He shook his head. "Hell no. I haven't even had an...episode in years. Not even a nightmare." He sighed. "F&~+in' figures. I get ta' Halcyon, ta' damn home of heroes, and instead of me takin'ta' next step, gettin' into ta' big leagues, I'm pushed back three. Feel like I'm back in Iowa, just a stupid kid too jumpy for his own good..." He swallowed hard. "It's...it's called ta' Cu Sith, by ta' way..."
He sighed again and stood up. "I need a drink. Where ya' keep ta' hard stuff around here?" He started towards the door without waiting for an answer.
This had been a day. Whippoorwill paces back and forth on the rooftop she had selected to discuss the day's revelations.
Where to begin? She pinches her brow. The new crop of unsanctioned heroes that just sort of came out of the woodwork? Or the fact that her protégé nearly strangled a villain? Or the fact that Shayera's houseguest is superstrong, which likely means that her protégé has been keeping secrets from her. The recent message from Delphi is lower priority, but not one to be left unaddressed.
She folds her arms and looks stern as Wingblade arrives, landing hard on the roof. "Yeah?" Shayera asks.
"Where've you been?" Whippoorwill asks, noticing she looked distracted.
Shayera doesn't meet her eyes. "On a date."
"Huh?" She blinks in surprise. "So you and Bronwyn wreck a museum, fight a supervillain, and then go on a date? Do we have to discuss priorities?"
Shayera shakes her head. "It wasn't with Bronwyn. And I didn't really want to. I got blindsided by this girl at school who set me up with her cousin."
Why...? Whippoorwill hated getting off topic, but she had to ask. "So what about you and--"
Shayera cuts her off with a disappointed shrug. "Bron's not out yet. She hasn't told her parents, so technically I'm not out yet. Is this what you wanted to talk to me about?"
Damn. She called me out. Whippoorwill winces, then shakes her head. "No. Your homeless girl houseguest. She's--"
"Omigosh! Is she all right!?!" Wingblade interjects, suddenly alarmed.
"--she's at your apartment, lifting weights."
Shayera's eyes go wide and the color drains from her face. "Oh."
"Why would you keep that from me?" Whippoorwill levels her best, most withering stare. Aliens and gods have cracked under that glare.
Wingblade doesn't. She's hunched, not able to look at her, but she only squeaks out, "I have my reasons."
Whippoorwill steps closer. Her voice gets quieter, but more forceful. "Look at me. Think of your motives. Is this for good, or are you being selfish?"
Shayera meets her stare, but falls back a step. "I'm pretty sure it's for good."
"Then bring me in."
Wingblade's eyes flash and she shows a spark of life after drawing inward. "I can't!"
The Defender puts her hands on her hips. "You have to tell me more. I can help her. I've got resources, contacts--"
"That's not what she needs. She needs a friend. Someone who... uggh! I can't tell you!"
"Put yourself in my place, Shayera. Think about how this looks. What would you do?"
That gets a reaction. She looks guilty as she hems a bit. "Could you give me a little more time? The trust is still shaky. I can't risk it. She won't understand, and it'll be worse if she feels betrayed. Please believe me."
Damn. I think I do. Whippoorwill takes some time to think. Finally, she nods slowly. "Fine. One week, if not sooner."
Wingblade looks relieved, and sighs as the tension drains.
"Now let's talk about the fight at the museum."
Shayera groans.
"Cu Sith, huh? Followed you and yours over from Scotland? Well look, this isn't just you seeing things Shaun, and I've seen you face off against undead dinosaurs, recently. No one thinks you're a coward."
When he asked about the booze she rolled her eyes. "Okay, I guess with the day you've had, you've earned one drink. Now that Gabe and Gabby are at college Mom's stopped measuring the bottles anyways."
"This is rather bad timing on our part, sir. Aside from there being a lot of palms needing grease, the appearance of...well, needless to say, some of our board members aren't happy about him. I think it's become harder for our agents to operate without notice. Especially under the eyes of the likes of Whippoorwill."
"She's sharp, but we won't get involved with her directly. This presents opportunity though. If we have another super group form of these young men and women, then our quarry will be drawn to them. They're used to working as part of a unit after all. They'll seek them for protection. Monitor them, passively. No bugs or active surveillance. Just have the analysts look at their social media and financial activity. See if anything sticks out."
"As you say, Xenophon."
The fire alarm went off.
Mercy looked panicked as she got doused with the automatic extinguishers by the stove, looking miserably at the ruined eggs that she had burned. Shayera had seemed to be in a bad mood, so she wanted to surprise her and make breakfast. It seemed like it would be simple.
Apparently, she needed practice.
That was brutal, Shayera thinks as she lands hard on her balcony. Whip had really picked apart their battle and grilled her about her actions. She slides the door open, noting with some curiosity that it was closed since she usually leaves it open whenever it's a nice day.
"Alexis?" she calls out as she makes her way toward her room while pulling off her blood-stained clothes. Then she activates her magic charm and pulls off the clothes that appear on her body from otherspace as well.
"Hey, I'm going to take a quick shower and change, then I promised to meet Bronwyn," she announces as she turns the water on. Damn it's so late. Just like the last few nights since I've been back. How awful is it that I've spent more time now with Devaun than her?
The shower was brief, but it made her feel better and more up for a flight to Northside. But before she takes flight once more, she pauses to pay a little more attention to Alexis. "So how did your time with Renae go?"
But I do... He hollowly smiled at the compliment as he casually made his way down the hall. Then a thoughtful look washed over his face. "Wait, how'd ya' see me? Were ye' in the museum? I thought ta' Big Bin called ya' in?"
"HA! One drink! Haha! Dol-...Lass, you've never been host ta'a Scotsman before, have ya'?"
Alexis is currently curled up on the couch in a fresh set of clothes, smelling like Shayera did - they used the same bath products after all. She was currently attempting to read from Twelfth Night on her own without help. Shayera could see her mouthing out the words she has difficulty with the most.
When she answered, she didn't look at the winged girl, focused on the pages. "Renae bought me ice cream. Then she spent all our time telling me how nice Devan is and how you are so cute together." She said. "But you didn't seem happy with him at all. You avoided kissing him and looked sad when he kissed you. I don't understand why you're letting him do that if you don't want it."
She lowers her book, staring at the high ceiling. "He's like the bad man who drugged you and touched you. I hate those men. They promise you food and a bed and then try putting their hands under your clothes and you feel all gross afterwards."
"Yeah I was at the museum too. That's why I was able to get to you so fast afterwards." She winced slightly at being called a 'Dol-' but since he corrected himself let it pass. "Tell you what, start with one drink. Don't you think I've carried you enough today?"
I should really get Mary-Beth or someone over here. Just so I don't have a boy over alone. Not sure I would've let him know this much about me and Bran if he hadn't been hurt though; it might not be right to show him any of Bran's other 'acolytes'...
***
Kaoru (New Boy): You ok?
Kaoru (New Boy): Tried to loop you in on the video feed but couldn't connect to your phone.
Kaoru (New Boy): Thought your phone might've gotten smashed. But I guess not.
Bronnwyn: My garbage-phone and its amazing ability to lose coverage remains unharmed.
Bronwyn: I made it out fine too
Bronwyn: Sorry if you were worried :-/
Bronwyn: ...were the robots you by the way? I can't imagine Bone Daddy putting together that kind of sound track
"Wait, so ya' got out of ta' place, then he called ye' right back in!? Wow. Sounds 'bout right f'his plated ass, but wow."
"Ha ha, point made." There was a rapid clinking of glass as he rifled through the spirits selection. "Wild Turkey? F~%~in' really?" With a quick flick he sent the cap spinning away. "Your folks've got shit taste in whiskey. But I'll take this over wine." With surprising dexterity he grabbed two glasses. "Ya' ever had wine? Shit tastes like grape juice. Takes ages ta' get ya' buzzed too."
It's right about then, Bronwyn, that you catch the sound of car doors closing outside. Shaun doesn't seem to notice.
"Now scotch, scotch'll treat ya' right." With a touch of bartender flair he pours out the amber alcohol. "Shit puts me right ta' bed ever night."
Shayera looks sick when Alexis basically admits to having been molested. "Dammit. Dammit, dammit, dammit. Aww, Alexis. I'm sorry." She goes to sit next to her and offers a comforting hug.
"Look, Devaun isn't... he's not like that. He didn't do anything I didn't allow. He's nice, he likes me. And I'd like him if I wasn't... well, the way I am, I guess.
"This whole damn thing is way more complicated than I can really explain in any way that makes sense. I'll be fine. Just... never let anyone do that to you again, okay? Promise me that?"
Kaoru was staring at her phone, trying to figure out some way to tell Delphi to go fk themselves, and she sure as hell wasn't going to help some rando wannabe supers. They hadn't actually threatened her. But it had pretty clearly been implied. Or...not implied from the message already. But given what had happened last time she had tried to contact Pinky, it was pretty clear Delphi was of the 'Mine will be done' god mentality and wouldn't budge. And as much as she kind of hated to admit it, Delphi was better than her. Her last attempts to outmaneuver the shadowy figure had been about as effective as fighting a forest fire with a water pistol. If only Pinky had been able to teach me more before we were cut off. I was learning so much!
She jumped as her phone buzzed. More texts from Bronwyn. She watched them come in.
< My garbage-phone and its amazing ability to lose coverage remains unharmed.
< I made it out fine too
Was that sarcasm?
< Sorry if you were worried :-/
She spluttered, face heating up. She was really glad Bronwyn wasn't here to see it. Guess it wasn't sarcasm.
< ...were the robots you by the way? I can't imagine Bone Daddy putting together that kind of sound track
...yup. Definitely a good thing she was alone in the house.
She quickly typed out a response.
> I wasn't worried!
> Your a track star, so you're clearly good at running away.
Was that too harsh? She bit her lip.
> Whatever
> And it wasn't my fault! What kind of programs were YOU writing in elemetary school?
How...had she even known about that? She hadn't seen her anywhere. I really hope she wasn't in that group of students the sabertooth started chasing...
-----
The morning had passed uneventfully. She had spotted Bronwyn and managed to visually confirm that yes, the girl wasn't missing any limbs and didn't seem to be obviously limping or wincing in pain. So that was...that. She avoided approaching though, instead setting her sights on finding Alexandra. If she was going to be blackmailed into helping the local 'heroes' it might make sense to see what she could find out about them. Or at least a ballpark estimate of how many there were. Man, this better not end up eating into all of her freetime.
Alexis hears Shayera but simply shrugs her shoulders. "You don't have to be sorry. You didn't do anything." Devan apparently didn't do anything that Shayera didn't allow. But that meant she qas doing something she didn't want to do with him. She wasn't sure she saw the difference.
"It never got far. I would break their hands, snap the van key in the lock and run away with the food before they did anything. I didn't want them to do that." she leans into Shayera's hug. "...This is nice. Alexis did this for me once. She let me have her name."
**ka-chunk**
Oh my God.
The one time she's home early.
"Shaun, you've gotta go." Oh my God.
"Why didn't you bring your shirt downstairs?! Can you just go ju- No, you'd tear out your stitches if you jump out a window."
She could hear the click of her mother's heels, and the much softer footfalls of her papá.
Both of them?! He must have caught an early flight. Puñeta!
She looked back at Shaun who was still just standing there with a bottle.
"Well do something!"
***
Kaoru (New Boy): And it wasn't my fault! What kind of programs were YOU writing in elemetary school?
Bronwyn: I was helping get everyone out of there?
Bronwyn: Sorry if that pissed you off somehow?
Bronwyn: Glad ur ok.
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< I was helping get everyone out of there?
< Sorry if that pissed you off somehow?
< Glad ur ok.
Awww fk. Now she had managed to screw that up too. Gods today really wasn't her day. There wasn't a single thing she had managed to do right. She should apologize. Should she? Bronwyn was probably better off not having to deal with her. But...she also didn't want her to think it had been her fault. She hadn't done anything. She had just been nice. It was just Kaoru who was messed up. She sent one last text message before putting her phone face down on her nightstand and going to take a shower.
> Sorry. 俺は失敗しまった
Shayera lets her head rest on Alexis' when she leans into her. "No, I mean 'sorry' in the sense of, 'I feel bad that this happened to you.' You didn't deserve it. But I'm glad they didn't get far."
So Alexis isn't her real name. Not a huge surprise, since Shayera's not mine. "I like it. It's a good name. I knew someone called Alexis once."
Shayera lapses into silence, letting the hug continue since she seems to be comforted by it. Finally, she decides to add, "So, good job with the battle today. I'm glad you helped out. I know I got whammied by that guy. A little annoyed about that, though. You thinking of keeping it up? This being Halcyon, there's always a supervillain attack around the corner."
Kaoru spotted Alexandra sitting by herself. It kind of surprised her but it also suited her needs just fine, so she wasn't going to complain. She lightly seated herself next to the other girl but with a respectable distance between them. And then realized that maybe Alexandra had wanted to be alone and she had just messed up her...people watching was it? Oh well. Too late now. It'd be weird to just get up and leave again.
"Hey." There was a slight pause, and then without preamble, she just jumped into it. "So if you had to ballpark how many 'heroes' were active in Halcyon City, about how many do you think there are currently? Tens? Over a hundred?"
Alexandra takes note of Kaoru and smiles Knew she couldn't stay away.
Hmm... that's a good one. okay. there's... 6 defenders. Two licensed junior supers, Wingblade and The Silver Shadow. there is... Bran the blessed. there is the magic girl from the museum. Circe... there is Reaver techs latest escapee with that, she gestures at Alexis And Sir Social Worker. And Shaun, if you MUST count him, and I beg you not to.
So... is it 13, or 14? you tell me. She said, fixing her stare on her again.
Bronwyn: umm? no habla lol
.
.
.
Bronwyn: you didn't fail me!
Bronwyn: lol what?
Bronwyn: don't worry about it
Bronwyn: today was crazy
Bronwyn: I shouldn't have gotten prickly
Bronwyn: c u around, k?
Kaoru had intentionally avoided looking at her phone until the morning. She always felt at least a bit better after a good night's sleep. So instead she woke up to read Bronwyn's message. She...hadn't actually expected the girl to go to the trouble of translating her message. But it was probably a good thing she had missed the subtleties of her statement. Well, at least I know that if I stay away from copy-pastable media, I can use all the Japanese I want and be fine around her. ...if for some reason that's a thing that ever comes up. She didn't really know what to say in response though, so she just left the texts alone and got ready for school.
Kaoru blinks. She could tell Alexandra was asking her something. Something that wasn't just 'Do you know how to count?' She just...wasn't sure what exactly. She really hated that feeling of being just smart enough to know something was going on, but not smart enough to figure out what. "It...sounds like you listed lucky number 13?" She doubled checked in her head. Yup, Alexandra definitely listed 13. So...where's the 14 coming from? If they were excluding Shaun, didn't that bring it down to 12?
"That's...less than I was expecting." She drummed her fingers thoughtfully against the table. "The Defenders. They have a tech person?" She quickly googles it on her phone. "Yeah...looks like this Matrix person." And probably meant she hadn't been pimped out to them. Which brought it down to 7.
"Do the Defenders work much with the younger heroes?" She had a sneaking suspicion the answer was either 'No' or 'Yes, but they're strapped on resources.' So Delphi has probably contacted some subset of the younger group. Or, hopefully just a subset and not the entire group. "And...by any chance did you get a message from an unknown number yesterday?"
"...I'll need to fix my armor. I need to change it so that it isn't recognizable either. I don't know how to do that. Bronwyn said she might be able to help. Can you ask her when you see her next?" Alexis asked Shayera. She felt still jealous about how close she was to Bronwyn. But she'd been there first, so she couldn't complain about that.
Still, what was she actually hoping to have in this relationship?
"...We also need more people. All those people that helped today seemed like they could be useful. And fun. Especially Kaoru. He's funny. and nice. I'll go look for him tomorrow. Oh, and Renae said that I should have a phone. Should I have a phone? I think I would only call you."
Alexandra sighed inwardly. gotta be a little more explicit with the kid I did list 13... But I remember some nutter hacking into the dinosaur display, and turning them on a supervillain.
It is, really. Villains outnumber heroes pretty well.power goes to your head, if you let it. So we have 11 definite heroes, and 2 maybes... or is it 12? So yeah, we prioritize, we act ahead if we can. and every night, we pray tomorrow isn't the day some nutter gets superpowers, and decides to lay waste to a few blocks.
They... used to. Shit kinda went sideways after the whole "missile" thing. Now most young heroes and heroines are Persona Non Grata around the super world.
No, I didn't. Should I expect one?
Shayera narrows her eyes briefly. That armor didn't look like it was sized for her. What's up with that? she ponders, but decides against asking Alexis directly tonight. She had an actual excuse to leave and go visit Bronwyn, so she was going to take it.
"I sure will. Tonight, since I promised I'll go see her. And as for adding more heroes, that might be possible. I can get you a phone if you'd like. But her, have one of these." She pulls herself out of the chair and moves to a drawer near Abacus. She pulls out a high-tech earbud and goes back to where Alexis is sitting. "It's a team communicator. Put it in your ear, and then you can talk to me whenever you want."
She explains the features of the earbuds.
"One tap turns the mic on, and everyone can hear. Two taps gives you a private line to the master device. I'm wearing that one. Three taps and you have a private line to the last one who spoke."
"Okay, I should really get going, if I'm going to see Bronwyn this evening. You don't have to wait up for me. I'll see you in the morning."
Shayera was really missing Tiffany's assistance. She had come to rely upon the eye for fashion of the junior editor of Halcyon Haute. She'd picked up several concepts, but could really only imitate. She didn't have the imagination to throw together a brand new outfit from what she already had in her closet. Thus, she was really hoping that Tiffany would get over her flu soon.
She was still trying to pick out a top when the alarm went off in the kitchen. She raced out there to see Alexis and the ruins of an attempt at eggs.
"Well, we know the fire extinguisher works," she says with a weak smile.
Kaoru's eyebrows shot up. "Me?" She snorted. "You've got to be kidding right? That entire thing was a trainwreck! And I'm definitely no-" She couldn't bring herself to even say the word 'hero'. The idea was just too absurd. "-Not one of those." She looked away, finger drumming becoming a bit more agitated. May not have much of a choice about my involvement though.
She shook her head. "No, if you didn't get a text, my guess is you won't. Or maybe you will. Hell if I know." She exhaled forcefully, annoyed by the whole situation. She was a little disappointed Delphi hadn't decided to contact Silver Shadow though. Working with her may not have been that bad. Though on the other hand, it would be nice for Alexandra not to have a constant, up-close view of her apparent incompetence. Especially if she were actually relying on Kaoru showing some level of skill.
So that was 6. Shaun, Herman, and Alexis were apparently new to town (or at least new to school. Maybe not new to the area), so they were probably out. Or at least, she really hoped they were out. She'd rather face Delphi's wrath than end up Shaun's tech b*tch. That left Wingblade, Bran the Blessed, and the magic girl. Alexandra apparently at least thought Wingblade was competent. Bran was apparently good with kids and handsome (still hadn't gotten around to googling the guy). "I take it 'magic girl' is new to the scene?"
"...I wanted to make you breakfast," Alexis said. "...I think I was supposed to stir the eggs. And not watch the toast." She said, handing over the toast slices that she'd rescued. "I'm sorry. I'll clean it up."
After a slighty hectic morning, Alexis was ready for a much calmer school day. Though she was also anxious about if Bronwyn would help her with her armor. She'd asked Shayera if she could have it delivered to the place where Bronwyn did armor stuff, since she seemed rather concerned about her carrying it around school. She supposed that it would stick out, but it wasn't like it was heavy for her.
Alexis was wearing lip gloss today. She liked it because it tasted like apples. She was also wearing a barrette to keep her hair in place and wearing a nice long-sleeved shirt with new leggings underneath. She wasn't a fan of the skirts that she'd tried on. They felt too constrictive to her.
She was also hungry, having not eaten anything except toast before morning training. So moving down the cafeteria line, she grabbed one of everything, piling it all up on her tray to the point where things were threatening to topple over. The nice lady who was cashiering boggled at the amount she'd gotten - Alexis was glad for the lunch card that Shayera had given her for food here.
Carrying her tray of meatloaf, potatoes fried and baked, mixed vegetables and assorted desserts, she headed towards the closest empty seat that she could find. But then she paused as she spotted Kaoru talking with another girl. He'd been nice to her yesterday. But she didn't know if he wanted to be friends. She might as well ask.
"E-excuse me," Mercy spoke up as she approached. "Can I sit here?"
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Ah, the Old "I'm no Hero, kid" So, what are you gonna do then? City full of heroes and villains. Take... I'm guess in Pianno or violin? Get lovely perfect grades. rebel in all the little ways you think you can get away with, and fall in line where you can't? She asks her. Or are you gonna meet me on the roof of the SCA building, tonight around 11. got up all fancy.
She smiles At Kaoru. yeah, The girl is new around the- As she raised a cup full of what could be generously termed Juice to her lips, she spots Alexis heading their way, and abruptly changes gears.
-School. She finishes and turns as Alexis, a bit shy for a living superweapon, asks to sit down.
it's a free country, last I checked. She says, quaffing the "Juice" and letting the girl sit. My name is Alexandra. Shorten it to Alex, and they'll be a rumour you have a thing for the ginger. She says, gesturing offhandedly to Shaun
"...I like cats." Alexis told her, missing the context. "I like your name. It's like mine. They call me Alexis," She introduces herself, glad to see that she was at least presentable enough to not be shooed away.
"...Hi, Kaoru." Alexis smiles at him, hoping to get a smile back. "...Do you want one of my cookies?" She'd procured perhaps four of them, one of each kind of offered flavor from the lunch line. "...I'm glad you're all right from yesterday. I'm sorry...um, for getting your clothes dirty." She paused, looking at Alexandra. "...because I...had a sudden nosebleed."
That was good excuse. She mentally patter herself on the back for that. "I bleed easily, especially when it's dry."
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Kaoru tensed in when Alexandra mentioned instruments. And she was about to protest that actually, she planned to fail all her classes and then just change all her grades to A's anyway when the other girl took a strange swing in the conversation and was suddenly asking to meet her on some building that night. And what the hell did 'got up all fancy' mean anyway? Was she supposed to wear a suit? And how was she supposed to get up to the roof?
Before she could ask, she heard a familiar voice. She turned her head just enough to confirm it was Alexis out of the corner of her eye. She was about to throw back, 'I dunno. Can you?' but she had always hated it when her mom had done that to her. Plus she vaguely recalled her mentioning some kind of trouble with words or something. She wasn't sure if that extended to grammar nuances. She was about to respond when Alexandra did for her.
As Alexis sat down, she did a double take at the staggering amount of food on her tray. Her eyes flicked between Alexis and the food. She wasn't...planning on eating all of that was she? She was about as tall as Kaoru and just looking at the small mountain made her stomach hurt. Was this...some kind of side effect of her crazy healing ability? It must have been right? I mean, her body needed to get the raw material to build more blood cells and skin and muscle and whatnot somewhere. She shook her head at the proffered cookie.
A brief look of amusement flashed across her face at Alexis' flimsy lie. I mean, exactly what would the two of their positions have needed to be for Alexis to get blood on her clothes from a nosebleed? Suddenly she found she was in the middle of a very interesting game of lies and secret identities. Alexis didn't want Alexandra to know about her abilities, but clearly, Alexandra had already figured some things out. Then Alexis probably had no idea that Alexandra was the Silver Shadow. It was like a game of Resistance, and she was playing Commander. She watched Alexandra's reaction with interest.
"It's ok. It came out in the wash," she said mildly. "So what did you two think of yesterday's little adventure?"
“Shaun, you've gotta go."
He paused mid-whiskey swig. ”What? Why?”
"Why didn't you bring your shirt downstairs?! Can you just go ju- No, you'd tear out your stitches if you jump out a window."
He blinked in confusion. ”Jump out ta’-? Okay what ta’ f+&& is goin’ on? Five seconds ago ye’ were alright, now ya’ got ta’ whole’a beehive up your-.” Then he heard it. The distinctive sounds of footfalls coming up the path. The best he managed in the moment was a deer-in-the-headlights look at Bronwyn.
"Well do something!"
Glass in one hand and bottle in the other, he looked back and forth for a fraction of a second, then ducked down behind the counter as the tumblers in the door unlocked. It was only after the door opened that he realized he’d left Bronwyn’s glass on the countertop. I. Am. F@$+ed.
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Alexis blinked a few times as she thought about the question, taking her time by chewing on food. It seemed to disappear rapidly as she engaged her thought process. "...It was scary. People could have died. I felt happy that there were people there to protect the students," She said carefully as she answered as honestly as she could without revealing too much.
"...It's a nice feeling. Protecting people who can't protect themselves. I want to feel safe in this city. So I hope that they will come together again to protect people when they are needed," Alexis finishes as she swallows another bite. Half of the food she'd piled onto her tray was gone now.
Alexis wanted to get to know Kaoru better. She thought it was amazing how he was able to make those dinosaurs move and act on their own last night. It was a cool thing to do. But how did a girl get to know a boy? Shayera had inadvertently given her the answer earlier last night.
"I want to go on a date with you," She quite bluntly invited Kaoru. "Let's do something tomorrow after school?"
"Hi Mom! Hi Papá! You're umm... you're home early!" Her voice was practically effervescent with cheer, which left her mom, whose bullshit detector was well honed, instantly on alert.
"So are you. Why aren't you at school, Bronwyn?"
"Something went wrong with the standardized tests, so a bunch of classes were cancelled, big school trip to the museum. Then supervillains, giant skeletons, so half-day - Do you have bags I should get from the car? I should get your bags from the car."
"My bags can wait, Bronwyn," her papá answered, not far behind his wife in realizing Something was up. "Is that your mother's whiskey?"
I should've just drunk the whiskey
...Yeah. I know I'm not supposed to but..." Her mother started walking towards the counter, peering up at Bronwyn with a suspicious glare as she visibly thought about standing in front of her. "Bronwyn, what are you trying to hi- Oh! Bronwyn!"
"Mom it's not what it-"
"We can discuss what it looks like later, but for now, perhaps you would like to introduce us to your Friend?"
Cassie hefted her borrowed guitar in its case in one hand and her backpack in the other and made her way into the schoolyard. Looking around, she selected a tree and moved over to it, pulling out some headphones which she plugged into the instrument, and settled down to practice.
...SHIT. Blushing as red as a stop sign, Shaun slowly rised back up and cleared his throat. ”Uh, evenin’, sir n’ ma’am.” HOW THE F~#~ DO I GET OUT OF THIS HOW THE F#&~ DO I GET OUT OF THIS WHAT THE F@*! WHAT THE F#!& WHAT THE F$+~-!!! ”Ah, uh...” He tried to casually set down the bottle and glass, only to fumble and catch them rather ungracefully. ”W-Whoops, aha...uh, Shaun!” He thrust his hand out with maybe a bit more force than he’d intended. ”I’m, I’m Shaun.” He gave Bronwyn a pleading look.
This girl is a goddamned puppy. Was she the actually the tech girl? Alexandra thought, as the girl... stumbled was ungenerous, but tottered through introductions. How long was that girl in a Reavertech lab?.
it was pretty standard. Guess it was your guys first big villain encounter, but for me, it was Tuesday. Alexandra says to Kaoru's question. Alexis was less... subtle Never mind, definitely the weapon girl.
why not poke and prod a little. see what I can get from her.
Your poor parents. Alexandra says, eyeing the girl's plate. With that metabolism. Me and Lily went through that as well, thank god our last growth spurts ended about 6 months ago. She says.
But yeah. Where are you from? did you move here, or transfer from one of the private schools? she asks
She tried very hard to keep a poker face as Alexis asks out Kaoru, but she does crack a bit of a smile.
Kaoru's head snapped around from where she was watching Alexandra's reaction to stare at Alexis, any hint of a smirk gone. Any attempt at a neutral mask was completely ripped off as she blinked wide, confused eyes several times. Her mouth opened and closed before she managed to actually force any words out. "I...what?! I don't- You can't- You don't even know me." Her tone was a weird mix of accusatory and pleading. "That's not- that's not how things work." She was starting to feel light-headed. Probably because you're starting to hyperventilate, some detached part of her mind commented. She needed to leave. Right now.
Abruptly her mask snapped into place as her gaze shifted to stare blankly over one of Alexis' shoulders. In a tone of neutral formality, she replied, "I am sorry, but I must decline. I should go now. Have a pleasant day." She bowed slightly from the waist before standing up and leaving.
"...isn't the point of a date that we get to know each other better?" Alexis manages to say to Kaoru as she gets up to leave. She looks like Kaoru just took away one of her cookies.
"...Did I do something wrong?" She asks Alexandra. "You date someone to get to know them and have fun, right?"
What's he looking at me for?!
"Well Shaun, I'm César. You can call me Mr. Pascal, sir. Why don't we find your shirt before you go, yes?"
As her papá led Shaun away, her mother started laying into her. "What possessed you, Bronwyn?! You know this isn't okay! How long has this been happening. Is he why you're all gussied up?! I mean heels and makeup for a school trip to the museum? I suppose that's why your dress is all rumpled too. Saints above, Bronwyn, I thought you had more sense, I thought you were the good one!"
"Mom, mo- Mom! That's not what we were doing. He hurt himself and he doesn't have insurance, so I was giving him some first aid."
"Hmmp. Of course, why else would you both have been drinking while her was still half naked. What next, once you'd both had a few, he was going to give you a close look to make sure you hadn't 'hurt yourself?' If we'd come home a half hour later, or a half hour earlier, I have a pretty good idea of what we'd have found. If I asked him what happened, would he give me the same story? Or would I find out you've been lying to me?"I never told him my parents don't know I help Bran. I can't let her ask him what we were doing. Bronwyn's expression gave her mother everything she needed to know. "That's what I thought. Once Shaun's gone, go to your room and stay there. I'll talk with your father."
***
"Shaun, this was either stupid, or really stupid. If you want to be serious with a girl like Bronwyn, making sure her parents like you is very important. We can ruin any chances you've got, understand? And off you're not serious about her, and you're just messing around, then I know you're really stupid. There's a right way and a wrong way tho so these things, understand? She likes you, Shaun. She told me about you, the new boy, right? Well, mi niña's got a good head on her shoulders, mostly, so I want to write this off as uncharacteristically poor judgment that got broken up before things got out of hand. Anything you've got to say to convince me that's the right way to go? "
"Good, yes, good, let's do that. I left it...in ta' bedroom..." ...F&%$ MY LIFE.
As he listened to Mr. Pascal rant, Shaun could feel his ears burning. He knew this kind of angry all-too well. His father had on more than one occasion had "chats" like this with him after he got home late. Though, in those situations it was more about putting himself in danger as a hero than a phantom relationship.
As a hero... An idea popped into his head. No idea if this'll work but...
"L-Look, Mr. Pascal, I know what this looks like, but it's not. Nothin' happened. On my word as a hero, nothin' happened. I was hurt after a fight, she got called by Bran, was nice enough ta' stitch me up. We didn't do anythin' beyond that. Hell, I didn't even get any whiskey in me, ye'n'ta' misses walked in right then. I don't even know if she was gonna drink, I was just tryin'ta' be polite." He pauses. "Wait, she was talkin' about me?" Shit, does she actually have a thing for me!?
Mr. Pascal looked at Shaun, wheels clearly turning as he tried to de-Scot the explanation before what had been annoyance mixed with a little amusement ignited. "¡Puta madre! You think you're some kind of superhero?! No - I was going to try to-Este maldito idiota. I want you out of my house! You are not going to drag mi hijita into that madness. Tell this Bran not to call her anymore either!"
Alexandra watches kaoru's face go through about 17 shades for red as he/she/they rush off. Kid needed some chill pills. No, Alexis. i don't think you did anything wrong. But Kay is High strung, and you came out of left field there. Doesn't react well to that. you should have seen when I kissed them. was silent the whole ride home. Alexandra says, smiling a little at the memory but yeah. Dates are a good way to get to know cute people better. Give Kay a little While to calm down, I'm sure they'll... well, they'll take it better anyway.
As Bronwyn exits the showers and goes to change back into normal clothes, she finds Alexandra sitting on a bench, in front of the locker with her clothes in it. Everyone else has left. Alexandra smiles a little, a gesture that would look more friendly if her eyes weren't trying to bore a hole into Bronwyn's Frontal lobe.
Can we have a little chat? Alexandra asks
Kaoru finally found a secluded area away from the lunch zone with nobody around. She leaned heavily against the wall just in time for her shaking legs to give way and plop her right on her ass. She pulled her knees up to her chest, wrapping her arms around them and burying her head as her body began to shiver uncontrollably.
What *was* that? Alexis wasn't messing with her was she? Trying to get under her skin and fk with her head? But no. Alexis somehow managed to be even more socially awkward than her. Her lies had been painfully see-through, so it seemed unlikely this was some masterful manipulation.
But...that didn't mean- She couldn't really- Could she? Surely Alexis didn't like her like that? That was absurd! They had exchanged, what? Ten or so awkward sentences? You couldn't know something like that so quickly, could you? You got to know someone, see if you got along, and then waited to see if attraction developed. Right? That was...that was how these things worked, wasn't it?
Alexis...didn't think she was cute did she? Even just thinking it made her face heat up. Her insides squirmed in a not entirely unpleasant manner. She shoved the idea aside as quickly as it had risen. It was too egotistical. Too unrealistic. Too...painful.
But isn't this what you wanted? For girls to think you of you as cute?
She flinched at the thought. That wasn't- That wasn't what this was about! She didn't want that! She wasn't like that.
Then why are you running around pretending to be a boy?
That's...that was the only way to get what she wanted, wasn't it?
And what *do* you want?
That one stopped her. Bronwyn had asked her the same thing earlier that week. God was it only 3 days ago? How could it have been just 3 days?
But she wasn't like that! She wasn't! And she had thought about it after the whole Jack debacle. Gods had she thought about it. But it wasn't like she had ever wanted to kiss a girl or make out with one or...do other things. She had just...wanted to be friends. And maybe get hugs. But...apparently, those were wrong feelings for a girl to have towards another girl. If they weren't, Jack wouldn't have started that rumor. If they weren't, everybody wouldn't have believed it so easily. If they weren't, she wouldn't be alone right now. If she weren't wrong, she'd have friends.
She clutched her knees tighter as a choked sob escaped her lips.
She had thought...she had thought if everyone thought she was a boy, it would be ok. She hated to admit it, but deep down she thought that maybe, just maybe, it might mean she'd make friends. But all she had really accomplished was to hurt someone. Someone who when it came down to it, had only been trying to be friendly in her own, awkward way. She didn't deserve Bronwyn's niceness. She didn't deserve...whatever it was she and Alexandra had been developing. She didn't deserve any of it. But...that didn't stop her from wanting it. No matter how much she tried to push it away. She wanted Bronwyn's kindness and easy smile. She wanted Alexandra's green eyes and quick wit. But if she went after it, she would only ruin it like she had ruined whatever had been developing with her and Alexis. Only then she'd lose more, and it'd hurt more. She couldn't do that. Not again. Not so soon after losing everything.
Dreams can't hurt you if they don't come true.
Bronwyn instinctively tugged her towel closer as she felt Alexandra's eyes burn into her, "Uh, sure? You wanna scoot aside first? That's actually my locker right there."
In half-a-second flat, Shaun’s face went from concern, to surprise, then anger. Anger at Mr. Pascal, anger about the try-hard’s comments and his own failures, anger especially about the God-awful first week in Halcyon he was having. Adult or no, this was the last straw.
”First of all, I AM a hero. I SAVED people today, which is more than ye’ve done! Second, I did NOT ‘drag her into this!’ Try ta’ pin somethin’ else ta’ Tin Can has done on me n’ I’ll punch your lights out! Third, even if I KNEW how ta’ contact him, WHICH I DON’T, I wouldn’t, ‘cause he’s a right ARSE who treats people like tools!” As he ranted he roughly gathered up his shirt and duffle. ”An’ while I’m gettin’ shit off my chest, WHO TA’ F%!+ doesn’t want their kid ta’ be involved with heroes IN HALCYON GODAMN CITY?! An’ who ta’ f%~$ drinks Wild Turkey when there’s a place that sells scotch, REAL SCOTCH, on 177th n’ Green?!”
He pushed past the man and started down the hallway. ”In summary, F$*! your opinions, your whiskey is SHIT, I’m OUT!”
With nary a look back or a wave goodbye, Shaun marched out the front door, slamming it shut behind him.
Alexandra watches as the girl grips her towel. She had her in a ... compromised position. she tried not to enjoy that too much. well., I was hoping I would be able to give you a reason not to get squirrelly. Alexandra says. Cause, I've wanted to ask you a couple things for a while. you hide it well, don't really let loose. and you aren't the most obvious around here, by a long shot. Alexandra rolls her eyes at Herman and Shaun. Shayera and Puppy Girl too, but at least they tried. And I'm not sure how much you've really have explored. but you aren't... well, I'm good at spotting this kind of thing.
So, Bron, there's just one thing I can't figure out. Who are you? She asks
She was so grounded.
Her parents weren't going to be around any more than usual, and they knew that her track practices ran late all the time so being grounded was really more of a state of mind.
But the state of her mind was so grounded.
Every time I get in trouble it's because I was trying to keep some boy from passing out on the pavement. Great message guys.
The problem part of her grounding was that they were taking her phone. She got to have it with her at school and practice in case of emergencies but from when she got home till she left in the morning, her phone was in a drawer.
Good thing they don't really capewatch, and that Shaun's accent is so thick, but sooner or later they're going to google Bran and wonder who gets all those renn faire costume pieces I make...
And Shaun still had her communicator!
Luckily her laptop wasn't embargoed, so she wasn't totally incommunicado.
She snapped a profoundly glum picture of herself and sent it over to Shayera. "Today sucks. Parents caught me with Shaun. Mega-Grounded. You coming over?"
***
"What? Well, I'll tell you right now, I'll be a lot less squirrelly in pants." Bronwyn wasn't normally very self conscious in the locker room, but being alone with one other girl, staring, kinda changed the vibe. "You gonna explain what this is? What do you mean 'who am I?' Is this supposed to be some kind of oddly timed philosophical question?"
Is this Bran-stuff? Or... Shayera stuff?
Okay. We're playing the "I don't know what you're talking about" game. that's fine. I can play. Have you ever felt kinda... different, bron? In a way this city is all too familiar with? She asks. suddenly her arm shoots out, and a knife is lying toward Bronwyn. You would have to be supernaturally fast to catch or deflect it at this range.
The knife wasn't sharp. It was the trainer she and Gillian used to practice knife fighting. and the throw was balanced to tap bronwyn with the lat. probably a bruise, if she was stubborn. Alexandra hoped she wouldn't be stubborn.
Once she'd excused herself from Alexis, Shayera headed to the balcony and jumped. She let herself free-fall for a couple seconds to really pick up speed, then she pulled out of the dive and started beelining it toward Northside.
Shayera had anticipated something from Bronwyn regarding her behavior at the museum, but her last text of the afternoon had said she'd been grounded for some reason. She had sent a quick, "yes" in response to her question about coming over right before Whippoorwill summoned her, so she had barely enough time to think on that text until she started flying to go see her. Bronwyn was caught with Shaun? Was Atoms back? Why would he go visit Bronwyn and cause problems for her? She twisted that around in her thoughts for a few minutes before realizing that she was probably talking about Shaun the Kilt. Okay. Him getting her in trouble. That makes so much more sense. Well, sorta. Regardless, it didn't appear to preclude Shayera from coming over.
She still felt that knife-in-her-gut anxiety over Bran seeing her that way after he threw the spear through her, so she wonders how she'll best be able to explain all that and what happened after. She worked out a few speeches, figuring that whatever happened between her and Shaun could get worked out relatively easily. I mean, he's a hothead, but he seems to want to help.
As she circles Bronwyn's house, she notices both cars in the driveway and wonders if she should approach from Bronwyn's window. It was her usual method of seeing her, but Bronwyn had told her that her parents knew of Shayera's identity as Wingblade. And with them both at home, it might be the right time to meet them formally, she thinks with a measure of excitement.
She drops down onto their walk from the sky, landing heavily. Her wings fold up behind her, and though she thumbs her pendant, she decides not to activate it. A smile grows on her face as she thinks about visiting Bronwyn properly and meeting Mr. and Mrs. Pascal.
She steps up to the front door and rings the doorbell.
"Hi! I'm Shayera, a friend of Bronwyn's. Is she home? She asked me to come over. It's really nice to meet you," she says to whichever parent opens the door, sticking her hand out for a shake.
This is gonna- **thwack** "Ow! What the heck is wrong with you!" She started forward, realized she was still only wearing a towel and shower sandals, and jerked everything back into place with a huff. "This is not funny Alexandra. Get out of my way. I'm getting dressed."
Alexandra doubles down. I'm not wrong. I can't be wrong. I'm the silver shadow, The Silver shadow doesn't make mistakes... on the job.
Make me, super girl! She says, assuming a more combative stance, without throwing a punch
**ding-dong**
That can't be her, right?
Did I forget to tell her I was grounded? Oh my God. Does she not know that that means she needs to sneak in?!
***
At the door, César had just tucked away his anger and his worry. There was no need to bring all of that to whoever was ringing the doorbell. But then, there she was, some sort of angel-winged girl ringing his doorbell and asking for his Bronwyn. "Dios mio. ¿Qué está pasando esta noche?"
His eyes were slightly glassy as he tried to process the newest of the swarm of superheroes that were coming to his house. He'd seen some pictures of Wingblade - Sharra? No, she just said Shiera - before, but wings glinting in the light of his porch were very different from something that in the back of your head you could tell yourself could have been faked up.
Especially since he'd driven Bronwyn to Wingblade's funeral.
We should have known things wouldn't stop with Shiera. Now there's Sean and Bran too. We have to keep her safe. Should we just leave Halcyon?
His voice was tight, and his eyes kept flicking to Shayera's wings as he said a bit mechanically, "Buenos noches, Shiera, I'm César. Bronwyn's told me so much about you. It seems there's been some mistake though. Bronwyn is home, but she's grounded, and she isn't allowed to have any visitors. I'm sorry if you've... flown a long way."
You saw how devastated Bronwyn was when she thought Shiera was dead. This one hasn't done anything wrong yet.
"Would you like to come in for a glass of water or something before you go?"
***
She really wanted to knock Alexandra on her ass. That's what she wants too.
So instead, slowly, deliberately she stepped over the bench, eyes locked with Alexandra as she moved towards the locker.