"Yes actually. Its considered polite to give telepaths something they can read, and its a convenient communication method." "Just let me know if you want it tweaked. I can shuffle the music if you like."
-Isaiah might loosen up some if he thought it was safe to do so, I.E. that his companions would be responsible and not do anything foolish if he let his guard down. (he's a bit on edge after that drunken truth-or-dare session)
-Currently, Isaiah is planning on finding out more about his companions. How you act, what you know, etc. Also maybe do some fishing.
-Hopefully not anything stupid or rude. (being brutally honest here.)
Inquiry stays submerged, serenely scanning the local seafloor. There were some interesting invertebrates and crustaceans living in the sand.
"To a certain extent at least. From what I understand younger AIs are intentionally chosen for these kinds of missions. We're more malleable, better able to come to understand the locals, less bound by old habits. And they do check in from time to time, sometimes with missions. But I would hardly have been chosen if I weren't trustworthy."
"And don't worry too much; you folks have already managed to dodge half a dozen potential extinction events. A couple more decades, and you should be through the dangerous patch. Then Federation envoys may come along to officially make contact."
Kayla lifts her head from Isaiah’s shoulder and studies him as he talks. ”Missions? What kind of missions? And...aren’t you technically the ‘envoy’?”
"...Yep. So this is...that stuff," He said. Probably not illegal here because it was a private island, but Isaiah's concerns were valid as he tossed the cigar into the fire, figuring it was the best way to dispose of it. He didn't want to get too drunk or stoned to be incapable of dreaming straight later.
Kylie's explanation of how it felt to be around people engaged in those kind of activities amused him. I suppose that means being with me was like being with an atomic bomb? He thought, as he finally got to his feet.
"I'm gonna go and sleep...whatever this is off. Good night guys," He says, coughing a little from the smoke coming off the fire as he headed to his bungalow.
"Yeah, so...I may have inhaled all of these crystals." He paused for a beat. "It's how I got my powers. They were something that my father apparently got smuggled out of Japan. But I was in an accident involving a superfight while bringing them to his lab. Someone's energy blast hit the crate they were inside, and they just exploded into dust, and its so thick and burning my skin and lungs, and then it was gone and I felt okay. And I could do this," He explained, enveloping his hand in a vantablack field.
"Anyways...Rory, I don't know much about you. Tell me something. Oh, I've been wondering, but is Silver Shield your mother, or your aunt? I feel like you could be related to her." He asks as he starts to set up some poles for them all, glancing out at the horizon, the island a speck of coastline in the distance now.
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What do you want me to do? -Hopefully not anything stupid or rude. (being brutally honest here.)
Isaiah realized he'd said a bit too much.
"Well... mostly investigating things. Got to get caught up on all the weirdness here. Can't say much more than that. And well... I'm the spy, not the envoy. Officially, I'm not here. Not that that fools anyone, of course, but it means that if I mess something up it can be swept under the rug. Part of my job is to help decide when an actual envoy should show up. And... I should probably leave it at that. How're you recovering? Aura seems stronger than yesterday, at least."
"Well... that actually may explain some things. I'll have to call up a research station and ask what those might have been, it might give some clues on what's going on with you. At least you seem to have assimilated them pretty well. I've heard stories about much less pleasant results from accidental absorption. Have to wonder where those crystals came from, though... this means there's probably a chunk of old First Federation wreckage somewhere out there."
The more Isaiah talked, the more vulnerable she felt around him. Not that it mattered, but part of her wishes she could make the Regalia truly form, or at least have been wearing more than a string bikini. ”So...you are...a spy? On what? The team? Country? Planet? All of the above?”
Part of her was glad he tried to change the subject. ”I’m...feeling stronger day by day,” she replies, but then something he said clicked with her. ”Wait...my aura...what do you mean ‘my aura’?”
"Alright, asked and answered, who you gonna call out?" Rory asked placing the cap back on the bottle, "probably shouldn't drink the whole thing in one night."
A dissatisfied grunt comes from Rory as he exhales, not his favorite topic, however, he had been trying to make amends with Shin, and told his sister and Prae he would try and play nice and bond with the team. Woah... uh yeah, Shield is just my legal guardian and mentor... about two years ago my parent's were murdered and the trailer Mattie and I grew up in was torched..." he swallows hard and takes a second before continuing, "It all happened right after my powers started to manifest, um... I came home after school and the trailer was engulfed in flames, I rushed in and pulled my mom from the living room, shot in the chest, and before I could go back the whole thing collapsed. The had to use dental records to identify my dad. Cops said it was a murder-suicide and the fire was caused by a meth lab, f~~@ing b+#&%&!~, but you know just another murder in trailer park, no one gave a s$*#. Shield took us in and began caring for and training us, she was never able to have kids of her own, she has been a real blessing to us... so how about them fish..."
He's going to take this the wrong way. But there's no yes-sounding no I can think of. If he were here in person, well there'd be a lot of ways around that question...
"Shin, I guess maybe later it will be? But that kind of Desire is dangerous. It means no control, no holding back. Both of us understand control and collateral damage too much for it, and that sort of all-encompassing Lust isn't what I'm looking for."
Even if it's really, really sexy.
***
"I do still want to make the trip over to Europe at some point, but I'm hoping we can make a night of it when we do. So that might be best saved for a day that starts with fewer hangovers." Her words rolled in a mental shrug "There's still plenty to do on the island."
Isaiah was slightly sheepish.
"Well... Yes. Planet mostly, country incidentally, Halcyon City because everything strange and world-altering seems to happen there for some reason. Honestly I probably wouldn't even be here if it weren't for that ridiculous affair with the world-eater a while back. I was hoping not to worry all of you with the implications, but i guess the cat's out of the bag now. As for aura... well, its kind of the... halo of energy that radiates off of people? Hard to describe in too much detail, like talking about the color green to someone colorblind, but its usually directly related to how much power you've got. Anyway, yours took a major hit when you got your powers drained, but its been gradually brightening back up. Gives some hints that you could probably get a fair bit more oomph out of your powers with more practice; I think you were barely using about a third of it back beforehand."
"Oh, and I'm supposed to pick the next person, right? How about Gallowglass? Unless you'd rather sit it out."
He kicked off his sandals as he wobbled into the bungalow, thinking as straight as he could for his first time experimenting with something he wasn't used to having. He listened to Kylie's explanation as she gave it, nodding his head even though she wasn't there to see it, stripping down and sliding into his bed. Even though it was cold, he felt warm enough from the heat of the link between him and...he wasn't sure if she wanted to label it yet, so he tucked the distinction away for now.
I understand. An engine that explodes doesn't benefit anyone. But contain and control that power, increase the output gradually, until you're able to use all that force with the precision of a surgeon, that's much better than blowing up once and then being useless.
He smiled as he closed his eyes to help drift off to sleep. So let's go for a slow burn...
He listened to Rory's story, feeling a little unsettled. "That's awful. I'm so sorry about that," He tells him, sympathetic to his plight. He sighs and sits on the edge of the boat, looking over the waters. "...I grew up poor myself. My father might have been a university professor and researcher, but I'm pretty sure they didn't pay him as much as the others. He never talked about it, but we were always pinching pennies where we could."
He checked one of the lines, noticing some tugging coming at it, the reel starting to spin. "Got one! Rory, help me pull it in! Isaiah, grab the net!" Shin shouted, grabbing the pole and starting the process of reeling in the catch. It seemed like a big one!
Kayla sat quietly a moment, thinking. ”I...I probably shouldn’t do this, but I won’t tell anyone else...for now. I just have one condition. Will you tell me what all you are reporting to your people? If you are going to be a part of this team, and I’m apparently supposed to be the leader...I need to know I can trust you, Isaiah. And being a spy makes that difficult, but being a self confessed spy helps.”
She feels her stomach twisting up as he talks about her powers and her incident with Dr. Dread. ”When...when Dr. Dread hit me with that weapon...I could see myself glowing. What color do you see mine as? And what do you mean ‘using about a third?’ You mean I have more power I haven’t managed to figure out yet? How is that...I mean...I guess I didn’t know how to use the Regalia at first...but how am I supposed to use it if I don’t know what it is? And how close back to normal am I?”
Kayla nodded. ”Makes sense. I’m sure the guys would wanna go too anyway. So what then? You two got any suggestions, or should we just take advantage of the comparative peace and quiet to get some power tanning in? And where’s Holly and Gallow? They’d wanna see this sunrise too? Can you sense if they are awake, or in any condition to even wanna join us?”
I think you've gotta do what's right for you. You can't let anyone else make your choices for you, and you can't pretend to be something you're not just to make someone else happy. I don't know how serious Rory is about you, but you do know that, if you hurt him, i'll have to kill you. OK?" her grin gives away that her comment is (mostly) a joke.
When Kayla brings up that the boys aren't around, Mattie can't help but glance at Kylie and blushing. Does this count as a private beach if the guys aren't here?
Mattie watches Shin go and then unsteadily climbs to her feet. "I'm g'na go t'bed too." she announces to the rest of the group [b]"mm, feel tired." Swaying, she moves off in the general direction of the cabins. Moments later there's a crashing sound but it's quickly followed by a shouted "I'm OK, just a trashcan."
Kayla giggles anxiously at Mattie’s retort. ”I don’t plan to hurt him. That’s the last thing I want. But, I dunno. I feel like ever since my parents disappeared I’ve went from one state of being to another. No time to just settle and catch my breath and figure out what is going on. Let alone what I want. Or how I feel about...ya know...my feelings.”
As Kayla sits waiting for the sun to start breaking the horizon, her mind begins running a treadmill of trying to comprehend those feelings. Especially sitting next to two girls who weren’t confused at all. She felt as if the sun was already at high noon. She cupped some water in her hand and poured it down onto her stomach, trying to focus her mind on watching the tiny rivulets run down her skin to distract herself until the sun came up.
”Maybe tomorrow we should do some team exercises. I know this is a vacation, though, so we could try and make some games of it. Races, wrestling tournaments using our powers, stuff like that. Maybe make two teams of four, or four teams of two? What could we make the prize?”
Just then, the sun starts to tinge the sky from light blue to vibrant pink, and she says ”Hang on. It’s starting,” as she reaches an arm around each of the two other girls and pulls them close to enjoy the best show on earth.
Kylie tilted her head slightly to where Kayla's staff was still busying about.
"Not quite as private as I'd expect you to want, Mattie" Teasing pins and needles accompanied the sending, but more slowly, a little hesitant.
You have rules, and besides, she's what, 14, almost 15? You probably shouldn't tease her like this.
Still, she couldn't help but ask. "So, have you actually been with another girl yet?" Part of her was hoping for Mattie to say no. Something that could help make her mind up for her. But only part.
"They're still out. Just us for now."
The sun painted the horizon in a way she'd never seen in Halcyon, and without thinking, the word Beautiful slipped out, touching each of the other girls's minds with a flickering image of their hair, their eyes, their smile - Kayla's golden, clear, and strong, Mattie's fiery, bright, and brave.
***
That Island Games idea is a good one, though.
"I'm mostly sending back scans of the local supers, updates on technology, descriptions of confirmed hypertech or magical artifacts, and information on any potential world-changing events. You know, the kind of things we run into often in the heroing business. Also all the kinds of stuff you can find out from the internet. In particular, I'm keeping an eye out for anything that might be derived from derelict First Federation technology, or that might be active First Federation technology. Dr. Dread and Apotheosis are pretty high up on that list."
Isaiah took a long look at Praetoria as he considered his next response.
"Yours is... Aether-bright-heart-gold? That may be the best I can do to describe it. And yeah, you've got a lot of power that you aren't using. Right now I think you're at about... 15 percent? Somewhere around there. I'd need the big scanner in Inqiury to get a precise read. But before I think you were using about 30% of what you had available. Sometimes people have... safety locks? Something that keeps some of it from being used most of the time so they don't hurt themselves with over-exertion. But that usually only comes in at around 90% or so. So you could probably push yourself to about three times your usual if you can sort out how. Can't say whether the block is physical or psychological there."
The boys work together and bring in a sizable Atlantic Spanish mackerel. They get few more nibbles but are unable to land the fish. As time ticks away Rory's frustration increases, his family's tragedy being brought up didn't help. After having another line break it was more than he could take, Rory chucks the pole and dives into the water. A minute later a large globe of ice floats to the surface, as the top begins to melt away, there is Rory standing in the middle who then starts hurling fish at the boat. "One fish, two fish, f!!@ fish, you fish," Rory swims back to the boat and climbs aboard. Having snagged a few Mahi Mahi and a Black fin he asks, "Is this good enough?"
"Hey, the point of fishing is to give the fish a fighting chance, isn't it? If you're going to cheat, at least demonstrate your aim while you're at it."
Isaiah flicks out his bolter, takes careful aim, calculates for water interference, and snipes a 10 lb tuna a few hundred yards away. He then quickly dashes out, dives in, and snags the sinking fish, before returning it to the boat.
"Like so. Now, we do probably have more than enough for dinner, if we wanted to turn back."
Isaiah confessing he was reporting on supers and their abilities made her feel even more vulnerable. What If...what if he’s sending these reports and his people decide to attack us? They’d have full records of how to fight us and how to win.
”Isaiah...I...I don’t know how I feel about this. You’ve put me in a really tough spot...are you reporting on just the villains, or heroes too?”
When he goes on about her aura and power, she grows even more concerned. ”So...so the glow Dr. Dread was pulling from me was definitely the same as what you see around me...”
She stands and walks over to the soft sands of the beach, folding her arms around her stomach and looking out over the water as she thinks, her golden hair billowing in the ocean breeze. She then turns back to him and puts her hands on her hips. ”Then, when you can tell me my powers are back to normal levels, I need you to help me test their limits. Try and break through these barriers. I can’t help the world while I’m fighting with kid gloves. And you are the only person I can trust to approach this methodically without emotion. The others may pull their punches in fear of hurting me. Okay?”
__________
Kylie sending the idealized images of Kayla and Mattie to them combined with their conversations and confessions and the sunrise wore Kayla down. ”Okay. Look. I gotta know. Would one of you kiss me? And not just some random smooch, and only if you want to. But I can’t settle up how I feel with Rory until I know for sure how I feel about myself. So...would either of you be interested? No strings attached. Just...testing the waters,” she says in a fast paced blur of words before she could chicken out.
Mattie blushes as she glances over at the staff going about there work. "You heard that? Sorry. It just popped into my mind. I wasn't really suggesting anything. Really. she lets Kayla pull her closer as they watch the sun beginning to peak above the water. "Ummm, yeah. Kind've I guess." she pauses in thought for a moment. "You remember those girls from that club we went to? Amber, Jade and Alexis? Well, I used to be friends, like, good friends with Jade. And we, you know, did a few things. Just kids stuff, I mean, it was before mom and dad died. That's when I figured out I'm, you know, into girls." she takes a deep breath. "I guess I thought I loved her but, well, she made friends with Amber and Alexis when she joined the cheerleading squad and, well, she stopped hanging out with me. It really screwed me up for a bit. I did corner her one time and she said that we'd just been, you know, just experimenting and that she wasn't into girls. She made me promise not to tell anyone. She called me a, well, you know... It wasn't long after that when mom and dad died. So, since then, I haven't really had the chance to see anyone really. I mean, until you guys showed up."
Mattie looks a bit taken aback at Kayla's request. "Umm, sure. I guess? I mean it might be a bit weird, what with you and my brother going out, but I haven't really kissed anyone since Jade,... well until Shin last night anyway, but I don't think that really counts. I was going to make you kiss me last night, if Rory hadn't chosen 'nice', that is."
Rory claps as Isaiah returns with his haul, "Very good, very good."
At Mattie’s apprehension, Kayla was immediately embarrassed. ”No...it’s okay if you guys aren’t interested. I’m just being stupid. I’m sorry,” she says quickly. Then she mutters quietly ”Rory wouldn’t like it anyway...”
No, no," Mattie replies, turning to Kayla. "I am interested. Like, really. I mean you're, well,... Yeah I'd really like to try it. If you would? I mean, you don't have to or anything, if you'd prefer to try it with Kylie I'd totally understand."
"Pretty much everyone, really. And before you ask, no, the Iron Federation isn't planning on invading. This is more of a matter of keeping watch for things that might try to attack us. And to estimate what kinds of threats you can deal with on your own, so we know if we need to intervene to block incoming invasions outside your ability to handle. That, and all of you supers seem to be tapping into some serious power sources, and there's some curiosity as to how its done."
"I can certainly help you with training. Keep track of your energy usage, try to help you up it. May need help to really challenge your upper limits... I'll have to look into modifying some equipment for training."
Kayla nods. ”Thanks. I appreciate it. But I still want you to let me know about your reports before you send them...”
_________
Kayla’s heart is beating ninety miles a minute as she lays there in the surf, waiting for Mattie or Kylie to make the first move...
Mattie takes a deep breath and slowly leans in towards Kayla, her own heartbeat rising as she lets her lips touch the other girl's. Softly and nervously at first she kisses Kayla, not at all confident that she's doing it right.
Kayla’s own heart rate pauses before racing off again, and Psyche can likely sense fireworks going off in her head as Kayla quickly raises the intensity...
As Kayla responds, Mattie gains confidence and feels her pulse race, and her temperature rise as she lets Kayla push her back down onto the sand. Psyche senses fireworks that match Kayla's, going off in Mattie's head as any thoughts of hesitance, uncertainty or guilt are pushed away by pure, unadulterated, sensation.
This is a bad idea.
She stayed. Somehow she thought that it might keep things from escalating.
This is going to be so bad.
I should have just kissed herher
She settled a web of disinterest over all three. At least when the beans inevitably got spilled, it would be one of them who did it.
Kayla eventually comes up for air, and looks at Mattie’s eyes as she lays in the surf, her red hair washijg back and forth with the tide. She sits back and looks over at Psyche and asks ”Well...what do you...think? Your turn?”
Holly walks out of her bungalow, sipping water and asprin.
she pauses as she walks in on the scene, What... what's going on?
No one else will see this...
You know you're not either of their first's...
This was exactly the kind of desire she'd been thinking about last night. Heedless. Hungry. Foolish.
And none of her rules told her no.
She was already taking a step forward when -"What... what's going on?"
She turned in place, annoyed by the fact that no amount of telekinesis was going to make a wet nightgown appropriate for the moment, but gave a friendly wave instead of the tornado that was building inside.
"We were watching the sunrise. Talking about old flames, that kind of thing."
Okay. I wish I could join you, but it's not like I have any old flames... I'll go get breakfast. want me to have them make you anything?
Kayla freezes and blushes crimson at Holly’s sudden appearance, remembering in vivid detail her earlier conversation with her close friend. She quickly realizes that Psyche was up to something, and says ”Naw...stomachs still queezy...”
Her suspicion of Psyche at work was confirmed when she walked off as if nothing major was going on.
When she heads away for the main house for breakfast, Kayla let’s out a breath and leans forward. Psyche can sense that the thrill of almost being caught still has Kayla revved up, but she’s also super anxious right now.
”Kylie...thanks...maybe...maybe we take a rain check? I’m sure you know I think you are hot as hell, but, well, I had already talked to Holly about this too...she’s not into girls by the way. But...maybe that was a warning sign,” she says, her mind a storm of confusion. She reaches out and takes Kylie’s hand and asks, ”So...maybe an IOU on that kiss?”
"...Okay" She leaned in and gave Kayla a quick peck on the cheek. "But maybe... I should go get dressed for now?"
You idiot.
Mattie reluctantly lets Kayla pull away, still breathing heavily and more than a little flushed. As Kayla sits up, Mattie remains lying on her back staring at the sky. "Wow," she says, dreamily "That was just,.. wow."
If Kayla breaks her heart I'm going to kick her ass.
After a few minutes, Kayla says ”Okay...let’s go. I honestly am starving but am just gonna eat some toast for my ruse.”
She gets up and leads the others to the dining area and fixes herself some toast and some sprite. She then sits beside Holly and Gallowglass and says ”So, the boys are out fishing and are likely to be gone a few hours, if not most of the day the way fishing trips go. So it’s “Girls Day” here at the retreat. You have any thoughts as to what to do? My personal vote is Super-Intense-Tanning-and-Recovery day, unless you guys have a better idea...”
As Kayla moves off towards the meals area Mattie remains lying in the surf, letting the water wash over her as she watches the clouds.
Kylie, now out of her saltwater-spoiled clothes, and in a crop top and tennis skirt is walking towards the main house when she sees Mattie still lying in the surf.
"Hey Mattie, can we talk for a second?"
"I'm really glad you got to do that with Kayla... "But I want to make sure you don't get hurt."
"I usually file a report every night. Part of my rest cycle. If you think there's something notable for a day, you can bug me about it before you go to bed."
Isaiah looked out towards where the others were.
"Looks like Rory's on the way. Got anything else to say before he gets here?"
Mattie finally sits up when she feels the touch of Kylie's mind on hers. All Kylie can sense is a whole-of-mind satisfaction that begins to dissipate as they talk. She smiles as she lets Kylie help her to her feet. "I'm glad too," she replies, before her tone becomes a little more serious. "I know it was probably a mistake but, well, it felt so good. I know it probably shouldn't, can't go anywhere. It felt so good though... It felt,.. right. Just let me enjoy it for now, OK? I'll deal with the consequences later. Somehow I will."
Kayla shakes her head. ”Thanks, by the way. For listening. And being open with me.”
Between Rory and Isaiah, he felt a little awkward at having only caught a single fish. Still there was enough variety that he figured they'd have plenty of food for tonight and tomorrow. "Mmm, maybe give the girls some time alone...hey, Isaiah, do you know where the Aquatic City is? Can we get there today?"
"Hm? Which one? There's more than one city on the seafloor, you know. And before you ask, I'm not completely certain which one was represented back with the crab mess."
Kylie doesn't let go of Mattie's hand right away after she helps her to her feet. There's an odd feeling of tensions relaxed and begun as Kylie replies, putting her arms around Mattie in a not-quite brief embrace. "Yeah, okay. You know I'm here, right? You won't have to deal with those consequences without someone by your side."
Mattie gratefully returns the hug before pulling away a little and looking Kylie straight in the eye. Thanks." she says, still holding Kylie's thin waste, "I've gotta admit though that I kinda wish we hadn't been interrupted and,.. I kinda wish that you'd joined in too." with that, she leans in and gives Kylie a quick, fairly demure kiss on the lips, before pulling away laughing and doing a little pirouette. "Maybe we should go see what other ideas Kayla has for "girl's day"? I think i'm up for just about anything today."
Just then, a very loud ”WHAT THE F#~@!” emanates from Kayla at the main house!