"Ha! No, I'm not a cheer prodigy... I did figure out a way of learning faster, but it has some serious kinks to work out. Ugh. It basically supercharges my short-term recall, but it completely overloads the transfer to long-term memory, so it's s*+* for actually learning-learning things. Also it made me into a total ditz for hours afterwards, and that part I remember clearly.
Huh.. One, two, two, two, one...
"I haven't given up on improvements, but the farther you move away from trade-offs and adjusting sliders, the more, uh, serious the costs can get. Especially for things involving people's minds. So for now it's more of a stop-gap, emergency kinda thing."
Left, right, off-right, left, right, off-left, left, right-
"Zombies coming out of the ceiling vent in a three-count by the way. One as a lure, then a second surprise."
Jade's laugh is interrupted by a zombie incursion that, thanks to Connie's prediction, she is able to help dispatch.
"All right, we have got to get you on the field then. I'll get you a uniform, too."
======================
Skyler frowns and gets that look of concentration again. "Uh, no, I don't know how that'd go. But the Red Riding Hood swap is good. I should be able to find some wolf ears and a tail easy enough." She sticks a finger into his chest. "But you gotta look cute, okay?"
He wasn't expecting her to like that idea, but it would be pretty fun. "Deal. I'll try to look as cute as possible."
"She really is." Caio admits before laughing once Fems asks about their costumes. "Skyler will go with Big Bad Wolf and I... the Little Red Riding Hood."
"And the deal was that I need to be cute while doing so... I think I'm in trouble."
Caio considers the idea of the fire-proof gloves, but then laughs, "To be honest, if Connie could do that, I think it would be for something else entirely."
"All right, we have got to get you on the field then. I'll get you a uniform, too."
"Huhbuhwha?!"
***
NSP: I got my Love Bug, The back. If you need a ride, just send an address link or whatever.
NSP: I’ll be doing homework.
Connie: Hey Femms, we're wrapping up at the VR Park
Connie: You still free? I can hitch a ride if not
Connie: (WARNING: Sir Percival is feeling sad and neglected, so I will be spending some time with him tonight)
Fearless Leader: Hey Connie, trying to put some anti-demon tech together for Friday. Could use your help on that. Free anytime Thursday?
Connie: Huh, good idea. Did you talk to Big Bird?
Connie: I'll bring the theory, you bring the history.
***
Connie leaned her head exaggeratedly over to grin at Femms. "I'm guessing at least one of us wants to do a cutesy cheesy couples costume too?"
It me.
"I'm guessing you haven't done a Halloween thing before, so is there anything on your bucket list?"
"And Caio? The red hood is just the signifier; the key to it being a cute outfit is a poofy renaissance style shirt with just the deepest vee you can conceive of. Deeper. Lace-up leather pants wouldn't hurt either."
Femtite giggles at Caio and Skyler’s costume idea. She gasps as Connie says “couple costume!
“It’s like you read my mind like an interstellar romance novel with a very predictable ending in which the alien girl says
Femtite isn’t sure exactly when she started levitating from her seat.
She sits back down.
”Yes, I would like us to don couples costumes. Is there any particular theme you prefer, Connie?”
♥️: You still free? I can hitch a ride if not
♥️: (WARNING: Sir Percival is feeling sad and neglected, so I will be spending some time with him tonight)
☀️: I’ll be there in a jiff, Connie.
☀️: ‘Jiff’ is short for ‘jiffy’—you drop the ‘y’ to save time. Isn’t that clever?
☀️: But then… why have the ‘y’ in the first place?
Femtite beeps the horn. AwOoOoOoOoOoOgA!
She is clad in a plaid button-down tied at the midriff, denim shorts that should be reclassified as panties, a polka dotted head scarf and magenta-tinted heart-shaped sunglasses.
She leans toward Connie, giving her an eyeful of lacy bra seen within the plaid shirt. “I trust you weren’t waiting long, my dear. I got here as fast as I could. I drove over a lot of people.”
She turns to Connie’s jock friends. “Flying car humor. It’s not actually funny.”
She smiles at Connie. “Next stop, Percy’s?”
"I haven't really given it a lot of thought... Adora and Catra, Morticia and Gomez, Danny and Sandy, Kim and Shego, I don't know the character names but Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis from Earth Girls Are Easy, Daphne and Velma, Angel and Devil, Athena and... and actually I haven't figured out the second half there. Oh! Medusa! They can make up!
"Or uh... whatever you were thinking... But not one of those salt and pepper, ketchup and mustard things where we're in some gigantic cylinder"
***
Connie gave a big toothy grin at Femms's joke and her outfit, but she gratefully took a hand up into Love Bug, The before waving goodbye to Jade et al. "For the record, I was waaaayyyy more subtle than this when I was trying to give Conway a heads up." Her smile sharpened "Or is this an 'I missed you.' Or a 'make me regret leaving you allll allooonnne...'"
Femtite takes notes. “Oh, I know Athena-Medusa and that could work, but I must research the other choices later. I’m picking up the Bug this afternoon…”
To answer Connie’s question, ”Maybe a little of the above, mostly to see your smile and the looks on other faces.”
Femtite is especially attentive to the girl nearest Connie , but observes the crowd as a whole.
* * *
On the ride to Percy’s, Fem invites Connie to snuggle close.
“I’m very lucky to know you as friend, roommate, and especially girlfriend. You can of course have your own friends and not worry. The other night, you said I make you feel safe. You have that effect on me.
“I’m not afraid to just be me in front of you—in any way, shape or form! There’s a kindness in you that I always saw, even when you yell and swear at Horizon—it took time for me to see it, and honestly it’s in part because he reacts so calmly—but even in those moments, I see your heart is in the right place.
“You know Percy needs a friend tonight. He may need your insight on magic stuff. I don’t want to be the girlfriend that takes you away from friends.
“I did research. This is apparently a thing that happens and is especially harmful to bands like the Beetles, misspelled, and Spinal Tap.”
Her outfit changes (when the car is well out of sight of others)—to She-Ra’s outfit!
“Even She-Ra and her girlfriend don’t do everything as a couple, but they are adorable together! Will Catra accompany me at the Halloween Ball?”
Caio was about to complain, saying he'd not do that, but then he quickly realised that it was fair. He liked to see a beautiful girl in provoking clothes, so he could that as well, even if he'd feel uncomfortable. "I guess I can do that...?"
|
The reply comes back from Quincy.
Holys&-@, 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--"
Yes, I can do this. You could always retcon it, or have divinity step in. Idk might feel hollow, or send them on a quest. He is really starting to wonder if Quincy has never been exposed to real magic, or if he's just playing dumb. He knew Feya said even the strongest of people struggled, but he can't imagine that even a very basic limited telepathy spell... more like a magic text message really was beyond him and his father.
Percy was up, waiting in his room sitting at the desk with a notebook jammed full of formula of possible short-hand variations on spells. Some which didn't require gestures, others cutting their movements, a few even lacking both. He didn't know if they'd work properly or be powerful enough to do anything if they did work, but that would be something to test at practice.
He wore a long sleeve shirt, not knowing exactly what the weather was going to be like if him and Connie ventured out, but given the time of year he expected it wouldn't be peachy. Kicking back in the chair he sighed slightly scratching the spot on his arm where the time creature had lashed him.
Having sat there minding his lunch more than anything he shrugs, "If she wants you to be cute, probably not sexy Red. Feel like that'll throw a whole lot of different vibes about you and her." He gives a bit of a side glance towards Connie's attempts to make Caio dress like David Bowie in that old movie, The Labyrinth. "Also I don't think he'd be able to pull off Goblin King despite anyone's wishes."
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."
"Ah, well yeah I don't have anyone but that's because I'm kind of well awful at these things." He fiddled with nothing in his hands and made a desperate attempt to reach for a different conversation. "Do you think it's a bit showing that I always happen to be hanging out with Fems and Connie, and you and Caio? Like yeah you are my classmates and all, but I wonder if people you know... suspect anything?"
Looking at anyone who might be passing by he adds, "I actually can't believe you couldn't get Caio to go.. but he said he was going with Skyler. Noone else has asked you? I guess because of the whole, well thing that stalks the schoolfront?"
"No, I don't think anybody is suspicious or anything like that," Max says. "It's actually better that Caio and I aren't going together. Maybe Skyler will be able to give him what I can't... Anyway, I'd be too worried to go with any other rando students due to my pheromones. I'd feel safest going with you. And I'd make you feel safe, too. Just keep it casual and have fun."
The replies seem to be slower this time, but eventually Shin replies to everyone that got back to him.
Conflux:
Shin: Okay, I am going to be taking time off from school to work at Unity Station for this. Crammed some extra credit work tonight to make up for that. Swing by on your lunch or free period and we can workshop together.
Percy:
Shin: If it makes you uncomfortable I will use a different name. I hope that you were able to get information from the game guy at Knighthall.
Max:
Shin: Thank you. I am here to help. Let me know what you need.
Caio:
Shin: Okay, I will check in before the plan on Friday. If you have time to work on any anti-demon runes I would appreciate it.
Fem:
Shin: Sorry this is late, fell asleep. See you tomorrow at Unity.
Yes, I can do this. You could always retcon it, or have divinity step in. Idk might feel hollow, or send them on a quest. He is really starting to wonder if Quincy has never been exposed to real magic, or if he's just playing dumb. He knew Feya said even the strongest of people struggled, but he can't imagine that even a very basic limited telepathy spell... more like a magic text message really was beyond him and his father.
"I'll think about it. Any chance the demon girl can be there as well? I'm now thinking of a monster campaign. See you Saturday."
Connie doesn't end with the most zombie kills, but does share the best survival rate along with Jade. A couple of the boys were overly aggressive, managing to rack up more kills but dying several times in the process.
When Love Bug, The arrives, the cheer squad jumps at the chance to inspect the vehicle up-close. Jade and the other girls get introduced to Femtite.
Jade nudges Connie with her elbow. "You're a part-time super hero. You should be used to uniforms."
Thursday saw a turf battle between the Scrapper League and the Busted Flush Mob. Classes were unaffected in all but Franklin High School, which got let out early.
The much bigger news was the announcement that magical hero Feya Firestorm has joined the Alliance of Heroes.
The basketball-volleyball table is bummed out and feeling the absence of Ne'veah.
Jade invites Connie and Femtite to sit with the cheer squad.
Sports practices are in the evening.
"You might be right, Percy, but if she meant cute-sexy instead of cute-puppy, it would also send a different vibe... I think I'll side with Connie here." He shrugs. "Skyler is cute and cool, so if I have a chance with her, I won't waste it. I already have the 'No' if I don't try it."
Caio: I don't really know much about runes of power, just magic circles... They are very different. Connie and Percy might be able to explain the difference to you more easily I think.
|
|
I'll see what I can do, no guarantees. See you Saturday.
Percy opens his mouth to rebuke Caio's arguement but falls silent with a shrug.
"No, I don't think anybody is suspicious or anything like that," Max says. "It's actually better that Caio and I aren't going together. Maybe Skyler will be able to give him what I can't... Anyway, I'd be too worried to go with any other rando students due to my pheromones. I'd feel safest going with you. And I'd make you feel safe, too. Just keep it casual and have fun."
"Yeah I guess... erm we'll have to come up with a good costume set. Probably stick away from any robes or magic stuff. Oh also Quincy asked if I could get you to go with me and Caio to his game nights."
Percy:
Shin: If it makes you uncomfortable I will use a different name. I hope that you were able to get information from the game guy at Knighthall.
Percy: He's still down to meet this Saturday, gonna take Caio and Max probably. Gotta take it slow anyway, not sure exactly what you want me to get from him yourself, but forcing him on anything isn't gonna work.
Percy seems pretty happy at the news of his pseudo-mentor being brought into the alliance, probably to help as a sort of liason for the magical things as of late. Fey were of course no laughing matter.
Shin swallows the caffeine pill with the glass of water he's gotten from the faucet. The water filter seems to working well in Unity Station. But he can't rest just now, he has to keep moving and make sure everything is going accordingly. The news about Feya Firestorm seems good to him - perhaps she'd stop by while Conflux was in or after classes were over. He had to put in an absence for the day so that he could drill down on everything that the team would need.
Which was basically right now general information about demons circulating the internet. Nothing that he figured would be super useful but things like holy water and silver, drawing a circle with purified salt to trap them or using a holy symbol as a ward seemed to be popular suggestions. He figured that he would ask Conflux for tips.
He was forgetting something. No, he shouldn't be forgetting anything. Though he knew that his friends were bummed out by Ne'veah being pulled out, which sucked for a lot of reasons. Maybe he should try to cheer them up somehow? He wasn't sure what he could do about that specifically though, unless there was something they could do this weekend? He'd ask Grace if it might be possible to go visit Ne'veah and invite her too.
"Days like this, I keep wondering if Isaiah's still listening," He talks to one of the robots he's got following him around to help with his tasks. "I wonder if he would think I'm doing well as leader. I can't fail them. I can't let another team destroy itself. I have to fix it all," He says, doing a visual inspection of some of the defenses. "...okay, that's a lie. But I have to be there for everyone, even if I can't fix the problem. You're a great listener, Gerhig."
SHIN SURE-YOU-CAN . . .
Femtite meets with Shin after school at the Unity station. She is clad in amazonian amethyst, with a heart-shaped hair clip. (Shin might notice it is the Bug shrunk to about an inch long/wide.)
“I am reporting for training, punctually! How may I be of service?”
"Yeah I guess... erm we'll have to come up with a good costume set. Probably stick away from any robes or magic stuff. Oh also Quincy asked if I could get you to go with me and Caio to his game nights."
”Yeah, I’d be down for Quincy’s game. I’ll brainstorm some costume ideas in the meantime. I’ll run them by you later!”
***
Thursday turns out to be a not so great day for Max. A fresh wave of gender dysphoria hits her, despite some of the recent progress she’s made, and she hides out in her hoodie throughout most of her classes, trying to avoid as much interaction as possible.
Perhaps her anxiety about the upcoming anti-demon training has something to do with her insecurities. She arrives on time at Unity Station, but she only gives the others a brief word of acknowledgment as she sits and waits for the lesson to begin.
"Excellent. First, let's go over here." Shin has his visor on at the moment, sipping from a cup of lukewarm coffee before setting it down and floating over to a more isolated area of the station. Train cars have been stacked up on top of each other to create a partition, and he has Femtite drop into the center.
"Okay, so, while your size can shift rapidly, I want to know how hot you can get. I'm assuming close to the plasma range, which is what we would need for this to work. My power works by pulling in waves and particles from around me, more prominently heat and light. When I do it to form a blade," He explains as he accomplishes the feat, holding it in one hand, "It's like I'm pulling in all the light and heat in this specific area, which then gets draw towards my body. I then cycle it again through the 'blade', and it becomes capable of cutting through things very easily. It's kind of a saber of energy." Though he didn't understand why it wouldn't be until the eighties that he first saw pictures of his future self using the ability.
"So! Here you should be able to get hot enough without damaging anything important. I'm going to draw off all of that heat, and try to then create a blade," He says. "The hope is that this blade will be self-sustaining enough that it can be thrown, or even passed off to someone who won't lose a hand handling it, like you. I've tinkered with tech to try this, but it seems to need a lot of energy simply to sustain it. So, ready to try it out?"
SHIN SURE-YOU-CAN . . .
Femtite hovers and flares to become a yellow flame. She gradually increases her body heat. Her armor shatters and becomes heat energy. Fem is plasma. Steam rises from Shin’s lukewarm coffee. Any exposed flesh should feel an intense desert heat.
”I can burn much hotter. I can focus on a place and concentrate energy there. It will be like creating a miniature sun. It might be safer for both of us to center our powers in one place that is not within ten feet of either of us.”
"I don't even wear a costume when I do that..."
"Yoko's just a scapegoat anyways, so don't worry about that, don't know who Spinal Tap is, but uh..."
Should I not have asked her for a ride? Was that insensitive? S+&&. I just didn't want to do an invite chain my first time with Jade and folk. And Percy is feeling jealous of his time with me, so I didn't want to do that and then be distracted the whole time...
"Look, not like I wasn't shipping it the whole time, but you know that Catra was trying to defeat/unalive Adora for a minute there, right? And also that her 'alone activities' were like, war crimes? Sometimes?"
With an effort of will, Connie lowered her shoulders from their instinctive hunch for a second, but they rose and rose as she continued to babble.
"Sorry. I just... You're saying you forgive me for hurting you, which I didn't even notice, because I suck, but at the same time you're talking about how safe that makes you feel?! And you're not all f&!+ed up in the head like me, so I don't get that, Femms. And Adora and Catra are obviously like, a super cute couples costume, especially in their Princess Prom outfits, I'll provide pictures, but now they're a metaphor for us? Catra hurts Adora, like all the time! She hurts her with claws and with lies, and like, I couldn't do either of those to you, but there are other ways! And probably that's not what any of this meant to you, but then you're talking about how kind I am, which is like, objectively false. I rank as 'well meaning', tops, and then I can't figure out if you've got rose colored lenses on, or if I just think you do, and you're lying to me so I don't freak out while you tell me the real important thing, but I don't know what that is!
"And probably that's just all in my stupid f~@&ed up brain to begin with, but this is suddenly like, a Big Conversation when I thought I was just going from fricking playdate to playdate, and treating you like a chauffeur because -again- I suck and I didn't see it coming, which means I don't know what else is coming, and I have like, no idea if you're pissed at me, because I didn't realize I'd done something to piss you off in the first place!"
Connie lowered her eyes "Sorry, I just- S&~+. Sorry. What did you- What parts did you actually mean, and what was me just giving a div/0 error after pretending to be a person with person emotions for too long with a bunch of strangers? You've gotta be honest though or it'll be like grit in a clock's gears."
Femtite sets her craft to hover. She looks at Connie.
“I… hurt you…”
She starts to tear up. “I didn’t know Catra was mean to Adora. The image search made them look so cute and loving and if you just know them from images they are adorable and not a bad metaphor.
“I meant all of it.
“I would never be sarcastic with you, Connie. Sarcasm is not only mean, but confusing, and there are intonations with cultural ties that are not relatable to me. So it is best I say what I mean. I just wish you could see yourself the way I see you. You would then know what attracted me to you in the first place.”
She wipes her eyes and faces Connie.
“Was I bored? Lonely? Well, yes, but I cannot expect you to turn down invitations because I have no plans. I am happy to give you a ride… I dressed up for you because I wanted you to enjoy it.
“But I ended up hurting you.”
"I can try, but my power is linked to my body. I've looked at my blood under a microscope, and I can't begin to tell you what I've discovered." Mostly because he only knew basic medicine and first aid and not nearly adept at cellular biology to make heads or tails out of it.
Shin steps next to Femtite, unperturbed by her heat. He activates his powers and it's instantly like the side he's on is drastically cooler. He extends his field outwards to try and create a point ahead of him that would work. Normally, he would think about what Dusk would do in this scenario - this was something else. He felt like he was drawing on a fission reaction right next to him, cycling it so it was being absorbed and released outwards in front of him. A tether of darkness connected him to a growing orb in the center.
"...don't have the fine control at this distance to shape it. Let's try this instead. Can you feel how the heat I'm drawing off of you is being released and reabsorbed?" He asks Fem as he pulls it in closer, stepping towards her until they're nearly shoulder to shoulder. "Maybe you could do something similar?" He asks as he uses that technique to form the blade. Trapping heat and light in an endless loop.
"Two things you should never do with this though. First, never use it on a living being. They will be horribly maimed or killed. Second, never just release the energy after you don't need it anymore. Better to reabsorb it or to shunt it into some kind of sink that can bleed it out into your surroundings safely," He advises her, before stepping away. "Okay, you try it. You're used to making energy into matter, so shaping energy and holding it in that shape shouldn't be too hard for you I hope."
Femtite tries, but…
“I change energy into matter to become me… to become clothing… a thing I hold rather than wear, or be…”
Femtite makes fire balls, fire beams, fireworks… but plasma that is her is humanoid-shaped—vaguely human or pixite or fairy or angel, wings-optional… but blades in-hand or blade-hands don’t seem to work.
”I think… this can work. Just…” She has her armor converge back onto her, and her plasma body reverts to flesh. “The Lavender Spire wasn’t built in a nanosecond. We should do this more often.
“In the meantime, how about a closer look at your blood?”
Femtite removes her hair clip. “I can pass through your molecular structure. Within your vein, I can get larger or smaller, as needed. You can view on the Bug. Mel the Mechanic added a telepathic mind-link, and she showed me some options.
“The short version is when I am microscopic or subatomic, you can see what I see and think words to me. I can think them back.”
She offers to let Horizon wear Love Bug, The like a hair clip. ”The landing strip latches onto your hair. Lightly touch your index fingertip to the magenta dome to start.”
"F!+*. F+@* f!!+ f#%~. You didn't hurt me Femms, I'm just f##$ing crazy. And they're cute, it's just a friends-to-enemies-to-lovers thing so it's gloriously messy in the middle and the beginning and the end. Catra and Adora, I mean. I forgot to segue.. And let's face it, messy's better in a script than in your car. F+#&! I thought I was finally learning to girlfriend like a g+#@@$n human. I was sexy while keeping boundaries, I focused on the chocolate goodness instead of getting locked in for the night on the idea of dishsoap in my mouth... And then less than a day later I'm trying to talk myself out of a f%+@ing spiral where my brain points out all the reasons you might secretly hate me.
"Shouldnt've f&+@ing done it. When you're the weird goblin you can just disappear when you're too tired to human right, but when you're the friend or the girlfriend you hurt people when you f&@% up. F#$%. I'm so f$!+ing selfish. Don't tell me I'm not! I know you don't think I am, but this is actually me holding on and I will lose it if I hear you forgive me again, so just... Please don't say it."
"Can you tell me we can just go back to our room though? And then tell Percy I can't make it? I'll talk to him tomorrow.
***
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
Connie: Sorry for flaking last night. I came down with an acute case of crazyb+!!!itis. Could've been lethal if contracted.
Femtite remains momentarily silent, not sure what to say.
How can she have such a low opinion of herself that she…?
“Connie… I need you to look at me. See if you can find something odd about my true form.
“Just give your emotions a rest and let your mind see.”
Femtite steps back so her body will not be too hot. Her clothing dissipates, body shrinks to a few inches tall, to her true form. Like before… wasplike, pink shell, soft underbelly that glows milk-white and honey-gold. Her backside is almost an exoskeletal skirt. Golden fairy-wings (or wasp-woman wings?) glitter and glow. Her eyes are big for her head like Tyg’s. They glow like tiny suns.
Abs as before, her antennas. On her right, a perfect spiral. On her left, zigzagged as before.
On the inside of the magenta dome are words:
Tell me what you notice.
"Fine, though not having seen any other pixites, this is a layperson's analysis at best. Your antennae are asymmetrical. My best guess is that your right one is pixite-standard, but that's assuming some kind of early injury, which following earthly healing patterns would be more likely to have gone from spiral to zigzag than vice versa."
"It's fine. It's different from how I'm able to do it. You can take your time practicing - in a controlled environment with fire retardant foam at the ready," He adds. "But...honestly, Fem, I appreciate the gesture. But, uh. Even when I'm not actively using my powers, I'm still drawing in ambient energy. And...the energy that I draw in doesn't match the energy I put out."
He looks at her in concern. "What I'm saying is that some part of my power is probably fueling my body, and if you as a subatomic particle were to try to enter me, there's a real chance that...well, I would 'eat' you," He explains. "I'd rather not have to explain to Connie why her girlfriend disappeared off the face of the earth. I appreciate the gesture. Maybe when we have some additional safeguards in place we can try it out. I can modify the med lab for the experiment."
Femtite reverts to human form. Naked. She gives Connie a sentimental smile and pilots her craft.
She remains silent. There is nothing about her pose intended as sexy. She is simply bare.
On the magenta dome:
Yes, the left antenna is bent. The accident was minor. I bumped my head. I was two. I hardly remember it.
Now make another observation.
Angel wings sprout from Femtite’s back. They last a few seconds, then dissipate. Fairy wings come next. They are replaced by wings of light.
Next, Femtite’s bare skin becomes… perfect… how this is an improvement over before she sprouted wings is difficult to define. Femtite radiates beauty.
Her long flowing hair spirals into a beehive, a crown braid, Princess Leia buns, and several other styles.
Then comes the clothes—several outfits from princess to farm girl, from Victorian era to current fashions, then some daring outfits before Fem settles on her sweater vest ensemble.
What do you notice about my powers?
In all this time, Fem has been piloting her craft. She is more than halfway from the VR park to the dorm.
Femtite isn’t sure that Shin can permanently absorb her. But then, she isn’t unsure…
”Better safe than sorry,” she agrees.
Connie shifted in her seat, fingernails tapping against each other as she tried to shotgun for the right answer. She didn't seem discomfited or particularly drawn by Femms's disrobement or later outfits, just focused on the puzzle.
"Your powers are directed by your mind both in outcome and in origin, by which I mean that you have to clearly conceive of the shape and style of your appearance, and you have to actively choose to change them. I'd assume you can do so subconsciously, but that's mainly based on your mood lighting and that time we kissed. I don't know for certain to what degree you have to specifically conceive of the details of your outfits, but since they tend heavily to the archetypal and I haven't noticed that you possess minute detail recall to that extent, I assume that a large part of it is filled in by, well, vibes. I also haven't checked to see how neat your stitching is. Also, you multitask well, but the sheer number of multiple choice options involved would probably make driving difficult to do at the same time if each decision were conscious.
"You come up with them very quickly, rather than seeming to do so by drawing on a pre-existing library of options. You also never change into anyone or anything else. This likely means that they draw from your self-image to a large extent; you can change into anything you like as long as it's you.
"There's also an argument to be made that you violate assorted laws of physics, but I think it's more likely you're just wiggling variables we still treat as constant."
Connie glanced up, not directly at Femms, but at her reflection in the rearview mirror.
"How'd I do?"
Femtite’s aura pinkens as Connie gives a detailed answer. From her face, she is clearly impressed.
The magenta dome only gives a one-word reply: Accurate.
She begins to land her craft.
Based on your observation of my true form, and your observation of my powers, draw a conclusion: why is my antenna still bent?
"It matches your self-image. That could mean that it represents an important memory, or if the external physical differences between pixites are usually less pronounced than with humans at least while at the same size, then it could be a marker of individuality. However, since you said you didn't really remember it, and based on when you're bringing this up, I imagine it has a personal resonance for you with this moment.
"It reminds you that you're not literally flawless. You're a new pinnacle of evolution for your people; you're the princess, the beloved daughter of the greatest queen of Nanometeor, but there are still things you can't do, and that's okay.
"Or someone died making sure it was only a bonk on the head, and it's in remembrance of them, but I'm guessing then you'd consciously reflect it in your other appearances."
It's not the same, it's not the same, it's not the same, it's not the same!
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Femtite completes her landing. She just wants to hold Connie as she sees her emotion start to kick in. She’s panicking… why?
She quickly texts Percy, ☀️: Connie sends her apologies. She cannot visit you tonight. Then she turns to Connie.
“Oh, Connie… your mind saw every detail but the one a mind would miss. Yes, this human face is me. It is a combination of multiple ethnicities across the seven continents. It turns out the pretty scientist in Antarctica is of European descent, but still, my mother’s research was extensive. I didn’t choose this face, it chose me.
“The antenna could be fixed through shapeshifting. I started to heal myself, and I got to a place where the bent portions were strong so another bump would not cause a break. The reasons you stated—all true, plus one more that is not completely logical.
“I like the way my antenna bends. I knew I could heal it—and with effort, still can—but once I re-spiral that antenna I lose the bend forever. Shapeshifting is only fast because the forms are natural. I cannot add a third antenna or your face to my human body or re-break what is fixed. Maybe with much effort, this is possible… but not with the ease you have observed.”
In all the talking she wonders if her point was lost on Connie. She spells it out:
“I embrace this flaw.
“Please do not think this as a metaphor. It is simply a fact. I was five and able to self-heal and I chose not to. I wanted to tell you this ever since you saw my form, I was trying to think of how to tell you.
“I bring it up now because I think you may be able to relate to an extent. I don’t mean that whatever causes you pain is something you must embrace. I see the pain in you right now, Connie. The pain is from the past and the past cannot be changed.
“So I want to assure you, there is zero possibility I will be scared away if you decide to tell me whatever it is you’re afraid to tell me. I want to assure you, I don’t hold it against you that you’re reluctant to share… I was terrified you would think me an insect when I revealed my true form. I completely understand not sharing just like I completely understand the past cannot be changed.
“And Connie… if you let your emotion rest. Let your mind follow my words… you can see the logic in what I’m saying: whatever your past is, the good, the bad, the traumatic, this is the past that led to your present—our present. Had any event gone differently, you wouldn’t have been a teenage girl on her own, showing me your world, taking me in.”
She levels her eyes at Connie. She is completely serious, sincere, concerned. She takes each of Connie’s hands, gently.
“Please don’t feel like I’m forcing you to tell me what you’re not ready to say. Just see the logic. Disconnect your emotion and see the logic:
“Even your worst moment is on the timeline that brought us together. I could not possibly be scared away from that.”
==========================
Classes begin in the morning as usual. A school pep rally for the football team is scheduled for after lunch.
Early that morning, Jade intercepts Connie as she is exiting the dorm. She's wearing her cheerleader outfit, and is holding a similar outfit on a hangar in plastic.
"As promised! It's customary for cheerleaders to wear our alternate uniforms on game day. As I'm sure you've seen. And since I'm making you an honorary cheerleader, here you go! I think I got the size right. If it's really bad, let me know. I might be able to get another by lunch time."
==========================
Skyler is sitting in her observation spot again when Caio arrives at school. She gives him a wave. "So, are we going to do the awkward teen thing and avoid each other until the dance, or are we going to act like boyfriend-girlfriend?" she asks bluntly.
Fortunately, the anti-demon training proved to be mostly testing Connie's wards against Max's pheromones and other theoretical abilities her demon sisters might possess. They seem to work well enough, but Friday night would be the true test.
Max is once more anxious throughout the school day, wondering what the evening's inevitable confrontation will have in store for her. She attends her classes, but her thoughts are far away...
To say that Skyler's question caught him by surprise was an understatement, since he almost chokes on the apple he was eating. Not understanding her powers yet, he reasoned that he should not risk telling her nothing but the truth. "Ow... that was very direct... which is fine, since I asked you about the same way." He smiles, then sits besides her.
"I wasn't avoiding you at all, but just wasn't sure what was appropriate do to yet. I told you this is my first time in a ball and I've asked a couple people what is expected for dates... and I've got several different answers, from 'just friends', to 'probably something more', and even a 'verbal agreement of sex'." He tells her, laughing at the very different ideas.
"I asked you because you are cool and are not afraid of me... the fact that you are also beautiful is bonus." He rests his hand on hers and sits closer to her. "We can act as close as you are comfortable with, your choice, but if it was up to me, I'd say close." He then puts his hand on her cheek and neck, caressing her lightly...
Holy water and pepper mace - check.
Silver symbols of faith - check.
Nasal spray - check.
Shin ran through the list of potentially useful anti-demon items he'd be packing away under a discrete utility belt underneath tonight's ensemble. He'd gotten a new and fashionable suit prepped for himself, and had the others put in their own requests yesterday to get rush ordered so that they would be ready by that afternoon. Well, for everyone but Femtite and Max, seeing as they already had their outfits ready on the fly.
School was exhausting. Shin was doing his best to follow along, but his thoughts drifted to the evening's potential problems, to how he planned to keep everyone safe. By the time he ended up at the usual lunch time group, he was just barely keeping awake and cracking open one of those energy drinks he'd seen Conflux drinking to try and keep going.
"...So, what's everyone planning for the weekend?" He asks, trying to project some cheer to the demoralized crew. He knew it was hard with Ne'veah getting pulled.
Femtite exits the dorm with Connie. She slowly catches on as to why Jade said come-sit yesterday.
In the interest of helping Connie avoid embarrassment, Femtite says, “Ah! One uniform. So Connie did remember to tell you…”
Pinkish-purple ribbons swirl around her, body glowing too brightly for indecent exposure to be perceived.
The ribbons form a cheerleader outfit in school colors, purple and gold.
“If the gold glows too brightly, I am happy to wear an ordinary uniform. But I assume you want me to use my powers, and lighting myself on fire would burn physical clothing to ash.”
Femtite hovers in the air, sitting on nothing one leg crossed over the other.
“Sorry if I should have come to practice last night. I had booked a training session before I picked up Connie on Wednesday. The Bug seats nine, if you need me to help with transportation.”
Skyler stiffens slightly when Caio brushes his hand along her neck and cheek. She takes his hand in hers and guides it to her lap. "Okay, I know your last time was with a succubus, but for me it's going to take more than a little flattery and a lot of horny. By 'acting like boyfriend-girlfriend,' I meant holding hands in the halls and eating lunch together. I wouldn't say no to a dinner date either."
She gets that look of concentration again and shakes her head. "Don't feel bad; I was the one who asked you about the boyfriend-girlfriend thing anyway."
==========================
Jade blinks away the spots after Femtite's wardrobe change. "That's great!" she admires the glowing version of the cheerleader's uniform.
She shrugs. "It would've bean neat to incorporate you into the routines, but I think if you just fly around like a firefly, give us some sparks or flashes during our kicks, stuff like that. As long as you don't weigh too much -- or stay flying -- you could appear at the top of the pyramid like a star!"
She looks over to Connie. "No pressure to try to join in today, unless you want to do your super-learning spell. Just watch and see where you think your magic can fit into the routines, okay?"
Caio smiles, showing he is not sad. "This has nothing to do with Max, and please do not think I had made any sort of assumptions about you. Despite living most of my life here, I was raised as a Brazilian and visited my parents in many occasions... back there, a kiss is just seen as a minor form of affection and most times it even comes before holding hands."
"I'm more than happy to just hold hands and having lunch together for now, and you can bet I'll invite you for a dinner, just not tonight... we have things? to do? I need to check with the others about how much I can share about our team stuff, even if you know who we are." He smiles again, still holding her hand.
"Look yeah, some of my past is like, a Conversation, or literally hard for me to talk about. But Femms, we're not living in The Moment that everything's been leading to. There are a lot more moments to come, and I'm a lot more afraid of the future than I am of my past."
She held Femms's hands tight, turning into her to lean her head on Femms's chest. "Don't worry. I won't be like this tomorrow. And I'm not leaving you or anything..." I'm too much a of a selfish coward for that. "...I'm sorry Femms." Sorry I'm doing this to you when I should have just jumped out of the Bug. "I don't like making anyone see me when I'm like this. Can we just go home? Can you please just take me home?"
***
That's what I was forgetting.
"Hahahahahaha no. No using the quick learn spell just for one pep rally. I've got stuff up tonight, and I need to not be all No Thoughts, Head Empty for it... Oh! Uh, okay, I'm gonna go change- I'm sure it fits though -but uh, could you do me a favor? I need to get into a kinda chic club tonight Conflux business, honestly, and I was wondering if I could raid your closet?"
”We are home, Connie.”
Femtite holds Connie close, but leaves the Magenta dome shut so no onlookers will see her in under duress.
“A star! A human pyramid! Yes, I will hover to add no weight! This is so exciting! Do you have a recording of your routine so I can think of how to work myself in? I mean with flyovers and fireworks and topping the pyramid.
“We can review the video at lunch and I will be receptive to ideas.”
Femtite looks at Connie holding the little uniform. So cute! Sooooooo cute! Don’t say aloud! SO CUUUUUTE!!
“You’re going to see how it fits right away, are you not, Connie?” Femtite is doing a really bad job pretending she doesn’t think Connie in a cheerleader uniform is the cutest thing ever.
Skyler arches an eyebrow at Caio. She studies his face for a moment, then leans over and gives him a peck on his cheek. "Okay. There." She stands up on the large concrete planter and moves his hands to her waist so he can guide her jump down to ground level. "Now we can hold hands."
==========================
She somber mood at the table doesn't improve with Shin's question about weekend plans. "We've got extra practice," Sophie says flatly.
"Hey, you'll still make it to State," Jaden encourages.
"We've just got to be on," Sophie says, giving a look at Grace.
"It's so messed up," Jasmine says, staring at her plate. She looks up. "It's not fair! Why does that girl get to go to school here? Shouldn't Ne'veah get priority, or something?"
She scowls and folds her arms against the looks. "I'm just saying."
==========================
Jade's eyes go impossibly wide. "No way..." she mutters at the request to raid her closet. She blinks out of her shock. "Yes! Omigawd, yes! You want to go now? Bring the uniform, you can change after we pick something out."
She pauses at Femtite's request. "Oh, sure. Um, you got an email account? I'll text you some Infini-Tube videos." She turns back to Connie. "Come on! We'll walk and talk. So, chic club, huh? Are you like, going undercover or something?"
==========================
Jade's room is orderly and well-appointed. A few pennants and pom poms adorn the walls along with several pictured of her cheer and dance teams going back at least ten years. Sparkly golden trophies fill her shelves. She throws open her closet after tossing the cheerleader uniform on her bed. "Get undressed. Let's see what we've got."
She starts pulling out several different styles of dresses. "LBD, you think? Or, I like this one's color," she says while holding a black dress and a burgundy dress up against Connie's frame.
Max walks by in time to see Caio helping Skyler down. An unexpected pang of jealousy twists her heart at the sight of the two of them getting close. She quickly turns and walks away, hands in her pockets, emotions conflicted...
|
|
She quickly texts Percy, ☀️: Connie sends her apologies. She cannot visit you tonight.
Percy: oh
Percy sighs at reading yet another flake off by Connie, even worse it didn't even come from her this time it came from Fems. He squeezes his phone and sets it back on the table before getting ready for and crawling back into bed.
The next day
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
Connie: Sorry for flaking last night. I came down with an acute case of crazyb+%*+itis. Could've been lethal if contracted.
Checking the next day Connie would see the message left unread.
Not exactly one to practice offensive spells towards his allies Percy keeps to his standard shields, but he's rather lackadaisical in his application seeming to give a half effort through the day. He leaves afterwards without a second word and disappears quickly.
Percy is once again rather absent from classes, or one would think. When looked for he seems to be just especially under the radar today, and seems especially dodgy in the hallways appearing to almost vanish completely when anyone tries to hunt him down. Possibly to noone's surprise at this point he doesn't even make a showing at school lunch.
Percy projects himself into a hand mirror while sitting on one of the skylights of Halcyon near the Alliance tower. He reaches out towards his mentor searching in the sea of Glassworks in the region and clearly beckons to her when he spots her.
"Come on, Jasmine, it's not her fault," Shin says to his lunchtime companion. "She didn't force Ne'veah out, her parents listened to some ignorant preacher, got scared and even though she'd never had as much as a conversation with her, pulled her out from fear. Least that's how I see it," He finishes.
"...on more upbeat news, dance next week," Shin says. "Chance to unwind and have fun and not think about the constant building pressure of expectations to succeed," He tells his classmates, staring briefly out in the distance, before shaking his head to clear it. "I mean, I'm probably going to go costume shopping this weekend. Anyone up for it after practice?"
On comms, Horizon's group text goes out.
Meet at Unity after school for our last briefing before the mission.
Then, he texts Praetoria.
I have a new base. We are meeting after school if you want to coordinate with us there. You are welcome to be there.
Femtite can’t help but notice Jade is very friendly to Connie. She starts to feel anxious, and she isn’t sure if she’s meant to wait outside the dorm or what.
Don’t let it show. Don’t mess this up for Connie. It’s cute, and you clearly are welcome. It’s just an Earth girl thing. You’re just confused…
She pretends to be completely okay with this weird start to the morning on the walk-and-talk, which for Fem is more of a shut-up-and-float.
Femtite steps into Jade’s room and is not sure what to make of the girl’s enthusiasm. Be the princess. She doesn’t want to be the princess. Feign enthusiasm. She doesn’t want Connie to see her fake side. You think this Jade is for real?!
She will be the princess for Connie.
Femtite sits on nothing because hovering is fun and she doesn’t need a seat to be offered or not offered. “Oh wow..!” She doesn’t have to fake liking the dress. Jade has some beautiful and expensive things, and she’s won a lot of competitions.
A dark thought forces its way into Femtite’s mind. Competition… is that what this is?
“That is so pretty, Jade,” Fem says giddily like a princess on a playdate at Mauve Mansion. “I’m so new around here, it wasn’t even until two days ago I realized you and Connie are friends!”
She knows gosh darn well Jade just stepped into Connie’s life and on my toes! Or if I’m wrong, WHY in Goddess’ purple Nanometeor is SHE getting Connie to dress and undress?
And… why wasn’t I?
Jade glances over her shoulder and spots Femtite floating near the corner of her room. "Oh, hey. Did you watch the videos already?" She turns back to Connie as she suddenly gets an idea. "Oh, this'll work great, if you don't mind being a little cold."
She dives into a drawer and pulls out a microskirt. "Here. This flares out a bit, which will help your hip situation. Then this top is a little loose and flowy -- add a good push-up bra and you're set."
She grabs a brush and holds it up. "Can I do your makeup?"
==========================
Grace looks at Shin noncommittally. "I'll have to see. Mom's planning on watching the practice. The whole practice."
Sophie rolls her eyes at Grace. "It's just some dumb costume party. Wear a black leotard, put some black lipstick on your nose, draw some whiskers, and there you go. It's not hard."
Gavin snorts. "Catgirl, nice."
==========================
Feya Firestorm weaves her arms and hands in a pattern when she detect's Indarius's call, and suddenly the two are in a single pane of glass within a skyrail car.
"Good afternoon, Percival. If you're just contacting me to offer me congratulations, don't bother. I think it may be because of you and your friends that I was extended the invitation to join the Alliance."
Wow. This escalated quickly.
Her gaze flickered between Femms and Jade as she slid her thumbs beneath the waistband of her shorts. "I feel like traditionally there's supposed to be music playing or something..." she joked as she finished undressing. Her underwear wasn't particularly sexy, just plain white briefs with pink trim and a thinner, non-matching bralette in powder blue, but it also meant that even more of her tattoos were visible than usual. Red and white ribbons twined up one thigh before disappearing beneath her panties, and just the hint of script peeked out below the band of her bralette.
"...Please give me a dress? Or something?"
Gratefully she shimmied into the LBD- "See? This is why it's a classic." -diffidently tried the burgundy- "Ehh, I think this color's nice, but it just kinda goes szmush with my hair." -Bristled as she carefully settled the skirt- "I don't have a 'hip situation,' I have hips, and they're a Perfectly normal size. I'm just a bit skinny for them, that's all. You're right about the push-up bra though." - generally tried to not spend a lot of time lounging around in her underwear between Jade's brainwaves- "Did you see K-stew's Oscars outfit? Do you think I could pull off the whole 'hotpants and dress shirts, but make it fashion' vibe? Or is that too stand out-y anyways?" -or her own brainwaves. "Fine," she pulled back off Jade's top so that any makeup adventures wouldn't force a trip to the drycleaners. "But don't go too wild, okay? If a montage starts when I go to first period, you've gone too far."
Jade gushes when she sees Connie's tattoos. "Ohhhmigosh! Your tats! You are so cool. Do they, like, hone your magic stuff?"
"Well, is 'standout-y' what you're going for? I don't know about trying to make a statement... you risk being too outside the norm and you're either turned away at the door or you've got too many eyes on you. Go with what's tried and true."
Jade pulls out her makeup kit and rolls her eyes. "This is for today, silly!" She gestures to the cheerleader uniform. It's the same as what Jade's wearing -- the squad's summer outfit since the football game's going to get chilly. It's a lighter fabric with exposed arms and the classic pleated skirt. "I'm just going to give you some blush, something for your eyes and a nice shade for your lips. But I'll be happy to give you an 'evening look' for your mission!"
Femtite watches in disbelief as Connie shows more skin than Femtite knew she had. And she even stays in just the bralette for the make-up job.
“Oh, I’ll watch the video later. Watching you give my girlfriend a makeover is educational.”
She knows Connie’s your girlfriend. Of course she knows! That’s why Connie was in such a foul mood after they hung out together. And Connie promised not to leave me. Why? Why did she bring that up? Is Jade trying to get her to leave me? Don’t cry, don’t raise your voice, don’t panic, be the princess, don’t look at the trophies, be the princess, be Connie’s fiery space princess, she won’t leave you, it’s too early for never forever, you’re just confused, be the…
Fem triggers Mel’s device she was saving for Hell Night. She wants to know what Jade is thinking or feeling at the revelation she and Connie are girlfriends.