Shaking a bit himself, Aquarelle puts himself between Statian and Andromeda. "Wait. Dis is not de plece for dis kind of conversacion... better done dan perfect!" Looking between the two, he continues. "Earth is not an ice ball. We were successful. Yes, it would be better if neider V'orpl nor de thief had escaped, but I trust zat we all did de best we could!" The others did, at least. He was hidden and watching for an unreasonable amount of time and so DD was knock out.
"Now we leave, get some hot clothes and some hot cocoa," turning to Archie, "spiced up with cognac or not, and we celebrete what we did here... we sleep on it and tomorrow we meet to talk about how we can improve." Looking between all of them, he adds. "Fair? Deal?"
The natural light coming in from the impromptu skylight Andromeda created is blocked for a moment as two figures descend through the opening and into the wreckage of the convention center exhibit hall. The slender one is the familiar male Nuvoan and member of the Corps, wreathed in a corona of telekinetic energy. The other is a large, four-armed being ripped with muscles and brandishing and impressive array of weapons.
"Oh, good. Maybe we're a little late, but it appears the device has been located," Xeno says while he lowers himself and the other alien to the floor. "I thought an expert in Khi'thyr weaponry could be useful."
The big alien is recognizable as the Maw, one of the allies of the Praetorian and the Taylor family in general. In a deep bass he rumbles, "This one is experiencing the bitter and sweet of missing combat but seeing young warriors triumphant. V'orpl is a side-thorn to this one."
The big alien strides toward the cryo-phase detonator and inspects it with an appraising eye while Xeno uses a scanning device. "Stable for the moment. Good job averting an ice age."
"No I- They- I thought-" Xeno and the Maw make their entrance before Andromeda can do more than sputter and spark at Sam's accusation and Gui's attempt at peace.
Did they want this to happen?
Rounding on the adult heroes, she finds a simpler question to address as she wrestles her sheath into something that's just expanding and contracting with each frustrated breath. "That has to be destroyed. You can do that safely?"
That bit of indigestion did seem to be irrational anger, Sam realizes, but she also believes once again their team failed to prioritize tactically... and she tried to facilitate it correctly.
Which meant she failed.
The indigestion grew.
Her eyes shift from Andromeda to Aquarella and she nods. To Xeno, "I will transfer all collected data to your interface, to aid in determining the safest means of disposal." her threads come out and connects to his scanning device to upload all relevant collected energy readouts.
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Outside, Indarius stops the debris from crashing down on the crowd from the bomb. Unfortunately, the thief got away even though they didn't make off with their prize. Worse, the medical prototype is crushed like a soda can.
Sirens grow louder as emergency first responders approach the scene!
What do you do?
Indarius makes sure that everyone is safe before moving to allow the rubble and debris to fall safely to rest on the ground.
"My appologies everyone."
Standing to his full height he asks through the communicator. "How are things inside? Any sign of the thief? We've got Emergency services on the way."
He looks about wondering if he should talk to the police and other responders about the scaffold situation or hurry them to the convention center first.
"Noone leave yet either, we'll have plenty of questions to answer and things to go over as well no doubt."
"Is that Indy? Hey, we got the frickin' Maw in here! Is that not just cool as heck or what?" Chroknight shouts at Statian's comm. "Thief is gone though. Didn't even get their name. 100% on my nemesis list, right under Bubblegum and the Mothmen."
They turn to look at the powerful ally of the Taylor family, waving at him. "Love those weapons - hey, Phalanx! You're missing the chance to imitate cool alien weapons with your powers! Oh, is that the Novalance?! I thought it was broken by the Changebreaker in the 00's? Or am I thinking of the Stellarspear?"
They nudge Statian. "Hey, later, after I finish geeking out, I'm gonna ask you to fix my armor, because I'm sure something is rattling in the helmet that shouldn't do that."
Sam's continued ire was focusing on Indarius, even with the apology, but suddenly it disappeared as everything about her brightens. Like a dull light bright, just flat black holes, is suddenly turned on with hundreds of pink pegs igniting in exploding firework shapes...
In Sam's muted-ness of course, which was in truth a widening, a surprised smile, and all her attention focused on Chroknight (which is equivalent to the above light bright analogy).
"You would let me repair your armor?"
Xeno gives Andromeda a shake of his head. "The entropic accelerator at the core of the device isn't something you can just 'destroy.' It contains a fraction of a universe in heat-death, so we can't just chuck it into the sun. Better to fling it backwards in time to be consumed by the Big Bang."
The Maw nods grimly. "Khi'thyr weapons are most effective. This one uses youngling weapons on Earth." He turns to Chroknight when they geek out over his array of weaponry. "The former is accurate. This one is curious: your companion mimics weapons?"
When Indy mentions that authorities are on their way, Xeno gives a "hurry up" motion. "The public is better off not knowing the Corps exist, so I'm going to slip out. Maw, you can take the cryo-bomb to safety?"
The four-armed alien rumbles an affirmative.
Empyrean finally rejoins the team with a shuffle of wings.
"I am sorry I spent most of my time just going back and forth. I wasn't sure how to best help," she says apologetically.
"Are there any physical injuries that require attention?"
"I mean, other than the electrical burns, no. But thanks for being here, Feathers. I think I was also second-guessing myself there," Chroknight tells Empyrean. "Hard sometimes to make a choice. But when you've made one, best to see it through. Sometimes I forget about being the hero and act like this is a schoolyard scrap. I dunno if you think I acted heroic or like a dummy today..."
"But, anyways, Stats, I'll bring my armor to you later, you patch it up, and maybe explain a little about hwo it works because I got only the broadest of strokes on that. Just don't, like, turn on the self destruct or anything."
"I mean, other than the electrical burns, no. But thanks for being here, Feathers. I think I was also second-guessing myself there," Chroknight tells Empyrean. "Hard sometimes to make a choice. But when you've made one, best to see it through. Sometimes I forget about being the hero and act like this is a schoolyard scrap. I dunno if you think I acted heroic or like a dummy today..."
"But, anyways, Stats, I'll bring my armor to you later, you patch it up, and maybe explain a little about hwo it works because I got only the broadest of strokes on that. Just don't, like, turn on the self destruct or anything."
Empyrean holds out her hands for Chloe to take them, as her touch helps engender accelerated natural healing.
"You put yourself on the line to protect others, which is the calling of the hero," the angel says. "That is something that can only come from the person within. No tool or weapon or suit of armor can do that without the hand to wield it."
Sam finds herself goign to Phalanx and Aquarelle "The probability of global catastrophe was greatly reduced by the presence of your both." she paused then added "To zero." a small smile graced her lips.
Sam didn't really get humor which is why she probably thought this was humorous. The tiniest of snorts comes out even.
But the dampeners catches her before all craziness can come out, and she settles "Truly, exceptional quick thinking and the unexpected grasp of pan-galactic physics needed for proper dismantling saved our planet and everyone on it. Meaning you saved Us. Thank you"
Archie stands off to the side studying The Maws array of weaponry. I'd love to get my hands on those, some alien weapons would really bolster my armory.
He breaks his gaze to stare at his feet, looking dejected. Really messed that one up, my dupe was practically useless. And I did nothing the whole time they were fighting that alien. Everyone's here to clean up my mess. And I barely helped.
He scoffs and mutters a few curses under his breath.
Archie glances up as Sam approaches, he offers a smile, trying to mask his feelings.
When Sam finishes talking Archie laughs, "I saved us? Bare-ly. You guys did all the heavy lifting, I ended up getting lost in the boat exhibits." Archie chuckles and scratches his head. "You were the crazy one, grabbing that thing with your bare hands. I'd say you saved the day, Red."
Archie idly crafts a throwing knife and begins twirling it around. "You should work on your jokes though, eh Gui?" He says through a slight laugh while he nudges Guilliam with his elbow.
"The decision was not a mental deficiency, but based on data producing risk and reward balancing..." she looks at her hand, which is still numb making her consider nerve damage. "It is ill advised to perform the task under less strenuous situations. "
Looking back at Phalanx "Counteracting the temperature shift with increased heat allowed Aquarelle to perform the deed he did. I have noted that being a significant contributor to our survival in my report." purely mental report at the moment since she has not had screen time at this point.
Chroknight looks at Empyrean, their expression unreadable but for the tilt of their head. "Well, speaking of hands..." They gently pull Joy's hand to take Sam's next to them. "Stats here could use some extra healing. I'm gonna take a minute and go clean up what I can before the police arrive."
They pause, before speaking to Statian. "I'll drop off the armor at your place. Please don't put a tracking device in it!" And with that, they blur into motion, sweeping through the convention center and replacing everything that was displaced to their proper settings before leaving the venue.
Chloe: Dad got tix to the re-opening of the Praetorium
Chloe: Need a new fit and my shopping wingmate
Chloe: Pls tell me you're able to do that
Chloe: Need a fit for fancy clothes
Chloe: I hate shopping alone T_T
Chloe: Need new look for special event
Chloe: Shopping alone sucks T_T
Chloe: I can treat you to take out
Chroknight: If you see Johnny, can you ask him if he's seen Beebee lately?
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"Is that Indy? Hey, we got the frickin' Maw in here! Is that not just cool as heck or what?" Chroknight shouts at Statian's comm. "Thief is gone though. Didn't even get their name. 100% on my nemesis list, right under Bubblegum and the Mothmen."
They turn to look at the powerful ally of the Taylor family, waving at him. "Love those weapons - hey, Phalanx! You're missing the chance to imitate cool alien weapons with your powers! Oh, is that the Novalance?! I thought it was broken by the Changebreaker in the 00's? Or am I thinking of the Stellarspear?"
They nudge Statian. "Hey, later, after I finish geeking out, I'm gonna ask you to fix my armor, because I'm sure something is rattling in the helmet that shouldn't do that."
It takes a while for Indy to respond through the communicator once more, "Oh tell Maw I said hi, sorry dealing with things outside, nobody got hurt, but they are still a bit freaked out by ya know the buzz bomb. Be there in a bit myself."
Empyrean finally rejoins the team with a shuffle of wings.
"I am sorry I spent most of my time just going back and forth. I wasn't sure how to best help," she says apologetically.
"Are there any physical injuries that require attention?"
Indy alights into the convention center again now in his humanoid form so as not to knock anything else over. "Well at least you acted like a beacon for others to get to incase anything went wrong Empyrean."
He looks to Statian, "I have thoughts about performances, but I think it's better that I share them with the leader and have her diffuse a plan of action to you all later."
Eventually Indy turned to address Andromeda who seemed to be taking things pretty hard, "Well thief got away, but at least they didn't get the device right? Sorry I got distracted with the bombs, thought I'd be able to handle them a bit faster."
He folds his arms, then wings over his chest to hide the motion, "V'orpl also reached into my mind a bit when we first got here and drug out some of the skeletons in my closet so, probably didn't help that I scared the hell out of the people in here." Giving a forced smile to Statian he shrugs, "Bumpy road but no frozen Earth so I'd call it a pizza party worthy win."
Chroknight looks at Empyrean, their expression unreadable but for the tilt of their head. "Well, speaking of hands..." They gently pull Joy's hand to take Sam's next to them. "Stats here could use some extra healing. I'm gonna take a minute and go clean up what I can before the police arrive."
They pause, before speaking to Statian. "I'll drop off the armor at your place. Please don't put a tracking device in it!" And with that, they blur into motion, sweeping through the convention center and replacing everything that was displaced to their proper settings before leaving the venue.
Empyrean takes up a position near Sam, where she can hold on gently and let her soothing presence flow outward. It's a slightly warm sensation, like being held by your mother as an infant. Aches and pains seem to fade into the background as this passive font of healing brings out the body's natural mechanisms of self-repair with alacrity.
Gui smiles at Sam's attempt to make a joke, shaking his head at Archie's comment. "No, her jokes are perfect as dey are, e mixture of dad jokes with techno-babble. It has her own style. I like it." He smiles and winks at her.
"And I agree with Archie, Sam. You did great."
Sam smiles, one of those rare real ones. It could be the warm healing from Empyrean, it could be the statement about the leader from the one she respected as the leader, it could be the affirmation from Phalanx and Aquarelle "Your dismantling of the device, given the para-astrophysics of the infrastructure was significantly impressive." her head tilts as she listens "I am told in modern vernacular, I should inform you that 'You Are Cool'""
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It's all too much. She doesn't actually push herself off the other heroes, but Andromeda turns and walks away as though repelled, only explaining, "There's boats."
"Boats?" Gui asks, following on her heels.
"They're big enough I can move them safely; it's something I can do. I tipped most of them over. It's a mission that won't be- It's not just a distraction from something important it's-" She tries to calm herself down but the building still rumbles before she can manage it.
She stares back at the rest of the team, hoping they won't be staring back, and keeps moving.
"They did it on purpose."
Of course it was a distraction, as Aquarelle has never seen Andromeda fixing any collateral damage before. "Dey who, did what? Sorry if I'm being dense."
"The Tin- Chroknight. I told them that they needed to focus on the real mission; they told me I had to go after the thief. I trusted them, but it was so stupid! They didn't know anything about the thief or why they were bad, and there was an extinction-class threat that I wasn't there to help with, so Sam got hurt because of me, just so Chroknight could-"
The foundation shakes again. "I trusted them again. I thought it was important. They were just being unfocused and flirting again. They might have been making people hate me again."
"I tink you are giving way too much credit to Chroknight. He can literally slow or stop time and tink about what to do... and instead he is de one who is always doing someting stupid and impulsive. He did not drag you dere so we would hate you. I think he did so because he is just too prideful to admit he was doing someting dat was not important." He says, throwing his arms up. "From de get go our mission was to stop V'orpl from freezing de world."
"And he also dragged Indarius and Empyrean in de same way... if you tink Statian got hurt because of you, den de two also share dis bleme." He shrugs, a bit angry. "But I do not know why you seem so desperate to find someone to bleme. I was hiding and looking for an opening when DD was teken down. If I had helped her, she could also have helped Statian."
Andromeda shakes her head rapidly, brows knit in frustration. "That's not- We're not all for the same things. I'm here to keep you safe, especially the greens.
In the corner of her vision a dossier update awaits confirmation, and she angrily blink-clicks it away.
"So I don't need to find someone to blame. I failed in my mission; trusting Chroknight is why. I don't think... I know they're sloppy, and they don't care about doing things right, and they don't live up to their potential, but the world might have frozen. They weren't just being stupid, right?"
"My powers were actually right for something, and I wasn't there."
Aquarelle thinks for a moment. "I'll talk with Statian to confirm it is de seme for her, but from my part, you are relieved from your proteccion duties. If I can not even teke care of myself, what am I even doing in de team?" As always, he wanted to believe God had a plan for him.
"And trusting someone is not someting wrong, specially e teammete, so do not beat yourself for doing what you were supposed to do. I tink Chroknight screwed up." But it was wrong for him to assume the worse. He knew that, so he sighed and rolled his eyes. "But we need to know more. Leter, we can ask during e meeting."
"No! Don't be - Stupid!" Andromeda blurts. "The team's the team, but I want to be your shield! If I'm not that I'm- I'm-" Still just a weapon
"Angelica, no way I will let you feel responsible for whatever stupid decision I meke."
"No, no, you're not listening! We're doing good here right? I'm just trying to keep you safe while we do good. Being here has to be good, it can't just be selfish or-" She can't even approach the thought and stops, trembling inside her sheath as corposant writhes against the wetness on her face.
"What are you for, Gui? What's your purpose? You know it's not the same as mine."
"Do to oders as you would have dem do to you. Do good, lend, and expect noting in return and your reward will be great." Gui answers with quotes from the Bible. "God mede me dis way... geve me dis powers. What else could I do? My purpose is not mine, Angelica."
The words escape her mouth before she can stop them. "There should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
"Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues." She stops. "If we found another weapon like me, I could beat her, but I couldn't save her. That's why I need to be your shield."
Gui is clearly surprised Angelica was able to recite the verses. He sighs. "Because I have saved you?"
Andromeda doesn't speak, but her eyes plead for her, Would that be so bad? Before he can respond she gives the approved answer. "I keep you and the team safe so that you can fulfill your purpose."
"Well, de ting is dat I do not... I will not see you as e weapon or e shield. Ever. I did not helped e weapon back den." He says, getting closer to touch her chest. "So aside from de team and de missions and what I tink is God's will and purpose, my purpose is to meke you feel like e person."
When Gui touches the sheath, it flares to life, immediately pushing back with force and sizzling heat, even as Andromeda flinches away to break the contact, twisting in on herself to try to keep any protruding limbs or joints or anything from pointing at Gui.
"Maybe I could be more too, but I'd still be what I am."
"You'll still be who you are." He replies, with a smiling. His phone rings, notifying there is a new message, but he doesn't bother to check it now. "We are both pretty stubborn, are not we?"
"Maybe," she says, trying to smile back, trying to show she wanted him to keep caring, "But I know what it takes to break me."
Gui remains silent for a moment, disarmed, before asking. "Can I hug you? I do not know if your sheath allows hugs."
A look of total concentration consumes her face and the sheath quivers, peels open, and slices shut before Gui can make a move. She tries again, but can't even get the sheath fully open. "I can't I'm- I can't right now."
"It is ok. When you are ready. I just thought you needed e hug." He says, before switching to something else. "Do you want to eat someting and den watch e movie? Someting silly, to laugh and just chill?"
"Okay." Her smile fades to concern. "You know movies, right? I haven't seen a feature film since... I was little. It was an Ice Age movie, but I don't think it was the first one..."
Chloe Parker my young: Hey r u free tomorrow afternoon?
Chloe Parker my young: Need new look for special event
Chloe Parker my young: Shopping alone sucks T_T
Chloe Parker my young: I can treat you to take out
My Phone: Oh.
My Phone: That would be great!
My Phone: I didn't think we were still friends.
My Phone: Is BB okay?
After the chaos starts to settle, Sam approaches Indarius. "With your withdraw for tactical command, I attempted to provide oversight and direction during the conflict. In your estimation, how did I perform?" Sam just looks like Sam, flat expression, steady gaze (up).
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After the chaos starts to settle, Sam approaches Indarius. "With your withdraw for tactical command, I attempted to provide oversight and direction during the conflict. In your estimation, how did I perform?" Sam just looks like Sam, flat expression, steady gaze (up).
"I think you did fine Statian. I'm sorry it took me so long to get back here."
He looks at her hands then away, "I probably could have handled the device without you getting hurt so I'm sorry."
"Dermal layers regenerate given time." Sam seems unconcerned about her hands. "I do not understand priorities of individuals or the rejection of proposed plans. I considered..." Sam paused, cocking her head and listening and frowning "My matrix informs me that suggesting the use of shock collars is not a viable solution to focusing teammates."
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Indy looks a bit shocked but falls to assuming that was Sam's attempt at making a joke. "Not usually no, I think Chroknight's heart was in the right place, we stopped someone from getting away with a valuable piece of technology that could have been sold to very bad people."
He frowns, "Doesn't help that it happened to take place at the same time as the cryo-bomb thing, but these things do happen and all you can do is handle it as best as a team can."
Slowly peeling back his wings and holding out his hands towards hers palms up the draconid continues focusing only on her potential pain, "You don't have to act strong. I've seen what frostbite does to people, and it can cause long term nerve and epidermal damage that can plague you for the rest of your life. Here let me see." He asks gently, shutting out the bustle of activity around him to focus on the single problem at hand.
"If there's any numbness, tingling, anything at all I'm taking you to the hospital now."
Chloe:She was suspended for having a tail
Chloe: rents took her phone away
Chloe: Won't let me visit her
Chloe: Will try again, let you know
An appointment to meet at the Halcyon Shopping Plaza was linked for Andromeda to confirm her date with Chloe.
Chloe Parker my young: Won't let me visit her
Chloe Parker my young: Will try again, let you know
Andromeda can't help but relax. Chloe's invitation hadn't made a lot of sense, but that was just a lack of context. She can't talk to her friend right now.
"Add to calendar." She doesn't want to text anymore in front of the rest of the team. Especially to Chloe. Gui was okay though. At bowling he and Chloe were nice, but they weren't all over each other like Chroknight always was with everyone.
Now that Gui wasn't trying to touch her, her sheath had finally calmed some, but she had to strain to hold it tightly around herself as she watched Indarius tend to Sam. "Angel already healed her hands, right? Dossier says she's better at that anyways." she 'asks' Indarius, voice sharp. "Can we get out of here?"
"Empherean accelerated the cell growth. Feeling returned three point seven minutes ago." she states, agreeing with Adromeda, but then disagrees a moment later
"We cannot leave until the authorities understand the scope of the device and any structural damage the bombs caused, or it might endanger lives." she pauses, considers and then adds "No, I will not leave until that task is completed, the rest of you can." she looks up at Indarius "Thank you for your concern." she smiles, expressing gratitude when gratitude is both warranted and felt is something she generally needs prompted for, so her matrix chimed in there.
When Indarius drops her hands, she doesn't drop his gaze, something in his eyes tugs at her. She speaks, this time with a hint of wonder in her even voice "We saved the world, Indarius. Collectively, as a group. But communication is still a deficiency as I have submitted in my reports multiple times" in every one in truth, both multiple sections and in the summary. Prioritized in charts as well. "In this report, you are one that did not communicate. If we are to succeed in the future, you... all of us... need to coordinate, respect, and trust." there is a corporate communication manual that has found its way into her matrix it seems.
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Indy nods and lets Sam's hands go, "Alright, well just let me know if anything changes."
He lowers his head to Statian's comments about his own performance, "Thank you I'll, do my best not to get caught up in the moment next time. I thought, in hindsight falsely, that Chroknight and I could take the thief down fast enough to get back to the cryo bomb."
Sam nods "If the situation did not include the potential destruction of the earth with the cryogenic explosive, your prioritizing lives lost from the bombs over incarceration of the thief was correct, and your use of powers appropriate."
"'Daedalus Gives.' Gives what?" Xaiara's face scrunches at the announcement that has shown up in every students' tablet.
Ava arches an eyebrow. "We give our time or our talent to the community. It means that our school administrators have decided that we must do charity work in order to receive a passing grade."
Crinkling her nose like there's a bad scent in the air, Xaiara looks to Andromeda. "I thought they weren't making us be superheroes."
Ava looks back at the tablet, then shakes her head slowly. "Doesn't look like it. Options include litter cleanup, food and clothing collection, a blood drive, and assistance at the animal shelter. We're allowed to submit other ideas. Would you like to do this assignment as a group?"
It's date night at the Sazerac Cottage. Ne'veah wears a light and airy sundress that looks right at home in the Southern-style restaurant. With Gui's illusion overlaying her fur and her tail hidden beneath the folds of her dress, she passes through the doors of the restaurant solely with kind of attention that an attractive young woman draws.
A pleased smile is on her face as she surveys the evening crowd. "Well done," Ne'veah says as she holds out an arm, inspecting the appearance of smooth dark skin. She looks up to meet Gui's eyes, turning the gesture into one in which she expects him to take her hand. "My Auntie's from Savannah, and I've visited her a few times so I know real Southern food. Let's see how this place does. What about you? What's French-Canadian cuisine like?"
It's with increasing alarm that Chloe's texts to Beebee go unanswered, and apparently unread.
Then she gets a text from Beebee's twin brother.
Arshad: Hey, its me. B asked me to txt u bc she cant. Mom n Dad took her phone. Says u shoundt worry. Tail is permanent and shes happy about that. wants 2 go 2 dadalus.
Arshad: Dadealus.
Arshad: Dadaelus?
Max is pulled away from doomscrolling through her plummeting social media stock by Septimus Mathers. "That'll rot your brain," he says with a smirk. "You want to get cheered up?"
He pulls out of a backpack what looks like a cheap plastic fairy wand with a pink ribbon tied around it and holds it out. "I saw Dear Old Dad. Which isn't what's supposed to cheer you up. And what he told me... is pretty terrible, so let's ignore that for now. Here. Go on, take it," Tim says as he presents the wand.
Joy is called to meet with her handler, Ms. Trask. The government agent hands her a jagged piece of some pearlescent material. "I've been given permission to give you this. It's, from what we can tell, a piece of the egg -- or whatever you want to call it -- that held you before your... birth. We've run just about every test that's conceivable on it hoping it'll give us some clue about your origins. Without success, I might add. So, we're letting you have it."
She then pulls out a tablet. "Let's hear your report on Daedalus. Start with the incident at the Convention Center. How did that go, in your own words?"
The bulky form of Matt -- aka Chitin -- sags as he reviews the options of the mandated "Daedalus Gives" school outreach project. "I don't really want to do this. What do you think, Indy? You're a hero anyway; they shouldn't have to make you do one of these projects."
"I've already received permission to restore all the plants that the Burninator incinerated last week," Eliana says with an air of satisfaction while her body posture makes it clear that she had been addressing Chitin and not Indy.
"Good for you, but we can't control plants. Everyone has to contribute," Gwen replies to the dryad.
Chitin sits up. "We could help plant! Dig the holes, plant the trees and bushes." He looks at Indy, ignoring Eliana's hostile scowl. "What do you think?"
With the Merchant's favor complete and the cryo-nuke rendered safe and in the custody of Earth's resident Khi'thyr, Archie gets to enjoy the feeling of not owing the notorious arms dealer any favors for the moment.
At the next taco meal, Archie finds himself back in his body and able to eat his usual impressive number of tacos while being watched by Jessie. Her single taco consumed, she stares at the second one on her plate, weighing the options of trying to put another one away.
Jessie had invited Sam to sit with them. "So, any thoughts on the school outreach program? I thought I could... well, it's kind of stupid. I mean, it'd be helpful, but I don't know if it'll count. I'll probably just help out with a canned food drive." She slides her second taco away from her after one bite.
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The bulky form of Matt -- aka Chitin -- sags as he reviews the options of the mandated "Daedalus Gives" school outreach project. "I don't really want to do this. What do you think, Indy? You're a hero anyway; they shouldn't have to make you do one of these projects."
"I've already received permission to restore all the plants that the Burninator incinerated last week," Eliana says with an air of satisfaction while her body posture makes it clear that she had been addressing Chitin and not Indy.
"Good for you, but we can't control plants. Everyone has to contribute," Gwen replies to the dryad.
Chitin sits up. "We could help plant! Dig the holes, plant the trees and bushes." He looks at Indy, ignoring Eliana's hostile scowl. "What do you think?"
Indy shakes his head and reengages with the conversation, his attention having been pulled elsewhere apparently. "Sorry what? Oh the donation stuff. Well it doesn't feel much like charity if it's necessary for a passing grade that much is for sure." His leathery wings stretched out, encompassing the entirety of his side of the table and causing a potential walk hazard, as he stretched the limbs. Lazily grabbing and flicking theough the notifications on his own tablet for a few moments.
"I think even heroes should help give back to the community though. I mean we all have plenty of experience with how much destroyed buildings can interrupt the family life of people due to super clashes." He states thinking back to all the late nights his parents had to work due to various super incidents. "So every little bit we could give back helps. Never know what kind of connections you might make doing community work either I guess?"
He offers an eye roll to Eliana, "So long as you don't plant anymore Treants, please, I think it'll be fine." Indy tilts his head for a moment before continuing, nodding along to the idea after putting a bit more thought to it. "But yeah we can all still help, and you can teach us more about the plants so we make a good balanced ecosystem. Though rebuilding the campus greenery doesn't help the community...hmmm"
A flash of insight passes over his draconic features. "Oh! What if we do a community garden as well?"
Max is pulled away from doomscrolling through her plummeting social media stock by Septimus Mathers. "That'll rot your brain," he says with a smirk. "You want to get cheered up?"
He pulls out of a backpack what looks like a cheap plastic fairy wand with a pink ribbon tied around it and holds it out. "I saw Dear Old Dad. Which isn't what's supposed to cheer you up. And what he told me... is pretty terrible, so let's ignore that for now. Here. Go on, take it," Tim says as he presents the wand.
Max takes the wand with a dubious raise of her eyebrow. "Oh? What is this supposed to be?" she asks warily.
"'Daedalus Gives.' Gives what?" Xaiara's face scrunches at the announcement that has shown up in every students' tablet.
Ava arches an eyebrow. "We give our time or our talent to the community. It means that our school administrators have decided that we must do charity work in order to receive a passing grade."
Crinkling her nose like there's a bad scent in the air, Xaiara looks to Andromeda. "I thought they weren't making us be superheroes."
Ava looks back at the tablet, then shakes her head slowly. "Doesn't look like it. Options include litter cleanup, food and clothing collection, a blood drive, and assistance at the animal shelter. We're allowed to submit other ideas. Would you like to do this assignment as a group?"
"Yes," replies Andromeda without thinking. She pauses. An Androidian, potentially transmissible hyper-regenerative factor, and a trypanophobe. "We can't do blood," Running animals: Potential canine-sheath interaction? "Or animals. Are litter or clothes or food more acceptable?" she finishes, not managing to question the premise of the assignment. "Oh. I had another question as well. Context: Gui asked me on a date. Question:" She fails for a moment to phrase her vast unease. "Help?"
Gwen lights up at the community garden idea, though Eliana still looks sour at Indy being involved at all. She huffs at the treant remark.
"Cool, yeah, that sounds like outreach to me," Matt says.
Gwen claps her hands together. "Good! I'll submit that as our project. Since I can't, you know, dig up trees and stuff. But I can help with the design! And help pick out the seeds and sprouts for the planting."
Eliana, however, looks more and more upset until she finally bursts, "No! This was my idea, and I can do it my myself! I don't need anyone else, and especially not him!" She punctuates her outburst by pointing directly at Indy.
"It's supposed to be a group project," Gwen says, her tone soft but insistent. "A vegetable garden is better than just regrowing burnt plants, and we'll need your help. You don't have to talk with him, okay?"
Matt just gives Indy a helpless shrugs while Gwen tries to soothe things over.
The wand feels just as cheap and plastic in her hand as it looks. "I added a glamor to it," Tim explains. "But it's way more than what it looks like. When you switch to your demon look, it'll activate."
He invites her to follow him away from the other Daedalus students into a shaded area within the hedge maze. "This way, if anyone sees us they'll think we're making out," he says with a wink. "But this is business. I got to thinking that you're now stuck without a quick-change costume -- slutty as the parasite was, it probably had its uses."
He gestures to the wand in her hand. "A little something that hearkens back to the days of the ikm. Well, supposedly. I guessed at the wand, but better than a big and obvious scarab. It once held back the forces of magic before Dr. Infinity hid it within his spellbook. Hopefully it'll be useful against alien energy whips."
"Did you say yes?" Xaiara asks.
"Of course she did. She wouldn't be asking for help if she said no. Unless you said you'll think about it?" Ave frowns slightly.
"So it's still a valid question," the metal-winged girl defends herself.
The robot girl concedes. "Point. So, what sort of help would you like? If it is merely advice about your role in the date, I can tell you that dwindling yet residual societal roles of both sexes consign women to a more passive position. This means that you may allow for Gui to do the "heavy lifting" of the date: selecting the date, time, activities, and venue, while you possess the right to say no to his ideas altbough it's generally expected that you give him a chance to impress you. Essentially, you may simply allow him to show you a good time. How he does will entirely depend on his creativity and understanding of the types of activities you enjoy.
"Does this help?"
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Indy frowns at Eliana's outburst, and waits for things to calm down at least a little bit before he speaks up.
"Look... Eliana, I don't even know what I did wrong. I genuinely don't understand why you hate me so much? Would it kill you to at least tell me that much so I can try to make it up to you?"
"The flow of those statements contradict. What is the activity you wish to suggest?"
Eliana glares at Indy with real heat in her eyes. They flash between human anger and an otherworldly contempt. After a beat, she turns her head to stare off into space. "I do not converse with oathbreakers. Neither the dragon-mage nor the wardcrafter who destroyed a world, then promised salvation and refused to deliver."
Gwen looks at Indy for a moment while Matt shifts uncomfortably. "Okay, then I'll ask. What was the salvation that Indarius and the... war crafter promised? And they didn't really blow up a planet, right?"
"The oathbreakers know. They destroyed an entire realm, no matter the cost. And in consolation, they promised one of its refugees their life back. But they delayed. They didn't come through. So when-- when he came--" Eliana chokes back a sob, human emotion replacing her fey countenance.
Jessie shrugs, avoiding the eyes at the table. "I was thinking I could send a bunch of my spiders into a homeless shelter and have them eat up all the pests. It's dumb, I know."
Archie pointed at Jessie, mouth full, "That's a cool idea. You could drive the rats into a cage and have death battles for the homeless people. Spiders vs. rats! Come one come all. It'd be cool, no?"
He stared awkwardly at his friends who likely seemed to disagree, "Maybe not."
He finished up his third taco and motioned to Jessie's leftover, "Mind if I eat that?" He said as he reached for it without waiting for a reply.
"I'm not sure what I could do, I could go around and give out free stuff but it'd just disappear in a few days. That'd be mean. 'Here are some free clothes, oh oops two days later you're suddenly shirtless."" He paused and began finishing Jessies taco, "What about you Red? Use your giga-brain to solve homelessness and we'll be back before the midnight bell."
He conjured a silk napkin and cleaned his fingers and mouth. "Community service has never been my strong suit. I specialize in community disservice." He smiled at his little joke.
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Eliana glares at Indy with real heat in her eyes. They flash between human anger and an otherworldly contempt. After a beat, she turns her head to stare off into space. "I do not converse with oathbreakers. Neither the dragon-mage nor the wardcrafter who destroyed a world, then promised salvation and refused to deliver."
Gwen looks at Indy for a moment while Matt shifts uncomfortably. "Okay, then I'll ask. What was the salvation that Indarius and the... war crafter promised? And they didn't really blow up a planet, right?"
"The oathbreakers know. They destroyed an entire realm, no matter the cost. And in consolation, they promised one of its refugees their life back. But they delayed. They didn't come through. So when-- when he came--" Eliana chokes back a sob, human emotion replacing her fey countenance.
Indy's face sags into a frown as best scales can when Eliana says she won't speak to him, but more so when Gwen gets her to speak up.
"That's.. a rather unfair read of the situation." He says letting that sit on the table while he digs through the details. "The realm Quincy made was dying because he didn't have enough magical essence to keep it together, it was literally killing him. If he died then so would everyone there, so we had to evacuate everyone. Umboriax made promises and he was- is part of me, so I planned on making good on them once we left, as best I could at least."
Placing both hands on the table and working his thumbs together, a nervous tick that still remained from when he was fully human. "Conflux and I did work on a way to give the refugee their life back. I told them these things take time to research. I'm sorry it took so long, but I couldn't just jump in, make things worse, or end up making their life even more of a living hell could I?"
With a heavy sigh he folds his wings again around his neck keeping his hands displayed on the table though. "The ritual we came up with. It would likely work on 'her'. But when I went to find her and break the news, I found an empty room." Indy breaths deeply and then lets out a small chilling puff through his nostrils, "I wish I had been faster, I wish it wasn't as risky to try things before we were certain, but now she's changed. I'd have to undo an extremely ancient and powerful spellwork, and find a new answer because she's no doubt changed from when we last spoke."
Slowly pushing himself away from the table and standing, "I just.. wish she'd give me a chance to tell her that I'd still follow through with what promises I made given the chance."
Sam shakes her head "Simulations show either a radical reduction of population or a prodigious change to societal values would be required to have an impact. While the first would be significantly easier, the second would be preferred... and both are out of scope for this endeavor."
"Elimination of pests is a improvement but to lifestyle and health." the redhead agrees with Jessie. "To minimize an adverse reaction, Phalanx could provide entertainment?" she doesn't know what would be entertaining hence the uptick to her voice at the end signifying a question.
"Did you say yes?" Xaiara asks.
"Of course she did. She wouldn't be asking for help if she said no. Unless you said you'll think about it?" Ave frowns slightly.
"So it's still a valid question," the metal-winged girl defends herself.
The robot girl concedes. "Point. So, what sort of help would you like? If it is merely advice about your role in the date, I can tell you that dwindling yet residual societal roles of both sexes consign women to a more passive position. This means that you may allow for Gui to do the "heavy lifting" of the date: selecting the date, time, activities, and venue, while you possess the right to say no to his ideas although it's generally expected that you give him a chance to impress you. Essentially, you may simply allow him to show you a good time. How he does will entirely depend on his creativity and understanding of the types of activities you enjoy.
"Does this help?"
Andromeda nods slowly.
"It does, but I have a specific concern: How do I not hurt him? He is aware of my powers, but he isn't concerned by them, even though they have resulted in small-scale destruction or mild injury on several occasions. He doesn't like that I'm a weapon, to see me as a weapon. So he keeps touching me when I'm not ready."
"No rats versus spiders until I get my huntsman spiders that Daedalus is shipping me." Jessie props her chin with her hand as she leans on the table. "Archie, you making clothes could still work. Yeah, it's only for a few days, but you could make some real nice, like, job interview clothes. They'd only need them for a day or two. It's all about timing."
Matt and Gwen look expectantly to Eliana. She stares at her hands in her lap. "What's done is done."
After a beat of silence, Matt clears his throat. "Okay... should we circle back around to the community garden? Eliana, it'd be great to have you. Honestly, it won't work near as good if you aren't with us."
The dryad avoids looking at Indy, but there's less heat in her body language. "Very well. I shall attend."
Xaiara just watches intently as Ava's eyes flash for a moment. "If physical contact is your concern, you have limited options. Presuming that precise control of your powers is not presently an option, power dampener devices -- though rare -- exist and one might be procured to facilitate skin-to-skin contact. Alternatively, I have heard of a person with power draining capabilities. That could have a similar effect to a dampener."
Hidden from view and taking care to avoid being spotted, Chloe huddled uncomfortably in the closet, focusing on their ring which normally held the suit. It took some trial and error to figure out how to make it appear off of her. It was annoying that it would be called back if she moved more than fifty feet from the armor. So this was the only solution she could think to make.
Now, so long as Statian didn't discover her, all would be well.
Sam does not seem to be surprised at the armor on her bed, meaning her room is probably has sensors upon sensors that are not 100% obvious given her nano level obsessions.
She immediately runs reverent fingers over every inch of the sleek suit, slowly, memorizing, before she says in a slightly hitched voice, without looking at the closet.
"I have silent proximity alarms, motion sensors, temperature flux classifier, and others. But I do not include any auditory and visual elements in the suite. Out of respect for my roommate."
She then hunches over the damage, pulling out a set of many lensed glasses.
"...Yeah. uh. The suit has some proximity sensor that makes it impossible for me to be too far from it without it teleporting to me. So. You know." Chloe keeps her voice raspy and low, hoping it's not recognizable.
"Check the knee joints, because they locked up on me for some reason."
Sam nods, not looking at the closet, and hums lightly as she starts to investigate the joint. Her threads weave out from the small of her back, under the dark hoodie she is swallowed in, probing the areas around it.
"Lubrication deficiency it seems." she adjusts her viewing glasses to a greater magnifications "Near molecular coatings... I should be able to recreate. The conductivity of the connections here lack insulation. Has it been causing pain?"
"Uh. Sorry. Feeling exposed. Just, something loose in the helmet rattling around, and it's not self-healing anymore so that needs to be fixed if possible...I should mention that this is future tech so there's probably stuff in it you've never encountered before."
Sam makes another humming sound, a tic showing obvious pleasure at having this task. Getting direction makes her shift from the knee to the helmet, leaning in she catches a scent that tugs in her mind, "I've smelled this before, but have yet to discover a way to catalog scents digitally." she shakes it off and continues "I have read research papers and created theories that are corroborated based on this simple investigation." a woven thread bundle hands her a device from her desk which she connects to the helmet and then slowly shifts back and forth. "Atomic tremor waves show... here" she raises the helmet and points to a place where the rattle is happening, looking at the closet for the first time, her green eyes bottled from the thick lens. "Does that correspond to your experiences?" she wants to limit what she takes apart since she recognizes her own limitations.
"...So I'm in the closet (not for the first time) and can't really see what you're talking about. I didn't make the suit. I think. Unless future me got an engineering degree. I'm a driver, not a mechanic, you get me?"
There's a shifting inside of the closet as they try to avoid cramping their legs. "...would talking about different subjects throw off your concentration on the suit or can you talk while fixing it?"
Sam goes back to looking at the helmet "No, compartmentalizing is a necessity with higher experimentation." another tool is handed to her and she starts to remove the other layers, very carefully.
"Cool. Who do you think is the hottest of our teammates? Like, the one you're most interested in seeing in their formal gala attire?"
A spark shoots out from the helmet but Sam doesn't seem concerned "Phalanx's ability has the greatest potential to produce excessive temperatures, despite Adromeda's and Indarius' more offensive abilities." then she looks up and tilts her head "How does that correspond to formal attire?"
"I'm talking sexiest, making your stomach turn upside down inside you hot, not temperature of the sun hot," Chroknight clarifies. "Indy can preach about no team dating, that doesn't mean we're not looking. Unless you're ace, which is fair."
Their voice gets a little teasing, ever through the grufness. "Like, you don't sometimes imagine those dramatic scenarios where you get all close and the tension increases..."
Sam looks up at the closet, her head tilting again "Tension?"
"Like, imagine for a minute if Max was here in a tight tank top, leaning over to watch you work. She's really close, less than a foot away. How would that make you feel? Nervous? Excited? Like you'd want to do something that wouldn't be appropriate in a Disney movie?"
"Oh" the color nearly explodes among the freckles. "I understand now." while Sam looks rather intently at the helmet, working with a rather delicate hyper mesh, several dozen of her threads look at the closet, almost with a menace to them.
"Look, it's okay if you don't want to talk about it. I'm not trying to objectify all my teammates, but I got a healthy appetite for these things and I think it's better to talk about it than be all repressed and keep unpure thoughts hidden like they aren't there."
"This... is normal, correct?" Sam sounds unsure, a quiver in her blandness. "Trading thoughts on who you'd like to... have tension with?"
"If it's with someone you trust, yeah. I tell my bestie everything. Not that I've talked with them recently, due to stuff."
There's a pause before the voice continues. "So...my ratings are skewed a bit for hotness, but Max and Indy share first, Joy second, Aquarelle third."
Sam probes again, the spark does not happen this time. "After compiling all parameters, Devil Diva and Empyrean surpass all social norms in relation to physical attractiveness. Given that I do not, comprehending something akin to a date with either would be beyond my imagination. Physical traits is also only one factor in measurement. If allowed to use other data points, Aquarelle, yourself, and Andromeda surpass them. " Sam seems to be concentrating so not paying attention fully to what she is saying.
"I mean, I get my armor's the coolest thing about this team, but I wouldn't call it hot. And it's not about whether you date them, just if you'd feel like curling your toes imagining them giving you a hug or a kiss, or something more..."
Another teasing tone. "Like, if you were to think about me giving you a hug, that feel like something you would want?"
"Advanced technology streamlined to fit a human form." Sam defends her list, before she pauses her task of reconnecting the last plate. "My matrix is confusing me, both expressing that I should and should not answer that question."
"Okay, here's something I've been meaning to ask - you keep talking about your matrix, but that's just a fancy word for your feelings, right? Lot of contradictions, illogical, sometimes berating your choices? You know plenty of people have that inner voice, right?" Chroknight's muffled voice speaks up.
"My inner voice oftens tells me to catch you in a tight hug because you're so dang cute, and at the same time tells me I need to be responsible and keep my distance."
Sam opens her mouth to respond, but finds it empty for a moment. "No, my matrix is a compensation algorithm based on statistical patterns developed from a large language model which is needed since I developed an emotional dampener in my brain to allow me to function."
"Okay, and that sounds more like what you'd call common sense. That's a good thing to have. Keeps you from doing things that would get you in trouble in society, like kissing super hot people without their consent. You think you really need that emotional dampener though? I've been known to pitch a fit at times when I'm upset, but that's normal."
April 27, 2025
"I had anxiety. Before my mother died. Then it got worse." her tone shifted to a flat as possible, almost dead. Her threads still as they watch the door.
"Done" she states, running a finger down the seamless line she just finished. "I'll step out to allow you to test."
She does not give Chroknight more than a split second before she is headed out...
The world slows, then rewinds a few seconds. Not before Chloe stuck her foot in her mouth, but the moment after it, to give a chance to apologize.
"-that's normal...but you probably needed it. Sorry, I spoke without thinking. That was a stupid thing for me to say."
A pause happens, then her threads start to weave slightly again. "I don't understand this statement 'spoke without thinking'. It is a biological necessity to do so."
Sam doesn't wait for an answer since she has just finished placing the last plate back in. "Done" she states, running a finger down the seamless line she just finished. "I'll step out to allow you to test." but she pauses first to make sure there isn't anything else the closet has to say.
"You're right. It's more that I spoke without first thinking about if my words could be seen as insulting or mean. I guess sometimes my own common sense doesn't work as well as your matrix."
They're standing up inside of the closet. "No need to leave." In a flash, the suit vanishes from the bed, before Chroknight strides out of the closet, flexing and testing the armor.
"Feels good. Functions well. No catching. What do I owe you for this? I can treat you to lunch or dinner sometime if you like."
Sam shakes her head "I collected petabytes of data during the operation. That is more than enough compensation." she tilts her head listening to something, before her brow furrows and she looks up. "It says I should accept anyway, why?"
"Because it's an excuse to take you out on a date?" Chroknight suggests.
Sam's brow furrows more "I was not on your list?"
"Hot doesn't necessarily mean the person you would most want to date." They reply, gently tugging on their left ring finger. "I like you because you're honest, and cute, and smart, and you make me want to be less of an ass."
Sam stares , her head tilting neither direction. Her green eyes blink, once, twice, then she says simply "Okay" she does a slight chew of her lip as she stands, then sits "Now?"
"If you want. Or we can do it some other time. I don't want to overwhelm you," They tell her. "Just, you know, I'm not trying to rush this."
Sam did tilt then at the word rush, as she assessed her hunger levels. "I could eat now" something in her tells her waiting would cause a disruption in her dampeners. So she stands again.
It's a quick skip to a simple hole-in-the-wall cantina off campus for some good tacos and burritos. Chroknight pays cash for the food, getting no odd looks from the burly cook putting their meals together.
"Diego had a problem with some punks driving away most of his customers base a couple months back, until I caught them tagging and turned them in to the police. I try to stop by once a week just to make sure they don't come back around. Plus, the carnitas is absolutely delish."
"Burritos are very efficient food." Sam agrees. As she sits and eats she says "I have done no additional vigilante activities with my abilities other than with our group."
"Community service. Nothing says you can't make a citizen's arrest if you encounter illegal activity." Somehow they've already taken a drink despite not removing their helmet.
Soon they've got their burritos, bites miraculously being taken out of Chroknight's without it seeming to leave their plate. "I've been at this for months of real time. The Moth Clan, Zebra King, Boulderdash - I have a lot on my plate outside of the team. And that's not even accounting for my non-hero stuff."
"Non-hero stuff?" Sam asks before she realizes "You mean your secret idenity, not quantum entanglement experimentation or something similar."
"Yup. If I didn't have crazy time powers I'd be going crazy juggling it all. Still feels like a struggle sometimes. I can't be everywhere at once."
"An impossibility" Sam agrees then sips her soda. She is uncertain what to talk about so she continues "Does your other life know about your hero life?"
"Only my best friend. I play it close to the vest. I have a lot of people who would be in danger if they knew."
"My father and I talked about keeping my abilities secret, but the probability of discovery was near inevitable in every simulation." she takes another sip.
"Plausible deniability. All you need is a mask and a codename. Sure, people can suspect, but they can't confirm unless you reveal yourself. I think there's even laws in the books protecting us so long as we're on good faith," Chroknight says, their burrito finished.
"Also, can't conceal it from everyone, so having the people you trust help to keep your secret goes a long way. Your dad seems like he'd be happy to have done it. Enjoying the wrap there?"
"It is good. 'My father seems like he'd be happy to have done it' what do you mean by that?"
"Just that he'd have supported you if you took the choice to be a masked hero, I think."
Sam nods "He would have, but he would have been in greater danger when others found out. This alternative keeps him on overwatch."
"I get it. Best to keep family safe." They nod, watching her eat. "...Thanks for coming out with me. Glad that you did."
"I am as well." Sam nods, after chewing her last bit of sustenance. "Since the conversation of maintaining identities was prominent, I find it compelling to suggest to destroy your straw, if my hypothesis about how you drank without taking off your helmet is correct. DNA testing can be conducted with the faintest traces, and you may exist in the databases without your knowledge." Sam's way to paying Chroknight back for the experience.
"Oh, appreciate the thought." They dispose of the straw. "Let's do this again sometime. For now, I got to get going. Catch you later?"
Sam nods, assured that they will in truth be seeing each other at a later date. She rises from the table, already cataloging the details of the 'date' into her databases.
Chloe: Got it. Tell her to come to the shop when I'm working so i know she's not a prisoner
Chloe's next text goes to Indarius.
Chloe: I need your help
Chloe: My friend Beebee attended one of your school parties and drunk a potion
Chloe: But the effects are permanent and she's being kicked out of school for it
Chloe: Can you help? Find whomever made that junk to reverse it?
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Matt and Gwen look expectantly to Eliana. She stares at her hands in her lap. "What's done is done."
After a beat of silence, Matt clears his throat. "Okay... should we circle back around to the community garden? Eliana, it'd be great to have you. Honestly, it won't work near as good if you aren't with us."
The dryad avoids looking at Indy, but there's less heat in her body language. "Very well. I shall attend."
Indy looks to Matt seeing as Rliana is still avoiding looking at him. "Yeah I think we should at least still talk about it. If you don't all want me involved though I'd understand, I just-" Ping
"Sec.. that's the important text noise.."
He strips the communicator from his neck band and looks through it.
Chloe's next text goes to Indarius.
Chloe: I need your help
Chloe: My friend Beebee attended one of your school parties and drunk a potion
Chloe: But the effects are permanent and she's being kicked out of school for it
Chloe: Can you help? Find whomever made that junk to reverse it?
Indarius: I know who made them. Let me see what I can do. Back with you when I can.
His face quickly sours, "Oh."
Eye ridges raising back up as he flicks the device closed again, "So uh.. remember the potion party? Turns out one of my teammate's friends got in trouble for that, got booted from hal-prep under the new super restriction, and also is still under the effects of the potion. So I gotta go talk to Tim and see if he'd be willing to help sort that whole mess out." Glancing nervously over to the table with Tim and Max.
"A-anyone wanna provide backup?" he laughed nervously, not really expecting anyone to help him, but he needed to psyche himself up before having any dealings with one of the Matthers brothers.
Indarius: I know who made them. Let me see what I can do. Back with you when I can.
His face quickly sours, "Oh."
Eye ridges raising back up as he flicks the device closed again, "So uh.. remember the potion party? Turns out one of my teammate's friends got in trouble for that, got booted from hal-prep under the new super restriction, and also is still under the effects of the potion. So I gotta go talk to Tim and see if he'd be willing to help sort that whole mess out." Glancing nervously over to the table with Tim and Max.
"A-anyone wanna provide backup?" he laughed nervously, not really expecting anyone to help him, but he needed to psyche himself up before having any dealings with one of the Matthers brothers.
"Sure," Chitin says, standing up to his impressive height. Gwen nods and rises smoothly. Eliana doesn't say anything or indicate she would help, but she joins the group as they set out to find Tim Mathers.
* * *
After asking around someone mentions that Tim was talking with some Hispanic girl, and they went off into the hedge maze.
Before Max is able to try anything out with the fairy wand, she and Tim are interrupted by a dragon! Well, Indarius, plus a handful of other Daedalus students she'd seen around. All three students have inhuman features. One is large with a shiny red-orange carapace; one has white feathery hair and a black band across her eyes; and the third is ekf-like and otherworldly, with green plant life seemingly growing in and around her clothing.
Indarius sees Tim and a strikingly beautiful girl holding what looks like a cheap plastic fairy wand.
"Oh hey!" Tim says after the shock of the unexpected appearance of a dragon and his entourage. "Um, we were kind of having a private moment, you know? And I assure you that it has *nothing* to do with the Rodovkan Mafia!"
Max had been about to activate the fairy wand when Indarius and his crew arrive on the scene! She instinctive steps closer to Tim as if to hide behind him, looking for all the world like a kid caught with her hand in the cookie jar.
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Before Max is able to try anything out with the fairy wand, she and Tim are interrupted by a dragon! Well, Indarius, plus a handful of other Daedalus students she'd seen around. All three students have inhuman features. One is large with a shiny red-orange carapace; one has white feathery hair and a black band across her eyes; and the third is ekf-like and otherworldly, with green plant life seemingly growing in and around her clothing.
Indarius sees Tim and a strikingly beautiful girl holding what looks like a cheap plastic fairy wand.
"Oh hey!" Tim says after the shock of the unexpected appearance of a dragon and his entourage. "Um, we were kind of having a private moment, you know? And I assure you that it has *nothing* to do with the Rodovkan Mafia!"
Indarius holds up a hand to help show he's not looking for a fight. "Sorry to interrupt Tim, but uh.. there's a kind of serious matter that someone needs your help with." He eyes the girl, then turns his gaze focusing on Tim so as to not freak her out too much. "There's a girl who went to the potion party, and well apparently the potion stuck. She's been expelled from her school until she can prove she's not a super, and a whole lot of other stuff. They're asking for my help in getting rid of those effects. But you're the source here so it'd be poor form to try and just muck about in your work."
He blinked and scratched a spot behind his horns with one hand's talons, "Without consulting at least."
"I could probably just brute force the change out, wouldn't be the first time. But I know for a fact that can lead to some mixed results and I'd just rather not have to make a mess bigger. So could you lend us a hand on this?"
Tim frowns. "That shouldn't happen. The potions were designed to wear off." He glances at the girl with him. "I might need a moment to work on this."
Turning back to Indy, he thinks for a moment then shakes his head. "No way. Even a person with zero Talent would have burned off the potion in three days. Four, tops, but they'd have to really be a zero. Uh-uh. If you're right, either someone or something's keeping the effect going, or... I dunno. Maybe they have super powers and that was the trigger?" His face sours in distaste at that possibility.
"Your elixirs stank of the fey," Eliana states.
Tim shrugs his shoulders. "That was just the chaos-binding reagent. Do you know how time-consuming it would've been to make thirty-plus random potions one at a time? I sure as Hell wouldn't have given them away for free, that's for sure."