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Noah Blok (25)
Project: YA Novel (Psi High)
Known as: No nickname
Real name: Noah Blok
Group affiliation: The Alphas
Physical description: Noah is 17 and looks square. Not the nerdy type of “square,” but the shape. Short but very stocky, his height and width measurements aren’t literally the same, but a quick glance suggests it. His head is also unusually wide, and his flattop haircut completes the square look of his head. You might think given his appearance and name that someone may have called him “blockhead” at some point. You’d be right, but no one called him that twice.
Personality: Noah has the personality of a coiled spring. He can be very quiet and reserved, but even when he is, he gives off a sense he is only a heartbeat away from sudden motion and action. People are usually naturally cautious around him, which is wise. He does not let a perceived slight go. If he can get away with it, he’ll rectify things quickly and violently in a burst of temper. He is also willing to mentally file away the grudge until he gets the opportunity to react without consequences to himself. Coiled spring? Perhaps a coiled snake.
He doesn’t feel there is a need to change this. In fact, his aggressiveness is more often celebrated than not.
History: Noah’s father is a professional pushball player. Sports is one of those spaces where the Electi can be celebrated, and his father’s physicality and telekinetic power made him popular and wealthy. Everyone was thrilled when it seemed like Noah would follow in his father’s footsteps.
Gifted from an early age at every sport he played, once it was confirmed he was a telekinetic he immediately dedicated himself to pushball. Pushball is a sport combining physical and telekinetic skill. Two teams each defend a goal at opposite sides of the playing field. There are three types of zones on the field that limit which types of players are allowed in the zone and what actions can be taken. The goal zones at each end can only have keepers (defense) and drivers (offense) and the ball can only be manipulated using telekinetic power with no player contact. In the mid zones on either side drivers and blockers are allowed and the ball can be physically manipulated (carried, thrown, kicked) or telekinetically manipulated but again no player contact. The battle zone in the middle of the field any type of player is allowed (except keepers), including crashers. The ball can be moved by any means possible and full contact (tackling, telekinetic pushes) against other players are allowed. The ball starts in the middle and each team tries to get the ball across the other team’s goal.
Obviously, the battle zone is the most dangerous part of the field and crashers are assault specialists. Noah has thus far shown tremendous talent for the position and has a Coldwater scholarship as well. This would be enough to qualify him as an Alpha, but his family’s fame and funds secures his position. When the younger Ethan arrived at the school Noah soon became his shadow. With Ethan as a driver, crasher Noah naturally fell into the role of protector both on and off the field. They are fast friends and Ethan steers interactions to try to make sure that Noah’s temper is not raised. Except, of course, when Ethan wants to use Noah’s temper.
Noah certainly isn’t evil; he’s not even particularly mean. He has simply been rewarded for direct confrontation and not to let the opponent get one over on you. When infractions are swept under the rug for the star athlete, he simply doesn’t develop the usual skills for handling different situations. His approaches on and off the field are pretty similar, though off the field he will wait for his moment.
He never expected he might eventually find someone who will knock HIM down.
Role in the narrative: Noah will be a bit of an antagonist. He will have on one occasion or another but several Omegas in their place, which puts him on a collision course with protective Mateo. When Mateo is accused of stealing something of Ethan’s, Noah just waits for his opportunity to strike.
Noah will deliver a severe beating and in self-defense Mateo will use his ability to telekinetically move small things without being able to see them to devastating effect. Noah will have something akin to a stroke and Mateo will feel guilty despite feeling he had no choice. Ultimately Selena will develop her powers enough (including reading minds so completely she can “mime” powers) that she is able to heal Noah (much to Mateo’s relief). Noah will have a new perspective after that.
Abilities: As noted before, telekinetics are rated on their ability to affect things in their mind to the same degree as they can physically affect things (e.g., a powerful one, excluding Primes, could lift a similar weight with their minds that they could physically lift). Noah is powerful, but not as powerful as Ethan. However Noah is physically stronger than Ethan, and this means what they can do with their telekinesis is similar.
Inspirations: The aggressive jock has been in about every story involving high schoolers, ever. Them turning out to be able to grow as people isn’t new, either. For some reason I’m now thinking of Ogre from Revenge of the Nerds, though Noah is a more subtle character. Pushball owes something to Quiddich, I suppose – though for some reason my mind goes to the underwater game played in Final Fantasy X.
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