On board the Hat-wing, Tumbler takes a seat next to Wesley, looking at him curiously. "So...is this going to be a thing now for you? Being twinned all the time? Or can we get you to fuse together like Ruby and Sapphire and be Garnet again?" She asks, trying to keep things light.
"But, seriously though, are you okay? You seem really stressed out. You need some time for yourself?" She whispers, dropping the 'devil-may-care' attitude. "I mean, your other half seems like she's pretty okay with this, but you're not exactly on the same wavelength..."
Wesley folds his arms. He seemed to have understood the Steven Universe reference, but it doesn't amuse him.
"No, I'm not okay. That's what the Curator was going to do to me. Us. Make me a girl, some sort of devoted servant, and rewrite me entirely. Wesley: gone. All that's left is the genie."
He lowers his voice too and leans in. "Why is she so okay with what's happening to her? Me. Us. Whatever. Doesn't she see it?" He looks at Tumbler desperately. "Do you think you can, you know, make sure I get the lamp back first when we find it? So I can set this all right? I'm Wes, so shouldn't I be in charge?"
If Ziss had laser eyes, Barbs would be melting as she left them. She then turns to 86, still pretty angry, but then sighing and sitting against the wall, saddened. "I... was just a fool to fink dat doll was indeed worried wif Derby. She was programmed by her, so of course she'd fink like her."
"I'm used to people not taking me seriously... well, in fact, it is mostly a boon, since people underestimate me a lot." She says, taking a tangent. "But I hate when someone I consider as friend does it... and I specially hate when people fink I'm stupid."
"Bof Derby and her doll fink I do not understand her tactics. Of course I do, but dat doesn't mean I must agree wif it, and dis doesn't make me stupid and doesn't make her de owner of de truf!" She tries to explain to 86.
"And now, to make fings worse, I'm worried dat her aunt has done somefing to be considered my moder! Wifout consulting me? I'm not a fing and I refuse to have her as my moder if she finks de same way as Derby!" She says, furious, her eyes wet with tears.
|
86 listened contently for a time partially relaxed because of the drugs in her system partially because she had no reason to be on edge with Ziss. She had seen the folly of underestimating her too. "I will not claim to understand the program of her automatons. Nor her battle tactics at this time, it was reckless and could have cost the morale that won us that battle. Or it could inspire others to push themselves beyond their usual capabilities. Wendy-Red got lucky this time with her... abilities. Something I still have very little understanding of."
She leans down to be more eye level with Ziss, "You do not like being claimed as the cub of another? Perhaps you should talk with this Matriarcical figure about her claim to you. Perhaps it is not as... intense as you believe? It may not be by blood, but that does not mean you cannot become a member of another's pack. Honorary or officially, but it is important to know why they are attempting to claim you before letting your blood boil over. Do not lose yourself to the raging storm that is your heart."
Once the criminals are dropped off with the Bodacious Bowler and Crass Crown, Wendy is back in overall shorts, Chucks, and no hat.
She addresses the team.
”I’ll drop you all off before I return the Hat Wing. But I wanna say I got mixed feelings about the day. Good fight in the end, but our team is a little broken right now.
“I’m sure a lot of it is misunderstandings that got blown out of proportion, and no one has any bad intentions. But if we don’t talk about our wants and needs, don’t air our grievances, then we carry this problem into our next mission.
“And seeing how our next mission is getting the lamp, I think we better start working on solutions for us. We gotta be a real team for Wes’ sake.
“There’s no instant fix, but a start might be to just listen to each other.”
She hopes this makes sense. That it’ll actually work.
”Let’s try this—everyone share out: a want, a need, a gripe—pick two. Say nothing else. Respond to no sharing. We just listen for now.
“Who’s first?”
Barbs volunteers. ”I want to be treated the same as any other living person. My gripe is that I am unable to sufficiently express emotions, though I believe I feel them.”
"Now that just makes me want to surf there more. And if I end up trouble, I know just the person to carry me to shore," Tumbler tells Tide with a seemingly happy smile. "But I'll defer to your judgment. I think I'd prefer somewhere a little secluded..."
-----
"That's something I can do. Just don't end up in some paradox where you're your own master," Tumbler tells Wes, keeping it light. She pats him on the arm. "Hey, why don't we hang out sometime later? Do something fun, like hang gliding."
-----
As Derby tries to get the team to try and air out their grievances, Tumbler puts her hand up. "So...I want to eat some maki rolls right now. And I'm a little annoyed we have to play group home counseling games instead of going out for sushi." She responds glibly.
"But in all seriousness I think that I mostly want to be treated like I can handle my own grievances without hashing it out in front of the whole team. Some people would prefer not to put out their negative feelings on display," She says to Wendy in a more serious tone.
”I was gonna go last, but…”
Carmen’s want and gripe may have undermined the exercise, or so it may appear. Her thinly-veiled defiance doesn’t confirm Wendy’s suspicion about the ‘trap.’ But it doesn’t alleviate it. Carmen’s secretive nature is dangerous… maybe it doesn’t stop at fake-dating cousins.
And having considered that, Wendy knows who to hyperfocus on during her own sharing. So why not just take her turn now?
”I want trust on this team to be mutual, in all directions. That’s the ideal.
“I need my relationship with Wes. I need her-sometimes-him, and I worry some asshoIe is going to take the lamp and the magic will alter Wes’ memory or feeling, or worse, enslave Wes or… something else unthinkable.”
As Wendy speaks of her relationship with Wes, her gaze is on Carmen, who’s idea of initiative is to go behind the team’s back, get caught doing something treacherous, and slither her way out. She is unapologetic about how badly she hurt Daphne. She drove Diego off the team. She earned Carbine’s trust to set the trap… and how was she able to do that after the team fought her and Shell?
”This next mission...” She trails off, taking Jinn-Wes’ hand, and the doll keeps her own little eyes on Carmen’s.
Wes chuckles, relaxing visibly. "Being my own master is kind of my goal, you know. But I get what you mean. Thanks." Carmen can tell her invitation surprises him. He glances over at Arcana for a second, then nods his head. "'Hang' out by hang gliding? Sounds like a good time. I'm in."
-----------------
Guy-Wesley doesn't immediately say anything during the team meeting. He's sitting closer to Carmen than Girl-Wes. He looks at his female half like he's expecting her to speak up first. When Carmen and Wendy speak he just listens.
Ziss shakes her head at 86's assessment. "It has nofing to do wif blood... I came to Earf to find my fader. I'm not an orfan, and even if I had not found him yet, being adopted was de same as me giving up on him." She says.
"I don't want to believe she did it, so of course I'll ask her before anyfing else... she has always been good to me and it be shameful of me do act against her wifout knowing the truf." She says, a bit calmer, but still worried.
Much like Tumbler, Ziss would sooner leave the Hat-Wing and not have this meeting, but since she was asked to speak, she would. As Wendy voices her need, Ziss frowns, more decided than ever on her own needs and wants.
After raising her hand and getting up, she starts. "All dis mess wif de lamp is my fault. I slipped dat wish, so if dere is a cost, a sacrifice, or a risk to be taken while searching for it and recovering it, I need to be de one paying de cost, making de sacrifice, or taking de risk."
"Now... for de next mission at least, if not for good, I want Tumbler to be de leader. I believe dere is no doubt about who in de team is more important to Derby, and what comes first between de team and her relationship. I do not trust Derby to make decisions dat involve anyfing Wes-related." With this, she sits, eager to leave.
Wendy, respectful of her own rule, does not respond. But there’s no f++%ing way Carmen is on lead. The Guy Wes construct sees her as an ally, and Ziss is too pissed off at me to see the threat. Or worse, she does see it, and I got a bad read on her.
The question is, do I need to actually bench people? That is the death of a team. That is not what she wants.
But the lack of trust, the undermining from both Ziss and Carmen. It confirms the initial wisdom behind her ‘dumb rule’ about not dating a team member. But now that the relationship means the world to her, she can’t go back. To break her and Wes would break her.
And Ziss hates me now! She wants this—she doesn’t care how the lamp hurts Wes, because it hurts me!
Wendy’s non-super-grip tightens in Jinn-Wes’ hand. Wendy keeps a poker face, but she’s trembling.
Arcana speaks up, while squeezing Wendy's hand back. "Ziss, I'm not mad at you, and I don't want you taking on any unnecessary risks going ahead, certainly not on my behalf. I had been wanting to scale back my powers, since I think they're growing too fast. I let my own fear do the talking and ended up scaring you. I'm sorry for that."
She then addresses the group. "Our first order of business is finding the lamp. Once we do, we'll know more, like if it's in someone's hands and whether they're a danger. Setting the leader now seems premature. That being said, I have no problem with Tumbler leading if she's the best one for the mission."
After a pause, she twists her mouth. "That wasn't really a need or gripe. Let's see... I want you all to know how much I appreciate this. And I need... to... well, thank you. Thank you."
"Oh, I already had a turn. Thanks for believing in me Ziss, but I think we should assign this particular mission to someone else." Tumbler says to the Nomad.
"Really, I think that Megan's next in the leadership queue. We should give her a chance," Tumbler says, promoting the shark superheroine.
"I did not mean unnecessary risks. I'm not stupid." She says, serious to Arcana, and glancing at Wendy. "It eases my mind a bit knowing dat you are not mad about de lamp and dat you are sorry, Wes... tanks, but I still messed up."
Ziss simply nods to Tumbler and Megan. She doesn't speak though, since she wants this affair to be done as fast as possible.
Wendy’s mind is a little at ease with Carmen’s reply. (But less so from Ziss’ look.)
”Thanks, Carmen. I am still making a decision on next mission. As stated earlier, I hand over lead when I have reason. I’m not obligated to.”
Wendy pays attention to how Ziss responds to this. She wanted Tumbler to lead permanently. So how damaged is our relationship?
"I did not mean unnecessary risks. I'm not stupid." She says, serious to Arcana, and glancing at Wendy. "It eases my mind a bit knowing dat you are not mad about de lamp and dat you are sorry, Wes... tanks, but I still messed up."
Arcana counts to ten in her head. "I didn't say you were stupid. And I said 'unnecessary' because part of being a hero is taking risks. We all take risks, but they're worth it because we're helping people.
"And we all know you made a mistake, so I'm asking you not to try to make up for it by taking -- yes -- unnecessary risks."
Wendy tries to play off Wes’ words to cool the temperature. ”And no need to acknowledge the error or repeat the apology. We need solutions at this point.
“If anyone wants to air a want, need or gripe, let’s try to get those out without interruption. Then I suggest we adjourn, rest, have fun… and plan on thinking with clear heads before we hunt down that lamp.”
"So, you don't fink I'm stupid, but yet you feel you need to explain aaaallll dis to me and den triple check if I understood. Incredible." She says and leaves the meeting.
Ziss reaches Wendy's room and immediately packs her few belongings before she searches for Aunt Maude.
|
|
Listening once again to the team go about their deliberations and everything 86 folded her arms and grumbled.
"I would make my address then. I want to better aid this pack. In order to facilitate that I need a proper workplace, Your base should suffice assuming the power requirements are suitable. As well as requiring knowledge on how the abilities of your people work and how I might begin creating countermeasures."
She then looked to all the offending members of the group trying to solidify on a single complaint which she couldn"t easily bring herself to do. So she decided to drop things adressing individuals of the group.
Looking to Ziss as she leaves part of her rant dies in her throat she motioned towards Wendy, "I believe Siss means to say that you are currently unfit to lead because you are letting her emotions cloud your judgement. Wendy-red you have already proven yourself a capable leader, however there have been tactical errors. You were, as far as I believe you're medical terminology would declare, deceased in my grasp earlier because of your rash action. We were all caught unaware to your regenerative abilities. Can you deny that was the truth, or that it is a reasonable cause for concern of your safety from your packmates?"
She then looked to Tumbler,"I do not wish to set your gift on fire as such I will not use it for anything more than my domicile."
Unfolding her limbs she motioned between the two wes's, wessi, weses? "I do not like this, it is confusing. I will require information about how to resolve this. It is clear something important happened with the vessel that you had on the other planet and I believe I am uninitiated on thr exact nature of what transpired while I was entreating with my pack."
She pointed to Crimson tide for a long paused moment, "I have no qualms about your performance, it was... adequate."
Wendy says to 86, ”Technically, the point of this exercise was to hear wants, needs and gripes without responding. The purpose: to let everyone’s voice be heard, and to let the mind process alternate perspectives.
“I’m not denying I got pulled into the back-and-forth. But I can explain the tactics later, if you’re interested. For now, I heard you. Concern noted.
“And seeing how Ziss is home, or… maybe packing her bags, I suggest we hear Crimson Tide and Guy-Wes in the Hat Wing.”
The Barbed Beret is already wearing her Pilot Barbie outfit!
”All aboard!” she exclaims as she flits up the wheelchair ramp.
Guy-Wes looks uncomfortable when it seems like he's expected to talk. "Um, yeah. This is weird and all." He looks around, then focuses on 86 since her confusion seemed genuine. "Imagine waking up and there's you, but there's another you who's the opposite sex even though that's the bad guy's plan for you all along and is all like, 'this is how it is.' And you're one guy friend has bailed on you."
He folds his arms. "I guess, that's my gripe. My want is... that we still pull together and stop the bad guy. 'Cause that's what's more important."
Arcana tries to keep the scowl off her face. She looks away from her male self and turns to 86 to try to explain further. "You seem to know only science. But Earth has magic as well as science. And I know that any sufficiently advanced science is indistinguishable from magic, but I think we're talking real magic in my case. I've been evasive about my true nature to you. I'm sorry, but when I tell you I hope you'll understand my caution.
"I'm a being that we call a genie. I'm immensely powerful, with the ability to reshape reality, bend time and fundamentally alter the nature of the universe. It comes at a massive cost, however. When I come into my full potential, I'll lose my free will and be subservient to one man -- the same man who had you in his vault."
She glances in the direction that Ziss went. "Thanks to a mistake with my powers, I've lost the lamp. That vessel that we all used to keep ourselves safe on the desert planet. It's partly my prison, but it's also the key to my power. Whoever has it can use it -- use me."
Tumbler takes a step back from the rest of the group in order to take up one of her burner phones, swapping in a SIM card and calling the number stored on it.
"Hi, Magpie. It's been a minute, hasn't it. Glad we could smooth things over with that whole mirror business. Listen, you might remember when I got that thing for you a while back?" She says, clearing her throat and whispering. "The little brass lamp. Yeah that one. I've heard that who it was supposed to go to never got it - it was never found, right. Seeing as it passed through you, you must have some idea about who else must have it. I'm assuming it's got to be either Madame Laveau from Delta City, or maybe the Roulette Family in Lespres. Could you do me a solid and see where that might have ended up? Call me up when you have the details," She finishes.
She returns as the big furry mechanist tells her she'll keep the apartment she gifted to the Outsider from burning down. "Wow, okay. I mean, you can just have a good fire extinguisher handy if you need it. Honestly that's just good practice for any place."
|
|
86 stares on at Guy-Wes and the lacking explanation, mostly because that's sort of how she was brought into the world surrounded by not quite but almost the same individuals who were, in a manner of speaking exactly like her. "I believe the stress of the situation is lost on me, as that is how my batch siblings were brought into the world. We are all very similar slight differences coat, sex, secondary genetic donor, mental acumen it'd be very demeaning but you may say we are the same."
She nods at Fem-Wes and tilts her head at whatever this magic is seeming to not understand the word very well. "I was speaking about information in regards to this object you lost, that it will be easier to find. I will not begin to explain how little of this... 'Majik' I understand. But I believe your idiom stands as a suitable stand in." She pulls out a small metal orb and holds it delicately between two clawed fingers.
"Eons ago one would not have conceived of a device capable of turning hydrogen dioxide into a weapon like this, but now I can use it to immobilize or extinguish things in a flash." She replaces the orb into a receptacle on her belt, before finally addressing Carmen.
Her ears pulled back slightly with concern, "You asked that I did not damage the flooring at all. If I am to do so then I will need a workplace that is suitable for the temperatures that my equipment will produce. As well as hiding the energy signatures they will invariably produce. For this I suggest the place where the scanning computer was located."
Wendy says to 86, ”We’ll hook up your gear to mine. Wirelessly.”
I was just thinking about how close we were before I started dating. I don’t think it’s that I’m failing as a leader, but I definitely blew it as a sister. Can we meet? No team stuff, no leader—as equals. As sisters who have drifted apart, and that’s at least mostly on me.
Pick a day—tomorrow, or another day or two later if you need a break from me.
♥️,
Wendy
Crimson Tide shifts uncomfortably. "I'm all for passing around leadership, but doing it just for the sake of it's just silly. 'S not like I've got any special insight into whatever's going on with the lamp and w-words, or even magic at all, 'less breaking something's the answer."
She continues more firmly, "This whole thing's a bad idea though. If you want a captive audience for passive aggressive sniping, host a Thanksgiving. No one thinks you getting shot was the sign of good plans or good things happening. Doesn't mean there's no good ways forward, but 's not exactly like we need to cast a wide net for problems to solve."
Wendy lets the disastrous meeting end on that awkward note.
”Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I’ll relieve Barbs of piloting the craft and drop you all off at your various homes. Carmen, I need directions from you since I don’t know which place to pick.”
She heads to the cockpit, leaving the door open after entering.
”Thank goodness you are resuming your pilot duty, Wendy. I am unable to operate the landing gear.”
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Once the Hatwing is relatively close to her parents' home, Arcana asks to be let out. She gives Arcanum a "yes, you too," look. The pair float out of the bay door under their own power and head home.
<Silence>
"Go ahead. I have a pretty good idea what you're thinking, so out with it."
"... So... Were you thinking, 'he's going to do this to me anyways, so I might as well get used to it? Maybe he won't erase me if I, like, agree to it'?"
"I forgot about thinking that. But no."
"But this is more than just being curious. This isn't just wondering what it'd be like to have boobs for a couple hours?"
"You're right. It's gone beyond that."
"Do you like it more?"
"..."
"Do you like being a girl more than a guy?"
"At the moment... I don't see the need to change back. I'm perfectly content right now."
"Don't see the need?!? What about the professor? Have you really given up?"
"You're a construct. You lack context."
"Maybe I'm seeing things more clearly!"
"It's possible. Just... I can't keep two sets of memories in my head, so you're it. And it makes sense that you stay Wes since how you remember things, Wendy and I... aren't."
"Wendy. What about Ashley?"
"I chose Wendy. And she chose me. Even when I was a guy."
"Okay, then."
"Okay. I'm going to get changed and I'm going to meet back up with Wendy this evening. You get to be me in the meantime. Keep yourself safe. You're what's left of my masculinity. I don't want you going anywhere."
"All right."
<beat>
"So all those dreams of me and Wendy--?"
"Real. And fantastic."
"Cool."
While Ziss do join 86 in her efforts to repair Shell, she doesn't really know how she'll be able to help. She takes a look nevertheless, secretly looking for signs of Razzaran technology, remembering those cyborgs that came to Earth looking for her.
Ziss realizes there are a few redundant parts inside the Hatwing she could salvage to help 86 repair Shell. She can also grab a few scans of Shell's programming to see if she could possibly alter it in the future.
86 is able to get Shell back up and running in a reserve power mode, such that her life will not be at risk, but she is unable to fight back. Soon enough, both Carbine and Shell are safely in supervillain custody.
***
Following the failed airing of grievances, each of the Bay Watchmen go their separate ways. Once more, the team seems to be at a low point. Will they be able to recover from these latest events? Find out next time!
.
Delivered. Read. No reply. Wendy puts her cell phone away. She could try the private channel on the Ear Buddies, but if Ziss is this upset at me, she’s not wearing them.
Wendy breathes. She recalls Wes’ words: "She'll come around. They'll all come around. We'll all be stronger for it."
Wendy gets the feeling that at least one on her team feels she does not uphold the Hatrix traditions. She does not make her family proud.
Maybe they don’t know what those traditions are. But… would that really matter? Three years of intense training is exhilarating to experience, but boring to talk about.
Wendy tries not to dwell on just one aspect. I did survive a bullet to the heart. Victory party for one. Yay me. She finds internalized sarcasm makes things worse.
She knocks on the mahogany door, wondering which Hatrix is going to talk about her moment of truth…
|
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86 Spends most of her time setting up micro matter refiners and small nano-printers which she uses to print bigger parts for bigger printers until she has a functioning workshop tucked into a compact corner of the Coffee shop base. Due to a not so unforseen circumstance between issues , she has also taken the liberty of utilizing her new printers and matter forges to set up a workshop for a proper team vehicle. That has yet to be revealed to the team and she has somehow managed to keep under tight wraps despite the short time span and the ever prying eyes of Wendy and the murderBarbed dolls.
Over all things are looking well for the young Treznak Artificer as she settles into the base and begins the arduous process of researching Terran culture and technology. So that she can show off her ability to one-up it at every single turn, or so she believes, since Humans have shown to be rather resourceful and surprising creatures in even her short time on Tera.
Wendy sends a text message to the team.
Our next meeting is scheduled at the base. I will be taking lead on this mission, as well as all missions going forward until I see evidence that we are unified as a team.
Megan was right that we have a problem, and we don’t need to cast a wide net. The net is over all of us.
That said, your voiced concern about my safety, as one who lacks superpowers, has been noted and addressed. I hope you will find this evident when you see me, and that going forward all of us, including myself, improve the team through self-improvement and trusting others to use their abilities as only they truly know how.
That said, the Bay Watchmen are Bay City’s best. Backing that claim is our win record, our killer rep, respect on both ends of the super spectrum and an ever-growing fan base of normies and maybe a few supers and ex-villains as well.
We’re gonna pull together and get that lamp! Special thanks to 86 and her amazing Treznak tech! (Yes, it’s better than mine. There. I said it.)
See you soon!
~The Darling Derby
Attached is a scheduled private meeting at the base called “Private Meeting - OPTIONAL.” Each team member can only see her own, except Kalilah who sees Wes’ optional meeting the hour before her own.
These are at the base.
The “⭐️BAY WATCHMEN TEAM MEETING⭐️“ is not.
Location: TBA
Ziss sends a voice message back to the team. "When de location of de team meeting has been decided, please let me know."
---
At the dawn of the "outside of the base" team meeting, Ziss checks her messages and finds out Derby has not sent her the location yet, so she sends another message to team channel. "Has de location been decided already?"
Tumbler replies quickly and succinctly to only Derby. Nice to see you taking charge. Can I ask you for a favor and can we have our private meeting outside of the team base? Your schedule conflicts with a yoga class I'm taking.
"We have to talk. 'Kalilah.'"
"Not with that attitude, we don't."
"Wait, seriously? Don't shut me down! I need to know what's going on with you! With us! Aren't we both Wesley?"
"We're... different now. I'm female. All the way, through and through. It feels good. And right."
"Swell. Where did you get 'Kalilah'?"
"Wendy suggested it. It means 'Darling.' Get it? She's the Darling Derby, and...?"
"Yeah, I get it. So, you're all girl, all the time, and Wendy's darling. What does that mean for me? What happens when we find the lamp and sort out our memories?"
"I'm not-- look, I don't want to just get rid of you! I like knowing there's still Wesley out there! That way, I can just be Kalilah. I'm happy! And Wendy-- you have no idea! It's amazing, our connection... I think I love her!"
"Do you remember what Dad says about new love?"
"... that it's a complex chemical cocktail in our brains bringing about euphoric feelings designed to help propagate the species. Except we're lesbians. And I even acknowledged that when I told Wendy. Though... I believe it's more than just physical attraction and sex. We've opened up with each other. Shared."
"But, you're in love with being a girl right now, aren't you?"
"... I... yeah."
"Yeah, that's what I thought. Remember who also wants us to be a girl for him."
"You think I could forget that?"
"No, but you could be training yourself for him without even realizing it! Look at those heels you're strutting around in! And those clothes!"
"I still like beautiful girls. I know I'm gorgeous, and it's amazing to dress this body up."
"Right, right. You're one hundred percent girl now. Remember, I've got the masculinity, and as much as I like seeing it, I don't see the appeal in wearing it. So... keep that in mind? Or is there any point in pretending we're the same person?"
"I don't know."
Kalilah sends a response to the group text. You know I'll be there.
Wendy replies,
I may have to cut it short depending on others and depending on where you want to meet. Alternatively, we can change the time to accommodate you at the base.
Let me know where you want to meet me, or if any time between 4pm and 9pm at the base works. I’ll reschedule or relocate accordingly.
After the meeting with Carmen, Wendy heads off to…
Wendy speaks to her aunt. ”I have two things to discuss. One, my team member, Tumbler, asked a favor. White Rabbit is up for parole, and she was wondering if an established hero could speak on his behalf. Now, I don’t have enough information to vouch for him. But Tumbler has told me what kind of person she was versus who she is now.
“Perhaps she could be an influence for her old friend.” Wendy is aware that the reverse could be true, especially if White Rabbit is more than just an old acquaintance. ”I understand the risks, but I also know you wouldn’t meet the parole board before speaking to White Rabbit directly.
“The second thing… Ziss moved out. It’s no mystery we’ve had a falling out. She once confessed feelings for me, but at that time, I was just starting my relationship with Wes. Kalilah now. Means ‘darling’ in Arabic.” Wendy stops herself from mentioning the shape-shifting.
”All of her recent actions point to her problem with Kalilah and I being a couple. First, she was hit in a sparring match because she was focused on me, not her opponent, and shouted at me when I advised her to focus on the ‘foe’ in front of her. When I spoke to her in private, she got upset, then told me about what happens if someone rubs Wes’ lamp. This resulted in a state of panic when I realized I did rub the lamp, and Wes—Kalilah now—panicked, questioning if her feelings for me are magically compelled.
“After that was settled, Tumbler and CT had fortunately taken initiative, compensating for time wasted on my relationship being needlessly dragged into the middle of a critical mission. Ziss then W’d the lamp away!”
Wendy takes a breath. This story is long, she knows, but has a point.
”I managed to pull the team together. Our mission succeeded, as you know. How is a separate conversation.
“But after the debrief—which in part went poorly due to my own approach, admittedly—Ziss said I was unfit to lead this mission due to my emotional attachment.” She raises a finger. ”The team as a whole does not agree.
“Additionally, she has been critical of you, discounts my offensive tactics as recklessness, and has refused multiple invitations to meet in private, yet she expects to be here tomorrow. I invited her, so… me too, actually. Benching a team member sounds like the outer ring of a death spiral.
“I fear her sewing seeds of dissent has the potential to destroy the team. Mutiny. The faster death spiral. I don’t intend to engage in unpleasantness, but I don’t want her to feel like she doesn’t have a voice or a place with us.
“I’m at a loss as to how to deal with her, and as far as emotions go—the mercy I showed Carbine is proof that I don’t let my emotions get in the way of being a Hatrix.”
Wendy will hear her aunt’s advice. Her question: ”How do I handle Ziss?”
Shortly after dawn, there is a text from Wendy.
Good Morning! Please have your Ear Buddies on, and either be at your known address or text Barbs a location. A FemBot will pick you up in a windowless car.
Meeting Location: The Cap-Cave!
That’s my great-grandfather’s underground mansion. I’m here now, and I don’t actually know where I am. Oh, and this is a scheduled text. Any reply will be read by Barbs… I can’t get a signal in the ‘cave.’
Later, Barbs says over the Ear-Buddies, ”Your respective drivers are on their way. Please do not be alarmed by the lack of windows. The FemBots can see through several cameras built into their cars.”
Kalilah and Wesley both get on board the car sent for them. Once inside, they both summon up their hero personas -- Arcanum and Arcana.
Though, Arcanum nearly chokes when he sees that Arcana didn't just call forth a flowing hooded cloak to disguise herself. She's dressed like a fantasy sorceress, almost nude except for a few bits of blue fabric strategically placed across her chest and waist, with flowing diaphanous skirts billowing in nonexistent wind. Jewelry and lace adorn her neck, wrists, shoulders, and hair, which is a golden blonde and flowing in rich curls. As she sits, she crosses her long, bare legs with feet encased in gem-encrusted high heels.
"What the hell is this?" Arcanum's eyes are nearly bulging out of his skull.
"Don't make a big deal out of this. I just don't feel like covering up. And this way, Arcana looks different than Kalilah, so I can go out in public without being recognized," she says, leaning back in her seat as the van starts up.
"You look like Deviant Art."
Arcana folds her arms across her chest, pushing her breasts together to create deep cleavage. "Jealous? I'm really having a good time with this. I don't care what you think. You're me, just be happy. For us."
Arcanum rolls his eyes. "I'm embarrassed for both of us. You're going overboard. Can you scale it back some?"
Arcana huffs. "I'm a girl now! I don't need a man to tell me how to dress! I can dress however I like!"
"But you're not acting like a girl! You're like, a teenaged boy's lesbian fantasy!"
"Shut up."
"Wow. I'm right, aren't I?"
"Shut. Up."
Arcana and Arcanum are glaring hotly at each other when they get out of the vehicle. Arcana is no longer hiding in a voluminous cloak like she used to be. She's in a flowing azure dress with a form-fitting bodice and long, cascading blonde locks of hair. She looks like the fantasy art of a sexy sorceress stepped out of the digital art and into real life.
Her apparent sour mood brightens when she sees Wendy, and beelines to her and gives her a strong embrace.
Wendy of course appreciates the enthusiasm and takes in the hug.
”Great! You’re both here,” Wendy says, not wanting to leave out the grumpy Wes construct. ”So… before the others arrive, just a… suggestion. You might want to fill us in on the goal.
“You get the lamp, then what?”
Wendy can see the construct is self-aware, as Barbs is. And he and Kalilah are in a disagreement. Wendy wants to get a read on him.
Arcana blinks at the question. "Well, getting the lamp means that it's back in our hands. Then, um, we'd need to probably start looking for a permanent solution. There's a whole library inside the lamp, maybe there's a clue in one of the scrolls. I've done some reading, but not a lot since I never liked staying inside for long without someone watching it, maybe that's the next step?" She glances over her shoulder at Arcanum. "Never thought of posting a 'guard.' Maybe I could even create some more constructs to go through the whole library faster."
Arcanum folds his arms, shrugging. "Checking the library sounds good, but that should happen in the background. We should focus on helping Daniela. Last we saw her, she seemed like she was under the Curator's control."
Arcana's eyes go wide. "That's right! How could I have forgotten? S@$$, that's... yeah. That's top priority."
"Sounds good to me. Wendy?" Arcanum turns to the Derby.
He wants to continue to exist, and it appears he's not sure who's the bigger threat to that, the Curator or Arcana. He's mad about something and seems critical of Arcana (the look he gave her when she said she'd forgotten about Daniela was harsh).
Wendy pats close attention to the construct that looks like Wes.
So *she* is madly in love with me, but *he* retains all the bits about life outside of our relationship. And I’m not sure why the sexy sorceress look exactly, but that led to… yeah. Ride the wave; don’t think about the crash. I wonder if Megan could make sense of…
”Hmm.. just an observation, but I think you two are parts of a whole. Be sure to both stay as you are after the lamp is back. Maybe we can debrief.” Wendy does NOT mean—”I mean talk, sort out how not to lose yourself, -selves, or half of you.
“…if you don’t object to my being in that conversation.”
Ziss texts Barbs "Cyborg's Plaza" and is there waiting for the strange car.
As she arrives and sees only Wendy and the Wesses, she freezes for a moment, but then takes a deep breath before moving forward. She crosses her arms, in silence, waiting for the others to arrive, while looking around for any clues about the place.
Wendy offers a cheerful smile. She is glad to see Ziss. She’s not blind to the crossed arms.
”Good morning, Ziss. I’m glad you made it. Is everything okay with you?” In the interest of not being fake, ”I get that you’re upset with me, but I mean…”
Don’t pry.
”…I just hope you’re safe and, whatever you’ve been up to, you’re happier for it.”
Though a little more long-winded than intended, Wendy is being sincere…
…it’s carried in her tone, though she’ll be surprised if anything she says can get Ziss to open up.