly lower than last time. But it is nothing to worry about. Body temperature is two degrees lower than the normal human, but that is to be expected for someone like you. Still keeping your powers under control?”
Alton hesitated for a moment giving the inspector an alarmed look. He shrugged his shoulders, playing it off. ”As well as I can give the circumstances.”
”I see. Well, keep it in check. We wouldn't want you turning out like your father. From the looks of it, everything is alright for the go. Full account wipe is acceptable. Although I can't delete your old account as you were in a joint opening with the streamer Unity. Let's see. Umm Sam Belling. Unless she agrees too, we can't do that. So, all we can do at this moment in time is to remove you from the account and give Miss Belling full control. Is that acceptable?” Alton simply nodded as the inspector wrote down the last of the details. ”And final checks, you've put in a request for a name change. So, you're going with Dauntless now, right? Not Avalanche? Ok. If you could just accept the terms and conditions and we can change that for you. Now I must ask company policy. Are you sure, once you accept you can't change it back nor can you return to your former account?”
Alton looked at the terms and conditions taunting him on the tablet. He moved his hand over only to retract. He fell silent, hiding his face waving his hand. ”Yes, yes, I accept. Just. Do it.” Alton watched as his old account was removed, and with it, his heart sunk. He sat in silence once more, only speaking up in a soft, shaky voice. ”Is it done?”
The inspector turned around, handing Alton a badge with his new streamer name and proof of identity. ”Congratulations, Dauntless. Welcome to the world of V.I.R.A.L. We are the Vanguard, the imagination, the revolution, the almighty and the law. Viral. We look forward to your future with us.”
Alton snatched the badge staring at it with doubt in his heart. Any thoughts of turning back more apparent but impossible. He had no other choice now. Wrapping his coat around, he didn't wait around leaving. The inspections were usually that quick with not much to go against the large majority of people effortlessly passing. In Alton's case twice now. He found himself outside the V.I.R.A.L facility, it didn't take him long to see Zinnia. The two stared at each other before he showed her his badge. Zinnia let out a goofy smile she couldn't hold in any longer waving her badge around like a flag. It had her streamer name and proof of identification on it. Alton shook his head rolling his eyes. ”You chose your real name as your streamer name? Really?”
”Well yeah. As a superhero, I believe people knowing who I am could bring a sense of trust and hope instead of hiding my true identity behind a mask.” Zinnia boasted, holding her hand out. ”So, this is it. Team Rhapsody.” Alton took a little while but reluctantly took her hand. ”We are going to change the world, just you wait Alton!”
Alton didn't put any motion in the handshake, letting Zinnia do the work as he nodded agreeing half-heartedly. ”Yeah. We sure are.”