Nissa is oblivious to the awkwardness getting somehow worse than before.
“Yes, except for the space part,” she replies to Greer. “Which is kind of a shame since I really want to fly out into the void, because I can.” But so what? With a Time Ship, I can fix the three lost years. Fix my—
No.
Nissa acts like everything’s fine and gestures to the ship. “The Poseidon is beautiful. It can take us out on the open sea, under the sea, across the Sea of Time!”
"That's the name? I that'll get copy claimed as a ship title. Probably by those Mount Olympus corp." Pausing for a moment..."Note to self. Build a space mecha or car.
Unity sit back and listen for a bit, grinning at the scene. "We're glad to hear that things are going better against the demons," they say aloud when Trantuala mentions it.
They also don't refuse more food, which may bring up questions about the actual carrying capacity of their stomach given how eagerly they ate the other two times...
They do wince a bit at Nissa mentioning the ship can cross time, but... this is probably the group that should know about it, they suppose. "We can't speak for the rest of us, but we ourself are ready to stop resting and get back to work. Or at least go visit a nature preserve and stretch our wings properly." They spread the appendages in question.
Nissa stares at her knees when Unity says back to work.
“I need the two weeks.”
Nissa stares at her knees when Unity says back to work.
“I need the two weeks.”
On the first day of Restmas, Nissa needs to know what has happened with her and L.C.
If L.C. starts, it will probably be better. Nissa isn’t sure how to start. “Three years. I heard you kept trying to find me, but… three years. And after three years, I’m… this.”
Nissa loves her new body, and is grateful to the Dawnflower that she’s alive at all. But does her girlfriend love the body? Is L.C. even still Nissa’s girlfriend? Feelings could have built up in all that time… or faded.
“It’s okay if… I mean… even if it’s not okay, it’s okay.”
Nissa is not okay. She’s doing all she can not to lose her s!!*.
L.C. keeps finding ways to avoid Nissa and postponing any relationship conversations. Sometimes, she says things like, "Don't worry. I'm sure we can find a way to turn you back. The researchers are already working on it."
And, things like, "It's not that my feelings have changed; it's my situation that's different."
And, things like, "How about those damn Deintegrationalists? If they take over Greece or Italy and get access to a functioning thin spot portal, they could do a lot of damage."
Henri spends the downtime tinkering with his gear, running for the fun of it - it happens, and learning everything he can learn about nanites, especially his nanites. He wants to figure out how he can leverage them into something useful - like his speedgear - or at least minimize surprises if he finds himself in another situation where they seem to be reacting poorly to the environment. He's holding onto that theory until he is proven wrong.
Actually, during the downtime, he will make a point of meeting each of the people that arrived for the third meal individually to see if one of them triggers a new headache.
Henri does feel the nanites moving around. It's a horrible feeling, like your brain is itchy but you can't scratch.
After a bit, he realizes it is, indeed, a reaction to the presence of the time ship. The nanites are trying to connect. The ship is trying to connect. It's not quite working.
Theo will wait for Nissa and L.C. to resolve their awkwardness, because the godling knows her daughter will be tiny lump of emotion until that happens. Until then, Theo orders from local restaurants and chills out in Boston Theoretical. The Olympian calls Pah's office to talk more about the time commitment for the movie.
Everyday, Theo walks down to R&D and pesters them about the new armor, making sure it keep the greek style of armor.
“What if I don’t want to turn back?” Nissa looks up at L.C. “If I could be bigger, that might… help?
“But my flesh body is dead. This body is made of sunshine. The Dawnflower gave me a gift. Life. More than life. I…” Nissa does not want to say it, but she believes her little body won’t age. “…have wings.”
L.C. speaks of her feeling. But her words are vague, in a not-you-it’s-me way. (Or not-me-it’s-it.)
“L.C… I’m in love with you. My situation changed too, because I’m this. I don’t know if… I mean… on Utopia, they offered me sex like one would offer a cup of tea or stick of gum. Of course I said no, but I wondered what they would have done with me. I mean… I’m knee-high to Barbie. Am I even desirable?”
Nissa stops talking because she feels tears. She hopes if she stops talking they won’t come out.
They do. Though Nissa manages to keep her composure, there’s no mistaking the star-bright glint in the corner of her sun-spot eye.
Zellgato's Rest-mas starts out with business. Finding out who, how and why an agent. As well as if he's owed anything and what his face, or lack there of, for the public space is doing with them.
(I imagine it will take a 5-6 days)
During the same period of time, he will check in on the BT security, as well as Phade. Seeing if they need any help assessing or training. He'll check in with Kevin as well.. The annoying guy having barged into Zellgato's comfort zone long enough he was adopted into it begrudging friendship with a few of the Zellgato.
With what free time is available in post, Zellgato will opt to take a combination of the public transport, as well as his wing board to travel around the state. He will not do this under his superhero style, but just a nobody traveler. He'll use any income from the above to crash at cheap hotels, eat crappy food--food trucks, pop up social media food places, mom and pop shops. A tour of unusual foods.
Theo will wait for Nissa and L.C. to resolve their awkwardness, because the godling knows her daughter will be tiny lump of emotion until that happens. Until then, Theo orders from local restaurants and chills out in Boston Theoretical. The Olympian calls Pah's office to talk more about the time commitment for the movie.
Everyday, Theo walks down to R&D and pesters them about the new armor, making sure it keep the greek style of armor.
Theo's people and Pah's office discuss the time commitment and whether Theo would have to travel to World 21 for the filming. Theo's currently being marketed as comic books (The Godling/Olympian & Agents of TAROT), an animated series, and an action figure. Pah has ways of making money for everyone on top of the money they're making. Instead of sending cash or gold from World 21, he has them send new art by up-and-coming artists that had alt/dopplegangers on World Z. Selling the art in the year 2222 World Z increases profits by ten-thousand percent. Everyone is making money.
They want to talk about the Time Ship toy line and need some new adventure ideas. The Utopia story arc is already being penned.
“What if I don’t want to turn back?” Nissa looks up at L.C. “If I could be bigger, that might… help?
“But my flesh body is dead. This body is made of sunshine. The Dawnflower gave me a gift. Life. More than life. I…” Nissa does not want to say it, but she believes her little body won’t age. “…have wings.”
L.C. speaks of her feeling. But her words are vague, in a not-you-it’s-me way. (Or not-me-it’s-it.)
“L.C… I’m in love with you. My situation changed too, because I’m this. I don’t know if… I mean… on Utopia, they offered me sex like one would offer a cup of tea or stick of gum. Of course I said no, but I wondered what they would have done with me. I mean… I’m knee-high to Barbie. Am I even desirable?”
Nissa stops talking because she feels tears. She hopes if she stops talking they won’t come out.
[dice=DC30 Supermodel]d20+17
They do. Though Nissa manages to keep her composure, there’s no mistaking the star-bright glint in the corner of her sun-spot eye.
"Nissa," says L.C. "This has been a lot, all at once. I love you and I'm happy you're back, and it's okay that you're different, but ... it IS different and that's going to take some time for me to understand how I feel about that."
L.C. is different too. She played at being a leader when you were all there. She became a leader when you weren't. She's been in charge for 3 years and it's changed her.
Zellgato's Rest-mas starts out with business. Finding out who, how and why an agent. As well as if he's owed anything and what his face, or lack there of, for the public space is doing with them.
(I imagine it will take a 5-6 days)
During the same period of time, he will check in on the BT security, as well as Phade. Seeing if they need any help assessing or training. He'll check in with Kevin as well.. The annoying guy having barged into Zellgato's comfort zone long enough he was adopted into it begrudging friendship with a few of the Zellgato.With what free time is available in post, Zellgato will opt to take a combination of the public transport, as well as his wing board to travel around the state. He will not do this under his superhero style, but just a nobody traveler. He'll use any income from the above to crash at cheap hotels, eat crappy food--food trucks, pop up social media food places, mom and pop shops. A tour of unusual foods.
Zellgato's agent turns out to be an uninformed legal entity who has very little idea what it is that Zellgato is selling and who is buying and why. He receives amounts, takes a cut, and waits for Zellgato to show.
'Zellgato' the character hasn't had a successful solo comic, but is a member of Agents of TAROT from the 3 year of the comic onward. There's also an action figure but the revenue is slow.
Maybe the Utopia story's Legato who rides on flying saucers while shooting flares from his hand will be more popular.
Still, you have more money than you can spend.
Zellgato gets repeatedly told that upgrading the security protocols, training security, and working with Phade does not count as Restmas.
Theo's people and Pah's office discuss the time commitment and whether Theo would have to travel to World 21 for the filming. Theo's currently being marketed as comic books (The Godling/Olympian & Agents of TAROT), an animated series, and an action figure. Pah has ways of making money for everyone on top of the money they're making. Instead of sending cash or gold from World 21, he has them send new art by up-and-coming artists that had alt/dopplegangers on World Z. Selling the art in the year 2222 World Z increases profits by ten-thousand percent. Everyone is making money.
They want to talk about the Time Ship toy line and need some new adventure ideas. The Utopia story arc is already being penned.
The Olympian is pleased with Pah's people's meetings. It's actually better than Pre-Tarot Olympian days. Theo makes a request to have a sample of Theo/Olympian merch sent to him.
✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩Once Theo gets a feeling that Nissa and L.C. had a serious discussion, the godling finds his daughter to talk about it, and have immediate father/daughter plans.
Unity have the kind of money that, if given philanthropically, will result in black tie dinners, bannquets, chimera-of-the-year awards, etc. Do they spend it anonymously, or in their public identity, or put the Cloak on and transform their appearance into normal human and resurrect your old identity? In any case, a week would be enough time to start making plans.
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Zellgato's agent turns out to be an uninformed legal entity who has very little idea what it is that Zellgato is selling and who is buying and why. He receives amounts, takes a cut, and waits for Zellgato to show.
'Zellgato' the character hasn't had a successful solo comic, but is a member of Agents of TAROT from the 3 year of the comic onward. There's also an action figure but the revenue is slow.
Zellgato gets repeatedly told that upgrading the security protocols, training security, and working with Phade does not count as Restmas.
Zellgato is in fact rather happy with the vague nebulous nature of his/all their fames. He will inform his legal entity that they are doing a good job, and to keep at what they're doing.
Zellgato will argue with HR that that is a vacation for him. but ultimately does back down and heads out on his small trip.His trip, however, will now acquire souviners for those he knows. Albiet they will all recieve things that are nonsenical and shows a lack of really knowing what they do with their hobbies.
Theo gets a bobble head of a waitress from a random truck stop.
Nissa gets a stained glass bird house (He won't admit that it was to live in)
Henri gets a lemoncello liquer and a thermos that has some kids character that seems to run fast.
Unity gets a bonzai plant
LC gets gets a button that when pressed plays this song
Scarlet gets a scarf
Kevin gets several 6 packs from local breweries
Phade a variety of sweets from random places.
Teleporting (man?) gets a shirt that says "They went to XYZ and all I got was this lousy shirt"
If Alt-Greer is still around he'll get a speed dating ticket.
Taruantula gets a "Classics of Horror" movie collection
Pah will get a enamel award that says "Investing in the future" and on the back in barely noticable has a carving that clearly wasn't originally there, that says "Save lives bank smart"
Tony will get a variety of chips.
April gets money, just straight up chunk of money.
Nissa hears the reply. All of it. But she mostly responds to the three words that matter most.
She flies to L.C. and presses her body against her cheek. “I love you too, L.C. That you can still love me after a three year absence, and all you’ve been through… I’m very fortunate.
“I understand you need to sort this out. We can talk about other things for now, just… don’t be afraid to have uncomfortable conversations with me. We both went through a lot I think.”
She flutters back.
“Do you want to talk about it? The hard times. I wasn’t there for you. But I’m here now, if there’s anything you want to say. Need to say. If you need someone to listen and actually care.
“You can just hold me and tell me anything.”
No longer fearing heartbreak, Nissa’s tiny little body looks much more attractive. Stunning. She did say she’s three-quarters goddess, didn’t she? A goddess who loves L.C. and doesn’t judge and fits in the palm of her hand. How can L.C. possibly resist?
Unity have the kind of money that, if given philanthropically, will result in black tie dinners, bannquets, chimera-of-the-year awards, etc. Do they spend it anonymously, or in their public identity, or put the Cloak on and transform their appearance into normal human and resurrect your old identity? In any case, a week would be enough time to start making plans.
Unity are... rather shocked when they find out how much they actually have. They make certain to send a note of thanks to Pah, then (among their other activities) set out to find a financial advisor who is reputable and discreet. They start planning how to best donate portions of it to various conservation and wilderness restoration organizations, look at investing into some companies that research more eco-friendly ways of doing things, and make sure to save a portion as a rainy-day fund.
The more shocking thing to them is the sheer quantity of fan mail they start receiving once news spreads that they've returned. While they've gotten to the point that they actually enjoy their form, it's still hard for them to believe that other people don't look at them as a monster.
Of course, such thinking doesn't prepare them for the actual contents of the fan mail. Finding out how many people like them because of being a monster is... educational. Most of them immediately go into the "never acknowledge" pile, though they note a few that seem more like "finally someone who might understand me". They read these more closely, looking for ones that seem like people who actually feel like outcasts, and pick a few to respond to. Having three heads is something of an advantage here for getting through the mail quickly, once they get three screens properly set up for themself.
Henri does feel the nanites moving around. It's a horrible feeling, like your brain is itchy but you can't scratch.
After a bit, he realizes it is, indeed, a reaction to the presence of the time ship. The nanites are trying to connect. The ship is trying to connect. It's not quite working.
The realization of 1) the cause of the headache and 2) the potential of the direct connection to the ship excites Henri so much that he forgets about the headache.
He changes his Restmas plans - he spends as much time studying the ship as he does studying the nanites. He specifically focuses on what he assumes are protocol mismatches that are preventing them from communicating successfully.
His trip, however, will now acquire souvenirs for those he knows. Albeit they will all receive things that are nonsensical and shows a lack of really knowing what they do with their hobbies.
Theo gets a bobble head of a waitress from a random truck stop.
Theo takes the bobble head gift, and gives a little smile, and wonders to himself.
"Hey. Thank, Zell."
Zellgato issues a thumbs up when he hands over Theo's Bobble. "I've been calling her theodorica...but it doesn't have a name. Fun to talk to though."
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Nissa hears the reply. All of it. But she mostly responds to the three words that matter most.
She flies to L.C. and presses her body against her cheek. “I love you too, L.C. That you can still love me after a three year absence, and all you’ve been through… I’m very fortunate.
“I understand you need to sort this out. We can talk about other things for now, just… don’t be afraid to have uncomfortable conversations with me. We both went through a lot I think.”
She flutters back.
“Do you want to talk about it? The hard times. I wasn’t there for you. But I’m here now, if there’s anything you want to say. Need to say. If you need someone to listen and actually care.
“You can just hold me and tell me anything.”
[dice=Supermodel]d20+17
No longer fearing heartbreak, Nissa’s tiny little body looks much more attractive. Stunning. She did say she’s three-quarters goddess, didn’t she? A goddess who loves L.C. and doesn’t judge and fits in the palm of her hand. How can L.C. possibly resist?
L.C. sits down and puts her hands on her face to hide her tears. She doesn't say anything for a disturbingly long time. When she finally starts talking, she doesn't stop: "I LOOKED for you. We LOOKED everywhere. When we followed your path to Gaia's Prison and there was nothing left ... We KEPT looking. I never let anyone see me give up hope ... but, what was I to hope for? That you survived a dimensional collapse by becoming a goddess? What the f*!!!? So I grieved for you ... grieved for us and everything this could have been, for years. And, now, you're back. The relationship we had, isn't here. We can have something different ... But, I'm the Marshal now ... or am I? I pulled, pushed, prodded, poked, and pestered EVERYONE in power on Tarokh and everyone with powers in TAROT. Looking for you became who I was ... became my job ... And we saved worlds while doing it! But, now, you're back and I don't know who I am anymore."
She stops talking and weeps.
Nissa tries to be strong, not for herself, but for L.C. Of course she has limits. Of course she’s a teary mess. But so is L.C. because the truth came out.
Nissa touches L.C. She is only about as tall as a lady’s finger. She holds her minuscule palm against L.C.’s ring finger. Nissa’s touch is warm.
She doesn’t let go (unless L.C. pulls away. If she does, Nissa doesn’t persist)… she weeps with her girlfriend(?) silently.
After a few minutes or ten, she says, “I’m sorry you grieved. But you understand… I did actually die. My face was raked and ruined. My leg was broken. I was heating up. I couldn’t stop. I don’t know why.. it hurt, but I pretended it didn’t. I pretended there wasn’t any pain. That I wasn’t afraid. I don’t know why—I guess because I couldn’t do it, what I had to, if everyone knew how bad it was. I was a ticking time bomb. If the others took me with them, I still would’ve…”
Her voice is choked by sobs.
“—I was supposed to come back the same day, or the same week at least. Not leave you waiting, wondering, worrying—thinking I was dead and I was! I didn’t choose this, L.C! I’m sorry I put you through this! I’m proud of you and I feel terrible and I want to throw your arms around you BUT I CAN’T!”
She makes an effort to calm herself. For L.C.’s sake, she has to.
“This body is a gift, L.C. My original body is gone. It exploded into burnt pieces. It was erased. I died killing my enemy, and she killed the world.
“I understand this is a shock. I understand this isn’t what you want. But do you understand what The Dawnflower spared me from?
“A soulless death.”
She pauses there. She wants the word ‘soulless’ to linger.
“No Heaven or Nirvana or Valhalla or Space Ghost. No afterlife. Nonexistence.
“I earned these wings through sacrifice, but I owe Her, L.C. Eternal servitude, eternal gratitude—being honest! She was very clear about Her stance on honesty.”
Honest words echo in Nissa’s mind. Nothing profound. A simple thing, really. What any girl might expect from a girlfriend or even a platonic friend in this situation… but her voice falters. And suddenly the tiny ‘goddess’ just feels like a dumb little toy thing.
L.C. stops crying during Nissa's speech and stares at her with both affection and bewilderment. After Nissa finishes, and after a thoughtful pause, she asks, somewhat incredulously, "Eternal servitude? Are you telling me you're becoming a nun?"
If Nissa laughs, she does.
When she answers, she says, "Look, if there's one thing I learned from my parents' relationship, it's that relationships have to be allowed to change and grow. People change, especially when they're healthy. If you try to stop the relationship from changing, even when the people in it do, then the relationship becomes a trap. I've grown. I've become more myself. I don't know what that means for us, as we are different people than who we were, but, I'm willing to find out if you are."
Nissa does laugh at the nun comment.
She becomes more serious when L.C. says ‘my own person.’
“L.C… you were always so much more than My Girlfriend. So much more than the brainy scientist who invented The Bombshell. Now that you mention it, I think we were trapped—not in our relationship though.
“There was always pressure to be professional. We might’ve both thought about ‘what we could have been,’ but we were never going to get there always tiptoeing around our work-vs-personal.
“L.C., maybe what happened to us is a blessing in disguise—like our relationship was tested. A literal test of time, or trial by fire in my case. Maybe we can take our second chance and both do better?” Not wanting to harp on this, in the interest of lowering the pressure, she agrees: “Short answer to your question… yes, I’m willing.”
She makes a sheepish smile, [smaller]“How about I start the getting-to-know-The-New-Each-Other with a bombshell?”[smaller]
She waits a bit, then drops it. “I’m a mom!” She will diffuse any accusations with a, “Asexual. She’s a Nanite swarm—super cute.”
“Oh! It’s so adorable—thank you!” The glass house lights up from the inside from Nissa’s glow. She is aware of the saying about glass houses, and ponders whether there might be a hidden message. But she likes having a little space for privacy regardless!
“I think L.C. and I had an honest conversation that we both really needed to have. I’m very lucky she’s in my life, really. But we don’t have to talk about that.
“How do you want to spend Take Your Daughter Away From Work Day?”
“I think L.C. and I had an honest conversation that we both really needed to have. I’m very lucky she’s in my life, really. But we don’t have to talk about that.
“How do you want to spend Take Your Daughter Away From Work Day?”
Theo Nephus smiles at his tiny daughter, offering his shoulder as a seat.
"Listen. Whatever you are willing talk about, I'd like to listen. We can talk about L.C. or not. That I will leave to you. But it is nice to hear you two have found some kind of resolution.""Well, if possible. I'd like to find a nice quiet place to have some lunch. A place where we can talk freely. Because I feel there is much we need to alert the other to. As our families have at some point merged. There a lot I don't know about your family life, and I would like to get caught up."
Nissa accepts the shoulder ride.
But about lunch— “I don’t eat.
“But you can, of course. I haven’t had a need for food since I obtained my powers. I ate socially, but in this body? It doesn’t really do anything for me. I sometimes get the feeling The Dawnflower weened me off of some mortal pleasures so I’d be ready for this.”
She is much more excited to talk about her family. “My parents adopted me in June of 2198. I was born in July, but the legal stuff was already taken care of. I don’t know my birth mother or why she didn’t want me. Nothing about the father either.
“Phineas and Milesandra van Donk, my adoptive parents, were the only mom and dad I knew. They thought they couldn’t have children, but thought wrong. In 2007, mom was pregnant with Bridgette. A couple years later, there was Hanna, then after three more, Daphne. All blondes! We’d pass for sisters, biologically, except that each was taller than me before she could walk.
“We’ll all get together this week. Dinner. Even though I don’t eat.”
“We’ll all get together this week. Dinner. Even though I don’t eat.”
"I would like that!" Theo smiled. "Now I had a thought concerning your new form. As you are now made mostly of light, my thought was that we pray to Apollo, The God..I mean, A God of Light. If we gain his favor, he might be able to transform your form to a taller one at least, if not possible return to 'flesh-and'blood'. Regardless, I would like to train you in the various methods to worship the Olympain Gods, for communication if nothing else." The Olympian forgot momentarily of Nissa's devotion to Sarenrae.
“Oh, dad…”
Nissa gently informs him, “You get to do all the quality time stuff, but I gotta stick to Mom when it comes to religion. The Dawnflower spoke to me. My bluffing days are over—honesty’s her policy. And I’m Hers, eternally.
“I want this, honestly. Being spared a soulless death is a very big deal, but had the Dawnflower simply asked me to become Her fire, Her light…” Since Nissa did literally just say she’s expected to be honest, the truth comes out. “…I’ll admit, I’d have been tempted to keep my flesh form. My mortal body was relatively normal.
“I think all of my alternates were changed or something too. Hell Kitty was genetically engineered to be a hot catgirl, I guess. And Big Nissa mentioned a different goddess, I believe.”
Not wanted to offend Theo, she says, “It’s nothing against your half brother. This body came with… oath is a strong word. Eternal Servitude is a strong phrase. I get a lot of freedom, but my faith isn’t an open marriage.”
Not wanted to offend Theo, she says, “It’s nothing against your half brother. This body came with… oath is a strong word. Eternal Servitude is a strong phrase. I get a lot of freedom, but my faith isn’t an open marriage.”
"Alright, my little girl", Theo relents. "Let's hope Mt. Olympus sees it your way."
"What would you like to do? I would like to eventually give an interview, talking about our new status as father and daughter. But if you wish that to remain between only trusted parties, I will abide."
“I guess ‘honesty’ doesn’t bar me from keeping secrets. But… I’m proud to be seen as your daughter. I don’t see a reason to hide that, as long as you’re okay that I keep the van Donk name.
“And since the van Donks are my adoptive parents, I think they’d be okay with this.” She considers a moment… “How about we let them be the first to know, outside the team? And maybe spread out the bombshells a little.”
Theo smiles. "I accept all those terms."
Nissa seems to be a little warmer from Theo’s reply. She remains seated on his shoulder.
“Where to, dad?”
"Let's surprise the Van Donks", Theo grinned.
Henri tracks down Zellgato. "This drink you found - what exactly is it? I find it very interesting."
Nissa floats a foot or so in front of Theo and raises her hand. An autocab passes by.
She raises her hand higher. Another passes.
She raises both hands and waves them frantically. Two autocabs pass.
She then delicately lifts the hem of her sundress and bends her leg flirtatiously. Apparently the mother of a robot daughter is no better at seducing a robo-cab than any other woman. “I, uh, saw that in a movie.”
Eventually an autocab pulls up probably because it noticed Theo.
Fortunately for Nissa, her fashionista friend, Addison Lane prepped the van Donks. There is definitely a shock. It’s definitely awkward. Fortunately, Daphne is a ten year old girl.
“Are you a tooth fairy now?”
It takes Nissa three minutes to convince her sister she is not. “Bridge, Hanna, Daphne, Mom, Dad, this is my colleague Theo, and I also have been calling him Dad because he is technically my biological father!”
Dad says to Nissa, “Then you might not want to say ‘please pass the salt, Dad.”
“She doesn’t eat, Phin,” says Mom.
The three girls say “Pleased to meet you” all at once and out of synch.
Unity chuckle at Zellgato's gift. "We appreciate it, Zellgato," they say, "Though we'll have to make sure someone will water it if we end up accidentally disappearing for a couple years again."
------------------------------------
Unity get out to the farm while they're waiting for debriefs (they don't want to take their longer trip to the wilderness until after that). They spend a bit just... standing in the grass, breathing in the scents and spreading their wings and tail out. After a few minutes they close their wings and trot towards the farmhouse. They wonder if Scarlet will want to talk.
------------------------------------
Unity notice Nissa in the halls at Boston Theoretical one afternoon. "Nissa! It feels like we haven't had a moment after..." They wave a paw in the air. "...yeah, everything. Just..."
"...Well, we wondered if you might want to talk. Seeing as we're the only other member of the group who has some shared experience in changing bodies, you see," they say with a lopsided grin.
Nissa hovers up to eye-level with Fox Unity.
“Okay.”
Her sunspot eyes blink twice.
“Haha, I… don’t quite know how to start,” she admits.
Kevin issues a new security alert, prompted by one of Zellgato's many lessons on security protocol.
From now on, when the heroes communicate on comms, they should use code names, other than names like 'Bombshell' that are publicly known.
He's suggested, "TAROT 1", "TAROT 2", "TAROT 3", etc. but is open to your ideas for code names.
Harvard, MA
Fortunately for Nissa, her fashionista friend, Addison Lane prepped the van Donks. There is definitely a shock. It’s definitely awkward. Fortunately, Daphne is a ten year old girl.
“Are you a tooth fairy now?”
It takes Nissa three minutes to convince her sister she is not. “Bridge, Hanna, Daphne, Mom, Dad, this is my colleague Theo, and I also have been calling him Dad because he is technically my biological father!”
Dad says to Nissa, “Then you might not want to say ‘please pass the salt, Dad.”
“She doesn’t eat, Phin,” says Mom.
The three girls say “Pleased to meet you” all at once and out of synch.
"Hello, everyone", Theo speaks in a calming voice. "I think we should sit down and explain."
Once everyone was comfortable, The Olympian began his tale. "Our team had gone to confront a interdimensional threat that had all but conquered an alternate Earth. It had cloaked itself in environmental buzzwords and early Greek religious iconography. After our team breached the dimensional barrier and entered the rashaka's mansion, both Nissa and I experienced the most dangerous fight of our lives. Our team fought for our lives, but eventually ended the Gaia imposter. During the fight, Nissa had undergone a terminal supernova. With the destruction of this Gaia, the dimension we were in was deteriorating at a quick pace. Nissa could not move, so I picked her up in my hands as she slowly burned them away with her supernova effect. We barely escaped, but ultimately Nissa expired just as we passed the dimensional horizon. As we fell, battered, broken, and burned; Nissa wasn't in my hands anymore. I cried out over the our new desolate environment, but she was gone."
Theo looked to Nissa to help complete her side of the story after her 'death'.
Nissa cringes a little. “Three is a magic number, but number two is poop. How about that Alpha-Bravo alphabet, only we don’t pick the first letter of our name. Just take whichever. Like, N is November, B is Bravo, and they work for Nissa/Bombshell… but I think TAROT Foxtrot is cute even though there’s no F in my name.
“Unity probably should not pick TAROT Charlie,” she suggests if the others like this codename system.
The van Donks are all horrified and teary-eyed. Apparently the family friend hadn’t explained the part where Nissa actually died.
Milesandra consoles the two younger girls. Bridgette is going through a Don’t Touch Me phase, but Nissa lets her hold her and that seems to help a bit.
Phineas does not want to be the less manly dad, even though Theo has huge muscles and Phineas looks exactly like one would expect a middle-aged man named Phineas to look.
He manlily ignores the single tear rolling down his cheek with a tight lipped expression that suggests he’d punch that tear in the face if he could without punching his own face.
Then he clears his throat baritonily. Twice because he isn’t sure what to say, and is stalling. “You tried to carry her out, and… well, first thank you for that…”
It’s obvious Mr. van Donk is bewildered. Nissa certainly isn’t going to mention the throw. She is glad Theo did that because, she tells her adoptive dad:
“Terminal Supernova means my powers were out of control. I was literally a bomb. Theo’s hands were badly burned from trying to save me… I still recall how charred they were after my rebirth.” She pats Bridgette’s palm. “I was reborn in his hand.”
She flies over to the center of the table, lighting the candles at the centerpiece with her touch. She then sits on an overturned tea cup, one leg crossed over the other.
Milesandra studies her daughter. “Thank you for, um, giving birth to… I mean… umm…” She doesn’t know what she means.
Hanna says, “You can fly now.”
Daphne asks, ”Couldn’t you do that before?”
Bridgette asks, “Since you’re like a newborn, will you grow taller?”
The younger sisters both speak at once, “OhBut she’sI socan cutehold likeher thisnow!!” Hanna and Daphne then say to each other, “SheShe waswas alwaysalways easya tocute carrysupermodel..”
Nissa seems to have a handle on her sisters. The parents are visibly calmed by the girls’ giddiness gradually overtaking the solemnity.
Milesandra finally knows what to say to Theo, “You obviously did everything you could to protect our daughter. It seems you were in an impossible situation, and that she’s here like this…” She stares at her daughter, like a woman who had overcome her belief in fairies as a girl, and now realizes she was right the first time! “…it’s a miracle. I don’t understand it. I don’t think I should. It might be easier to just accept her. She’s obviously happy.”
Phineas gives Theo a serious look. “It’s hard for us to let go. Nissa was never ours biologically, and we didn’t actually meet her birth mother. We were never given information on her, not for lack of trying. Nissa calling you Dad, with the whole… rebirth? I think this is, well? It seems you’re both embracing this in a healthy way, so… you both have my blessing.”
“Phin?” The Mrs. practically elbows her husband’s rib. “He isn’t marrying our daughter, he’s parenting her.”
“Well, I know, but it’s a biological fact. And he nearly got himself killed trying to protect her. He’s got all the Dad instincts and the superpower to back it up. As far as replacements go, we could do a lot worse.”
Milesandra’s eyes widen at the word ‘replacements.’ Replacements-plural. “Wait. Theo. If you birthed her, from your… hand? Then, well, there isn’t a new Mom?”
“He’s obviously both.”
Milesandra elbows her husband’s ribs again. “Please. You don’t have to be a biochemist to notice Nissa has traits that you lack. There is a second parent. Did a fairy lay eggs in your hand, and you were burned… so…?”
Phineas says rather proudly, “Millie is a biochemist in fact. But while science doesn’t seem to explain this, she’s right, isn’t she? There’s a… biological mother too?”
Nissa is chatting away with her sisters so it seems the van Donk parents are expecting Theo to answer this.
"Phineas. You are Nissa's Father", Theo began. "You raised her, and loved her like just as much as your other children. I am not here to take that away."
The Olympian took a moment to gather his thoughts. "How I 'birthed' Nissa, is essentially Sarenrae used me as a biological reference point for when Nissa left this reality. Nissa used her connection with The Wand, a powerful interdimensional device used to traverse other worlds, which was last in my hands as I carried Nissa over the dimensional horizon. So my hand became the last reference point on Nissa's journey."
Theo holds up his hand. "Those of you not familiar with the Legend of my Exalted sister, Athena: Athena was born from Zeus's brow, Zeus's head, where the brain is, thus making Athena The Goddess of Wisdom. That's what I thought of immediately as my palm was quickly being consumed by a golden ball, which was Nissa's womb. Nissa will say she's a quarter-godling because of this. Now. Since Athena was born of Zeus's mind, and Nissa was born of my hand, which I use to help protect, wield weapons, and lift using my strength, I think these traits will manifest in Nissa before too long. She may eventually return to a more normal person of flesh-and-blood, and have access to a list of new abilities."
"Van Donks, I not here to take Nissa away from you. But I am committed to keeping Nissa in my life, which means I want to be a part of your experience. Phineas, we're just co-Dads. Two men who love our daughter and want her to be happy and thrive."
Phineas shifts uncomfortably at the word co-dad. Milesandra says “Hot.” Then to Daphne, “Uh careful—your sister is fire—hot?”
Daphne holds Nissa and smiles warmly, obviously not in danger of being burned. Hanna moans, “I wanna hold her.”
Finally Phineas replies, “I think this is a fine arrangement, Theo. If she’s a quarter goddess, you’ll need to help her with that.”
Milesandra ponders, “But if her mother is fully a goddess…”
Bridgette chimes in, “Wait, you weren’t kidding? Lying around naked on a beach was like church?”
Phineas spits out his coffee.
Bridge asks, “Mom? Can I go to church with my sister when I turn 16?”
Nissa says, “18!”
Her mother says,
Her father asks, “How long has the Church of Sarenrae held nude services?”
Her mother bemoans, “All those Sunday dresses I bought you. I know they were from the toddler section but that’s all they had in your size.”
Daphne caresses Nissa’s sundress. “Where’d you get a dress your size? It’s so pretty and warm!”
Phineas turns to Theo. “Do Olympians have naked church? Not judging. Just… well, she was 18.”
“16,” Nissa admits. “But it was a private beach. It was part worship, part not getting tan lines.”
“Ooooooooh,” all of her sisters sound off at once.
Finally, a waiter shows up. He has a handlebar moustache and an equally inauthentic French accent. “Bone evening? I am Pee-air, your gar-sone? I will be taking your order, miss-yours and ma-damn and mad-ah-maux-zells? Shall we start with lay drinks? And perhaps oon appeti-zairs or duh?” The waiter’s name tag says ‘Peter.’