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.
Whippoorwill grimaces. "It's not just one man," she says bitterly, "but it's an infuriating part of our world. And it being couched in religion just makes it messier -- I never want to interfere with people's sincerely-held beliefs, but I'll run this by the rest of the Alliance. Since in a twisted way, they're not wrong about Max -- or at least the forces behind her transformation. She could be pushed the wrong way, and if its these zealots who do it I doubt they'll see the hypocrisy."
The usual nightly patrols generally run through sections of Old Town and the Kane Waterfront. This time, however, Whippoorwill takes a detour. Horizon recognizes the block when she lands on a ledge over looking a tall pair of statues illuminated by powerful spotlights from the ground. She taps the side of her mask and studies the nightclub next door. "I've been trying to figure out who the owner is. It sprung up practically overnight, and it's become very popular of late. Stranger things have happened in Halcyon, but I don't like it. Hmm. Oh. Hmmm."
Horizon can see a line of people waiting to enter the club. Most of the hopefuls are forced to wait for a long time, though occasionally a well-dressed individual with a lady or three on his arms would get out of an expensive vehicle and get waved on through. Whippoorwill appears to be recognizing some of the patrons and jotting down names on her wrist computer.
After about ten minutes, Whippoorwill gives Horizon a nod and she takes off, resuming the regular patrol.
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Having his identity revealed also had some ups, since now he could order the whole amount of food he'd need without people finding it suspicious. Behind his pile of food, Caio notices Fems smile towards Connie.
"Your welcome, Fems." Then turning to Connie, he asked about the strawberries. "Did you like them, Connie? Were they juicy and creamy enough?"
"Hey Skyler." He answers, stopping to look at her and then back to the protesters. Caio had never really talked to her before and he was terrible at small talk. "Are they causing you trouble as well? I've heard some guys are leaving school because of... us actually... Are you one of them?"
Skyler grabs another handful of popcorn. "Are you crazy? This is the best entertainment I've had in a year!" She shovels the corn into her mouth and crunches loudly. "Your auras are like the Fourth of July!"
"You'd think those protesters at the school would want to come here and rally against all of extravagant displays of wealth," Shin comments as he watches. "This corrupts kids more than hanging with DD. Possibly literally if it's run by demons,"
As they fly out of there, he thinks about how best they can get in the door - looks like they would need help after all from someone he'd rather not deal with at all.
After they finish the patrol, and after he checks in with Grace to see how the game went, he texts someone he hasn't spoken to in nearly two months.
Hey Prae. Can we talk?
Caio frowns at her comment. Yes, the protesters were stupid and gullible, blinded by faith, but that certainly wasn't fun, not to those being hunted not to the students whose parents decided to pull them out.
"Mine? I was sure mine was black or red, furry, with... Claws?" He was genuinely surprised by her statement.
Skyler shakes her head while rolling her eyes. "No, it doesn't work like that. I don't see what you can do, I see your aura. Like, what you care about. What can get you hot and bothered."
She nods her head in the direction of the protesters. "Some of them are true believers, while some of them think it's going to get them somewhere they want to be. Some of the people coming through the gates believe their signs, and some want to pretend they believe even though they don't.
"It's fun."
Caio shrugs and chuckles at her description of the protesters. "In other words, regular church people, with the difference you know which is which."
"How much can you actually see from someone? Emotions, intent, if they are good or bad...?"
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.
Max holds the phone up at an awkward angle. She sips the coffee and looks into the camera. ”Mmm. This caramel mocha latte is so sweet and warm. It, uh, it makes me feel like the... the girl I was before my transformation. I may look scary on the outside, but I’m still the same down-to-earth person I’ve always been. So let them say what they will about me. As long as I’ve got my coffee, I’m content.”
She looks at Angel. ”How was that?”
***
As promised, Max produces the dagger to return to Caio. ”Hey. What is this thing, anyway? I’ve never seen it before, and you’ve never mentioned it.”
Caio takes a piece of fabric and protects the knife with care before putting it inside his pocket. "My grandfather gave it to me a couple years ago."
"Back then I had some sort of panic attack... I think you might remember when I've told you my parents where thinking about divorce? They were not actually." He tells, kind of apologizing for the lie, since back then Max was really there for him. "The true reason that was keeping from sleeping was the fear I had of losing control and kill everyone around me... I needed a way to make sure that, if that would happen, I'd have a way to stop it."
"The inscription means 'We love you. We understand. Peace and Mercy'." He shrugs. "I know this sounds bad, but this helped me a lot. It still does sometimes."
"Laugh it up, Budderball." Connie flipped Caio a bandaged bird. "Also, find some new strawberries, 'cause 'creamy' isn't how they should taste. Unless you add cream, which I feel clearly isn't the thought, even though obviously they go great with cream. And yes they were amazing.
"So, I heard you were hoping to find someone to go to the Monster Ball with, and clearly I owe you one. Aiming for someone to look good dancing with, or possibly thinking into November?"
"Ah," Max lowers her eyes when Caio finishes his explanation. "I'm sorry that I took it from your room. We were all worried when you disappeared, and I thought either Percy or Connie might be able to use the knife to try to track you. I'm glad nothing bad happened to you while you were away, Caio. I know things are... weird between us now, but you know you can still tell me anything without judgment, right? I'm always going to have your back."
“I, too, have been kinda spreading the word you’re a nice boy who knows his was around the kitchen.” Femtite gives a semi-guilty smile. ”Not that you need the assistance… but with those rumors going around, I think it’s good for contrarians to be loud and proud.
“Is it my fault I was loudest and proudest in the presence of beautiful juniors and seniors? Mostly the ones who look good in glasses and are in the AP courses with me—and I think one of them accepts that subatomic unstructures are real! Still working on the teacher. Earthling science is so cute!”
* * *
“Uhh… wha—?
* * *
Later, in bad, Femtite is fairy-sized and hugging Connie’s finger. One that isn’t bandaged.
”I’m so sorry, Connie,” she whimpers. “I didn’t expect the strawberry to just… burst like that.”
"I know I can, Max, but it is not like we want to share everything with each other now, right?" He says, putting his hand on the door. "Good night Max."
Caio laughs, happy. "When I said 'creamy' I was thinking about the chocolate as well... which appears it was also amazing." He points to her hand.
"I think we have passed the 'owing each other' part." He doesn't need to think to answer Connie. "Both?" He jokes. "Certainly thinking about the future. I don't have to prove anything to anyone, so I don't care for a trophy date... 'one nights' are not my thing at all."
"Thanks Fems... yeah, this whole 'monster-thing' is messed-up, even if not without a reason. I honestly can't blame them for being afraid."
Angel's eye twitches, but she otherwise controls her expression. "Dear, you're not advertising for Lovelace Coffees. You're giving people a glimpse into your life. Just relax and be yourself. Like this:"
She fluffs her hair and takes out her own phone. Smiling brightly and taking on a sing-song voice, she says into it, "Heeey, Diva fans! DeeDee here, with another update! So, a lot of you may want to know what gets me going in the morning or whenever I need a caffeine fix. This is my go-to, caramel mocha latte! Before my change, I would--"
Angel's eyes go wide as she cuts herself off and turns to an assistant standing by. "I just had a thought -- body positivity! Work up some scripts on taking ownership of your body and not letting society define who you are!" The assistant nods while frantically taking notes.
The winged woman turns back to Max. "Hmm. We need to decide, do we post any 'before' pictures? How pretty were you before? Are any of them out there already, on old Infini-gram sites? We need to control that."
===================
Skyler shakes her head. "It's not that refined. It's the shifts that are really interesting and tell me more about a person. Like, their auras can change when they get challenged with a new idea. Some snap right back, others stay changed. Doesn't mean they're bad or good."
|
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.
Percy watches as a few texts come in, all before he can respond he tries typing several times only for another to pop up and change how he needed to address things.
Lightning Thief: I'm not deflecting Connie, just weary of giving him my number outside of being a super. Course we can blame Caio for giving up Max and I's names, guessing it was some sort of thing from the mirror dimension we had to pass through.Lightning Thief: I want to build a good rapport with him, maybe it'll ease things between everyone when I go to see about Dr. Infinity's things this weekend. Also Caio wants to maybe join in his game, I think he really found it fun. Might even be a good way for him to burn off some of that frenzy, ya know let loose a little.
Lightning Thief: As for the drones yeah I guess I should try to work on some short-hand stuff.
Setting the phone to the side for a bit he pulled out another notebook and started working on exactly that, magical shorthand for tense situations. I should probably go out soon and do some more proactive asking around for the dance... uuugh.
"Yeah, good night," Max says, her expression pained as her friend turns his back on her.
***
"No!" Max says quickly. She grimaces. "Um, okay. If we're going to make this big social media push, then there's something you need to know. The truth might get out sooner or later, so it's probably best that I tell you now so we can get ahead of things and have a plan in place. Not that I want a lot of people to know this, as it definitely makes things more complicated. But, um... Before my change, I was, um... I wasn't a girl. I was a guy."
Angel's breath catches and the assistant drops her stylus at the revelation. The PR agent shifts in her chair as her mind works. "Okay," she begins slowly. "I'm sorry. This changes -- wait, cis-het, I presume?
"All right, this changes everything. Well, not everything, but everything I was going for. Sorry for my... presumption, since that clearly made you uncomfortable." She falls silent for a few minutes as she thinks some more.
Finally, she shakes her head. "I'm going to need more time with this. We can still make this work, we're just going to have to take a less gendered focus -- not going to be easy, but we'll figure it out. In the meantime, try and decide what sort of things you'll be comfortable with -- you're obviously presenting as female now, and keeping that fact secret -- so, things like photo shoots, makeup endorsements, clothing designs, stuff like that. You don't have to answer me now. Just think about it."
"Not that bad then... I think? Figured you'd be discovering stuff about people that you'd rather not know at all, specially those close to you." He wonders. "I get to hear a lot more than I'd like."
"Do you mind telling me how my aura looks like?"
Max nods. "Yeah, okay. Thank you. I just think it's... easier, if the world doesn't know. It's enough for people to see me as a demon without knowing the extra bit. And, uh, I haven't told Kayla yet, so please don't tell her. I will soon, but I want her to hear it from me first."
Angel arches an eyebrow, but then gives Max a smile. "Understood. We keep the secrets of some of the greatest super heroes on the planet. You'll be safe with us."
====================
Skyler's mouth twists. "Brown, with gray highlights. Just kidding. There's not really a color to the auras. It's more like a smell. Except it's not. It's like, there aren't the right words in the English language to describe them. Besides, I don't think I'd be telling you anything you didn't already know. Or show that I'm clued into your life any more than just being observant would tell me."
My dude, the deflection was when you went from 'happen to have' straight to a safer drone-y topic...
Lightning Thief: I want to build a good rapport with him, maybe it'll ease things between everyone when I go to see about Dr. Infinity's things this weekend. Also Caio wants to maybe join in his game, I think he really found it fun. Might even be a good way for him to burn off some of that frenzy, ya know let loose a little.
Lightning Thief: As for the drones yeah I guess I should try to work on some short-hand stuff.
Connie: Yeah no part of that was you saying "this is important"
Connie: Which makes me Really want to default to "no of course I'm not giving you his number"
Connie: Especially since you're worried about him having it, and hadn't gotten to "then I should get a burner or anonymize my number"
Connie: I don't think that was enough emphasis
Connie: ahem:
***
"Okay, just making sure you're fishing before throwing chum in the water." Without changing her expression at all, Connie threw a full glass of water all over Caio's shirt.
"Oops."
***
She gave Femms a gentle squeeze.
"Could you actually get big though? I want to give you cute nose and cheek nuzzle-style comfort kisses and that works better when we're the same order of magnitude."
One corner of her mouth quirked up into a smile. "And then if you wanted to spoon me while we fell asleep... well who would I be to say no. I feel really safe with you."
School had little to report. During third period, a giant robotic squid attacked the waterfront, but it was handled by the Heralds before any general emergency was called.
Entropitus the Devourer was repelled by the Alliance just after lunch time.
=================
During lunch, Jade comes up to Connie. "Hey, so after CL practice tonight a bunch of us girls are heading to the VR park. I thought it'd be something that you'd maybe be into, or whatever. What do you think?"
=================
The prayer vigil hasn't grown, but it hasn't shrunk, either.
=================
The volleyball team has another practice, but is planning on a pizza party afterwards as a send-off for Ne'veah who is being pulled out of Halcyon Prep.
Max goes about her school day as usual. The protests and prayer vigils have become just a part of the background scenery by this point, and she barely notices them as she skillfully navigates the usual crowd of admirers and detractors.
She has begun to hang out with Kayla and her friends during the school lunch period. After gathering her courage for the past few days, Max pulls Kayla aside for a quiet conversation before the next class.
"Hey. So, I've got to confess. Before things go any further, with... with us, or my new social media campaign that Angel's working on, you need to know something about me. You know I was a normal teenager before my transformation. But what I hadn't told you is that, back then, I was a normal teenage boy. Not a girl, but a boy. So... I've had a lot to adjust to, as you can imagine. I hope this doesn't change what you think about me."
Shin skips the lunch period that day in order to catch up on his history studies. He is distracted by the numerous plates that he's been spinning for a while now, wondering which one was going to fall first if he didn't keep up with it. He hoped that he could do something to help, but magic was just not in his toolbox.
Maybe it was something he could learn?
---
Later, Shin will show up for Ne'veah's send-off party, with a quick cake that he'd baked after school. He's gone with a strawberry cake with pink frosting, figuring it would go over well. He wished that he'd been able to get the icing done better though.
Kayla balks at the revelation. ”Well…that…is something,” she replies. ”That may…make things a bit awkward. But,” she smiles comfortingly, ”It doesn’t bother me any. I’ve heard of and seen stranger things.”
"WHAT!?" He asks, caught by surprise and then looking at himself, the T-shirt now tight against his chest. "I get I deserved that... is this you helping?"
"I think you are giving me too much credit about I really know about myself." He jokes as he is about to leave her to her thoughts and popcorn.
"Hey Skyler... couple questions. Are you going to that Halloween Ball? If yes, are you going with someone already? If no..." He tries to give her his best smile. "...would you like to go with me?" He musters as much confidence as possible, just to realize it would matter not if she could see his aura.
"If you don't mind joining the circus..." He adds, pointing to the protesters.
Max smiles with relief. "Heh, that's a weight off of my shoulders. Thanks for being understanding." She fights the urge to throw her arms around Kayla, conscious of prying eyes about.
After comfort-kissing, Fem happily cuddles closely with Connie.
"Helping? My motives are rarely so simple, but who can say." She grabs a bottled water that she'd added to this dining-hall-swipe for later and twists off the cap, giving him half a beat to dodge if he really wants to. "Your shirt will probably dry better if you go wring it out in the sun though. Won't have the same effect if Femms keeps heat-raying it. Honest."
She slides a tube of particularly glisten-y sunscreen out of a pocket, and leaves it on the table as an invitation.
***
A Carrie-esque montage of potential humiliation speedruns through Connie's head, but before she could think up an excuse she found herself saying, "Really? Sure that sounds fun!" What? "I'll see you all there, but I haven't been before - anything I need to bring?" Or not bring? Or not say? Dial it back weirdo.
***
Connie: Hey DD, just wanted to check. Do you want me to mess with the dingbats out front?
Connie: I can do it in a way that doesn't implicate you
Connie: (Probably)
Connie: (Like, really actually probably, I just can't see the future)
Connie: Just saying.
DDs: Read
DD: Nah. Don't give them any more ammunition. Just ignore them like I'm doing. I appreciate the offer, though.
Caio sighs, not really believing Connie's plan, but he plays along, being hit again by the water. He doesn't take the sunscreen though. "That would be too pushing..." He then gets up, cursing. "Damn! This is not my lucky day..."
Once outside, he removes his shirt to let it dry, sitting and picking up his phone. His attention is solely focused on the potential candidates he tries to overhear. He feels like a jerk though.
|
|
Lightning Thief: I want to build a good rapport with him, maybe it'll ease things between everyone when I go to see about Dr. Infinity's things this weekend. Also Caio wants to maybe join in his game, I think he really found it fun. Might even be a good way for him to burn off some of that frenzy, ya know let loose a little.
Lightning Thief: As for the drones yeah I guess I should try to work on some short-hand stuff.
Connie: Yeah no part of that was you saying "this is important"
Connie: Which makes me Really want to default to "no of course I'm not giving you his number"
Connie: Especially since you're worried about him having it, and hadn't gotten to "then I should get a burner or anonymize my number"
Connie: I don't think that was enough emphasis
Connie: ahem:
Percy looked at his phone as it buzzed again, setting his pencil aside and taking it up to read Connie's replies.
LT: I mean you know him better, seems a good call to leave to you.LT: Lemme think it over some more I shouldn't have jumped on this so quick I guess... It's not exactly important i guess.
LT: You and Fems going to the dance together I take it? Feel like it'd be weird if I just don't go.. right?
Putting the phone down for a minute he thought maybe he should ask someone from the superhero class. No way would one of the athletes go with him, maybe one of the clubs. It was then the realization dawned on him, he hadn't actually looked into the clubs since the start of the semester.
"I know this is something that isn't exactly to your taste, Femms, but just as a learning experience for how the masc-attracted half lives: Shirtless muscly boys with good tats, who are maybe a liiittle bit shaggy are Very Good. Especially when wet."
She peeks over at Caio's progress and then sighs with her eyes to the heavens. "That boy just does not take instructions though. Wringing your shirt out is a very good way of showing off your arms. Reading your phone is not."
***
Lightning Thief: Lemme think it over some more I shouldn't have jumped on this so quick I guess... It's not exactly important i guess.
Lightning Thief: You and Fems going to the dance together I take it? Feel like it'd be weird if I just don't go.. right?
Connie: Weird for you to skip out on a fun time without me explicitly dragging you along?
Connie: You should come
Connie: Not least because I expect to be sitcomming my way between two dances set in different realities, and I'll feel better about doing so if I know where you are
Connie: The above message will self destruct in 3...2...1...
Connie: If you're nervous about dancing, I have actually already prototyped shoes for that.
|
|
Lightning Thief: Lemme think it over some more I shouldn't have jumped on this so quick I guess... It's not exactly important i guess.
Lightning Thief: You and Fems going to the dance together I take it? Feel like it'd be weird if I just don't go.. right?
Connie: Weird for you to skip out on a fun time without me explicitly dragging you along?
Connie: You should come
Connie: Not least because I expect to be sitcomming my way between two dances set in different realities, and I'll feel better about doing so if I know where you are
Connie: The above message will self destruct in 3...2...1...
Connie: If you're nervous about dancing, I have actually already prototyped shoes for that.
LT: It's not the dancing that i'm worried about, i just... I dunno. Not sure anyone wants to go with me.
LT: And some shit that is better to talk about in person and not over text, never know who's spooky arch-nemesis might be watching.LT: But in all seriousness, yeah idk who i'd even ask. Been sort of wracking my brain since Monday.
LT: You wanna go do some stuff tonight? Since Fems and you started rooming together we haven't really had a chance to hang out.
Femtite has an oh-I-get-it expression as Connie explains her intent of re-wetting the dried shirt. This is followed by a nope-I-don’t as Connie comments on shirtless Caio looking bored on his phone.
“Oh no, Connie. Even if his manly pectorals did the trick for me, he looks like he his shopping for a new shirt and is dissatisfied with the selection he has browsed thus far.”
* * *
After school, Femtite heads over to the museum. She tells Mel about Connie as she picks up her Bug.
LT: But in all seriousness, yeah idk who i'd even ask. Been sort of wracking my brain since Monday.
LT: You wanna go do some stuff tonight? Since Fems and you started rooming together we haven't really had a chance to hang out.
Connie: Just ask someone as a friend then. That way you can push for the upgrade if you're feeling it, or just have a good time and maybe strike some sparks elsewhere.
Connie: Upgrade's a shitty way of putting that.
Connie: 's/upgrade/vibe shift/g' previous.text
Connie: As long as you mean tonight-tonight then yeah! I've got a date with some kind of lasers/holograms before then, but I'm happy to sleep-is-for-the-weak it with you
Listening to comments while he's drying off, he does catch a few whispers of admiration by some of the female classmates.
Skyler puts her chin in her hand and looks at him while blowing a pink bang out of her eye. "Interesting way you asked that."
Her head tilts slightly and her brow furrows in brief concentration, before she smiles. "Okay. Sure. You and me, going to the dance together. You got a costume in mind? Since I'd hate for mine to clash with yours."
=========================
"Nothing! Just yourself!" Jade answers. "Cool! We're all heading over there at six. You got a ride? Or a 'mystical' way of getting there?" she giggles. "I can drive you if you'll meet us by the gym parking lot at ten 'till."
"Sorry I haven't been able to get you the big intro to Kayla. I figured you'd rather do it some time after school, but it's not easy catching her. She's been really busy with Tiv, jetting off to Paris and all."
She turns and looks Connie up and down. "So, your powers are what, exactly?"
"Powers?" Connie took a quick look down at the significantly shrunken storage of that evening's outfit. Couldn't have brought the surplus jacket or the cargo pants. Nope, you haaaad to go with the skinny jeans and leather tanktop. Eh, not like she actually asked for a specific demonstration. "Uh, basically I'm a wizard? Magic wards, wands, hocus pocus, all that goodness? I do a lot with enchanting different items. Like, this top was in Bad shape when I got it, vintage to the extreme, but I'd whipped up a little charm to help regrow and restore clothes, so I was able to get back to brand new, and an exact fit. Since I don't do the whole costume thing it's nice not to have to worry too much about a favorite outfit getting slimed or burned..." or jammed...
"But uh, battle stuff too. Not just tailoring and laundry. And no worries about Kayla, I'm sure we'll connect soon."
"Cool," Jade says. "So, that bubble wand was like, a real magic wand? Huh."
They finally reach the VR park and meet up with the rest of the varsity cheer squad. Jade introduces Connie to the group. "This is Pru, that's Sanvi, and then Shanika, Gini, Chae-Won, Ashleigh, and Uma. Alexis and Kennedy can't make it." An assortment of young men also appear, apparently the boyfriends of several of the cheerleaders.
"Anyway, guys, this is Connie! She's super cool, and I invited her along." The squad members all say hey and are generally welcoming as everyone files into the establishment.
The VR park has several large rooms with various obstacles, ramps, and shelters that the VR overlays into apocalyptic wastelands, fantasy realms, or industrial parks. The group banter for a while over which kind of session they want to choose, with the boys going for the zombie apocalypse while the girls leaning towards the fairy realm.
The girls eventually relent, and soon the whole group is helmeted-up and standing in a run-down city with the sound of zombies groaning in the distance.
"So Connie," Jade begins as checks out a virtual shotgun in her hands, "that glowing girl you're always hanging out with, Femtite? Do you think she'd like to learn some cheer routines with us? We can't use her in competitions, of course, but she'd really make some of our showcase presentations wild."
Shin: Hey Connie, trying to put some anti-demon tech together for Friday. Could use your help on that. Free anytime Thursday?
Shin: Hey Max, working on potential demon weaknesses. Would like your input on anything that you've found yourself having a physical reaction to that might be used against the sisters. Get back when you can okay?
Shin: Hey Fem, been thinking that we might have a battle combo we can use in the field. We can practice tomorrow afternoon at Unity Station if you can make it.
Shin: Hey SG, I've been thinking about upgrades for Clocktower and want your help with the configuration. Any chance you're free tomorrow?
Shin: Hey Percival, checking in with you. Anything new with that game guy?
Shin: Hey Caio, how is your project going? Anything I can help with?
Anyone together at night will note they get these texts barely a minute apart, as if he composed them all at once before sending them off at the same time.
F#++! The helmet was heavy, and cramped, and she couldn't see everyone else- Yes you can. They're not just gonna take off their helmets to hide where they are, so they are where their avatar is. Just allow for a bit of fuzziness and you won't get run over **or** walk into any walls. Your chains and dangly things are clipped to your pants; Jade didn't sound like she was kidding when she introduced you. You'll be fine. You just can't see.
"Yeah?" Connie tried and failed to reboot her brain with a slideshow of Femms in cheerleading outfits ranging from retro pep squad to Dallas Cowboys. "Umm I could definitely ask, and she'd obviously be good at it. Even if not though, I could probably set you up with some fun special effects, if you wanted. I'd have to be there if they were really complicated, but there's plenty of things I can just set up for other people to use."
Oh thank god. Zombies are coming. Plus, if she's hoping Femms will help out the squad, then I can stop worrying about the other shoe and if she's gonna step on me with it.
Femtite flies out of the museum, leaves her Bug in hover mode, and starts to text Connie.
Someday, Earthlings will know I always pull over to text. What a role model I am!
☀️: HI-hiiiiiiii!!
☀️: I got my Love Bug, The back. If you need a ride, just send an address link or whatever.
☀️: I’ll be doing homework.
She decides to do her homework while pulled over. After ten minutes, she’s done.
“Waaaaaahhh, I gotta get a hobbyyyyyy…” Or a friend of my own who isn’t overtaken by a life-ruining wooden boy.
Connie’s an Earth girl who needs her Earth friends. Even Mommy doesn’t spend every waking moment with all twenty-two of her current harem girls.
With some degree of resolve, she turns in her assignment, rises from her seat, and shrinks the Bug to hair-clip-size.
Jogging’s a hobby!
She magical-girls on some cute shorts and an ab-tacular tank top. She runs… almost a mile. “Oh, this is taking
She flies home.
* * *
HORIZON: Hey Fem, been thinking that we might have a battle combo we can use in the field. We can practice tomorrow afternoon at Unity Station if you can make it.
☀️: HI-hiiiiiiii!! I was just out on a run, sorta!
☀️: Lemme check my schedule.
☀️: I’m free!
Caio smiles once Skyler accepts his invitation, probably causing his aura to shift a bit, and staying happy. "Awesome!"
"I have not thought so far yet..." He confesses when asked about his costume. "I know for sure it will not be werewolf. This is my first time going to a ball so... I'm a bit lost. What will your costume be? I could pick something that would go well with yours."
Once more sitting with Fems and Connie (and Percy?), he appears happier. "Invited Skyler to go with me, so thanks for your help anyway."
Before returning to class, he sends Max a message.
Caio: Game night is up?
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LT: But in all seriousness, yeah idk who i'd even ask. Been sort of wracking my brain since Monday.
LT: You wanna go do some stuff tonight? Since Fems and you started rooming together we haven't really had a chance to hang out.
Connie: Just ask someone as a friend then. That way you can push for the upgrade if you're feeling it, or just have a good time and maybe strike some sparks elsewhere.
Connie: Upgrade's a s+&~ty way of putting that.
Connie: 's/upgrade/vibe shift/g' previous.text
Connie: As long as you mean tonight-tonight then yeah! I've got a date with some kind of lasers/holograms before then, but I'm happy to sleep-is-for-the-weak it with you
LT: You know me, I'm not exactly the most popular guy in school, but i'll see what I can do. And yeah upgrade is a weird way to put that...
LT: I meant tonight, but if you're busy with something else I guess we can push it off again. If you want I can even grab you a drink or something to shake off the zombification.He sat back in his chair and let out a groan before writing out a small ward meant to protect him from being tracked, and then another for being possessed or astrally yoinked.
Shin: Hey Percival, checking in with you. Anything new with that game guy?
Percy: Ooof sounds weird when you use my full name, that's limited to things like when my parents are yelling at me, or grandma.
Before heading to class, Max asks Kayla. ”So, are you going to the Halloween Ball with anybody? Cause if not, I’d like to ask you to go with me.”
Kayla rolls her eyes. ”Can’t. Tiv’s being lame about it. I tried to talk him into it. How cool he’d look walking in with both of us. But he’s a bit…traditional. And Angel doesn’t wanna rock the boat with either of our PR work. But there is the after party…”
Max nods. "Okay. Didnt hurt to ask I guess. Maybe one of my teammates is free."
***
Max: I haven’t noticed any particular weaknesses. But if anything crops up, I’ll let you know.
***
Max: I’ll be there!
***
Max: Hey. Meet me after class? Got something to ask you.
Max waits for Percy after the last class of the day. She gives him a smile as he approaches. ”So, I heard you’ve been having trouble finding somebody to go to the Halloween Ball with. It turns out I don’t have a date, after all. I’d, uh, be happy to go with you if you’d like. Purely platonic, of course.”
"I know, right?!?" Jade exclaims when Connie says Fems would be a good cheerleader. "Oh! Duck!" she shouts and sends a shotgun blast past Connie's ear at a zombie sneaking up behind her.
"Hey, you providing a light show is cool too! I mean, if you'd like to try out for the squad next year, we could give you some intense lessons. Unless you were some cheer prodigy at your old school who never found your way onto a roster. (Yeah. I got connections.) But maybe you got a secret magic way of learning real fast?"
======================
Skyler breaks into a wry grin. "So Little Red Riding Hood is a bit too on the nose, huh? That's fine."
She taps her chin as she thinks. "Um, I don't want to do a superhero. Oh, I could shave the other side of my head, spike up my mohawk, and go as a punk rocker! You good with that?"
======================
The reply comes back from Quincy.
Holy shit, you can do this? Um, maybe? I'll have to ask the group. They're still pissed about Saturday. We can talk about it next--
Femtite is genuinely happy for Caio. “Skyler?—that is soooo cute!”
After thinking a bit, Fem realizes she never thought to ask Connie about “costumes! I didn’t even think about those because I just magical-girl everything on.
“What are all of you planning to wear?”
"I could go as the granny or the hunter." He laughs. "Or even the Red Hood myself, if you are up for playing the wolf part."
He doesn't like her idea of shaving the other side of her head at all, but instead of saying that, he tried to come up with a different idea. "I like the idea of doing something funny... like a cartoon? Perhaps as the Fairly Oddparents?"
Caio tries his best to keep anything awkward outside of the conversation topics, focusing on the game and the pizza. There was an obvious tension in the air, but for most of the time it was a great time, as if nothing had ever happened between them. "Man, I'd really like to try EDH... who do you think we could invite to join us? Thinking Fems, but I'm seriously worried about she burning our cards..."
Caio hears Max's receiving a message and soon he gets one as well. "Shin..." He says as he types an answer.
Caio: It is going. Not any major breakthrough. Think that the chances for an actual cure are slim, but will not give up without more tries.
Max takes comfort in the familiar routine of pizza and Magic matches. It’s almost enough to make her forget about the pain of the past few days.
Almost.
”Maybe we can ask Connie to craft some fire-resistant gloves so Femtite can handle the cards without torching them,” she suggests with a grin. ”You know Femms would have a blast with this game!”