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Percy sighed into the bag of peas about the entire scenario, here he was actually a little excited to try ripping a hole in the fabric of reality oh well.
"Yeah, don't think going during any other events is a good idea... Connie I really.. really hope you know what you're doing dealing with fey. I know I don't have to explain how supremely dumb that is."
He looks at SG and shakes his head, "I'm not sure i've got a sexy anything, I could probably cast a glamour over you to just make you look like an impossibly tall and imposing figure though. Like Beastmode or something." He pulls the bag away and scratches at his neck, "i'm not even sure I'll go to the Halloween dance thing, I mean.. not like i've got a date or anything. But we can have one, non-super powered night yeah?"
Before max leaves he looks to her and speaks up, "Might also be able to arrange a 'private' meeting with your 'sisters' so that we all get in without all the hoops. I dunno."
“I was wondering, ummm… can you help me shop? I normally have access to my spending money wired to Love Bug, The—which is being repaired—and I can’t ask Connie because I want to surprise her.
“I can pay you back when the Bug is back. I don’t actually spend my money, so I should have enough to pay back with interest.” Femtite gives a big grin.
"...Okay, Fem? Take this as a compliment. You know far more about women's fashion than I do," Shin tells her. "If there's anyone who would know what to do, I'd go with Max instead. Considering her...well, her wardrobe, she would probably know best."
He pauses. "That is, if this is what you're shopping for. Sorry, I shouldn't have assumed. What are you shopping for?"
With a rather mischievous expression, Femtite wills her clothing to become pinkish-purplish ribbons around her body, which glows extremely brightly until clothed. She does this more than once, each time dressing differently:
• an amethyst toned version of the Halcyon Prep uniform
• a Wonder-Womanny armor skirt
• a Princess-Peachy gown
• her running outfit with short shorts
• a little nightshirt with a cartoony sleeping Jigglypuff on it
• DD’s outfit, but hot pink
• the usual sweater vest ensemble
“I don’t need to buy clothes, Horizon. Just some items at the supermarket. And is there a candlestickery? I normally don’t need candles because I am fire.”
"Okay, so you just need groceries?" Horizon asks. "That's easy enough to do. But...do you know how to cook at all?" He asked her, doubtful that she might understand the nuances of cuisine. "And we can probably pick up some candles at the grocery store as well. This is...a date thing, right?"
"I can cook for you two..." Caio offers. "... not that it would score things even, but I'm really sorry about Love Bug."
"But in this case I'll be the one helping you with the groceries... buying the right ingredients is not something trivial."
Femtite’s amethyst eyes grow wide with trepidation. “CoOoOoK?!?
“Waaaaa, what was I thinking? I can’t just feed Connie strawberries and chocolate. She needs a balanced meal, and not the items she shovels into her backpack from the cafeteria. Love Bug, The can display recipes and I can use my powers to cook. And light candles and melt chocolate… and in my head it’s a date thing, but this is gonna be a catastrophe, isn’t it?”
While whining a lot, it occurs to her that Caio is there. “Even… no, not even… this more than makes up for it!” Fem throws her arms around Caio, and is very giddy as she says, “Haha, I wasn’t actually mad. I texted you so, but anyway, yeah… I’d really love that.
“I don’t really eat human food, but will try a sample from Connie’s plate.”
"I think I've lost my phone..." He says as she hugs him. It was a pretty good hug, aside from the extra heat, so he enjoyed while it lasted. He needed one, even if he had not realized that. "But good to know you are not mad."
"So... we have a lot to do, but don't worry for it is not that complicated. If this is a special date, we just need to figure out how to make it you. In the end, even if everything goes terribly wrong, which will not you'll find out that it will be memorable and special nevertheless." He explains, trying to comfort her and prevent from worrying too much.
"Do you already have an occasion, date, or place in mind?"
"Sounds like Caio has this well in hand - just remember, salt, fat, acid, heat. Don't forget any of those and you'll have a decent meal on your hand," He tells Femtite, nodding to Caio and then going to intercept Conflux before she could reconnect with Femtite. Mostly because he wanted to give them time to discuss in private, but also...
"So I talked with sensei today at tea. We discussed...what you and I discussed yesterday. She helped me correct some flaws in my understanding. And I wanted to apologize for running away like that. And maybe asking a question I shouldn't have." He says to her, quietly - though it's likely anyone curious enough could listen to their conversation if they were interested enough. "She advised me to listen and learn, so that's what I plan to do. I figure you're probably the best one to ask about this stuff, for...well, the fact I feel comfortable talking with you about it."
Femtite shrugs, “Mmmm, not really. I was just going to get some chocolate, strawberries, candles, and when she came in the room, I was gonna use my powers to melt the chocolate and light the candles.
“I usually heat up some tea or prepare a surprise like an outfit that makes her laugh.“—Femtite changes her sweater vest to a t-shirt that has a cartoon beaver under the caption, EAGER—”whenever she goes on the roof to meet you guys or something. I was doing that before we were a couple, but last night I was still sleeping and I had a really fun idea too. I even put a playlist together.” She seems mildly annoyed by this, but is mostly in good spirits.
She gives Horizon a friendly wave as he takes off.
”Caio, if tonight’s too short a notice, it can be tomorrow or another night. The special occasion?” Femtite closes her eyes and thinks… ”My first time eating a human meal.
“That would be special. Something soft… and rich in enzymes. Mushrooms, eggs, bananas I think… only a tenth of what Connie eats—I’m not as human as I lool. But… if you’re going through the trouble, I’ll eat from my own plate.”
"Hey, there is absolutely nothing wrong with your original idea. If this moment is special for you two, then you don't need anything fancy." He explains. "Less is more sometimes."
"For chocolate and strawberries we don't need much preparation at all. We could do it tonight with no problems."
Fem agrees. “A simple plan it is, then—with lots of candles!
“Can you tex… oh, no you can’t because you don’t have a phone either.” She sees Steel Guardian. Nope. Then turns to Percy and asks him, “Can you text Connie and tell her I’ll be home in an hour?”
Connie cocked her head and stared at Max's butt.
"Is that an 'I'm lying' wiggle? Of your tail I mean, I wasn't looking at your butt very much. Cause uh, you recognize that what you did is like... Nearly the polar opposite of careful, right? And that there's like, almost definitionally no safe way for a trans gal with literal demon horns to publicly date Praetoria, which means there's absolutely no safe way for you to be in an affair with her? Even if Tiv knows and is cool with it?? I feel like that's not clear."
”I know. I KNOW! Okay?” Max snaps, clearly agitated now. ”I told you that I understand. You don’t need to keep hammering the same point over and over!”
She turns and nearly face-plants as her heel slips out from under her, but she recovers quickly. ”I’m going back to my dorm room now. I’ll talk to you later.” She wobbles away down the corridor.
***
Once back at the dorm room, Max sighs and leans against the wall for a few moments, willing herself to calm down. Eventually, the anger and annoyance fades. She experiments with the dress, seeing how many different variations of outfits she is able to change it into. She tries for her costume and her casual outfits as well. Once she’s done, she tries to take it off the traditional way, hoping it’s not a cursed dress that cannot be removed once donned!
"Yeah, but what you said is that you'd be careful going forward, Connie shouted as Max walked away.
"That went well. Also, my points that even in a world where Tiv wasn't in the picture things still wouldn't be safe were not repeated. Whatever, I have to be at least a little helpful..."
Nailed it.
***
"... I didn't hear a question in there. Also, you running away with BSOD eyes is objectively funny, so no need to apologize either."
"Cool. So, now that I've stopped freaking out so much on the subject, can you point me to some books or other media to help me understand?" Shin asks Connie. "Not asking to be tossed into the deep end, but I find the best way to learn about new perspectives is to read from their point of view."
He rubs his wrist gently as he looks down at her. "I mean, I'll meet someone like that eventually, so I should make sure I don't come off an insensitive and uneducated Luddite. Plus, it has the added benefit of distracting me from the fear this plan is going to end up with me in Hell again," He half jokes. "Whatever comes, I'm grateful you're on the team."
Connie shrugged and rolled her eyes. "Eh, Luddites are just a symptom of moving too fast without stretching first... But uh, why would you think anything that colors as much of the human experience as gender would be as simple as a single point of view?
"Tell you what. I'll give you one to start with that's very digestible if nothing else. There's this old show called How I Met Your Mother. Go ahead and watch it, but I'll tell you one thing that'll help you get the point the first time you watch it: Robin is trans. There are like 200 episodes, so that should keep you busy for a while. For bonus credit, try to notice every time the show is casually transphobic. Do not do this as a drinking game.
"Until then, if it comes up, be respectful, think very hard about it before asking any questions that would be rude to ask someone cis cisgender:transgender as heterosexual:homosexual, and don't assume that you're right and they're wrong if it's on a topic where you haven't done the reading, even if it's something that seems obvious to you. But uh, Shin? There are about as many trans folk as there are redheads. If you haven't noticed the trans people in your life, you probably just haven't noticed the trans people in your life.
"Which reminds me, since I forgot to shout it after you on the roof. I don't out queer people of any stripe unless they've told me otherwise. I do a lot of of 'hypothetically' and talk past things or whatever in the rest of my life, but if you ever tell me anything, you can expect the same privacy I'd give anyone else who told me things, or who I found out things about."
So if you're angling for any intel on Max to 'better understand' her, you're s%&% outta luck.
Femtite thanks Caio and says, “If you still want to cook for us one evening, I really would enjoy that.
“Just don’t do it because you feel you owe me. You can cook for friends.”
Femtite has her table set up. There are strawberries in plates, a gravy boat with hot chocolate, scented candles. And there are two tea cups, and a choice of fruit and flower teas.
When the door opens, the room is dark. The curtains are drawn.
A single candle is lit by a tiny spark, and at the first step across the threshold, the candle burns brighter. Two adjacent candles light, then two more and four more.
The dark chocolates in the gravy boat remain solid. The water in the cups is still likely room temperature. No steam is rising. There is one chair centered at the place setting.
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"So, on the how to do it... chocolate burns easily, specially if the heat is too high, and when it is burnt, it tastes awful. To make it easier for it to melt, you need to break it into pieces, ok?" He then points to the milk and the cream. "Along with the chocolate, put a bit of milk and cream, equal parts... not only will this make it easier to melt the chocolate, but will make it creamier and also keep it in a better consistence when it cools down enough for Connie to eat."
"You don't want more heat than that of a boiling water. For the strawberries, wash them before cutting it, so it doesn't absorb water, and also do not warm it... and that it is!"
"I will be my pleasure to cook to you, or even the whole team. I like cooking, but I don't get many opportunities of doing so, and I hate to cook just for myself... also because I hate to do the dishes, and my personal rule is that if you cook, you don't do the dishes." He jokes, wishing Fems luck in her special date.
Femtite thanks Caio for both the shopping and the tips. She will heed his advice on the chocolate, which means I need to pour the milk as soon as I hear her unlocking the door!
“I look forward to sampling your cooking, Caio, whenever you decide to cook for us!” With a light laugh, she offers, “I can clean the dishes on that evening.”
Max spends some time trying to get the dress to cooperate. Any time she tries to will it to change to something casual or modest, it doesn't respond. But it almost eagerly shifts into something racy, sexy or scandalous. The hue is also always some shade of red, but it can range from a dark burgundy to a bright fire engine red.
The dress doesn't exactly cooperate when she tries to replicate her superhero costume. It generates a close approximation, but inevitably it's a skimpier affair.
When she's done experimenting, the dress comes off to Max's relief. However, when she wakes the next morning she finds that she's wearing a very sex nightie!
Classes resume on Monday. Rumors swirl about the incident on Saturday. Most popular theories amongst the students are that Conway was some sort of supervillain that was doing some kind of reality warping with his dolls, requiring Imagerie and Whippoorwill to come to the school and take him down. The fact that he's no longer a student there makes the rumors a little more vicious, including versions where Conway was hauled off to the super-max prison the Chamber by the Alliance.
Caio's reveal that he was a werewolf in front of the TV cameras on Friday spread through the school over the weekend, along with Max's displays of power during the Deathcap battle. While Max still gets plenty of attention, good and bad, now Caio is experiencing much the same. Several students do come up and fist-bump him or compliment him on looking badass in the fight. However, he can identify the sweat of fear on some people forced to sit next to him or when the realize it's him when standing too close.
The class again was held at Unity Station. This time, Ordnance appeared, looking similar in bulk to Steel Guardian but with sleeker lines and subtly glowing circuitry beneath the massive armored plates that protect his frame.
"Greetings, students. I am Ordnance. I am here to provide instruction on teamwork.
"Being a member of a team is a great privilege, and a large responsibility. When you are part of a team, you are not alone. You can rely on your teammates, and do things that you could not accomplish alone. But you must also be there for them, and support them. I have lived on this planet for sixteen of its years, and now proudly call it my home. My kind is not known for forming social groups, so it was a new and fascinating experience to be part of a team. Perhaps some of you are experiencing this revelation as well?"
"Which reminds me, since I forgot to shout it after you on the roof. I don't out queer people of any stripe unless they've told me otherwise. I do a lot of of 'hypothetically' and talk past things or whatever in the rest of my life, but if you ever tell me anything, you can expect the same privacy I'd give anyone else who told me things, or who I found out things about."
"That I understand. Same way we should be treating secret identities," Shin says. "Thanks again. Hope that I can do you proud on this. Though I've never watched a... an episodic show before? It does sound interesting though."
He glances back at Caio and Femtite. "I'll look it up. In the meantime, I got to prep for this week...and finish the history reading for class tomorrow. And update Whippoorwill, of course."
"I've been on a team before," Horizon comments, "So I understand the social dynamic a little better. It can be tough, especially when our perspectives on things clash. But part of being on a team is learning and understanding those you work with on a new level. I've gotten good feedback from everyone so far, and it's helped me understand them and the world better."
During the day, Femtite comes to Conway’s defense, visibly upset. “None of you understood him, he was… different, but had such a good heart. None of what happened was his fault. He is a friend I will never forget, and always forgive if he no longer thinks me a friend.”
As for Ciao, Femtite takes a gentler approach defending him, careful to do so around attractive upperclassman girls. “Caio is sensitive and knows his way around the kitchen. All supers are dangerous if they cannot control their powers.”
* * *
At the meeting, Femtite adorkably raises her hand and replies, “Yes! The social life on Earth is so new and different and beautiful and confusing to me! I LOVE IT!”
Connie's eyes widened as she saw the spread, and she started walking softly towards it, not quite on her tiptoes.
Man, I'm glad Max bailed. And that Shin didn't really have anything to say besides 'I'm not phobic! I'm not phobic!' Help me be not phobic but it's so ConfuuUUUuuusing!
"Femms?"
How on earth did he manage to date a queer psychic in This Year of Our Lord without even glancing off this stuff?
"Hey Femms, you're uh, not supposed to leave open flames unattended, and I'm not sure even we can defeat the RA..."
"And if this isn't you, then I'm about to be murdered by a very romantic serial killer, so uh, points for the surprise either way."
She took her seat after quickly checking to make sure she wouldn't be sitting on Femms, and looked around once more. "Is there, uh, a hide and seek round before eating? 'Cause... well we've both got advantages. I'll have a very hard time proving I found you though."
***
Connie also goes out of her way to refute the rumors about Conway. She doesn't so much come to his defense as slap down misinformation whenever she hears it.
"Nope."
"That's a rumor, a fake one."
"Yes he had the dolls; no he wasn't a super villain."
"Conway didn't hurt anyone."
"What? No he didn't have 'crazy voodoo dolls' of his classmates! 'Cause I saw his f#%!ing collection!! Besides, he was the one who got hurt by a villain, no other connection."
***
"Yeah. It's definitely a whole new? level of people being in your business."
At the table, there is a plain red card in the shape of a heart in front of the plate, and there is a small fork left of the plate and a spoon in the right.
Both fork and spoon are on a napkin. Each napkin is dog-eared, revealing curves drawn (with lipstick, or maybe a red sharpie) in the upper left of each napkin.
The left napkin has something like a butt-shape or a partly-exposed McDonald’s M.
The right napkin has an arc that might make a circle or egg-shape, or who-knows-what?
”Seduce doesn't necessarily mean sex.”
~ the smartest person in the room
P.S.- Unfold a napkin!
==============================
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Messy
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Clean
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"Oh this is a whole-ass scavenger hunt..."
She opened the card and gave a slightly alarmed smile. "Gotta stop just saying what I'm thinking..."
Reaching towards the loopy-marked napkin, she muttered, "Left is always right."
A spark jumps from the center candle and into the gravy boat full of chocolate chunks.
Femtite grows to Tyg’s size, with a dress the size and shape of a rose. It is backless, with a reddish leaf-like top that barely covers Fem’s breasts.
She is otherwise bare and seated on the chocolate chunks as if on a throne. But the throne will not last. It is already melting from her body heat.
“Welcome home, Connie. I thought you might enjoy a snack.”
Shin stays largely out of the discussions about Conway. His priorities seem to be skewed in a different direction. On his free period he checks out the library and looks up some additional guides on gender and sexuality, flipping through them and starting to fill out his notepad as he discovers some new bit of data. He's not trying to hide his research from others in the library, should they be interested in what he's reading.
Outside of the library, Shin is still going to class, participating as well as he can, but once again struggles in history class. It was his bane and one black mark to all of his classes so far.
After he's finished with classes except for superheroing, he takes a moment to contact Whippoorwill and update her on what's been happening.
"...So in conclusion, Caio wants to help the Mongrels, Max wants to meet her 'sisters' at the Gates of Hell night club, and I'm this close to needing remedial classes for history over the winter break," Horizon tells his mentor on the way to Unity Station. "I also need to apparently watch something called How I Met Your Mother, whatever that is."
Connie's jaw dropped for a moment before she put her face in her hands, though with fingers spread enough to peek through.
"Oh I'm in trouble-trouble."
"Femms? If you keep sitting there your dress is gonna get all- Yep. Got it. Got it."
Cautiously she moved one hand over to a strawberry, picking it up tentatively "Could I sneak a peek at tonight's script? I seem to have missed rehearsal and the only improv I've thought of would probably definitely burn my tongue?"
With the three nights of full moon gone, Caio feels much more like himself. He is pleased to discover he forget his phone home instead of losing it, but as he was closing this drawer, he notices his knife is missing.
Caio (to everyone): Any of you guys entered my room while I was gone? Can't find a knife that I'm positive was in my drawer.
School was a mess. He knew it was not gonna be easy, since he was also among the "monstrous and dangerous", alongside Max. He kept to himself during classes, being as much polite as he could. He'd not blame others for fearing him, since they were actually right in doing so, but he'd not give them any more reasons than necessary.
His acute hearing was specially detrimental this day, since he'd hear many whispers about himself. He almost chuckled when he heard Fems selling him as "husband-material", even if he was curious about how her words would be received... he wasn't hopeful though.
After school, Caio went straight for Union Station to further study his wards, as well as try to wrap his mind around genetics. He was fully aware he'd need Chiros help, but he wasn't feeling meeting the Mongrels yet... they have hidden much of the story from him and Janice's insistence in meeting with the Wolf troubled him. He got some ideas, but nothing major.
Caio remains silent for now, though he gives Shin a puzzled look when he mentions that he had received positive feedback from everyone.
Ordnance inclines his robotic head at the comments. "My challenge is to help you find new and exciting interactions with your powers. And to be willing to let others come to your assistance without ego."
Ordnance sets up a practice session using some of the robotic drones from before, though modified to have specific counters to the go-to powers of each team member. Each drone has a cacophonic sound blaster that disrupts Indarius's concentration, as well as light-and-heat-absorbing panels that shrug off Femtite's abilities, and so on, though they can only cycle through them one at a time. "You should not be able to defeat these drones individually," the alien techno-shapeshifter explains, "so your only solution is to continually trade off opponents. Get focused on one, then you will not be able to help your teammates."
Whippoorwill listens attentively, asking questions here and there for points of clarification, but otherwise letting Horizon talk.
She stays silent for a while as she considers his report. "Alright. Lowest priority first: I don't know what show you're talking about, but I don't really watch TV, so I almost never know. But watching a movie or television show can create a shared experience with others, so I won't say not to watch it. Just... be mindful of your time and other commitments.
"As for your history grade... Shin, I think you might be acting like, since you were born before these events happened, that you should instinctively know them. You wouldn't. You're in no different position than any of your other classmates, since they didn't live through the events either."
She draws in a breath, getting ready to forge ahead into the tougher topics. "The Mongrels are in no way lightweights, but they're manageable. You might remember, the Alliance tasked the Sentinels with dealing with them until it turned out they were working with the Chosen. They're inconsistent. They don't know what they want. Do they want a cure? Do they want to lash out and make other hybrids? Depends on the day.
"I know very little about magic. I was initially under the impression that Caio was just a werewolf. But if he can also craft the runes that's supposedly keeping the wolf in check... You should confirm with him. How realistic is a cure, does he think? Honest appraisal. It's good that you pressed him about his own motives. Well done."
Whippoorwill pauses and pinches her brow as she thinks. "All right. I don't suppose you got where the Mongrels are lairing? Didn't think so. Besides, betrayal's not ever going to get someone to turn over a new leaf. I'm willing to take a 'wait and see' approach, but be mindful. Remember, that as much as the Mongrels want a cure, they'll be equally happy devolving all of us into animals if it comes to it."
The next topic was Max and her "sisters" and the nightclub. Whippoorwill says softly, "Tell her that you appreciate bringing this to our attention when she did. It's smart to not trust solely in one's self -- friends and allies can sometimes be a burden but that should never be a reason not to place faith in them."
After more thought, she adds, "Magic is not really within our wheelhouse. We'll make some inquiries, but even if this were rumors off the street, I'd want you to stick close to Max. The demons want her for a reason, and until we find that out, we need to make sure we're not handing her over.
"Caio will be our point of contact on the Mongrels but I'll keep tabs on his progress developing his wards. I may ask Conflux to help him with the project. Make sure that they work properly."
He gets quieter about Max's problem. "I'm worried. The Praetorian and Ultra-Star monument close to a new club that's figuratively the Gates of Hell, and literally a demon hangout? It smells like a trap. I'm prepping all I can this week to try and have countermeasures for demons ready when we go in."
What was the specific counter to Horizon's power? Obviously, something that was resistant to energy blasts, reflecting them away. Normally. He'd supplement this weakness with all the new tech he had on hand, but seeing the others he figured it would do to hand off his opponent to someone else.
"Wolf, trade with me!" He calls out to Caio, maneuvering closer to the Bull. He figures that he can deal with the one physically resistant to claws and beastly strength! He keeps a close eye on Max as well, ready to help out the other physical brawler of the group.
I’ll show ‘em I’m a team player, Femtite tells herself.
Aaaaand she shines so brightly she appears to be the center of her own universe.
She grins at Connie’s question. “Sneak a peek?” She taps a finger on the rosepetal skirt, and the petal in the center dissipates. The rest of the skirt splits falling to the outer side of each thigh. The magical-girled outfit seems to be coming undone. Fem’s bellybutton is exposed as her dress opens.
Her pelvis remains submerged a quarter inch under chocolate. No peek has been snuck… just a tease.
“I didn’t plan past getting you to choose a napkin. The tea cup on right has dish soap. If you picked ‘clean,’ I’d have taken a bubble bath.
“You can drink from the other cup. I have fruit tea and flower tea to choose from.”
She says this, but while the floral tea has choices of chamomile, lavender, chrysanthemum and rosepetal, there is only one flavor of fruit tea:
Peach.
As Connie picks a strawberry, Femtite says, “Don’t forget to dip.” She opens her legs to make room for the strawberry.
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Percy didn't have anything else to say at the meeting but texted Connie as per Fem's request, Lighting Thief: Hey Fems said she'd be home a little late tonight, dunno why.
Monday, back to normal aside from the general question of who kicked who's ass when Percy showed up to his first class with a fat lip. "It's fine, didn't get into a fight with anyone. Just tripped real bad while I was out." Seeing that the others were still getting their fair share of the lime light he sat back and let it happen. Now that two of them were getting it, the heat should be spread out more evenly. Aside from those two and the talk about Conway which he stayed far out of on account that he didn't really know the guy himself.
There were the starting talks about the big dance coming up and people were already starting to pair with others. He'd be fine if he didn't go with anyone, but highschool had a way of making things unbearably uncomfortable for those who didn't go. Almost to the point where it would have been easier to just go with someone even if he had no inclination of actually dating them. At least that way it'd get his fellow bookworms off his back about if he was gonna go or just sit in the dorms and be a weirdo.
Begrudgingly he tried to find someone who was likewise singled out during lunch that day hoping to strike up some sort of mutual pact just so things didn't seem so damn awkward. Praying that he could at least make a few attempts before it was too late and he was truly outcast among his peers. Hopefully another hopeless wallflower like himself.
Indarius arrived much more skeptically than he had the day before, like a cat ready to spring at the drop of a pin needle.
"Uh yeah, it's been an interesting experience to say the least, learning how to work alongside and around everyone. Really has me focusing more on weaving my spells around people in a defensive manner, which has been good practice."
During the team exercise proper Indarius finds himself straining to keep his concentration while the machines blasted high-pitched noise at him. 'Guh these are awful, keep focused don't blow anyone up'
He waits until the machine shifts from blasting noise to being highly resistant to physical blows. Raising his staff and book he called a small storm cloud to strike the robot. Trying to time it in tandem with Caio's assault. "Horizon, i'll strike one it'll reflect the magic probably, you can absorb the energy to bolster yourself!"
Max grimaces when she wakes up wearing the nightie. Try as she might, she can't seem to get rid of the red dress now that it has bonded to her. At least she manages to change it into a set of lacy red underwear so she can wear normal clothes over them to school. (Though she blushes furiously when she feels the garments moving beneath.)
When Caio asks about the knife, Max responds that she has it and will return it after training on Monday.
***
Max fights well alongside her teammates, helping to battle the drones and switching off when required.
"Caio will be our point of contact on the Mongrels but I'll keep tabs on his progress developing his wards. I may ask Conflux to help him with the project. Make sure that they work properly."
He gets quieter about Max's problem. "I'm worried. The Praetorian and Ultra-Star monument close to a new club that's figuratively the Gates of Hell, and literally a demon hangout? It smells like a trap. I'm prepping all I can this week to try and have countermeasures for demons ready when we go in."
Whippoorwill nods grimly. "Fairies, demons, werewolves... lots of magical creatures popping up all of a sudden. This is more than a trend, I think. This is some kind of major shift in the threats Halcyon is facing."
Her eyes focus hard on Horizon. "Your team's going to be at the center of it, I believe. I'm going to see what other magical assets are out there, get them on either the Heralds or with the Alliance. But in the meantime, you're the most magic-based group on our side. I need you to do what it takes to keep them on our side. Part of me wants you to keep Max away from these 'sisters' of hers. But if she doesn't go to them, they'll most likely go to her, and that could be at a worse time. You'll have to decide -- you pick the time, but on their turf; or vice-versa."
While knowing that the robots would adapt to be able to defend themselves against his claws, Caio does his part in fighting them, waiting for the moment for the switch.
As Horizon makes the call, Caio swiftly charges the other robot, easily overcoming its defenses and inactivating it.
Steel Guardian had remained quiet as usual, but seemed to have a solid grasp on the task at hand. They had waited for Max to engage one and prime it’s defenses while they had gotten their own adjusted to the barrage of firepower before wheeling around past Diva and saying ”Switch!”
As the pair traded off, the drones quickly became dispatched. Steel Guardian turns and gives Diva a nod of approval.
Connie's not averse to grabbing the spotlight when she feels she has to, but this is training. Rather than go for any kills, she ducks behind her teammates, covering people as they switch and calling out whenever the bots adapt slower or more quickly than expected.
***
"Sorry, sorry. I know you're serious. I know you're... serious." Connie closed her eyes and intoned a quick mantra. "You're serious and this is incredibly sexy, and I just made certain I'm not dreaming, but uh... You get how absolutely wild this is, right?" A slight tinge of hysteria chased around the edges of her voice.
"Sorry, sorry. I just... when something's too good to be true... well you know the rest. And if you're being given an apple as a reward, you should check it for razor blades and... Sorry. I don't really know how to- Sorry."
She pinched the bridge of her nose, hard, took a deep breath, and her eyes were nearly popping out of their sockets again.
"Lemme try again. I did take the card where it's okay for me not to get this perfectly, right?"
She picked the strawberry back up by the cleanest spot she could [smaller]though a little chocolate got on her fingers anyways, and dipped it right between Femms's legs. She returned the berry to her own lips and quickly ate it in two sharp bites, even swallowing the top. She put her finger between her lips to wet the tip and reached back out to Femmms with a smirk.
"I think you've got a little bit on you there, if you don't mind me getting it off..."
The chocolate is very warm when Connie dips her fingers in. When she dips the strawberry Femtite gasps—aura pinkens—eyes widen—Yes, I know how wild this is—now! “Oh, the little bumps, haha, that was…” She struggles for the right adjective, struggles for control, watches Connie’s lips and craves them—don’t you dare burn her! Control is easier at a smaller size, Fem thinks—
—she hopes—
—she demands!
Her pink aura momentarily flickers yellow and pink, then settles on peach.
Do I mind? No. Use your words…
“I don’t mind, Connie…”
Her dress is only barely covering her breasts anyway at this point, so Fem wills it away. The chocolate covering her dress smoothly melts onto her skin.
“Connie… you can hold me, touch me, kiss me, anywhere and everywhere…”
Whether Connie picks Femtite up or simply caresses her with her fingertip, she’ll find her warm to the touch, and the chocolate is especially hot at the inner thighs and up. But not dangerously…
(…yet.)
Classes continue as usual, though there again is a prayer vigil/protest outside the school walls thanks to a particularly vicious sermon by Reverend Reibold on his program. Along with the rumors surrounding Conway and the usual gossip, there is talk about some parents pulling their students from the school.
At lunch, Shin learns that one of the students that may be pulled is Ne'veah.
==================
Max gets a trip downtown to the business offices of Taylor International to meet with Angela Taylor for some PR work.
She has a team present some costume ideas, as well as lining up a photo shoot and fluff interview for Halcyon Haute Teen magazine. She and her team also can set up and guide Devil Diva's social media presence.
"It's all about image," Angel says. "We play up how you're just a normal girl. Let them see you, the 'real' you -- with some image coaching, of course. What's your dorm room like? -- Nevermind, we'll get a team out to give it a makeover. I'm thinking lots of pastels -- complimenting your skin tone -- some stuffed animals... then mess it up a little. Can't look to staged, after all. We'll get you posting on your feeds daily. Are you a coffee drinker? Learn. Find a blend you like, pump it with flavored sugar of some kind. Anything but black."
==================
The volleyball team has an away game at Halcyon North High School, against the Hornets. However, Shin gets called to patrol with Whippoorwill.
Max spins around as SG wheels the other way, the two moving in uncanny synchronization. As the drone falls, Max laughs! "Ha! Nice job, Metallo!" She offers a high-five to her armored teammate.
***
Just a normal girl. I can think of two things wrong with that statement.
"Um, well, stuffed animals aren't really my thing... Yes, I like coffee... Is that important? This... This is a lot more than I was expecting!"
Angel gives Max an incredulous stare. "A lot more? My dear, there is currently a smear campaign against you right now. The superhero thing is good, but it's generally violent. Even though you're 'doing good,'" she says with air quotes, "you're giving them fodder that you're dangerous. So, we show the world a little slice-of-life. Who you are as a person. We want the audience to relate to you. Coffee is great because it's popular and allows you to express yourself in the way you like it. It's also an easy first topic for your Infini-gram videos. Of which, you'll be making plenty."
Sorry, can't make the game tonight. Give them hell! Shin texts to Grace as he heads out to meet Whippoorwill on patrol. It's a normal arrangement for them and he's satisfied with helping her. Though he also expresses a new concern to her about the protests.
"...friend of mine is looking to get pulled out of school. This Reverend Reibold jerk keeps fanning the flames on DD. I think Wolf revealing himself just added more fuel to his sermons. It's honestly screwed up how one man can make so much trouble." He tells her while they perch over a building, watching the streets below.
|
|
Percy hums to himself after another fruitless day of looking for someone to go to the dance with. Max was gone, who knows about Connie so far, and Caio was probably doing his own thing. So he took to his room to avoid the protest outside as well as take a break from his rampage across the cities tea shops. He flipped through his text books scribbling down 'something' for his homework generally being a bit absent minded about it all.
Glancing towards the window the taps of his pencil became more pronounced, he needed something to do other than this. He pulled out his phone and lobbed Connie a text.
Lightning Thief: Hey I know you'd probably want to give me anything but this, but do you happen to have Quincy's number I might try to get ahold of him before our meeting. Also is it just me or were the drones the other day way more, piercing than usual?
Max grimaces, but she nods to Angel. "Okay, I guess you're right. Uh, I guess I'll have a caramel mocha latte..."
Looks like I'm an Infini-Girl now!
Lightning Thief: Hey I know you'd probably want to give me anything but this, but do you happen to have Quincy's number I might try to get ahold of him before our meeting. Also is it just me or were the drones the other day way more, piercing than usual?
Connie: I don't know if he's changed his number
Connie: Sometimes we were supposed to do that
Connie: Is it important? You're deflecting so it's important or it's actually unimportant
Connie: And I'm scary so...
Connie: Duck it. Just tell me it's important and you can have it
Connie: But also, apropos of nothing, you should practice really easy almost automatic spells for basic disabling tactics, even if they're not foolproof.
***
You'll just make things worse, you'll just make things worse, you'll just make things worse...
Connie avoided the protests.
***
With a flash of her eyes, she twisted the strawberry to face Femms away from her and began to nibble at her back. "Good thing we've got more chocolate though, 'cause I'm pretty sure the napkin promised I'd get messy too."
She shrugged off her surplus jacket, but left her shorts and croptop on. Thank god I've got a good laundry charm...
Reminded by Percy about the whole ball thing, Caio spends the day paying attention to conversations, expanding his senses... while this could be seen as "cheating" in the whole "look for a pair game", he thought it was OK due to his current conditions.
It was not an easy job... the girl would need to not be afraid of him, to not be calling him (or Max) monsters, not have already a date, not being an a+~*@&#, and, hopefully, pretty...
Much like yesterday, Caio left for Unity Station, though he got distracted and forgot about the protesters in front of school... one he realized his mistake, some of them had already notice him. Taking a deep breath, he puts his hands on his pockets and moves forward, not wanting to look menacing, but also not showing fear...
Femtite is proud to wear her school uniform, and she has developed a preference for the dark-navy blazer with plaid, but is wearing the off-white blazer with dark-navy skirt today, just to mix things up.
She of course looks for excuses to be around Connie throughout the day. Sad as she is about Conway no longer being at the nerd table, she expects Caio and Percy will sit with her and Connie during lunch. She doesn’t bring up Caio’s offer to cook at the table, but does blurt, “Thanks for helping me pick out strawberries the other day.”
She then gives Connie a warm but mischievous smile.
“Connie… I never… wow… your lips…” Femtite gives up on the prospect of completing a sentence. Connie can feel the strawberry cooking inside, and there is an aroma of burnt chocolate and hot strawberry jam.
Femtite’s face and hands feel very warm, the strawberry is hot, but not too hot to handle… Femtite’s aura is intensely hot pink.
Control… control… don’t burn up and ruin everything!
Her tiny size, her power over her fiery state, and to an extent, her experience kissing Connie before… all of these help her keep from exploding as Connie smothers her in kisses.
“Main course, dessert, whatever I am… could be a flambé at any… don’t stop, Connie! Tell me what…” She rolls onto her back, legs wrapped around the half-baked strawberry. “You can keep kissing me if it makes you happy, or I can… anything you ask… this big world! Is it okay I stay small? I think I can… like this… without burning…!”
Max grimaces, but she nods to Angel. "Okay, I guess you're right. Uh, I guess I'll have a caramel mocha latte..."
Looks like I'm an Infini-Girl now!
Angel snaps her fingers, and in short order an assistant arrives with the drink. The winged woman then puts a phone in Max's hand. "Let's see what we've got to work with. You're not actually going to be recording, but pretend like you are. Hold up the phone, take a sip, tell us -- and specifically your audience -- what you like about it. Tell us... oh, how the drink makes you feel like the girl you were before this whole transformation. Show us how strong you are; how this isn't going to change who you are, inside." She smiles with a "go ahead" gesture as she sits down and studies the performance.
====================
The vigil outside stays behind the cordoning ropes that were set up over the weekend to make sure the students weren't accosted as they entered the grounds. Though a few people shout about the Beast being the enemy and that demons and their pets shouldn't be in school, once Caio is inside they fall quiet.
Caio finds Skyler sitting cross-legged on one of the big planters near the entrance eating popcorn. "Hey," she says as he passes her by. She keeps her eyes trained on the entrance and protesters.